Tell me what's THE best pressure washer for $400 and why?

Homeowner stuff like driveway, brick, deck, use once/twice yr.

I'd go with the Generac...3000 PSI 2.5 GPM.

I've got the profession grade...Love it...Came with several different nozzles for various applications

212 cc OHV engine Easy to start...

I bought it a few years back, at Menards..So I can't remember what I paid for it. But what ever it was, it was worth it. Matter of fact, I used it yesterday to clean off the deck in the back, and clean off the cob webs under the eves around the house.


WuzzFuzz

You won't get a good new one for $400. Accept it.

I have Troybuilt I bought from Lowes and it was under $400 and plenty powerful enough. It is so powerful it will etch my driveway concrete if I'm not careful with it.

Most all usr the same crummy pump underneath. The are cheap online and can be replaced with unscrewing 4 bolts. The Honda engines are great.

Just flush them out with the compressed can of pump saver if you do not use it often.

Scroll down to the bottom of this thread. There are several other threads on washers.

Or just Buy a Dillon!

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Still Running Against the Wind

We have had a Honda GC190 for several years now. Other than one trip to the shop to get put back to rights it has run flawlessly. I use a attachment called a EZClean when doing the driveway and sidewalks. What used to take 10 hours over a couple days takes 3 hours with that attachment.

Troybilts are pretty tough. I had one with a honda 4hp that started everyone I pulled it. I don't think I ever did much maintenance on it either. When the pump finally sprung a leak after about 10 years, I mounted the engine on my daughter's go kart and it lasted another couple of years.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

So I'm guessing those two puppies got into something they weren't supposed to?

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Or are you looking for one that plugs in to 110 volt house current? That's what I have.

Need to get one myself,hope you all can give some good reviews.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

Power with Honda engine you cant go wrong.

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Spin The Wheel

Gasoline powered.

That's what I was thinking.... but.

I was seriously considering this Ryobi with a Honda engine from Home Depot. After reading a lot of unhappy camper reviews who had used it for a while I had some doubts.

Ryobi 3100-PSI 2.5-GPM Honda Gas Pressure Washer with Idle Down-RY80940B - The Home Depot

I have one from Lowes. Honda engine. I did not store it correctly (did not use the magic flush in a can) and it sat for long time. All the pumps are junk anyway. I ordered a new pump online, simple fix and now flush it out,

OEM Technologies 86CAV12B Fully Plumbed 3100 PSI 2.5 GPM Brass Head Vertical Axial Replacement Pressure Washer Pump Kit w/ Powerboost®

it's around 3100 psi and 2.5 or 2.7 GPH more than enough for my needs

In this price range there is really no difference in them (as to quality of the pump) Honda is Honda.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Mine was $119 with free shipping from Amazon. I use it for drives, siding, mower cleanup, car washing. Just don't leave it unprotected in the winter.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Last time I pressure washed my driveway was with one of these attachments.

Ever hear the expression 'too good to be true'. Well this one is amazing and true. Like magic compared to a spray nozzle. At least 10x faster and leaves no lines.

I have a gas powered unit that came from Home Depot about 4 years ago, somewhere in the mid to upper $300 range, that starts first pull every time. I change the oil in it every other season (first change was after about 10 hrs run time) and use Seafoam in each tank. The one I had before that came from Lowes, about 20 years ago. Don't let the unit set where it can freeze during the winter. There is always a bit of water in the pump, that can cause issues if allowed to freeze. Don't let it run without water being sprayed for more than a minute or so or the pump can overheat. Following those guidelines kept my first one running for over 15 years. The thing still worked when I bought this one, but the pump was getting noisy. I set it out by the road and off she went ........... Sorry I can't tell you the brand right now, but if you want to know, PM me. Good Luck!

Easy answer to this one. Go to Lowes (or home depot) and get the cheapest one with a Honda engine. Easy to start and they all use the same pumps. You will wind up with something in the 3000psi range. Check also Tractor Supply everyone has their own store labeled brands but the important thing is to get a Honda powered one. As far as my own personal preference-I like a horizontal engine shaft as opposed to vertical shaft-but that's because it's what I already have. Mine is well over 10 years old and I had to replace the pump a few weeks ago-went on line paid $120 delivered took five minutes and loosening 4 bolts and was done. You WILL be tempted to get more than you really need but for home use anything over 3000psi is probably over kill. Also I have NEVER used the detergent attachment just pressure and water.
I don't know what is more fun for a guy-pressure washing or chain sawing

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Forum consigliere

Forget the pressure washer. Buy Wet and Forget and spray it on.
In a few weeks it will be clean. Maybe longer, but it will work.
That is a brand name....there are others that work as well.

Another vote for Honda powered... I think I bought mine about 3 years ago from Costco, under $400 .. use it at my shop for engine compartments weekly, as well as an occasional trip home for other projects.. it's been flawless.. other than the one time my son threw some C-16 race fuel in it at the shop.. didn't really like it much.. He did the same thing to the race track golf cart.. it didn't run any faster..

