Best Generac Pressure Washer

Generac has a range of gas-powered pressure washers (they don’t currently offer electric pressure washers) to cater for all types of use, from cleaning decks, patios, and vehicles to paint stripping and graffiti removal.

With around ten different models of pressure washer, PSI ratings from 2500 up to 4200, and various GPM ratings, you might be wondering either;

A) what the hell we’re talking about or

B) how you’re going to select the right model for your particular use!

That’s where we’re going to help as The Bovees Research Team have selected three of their top models of pressure washer across the range to cater for the most common jobs and completed a full review of each including their different specifications and what customers actually think about them.

We’ve even thrown in explanations of some of the pressure washing jargon as well as gone over some of the things to look for when comparing the pressure washer units.

We expect you’re itching to get into deciding on the right pressure washer for you, so let’s get started.

Introducing Generac

Founded in 1959, you would be forgiven for thinking that Generac is just a manufacturer of standby power and backup generators. This certainly was their core business back when the company started and continues as an important market for them to this day.

But back in the 1990s, they utilized their knowledge of portable products and air-cooled engines to start designing power washers/pressure washers and ended up capturing around 50% of the pressure washer consumer market as well as registering patents that changed the pressure washing industry at the time.

That all stopped when they sold the portable product side of the business which included; water pump units and power washers, to concentrate on developing home standby generators, which is where they really made their name and continue to still innovate and dominate in that area.

Generac has since re-entered the ‘portable’ generator market in 2008 and started making and selling an array of pressure washers, also known these days as power washers, again in 2011.

Their pressure washers have since become some of the most popular pressure washers on the market today and for good reason. Much of the design and engineering of Generac pressure washers is done in-house which allows them to keep very close control on specifications and production values, resulting in some of the highest customer ratings around for the pressure washer market.

What models have we selected?

As not all pressure washers are created equal, we wanted to provide models of pressure washer to suit most purposes including the following, which are listed in order of how much power a pressure washer would need to do them properly:

• Vehicle and boat cleaning
• Cleaning fences and decks
• Washing down outdoor furniture
• Cleaning dirt and grime off driveways and patios
• Prepping a house for painting
• Scrubbing mildew and mold off concrete.
• Cleaning construction and farm machinery
• Commercial and industrial use

We’ve selected three models that cover the whole range of tasks and obviously overlap to some extent, these are:

What do those PSI and GPM ratings mean?

These two ratings are possibly the most important when comparing different models of pressure cleaners and combined, they give us an indication of something called ‘cleaning power’ which is a good reference point.

PSI stand for pounds per square inch and is used to measure the pressure of the water that comes out of the machine. To get some idea, regular garden hoses will squirt the water out at about 50 PSI whilst a typical car wash operated by coins will usually be rated around 700 PSI. The pressure washers we are looking at range from 2800-4200 PSI so quite a difference!

GPM is the other important rating and this stands for gallons per minute. As you can probably guess this is used to measure the rate at which the water flows through the unit. It is important as a higher GPM means more water flowing through which in turn will mean you can work faster.

Think of it this way; the PSI provides the power to lift off dirt and grime whilst the GPM provides the speed at which the washer works.

Multiply them together and you get the washer’s cleaning power rating, which helps to compare different models from both the same and other manufacturers so you can tell with some degree of certainty how well they will perform. Of course, there’s more to it than that, the nozzles provided, the length of pressure hose, types of wand etc. all have their part to play as well. Each model also has a few unique features of its own which may or may not make a difference, but we will talk about that in each product review.

