Best Commercial Pressure Washer Of 2022
With all the different types and brands of commercial pressure washers out there, choosing the best one isn’t easy. There are so many things you have to look for – gas vs electric, cold water vs hot water, and of course, varying levels of quality, effectiveness, and price.
So, how do you pick the best commercial pressure washer for your business? Whether you’re looking for something to remove paint and rust or something to clean vehicles and houses – having the right pressure washer for the job can make all the difference. In fact, it can be the difference between a quick, impressive cleaning job that leaves clients impressed and a long, inefficient day of cleaning.
So, we’ve compiled the best of the best in the commercial pressure washing industry to make it easy for you to choose the perfect model.
But before we reveal our list of the best commercial pressure washers, we will help you gain a deeper understanding of these machines. We’ll cover the different types and the factors that we took into consideration when making our list of the best. By the end of this article, you’ll know everything you need to know before making a decision!
What Is A Commercial Pressure Washer?
A commercial pressure washer is one that is used for industrial cleaning jobs. Usually, these are used for cleaning dirt, oil, and grime off of industrial equipment, business establishments, and commercial vehicles.
Compared to residential pressure washers, these offer more power and durability to handle tough cleaning jobs and resist heavy wear and tear. They are used in all sorts of industries, including automotive, farming, manufacturing, food service, and more. Any industry that needs efficient, high-powered cleaning will rely on these.
Another common difference between a commercial vs. residential pressure washer is the number of operators each can accommodate. A residential pressure washer will have just one wand/hose, and that is enough for general cleaning jobs. A commercial pressure washer, on the other hand, can come with more than one hose–in some cases, up to three! This grants greater efficiency–and you will be able to finish the job twice or maybe even thrice as fast.
The Different Types Of Commercial Pressure Washers
A pressure washer can use either hot or cold water to clean and can be powered by either gasoline or electricity. Moreover, pressure washers have different setup types, including mountable, stationary, and trailers. Keep reading to learn which type is right for your needs.
Hot vs cold
A cold water pressure washer is used for general cleaning jobs. You can easily blast away dirt, grime, and mildew from most types of surfaces with cold water. It is also the best option for temperature-sensitive surfaces, such as wood and plastic.
However, cold water is not enough to cut through oil and grease. This is where hot water pressure washers come in. These industrial-strength machines are able to tear oil apart at the molecular level. And since the heat eliminates any spill, cleaning is fast and efficient.
Plus, hot water pressure washers are more effective against extremely tough stains, such as deep-seated dirt, age-old mildew, and decades’ worth of grime. In general, anything that a cold water pressure washer can do–a hot water pressure washer can do better.
Gas vs Electric
Electric pressure washers are common choices for household cleaning. They are lightweight and easy to use. This makes them great for general cleaning jobs like washing the fence or removing grime from house siding. They also require little maintenance. You will only need to clean these a few times a year, lubricate key parts, and replace some O-rings in the connections when they get too worn.
A gas-powered pressure washer, on the other hand, is more expensive than its electric counterpart. With the higher price comes more power and better durability, of course. A gas pressure washer can go up to 4,200 psi, whereas most electric models can only go as high as 2,000 psi. On top of that, a gas-powered pressure washer is built to withstand extreme wear and tear; with proper care, you can expect your unit to last for more than ten years!
Mountable vs Stationary vs Trailers
First up, we have mountable pressure washers. This type of pressure washer is hung on a wall to serve specific areas. For example, you can use a mountable pressure washer in the rinsing area of a car wash, or perhaps the wet area in a butchery. There are also mountable pressure washers that you can attach to an ATV – allowing you to take your cleaning on the go.
Stationary pressure washers, on the other hand, are typically situated in one spot only. Usually, you will see this type of washer in wash bays to clean equipment and vehicles. Since these washers are compact, they can also be transferred from one area to another to clean different parts of a facility–albeit with some effort.
Lastly, we have trailers. If you do not have a water source in the area that you need to clean, a commercial pressure washer trailer allows you to have an onboard water source alongside your unit. That said, having a mobile pressure washer can open a whole new world of possibilities for your business. Whether you need to clean a construction site that has no running water or power wash in the middle of the road, a pressure washer trailer will let you take your unit anywhere.
