AR Blue Clean AR118 Hand Carry Electric Pressure Washer Review

AR Blue Clean AR118

Those who need their pressure washer to be truly portable should take a good look at the AR Blue Clean AR118. This hand carry portable model outputs 1,500 PSI to give you enough power for general light-duty cleaning tasks on smaller areas.

Annovi Reverberiare is well established for the exceptional quality of their high pressure pumps so based on both performance and economical factors they frequently outdo the rest. Whether they’ve produced an all-round great machine here though remains to be seen.

Read Consumer Reviews on the AR Blue Clean AR118

Features of the AR Blue Clean AR118 Hand Carry Electric Pressure Washer

  • 1,500 PSI water pressure
  • 1.5 GPM flow rate
  • Auto safety value with pump head pressure shut-off
  • AR triplex plunger pump
  • 30 ft power cord; 20 ft hose

Setup

Setting up the machine is quite easy. However, the provided instructions don’t properly explain how the hose connection works so you should familiarize yourself with the procedure in advance so you know what to do.

The connector on the machines inlet features a metric style thread type which differs from the thread on standard hoses, so to enable your hose to connect properly you need to connect the supplied water inlet filter to the main inlet on the machine then connect the black/blue fitting to your hose. Now the fitting can be connected to the water inlet filter securely and won’t result in any leakage.

Highly Compact

The supremely compact design makes the AR Blue Clean AR118 a stand out model in the electric pressure washer crowd. Its dimensions of only 9" x 14.5" x 10" and lightweight make it small and light enough to carry up ladders to clean in high-up areas and get to places which isn't feasible with a regular sized machine.

Performance

Don’t be fooled by the small size of this machine, it delivers a powerful water stream of 1800 PSI at a reasonable flow rate of 1.5 GPM. The long 30 foot power cable and 20 foot hose give you lots of reach.

Most impressively, it runs nearly silently so you can use it for hours without getting annoyed by the noise. We found that it performs well on windows, decking, driveways, patios and car - pretty much any surface which doesn’t have heavy grime or is too large.

Pros and Cons of the AR Blue Clean AR118 Hand Carry Electric Pressure Washer

Pros

The AR Blue Clean AR118 boasts a very compact size and light build, but still retains a good level of pressure. The pump is very high quality as expected from an AR product.

The long adjustable wand plus the lengthy power cord and hose makes it very flexible.

Cons

The instructions don’t explain the setup procedure accurately. However, it’s easy enough to work out.

Storing the hose and power cord onto the unit is awkward because of their long length. The photos illustrate a shorter power cord so you don’t get a proper view of what it’s like with the longer cords.

Final Thoughts

The AR Blue Clean AR118 Hand Carry Electric Pressure Washer should be a serious contender if you need the convenience that a portable pressure washer can bring. Many elderly people have commented on how easy it is for them to use. It’s also well suited for the budgeted buyer who’s not quite ready to fork out for a higher end machine.

Keep in mind its limitations as a light-duty unit and you’ll be pleased as punch with this nifty machine.

Simpson Megashot MSH3125-S Premium Gas Pressure Washer Review

Simpson Megashot MSH3125-S

If you need some serious power for your cleaning tasks then the Simpson Megashot MSH3125-S is a machine you might just want to consider. This consumer grade pressure washer uses a Honda GC190 Engine which provides an unsurpassed level of durability and reliability so you won’t be left frustrated trying to start it like an old car.

We found that most users of this machine are happy campers and are chuffed with its performance. However, as always we’ll dig deeper to give you the full picture so you can determine whether its best suited to your own requirements.

Read Consumer Reviews on the Simpson Megashot MSH3125-S

Features of the Simpson Megashot MSH3125-S Premium Gas Pressure Washer

  • 10" pneumatic tires
  • 2.5 GPM water flow
  • Axial cam pump
  • Five Quick-connect nozzles
  • Ergonomic spray gun
  • Integrated hanger for hose, spray gun and wand

Setup

Setting up the Simpson Megashot is very easy. Just fill the machine with oil and gas then connect the water supply and the high pressure hose up.

