Top 7 Best Pressure Washers For Foam Cannon in 2023 | A Budget-Friendly List

Getting that backyard ready for an evening get-together doesn’t have to be another demanding and unexciting responsibility. After all, you want to spend more time enjoying rather than removing dirt and grime, trying to get your furniture and patio that refreshing and clean look.

This is where pressure washers make your job easier and quicker.

But the problem is, just plain washing will do little in the way of cleaning. And you won’t be able to get rid of stubborn stains. Neither will you have the shiny new look of a freshly made floor or furniture.

It doesn’t have to be that way, especially when you can achieve just that and more with the same (if not less) amount of effort.

That’s right, we are talking about pressure washing with the invaluable assistance of the foam cannon.

Top 7 Best Pressure Washers for Foam Cannon at a Glance

What Is A Foam Cannon?

Foam cannon is a handy tool that combines your pressure washer and soapy detergent to dispense a thick coat of sudsy foam. The impact of blasting, thanks to the pressure washer, removes dirt and debris from surfaces just like a warm knife slicing through butter. Thereby removing any need for manual scrubbing.

Moreover, the foam cannon produces a thicker, as well as more evenly dispersed, coat of sudsy foam than what you can make from a regular washing mitt. This generally produces cleaner surfaces, which is preferable in all contactless cleanings, such as for cars.

A foam cannon is a specially-built canister that attaches to the nozzle of a pressure washer. Then, when you press the trigger, it draws soap or detergent from the soapy solution and disperses foam. Now, how good a pressure washer for foam cannon is the one that produces large quantities of thick foamy substance per minute?

Typically, a foam cannon requires around 2 GPM (gallons per minute) flow rate with a pressure ranging from 1,000 PSI (pounds per square inch) to 3,000 PSI to work correctly.

A Foam Cannon is not to be confused with a Foam Gun. Foam Gun simply attaches to your garden hose, which does mean you get to skip the costs of a pressure washer overall but also forego all the advantages of a pressure washer, including effortless cleaning with (and without) foam.

Best Pressure Washers For Foam Cannon

So, now that you know what the foam cannon is, we can go on to cover the top 7 best pressure washers for foam cannons. We will cover some of the best electric pressure washers for foam cannon, so you have easier handling, maneuverability, and lesser maintenance need–making the electric pressure washers more desirable for household use.

We will also cover a few gas pressure washers due to some of their exclusive advantages that you will learn ahead. Additionally, we will also see some cheap pressure washers for foam cannon, so you get the most bang for your buck.

So, without further ado, here is our list of the top 7 best pressure washers for Foam Cannon.

1.   Sun Joe SPX3000 – A Great Value For The Money

Sun Joe SPX3000 is one of the most popular choices for an electric pressure washer that everyone seems to love. If you went on the internet right now and conducted a search on the “best pressure washer for foam cannon,” chances are that it will wind up on top of your search results. This is evident because it has 50,588 reviews on Amazon for a single vendor alone.

Therefore, it is only natural that we also covered it in our list, so you could know about some of its outstanding qualities behind the reason for its widespread popularity. We will also mention some of its less desirable features because nothing popular needs to be the right choice for your distinctive use.

What makes Sun Joe SPX3000 so likable by everyone is its high cleaning capability and even higher friendliness towards the budget. This electric pressure washer is hard on dirt and grim, yet soft on your wallet.

Even though the warranty is for two years, which is quite a long period, if you consider what you’re getting at this price point, that’s not all. This pressure washer has been known to last for more than five years!

It has a decent enough pressure to take care of your household needs. And this pressure washer also includes a TSS (total stop system), which will switch off the pump when the pressure washer is not in use. So, if you ever need to take an important phone call, your pump will be turned off, preventing any harmful pressure buildup.

Additionally, the Sun Joe SPX3000 also includes two detachable detergent tanks. This makes it easier to fill or empty them without spillage, and you can have your multiple surfaces cleaned in a single go.

While this pressure washer is an excellent choice for household use, its capabilities might be limited. As the maximum pressure washer is 2030, however, that is only for the smallest nozzle. And according to a few reviews, the pressure you receive is around 500-600 less than the marketed values.

Additionally, using SPX3000 for extended periods is not recommended as it may lead to developing leaks. So, anything slightly beyond the expected paradigm of very light household use is terrible for this pressure washer. However, that’s also reasonable considering that you get much more value than what you’ll be paying for this pressure washer.

2.    Simpson Cleaning MegaShot MSH3125 – Well-Balanced & High Power

Simpson Cleaning MegaShot MSH3125 is another of the top-recommended pressure washers for foam cannon. This one is gasoline operated and can reach higher pressure values for almost every household and some light industrial-grade use. This gas pressure washer is versatile and provides great value for the money, which is why it is our favorite.

The Simpson’s MegaShot is another popular listing on Amazon with 8,587 reviews and is well-liked by the majority. One of the best things about this gasoline-operated pressure washer is its engine brand. It’s manufactured by Honda, who are well-known for their highly reliable engines. Additionally, the unit contains an axial pump that requires practically zero maintenance.