Our Criteria For Choosing The Best Commercial Pressure Washer
Now that you have a detailed understanding of the different types of commercial power washers, let’s talk about what separates the best from the rest. In order to choose the best of the best commercial pressure washers out of a sea of options, we have to take a few factors into consideration, including:
PSI, GPM, and CU
These three ratings determine how effectively a particular model can clean. The psi (pounds per square inch) refers to the amount of pressure that your unit produces. The higher the psi, the more effective your pressure washer will be at cleaning.
Industrial-grade pressure washers can go up to 7,000 psi, but for most industrial applications, you likely won’t need more than 4,000 psi. We have an article on how much pressure washer psi you need if you want to learn more.
Next is GPM (gallons per minute), which determines the amount of water that your pressure washer pumps out per minute. Just like psi, the higher the GPM is, the more capable your pressure washer will be.
Finally, we also have to consider the CU (cleaning units) rating. CU is the product of multiplying PSI by GPM. This spec will help you see how the PSI and GPM impact the effectiveness of your pressure washer while in use. In other words, the CU will give you an idea of how much cleaning power a particular unit has.
All of these specs add up to how powerful your model is. And as you can probably imagine, the best commercial pressure washer is one that boasts impressive power ratings.
Portability
Unless you only plan to place your pressure washer in one spot forever, portability is another important factor to consider. A portable pressure washer is a must if your business involves cleaning on different sites or cleaning wide spaces. If you choose a unit that has limited portability, you also limit the type of jobs you can do.
That said, most of the units we’ve chosen for this list are highly portable, coming with movable frames and wheels to allow for easy transport.
Durability
Commercial power washers don’t come cheap. So, you obviously want to ensure you get the most out of your investment with a long, useful life of the pressure washer. Unfortunately, not all are made equal; some are tough as nails, while some may give out after only a few years.
Luckily for you, our list only contains the most durable models available on the market. We know how important it is for an investment to pay off, and that’s why we’ve selected models that are built to last.
What Is The Best Commercial Pressure Washer Of The Year?
We won’t hold you in suspense any longer – we can finally move on to our list of the best commercial pressure washers of the year. To help you choose not just the best power washer, but the right power washer, we have broken down our selections based on the different types. Here are our vetted products that are guaranteed to be the best of the best:
The Best Hot Water Commercial Pressure Washer
We consider hot water pressure washers to be the best for most commercial applications. As such, that’s where we’ll begin. Here are our favorites:
Hotsy 800 Series
If it’s power, portability, and ease of use you want, look no further than the Hotsy 800 series. These pressure washers come with the high-efficiency Hotsy crossfire burner. It is built to provide years of hassle-free service. It features stainless steel coil skin for extra durability, a float tank to maintain constant water pressure, a 50-foot high-pressure hose for cleaning large areas, and so much more!
Other key features:
- 4.0-5.0 GPM @ 2,000 to 3,000 psi
- Belt drive pump
- Durable casters
Hotsy HWE Series
Need more power? This hot water power washer is perfect for the toughest industrial cleaning jobs. HWE Series pressure washers come with an industrial-duty magnetic motor starter, four quick coupler nozzles, an easy-to-attach detergent injector, nine high-efficiency heating elements–all combined to make the most powerful hot water pressure washer for industrial applications.
Other key features:
- 4.0 GPM, up to 3,000 psi
- Up to 7.5 HP motor
- Stainless steel coil
The Best Cold Water Commercial Pressure Washer
If you don’t need the extra power of hot water, these awesome cold water units are a great choice:
Hotsy ET Series
These ultra-portable pressure washers are the best for general cleaning tasks, especially those that require you to move around. ET Series models come with these features: thermal pump injector for added safety; Hotsy Triplex pump with a 7-year warranty; reliable industrial motor with 1725 rpm, and more.
Other key features:
- Up to 1.8 GPM @ 1,400 psi
- Compact and lightweight design
- 2.0 HP motor
Hotsy CWC Series
If you’re looking for the most powerful cold pressure washers on the market, the Hotsy CWC series is where it’s at. These stationary machines have long-lasting Hotsy belt-drive pumps, insulated Hotsy trigger guns, locking lids, adjustable upstream injection features, and programmable Smart Control Automation. All of these features add up to a powerful, durable, and intuitive pressure washer.