Construction

The construction quality of this machine is of a very high standard. The solid red cart trolley which houses the unit has two large 10" tires which enable the machine to be moved easily for transportation. The tube frame is constructed from 16 gauge steel so it’s incredibly robust and durable.

Powered by the Honda GC190 Engine

At the heart of the Simpson Megashot MSH3125-S is a premium quality Honda GC190 Engine. With a gas operated pressure washer it’s important that it starts first time, every time, this engine does exactly that. It also operates at a low noise level so you don't need to wear ear plugs while blasting away the dirt and grime in your yard.

Using power on-demand technology, the motor is accelerated at its optimum speed when you pull the spray gun trigger then returns back to idle once the trigger has been released. This extends the longevity of the motor and also provides convenience for the user.

A high-performance axial cam pump provides an impressive water flow of 2.5 GPM so you can tackle wider surface areas in little time.

Includes Five Nozzles

Five quick connect nozzles are included which can be quickly connected to the spray wand for maximum convenience. The nozzles give you a variable spray pattern from 0° to 40° so you can get pressure intensity suitable for the surface you are cleaning. A soap applicator nozzle is also included which allows you to apply detergent to a surface area.

Pros and Cons of the Simpson Megashot MSH3125-S Premium Gas Pressure Washer

Pros

The Simpson Megashot MSH3125-S provides excellent power and has a durable construction. Setup is also straightforward so there is no headache in that regard. The motor being Honda is a big advantage, so you can be confident it will start each time you pull the cord.

Cons

The nozzle holders which are situated on the trolley are poorly designed as they don’t hold each nozzle in securely which leads to slight rattling when the machine is in action.

Several consumers found that their machine arrived with a part missing from the box.

Final Thoughts

In our experience, no gas pressure washer is perfect at this end of the market, but the Simpson Megashot MSH3125-S Premium Gas Pressure Washer is a pretty good machine that is powerful enough for any residential cleaning tasks that you put it to and is very easy to start.

We advise that you check the pump to ensure it’s bolted in properly before starting the machine to avoid any damage occurring. All in all, this is a fine heavy-duty pressure washer.

Karcher K 3.540 X-Series 1800-PSI 1.5-GPM Electric Pressure Washer Review

Karcher K 3.540

The Karcher K 3.540 X-Series Electric Pressure Washer was released in 2011 and is one of Karcher’s most popular machines. This is a mid range model from their highly acclaimed K3 series which is renowned for its blend of high cleaning performance and compact design. This pressure washer under review utilizes an induction motor which is water-cooled to deliver the level of durability you’d expect from a more higher-end machine.

Most consumers are satisfied with the K 3.540 with praise mostly given to its construction and performance. However, as always they’ll be negatives we need to pick up on. These will be discussed later on.

Read Consumer Reviews on the Karcher K 3.540

Features of the Karcher K 3.540 X-Series Electric Pressure Washer

  • 1,800 PSI of high pressure
  • 1.5 GPM N-Cor pump
  • Water cooled induction motor
  • Quick connect system
  • Removable detergent tank
  • DirtBlast spray wand, VPS wand
  • On-board accessory storage
  • Warranty: 1 year limited

Quick Setup

The quick connect feature makes setting up the K 3.540 a breeze. Just slot a garden hose into the adapter and it’s connected up to your water supply in a matter of seconds.

High Performance

Mid-range pressure washers typically don't have very durable motors. However, the K.3540 sets a new standard with its water-cooled induction motor which has a clever way of circulating cool water around the motor to keep down the temperature to enhance the lifespan and performance of the motor.

The machine delivers a PSI of 1800 at a rate of 1.5 GPM from the N-Cor pump. This is a very good amount of power to tackle smaller jobs like cleaning the car, the patio or your garden decking.

