Pressure washers are all over the map when it comes to power and prices and choosing the right model can be a challenge. It’s all about knowing what to expect. Generally speaking, gas models offer more power than electric, so what should you expect from the new Ryobi 2300 PSI Brushless Pressure Washer?
Let’s start by setting some expectations. 2300 PSI puts this model in the light- to medium-duty category, so those are the kind of applications I’ll be looking at. Electric pressure washers in this range are targeting homeowners along with a few Pros that see the need for a smaller supplementary tool for their large gas models. So I don’t expect this pressure washer to do what I ask of my 3,000 PSI unit.
Key Features
Brushless Electric Power
The Ryobi 2300 PSI Brushless Pressure Washer packs a 13-amp motor as a power source. While electric motors can’t produce the horsepower that gas can, they do have some advantages. The biggest for homeowners is that there’s no gas motor to maintain. Homeowner units typically aren’t used weekly or even monthly, and occasional use gas pressure washers tend to have carburetor issues among others. They can be frustrating to start and costly to maintain.
But Ryobi goes a bit further with a brushless motor . This eliminates the need to replace carbon brushless, the motor runs cooler, and it has a longer life expectancy than its brushed counterpart.
With a pull cord replaced by a simple on/off switch on the top, the electric brushless motor is a compelling choice for homeowners. Like all electric tools that you can use around water, you’ll notice the GFCI cord is there for additional protection.
Assembly and Transport
When you’ve got a good thing going, why change it, right? The Ryobi 2300 PSI Brushless Pressure Washer shares the same frame as their 2800 PSI gas model, which is a plus. You only have to click the top handle in place and arrange your nozzles on it. Connect the two lance pieces and you’re just about ready to go. It’ll take you longer to break down the cardboard box that it came in than to assemble it.
There’s a foam grip on the top of the handle. It’s very comfortable when rolling the pressure washer around, but I am concerned how long it will take before the sun starts to degrade it. As an occasional duty unit, It should last at least a couple of years if you store it properly and keep harsh chemicals away.
The 12″ oversize wheels make rolling over hard surfaces and lawns pretty easy. My only complaint is that at 6’2″, I’d like the handle to be a few inches higher when I’m pulling it around.
Detergent Tank
The onboard detergent tank will auto mix at a 20:1 ratio. However, there are explicit instructions to avoid using bleach. It’s a favorite of Pros and homeowners, but this unit isn’t designed to handle it.
Cord and Hose
The GFCI electric cord is 35 feet long and the hose is 25 feet long. The combination gives you enough reach to avoid going back for an extension cord in many cases.
The cord has a storage point on the side with a bungee-style holder. Like all bungee cords, this will eventually stretch. How long it lasts depends on sun and chemical exposure.
The hose stores just below the handle center. A hook and loop (AKA Velcro) strap keeps it from going anywhere. It doesn’t feel like it’s the most secure of connections, but it hasn’t failed on me yet. Even if/when it does, there are dozens of easy options to replace it.
Nozzles and Wand
Nozzles attach via standard quick release chuck. Three come with the Ryobi 2300 PSI Brushless Pressure Washer: 15-degree, soap, and turbo. Of course, you can always purchase other nozzles as you see fit, but these will cover the basic tasks.
The spray wand is a fairly basic metal construction with plastic handle. There’s a trigger lockout mechanism behind the trigger, but no adjustable spray like we see on the Ryobi’s 2800 PSI gas model. The plastic wand holder on the side of the pressure washer is adequate, but not the most confidence inspiring when it comes to security. If you’re carrying this model in a trailer or back of your truck, you may want to remove the wand and store it separately to be on the safe side.
Performance
As a medium-duty model, the Ryobi 2300 Brushless Pressure Washer is designed for tasks like car washing, driveway cleaning, and building maintenance, so that’s what I spent my time doing. One of the big differences between this and even 2800 PSI is that you’ll need to get closer to the surface to get similar cleaning power. That’s most noticeable on concrete cleaning. I had to bend over more and spray a smaller swath than I do with the gas model.
But that’s what you really should expect as you move down in power and it certainly didn’t come as a surprise to me. Not only are there tasks that require more power in general, higher PSI models also get the lighter jobs done easier.
What I really needed to know is if this brushless pressure washer could handle working for several hours straight. Our driveway hasn’t been pressure washed since before we moved in – several years before by the looks of it. So it took a few hours of consistent work to get it clean. There wasn’t a hint of hesitation or power drop the entire time and we never hit thermal shutdown to protect the motor. So from the standpoint of endurance, it’s a win.
The Bottom Line
The Ryobi 2300 PSI Brushless Pressure Washer as a whole is a very easy to use as a system. The hose connections are easy to access and manipulate, the controls are simple and intuitive, and there’s almost no maintenance to concern yourself with. Even assembly and transport are very easy.
As a pressure washer for homeowners, this is a very good choice. Understand the power tradeoff between electric brushless and gas motors, though. For property owners that have longer driveways or larger buildings to maintain, you might want to step up to Ryobi’s 2800 PSI model with Honda engine, or even to something in the 3000+ PSI range. As a Pro supplement to commercial pressure washers, I’d also recommend the move up to Ryobi’s gas line. The combination of finding a power source and lower pressure makes the gas maintenance tradeoff easier to swallow.
At $259, the Ryobi 2300 PSI Brushless Pressure Washer is a bit more than you’d pay for a light-duty electric model. Keep in mind you’re moving into the medium-duty level and getting a brushless motor for the additional cost. If you’re doing more than just washing the car, it makes a difference. If you don’t mind the maintenance of a gas engine, you can move up to Ryobi’s 2800 PSI gas model for just another $30.
Ryobi 2300 PSI Brushless Pressure Washer Specifications
- Power Source: 120V AC
- Motor: 13-amp brushless
- Pump Type: Axial cam with bypass
- PSI: 2300
- GPM: 1.2
- Cord Length: 35′
- Hose Length: 25′
- Wheel Size: 12″
- Weight: 49 lbs
- Price: $259
- Warranty: 3 years