Model	Generac 6922	Generac 7122 SpeedWash	Generac 6565
Picture
Overview	Residential model perfect for medium duty jobs around the house including cleaning vehicles, decks, fences, furniture and up to a limit, prepping a house for painting and cleaning driveways etc.	More powerful residential washer with a power dial to easily adjust the PSI/flow rate through four different settings. Covers medium to heavy duty jobs right across the board.	Very powerful and robust commercial grade pressure washer that would be best for heavy duty jobs including cleaning paths and driveways, construction and farm tasks plus use in an industrial setting.
Generac 4-cycle OHV Engine	196cc	196cc	420cc with low oil shutdown
Maximum pressure (PSI)	2800	3200	4200
Pressure control valve/dial	No	Yes – Via spray gun	Yes - Valve
Spray Gun	Soft grip ergonomic	Soft grip ergonomic	Professional quality with adjustable side handle
High pressure hose	25ft PVC 0.25in diameter	30ft Kink resistant non marring	50ft steel reinforced rubber. 0.375in diameter
Number of nozzles included	4 (soap, 0, 25 and 40 degree spray)	4 (soap, 0, 25 and 40 degree spray) plus turbo nozzle, soap blaster and power broom	5 (soap,0,15,25,and 40 degree spray)
Wheels and tires	10in Never Flat	11in Never Flat	12in Pneumatic
Frame	Welded steel. Upright	Welded steel. Upright	Welded steel. Roll cage type.
Folding handle	No	Yes	Yes
Detergent injection	Yes – onboard 0.5 gal tank. No drain plug.	Yes – onboard 0.75 gal tank. With drain plug.	Yes – siphon tube only
Assembly	Yes – easy (30 mins)	Yes – easy (30 mins)	Yes - Very little (5 mins)
CARB Compliant	Yes	Yes	No
Warranty	2-year residential	2-year residential	3-year commercial
Assembled depth (in.)	24.2	24.2	34.5
Assembled height (in.)	35.5	35.5	42.5
Folded height (in.)	N/A	N/A	33
Assembled width (in.)	18.9	18.9	28.3
Machine weight (lb)	57	62	146.5
Fuel tank capacity (gallons)	0.8	0.8	1.6
Oil tank capacity (fl oz)	20	20	37

Pumps and Engines

All of the Generac machines have horizontal-shaft 4-cycle OHV gas engines, made by Generac with a low-oil shutdown sensor. Mounting the engine this way means the pump unit can be placed higher up making it easier to access all the hose connections.

The push-button start is a combination of an electric start and an auto-choke feature, so reliability and efficacy are pretty guaranteed.

The pumps themselves are all made by Anno Reverberi (AR) and are one of two types:

Axial pumps have pistons driven directly by the engine driveshaft that pumps the water through at pressure and is a type commonly used in residential pressure washers up to 3500 PSI.

The Triplex pump uses three pistons connected to a crankshaft for higher pressure and increased lifespan of thousands of hours with minimal maintenance. These pumps are more expensive and higher-grade so used mainly in commercial type pressure washers producing over 3000 PSI.

Note that all these models are built to take a cold-water feed only!

Hose, Spray Gun and Nozzles

All the washers have an ergonomic spray gun with cushion grip handles and an easy to pull trigger that helps to reduce fatigue. The nozzles are of the quick-connect, interchangeable variety and come in the industry-standard color codes to denote how abrasive the spray pattern is (note that not every model has all of these):

• Black – low-pressure nozzle also known as a soap nozzle; used for dispensing liquid soap
• White – 40-degree spray pattern for gentle cleaning
• Green – 25-degree pattern for medium-strength cleaning
• Yellow – 15-degree spray pattern for high-pressure work
• Red – zero-degree pencil spray for stubborn stains. It can be dangerous so handle with care!

They are all very easy to change, just a push and twist does it, with storage for each one supplied on the machine itself. There is also a holster on the side to take the spray lance when not in use.

Warranties on the Generac washers

The warranty on the two residential machines is for two years and during the first year covers all components from defects in materials or workmanship. During the second year, only the engine is covered. Commercial use is not covered at all.

The commercial-grade 6565 has a three-year warranty with all components covered for two years and just the engine for the third year.

Warning!

We cannot stress enough how important it is to take the time to read through the manual from end to end for any pressure washer. If you don’t follow the instructions carefully, you could easily end up with a costly repair that’s not covered by the warranty.

There is a strong suspicion that many of the problems encountered and which may result in a one-star review could have been avoided by doing things right.

Not all of them of course, there are bound to be some issues even with the best machines. Things to watch out for that could cause you trouble include:

• Using the right grade and type of fuel
• The correct sequence of operation
• How to fill and check the oil
• Regular maintenance and checks
• Safety information
• How to prepare it for storage

Follow the guidelines for all those things and we think you will get many years of trouble-free use out of your Generac pressure washer.

Individual Product Reviews

Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, we’re going to take a look at the individual specification for each machine so that you can see how they stack up against each other.

Generac 6922 2,800 PSI

The Generac 6922 is one of the entry-level Generac pressure washers sitting in their low to mid-range residential pressure washer bracket.

