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Sun Joe SPX3500 Review

When it comes to electric models, it's hard to top this pressure washing machine
sun joe spx3500 pressure washer review
Editors' Choice Award
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Price:  $250 List
Manufacturer:  
By Ross Patton and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jun 22, 2020
65
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 11
  • Cleaning - 45% 6.2
  • Portability - 30% 6.2
  • Noise - 15% 8.2
  • Ease of Use - 10% 6.6

Our Verdict

Like other electric models, the SunJoe SPX3500 falls a bit short on power when it comes to gasoline-powered versions. That said, when compared to its own type it is one of the best. Not only does this model offer a great deal of performance, it is exceptionally quiet during operation. Although the SPX3500 is a bit bulky, it is still easy to cart around. We love that the designers have thought to keep the hoses in a front to back configuration and that the various nozzles have a convenient home near the handle.
REASONS TO BUY
No gas
Minimal noise
Good wheels
REASONS TO AVOID
Larger than many electric types
Less power than gasoline

Compare to Similar Products

 
sun joe spx3500 pressure washer review
This Product
Sun Joe SPX3500
Awards Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award   
Price $250 List$329 List
$293.75 at Amazon
$170 List
$149.99 at Amazon
$110 List
$110.97 at Amazon
$150 List
$170.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Pros No gas, minimal noise, good wheelsIncredible cleaning power, onboard storage options, high cleaning unitsCompact, good cleaning power, less maintenance than gas optionsSmall, light, inexpensiveHighly portable, inexpensive, quiet
Cons Larger than many electric types, less power than gasolineLoud, gas engine maintenance, largeTips easily, no nozzle storage, difficult attaching to garden hosePoor cleaning power, no wheelsDisappointing cord and hose storage, limited cleaning power
Bottom Line When it comes to electric models, it's hard to top this pressure washing machineWith best-in-class cleaning power and surprisingly good maneuverability, this is the best pressure washer currently availableThis washer offers impressive performance and a solid value in a compact packageIf you need a pressure washer for household jobs and you know you won't need a ton of power, this model is a fantastic choiceThe compact RY141612 is great for light work but can't compare to the cleaning power of top models for heavy-duty applications
Rating Categories Sun Joe SPX3500 Westinghouse WPX3200 Wholesun 3000PSI Greenworks GPW1501 Ryobi RY141612
Cleaning (45%)
6.2
10.0
5.3
2.4
3.2
Portability (30%)
6.2
5.9
8.2
9.5
9.1
Noise (15%)
8.2
4.2
7.2
8.0
6.8
Ease of Use (10%)
6.6
5.0
7.4
7.5
6.9
Specs Sun Joe SPX3500 Westinghouse WPX3200 Wholesun 3000PSI Greenworks GPW1501 Ryobi RY141612
Measured 15º nozzle PSI 1650 2600 1200 N/A 1490
Measured 25º nozzle PSI 1600 2600 1200 1200 N/A
Measured 15º Nozzle GPM 1.08 2.30 1.21 N/A 1.08
Measured 25º Nozzle GPM 1.09 2.34 1.22 1.16 N/A
Wheels 8" Plastic 12" Plastic 5" Plastic None None
Average Measured dBA at Machine 70.0 83.2 73.3 73.3 77.6
Average Measured dBA at 25 ft 65.2 68 67.3 63.8 62.2
Length of included hose 20' 25' 20' 3" 19' 8" 20' 5"
Electrical Cord Length 30' N/A 32' 5" 34' 9" 34' 1"
Electric or Gas Electric Gas Electric Electric Electric
Measured Weight 42.6 lbs 63.6 lbs 16.3 lbs 15.5 lbs 15.6 lbs
Calculated Cleaning Units 1782.0 5980.0 1464.0 1428 1609.2
Measured Distance in Bocce Ball Power Test 3.00' 6.50' 3' 2.60' 3.60'

Our Analysis and Test Results

The SunJoe SPX3500 is one of our favorite models, especially as far as electric versions go. This device produces a solid amount of pressure and best of all, it is very quiet. When it comes to transporting this model we found it to be especially easy to cart around thanks to the good grip on its handle and its large plastic wheels.

sun joe spx3500 pressure washer review - the sunjoe spx3500 provides the lowest decibel count immediately...
The SunJoe SPX3500 provides the lowest decibel count immediately alongside.
Credit: Laura Casner

Performance Comparison



Cleaning


To kick off our testing process we began by assessing the cleaning power of each model — the amount of the total score that we allotted for this metric is 45%. For the first portion of cleaning, we subjectively scored the washers on their overall feel while spraying fences, sidewalks, gutters, and vehicles. We then moved on to a more objective experiment where we poured a given amount of activated carbon onto a section of clean carpet to see how swiftly and efficiently the pressure washers could remove the substance. The SunJoe did fairly well during all of the aforementioned exercises.


