When it comes to cleaning, especially heavy-duty outside cleaning, a garden hose just won’t cut it. You need a pressure washer to get the job done. One of the top options available? The SIMPSON MegaShot MSH3125 Pressure Washer. It delivers a powerful 3,200 PSI at 2.5 GPM stream of water that’ll clean even the dirtiest outdoor items. We used the washer for some cleanup jobs to see if its performance matched its raw power.
Setup Process: Easy with the oil
The SIMPSON MSH3125 comes partially assembled. All we had to do was attach the handle to the cart until it snapped into place. Next, we attached the wand and added oil and fuel before firing it up. SIMPSON provides the oil with the power washer, but of course, we had to supply the fuel. The oil is packaged in a soft pouch that can break open if you are not careful with it. All in all, the assembly process took us about 15 minutes.
Performance: Great for small and big jobs
This power tool stands out because of its, well, power. The water pressure is rated at 3,200 PSI (pounds per square inch), while the water flow is 2.5 GPM (gallons per minute). These numbers are on the high side for pressure washers (as is to be expected from a gas-powered unit). Sure enough, the SIMPSON delivers a super-strong stream of water that makes it easy to clean even the dirtiest and grimiest items. It cleaned everything we threw at it, from a weather-worn deck and a dirt-crusted driveway to a grimy old grill and a mud-encrusted ATV. The unit is so powerful, you have to be careful what you clean. The 0-degree nozzle can leave marks in the wood of your porch or damage the siding of your house. Even with the milder 40-degree nozzle, you should be cautious when cleaning a car or motorcycle. If you get too close, you could damage the paint job because of the pressure delivered by the washer.
Design: No soap tank is a big detractor
There is little doubt the MSH3125 is a robust power washer capable of cleaning even the dirtiest messes. But when it comes to design, this unit is a mixed bag, with some outstanding features and some detractors that can be frustrating. What we liked most about this model is its durability. The frame is made of heavy-duty welded steel, the hose is kink- and abrasion-resistant, and all the important fittings are brass, which won’t rust or crack over time. Even the power wand has a brass fitting with a quick-release mechanism that lets you quickly switch nozzles (five are included: 0-degree, 15-degree, 25-degree, 40-degree, and soap). The cart has rugged 10-inch pneumatic wheels and a compact frame that makes it easy to move the unit around and keep it stable during operation. Another highlight is the 25-foot hose that allows you to clean a wide area without having to move the pressure washer every few feet. Unfortunately, all these good points are overshadowed by a few poor choices: Most noticeable is the lack of a dedicated soap tank. Instead of an onboard soap container, the unit has a tube that you insert into your own soap bottle. Not only did we find using a tube inconvenient, but we also accidentally spilled our soap bottle a few times. Next is the location of the water connections. They are positioned close to each other, making it difficult to add or remove hoses—especially if you have big hoses or use a hose adaptor.
Fuel Life: Sufficient for most jobs
The MSH3125 is powered by a fuel-efficient Honda GC190 engine. The fuel tank holds half a gallon of gas, which we found provides an hour or two of cleaning, depending on usage.
Noise Level: Quiet for a gas-powered model
This is a gas-powered model, so expect some engine noise while you are cleaning. The Honda engines are known for their relatively quiet operation, but they are not as quiet as an electric power washer. The sound is not deafening, though, and we were able to talk over it—albeit loudly—while we were power washing.
Price: Pricey but worth it
The MSH3125 costs around $400, but you’ll forget about the money you spent after you fire it up and clean your deck in less than five minutes. Sure, you can find cheaper models on the market, but you’ll likely be sacrificing power, so the choice will depend on your specific needs.
Competition: Depends on your needs
Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer: What the Sun Joe lacks in power, it makes up for in convenience. We also tested this compact power washer, which offers the same amount of nozzles and is small enough to be portable. It’s less powerful than the SIMPSON unit, but it’s also a fraction of the price—and we found it was sufficient for most small household jobs. RYOBI 3000 PSI Pressure Washer: The RYOBI we reviewed matches the performance of the SIMPSON, but the former offers a convenient electric start for people who dislike or physically cannot use a pull-string motor. The gas-powered pressure washers are priced similarly, but the RYOBI earned higher marks for design and ease of use in our tests. When we had a big job to do, the SIMPSON MegaShot MSH3125 Pressure Washer was our first choice because of its raw power. It removed every piece of grit and grime we had around our house with ease. We just wish it had an onboard soap tank and a better way to store the long 25-foot hose.
