House Grail is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

3 Best Hot Water Pressure Washers of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Pressure Washer Hot

man using NorthStar Gas Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure

Hot water pressure washers are literal cleaning machines. There’s no better way to clean your home’s siding, sidewalk, engine parts, decks, and many other difficult to clean areas around the home. However, these machines are not cheap, and you are going to want to find out as much as you can about each brand before you choose one.

We’ve chosen three of the best hot water pressure washers to review for you. We’ll tell you about our experience using them and all of the pros and cons each one exhibited. We’ve also included a short buyer’s guide where we break down the hot water pressure washer to see how they work so you know what to look for while you shop.

bJoin us while we take a look at water temperature, pressure, gallons per minute, weight, and reach to help you make an educated decision.


A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Northstar Electric Hot Water Pressure Power Washer Northstar Electric Hot Water Pressure Power Washer
  • Heats water to 250 degrees
  • Includes several angled nozzles
  • 5 GPM
  • Second place
    SIMPSON MB1518 Fired Hot Water Pressure Washer SIMPSON MB1518 Fired Hot Water Pressure Washer
  • Industrial triplex pump
  • 25’ steel braided hose
  • 13” pneumatic tires
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    NorthStar Gas Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure NorthStar Gas Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure
  • Easy Start
  • Adjustable pressure
  • Sight glass oil check
  • The 3 Best Hot Water Pressure Washers – Reviews 2024

    These are the three hot water pressure washers we are going to review for you.

    1. Northstar Electric Hot Water Pressure Power Washer – Best Overall

    Northstar Electric Hot Water Pressure Power Washer

    The Northstar Electric Hot Water Pressure Power Washer is our pick for the best overall hot water pressure washer. It features a high-efficiency five horsepower direct-drive Leeson engine that works with the Premium CAT2DX triplex pump to raise the water pressure to 2,750 pounds per square inch (PSI). It can heat the water to a temperature of 250ºF to cut through grease and grime easily. The high-efficiency engine reduces emissions and uses diesel or kerosene for fuel and has a forged brass manifold that’s much more durable than aluminum.

    It features an easy pull recoil start and comes with a 50-foot high-pressure hose to reach the most remote cleaning areas. You can adjust the pressure as well as the temperature, and the oil is easy to check using a handy sight-glass. If there are any problems, a diagnostic light will come on to direct you to the cause, and it has a long, 36-foot power cord to help you move the machine into position. The entire machine is in a 10-gauge steel cart that you can move on 12-inch pneumatic tires. It has a low vibration design and comes with several angles heads to comfortably point the water pressure to where you need it. It also includes a steam nozzle and a chemical nozzle for dispensing soaps and other cleaning agents.

    The Northstar is quite heavy at 415 pounds and can be quite difficult to move around even on its big tires. There’s no low-oil safety shutdown, so you will need to keep your eye on the sight-glass to prevent damage to the engine. It also requires a dedicated NEMA 6-30P receptacle to deliver the 230-volts it requires, which may require professional installation and prevents you from using extension cords or other means to extend the range beyond its 36-ft power cord.

    Pros
    • Heats water to 250 degrees
    • Includes several angled nozzles
    • 5 GPM
    • 2,750 PSI
    • 36-foot power cord
    Cons
    • Releases diesel emissions
    • Requires dedicated outlet
    • No low oil shut down
    • 415 pounds

    2. SIMPSON MB1518 Fired Hot Water Pressure Washer

    SIMPSON MB1518 Fired Hot Water Pressure Washer

    The SIMPSON MB1518 Fired Hot Water Pressure Washer is our runner up top choice, and it has quite a few features that may interest you. It runs on 120 volts, so you can plug it into any outlet or use extension cords to extend the range. It uses an induction motor equipped with an Automatic Total Stop System, which abruptly ends pressure when you release the trigger. It uses an industrial triplex pump capable of producing up to 1,700 PSI and using 1.8 GPM hot water. It can raise the temperature by 100-degrees and features an extra-large fuel tank to keep the cleaning going for longer. It has several safety features to protect you and the machine, including a high-temperature limit switch and an overpressure safety release valve.

    This model has a 48-inch grip spray gun for maximum control and five quick connect nozzle tips to get the flow and angle you desire while the inline chemical injection system makes it easy to add soap or other cleaning agents. It has a 25-foot steel braided hose and a 35-foot power cord for maximum reach. The machine sits in a welded steel frame with a powder-coated frame to resist corrosion, and there’s on-board storage for all your accessories. It’s lightweight compared to other models at 215 pounds and is easily maneuverable on large 13-inch pneumatic tires.

    The biggest problem we had while reviewing the SIMPSON MB1518 was that it would leak some fuel if we tried to move it with a full tank. You need to lift it to move it, which angles the tank enough to allow some kerosene to leak out. We also didn’t like the way the burner connects to the machine. It uses only three small screws and seems flimsy.