Other key features:
- Up to 4.0 to 5.0 GPM @ 2,000 to 3,000 psi
- 50-foot high-pressure hose
- Insulated wand with ergonomic side handle
The Best Electric Commercial Pressure Washer
Maybe you’re looking to do some indoor cleaning. If so, you’ll probably want an electric pressure washer. Here are the best of the best in the commercial space:
Hotsy EP Series
Reliable, portable, and powerful, these pressure washers are high-efficiency and easy to use. You can easily deal with tough stains on large areas. Power washing is made easier with the EP series’ Hotsy direct-drive pumps, five quick-couple nozzles, rugged steel chassis, and durable pneumatic tires.
Other key features:
- 2.0 to 3.5 GPM @ 1,000 to 2,000 psi
- Quick-couple detergent injection
- Water-resistant electrical box
Hotsy 700 Series
These electric models deliver high efficiency for tough industrial cleaning. This series boasts Triplex pumps, powerful electric motors, oil-fired burners, and stainless-steel coil skin. They have everything you need to make quick work of difficult cleaning jobs.
Other key features:
- 3.0 to 3.5 GPM @ 1,500 to 2,000 psi
- Direct or belt drive pumps
- Hose-reel bracket
The Best Gas Powered Commercial Pressure Washer
Gas-powered units are definitely more powerful than their electric counterparts. If you have a tough cleaning job, a gas pressure washer will be your best bet. Here are some incredible options:
Hotsy DB Series
Portable and reliable, the models in these series are the right choice for tough, cold-water cleaning. They include the Hotsy Triplex pump, five quick-couple nozzles, a Honda GX gasoline engine, and a rugged all-steel 10-gauge chassis.
Other key features:
- 2.3 to 3.8 GPM @ 2,400 to 4,000 psi
- Compact and lightweight design
- Hose and gun hanger
Hotsy 1700 Series
Take cold-water cleaning to a whole new level with the Hotsy 1700 series. These models are built to last for years. They feature cast-iron pulleys, zinc-plated wands, and stainless steel cabinets. Plus, the 1700 series comes in a simple yet efficient design for better ease of use.
Other key features:
- 2.7 to 5.93 GPM @ 1,000 to 3,000 psi
- Hot water seal kit
- Downstream detergent injection
The Best Commercial Pressure Washer Trailer
Got a mobile job in a remote location with no on-demand water supply? With the right pressure washer trailer, this need not be a concern. Here are some great choices:
1265SS Trailer Unit Pressure Washing System
Take your pressure washer anywhere with this efficient mobile cleaning system, equipped with both water and fuel supply for hot water cleaning.
Comes with: Hotsy 500 Series pressure washer
1290SS Trailer Unit Pressure Washing System
Deliver a powerful jet of hot water anywhere with this trailer system, also coming with water and fuel supply.
Comes with: Hotsy 700 Series pressure washer
1265SSD Trailer Unit Pressure Washing System
This trailer unit allows multiple operators to work at once, making it one of the best trailers for extra efficiency. The biggest of all three options, the 1265SSD Trailer Unit provides 6-8 hours of run time with its dual 11-gallon diesel tanks and huge water tank.
Comes with: Hotsy 800 Series pressure washer
Getting The Most Out Of The Best Commercial Pressure Washer: Accessories & Detergent
If you want to maximize the efficiency of your pressure washer, we recommend using our Hotsy detergents. With these industrial-strength cleaners in your arsenal, you can cut cleaning time in half as they break through crude oil, caked-on grease, weeks’ worth of road film, and any other tough contaminant.
Want to make your pressure washer even more powerful? We have also pressure washer accessories to boost your machine’s efficiency, ease of use, and range, including:
- Flat surface cleaners
- Sludge suckers
- Foam cannons
- Turbo & long-range nozzles
- And so much more!
If you want to make the best commercial pressure washer even better, optimize your workflow with these detergents and accessories.
Final Thoughts On Choosing The Best Commercial Pressure Washing Unit
Choosing the best commercial pressure washer san antonio for your business is no easy job. An industrial-grade cleaning machine, after all, is quite a hefty investment. So, if you want to get the most out of your investment, trust the experts here at Hotsy – the #1 pressure washer store in all of Texas.
Since 1970, we’ve helped operations just like yours get the equipment they need for efficient, effective cleaning. Once you’ve experienced the difference for yourself, you’ll understand why our customers say, “nothing cleans like a Hotsy!”. Get the best commercial pressure washer for your business today!
