Sun Joe SPX 3000 XT1 Review 2023

The Sun Joe SPX 3000 XT1 ticks all the right boxes for an electric pressure washer. Here's why it won best pressure washer overall in my larger best pressure washers review.

If you’re a homeowner who's looking to clear off a wooden fence, clean a car and de-grit pavers in the same afternoon, look no further than Sun Joe's SPX 3000 XT1 pressure washer, which won best pressure washer overall in my larger best pressure washers review. It has the highest power-to-weight ratio of all of the pressure washers I tested, which means it's easier to carry around a yard or deck (you can even hold the trigger handle with one hand while carrying the machine with the other).

The Sun Joe SPX 3000 XT1 won as best electric pressure washer in my tests thanks to its high ... [+] power-to-weight ratio.

It has the best design for the price and offers more than enough power for smaller projects. Read on for why this electric pressure washer stood out from the rest.

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Power Source: Electric | PSI: 2,200 | GPM: 1.65 | Cleaning Units: 3,630 | Power-to-Weight: 128 cleaning units/pound

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I’ve been testing gear for more than a decade, and I’ve found that when I keep going back to a certain tool for multiple jobs, it's a winner. For this round of pressure washer testing, that tool was the Sun Joe SPX 3000 XT1. It's easy to build, start, operate and stow. You can hand it off to someone who's never used a pressure washer before, and they’ll be able to use it like a pro. This versatile machine allowed me to clean my asphalt driveway and well-worn pavers, as well as my 2005 Toyota Prius, all in one day—and without peeling the 18-year-old paint off the car.

The Sun Joe was easiest to build, start, operate and stow compared to other pressure washers I ... [+] tested.

While gas pressure washers are more powerful, I found that electric pressure washers make up for this lack of PSI with the ease of use that most homeowners are looking for. The Sun Joe is also half the cost of most of the other pressure washers I tested, which is a huge win.

Although the Sun Joe doesn't have the kind of pure power of the Westinghouse WPX 3200 or Simpson MegaShot 3200 gas washers I tested, the system has a considerable power-to-weight ratio that rivals its more powerful competitors. At 128 cleaning units per pound, it beats most of the electric washers I tested. And its light weight makes it super portable. I could easily walk around my driveway and my car with the machine in one hand and the trigger handle in the other. The suitcase-style build lets you store all the parts in a compact, well-organized upright system. The nozzles are easily accessible and identifiable, thanks to color-coding and clear labeling of the gauge sizes.

The Sun Joe's nozzles are easy to find and use, thanks to color-coding and clear labeling of the ... [+] gauge sizes.

That said, choosing an electric system means giving up the raw power that comes with a gas washer. At 2,200 PSI, the Sun Joe has 500 to 1,000 less PSI than some of the more heavy-duty electric competitors, let alone the standard gas washers (which have power in the 4,000 PSI range).

The Sun Joe's unique motor acts like that of a hybrid car, where turning the machine on starts the device and primes the system. But after it turns on, the motor goes into a silent idle mode until you activate the trigger handle. This design promotes energy efficiency and saves the motor from undue wear from unnecessary idling.The Sun Joe's unique motor acts like that of a hybrid car, where turning the machine on starts the device and primes the system. But after it turns on, the motor goes into a silent idle mode until you activate the trigger handle. This design promotes energy efficiency and saves the motor from undue wear from unnecessary idling.

Whereas all other competitors require two hands to release and replace each nozzle, the bronze mechanism at the end of the Sun Joe's lance needs only one, so you can keep a good grip on the trigger handle while carrying the machine. This also saves some time when going between different surfaces.

You can keep a good grip on the Sun Joe's trigger with one hand.

Still, the Sun Joe has some issues with portability compared to a gas pressure washer. With an electric system, you need both a consistent water supply and 120V outlet to operate, meaning you have two separate tethers to think about when going after a project. Given that the Sun Joe has the industry-standard 35-foot power cord (which is fine, but not long enough to go far down a long driveway), I wondered whether or not you can use an extension cord with these systems. In short, you can—with some important caveats that you should consider to avoid damage to your pressure washer and your home. Most manufacturers don't recommend it, and the experts cautioned that users need to buy the right kind of cord for the job. I recommend consulting experts at your local hardware store and reading manufacturer instructions. At 20 feet, the Sun Joe has the shortest hose of its competitors, too. Its lighter weight and portability make up for that in most cases, but it's still a limitation, depending on the scope of your project.

I’m a freelance journalist with a decade of experience writing about products, including dozens of tested guides that range from hiking boots to baby carriers. You can find my bylines in the New York Times, Forbes, Slate and the Wall Street Journal, among others. best sports bras and the best baby carriers

I also live on an acre of land in the woods of Central Oregon. I bought an older, ‘90s house that needs a lot of work, so home improvement has become a major source of angst and joy.

Compared to the gas-powered Generac 3100 E-Start, the Sun Joe is more versatile but has less power. You can tackle heavy-duty, time-intensive, professional tasks more easily with any gas-powered pressure washer. But the Sun Joe doesn't lag far behind its gas-powered cousins in the power-to-weight comparison, with the electric system being 28 pounds to the gas giant's 58 pounds. The decision between the gas-powered Generac and the budget-priced, lighter, electric Sun Joe really comes down to what you’re using the washer for.

I spent nearly a dozen hours learning about PSI, GPM, gas vs. electric pressure washers and the difference between a pressure washer and a power washer (which has to do with hot water). I spoke with several experts, including Gus Alexander, the owner of the FNA Group, a well-known manufacturer of pressure washers and other outdoor power equipment, and Darren Littledear, the owner of Green Pressure Wash in Bend, Oregon.

I ordered seven different pressure washers—four electric, three gas—and went to work putting them together. After two weeks, I had a shed full of pressure washers. Once the snow stopped falling, I took the pressure washers out for a testing session in my front yard, which is full of muddy pavers and dirty concrete. I pressure-washed all kinds of surfaces and took many notes about which ones did the job and which didn't.

After I narrowed down the list, I used the top three for around-town projects, too. I’ll keep testing them throughout the summer months, too.