Petrol vs Electric Pressure Washers: Which Should You Buy?

Pressure washers come in two main types — petrol (gasoline) and electric. The right one depends on where you clean and how often.

Electric pressure washers

These plug into a standard socket and are quieter, lighter and cheaper to run. They suit home use — cleaning cars, driveways, patios and small shops where power is available. They produce less pressure than most petrol models, which is fine for light and medium jobs.

Petrol pressure washers

These run on fuel, so they work anywhere — on a farm, a construction site, or an open yard with no power nearby. They deliver higher pressure and flow, making them better for heavy cleaning such as machinery, large floors and stubborn mud.

What to consider

• Power access: no reliable electricity means petrol.
• Job size: light home use suits electric; heavy commercial work suits petrol.
• Portability: petrol units are more independent but heavier.
• Running cost: electric is cheaper per wash; petrol costs fuel and more servicing.

Choose by use

For a home or small shop, start with an electric model. For farms, contractors and mobile cleaning, a petrol washer is usually the better fit. Not sure? Tell us what you clean and where, and we will recommend the right machine.