The Best 4,000 PSI Pressure Washer

Pressure washers around 4,000 PSI are generally made for professionals, although anyone can use one. They cost around $1,000 on average, but they deliver the best results and usually last for decades.

The best 4,000 PSI pressure washer

The DeWalt DXPW60605 sometimes gets overshadowed by competing products with lower prices, but this is without a doubt the best 4,000 PSI pressure washer based on its components and features. If you want the most reliable product, this is the investment to make.

The DeWalt DXPW60605 has 4,200 PSI and 4.0 GPM, which are pretty standard figures once you get into professional-grade power. Here’s a more important question: are these figures delivered reliably? In this case, the answer is yes, thanks to a Honda GX390 engine and CAT 67DX triplex pump. Honda’s GX series are considered the best engines in the industry, featuring an easy starter, low oil protection and simple maintenance, and the GX390 is the most popular variant. CAT pumps carry the same reputation, with the 67DX including adjustable pressure, thermal protection and downstream chemical injection (this draws detergent after the pump to avoid any possibility of corrosion).

The engine and pump are easily supported on a welded steel frame with a steel mounting plate and 13” pneumatic wheels. The half-cage design also adds protection against impacts. At the top of the frame, you’ll see the brand’s signature yellow accessory dashboard, which includes a nozzle holder, a hook for the hose and a clamp for the spray gun. The spray gun has a good grip and an extra-long steel wand, and the hose has dual-layer steel braiding to prevent kinks and punctures.

The DXPW60605 may be a little more expensive, but it’s honestly priced very reasonably considering the components it has, which will outperform and outlast most other options. The engine and pump alone are almost $1,000 combined if you were to buy them on their own.

The best 4,000 PSI electric pressure washer

Options are pretty limited for 4,000 PSI electric pressure washers and you’ll have to step way up in price to get one, but if you’ve got the budget, we recommend the Pressure-Pro EE3540A-AS. It can compete with any gas pressure washer and all it needs is a 230 volt electrical outlet.

With 4,000 PSI and 3.5 GPM, the Pressure-Pro EE3540A-AS has exactly the amount of pressure we’re looking for. It owes its impressive performance to a 10 horsepower totally-enclosed fan-cooled motor from Marathon Electric. It requires a serious amount of power (44 amps from a 230 volt single-phase power supply, to be precise), but it has no problem handling continuous use because it has an automatic start-stop system that cycles the motor on and off when the trigger on the spray gun is pulled. The pump is made by Annovi Reverberi, whose RKA series features a low RPM to run cooler and quieter (the RPM is about half of what most pumps turn at, which is very beneficial).

Unlike most 4,000 PSI pressure washers, this frame is made of aluminum rather than steel. It’s just as strong because it’s aircraft-grade aluminum, but more importantly, it’s lighter. Commercial motors are extremely heavy (this one weighs 148 lbs), so every opportunity to save weight is helpful. If you do have any concerns about durability, know that the frame is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Besides the price, our only complaint about the EE3540A-AS is the lack of storage for the spray gun and hose. An attachment is available, but you have to pay extra for it. One other note is that a 12 ft. power cord is included, but you’ll have to get your own plug.

The best 4,000 PSI budget pressure washer

The DeWalt DXPW60604 is basically the little brother to the other DeWalt model in this guide. Almost everything is the same, but it has a smaller motor and pump with dialed-back cleaning power (but not by much). The benefit here is about $400 in savings.

Looking at pictures, it’s hard to tell how the DeWalt DXPW60604 is any different than the DXPW60605. The frame and accessories are identical, and it still has a Honda GX engine and CAT pump; they’re just smaller.  The GX270 still has an easy starter, low oil protection and simple maintenance, but it has less horsepower. The CAT 4SPX still has adjustable pressure, thermal protection and downstream injection, but it’s lower capacity. Both components work just as well as their larger versions, but they’re making 3,800 PSI and 3.5 GPM instead (this is obviously a little lower than our target of 4,000 PSI, but it’s still close enough to compare).

If you can settle with a little less pressure, the DXPW60604 is an incredible value sitting under $900 MSRP. We think our other DeWalt pick is the better option for professionals, but this would be a great choice for regular home use.

How to choose a 4,000 PSI pressure washer

Learn what to look for when buying a pressure washer around 4,000 PSI. We’ll make sure you really need this level of pressure for your projects, and we’ll help you choose the best features (engine, pump and more). Keep in mind, this advice is generalized, so there may be exceptions in some areas.

PSI and GPM

4,000 PSI is a lot of pressure. It can strip paint, splinter wood and even etch lines into concrete if you’re not careful. But so can 3,000 PSI. There’s no question that more cleaning power gives you faster results, but be sure it’s really worth it for the amount of money you’re spending. If you’re a professional, that’s an obvious yes; but if you’re buying this for routine cleaning around the house, you could probably get away with less power and accomplish all of the same projects at a fraction of the cost.

Gas vs. electric

It’s easy for a gas pressure washer to reach 4,000 PSI, but for an electric pressure washer, it requires a heavy-duty motor and a serious power supply. Unfortunately, since these motors cost 2-3 times as much as an engine and capable power supplies aren’t as common, most brands don’t bother. Still, there are a handful of options, so if you’re set on electric power, they’re out there, just expect to pay more.

Trusted brands

When you’re dealing with high-performance equipment and spending a lot for it, you want to be sure you’re buying from the right company. This isn’t just important for quality control, but also for service and support. Review the list below and see which brands to trust.

• Simpson. This company specializes in pressure washers and is known for professional quality.
• DeWalt. Their products are actually made by Simpson, so they’re equally good.
• Pressure-Pro. They focus on only one thing, which makes them great: functionality.
• NorthStar. The in-house brand of Northern Tool, they only offer premium products.

Features to look for

The features you’ll find on 4,000 PSI pressure washers are common to commercial machines since that’s what most of them are designed for. To avoid repeating information, review the feature list in our guide to commercial pressure washers.

Frequently asked questions about buying a 4,000 PSI pressure washer

Get answers to some of the most common questions about buying a pressure washer with 4,000 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 4,000 PSI pressure washer?

The average garden hose has about 40 PSI, which would make a 4,000 PSI pressure washer roughly 100 times stronger than your hose.

What is the highest PSI for a pressure washer?

The most powerful pressure washers can produce over 7,000 PSI. These aren’t designed for home and shop cleaning, though; they’re made for extreme industrial cleaning. For the average homeowner or contractor, 4,000 PSI is more than enough.