The 6922 provides 6720 units of cleaning power making it ideal for cleaning vehicles as well as other slightly more heavy cleaning tasks such as; patios, decks, fences and garden furniture.

It’s also the lightest of our models so there should be no problem moving this around to wherever your cleaning chores need doing. The simple controls and user-friendly design are geared towards making this one easy to assemble, connect hoses and generally used for your light to medium-duty jobs around the home.

Engine and washing power

The horizontal shaft 196cc engine in the 6922 delivers around 6hp and provides great performance for what is essentially a budget gas-powered model according to its price. Together with the axial pump fitted to this model it provides a maximum of 2800 PSI of water pressure at a flow rate of 2.4GPM.

As this is a 4-cycle engine it uses unleaded gas (minimum rating 87 octane) and not the gas/oil mix used in 2-cycle machines. The fuel tank has a 0.8 gallon capacity and will last you around an hour of fairly constant use according to reviews.

Note the tank is not translucent and does not have a fuel level window so the only way to tell if it needs topping up is by taking the cap off. The engine oil is held in a separate tank which takes 20oz of oil, there is a bottle included with the machine so no need to buy some initially.

How easy is the 6922 to assemble?

Assembly is simple on this machine, mainly just attaching the handle to the welded steel frame, then connecting the high-pressure hose and spray wand. It’s very easy to do and will take you just 15 to 20 minutes.

Apart from adding fuel, filling up the oil tank and connecting up the water hose, that’s it, so you should be up and running in around 30 minutes.

Detergent tank and nozzles

This model has an onboard 0.5-gallon detergent tank so that you can add in some detergent when spraying with the black nozzle. The only let down with this is that it doesn’t have a drain plug so it’s difficult to get any unused liquid out.

You also have to be careful to make sure the siphon tube doesn’t touch the exhaust muffler as it will melt. One tip we found is to just tie-wrap it to the frame so it’s out of the way, perhaps Generac should provide a clip specifically for that purpose!

There are four nozzles provided with this model; red, green, white and black. See the section earlier on the different uses for each one.

You will also find on the back of the handlebar panel a wire hook to store the, 0.25-inch diameter 25-foot high-pressure hose. The hose is made of PVC and will need uncoiling before use otherwise it tends to get tangled up, like most plastic type hoses.

Wheels, size, and weight

This model has 10” ‘never flat’ tires that make it very stable to wheel around and park wherever you need it. At 57lb it’s not too heavy to maneuver either.

When assembled the washer measures approximately 35 inches high by 19 inches wide and 24 inches deep.  It doesn’t fold down into a smaller unit for storage so this is the area you will need for that as well.

What the users think and final thoughts

Overall the reviews for the 6922 are very positive with few complaints. Looking through any reviews highlighting problems there do not seem to be any patterns of defective equipment as such, just isolated cases of either the engine not starting or pump issues.

Summing up, this machine is great value and is the one most homeowners should go for who require a pressure washer for the usual range of light to medium-duty types of cleanings around the home and garden. 

Just to recap, here are the main features again and a list of the specs for easy reference.

 Main Features

• Generac 196cc OHV engine delivers around 6HP for great performance
• Produces a maximum 2,800 PSI pressure at 2.4 GPM
• Strong welded steel frame
• Horizontally mounted axial cam pump makes it easier to attach hoses
• Ergonomic spray shaft with easy-to-pull trigger and a cushioned grip helps to reduce fatigue when using for a long time
• Integrated 0.5 Gal detergent tank makes it easy to add soap into the spray when using the black nozzle
• 25 ft. long high-pressure hose which connects at the rear of the spray wand for ease of use
• 4 quick-change nozzle tips included: 0°, 25°,40° and soap
• Some assembly required
• CARB compliant
• 2-year warranty

Specifications

• Assembled Depth (in.) 24.2
• Assembled Height (in.) 35.5
• Assembled Width (in.) 18.9
• Hose Diameter (in.) 0.25
• Hose length (ft.) 25
• Wheel Diameter (in.) 10
• Machine Weight (lb) 57
• Maximum Pressure (PSI) 2800
• Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) 0.8

Generac 7122 SpeedWash 3,200 PSI

The Generac 7122 Speedwash is their upgrade on the old 6822 model; on the surface, the only visible upgrade is the new turbo broom. Under the hood however, is where you will find the models many innovative upgrades.