What we love about MegaShot is you don’t feel restrained due to electrical cable length. Although the unit has a 25-feet hose, you can easily drag the pressure washer wherever you want – thanks to its rugged tires and lightweight and compact design.

As this is a gas pressure washer, one might think starting it is a hassle. However, that’s not true. The Simpson Cleaning MegaShot starts quickly with just one cord pull. Provided you have satisfied some prerequisites, including putting the choke in the correct position, oil check, gasoline check, etc. If you want to learn more about how to start a pressure washer the right way.

The only genuine drawback one can infer from this pressure washer is what ails all gas pressure washers – the extra maintenance because of gasoline. You will have to clean the engine and carburetor occasionally to ensure the engine keeps performing at its optimal. This type of work is absent in electric pressure washers.

Another issue many users seem to suffer from Simpson’s MegaShot is its spray gun mechanism, which appears to be the weakest link in an otherwise very competent pressure washer. The spray gun mechanism is known to jam at high-pressure values and might require some downtime for repair.

Lastly, many users complain that their delivery has been tampered with during transport. Some faced oil leaks while others received their delivery boxes facing sideways even though the box had a clearly labeled “this side up” marking. However, one can ignore this drawback as it’s not the manufacturers’ fault.

3.    Kranzle 1122TST – High Quality But Underpowered

The Kranzle 1122TST might not be as popular as some of the other entries on this list, but it is one of those items that you buy once for life.

This pressure washer doesn’t offer some of the extra features, such as high pressure or attachments, because it doesn’t need to. It provides the perfect combination of flow and pressure for snow foaming and cleaning cars.

The Kranzle 1122TST has a foam cannon, and the PSI and GPM are suitable for car cleaning. Setting it up is also very fast and wouldn’t take you more than 60 seconds – plug in and go!

Additionally, it has just the right amount of hose length, so you don’t have to park your car in an awkward position to get the proper reach.

While we love the Kranzle 1122TST for its durability, it still feels a little under-featured, especially when some of the other entries on this list are such a bargain. Not to mention, the PSI on this electric pressure washer is also somewhat on the lower side.

4.   Karcher K1700 – Effortless, Best-Budget, Cleaning

The Karcher K1700 is also one of the best electric pressure washer for foam cannon. And just like the Sun Joe SPX3000, it isn’t heavy – neither literally nor on your wallet. So, you can get an effortless cleaning while getting the most value for your money.

There are two things we particularly like about Karcher K1700. One, it’s a piece of cake to assemble for people using a pressure washer for the first time. You can read the manual in under 2 minutes and assemble the pressure washer in less than 5 minutes.

And second, the Karcher K1700 uses industry-standard M22 threads. This means your attachments, such as a hose, gun, nozzles, etc., can belong to whatever brand and will attach to your pressure washer. So you can quickly expand your setup in the future.

The Karcher 1700 delivers just the right amount of pressure – 1,700 PSI – for detailing your vehicle and decking. What’s more is the water flow, which is only 1.2 GPM. This means you can have the pressure washing without worrying about your water bill.

Additionally, the pressure washer has a resourceful 0.5-gallon detergent tank to make your pressure washing even more effortless.

While the pressure washer is pretty good, it isn’t as versatile as you’d be limited to cleaning at only low-pressure ranges. The hose is also pretty short – with only 25 feet of length.

However, considering the price point, both of these drawbacks can be given a soft corner. One concern is that some users have complained about leakage at hose connecting points. But in our opinion, that’s redeemable as well.

5.    Stanley SHP2150 – Low-Medium Duty Pressure Washing

The Stanley SHP2150 is another of the best pressure washers for foam cannon. And unlike some other entries on this list, this pressure washer can deliver relatively higher pressure while also being an excellent value for money.

The 2,150 pressure is suitable for low- to medium-duty power washing. And according to some users, the Stanley SHP2150 can be operated for 6-8 hours a day for 4 days straight, and the pressure washer won’t miss a single beat!

And if you ever need some maintenance, which you undoubtedly will since you’re running the pressure washer for 6-8 hours a day, the package comes with its own maintenance kit.

There’s also plenty of reach with a 25-feet hose and 35-feet power cable. The entire unit is very lightweight, with only 26 pounds of weight, which is housed on two rubberized plastic wheels. This makes the pressure washer very easy to maneuver.

To talk about its drawbacks, the unit doesn’t offer a pressure control mechanism, which isn’t really a drawback since you can use the spray nozzles to control pressure. However, there is a lag when pulling the trigger and receiving the full pressure value, which can sometimes be annoying.

Some users also complain that both the trigger and the hose are very stiff. This can tire anyone quickly out and can be very exhausting unless you have the strength of a fitness enthusiast.

6.   Wholesun 3000PSI – High Pressure And Versatile

The Wholesun 3000PSI is the bang-for-the-buck entry on this list but with the added feature of high pressure.