Accessories

In addition to the standard trigger gun, the machine comes with two different spray wands so you can get effective performance on different surfaces. The Vario Power Spray wand lets you the easily adjust the level of water pressure on the handle which makes it suited for tasks which require less pressure such as car cleaning. For those harder cleaning tasks, the DirtBlaster Spray wand gives you significantly more pressure so you can clean away stubborn dirt.

Detergent Tank

Onboard the machine is a detergent tank which allows you to easily apply detergent to your cleaning to get rid of tougher stains which water alone can’t remove. Using this feature is a 3-step process which just involves filling the tank with the detergent, connecting up the VPS spray wand and ensuring that you’ve set it to the lowest pressure before begging to spray it on the surface area. A flow dial is located on the machine which allows you to adjust the amount of detergent you wish to use so you won’t use up more than necessary.

Pros and Cons of the Karcher K 3.540 X-Series Electric Pressure Washer 

Pros

The Karcher K 3.540 is lightweight, reliable and easy to move. The water cooled motor system is a big advantage as far as long term reliability is concerned. Setup is a piece of cake thanks to the quick connecting system.

Cons

Although the main components of the unit are high quality, the same can’t be said for the accessories. However, on the plus side they don’t cost much to replace if in the event they do break.

Final Thoughts

For non-frequent, light-duty cleaning tasks, the Karcher K 3.540 X-Series Electric Pressure Washer is more than adequate. With its upright, lightweight design and large handle, manoeuvring the machine around is very easy plus its quiet operation makes it none jarring on the ears.

If you’re going to be cleaning large surface areas then we advocate getting a model with a higher GPM rating, but for those smaller areas this should suffice. In terms of value, we give this model a 5 star rating.

Dirt Devil ND40100 Pressure Flex Pro 2-In-1 Pressure Washer Review

Dirt Devil ND40100

Combining a pressure washer with a Wet/Dry vacuum is what sets the Dirt Devil Pressure Flex 2-In-1 Pressure Washer apart from conventional cleaning machines. If you need a light-duty washer and you’re often finding that you need to clean up dirt outside the home, but your handheld vacuum just doesn't have the power to do the job efficiently then this could be the solution.

Dirt Devil asserts that this is the ultimate 2-in-1 cleaning machine due to its versatility. Does it live up to this bold claim or not? We get to the bottom of this question in this review.

Read Consumer Reviews on the Dirt Devil ND40100

Features of the Dirt Devil Pressure Flex 2-In-1 Pressure Washer

  • 2-in-1 functionality - 1800 PSI pressure washer and Two gallon wet/dry vac
  • 20 ft high pressure hose
  • 35 ft power cord
  • Two high capacity detergent tanks
  • Quick connect attachment
  • Variable spray gun

Two-in-one Design

The design of the Dirt Devil ND40100 isn’t typically what you’d expect to find for a 2-in-1 machine. The vacuum sits on top of the pressure washer in a cradle so both appliances are together as a single unit, but have separate power cords which mean that both appliances can be operated simultaneously. So from a space saving perspective we give it top marks. The vacuum can also be removed from the cradle to provide you added convenience so you don’t need to move the whole unit around with you as your vacuuming.

Setup

Some assembly is required to put the machine together, but it’s very easy to accomplish in a 3-step process which involves screwing the storage rack and two handles into place. A standard Philips screwdriver is needed to tighten up the screws.

The provided quick connect adapter makes it quick and easy to connect the machine to your garden hose so there are no complications.

Performance

The pressure washer is no powerhouse with its 1,800 PSI of maximum water pressure, but it provides a sufficient amount of power to tackle light-to-medium tasks such as cleaning dirt and grime from driveways and garden furniture. It can even remove dried on paint from concrete as one reviewer on Amazon attested to.

The spray gun provides variable spray widths so you can choose a narrow width if it’s more appropriate for the cleaning job your doing. A rotary scrub brush is included which is handy for remove more stubborn dirt that the regular spray gun can’t clean off.

Dirt Devil is renowned for producing quality vacs so we expected this one to be up to scratch. The portable vacuum has decent suction power and can be used on both wet and dry surfaces so it’s impressively versatile. There are three handy accessories supplied which include a dusting brush, crevice tool and a wide nozzle.

