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Short Summary
Main recommendation: For general homeowner cleaning such as fences, decks, siding, bird droppings, and washing a car, the DeWalt 2600 Suitcase Jobsite Pressure Washer ($399) is the best pick in this test, because it cleaned well, was quick to assemble, and was easy to store and transport. The $450 Greenworks Pro 3000 did not clean noticeably better than the $170 Sun Joe SPX 3000 despite its higher PSI and flow rate. Heavy stains such as raspberry, egg, and charcoal still needed close, damaging spraying or special cleaners.
Key Points
- The Sun Joe SPX 3000 (about $170, 230 PSI, 1.2 GPM) cleaned only partially at wider tip angles and could not fully remove oil, charcoal, egg, or raspberry stains from textured surfaces.
- The Greenworks Pro 3000 (about $450, 3,000 PSI, 2 GPM) performed about the same as the Sun Joe in cleaning tests, and the presenter concluded that extra power did not translate into better results for ordinary cleaning.
- The DeWalt (about $399, 2,600 PSI, 1.1 GPM) cleaned the fence most effectively using the 15-degree tip, removing most grime without surface damage; it still couldn't remove the raspberry stain, and on the car door the 40 and 25-degree tips weren't enough, requiring the 15-degree tip.
- The DeWalt assembled in under 5 minutes and worked on the first try, while the Sun Joe took about 20 minutes and the Greenworks had soap dispenser problems.
- The presenter said he was surprised the DeWalt didn't work at first (possibly a defective unit) and that the Sun Joe performed as well as it did, giving the DeWalt a run for its money.
Details Worth Noting
- Concrete instructions: Assemble the wand and high-pressure hose first, then check that the connection clicks; on plastic-to-metal threads, back the fitting off until it clicks before threading forward to avoid cross-threading. Start with the wide spray tip and move to narrower tips only if needed; keep the nozzle about 4 inches from the surface when cleaning stubborn stains, and expect that closer spraying can damage wood. Use the soap dispenser on all units with the same soak-and-soap step before pressure cleaning. Keep the 0-degree laser tip away from skin, footwear, and the car's rubber gaskets, because the presenter showed it cut through a boot, cut through flesh in his demonstration, and damaged a rubber gasket, though it did not damage the car's paint or glass.
- Power cord advice: The presenter said a 12-gauge cord is needed for a 15 or 20 amp circuit, and a 14- or 16-gauge cord may underperform.
- Safety tip on the DeWalt: It has a trigger safety that must be engaged to spray, and the presenter advised not holding the spray on a foot or handing it to young children.
- Specific test results: The Sun Joe's 15-degree tip could not fully remove the egg, oil, or raspberry; the Greenworks' 40-degree tip gave about the same result as the Sun Joe's; the DeWalt's 3-inch distance started making marks on car paint, but direct contact with paint was not a problem.
- Caveat: The presenter noted that serious stains likely need special cleaners, and that the Greenworks' soap dispenser cut out under pressure despite customer service advice.
Bottom Line
For most homeowners, the DeWalt is the most practical buy in this test because it balances cleaning performance, quick setup, and portability, while the higher-priced Greenworks does not justify its cost for routine cleaning.
