Electrical stress washers promise a option to clear patios, driveways, vehicles and siding with out the noise, gas or upkeep related to gas-powered machines. Due to their comfort, it’s no shock that these battery and corded electrical fashions dominate our testing. However with costs starting from entry-level to premium, it’s honest to ask how a lot efficiency you get on your cash, particularly on the greater finish of that spectrum.
To seek out out, I in contrast the LawnMaster LT506-2000A stress washer, which retails for $100 to $120 relying on PSI, with my AR Blue Clear 383SS. This particular 383SS mannequin doesn’t seem like out there on the market anymore. I purchased it for about $250 a couple of years in the past, and whereas the particular 383SS mannequin doesn’t seem like out there, comparable fashions go for $300 to $400.
The LawnMaster is positioned as a budget-friendly machine, whereas the AR Blue Clear has an extended observe document and a extra established characteristic set. I examined each washers on the identical surfaces, utilizing the identical water supply and comparable spray settings.
The LawnMaster carried out extraordinarily properly, even when contemplating the AR washer’s age, and particularly given the worth distinction. For a finances mannequin, the LawnMaster is a formidable machine and can greater than suffice for most householders.
How does the {hardware} examine?
The LawnMaster LT506-2000A is rated for as much as 2,300 kilos per sq. inch and 1.4 gallons per minute. Its proprietor’s guide lists a rated stress of 1,650 PSI and a 13-amp, 120-volt motor. The machine weighs roughly 22.6 kilos.
The AR Blue Clear 383SS produces as much as 1,900 PSI and 1.3 GPM and likewise makes use of a 13-amp motor. It weighs roughly 32 kilos and features a 30-foot high-pressure hose, a 35-foot energy twine, a hose reel and an built-in 28-ounce detergent tank.
These numbers give the LawnMaster a bonus in most stress, though most PSI is just one component of a stress washer’s efficiency. Nozzle design, pump consistency, water stream and the way simply the machine might be positioned all have an effect on how properly it removes filth.
Each fashions are meant for cold-water use and swimsuit typical family cleansing duties slightly than heavy-duty industrial work. Neither needs to be handled like an expert gas-powered stress washer, significantly for eradicating deeply embedded grime throughout massive areas. Whereas gas-powered stress washers might be anticipated to deal with power-intensive duties like stripping paint, or may provide stress throughout a large sufficient zone to scrub massive driveways and even small parking tons, smaller fashions like those I examined listed here are extra appropriate to family duties like washing vehicles, patio furnishings, grills and small decks.
Design, meeting and equipment
The LawnMaster arrives with an adjustable spray gun, high-pressure hose, turbo lance, foam bottle, cleansing brush and wheel-hub brush. Its 20-foot hose and 35-foot energy twine present affordable attain for cleansing a automobile or small patio, though the hose is shorter than the one provided with the AR Blue Clear.
The included brushes may make the LawnMaster particularly interesting to individuals who plan to scrub vehicles, wheels and backyard gear. Additionally they scale back the necessity to purchase further equipment straight away. The froth bottle is beneficial for making use of detergent, although you shouldn’t count on the identical thick foam produced by a devoted foam cannon.
The AR Blue Clear takes a extra standard strategy. It features a pro-style spray gun, quick-connect nozzle suggestions, a rotary or turbo nozzle, a detergent tank and onboard storage. Its hose reel makes setup and storage much less awkward and is one among its most helpful design options. The trade-off is weight: At roughly 32 kilos, the 383SS is noticeably heavier than the LawnMaster at simply over 22 kilos.
In apply, the LawnMaster is less complicated to raise and carry, whereas the AR Blue Clear feels extra substantial when being pulled throughout a driveway. Each fashions embody a Whole Cease-style system that shuts off the motor while you launch the set off, decreasing pointless pump operation.
By way of meeting, it’s been some time, however I bear in mind the Blue Clear being pretty fiddly, and each time I reconnect the hoses and nozzle, I inevitably spend extra time than I’d like tightening and troubleshooting leaks (although, once more, it is a stress washer that’s a bit over 3 years previous).
