not available
The strongest corded electric in these tests: Popular Mechanics' best electric and Good Housekeeping's best heavy-duty pick. It's quiet for its power and built tough, but it weighs about 51-52 lb, took Good Housekeeping an hour to assemble, and is hard to store.
Top complaints
- Heavy and bulky
51 lb with a larger footprint than the previous model (Popular Mechanics). Good Housekeeping says moving its 52 lb takes brawn and finding room to store it may be trickier.
Source: Popular Mechanics, Good Housekeeping - Long assembly
It took Good Housekeeping a full hour to assemble, versus five minutes or less for simpler models.
Source: Good Housekeeping - Expensive at list price
Good Housekeeping calls it on the expensive side; both reviews list it at $500 (often discounted).
Source: Good Housekeeping, Popular Mechanics
What owners love
- Most powerful electric tested
Good Housekeeping's most powerful electric ever tested, blasting years of mildew off a brick patio. Popular Mechanics says 3,000 PSI is enough for almost any home project.
Source: Good Housekeeping, Popular Mechanics - Stable, durable and fairly quiet
The rotated pump lowers the center of gravity for better stability on uneven ground (Popular Mechanics). Good Housekeeping found it extremely durable and relatively quiet thanks to its brushless motor.
Source: Popular Mechanics, Good Housekeeping - Big soap tank and onboard storage
A full-gallon soap tank (Popular Mechanics), plus onboard tool storage and versatile accessories (Good Housekeeping).
Source: Popular Mechanics, Good Housekeeping
- You need to lift or carry it often
- Storage space is tight
- You only wash a car now and then
- Gas-like cleaning without gas
- Big decks, brick and mildewed patios
- Soaping large areas (1-gallon soap tank)
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Popular Mechanics: Best electric, and it may replace the Simpson as best overall: gas-rivaling PSI and GPM with a large soap tank, but heavier than most electrics.
- Good Housekeeping: Best heavy-duty: the most powerful, extremely durable electric it has tested, but pricey, slow to assemble and hard to move and store.