We’re a little disappointed with the length of the power though however, with it being just 4 ft long; don’t expect to move very far with the vacuum unless you use an extension lead.

On-board Storage

Storage isn’t one of the strong points of this appliance. The on-board tool storage is adequate, but the most frustrating thing is that the cord and hose storage on either side of the machine only has one support at the top so the cord and hose don’t have a bottom support to wrap tightly around.

Pros and Cons of the Dirt Devil ND40100 Pressure Flex Pro 2-In-1 Pressure Washer

Pros

The Dirt Devil ND40100 combines two popular household appliances in one single appliance which makes it easier to store than two separate units. The long hose and cord on the pressure washer make it really flexible and convenient.

Compact, light vacuum makes it handy for those tasks such as cleaning out the car.

Cons

The cord and hose storage leaves a lot to be desired due to the lack of bottom support.

The vacuums power cord is shorter than we’d like.

Final Thoughts

This is a unique machine that at least brings something new to the table. It isn’t what we’d call the bee knees of 2-in-1 cleaning appliances, but it performs very well for light-duty cleaning and is both user-friendly and convenient with good mobility.

We rate the Dirt Devil ND40100 as a good choice if you need the convenience of a vacuum for outdoor use and also a pressure washer which performs well for small cleaning tasks.

AR Blue Clean AR383 Electric Pressure Washer Review

AR Blue Clean AR383

Among the many entry-level electric pressure washers on the market today which run on cold water, the AR Blue Clean AR383 is currently one of the most popular. It’s geared for light-duty cleaning with its 1,900 PSI of water pressure and triplex pump, which is regarded as one of the best pumps in the industry.

What consumers mostly love about this pressure washer is its ease of manoeuvrability, good pressure and convenience due to its long hose and power cord.

Read Consumer Reviews on the AR Blue Clean AR383

Features of the AR Blue Clean AR383 1,900 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

  • 1,900 PSI pressure; 1.5 GPM flow rate
  • Total Stop System
  • Hose Storage Reel
  • 30 ft power cord
  • 20 ft hose

Quality Construction

Good quality craftsmanship is a hallmark of this machine. The use of solid aluminium fittings means you can be confident that the important parts which house the connections won’t crack over time like machines which use plastic parts often do.

Durable Triplex Pump

AR North America is well renowned for the quality pumps they put in their equipment which are both durable and economical. This model features a Triplex wobble plate pump which has tempered stainless steel plungers that give it a level of durability which plastic pumps can't match up to.

1,900 PSI

The AR Blue Clean AR383 delivers a pressure of 1,900 PSI at a water flow of 1.5 GPM. This gives it ample oomph to tackle many light cleaning jobs in and around your home such as cleaning concrete paving, brick paving, wooden decks and garden furniture.

Convenient

A 35 ft GFCI power cord is included which gives you plenty of freedom to do outdoor cleaning jobs which are far away from the power outlet without the hassle of using an extension cord. Additionally, the long 20 ft hose allows you to reach those hard to reach areas which short hoses can’t manage. The on-board hose storage reel also makes storing the machine much easier as the hose can be neatly wound up and not in a tangled mess.

Auto Shut-off

One of our favourite features is the auto shut-off.  This stops the pump when you release the trigger so there is no potential problem of the pump overheating and burning out. It also comes in handy when someone is talking to you whilst you’re cleaning so you can quickly quieten the machine.

Attachments

Five different pressure tips are included which give you a suitable level of water pressure for each cleaning job you need to tackle.

  • The red tip is used for tackling stubborn dirt stains and small cracks such as between planks on a patio deck.
  • The yellow tip is the most universal tip which is suited for the majority of surfaces.
  • The white tip provides a wider spray range which makes it suitable for delicate jobs such as cleaning down windows.
  • The black tip uses a low level of pressure which allows you to apply detergents.
  • In addition to the above pressure tips, there is also a turbo nozzle included which rapidly increases the speed and water pressure for superior performance to get cleaning tasks done as quickly as possible.

