Best pressure washer for a deck and shed?

Hey all! I'm prepping to clean and stain my 500 sq ft deck and also need to wash the shed. My old electric washer died. I was looking at the Troy-Bilt or maybe a cheap gas unit from Harbor Freight. Budget's tight—under $300 hopefully. What do you think?

If you're on a budget, I'd say go for an electric unit like the Sun Joe SPX3000. It's got 2,030 PSI and 1.76 GPM, plenty for a deck. Under $200 on Amazon sometimes. Gas ones under $300 tend to be finicky and need maintenance, not worth it for occasional use. Plus, electric is quieter and easier to store.

Listen to Mike, but if you really want gas, check craigslist for a used Honda. Also don't cheap out on the surface cleaner attachment. For the deck, use a 15-degree tip or a turbo nozzle to avoid gouging the wood. Keep the wand moving! Oh, and pretreat with a deck cleaner before you pressure wash. Trust me.

I agree with Gary on the surface cleaner. The chemical injector on many cheaper units is a joke though. For the shed, you'll need a soap nozzle and a gentle tip. Also, if you go electric, make sure you have a GFCI outlet. Common mistake people make is using a long extension cord—use at least a 12 gauge, 50 footer or less. I've seen too many fires.

Thanks guys! I think I'll look for a used Honda or grab the Sun Joe. Surface cleaner sounds like a must. Any tips on getting the old stain off without killing my jeans? Haha.