Generac claims that the upgraded internals allow you to clean 50% faster than the 6882, which makes it an impressively powerful pressure washer capable of pretty heavy-duty cleaning. They have achieved this by overhauling the PSI and GPM performance and using a much more effective and efficient pump.

Engine and washing power

The engine on this model has received some serious upgrades. The 196CC gas powered Generac OHV engine provides smooth, consistent power. You start the engine by using the standard pull starter. The fuel tank attached to the engine holds an impressive 3.2 qt and is fed by a 16oz oil tank.

This engine provides power pressure that places in the top end of all pressure washers on the market. It isn’t just the engine that impresses either, the new pump design is almost bombproof, and the attachments provide an unrivaled control over your stream.

With all this innovation, the 7122 puts out water pressure at a PSI of 3200 and a flow of 2.7 GPM.

Design Features

The features on this pump are what make it such a great value washer. The power of the engine, paired with the quality of the pump allows the 7122 to perform at the top end of the market. The pump has been upgraded from the old aluminum style to include a brass head and a durable axial cam pump. This makes the whole system twice as durable as its predecessor.

The positions of the connections are in a great place ergonomically too. No longer do you need to scrape your knuckles on the floor to disconnect the hose.

The 20-inch power lance comes with a knob that allows you to control the different power settings that the engine can provide.

These four settings are as follows:

Car – best for cleaning boats, cars, RVs, etc.

Soap- used to apply foam and other solutions

Wood  – good for cleaning fences and decking

Concrete  – best setting for cleaning brick, concrete, and masonry

You should be able to find a setting to complete most residential jobs without too much trouble using this dial, making the 7122 handy for most tasks.

How easy is the 7122 to assemble?

Assembly of the 7122 is a dream. The pieces fit together with minimal effort. Simply attach the upper section of the handlebars, attach the gun holder to the unit, and connect the lance to the gun. You should be able to fully assemble the 7122 in under 15 minutes. After that, simply connect the water supply and add some oil and you are good to go.

Detergent tank and nozzles

The 7122 comes with a simple detergent tank, they have added a drain plug too in order to make emptying out un-used detergent, wonderfully simple.

The 7122 really stands out when it comes to the attachments included. You get 3 amazing attachments which should cover you in almost any task.

They are:

• Turbo-Nozzle – The new turbo nozzle has been designed in a way that removes grim and dirt up to 30% quicker than a standard nozzle.
• Power Broom- The power broom/scrub brush has a 12-inch surface and high-pressure jets position in the head.
• Soap Blaster – The soap blaster makes cleaning a dream; simply put your detergent in and watch as the soap blaster turns It into a thick, dense covering of foam, particularly useful for getting rid of oil stains.

Wheels, size, and weight

The 7122 pressure cleaner comes with never-flat wheels, and these wheels enable you to traverse any surface, even pretty rugged terrain, with ease. The entire unit is slightly heavier than its predecessor, but overall, it is still surprisingly light considering the capability.

Assembled and with the handle up, the unit measures 35.5 inches high by 18.9 inches wide and 24.2 inches long. With the handle folded down for storage, the height reduces to about 22 inches.

What the users think and final thoughts

The overall reviews from the users of 7122 are extremely positive. It seems that Generac has listened to its user base and what they had to say about older models and done something about them. In particular, the ease of set up, the power and the durability are all praised very highly by users.

In conclusion, the Generac 7122 is not just an upgrade of an older model, and it is actually a top contender in its class. It is a great value and performs extremely well.

The versatility this tool has thanks to its features and attachments make it a great choice for all types of users. From light to heavy-duty jobs, it performs well in all categories. With the 3-year warranty that comes with the model, we are confident in suggesting this washer.

If you need a powerful machine that performs well at any given task, the 7122 is a great option.

Here is a recap of some of the best features you get with the 7122.

Main features

• User-friendly and ergonomic
• Reliable never-flat wheels enable you to traverse any terrain with ease
• Comes with a range of awesome nozzle tips which enable you to tackle most jobs
• Uses Generac’s extremely well-praised hose system
• Can tackle a range of jobs and surfaces
• Comes with a great range of accessories
• Great warranty
• It is CARB compliant.

Generac 6565 4,200 PSI

The 6565 is the only model in our lineup which can be classed as a true commercial machine, which is not surprising given its huge cleaning power rating of 16,800 cleaning units! This model handles everything you can throw at it although you will need to be careful using it on certain surfaces such as vehicle paintwork.