Pros and Cons of the AR Blue Clean AR383 Pressure Washer

Pros

The AR Blue Clean AR383 is compact, portable, lightweight, quiet, has a great pump and is easy to assemble. The versatile attachments are really good for taking on a wide range of cleaning tasks.

AR’s customer service is high quality so any problems are usually dealt with in an efficient and prompt manner.

Cons

As with all entry-level pressure washers, it doesn't deliver high pressure when spraying detergent using the attachment, so it’s a bit pointless using this feature.

Final Thoughts

For medium-duty cleaning tasks, the AR Blue Clean AR383 is a great performer. Being lightweight and portable makes it good for cleaning different areas outdoors without the difficulty of lugging heavy machinery around. This unit has an excellent PSI for an electric model so it packs in a good amount of power.

We give this our recommendation as a good choice if you need an electric pressure washer which has a good balance between portability and pressure.

Generac 6024/5991 3,000 PSI 2.7 GPM 212cc OHV Gas Powered Pressure Washer Review

Generac 6024/5991

The Generac 6024/5991 Gas Powered Pressure Washer is a powerful multi-purpose machine which exerts a powerful 3,000 PSI of pressure, enabling it to handle a wide array of washing tasks from cleaning your driveway to washing down swimming pool tiles.

Generac are a manufacture who builds their products from ground up, so you get the level of quality you’d expect from a pressure washer that was built with consumer needs as the primary priority. This is strongly reflected in the consumer feedback with people giving this model high praise for its power, durability and ease of use.

Read Consumer Reviews on the Generac 6024/5991

Features of the Generac 6024/5991 Gas Powered Pressure Washer

  • Generac 212cc OHV horizontal shaft engine
  • Two 3/4 gallon detergent tanks
  • Easy to access axial cam pump
  • 10" wheels
  • 30" PVC hose
  • Warranty: 2-year limited

User-friendly

Rolling on two large 10" wheels, the machine is easy to move to the location where you need it. The axial cam pump is located at a height which makes it easy to access so you don't need to kneel down to connect up the hose.

Powerful OHV Engine

The Generac 6024/5991 is powered by a 212cc OHV shaft engine which provides 3,000 PSI to tackle the toughest grease and grime for any residential washing tasks. The low oil shutdown feature shuts off the engine when it detects the oil is low, ensuring that the engine doesn't get damaged in such instances.

The two easy-fill 3/4 gallon detergent tanks allow you to fill the machine with lots of cleaning fluid so you don't need to keep frequently refilling it each time you use the pressure washer.

High Performance Spray Gun

The smartly designed spray gun features a cushioned grip for extra comfort plus a long barrel for exceptional stability. Additionally, the trigger is easy to pull which allows you to use the machine for long sessions without tiring. The integrated holder under the handlebar lets you store the spray gun to keep it secure for storage.

Quick-Click Nozzles

There are 5 Quick-Click nozzle tips included which provide you varying amounts of pressure to take on each specific cleaning task. These include a 0° Blast, 15° Strip, 25° Clean, 40° Wash, plus a soap nozzle.

Pros and Cons of the Generac 6024/5991 Gas Powered Pressure Washer

Pros

Excellent build quality, powerful water pressure, easy to access design, good range of nozzle tips plus nice on-board storage for tools.

Good longevity, runs for about 1 and a half hours on a full tank.

Consumers have experienced high quality customer service from Generac.

Cons

Certain parts are constructed of plastic such as the water inlet and tank, but based on our research the level of reliability is high so this isn’t a big drawback.

Final Thoughts

The Generac 6024/5991 ticks all the right boxes of the features we look for in a high quality residential pressure washer. Being so easy to setup, you don’t need to be technically minded to get it running. With its 3000 PSI pressure and powerful pump it can efficiently clean the toughest of surfaces without taking a long time. We’re very impressed with this machine and highly recommend it.