Generac Pressure Washer Review and Comparison

How clean is your car repair workspace? Could a Generac pressure washer improve the situation? I often forget just how messy a vehicle, garage, and driveway can get during repairs and even light touch-ups. And how this dirt seems to spread to everything. Whether you’re dissembling and re-assembling complex mechanical systems or preparing for a paint job, keeping things clean is crucial.

Not all pressure washers are cut out for this job, however. If you’ve ever felt like your old washer or the one at the gas station, smears the dirt around, you know what I’m talking about. The good news is that there’s now a plethora of affordable pressure washers that work for car repairs. The bad news is that it can be a pain to tell the good from the bad. But don’t worry, that’s about to change.

The Generac Pressure Washer Line

Generac is most well-known for generators. It’s one of the very top producers of home backup generators. With affordable prices and perhaps the broadest range of generators and power products on the market, it’s a very interesting brand when you’re shopping for your home generator needs.

In fact, Generac was a pioneer in residential power washers. Their pressure washers helped provide homeowners with affordable, powerful cleaning solutions and now they have expanded their line. Each model is different, but they all share a general design concept with similar build quality. Each Generac pressure washer is built to last. They vary in capacity, pressure, and power source, but they all perform similarly.

There are ones for use around the home and ones for professional workshops, as well as ones with adjustable pressure.

Price Range

There’s a pretty wide price range, depending on the specific Generac pressure washer you’re looking for. The basic ones start around $300 while a high-end unit may set you back up to $2,000.

How We Reviewed

In this review, we looked at the Generac pressure washer model specifications and price points. We also found reviews from people who have purchased one of them. Finally, we compared it to other pressure washers and determined if it was a good choice in comparison to the other brands.

Generac Pressure Washer Models

We’ve compiled a wide variety of reviews and observations to provide this detailed comparison of a few different Generac pressure washer models and competitors.

Generac OneWash 7019

Onewash is a versatile Generac pressure washer. You can adjust the amount of pressure to your current needs. It has two big never-flat tires that make it easy to move it around without worries. Its pump and connections are all brass, which lasts longer than the aluminum.

The detergent tank holds half a gallon, and it’s easy to refill and drain. Thanks to the smart placement of hose connections to the axial cam pump, you don’t have to take a knee when you attach or remove the hose. The high-pressure hose is 25 feet long and plugs into the back of the spray gun. This, together with the ergonomic design of the spray gun helps improve handling. You’ll also find a power dial on top of the handle so that you can adjust the pressure level without effort. This can be a real time-saver as well. Each of the four power modes has a symbol to indicate its ideal use.

A powerful, gas-powered Generac 196cc OHV engine drives this pressure washer. Pressure ranges from 2,000 to 3,1000psi, at a rate if 2.4GPM (gallons per minute). It’s a great choice for cleaning your car, with plenty of power to get the dirt out of both the tires and the undercarriage.

One slight downside is the somewhat flimsy design of the spray gun holder, which is small and made out of plastic. And it wouldn’t hurt to have a foot bar to keep the whole thing more stable when you pull-start the engine. The pressure washer costs between $370 and $430 and has a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.

Generac SpeedWash 7122

SpeedWash is the Generac pressure washer for those who prioritize a fast wash. The manufacturer claims you can halve your time spent cleaning. In most ways, the Speedwash is very similar to the OneWash. The main difference is that it’s built to make use of quick-change nozzle tips and other accessories.

It has a standard nozzle tip and two angled ones. Its soap blaster nozzle pumps out detergent is three times faster than a standard nozzle. The turbo nozzle, on the other hand, produces a precise, rotating stream that can help clean off stubborn dirt better than an ordinary pressure washer. It’s great for cleaning out rims and getting the grime off of windshields.

Last but not least, you get a power broom attachment. This thing looks almost like a vacuum cleaner, and you use it the same way once it’s connected to the spray gun. It makes it easy to wash off a dirty garage floor without getting oily water splattered all over yourself. The hose is 30 feet long and designed to prevent kinks and marring.

This Generac pressure washer also uses the 196cc OHV gasoline engine. But it’s a bit stronger than the OneWash, with a pressure of 3,200psi at 2.7GPM. If you don’t need all this power, there’s also a 2,900psi version which is a bit cheaper but doesn’t have as many attachments. The pressure washer costs between $350 and $440 and has an Amazon rating of 3.6 out of 5.0 stars.

Generac 6565

This is a heavy-duty Generac pressure washer for those more demanding jobs. Generac 6565 is best-suited for a professional workshop. A powerful Pro-Grade Triplex pump with ceramic pistons feeds this washer. It’s very durable and can last up to four times longer than an axial cam pump. The oversized pneumatic tires make it roll with ease across really bumpy surfaces. The 50-foot non-marring hose further enhances mobility. It’s ideal for cleaning big vehicles.

You get five quick-change nozzle tips. One is normal, and one is a soap blaster. The rest of the tips are angled at 15, 25, and 40 degrees. The handle is foldable, so this Generac pressure washer doesn’t take up unnecessary space when it’s not in use. It also makes it easier to transport. The 6565 Generac pressure washer runs on a mighty 420cc OHV engine that can deliver up to 4,200psi at 4GPM. With this much reliable power, you won’t have a hard time cleaning even those tough pieces of dirt.