The LawnMaster, alternatively, was a breeze to assemble. Apart from a handful of screws, most elements snap collectively simply, and the directions have been easy and clear. I had the unit unboxed, assembled and related in lower than quarter-hour.
Three washing assessments
For all of the assessments I carried out, I used the default 25-degree nozzle tip on the AR Blue Clear. The LawnMaster comes with an adjustable nozzle, so you possibly can simply change the spray width (and stress) on the fly.
I measured the Blue Clear’s width by spraying a piece of soiled pavement, then adjusted the LawnMaster nozzle to match it on the identical distance, mimicking a 25-degree nozzle. I did single passes at medium velocity with each to provide a good impression; naturally, a secondary move or an extended, lingering sweep would yield higher outcomes from each fashions.
Check 1: Car cleansing
For the primary take a look at, I used each machines to scrub the facet of my black 2017 Chevy Bolt. I first utilized a mud slurry to the facet panels and wheels, then cleaned the entrance panel and wheel with the AR Blue Clear and the rear with the LawnMaster.
AR Blue Clear outcome: The AR did an honest job on an preliminary move, however left important filth and streaking in its wake. Dust was nonetheless seen on the sidewalls of the tires and on a number of areas of the door panel.
LawnMaster outcome: The LawnMaster yielded higher outcomes, significantly on the rear tire, although it did additionally go away a good quantity of smudging and streaking after a single move.
The primary distinction was that the LawnMaster didn’t go away full patches of filth in its wake, whereas the AR did. The LawnMaster appeared extra complete and offered barely higher management and protection.
Check 2: Concrete patio
Subsequent, I examined each machines on a equally soiled part of my again patio, which is completed, sealed concrete. This floor was closely stained and had massive patches of algae. I first sketched out two rectangles on the floor, then used the AR Blue Clear on the left and the LawnMaster on the best.
AR Blue Clear outcome: The AR did an honest job cleansing up the final patina and marking, nevertheless it did little to take away the cussed algae, a lot of which remained after a single move.
LawnMaster outcome: The LawnMaster did a significantly better job, eradicating not solely the staining and patina but in addition blasting away the overwhelming majority of seen algae in a single move.
This take a look at clearly confirmed how the LawnMaster’s greater most stress translated into quicker cleansing. It did a significantly better job cleansing the concrete in a single move; whereas I eliminated a lot of the remaining algae with the AR Blue Clear in subsequent passes, the LawnMaster dealt with it in a single fast run.
Check 3: Home siding
Lastly, I sloshed extra of the mud slurry onto the grey siding of my home and, following the sample from the primary two assessments, ran the AR Blue Clear on the left and the LawnMaster on the best.
LawnMaster outcome: The LawnMaster simply blasted away the mud from each the siding and the concrete pad beneath it, leaving them cleaner than the encircling surfaces.
AR Blue Clear outcome: The Blue Clear additionally did a wonderful job on the siding, simply and totally cleansing each the siding and the concrete beneath it in a single move.
That is the take a look at the place the 2 have been closest in efficiency, possible as a result of the slurry was extra diluted or didn’t cling to the facet of the home as a lot. For an software like this, the AR Blue Clear was completely appropriate, although the LawnMaster seems considerably extra spectacular given their relative costs.
Which one must you purchase?
The LawnMaster LT506-2000A is a gorgeous mixture of low weight, excessive stress and diversified equipment. Given the LawnMaster’s portability and most cleansing energy, and the truth that it is available in at $150 lower than I paid for the AR Blue Clear, it’s simply the higher worth.
One consideration for any piece of kit from an upstart finances model is longevity, which is tougher to check. For $100, although, it could be definitely worth the danger, particularly when you plan to make use of it solely sparingly.
Primarily based solely on my testing, the LawnMaster matched or considerably exceeded the AR Blue Clear in total cleansing efficiency. Given its worth and the superb job it did in all three assessments, it not solely simply surpassed my (admittedly getting old) Blue Clear, nevertheless it’s a simple advice total for a value-priced, electrical stress washer.