The Wholesun electric pressure washer is a mighty machine that can spray water at 3,000 PSI and 2.4 GPM. This makes it perfectly suitable for washing cars, trucks, siding, decks, cement, pavement, pools, outdoor furniture, etc.

Not only that, but this pressure washer is plenty to get rid of old paint that’s already flaking.

The Wholesun 3000PSI is also very resourceful to use as a foam cannon. The soap spray dispenser attaches to the end of the power washer with a simple twist and snap-on feature. This means you can quickly go back and forth between the soap sprayer and the power washer for better and more efficient cleaning. Furthermore, you can do this with only a turn of the dial on the sprayer.

Although this pressure washer is very powerful, you might think it will be very weighty, but that’s not. You can pick it up with a single hand, even if you’re a 75-year-old!

However, this does give the pressure washer a tendency to tip over. So, you might have to brace it against some form of support, which only makes matters worse, as the unit comes with a very short hose of only 20 feet in length.

The warranty for this unit is a long two years, but according to some users, it can be very challenging to claim it. Contacting customer support is difficult; once you do, they want you to send them a video of your problem.

Nonetheless, the Wholesun 3000PSI is also another one of the best budget-friendly and value-for-money entries on this list. And as the saying goes, you get what you pay for, so we won’t be too harsh on it.

7.   WEN PW2800 – A Versatile Gas Pressure

WEN PW2800 is a gas pressure washer that can be your perfect tool for all of your household’s low-medium duty pressure washing needs. This machine easily puts out 2,800 PSI, which you can combine with four quick-connect nozzles included in the package to boost your cleaning effectiveness.

Besides the higher pressure, there are a few other notable features of the WEN gas pressure washer. One, the sturdy design doesn’t tip over at high pressures. Two, you don’t feel restrained by the electrical cord (since it isn’t there at all), so you can stroll the pressure washer to the optimal cleaning location.

Three, it has just the right amount of storage volume in the gas tank. The gas will last you a little more than an hour before you have to refill. Some may consider it a drawback since you’d be refilling more often, but it’s always better to have fresh gas in the tank.

The liquid content from gasoline slowly evaporates, leaving behind a sticky fluid that is hard to clean. And if you make the mistake of not discharging gas from the system before storage, the gas pressure washer will be bothersome to start later. Read more on how to winterize pressure washers here.

Lastly, this gas pressure washer lasts quite a long-time. The warranty for the unit is about two years. However, many users report it works perfectly, even after three years of regular use.

Now, the drawbacks for the WEN PW2800 are its maintenance, as is the case for most gas pressure washers. The unit has been known to cause problems if you mess up the oil quantity and quality in the system. While bright colors can easily identify the oil fill plugs, the quantity of oil inside the system is hard to determine.

FAQs

How much PSI does a foam cannon need?

The PSI required for a foam cannon might vary depending on the model and brand of your pressure washer and the foam cannon. However, most foam cannons require 1,000 – 3,000 PSI to function correctly. As you can see, these aren’t very harsh numbers. Additionally, a foam gun (not to be confused with foam cannon) can operate with the pressure of a simple garden hose.

Can you use a foam cannon with any pressure washer? 

You can use most foam cannons with a lot of pressure washers but not all. For one, you will have to match the threads and orifice openings. However, manufacturing rules follow some industry standards, so you won’t have to worry much about threads. But more importantly, you will have to ensure the PSI and GPM required for foam cannon match your pressure washer.

Is 1.2 GPM enough for foam cannon?

Generally, for foam cannon, the more GPM, the better. You can adjust the GPM by using a wider tip nozzle, such as 45° or 60°. While most pressure washers would recommend a GPM of around 2 but the affordable entries operate comfortably between 1.2 GPM to 1.6 GPM. So, try to maintain GPM in this range or more for better results.

Can I use a foam cannon with a gas pressure washer?

Yes, you can use a foam cannon with a gas pressure washer. You can use the WEN PW2800 or our favorite in this list – The Simpson Cleaning MegaShot. These gas pressure washers offer plenty of PSI and GPM, so you can use them for light and medium-duty cleaning. Furthermore, they are quite durable and provide great value for money.

Conclusion

Foam cannons are your ticket to leveling up your pressure washing. You can better clean with half as much effort with a foam cannon.

If you’re looking for the best pressure washer for foam cannon, we have prepared this Project Pressure Wash top 7 list for you. Most of the entries on our list are there to provide you with the most return on your investment. However, if you’re looking for a high-quality pressure washer that won’t go bad for you for life, go with Kranzle 1122TST.

Our top favorite on this list is the number 6 entry – The Wholesun 3000PSI. You can use an electric pressure washer for more than just light-grade pressure washing. But what’s even better is its price point, which is more than a bargain and a half!

The runner-up on this list is a gas pressure washer – The Simpson Cleaning MegaShot. This gas pressure washer provides an even higher PSI than the Wholesun 3000 PSI without being restrained by the electrical cord. You can use it for various cleaning purposes for a long duration – provided you keep up with the maintenance of a gas pressure washer.