Flow rate does the cleaning. Pressure is what everyone quotes.
Verdict
Gas if you are charging for it, electric if you are testing whether you want to. The number that determines how fast a surface cleans is gallons per minute, not pressure, and gas units deliver far more of it. An electric machine at 1.7 GPM will clean a driveway and it will take most of a day. A 2.3 GPM gas machine does the same drive in a fraction of the time, which is the difference between a job that pays and a job that does not.
Under $500
Check Westinghouse WPX3000 Gas Pressure Washer PriceUnder $250
Check Westinghouse ePX3500 Electric Pressure Washer Price| Westinghouse WPX3000 Gas Pressure Washer | Westinghouse ePX3500 Electric Pressure Washer | |
|---|---|---|
| Flow rate | Around 2.3 GPM | Around 1.76 GPM |
| Cleaning speed on a driveway | Fast | Slow |
| Noise | Loud | Quiet |
| Needs an outlet | No | Yes, and a heavy cord is a problem |
| Maintenance | Oil, fuel, pump care | Almost none |
| Indoor or enclosed use | Never | Yes |
You are quoting jobs by the hour or the square foot. Higher flow finishes surfaces in a fraction of the time, and it works away from an outlet, which matters on driveways, fences and commercial lots. It also needs fuel, oil changes and pump care, and it must never be run indoors or in an enclosed space because of carbon monoxide.
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You are cleaning your own property and finding out whether you enjoy this work. Electric machines are cheap, quiet enough to use on a Sunday morning, need no maintenance and start every time. The ceiling is real: at under two gallons a minute, a large area takes many hours and the extension cord becomes its own problem.
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Roof shingles, soft wood siding, older mortar, painted surfaces and window seals are all commonly damaged by high pressure. Soft washing with chemicals at low pressure is the correct method for a lot of exterior cleaning, and using the wrong one is how a side hustle becomes a repair bill. Learn which is which before you charge anyone.
If you are working on other people's property, yes. General liability cover is inexpensive relative to a single damaged window or a scored deck, and many customers will ask. Check your local business licensing and any wastewater runoff rules, which apply in some areas.
No, and high pressure causes most of the damage that gets people sued. Flow rate cleans, pressure lifts, and matching both to the surface is the skill. A surface cleaner attachment does more for driveway speed than another five hundred PSI does.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.