Ryobi vs. Greenworks Electric Pressure Washers: Pros, Cons, & Verdict (2024 Update)

Review Summary

When it comes to electric power washers, there are two names that lead the market. Those two names are Ryobi and Greenworks. Ryobi is an older and more established company with a great track record of reliability and brand loyalty. Greenworks is a newer brand that is looking to revolutionize the electric power tool market. Greenworks is looking to offer comparable products for a fair price that are all electric compared to old gas models.

Ryobi offers products that are generally a little more expensive than Greenworks, but they have a better track record of reliability and durability. Greenworks would be a great option for someone looking for an affordable and easy-to-use power washer for use around the house. Both would be great choices for someone looking for an electric power washer or their first pressure washer purchase.

At a Glance

Let’s look at the key points of each product.

Overview of Ryobi 2700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer:

The Ryobi 2700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer is the perfect at-home pressure washing unit. It comes with a bevy of features that makes it easy to use. First, the electric motor provides ample power for jobs like cleaning your windows, driveway, sidewalks, and siding. The electric motor is easy to keep up with and offers fewer problems than the old gasoline engines.

The Ryobi also comes with an ample 35-foot hose that is perfect for reaching hard-to-reach places. The pressure washer comes already installed on a useful handcart that helps maneuver it around your home. That is handy because the design of this unit is a little bulky and cumbersome though it only weighs 40 lbs. which is standard for a unit like this. There is even a convenient, separate detergent tank that makes adding cleaners and bleach easier than ever, which helps up your overall cleaning power. It also ships with a plethora of useful nozzles that are easy to connect and disconnect on the fly.

There are only a couple of downsides to choosing the Ryobi 2700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer. First, the design is a little clunky. It protrudes forward and isn’t as stacked as competing units. The other issue has to do with drops in power during use. Some users have reported failing to reach the advertised 2700 PSI, which could have to do with water pressure or the electric engine.

Overview of Greenworks PRO 2300 PSI TruBrushless (2.3 GPM) Electric Pressure Washer:

The Greenworks PRO 2300 PSI TruBrushless Electric Pressure Washer is an excellent entry level pressure washer for homeowners of all kinds. This unit is affordable and easy to use, and it offers some unique upgrades in technology over older products. While the overall pressure is lower than its Ryobi counterpart, the Greenworks PRO 2300 PSI TruBrushless Electric Pressure Washer is powered by modern jet flow technology. Jet flow ensures that more water gets flowing through your hoses faster, with up to 50% more volume and speed, which more than makes up for the lower PSI rating.

The Greenworks PRO 2300 PSI TruBrushless Electric Pressure Washer comes with four nozzles, a 25-foot hose, and a sprayer wand with an ergonomic grip handle. This gives you everything you need to start power washing quickly and efficiently. The power cord is also very long and comes in at 35 feet, especially if paired with an extension cord (not included.)

There are two issues with the Greenworks PRO 2300 PSI TruBrushless Electric Pressure Washer. The first issue is that there is a five second delay in the motor when you go to fire up the washer. That doesn’t sound like much, but the electric motor cuts out every time you cease using the gun, meaning if you start and stop a lot, you are going to have many five second pauses to contend with. The other issue seems to be a quality control issue with the motor. Some users have reported motors that fail after just a couple of hours of use which can be frustrating. The good news is that this model comes with a three-year limited tool and ten-year brushless motor warranty. This unit has also been certified by the Pressure Washer Manufacturers’ Association (PWMA) for quality.

What Are the Differences Between Them?

Performance

Ryobi offers a little better performance than Greenworks. The Ryobi unit has 400 more PSI than the Greenworks, but it also offers more functionality with better included nozzles and a longer hose. The longer reach, quick release nozzles, and enhanced PSI power give Ryobi the edge over Greenworks, but the difference is slight. If you want a little more power and a little more reach, it could be worth it to choose the Ryobi over the Greenworks model, even if it is slightly more expensive.

Price

The Greenworks pressure washer is slightly cheaper than the Ryobi. The Greenworks unit does offer a little less PSI, but that shouldn’t matter too much for home use. You can save roughly 20% by choosing Greenworks over the Ryobi. Greenworks has tons of options for their pressure washers, and they are all priced reasonably and are affordable on a budget. For comparison, the next size up for the Greenworks is a 3000 PSI unit that is slightly more expensive than the 2700 PSI Ryobi.

Durability

Ryobi takes the cake when it comes to durability. There are very few reported issues with durability for the Ryobi. The Greenworks pressure washer has been plagued by persistent reports of bad motors. Multiple people claim that their brand-new Greenworks washer burned its motor out in the first hour of use which is concerning. More than just these reports are needed to derail the overall rating, but they are persistent enough to give Ryobi the edge in terms of durability.

Design

The Greenworks design is a little more functional than the Ryobi design. The Greenworks pressure washer is more vertical and symmetrical than the Ryobi. That makes the Greenworks pressure washer easier to maneuver, and it feels more balanced. Ryobi does have the benefit of having a longer hose. Overall, the Greenworks design is cleaner, easier to use, and more balanced than the Ryobi design.

What the Users Say About Ryobi

The Good

Most users of the Ryobi electric pressure washer say that they were pleasantly surprised by the unit’s power and performance. The power was enough to strip old decks of years of grime and clear out gunked-up sidewalk seams. Users praise the power, ease of use, and price. Most verified buyers felt that this unit was an excellent value for the performance.

The Bad

Ryobi users have reported some issues with the hoses and seals. People complain that during use, the pressure causes the rubber seals around the pressure washer or even the hose to burst. This sends water flying and can cause annoying leaks, which in turn reduces the overall effective pressure. The bursting seals and hoses seem to be the biggest annoyance with the Ryobi electric pressure washer.

What the Users Say About Greenworks

The Good

Users love the Greenworks performance at home. It gets jobs done quickly and offers a lot of power for a great price. Some of the quirks mentioned, like the engine start delay, are easily overlooked while in the middle of a job. Many users have reported using their units for months, from everything from sidewalks to pool decks, with many glowing stories about its performance. People have also praised the unit’s superiority to gas in both its maintenance and its noise level. The Greenworks model is very quiet.

The Bad

Users say the Greenworks pressure washers are good while they last. One of the biggest frustrations is the apparent motor issue, which causes the motor to cut out or die after just a few hours of use. Greenworks does have a good warranty, but it is no fun to have to go through a warranty process, no matter how good it is.

Conclusion

When it comes to electric pressure washers, Ryobi and Greenworks are two stellar options. Both of these pressure washers are very similar in their look, feel, and design. The Greenworks design is more modern with a few choice upgrades, while the Ryobi is a bit more durable and more powerful. The ultimate decision will come down to your individual budget, how often you plan on using the pressure washer and how much the overall pressure means to you. You can’t really go wrong in either case.

See also:

• Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Washer Review
• Husqvarna HB32 3200 PSI Pressure Washer Review

Featured Image Credit: Amazon