The most likely place people get stuck is trying to figure out if they need a pressure washer or a power washer. The names are similar and honestly, they almost do the same thing — they spray high pressure water to clean stuff. But the key difference hides in something you might not think about right away: water temperature.

Wasting your time, gouging your surfaces or leaving your grease untouched, the wrong type for the job. That’s why knowing the difference between a pressure washer and a power washer is important when trying to clean something tougher than your deck or tackle something larger than that.

1. Pressure Washer vs Power Washer – Quick Comparison Table

Before diving deeper into what each machine does, let’s lay out the basics. This side-by-side comparison makes it easier to spot what sets them apart.

Feature	Pressure Washer	Power Washer
Water Temperature	Cold water only	Uses hot water pressure washer system
Cleaning Power	Good for dirt, dust, and mild grime	Better for grease, oil, and stubborn build-up
Common Usage	Homes, patios, vehicles	Industrial pressure washer tasks, grease
Cost Range	More affordable	Usually more expensive
Size & Portability	Lightweight and compact	Larger and heavier
Typical PSI	1300–3000 PSI (electric pressure washer)	2500–4000 PSI (high psi washer)
Applications	Decks, furniture, outdoor surface cleaner	Restaurants, garages, degreasing tools
Cleaning Solution	Water or detergent-based	Water + heat + soap combo (detergent pressure washer)

If you’re wondering when to use which—don’t worry. The rest of this guide will break things down in a way that makes choosing the right washer feel as easy as flipping a switch. Or pulling one.

2. What Is a Pressure Washer?

A pressure washer is a high powered stream of cold water to blast away dirt, dust, mud and light grime. Around the house it’s great for everyday jobs, patios, driveways and lawn furniture.

An electric pressure washer is the type of choice for most homeowners because of its light weight, little noise and easy plug and play. Gas pressure washers are more forceful and good for larger areas and you’ll find them as well.

Instead, these machines use high pressure to do the cleaning and don’t heat the water. And if you’re taking care of basic messes, a cold water pressure washer will do the trick.

Common Types of Pressure Washers:

· Electric pressure washer – Quiet, lightweight, ideal for small tasks

· Gas-powered pressure washer – Higher PSI, better for larger jobs

· Portable power washer – Easy to carry around, great for quick cleanups

Even though these aren’t built for heavy grease or oil, they still pack a punch when it comes to blasting away dirt from your siding, sidewalks, or outdoor tools. And yes, they’re way more fun than scrubbing by hand.

3. What Is a Power Washer?

A power washer is essentially a pressure washer with one key upgrade — it uses hot water. And that change alone makes a big difference if you’re trying to break down thick grime, oil or even greasy stains that cold water can’t do.

That heated pressure washer system is the key. Then when you combine hot water with high pressure, the grease is cut through like a knife through warm butter. That’s why steam pressure washers and other hot water pressure washer units are the way to go if you’re on a farm, working in the food service industry or cleaning heavy equipment.

You wouldn't pull this out just to rinse your car. All of these machines are heavy duty cleaning machines. Imagine oil stained floors, machinery with gunk from a long workday.

Why Power Washers Work Better for Tough Jobs:

1. Hot water lifts oil more easily than cold water ever could.

2. Power washer pump systems handle higher pressures and temps.

3. They're ideal degreasing tools for commercial and industrial jobs.

You’ll usually find these paired with detergent systems, making them powerful enough for restaurant kitchens, repair shops, or any mess that laughs at plain cold water. Just don’t let the extra heat fool you—they're not for delicate surfaces. Use with caution, or you might clean the paint right off.

4. Key Differences – Power Washer vs Pressure Washer

Now for the main event—what really separates a pressure washer from a power washer?

The main difference is simple: power washers heat the water, while pressure washers do not. That change makes a huge impact on cleaning performance. Hot water helps break down grease, oil, and stuck-on dirt much faster and more thoroughly.

If you're just dealing with muddy walkways or dirty siding, a cold water pressure washer gets the job done. But when it comes to sticky garage floors, old motor oil, or industrial messes, the heat-assisted cleaning of a power washer makes all the difference.

