If you are looking for a powerful and efficient way to clean your home, car, driveway, or any other surfaces, you might be wondering whether you should buy a professional pressure washer or a home pressure washer. What is the difference between these two types of machines, and which one is right for you? We will explain the main features and benefits of each option, and help you make an informed decision based on your needs and budget.
What is a Pressure Washer?
A pressure washer is a device that uses a pump to create a high-pressure stream of water that can remove dirt, grime, grease, oil, mold, mildew, and other contaminants from various surfaces. Pressure washers are commonly used for cleaning cars, trucks, boats, bikes, decks, patios, fences, siding, roofs, driveways, sidewalks, pools, and more.
Pressure washers are rated by their pressure and their flow rate. Pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI), and indicates how much force the water has. Flow rate is measured in gallons per minute (GPM), and indicates how much water the machine can deliver. The higher the pressure and the flow rate, the more cleaning power the pressure washer has.
Professional vs Home Pressure Washers
Professional pressure washers are designed and manufactured for commercial and industrial users who need more power, durability, and versatility than home users. Home pressure washers are more affordable and suitable for occasional or light-duty use around the house.
Power
The main difference between professional and home pressure washers is their power. Professional pressure washers have higher PSI and GPM ratings than home pressure washers, which means they can clean faster and deeper than home pressure washers. Professional pressure washers can range from 3,200 to 8,000 PSI and from 3 to 10 GPM, while home pressure washers can range from 1,300 to 2,000 PSI and from 1 to 2 GPM.
For example, if you want to clean a concrete surface with light to moderate oil stains, you would need a professional pressure washer with at least 2,000 PSI and 3 GPM. A home pressure washer with 1,500 PSI and 1.5 GPM would not be able to remove the oil stains effectively.
Fuel
Another difference between professional and home pressure washers is their fuel source. Professional pressure washers can be either electric or gas-powered, while home pressure washers are usually electric. Electric pressure washers are quieter, cleaner, and easier to maintain than gas pressure washers, but they require a power outlet and have limited mobility. Gas pressure washers are louder, more polluting, and require more maintenance than electric pressure washers, but they have more power and can be used anywhere.
For example, if you want to clean your car in your garage or driveway, you could use an electric home pressure washer with a long extension cord. But if you want to clean your boat at the marina or your farm equipment in the field, you would need a gas professional pressure washer with a large fuel tank.
Durability
Another difference between professional and home pressure washers is their durability. Professional pressure washers are built to last longer and withstand more wear and tear than home pressure washers. Professional pressure washers have stronger pumps, engines, frames, hoses, nozzles and accessories than home pressure washers. Professional pressure washers also have better warranties and service options than home pressure washers.
For example, if you only use your pressure washer once or twice a year for a few hours each time, you could get by with a home pressure washer with an axial pump that has a lifespan of about 100 hours. But if you use your pressure washer every week for several hours each time, you would need a professional pressure washer with a triplex pump that has a lifespan of about 500 hours.
Versatility
Another difference between professional and home pressure washers is their versatility. Professional pressure washers have more features and options than home pressure washers that allow them to handle different types of cleaning tasks. Professional pressure washers can use hot or cold water, adjustable pressure settings, variable spray patterns,
and different types of detergents and chemicals than home pressure washers. Professional pressure washers also have more attachments and accessories than home pressure washers that can enhance their performance and functionality.
For example, if you want to clean your deck or patio with cold water and a fan spray nozzle, you could use a home pressure washer with a fixed pressure setting and a single nozzle.
But if you want to clean your roof or siding with hot water and a turbo spray nozzle, you would need a professional pressure washer with a variable pressure setting and a multiple-nozzle system.
How to Choose the Right Pressure Washer for Your Needs
Now that you know the difference between professional and home pressure washers, how do you choose the right one for your needs?
Here are some questions to ask yourself before you buy a pressure washer:
- What are you going to use the pressure washer for?
- How often are you going to use the pressure washer?
- How much power do you need to clean the surface effectively?
- How much water do you have available to supply the pressure washer?
- How much space do you have to store the pressure washer?
- How much money are you willing to spend on the pressure washer?
Based on your answers, you can narrow down your options and find the best pressure washer for your needs. To help you with your decision, you can check out the SABER range selection chart where you can view all the available pressure washers listed by their specifications.
Conclusion
Pressure washers are great tools for cleaning various surfaces with ease and efficiency. But not all pressure washers are created equal. Depending on your needs and budget, you might want to buy a professional pressure washer or a home pressure washer. Professional pressure washers are more powerful, durable, and versatile than home pressure washers, but they are also more expensive and require more maintenance. Home pressure washers are more affordable and suitable for occasional or light-duty use around the house, but they have less power and features than professional pressure washers.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand the difference between professional and home pressure washers, and how to choose the right one for your needs. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you and help you find the best pressure washer for your needs.