To measure PSI we employed an inline hydraulic pressure meter. The SPX3500 1650 PSI using the 15º and 40º nozzles but dropped to 1600 PSI when the 25º was attached. To measure gallons per minute of flow we filled a water tank with each washer for 60 seconds and then weighed it to calculate gallons. Cleaning Units (CU) is the combination of PSI and GPM — this model showed an impressive 1782 CU during our assessment.


In order to acquire some hard data, we created a wooden testing apparatus that allowed us to measure how high each washer could sustainably suspend a standard bocce ball up a 24-degree embankment. The SunJoe SPX3500 was one of the stronger electric pressure washers for this assessment — it was able to hold the ball 3 feet up the ramp.

sun joe spx3500 pressure washer review
Credit: Laura Casner

Portability


For this metric, we broke the score down into size, maneuverability, and weight. For some folks, the difficulty to load or unload the machine into a vehicle will hold more value than the difficulty to move the pressure washer around a given site and vice versa for others. We paid attention to both of these factors. This metric accounts for 30% of the total score.


The SPX3500 finished near the middle of the pack for this metric. It is a bit on the heavy side — we measured this model to be 42.6 pounds. We opted to dock the SunJoe a few points for this attribute considering that it will be much harder to lift in and out of a vehicle or tote up and down a set of stairs.


Regardless of its weight, the SPX3500 is pretty easy to move around once it is on-site thanks to its large wheels. We found it to be a bit of a bumpy ride in rough terrain due impart to this model's rigid plastic wheels, but all in all the SPX3500 has a great balance and is perfect for decks or pavement.

sun joe spx3500 pressure washer review - the wheels on this model make transporting it a breeze.
The wheels on this model make transporting it a breeze.
Credit: Laura Casner

The SunJoe SPX3500 is slender, but it's also fairly wide and is especially tall. We measured this pressure washers dimensions to be 35.5" tall, 16" wide, and 15" thick. Although this machine is definitely smaller than gas-powered models and even more compact than a couple of electric versions we still think it's a bit on the bulkier side.

sun joe spx3500 pressure washer review
Credit: Laura Casner

Noise


We dedicated the next 15% fo the total score to noise. To acquire data for this metric we used a sound pressure level meter to read decibels from directly next to each pressure washer and again from 25 feet away. Next, we used a panel of judges to determine if there were any odd or annoying sounds in terms of pitch.


The SunJoe SPX3500 was quite impressive during this experiment. Right next to the device the SPL meter showed 70 decibels, at a distance of 25 feet this noise levels dropped to 65.2 decibels. Our judges didn't find any bothersome sounds emitted by this model, and we love that it only makes noise when the trigger is depressed.


Ease of Use


The final 10% of the overall score is dedicated to how easy each pressure washer is to use. This metric combines subjective and objective observations in regard to hose length, hose storage, power cord length, power cord storage, storage of nozzles, foreseeable maintenance issues, and the usability and volume of the soap tank.


The SPX3500 was awarded a solid score for this metric although we did dock some points for a few tiny details. First of all, the hook on the back of the machine is fairly shallow, so you need to have some good cord-wrapping skills to keep it all bundled up. There's also nothing that secures either the cord or the hose so they tend to flop around during transport-- some models have velcro strap or a bungee in place to deal with this issue. The high-pressure hose on the SunJoe SPX3500 is only 20 feet — it's one of the shortest that we've seen. However, the 35-foot power cord helps to mitigate a bit of the hose's shortness.

sun joe spx3500 pressure washer review
Credit: Laura Casner

A huge advantage of purchasing an electric model rather than a gas-powered washer is the stark difference is routine maintenance. With fossil fuels, you'll be dealing with extra gas cans, checking and changing oil, and cleaning an air filter — with electric pressure washers you don't have to worry about any of these things.

sun joe spx3500 pressure washer review
Credit: Laura Casner

The attachments and accessories for the SPX3500 include four nozzles of varying degrees as well as a large soap dispenser. We love the configuration of the garden house input nozzle on the front of the device as well as the high-pressure output on the back. This arrangement works well to keep the hoses from tangling, and it makes sense to have the high-pressure attachment on the back where it is ready to attach to the wand, the various nozzles, and the large soap dispenser.

sun joe spx3500 pressure washer review
Credit: Laura Casner

Value


The SPX3500 has a comparable price tag to other electric pressure washers with similar specs on paper, but what our tests have shown is that it outperforms the others that are slightly more expensive. If you require the utmost performance out of an electric model we think this machine is worth the cost.

Conclusion


If what you seek is a high-performance pressure washer that doesn't bring extra noise and fumes, we recommend the SunJoe SPX3500. When it comes to brushless electric motor driven washers, this model jets the rest away.

Ross Patton and Austin Palmer
 
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