    Pros
    • Uses any outlet
    • Industrial triplex pump
    • 25’ steel braided hose
    • 13” pneumatic tires
    • 5 quick-connect nozzle hoses
    Cons
    • Leaks fuel when moved
    • Burner held on by flimsy screws

    3. NorthStar Gas Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure – Premium Choice

    NorthStar Gas Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure

    The NorthStar Gas Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure Washer is our premium choice hot water pressure washers, and as such, it costs a little more than the others but has some nice features you might like. It has a Honda GX390 engine that can raise water pressure up to 3,000 PSI and keep it there while delivering 250ºF water at the rate of 4GPM. With that much cleaning power, even the toughest baked-on grime melts away in seconds.

    You can adjust the pressure as well as the temperature for plenty of versatility, and the 36-inch lance is comfortable to hold. You can change the direction of the water with one of five quick-connect nozzles that angle the water at different degrees. It uses a design that reduces vibrations, and a forged brass manifold is many-times stronger than the aluminum version found on many other brands. The spray gun uses a rear entry hose for better balance, and you can instantly check the oil level by looking through the built-in sight glass. The recoil engine is easy to start, and the 50-foot reinforced quick-connect hose gives you plenty of reach. The device sits in an extra-heavy pipe gauge cages and rides on four 14-inch pneumatic tires.

    One downside to the NorthStar is that at 600 pounds, it’s easily the heaviest model on this list. The four pneumatic tires help a lot, but it’s still quite difficult to move anywhere except the flattest hard surfaces. Ours also sprung a small leak in the handle after a few uses.

    Pros
    • Extra-heavy pipe cage
    • Forged brass manifold
    • Easy Start
    • Adjustable pressure
    • Sight glass oil check
    • 250ºF water
    Cons
    • 600 pounds
    • Handle leaks

    Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Hot Water Pressure Washer

    Here are a few things to look at when choosing a hot water pressure washer.

    Power

    One thing that confuses many people when shopping for a hot water pressure washer is that many have a power cord and require diesel or kerosene. The reason for the two power types is that the electricity typically powers the pump that increases pressure and shoots the water, while the kerosene or diesel heats the water.

    Water Inlet

    Most units have a water inlet to connect the machine to the water supply. You usually need to purchase the hose separately, so you will need to make sure you have one ready to go when it’s time to begin cleaning. Ensure you have a hose of sufficient length for the project at hand, but since the machine heats the water and builds the pressure, you will not need to worry about a heat resistant or reinforced hose.

    Water Pump

    The water pump is the heart of the machine and is responsible for creating the water pressure. A stronger pump will create a higher pressure. The pressure washers on this list create a PSI between 1,700 and 3,000 PSI. Obviously, higher pressure is the better choice, but anything over 1,500 PSI will do a great job cleaning.

    Gallons per Minute

    Another thing the water pump is responsible for is the gallons of water per minute that the outputs. More water allows you to clean a bigger area, but it requires a much stronger pump. The models on this list output between 1.8 and 4 GPM. The most expensive unit output the most water by far.

    One downside to machines with a higher GPM is that they use a lot of water, and you won’t have to run them long to see your water bill go up.

    Heating Element

    The heating element or burner heats the water. Diesel fueled pressure washers like the ones on this list can heat the water very quickly. Higher temperature water will clean better, so check to see how hot the water on your unit will get.

    man using Northstar Electric Hot Water Pressure Power Washer

    High-Pressure Hose

    The high-pressure hose transports the water from the machine to the cleaning tip. This hose needs to be extremely durable and resistant to heat. A longer hose will give you room to move and will make it easier to clean. Some models will allow you to change the hose for a longer one but doing so will reduce the maximum pressure at the tip and reduce the temperature of the water.

    Cleaning Tip

    The cleaning tip is the wand you hold while you are cleaning. A longer tip will be easier to manage and more comfortable to aim where you need it. The cleaning chemicals are often added in this stage as well.

    Carriage

    The hot water pressure washer is a large machine that can weigh several hundred pounds. How you will move it while your work is something you will have to give serious consideration. All of the models on this list come with at least two large pneumatic wheels to help you move the unit, but even then, they can be quite heavy.

    divider 8

    Conclusion

    When choosing your next hot water pressure washer, we highly recommend our pick for the best overall. The Northstar Electric Hot Water Pressure Power Washer heats water to a scalding 250ºF. It pressurizes the water to 2,750 PSI and releases water at the rate of 2.5 GPM. Our runner up, the SIMPSON MB1518 Fired Hot Water Pressure Washer is a perfect choice if you need something a little smaller, and the NorthStar Gas Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure Washer what you need if you use a pressure washer daily or have a large job.

    We hope you have enjoyed our reviews and found them useful for finding your next power washer. If you think it can help others, please share this guide to the best hot water pressure washers on Facebook and Twitter.

    Contents

    Related posts

    OUR categories

    Project ideas

    Hand & power tools

    woodworking

    Garden

    Automotive