There’s also a low-oil sensor that shuts down the engine if the oil gets too low. You can tell this washer is built to last. The pressure washer costs anywhere from $700 to $1,300 depending on the type you buy. It has a rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars.

How the Generac Pressure Washer Compare to Other Brands

Below we take a look at some of the brands that compare to the Generac pressure washer.

Simpson Megashot

One of the strongest competitors against the affordable Generac pressure washer range is the Simpson Megashot, powered by a trusty Honda engine. It’s an impressive pressure washer and about equal to the OneWash.

The engine drives, and axial cam pump which has the connections in a convenient spot for easy connections. It has a light, compact design that makes it easy to move. It has balanced wheels with oversized never-flat tires. A non-abrasive, kink-resistant MorFlex high-pressure hose makes it reliable and easy to use. The pro-style steel spray gun has an ergonomic handle and convenient controls, so it’s comfortable and easy to use. It also features a safety lock-out mechanism, so you won’t accidentally spray anything.

You get four nozzle tips with it: one straight, one 25 degrees nozzle, a 40 degree one, and a special soap nozzle. The quick click design makes it easy to adjust between the high and low-pressure nozzles and different nozzle tips. To make it even easier, they’ve color-coded the nozzle tips. It uses a downstream detergent injection system, so it’s easier to use while cleaning and the OEM technology is maintenance-free.

The Simpson Megashot MSH3125 uses a HONDA GCV 190cc OHC engine that can produce 3,200psi at 2.5GPM. This is strong enough for some heavy-duty cleaning. They designed this pressure washer to be as effective as possible with minimal engine load. Its PowerBoost axial cam pump helps maximize performance and minimize vibrations at the same time. And it doesn’t get too hot either.

When it comes to downsides, there’s the nozzle holder, which isn’t as great as it could be. And the pump may give out sooner than some others on the list. The pressure washer costs between $400 and $415. It has a rating of 3.7 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.

Pressure-Pro Professional 4,000psi

This is one of the most powerful gas-powered pressure washers on the market. It’s more durable and has more horsepower than the other pressure washers on this list. The Pressure Pro is a high-end unit and, unlike Generac pressure washer machines, there’s no attempt to keep the price down. A new one will set you back about $1,400 to $1,700. If you can afford it, and you want the incredible power and reduced emissions, this is the pressure washer for the job.

The frame consists of aircraft-grade aluminum, and the pump is from CAT and uses ceramic materials to keep temperatures down. It’s about as sturdy and powerful as they come in this class. The thermosensor prevents overheating and helps keep the pressure washer in good shape. It also features a low oil sensor that switches the machine off as soon as the oil runs low. The Pressure Pro produces less exhaust and is CARB compliant, which means it’s certified as a low-emission, energy efficient machine.

The high-pressure hose is 50 feet long, steel reinforced, and non-marring. It has a high-grade spray gun and wand which are insulated. It comes with five quick-change nozzle tips: one standard and chemical application nozzles and one 15 degree, 25 degree, and 40-degree nozzles. Finally, the CAT triplex plunger pump is sturdy and keeps cool thanks to its ceramic design. Pressure washer pumps are always under a lot of stress.

A 13-horsepower Honda GX390 engine powers this pressure washer. It’s capable of 4,000psi pressure at 4.0GPM. The pressure washer has a rating of 3.6 out of 5.0 stars.

Ryobi 2,800psi

The Ryobi 2,800psi Pressure Washer is similar to the Generac pressure washer products listed above, but with a different design using different components.

It’s reminiscent of the OneWash, with an onboard detergent tank and big never-flat tires. Its roll cage frame design helps protect the engine in safe conditions. The pump is maintenance-free. But it is an aluminum pump, so it may not last as long as the others on the list. There is a 3-year limited warranty though.

It has a 25-foot power flex hose that bends with ease and doesn’t kink. The spray gun has a comfortable design that grants good control. What’s really convenient is the 5-in-1 quick-connect nozzle. This thing lets you change spray-patterns on the spot. The strong Honda GCV160 engine produces 2,800psi at 2.3GPM. While this is lower pressure than any Generac pressure washer in the article, it’s enough for most car repair purposes. Idle Down Technology helps conserve fuel and longevity while also reducing noise levels.

It’s similar in price to the Generac residential units, ranging between $300 and $450. The pressure washer has a Home Depot rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.

Pros and Cons

Let’s break these insights down into pros and cons to see if a Generac pressure washer is right for you.

Pros

• Solid balance between quality and affordability
• Great variable pressure levels
• Ergonomic design
• Very versatile

If you’re looking for a unit that’s great at a multitude of tasks, a Generac pressure washer is a great choice.

Cons

• Engine quality

When it comes to efficiency, it’s not quite as good as Honda-powered pressure washers. They’re not as clean, quiet, and consistent. They’re still not bad by any means.

Our Verdict

All in all, the Generac pressure washers are solid products that will do the job both at home and in a professional garage. If you want a sturdy pressure washer at a good price, they’re a prime choice. Other pressure washers are better, like the Pressure-Pro Professional, but you should be prepared to spend a lot more for it. The Generac pressure washers are perfect if you just want a no-nonsense pressure washer that is affordable and gets the job done.