Pressure washers around 3,000 PSI can be considered medium or heavy-duty pressure washers. They cost around $300-500 on average, and they can easily handle any residential project along with many light commercial jobs.
The best 3,000 PSI pressure washer
The Simpson MSH3215-S is one of the highest-rated pressure washers in the industry, with a top three sales rank at every big retailer, including Home Depot, Lowe’s and Amazon. For pressure washers around 3,000 PSI, this is as good as it gets.
Simpson MSH3125-S
The MSH3125-S has a 90% recommendation rate (based on 5,000+ verified reviews from six sources). It’s the best-selling gas pressure washer at Amazon and Pressure Washers Direct, and it’s top three at Home Depot and Lowe’s.
The Simpson MSH3125-S has a little more power than our target output, pushing 3,200 PSI at 2.5 GPM. It’s still a fair comparison, and what’s more important than the exact pressure figure is how this power is delivered: a Honda GC190 engine and an OEM Technologies axial cam pump. The GC190 is Honda’s best residential series engine; it’s easy to start, easy to maintain and will run for years. OEM’s axial pump is the company’s second-best pump and it’s maintenance-free, which is helpful since gas pressure washers require more maintenance. It’s also the only name brand pump available in the residential category, and it’s only on this model because Simpson and OEM are owned by the same parent company.
The low-stance steel cart frame gives the powertrain a good center of gravity, and with 10” pneumatic wheels it’s effortless to roll around. There’s an integrated dashboard for your spray gun, hose and nozzles, so accessories in close reach during use and protected during storage. Each accessory is premium quality, but the hose is particularly notable because it’s braided, which makes it resistant to kinks and punctures.
If its top-tier quality wasn’t enough, the MSH3215-S solidifies its value with an MSRP under $400. This is again thanks to vertical integration: when you can source key components from under the same roof, you can offer higher quality at a lower price.
The best 3,000 PSI electric pressure washer
The Greenworks GPW2700 was just released in 2020, and it gained quick attention because it’s one of few residential electric models to boast high pressure and high volume. It’s not quite what it seems, but it’s definitely still good enough to have our vote as the best 3,000 PSI electric pressure washer.
Greenworks GPW2700
The GPW2700 has an 89% recommendation rate (based on 200+ verified reviews from two sources), however many reviews were part of an incentivized giveaway so take this estimate with a grain of salt.
The Greenworks GPW2700 is advertised as a 2,700 PSI, 2.3 GPM machine. Sure, that’s a little lower than our 3,000 PSI target, but that’s a pretty notable achievement for a residential electric model where most are in the 2,000 PSI range (and its performance is PWMA certified). However, one thing to clarify is the 2.3 GPM claim. While it’s true that 2.3 GPM is possible, it’s using reduced pressure. When you’re using max pressure, you’re only getting 1.2 GPM. This is on par with any other electric model in this category, but the advertising can be a little misleading if you don’t read the details.
To deliver reliable power, a brushless induction motor is used along with an axial cam pump. Induction motors run cooler so they can work for longer hours and ultimately have a longer lifespan than common universal motors. For extra assurance, it also comes with an extra-long 10-year warranty. Everything else is covered by a standard 3-year warranty, from the frame to the accessories.
The GPW2700 is currently exclusive to Lowe’s, but it may have more availability in the future. Although it has a lower working volume that causes it to clean slower, this is still the best you’ll get if you want to go electric (unless you’re willing to spend $2,000+ on a commercial product, of course).
The best 3,000 PSI electric-start gas pressure washer
The Ryobi RY803111 offers the best of both worlds for anyone who wants gas performance with (almost) electric convenience. It’s a little more expensive because of the extra components, but it has almost a 90% review rating from 500+ verified customers.
Ryobi RY803111
The RY803111 has an 89% recommendation rate (based on 500+ verified reviews from two sources). It’s the highest-rated electric-start gas pressure washer on the market.
With 3,200 PSI and 2.4 GPM, the Ryobi RY803111 is just about on par with the Simpson MSH3125-S. It may not have a Honda engine, but the Ryobi-branded engine and pump are still plenty reliable and even easier to use thanks to the addition of an electric-start system. For those who aren’t familiar, Ryobi has a universal lithium-ion battery platform called ONE+, which they use to power over 100 of their tools. In this case, the system allows you to start the engine with the push of a button, but it also gives you access to many of the brand’s other tools (or if you already own some, you’ll have an additional battery and charger).
Unlike the other two models in this guide, this one has an upright hand truck frame, taking up less floor space wherever you store it. The ONE+ battery mounts at the top of the frame alongside the accessories, and the starter switch is found on the hood of the engine. If you forget to charge a battery, you can still operate using the backup recoil starter, which is conveniently located a few inches from the switch.
For about $100 more, the RY803111 offers a great value. The only flaw to mention is the fact that the detergent tank isn’t removable, which makes it a little hard to empty on the occasions where you don’t use all of your cleaning solution.
How to choose a 3,000 PSI pressure washer
Learn what to look for when buying a pressure washer around 3,000 PSI. We’ll make sure you have enough volume, and we’ll help you choose the best power source (gas or electric) and features (engine, pump and more). Keep in mind, this advice is generalized, so there may be exceptions in some areas.
PSI and GPM
3,000 PSI generally offers the most job versatility because you can handle light, medium and heavy-duty jobs alike. However, volume (measured in GPM) also plays an important role in cleaning power, and this figure will vary depending on your components. In most cases, 2-3 GPM is ideal. Higher GPM is better, but it will cost more. Lower GPM is still usable, but it will take you longer to clean.
Gas vs. electric
There are plenty of gas pressure washers here, but if you’ve done any research, you may have noticed it’s hard to find a 3,000 PSI electric pressure washer. The reason for this is simple: standard motors just can’t provide enough power (commercial motors can, but they require 230 volts and cost 5-10 times as much). With that said, some are close enough for reasonable comparison, like the Greenworks model in this guide. You’ll have to settle with a little less power, but there’s other pros and cons too. Use the list below to compare gas and electric pressure washers and choose based on what’s important to you.
- Gas models are more reliable. They have better components and everything is replaceable.
- Gas models are more portable. They usually have better frames and no power cord.
- Electric models are easier to use. They start with the push of a button and have no maintenance.
- Electric models are more environmental. They make very little noise and produce no emissions.
Features to look for
You can find just about any feature in the 3,000 PSI range (some good, some bad). To avoid repeating information, review the feature list in our guide to the best pressure washers.
Frequently asked questions about buying a 3,000 PSI pressure washer
Get answers to some of the most common questions about buying a pressure washer with 3,000 PSI. For additional help, you can reach out to us at any time. For questions about specific products, we’re happy to offer advice, but depending on the question, you may need to contact the manufacturer.
How strong is a 3,000 PSI pressure washer?
The average garden hose has about 40 PSI, which would make a 3,000 PSI pressure washer roughly 75 times stronger than your hose.
Can a 3,000 PSI pressure washer damage car paint?
Yes, 3,000 PSI can damage vehicle paint, but this usually only happens if you’re using a narrow nozzle and spraying too close to the surface. As long as you’re using a wide nozzle (we recommend 40° for cars) and spraying at a decent distance from the surface, it’s completely safe to pressure wash a car.