DeWalt 3000 MAX PSI 1.1 GPM Brushless Electric Jobsite Pressure Washer

Why I picked the DeWalt 3000 electric washer

I’ve been shifting more exterior cleaning to electric where it makes sense—fewer fumes, less maintenance, and instant start are big quality-of-life wins on a busy jobsite or at home. On paper, the DeWalt 3000 electric washer checks a lot of boxes: compact, stackable form factor with onboard storage, a brushless motor, CETA certification, a turbo nozzle in the box, and a full set of quick-connect tips. The promise is gas-like pressure without the hassle. I put it to work across a few weeks on vehicles, pavers, vinyl siding, and a couple of grimy concrete pads to see where it lands.

Setup and build quality

Out of the box, assembly is minimal. The retractable handle extends easily and locks with a positive click. The unit has a low, squat footprint and a centered balance that makes it stable when you pull on the hose—less “tippy” than many vertical cart-style electrics. The wheels are chunky enough for uneven surfaces, though not pneumatic, so they transmit some vibration over rough concrete.

Storage is genuinely thoughtful. The wand, tips, foam cannon, and hose have dedicated homes. The cord wrap is excellent—flip the brackets and the 35-foot cord comes free without fighting it. The high-pressure hose coils into a side nest; it fits, but you need a tidy, consistent loop to get it to sit cleanly. The quick-connects are standard 1/4 inch and worked with my existing accessories.

My nitpicks: the included 25-foot hose is kink-resistant in name more than in practice. It’s usable, but it wants to coil memory and can kink if you drag it around corners. Upgrading to a 50-foot 1/4-inch aftermarket hose made life easier and didn’t materially change performance. Also, the onboard nozzle rack doesn’t grip as tightly as I’d like; on bumpy moves, one tip occasionally shook loose.

Power and pressure: what it really delivers

Specs list 3000 PSI max with the 15-degree tip at 1.1 GPM. In practice, pressure on the 15-degree nozzle is strong for an electric and not fragile—you can hold the wand one-handed without it fighting you like a 3000 PSI gas unit typically does. Using an inline gauge at the gun, I saw real-world pressure generally in the mid-2000s with the 15-degree tip, dipping as you widen the fan. The 25-degree tip is the best balance for general cleaning, while the 40-degree is a true rinse.

The turbo nozzle is the secret weapon here. It doesn’t raise the actual pressure, but the rotating point stream cuts deeper into porous surfaces like concrete, compensating for the modest 1.1 GPM. On a weathered sidewalk, the turbo nozzle noticeably accelerated cleaning compared to the 15-degree tip, though you still need measured, overlapping passes to avoid striping.

CETA certification is a plus; it indicates the rating method is standardized. Still, what matters is cleaning speed. At 1.1 GPM, this unit does not move as much water as most 3000 PSI gas models (commonly 2.3–2.5 GPM). That lower flow means you’ll be making more passes on large, dirty surfaces.

Real-world cleaning results

• Vehicles: Excellent. The 40-degree nozzle and included foam cannon make a quick wash possible. The foam cannon works, but it lays down a thin blanket with a watery mix; a better aftermarket cannon and soap improved cling and dwell time. I prefer the 25-degree nozzle for the final rinse.
• Vinyl siding and soffits: Very good with the 25-degree nozzle. For oxidation and chalking, it’s better to pre-treat with a cleaner and then rinse. The lower flow helps avoid flooding.
• Composite decking and wood: Good, with restraint. The 15-degree nozzle can leave fur if you get too close; the 25-degree is safer. Plan on pre-cleaning with a deck wash and using the washer to rinse and lift dirt rather than to strip finishes.
• Concrete and pavers: Solid with the turbo nozzle. Expect slower progress than a gas unit. On a lightly mildewed 12-by-12-foot patio, I needed measured, overlapping rows; it was clean at the end, just not fast.

Power and water considerations

A couple of use notes made a difference:

• Power circuit: This is a 15-amp machine. Use a dedicated 15- or 20-amp circuit and a heavy-gauge extension cord (12 AWG for runs over 25 feet). Thin cords cause voltage drop, reduced performance, and heat buildup that can trigger protection.
• Water supply: Bleed air from the system before you switch on. Connect the garden hose, squeeze the trigger until you have a steady stream, then power the unit. This reduces pump chatter and protects seals.
• Duty cycle: On a hot afternoon doing continuous concrete work, I did trip what felt like thermal or overload protection after about an hour of steady use. The motor shut off and came back after a brief cool-down with the unit powered down and water flowing. Since then, I’ve worked in natural cycles—pre-treat, wash, tidy, repeat—and haven’t hit the cutoff again.

Noise is notably lower than gas—conversational distance is comfortable. There’s no idle roar; the motor runs only when you pull the trigger, which also saves wear.

Ergonomics and handling

The wand and trigger feel sturdy and don’t flex under pressure. Trigger effort is moderate; I ran a couple of hour-long sessions without hand fatigue. The retractable handle height works for taller users, and the unit’s compact shape helps it fit on a shelf or the corner of a van without eating space. At just under 42 pounds, it’s not feather-light, but the wheels do the work.

GFCI plug protection is standard and welcome around water. It’s a bulky head, as they all are, but the added safety is worth the minor packaging hassle.

Accessories and upgrades

Included nozzles cover the basics, and the turbo nozzle is essential for concrete. The foam cannon is usable but underwhelming; if vehicle detailing is on your list, upgrade that accessory. The hose is serviceable but the first thing I’d replace for longer reach and less kinking. Everything else in the kit feels aligned with the price point.

Maintenance and storage

Electric means minimal maintenance: no carb, plugs, or oil changes. Still, treat the pump well. Don’t let it run dry, don’t let it sit pressurized, and consider a pump-saver antifreeze for off-season storage to protect seals. The onboard filter at the hose inlet is easy to check and clean. Before storing, I pull water through for a minute with the trigger squeezed and the unit powered off, then depressurize and coil the hose neatly.

Where it fits

This is a compelling solution for users prioritizing convenience, compact storage, and lower noise over raw cleaning speed. It will absolutely keep vehicles, siding, and small to mid-size patios looking good. It can handle larger jobs like driveways, but patience is required; the 1.1 GPM flow is the limiting factor, not claimed PSI.

If you regularly tackle large, heavily soiled concrete or you need to strip finishes fast, a higher-flow gas washer still wins on productivity. If you want plug-and-go simplicity with consistent performance and little maintenance, this DeWalt is an attractive middle ground.

The bottom line

I like the DeWalt 3000 for what it is: a compact, jobsite-friendly electric washer with thoughtful storage, respectable pressure for an electric, and a welcome turbo nozzle in the box. It’s quieter, easier to live with, and easier to store than a comparable gas unit. It’s also slower on big, dirty surfaces and can trip protection if you run it flat-out in hot conditions without giving it a breather. The included hose and foam cannon are fine starters but clearly upgrade candidates.

Recommendation: I recommend it for homeowners, trades, and facility teams who value low maintenance, low noise, and tidy storage, and who mostly clean vehicles, siding, and small to medium hardscapes. If your workload is heavy concrete and speed matters more than convenience, step up to a higher-flow gas machine. For everyone else, this electric washer is a practical, well-organized tool that earns its spot—just pair it with a better hose and foam cannon and mind your power and duty cycle for best results.