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Head-to-head · Best Pressure Washers Under $300

Karcher K1700 vs Westinghouse ePX3500

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Karcher K1700 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 3.9). Karcher K1700 is best for: Apartment dwellers and car enthusiasts who want a compact, gentle, easy-to-store washer for vehicles and light cleaning. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Karcher K1700
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Pressure Washers Under $300
Karcher K1700
2 sourcesall derived$181.96as of Sep 25

The Karcher K1700 is the compact, car-friendly pick: a CETA-certified cube washer measured at 1700 PSI and 1.1 GPM, and the easiest unit here to carry and store. Its gentle, controllable pressure has made it a favorite for washing cars and motorcycles without risking paint or trim, and touches like a foot switch and removable soap tank add polish. It's light-duty by design, not a heavy-grime machine.

Strengths
  • — CETA-certified for verified performance, with measured 1700 PSI / 1.1 GPM
  • — Convenient on/off foot switch and a removable half-gallon detergent tank
  • — Includes a turbo nozzle plus standard spray tips
Watch-outs
  • — 1700 PSI is the lowest pressure here, not for heavy-duty jobs
  • — Lower flow makes large-area rinsing slower
$181.96 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Westinghouse ePX3500
Ranked #4 in Best Pressure Washers Under $300
Westinghouse ePX3500
1 source$169as of Oct 16

The Westinghouse ePX3500 is a small corded electric pressure washer that TechGearLab scored 68 out of 100 and named its Best Bang for the Buck. In TechGearLab's testing it weighed 18.7 pounds and earned the highest portability score of the ten washers tested, but it measured 1800 psi and 1.06 gpm against the 2500 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM in its listing, and TechGearLab calls its cleaning power average to low. TechGearLab recommends it for vehicles and small to average jobs around the house, not for heavy-duty work.

Strengths
  • — 20-ounce soap reservoir and soap nozzle that TechGearLab found covered a car in suds
  • — Comes with 0-degree, 15-degree, 25-degree, soap and turbo nozzles
  • — 34-foot power cord, per TechGearLab
Watch-outs
  • — Tiny wheels struggled on rocks, grass and gravel in TechGearLab's testing
  • — Third-loudest washer TechGearLab tested, at 83.3 decibels up close
  • — Light enough to tip or shift when the hose or cord is pulled, per TechGearLab
$169 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Karcher K1700

The most compact and car-friendly option versus the more powerful Sun Joe SPX3000 and Westinghouse WPX3000e.

Westinghouse ePX3500

At 18.7 pounds on TechGearLab's scale it is lighter than the roughly 31-pound Sun Joe SPX3000, and it has one 20-ounce soap reservoir where the Sun Joe has two detergent tanks. The Westinghouse WPX3000e on this page is the same brand's larger induction-motor model.

Specs side-by-side

SpecKarcher K1700Westinghouse ePX3500
Rated PSI1700 PSI (CETA verified)—
Max GPM1.2 GPM (1.1 measured)—
Motor120V electric—
Soap TankRemovable 0.5 gallon20 oz onboard
ControlsOn/off foot switch—
Nozzles3 spray tips + turbo nozzle0-degree, 15-degree, 25-degree, soap, turbo
Form FactorCompact cube—
CertificationCETA—
Dimensions17.25"L x 16.5"W x 33"H13.5"L x 14"W x 16.5"H
Max PSI (label)—2500
Max GPM (label)—1.76
Measured Pressure (TechGearLab)—1800 psi
Measured Flow (TechGearLab)—1.06 gpm
Measured Cleaning Units (TechGearLab)—1901
Weight (TechGearLab)—18.7 lb
Size (TechGearLab)—17 x 14 x 14 in
Hose—25 ft
Power Cord—34 ft
Noise (TechGearLab)—83.3 dB close up, 78.3 dB at 25 ft
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