Here’s What Sets Them Apart:

Feature	Pressure Washer	Power Washer
Water Temperature	Cold only	Heated (via power washer pump with burner)
Best Use Cases	Home, vehicles, fences	Grease-heavy cleaning, industrial jobs
Cleaning Performance	High pressure only	High pressure + heat = better grime removal
Surface Compatibility	Safer for wood and delicate materials	Riskier on softer surfaces
Example Application	Lawn furniture, decks, siding	Factories, garages, equipment maintenance

Don’t Mix Them Up

Power washer on soft surfaces like wood siding or paint on cars will probably do more damage than good. Using a blowtorch to toast bread is like getting results, you just might not be the results you want.

Which is why it’s important to tell a pressure washer from a power washer so you can choose the right tool for the right job, without making a mess of what you’re actually trying to clean.

5. When Should You Use Each Type?

You don’t have to tie yourself in knots trying to choose between the two. That all depends on what you’re cleaning and how difficult the mess is.

When you have everyday dirt, a light stain or dust, use a pressure washer. It's great for at home use and very mild for fences, wood decks or even outdoor furniture. If you have a small job that needs to be done, electric pressure washer (or a portable power washer) lets you do it quickly and easily without breaking the bank or your back.

And if you’re currently staring at a grease stained driveway or commercial kitchen floor, the big guns are out. A power washer works wonders on grease, oil and grime, but particularly if you have a heated pressure washer system.

Use a Pressure Washer For:

· Washing cars, bikes, and boats

· Rinsing windows and siding

· Cleaning patios, decks, and sidewalks

· Removing light mildew and dirt

Use a Power Washer For:

· Removing oil and grease from driveways

· Cleaning heavy-duty equipment and tools

· Sanitizing commercial kitchens or factory floors

· Tackling thick, baked-on grime in industrial pressure washer jobs

It’s also worth considering what kind of detergent you'll be using. Many detergent pressure washer units work with both types, but hot water pressure washer models break down oily substances much faster—even without soap.

So, if your mess has attitude and laughs at plain water, give it some heat.

6. Expert Tips for Choosing the Right Washer

Before you go buying the first machine with a hose, ask yourself: what exactly are you cleaning? It’s not about having the most powerful unit on the market—it’s about having the right tool for the job.

If you’re mainly cleaning garden furniture, cars, or patios, stick with a pressure washer. They’re easier to handle, more affordable, and perfect for residential tasks. A high psi washer in the 2000–3000 PSI range will work wonders on mold, dirt, and bird mess without blasting your fence into next week.

But if you’re dealing with commercial spaces, oil leaks, or grease buildup, invest in a hot water pressure washer. The heat will save you hours of scrubbing, especially when paired with the right cleaning solution.

Key Things to Consider:

· PSI (Pounds per Square Inch): More PSI means stronger cleaning force

· GPM (Gallons per Minute): Higher flow rates rinse surfaces faster

· Water Temperature: Cold for light cleaning, hot for degreasing tools and grease

· Portability: A portable power washer is great for small or mobile tasks

· Budget: Electric pressure washers cost less but may lack power for tough jobs

And here’s a quick way to decide:
If the mess looks like someone spilled barbecue sauce, motor oil, and mystery gunk all in one spot—yeah, go for hot water. Otherwise, cold water will do just fine.

Choosing between a power washer vs pressure washer for driveway, for example, comes down to the type of stain. Oil? Heat. Dust? Pressure.

A little thought upfront saves a lot of cleanup later.

7. FAQs

1. Can a pressure washer clean oil stains?

It depends. A pressure washer can handle light oil spots with soap and scrubbing, but for deeper stains, you’ll want a power washer. The heat helps break down oil much faster.

2. Is a power washer safe for home use?

Yes, but take care. Power washers are very powerful — hot water and high pressure can mar softer surfaces like wood or vinyl. If you don't know, test a small area first.

3. Which is cheaper to maintain?

A pressure washer is generally cheaper and easier to maintain. It has fewer parts since there’s no water heater involved. Fewer things to break = less headache.

4. What's better for outdoor surface cleaning?

For dirt, pollen, or light stains, a pressure washer works well. But if your surface is covered in grease or stuck-on grime, a hot water pressure washer will perform better.

5. Are all power washers hot water units?

Yes. The term “power washer” typically refers to machines that heat the water. If there’s no heating element, it’s just a pressure washer—even if it’s powerful.