It’s going to be best at home in a farm, construction or industrial setting although if you have some very tough jobs to do around the home it would be well worth considering. That extra power comes at a price, though, with this model costing around twice as much as the 6602 OneWash.

Engine and washing power

As you might expect, this has the most powerful engine of the three, a Generac 420cc version with around 12hp of power, that can, in fact, top many other commercial washers out there. This model has the much more robust and longer life triplex pump as well that puts out 4200 PSI at a flow rate of a staggering 4 GPM. The pump is professional quality with ceramic coated pistons for durability.

Although the 6565 doesn’t have a power dial like the OneWash machines, it does have a pressure control valve that lets you reduce the pressure when washing things like vehicles and boats. That helps make this machine more versatile than it first seems as reportedly you can vary it through any setting right down to around 1500 PSI although the manual does not specify the actual rating.

The gas tank on this model is a lot larger at 1.5 gallons, as is the oil capacity, taking 37oz of oil to fill the tank. Additionally, the pump also has its own oil reserve that will need checking on set up and when in use.

How much assembly is required on the 6565?

Assembly is very simple, you just need to pull the handle up from its folded position and attach the hose hook so ten minutes at the most. The handle can easily be folded back down again for easy storage or transporting.

After that, attach the high-pressure hose and spray gun, add engine oil and check the pump oil, then fuel up and it’s ready to go.

Detergent tank, nozzles and the pressure hose

There is no actual detergent tank on this model but a siphon hose (supplied) can be connected and dropped into a suitable container placed next to the washer when in use if you need to inject some detergent.

With the commercial model, you get all five of the quick-connect nozzles to cover all uses. See the section near the beginning for the different colors and what they mean.

The high-pressure hose supplied is much tougher than on the cheaper models to cope with that 4200 PSI. It’s made from steel-reinforced rubber with a 3/8” diameter and measures 50ft in length.

Wheels, size, and weight

The wheels on this model are 12” with pneumatic tires so they can handle all sorts of rough terrain. You will need those easy rolling tires as the weight of this machine is a heavy 146lb which is a lot to move around.

This model features a strong welded steel roll cage type frame for extra protection as well which adds to the weight.

Size-wise, when the handle is folded down for storage it measures around 33 inches high by 28 inches wide and 35 inches long. With the handle up for use, the height increases to 42.5 inches.

What the users think and final thoughts

There really are not that many bad things said about the Generac 6565, just a few isolated cases of problems starting, which on this model having such a high PSI could be to do with not following the correct procedure.

Another tip we found is to turn the pressure valve down to its minimum setting when starting as that also helps to make pulling the cord easier. Overall users are very happy with their commercial grade washer.

In summary, this model may be expensive but if you need something that can handle any task, no matter how tough the dirt or grime, then this beast is it.

This is the only model in our selection that can also clean the second story of a house from the ground, although you may need to look at some different nozzles to get the best results.

For an easy reference, here’s a summary of the main features and specifications:

Main features

• 420cc Generac horizontal-shaft engine with low oil shutdown designed for a long life and high performance
• Commercial grade triplex pump with ceramic coated pistons for longer working life
• Complete control over water pressure through the pressure control valve
• Generac spray gun is professional quality and has adjustable side handle for precise control
• Rear hose connection on spray handle for maximum convenience and balance
• 50ft of steel reinforced 3/8 in. rubber hose included
• All 5 quick-click nozzle tips included (see earlier section)
• 12 in. pneumatic wheels for all terrain capability and shock absorption
• Strong roll-bar style frame for extra protection. Made from welded steel.
• Handle folds for compact storage
• Detergent siphon hose included
• Very little assembly required
• Not CARB compliant
• 3-year commercial warranty

Specifications

• Assembled Depth (in.) 34.5
• Assembled Height (in.) 42.5
• Assembled Width (in.) 28.3
• Hose Diameter (in.) 0.375
• Hose length (ft.) 50
• Wheel Diameter (in.) 12
• Machine Weight (lb) 146.5
• Maximum Pressure (PSI) 4200
• Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) 1.5
• Oil Tank (oz) 37

Conclusion

We hope you have now got enough information to make an informed choice as to which of the Generac gas pressure washers is best suited to you. If you have found the one you want, we recommend clicking here to check out the best deals on all these machines on Amazon.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API