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Jack C

Bought mine at Sam's Club for $350 or $400. Honda powered, pump is by Simpson. It has a 5 different tips. Has worked without incident for 5+ years. Well worth the cost. It has even survived a few uses by neighbors/friends (against my better judgment) and still running strong.

I've got a $400 Troybuilt XP w 2600 PSI and 5 tips. It was purchased about 6 years ago when my electric unit died. The good part is that the Honda motor ALWAYS starts easily. The bad part is that it's a PITA to store and move around. It's also a PITA to set up for use The plastic on the frame and soap bottles is cheezy and breaks easily. Lastly, they had pump problems with these. Run the motor with no water attached and you have a $400 piece of junk. The garden hose kinked on mine once so the pump slips now and then.
I bought it back in the day where I needed to reach up two stories to clean. It did that marginally. Now I own a ranch house and could get by with allot less. In fact, if this died tomorrow, I think i'd just opt for a smaller ( but quality) 1600 psi electric unit again. Like most people, I overestimated my needs and the capabilities of the machine. ( i.e 2600 PSI can destroy siding/decking FAST if you have the wrong tip installed. (I learned the hard way that for most jobs, less pressure is better than too much.)

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Dave

Either one... standing on top an A-frame ladder.

Well... maybe you are right.

Yesterday I picked up the $399 Ryobi with the Honda engine. Assembly only took a couple minutes and didn't require any cursing or the dog running for cover... that was nice.

Then I went to fill it up with oil... the dipstick showed it was already full. Hmmmm... Then opened the gas cap and was greeted with the aroma of a half tank of stale gas.

Called Ryobi CS.

Q: Do y'all ship your pressure washers full of oil and stale gas?

A. (nice young English speaking gal). No sir.

Q. The reason I ask is that's the way mine came in the box from Home Depot.

A. You should return it to Home Depot.

OK.

So it's pouring down rain... I mean really pouring down rain. Perfect! Put it back in the cardboard box and loaded it back in the truck. Arrived back at Home Deport and asked the gal at the return desk if they had a couple young fellas to grab a soggy cardboard box with a pressure washer in it out of the back of my truck.... I'll let you guys fill in the rest of the story with your imagination.

Got one of the RYOBI washers..( SUBARU engine) from HD.. would not trade it.. works perfect every time easy one pull start

Also look into a ROTATING turbo nozzle... MOST EXCELLENT attachment

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

Funny this thread popped up. I was just looking at the Troy-Bilt XP 3100-PSI 2.7 Gallons with the honda engine at lowes.

Juts need it to clean the pool furniture and concrete once a month.

Minus my 10% veterans discount and the 5% for using the lowes card it comes out to around 375 out the door. Not bad.

No need to winterize out here so I should just be able to drop some stabil in it and be good.

Good thread, looking to replace my electric within the year.
I'll probably miss my little buzzer. Adequate enough for my needs I
can use it atop a ladder without much sphincter clench, I don't have
to chase the resin patio chairs very far and when I make an errant
pass over my bare foot there remains some flesh.

C Phil -Somebody at Home Depot would have to do some explaining on a deal like that. Every once in a while I get some car parts that have been swapped out with cheap house brand parts in the name brand box,does not make me happy! I give them back to the delivery driver and waste time waiting for the real part that I paid for.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

Well I bought it. Somehow it was priced wrong so I got it for 349 plus the 10% discount. It has the honda motor.

Took 5 minutes to put it together, and started right up. I did the whole pool deck and all the furniture.

Thanks for the heads up this was a timely thread.

Better weather today...

Went back to Home Depot. Gal at the CS desk remembered me (can't imagine why ) and greeted me with a smile. She asks "Ya wanna try another?" I said sure, let's try the one that's about 20 feet up in the rafters. I Reckon they haven't fueled that one up and taken it for a spin yet." She chuckles and gives me a wink, then calls a guy over to fetch it. Of course he initially fusses, insisting they already have some on the floor. She tells him go the one he wants anyway... then gives me that cute smile that young gals know how to give old farts at the counter.

Put it together and pressure washed the brick mail box for a test run. Works great and surprising not very loud. Driveway and walkways tomorrow.

The gal said they're not supposed to have anything with gas in the store section. Maybe someone returned it and said they hadn't used it.. I duknow.

My guess is that pressure washers get returned often. After ten years nagging wife convinces husband to clean the driveway and patio. Guy drops $400 on a pressure washer. A few hours later he's done then looks at the pressure washer and asks himself what am I going to do with it for the next ten years? Returns it. Buys a gun with the $400.

Really, I had no need to buy a pressure washer. Ace Hardware rents a 3100psi equivalent for $30/6hrs. But hey, my new pressure washer has a Honda engine. That makes a total of four Hondas for me. No need for all that advertised "Men's Low T" when ya got Honda engines in the shop!