Greenworks GPW3002 Review

Greenworks has become a staple in yard tools throughout recent years, and the GPW3002 adds to this legacy with high-octane pressure washing power. This electric model features robust wheels and a durable frame designed for rugged terrain, all while delivering plenty of power to tackle more substantial tasks. Once your job has concluded, there are thoughtfully designed storage options for every included component.

Cleaning

First and foremost, the way a pressure washer can clean a surface is the most critical element when deciding which product is right for you. For this reason, we have dedicated a significant portion, 45% of the total score, to a machine's cleaning metric. To score and calculate a product's cleaning score, we first needed subjective data. We used every pressure washer around the house, garage, yard, and everywhere in between, noting how they all felt in hand, their power, trigger sensitivity, and cleaning power.

Once we had doused around the house, we decided to determine each washer's Cleaning Units, or CU, for our power cleaning enthusiasts out there. CU is the unit of measurement associated with vacuums, steam cleaners, and power washers, and is calculated by multiplying a system's psi (pressure or pounds per square inch) by gpm (flow or gallons per minute).

To obtain hard-hitting data, we began by fitting the Greenworks GPW3002's hose with a pressure gauge and pulling the trigger. We found that the GPW's output pressure was a whopping 2,700 pounds per square inch. That is over 600 psi higher than any other electric system that we tested!

Afterward, we couldn't wait to see what the water output was, so we set up a scale with an enclosed bin on top and pressed the trigger again for 60 seconds. The GPW is able to spew out 0.98 gallons per minute, nearly tying the other electric washers, which hovered around 1 gpm. We ran the math and discovered, to our delight, that the GPW is the clear winner - delivering a magnificent 2675 Cleaning Units, again beating out the rest of its electrical competitors by over 675 CU.

For our final objective test, we constructed a 12-foot-long ramp set at a 25-degree angle with distance markers on the side. We then used a bocce ball as our spray target and used each machine to determine the sustained distance up a slope, providing further insight into real-life power. With the GPW emitting intense pressure, we were not surprised to find that it kept the bocce ball at a distance of 3.5 feet from the nozzle.

To round out our cleaning knowledge, we decided to perform a classic vehicle scrubdown. After attaching the included soap nozzle, we filled up the soap reservoir and got to work. With the soap attachment, there was a delay before suds appeared, but once the flow became consistent, we were delighted by the extensive coverage we were able to achieve in a short amount of time. Overall, this power washer is a supremely capable, robust, and vigorous cleaning unit, especially when compared to its other electric counterparts.

Portability

When it comes to accomplishing tasks of various sizes and difficulty, a machine and its accessories must be manageable during loading, transport, and storage. That's why we chose to award 30% of the total score to our Portability metric. When scoring this metric, we invested a considerable amount of time rolling, pulling, and carrying each device, which is where we found both joy and pain with the Greenworks GPW3002.

It has large 10-inch plastic wheels that do a spectacular job at conquering uneven terrain, roots, curbs, and rocks. In addition to this, our team was especially pleased with the additional ground clearance this machine had compared to every other pressure washer we tested. This electric pressure washer is robust and features a sturdy steel frame that will hold up through numerous cleaning sessions; however, this is where we encountered our aforementioned pain.

The GPW is one of the largest and heaviest electric products that we tested. Weighing in at 47.6 pounds for just the machine itself, this beast would be a nuisance to lift in and out of a vehicle, even if it wasn't nearly as bulky. Its footprint is large, taking up a total of 3.1 cubic feet, making it challenging to store anywhere smaller than the size of a large aluminum trash can.

In addition to its weight, the GPW's design is similar to that of a lawnmower, and we attempted to push it at first, which proved quite uncomfortable. Regrettably, when pulled, it was easier but still not very ergonomically sound — we repeatedly caught our heels on the frame when relocating this large and heavy tool. Despite its shortcomings, this powerful washer is a go-to choice for anyone who prioritizes sturdiness and the ability to forge along rough paths.

Noise

When the human ear is exposed to a sound level of 85 decibels for more than eight hours, permanent hearing damage can occur. It's common knowledge that all power tools and yard equipment generate noise, which can cause some discomfort or annoyance. Consequently, our noise rating takes up 15% of every power washer's final score. To accurately evaluate the sound emitted by each machine, we used a professional sound meter both right next to them and from a distance of 25 feet.

When it came time to test the Greenworks GPW3002, we weren't surprised to find that it emitted 80.6 decibels, which is slightly above the average level of other electric units. This is due to the pressure and power produced by the machine, but one thing that stood out to us was its constant sound. All of the other electric pressure washers we tested switch on when their trigger is depressed, but the GPW is constantly running and shifts into a higher gear when the operator is actively spraying.

After testing noise levels from 25 feet away with our sound meter, our testers only noted a slight decrease in volume to 80 dBA. This washer is quite a bit louder than all the other electrically powered systems, but that said, if you have to pull an eight-hour shift on this machine, the GPW won't cause any long-term hearing damage.

Ease Of Use

The last slice of the score to be accounted for is our Ease Of Use metric, which accounts for 10% of the tallied score. This metric combines subjective and objective observations of features such as foreseeable maintenance, usability, hose length, hose storage, nozzle storage, power cord length, and power cord storage.

When the Greenworks GPW3002 entered this metric, it immediately became a standout for a myriad of reasons. It has a variety of nozzles, including 0-degree, 15-degree, 25-degree, 45-degree, soap, and turbo attachments, all with their storage nooks near the pull handle. The hose and power cord also come with impressively designed storage locations and features. The hose stores on the side of the handle and has a bungee system for added tidiness, while the power cord hooks are easy to wrap around and pivot for faster deployment.

This model features the longest power cord we measured at 36 feet, allowing for a supreme amount of mobility. The GPW's included 24.5-foot hose is heavy-duty and provides over 60 feet of range. Combine this reach with the large 10-inch wheels, and the GPW performs as a rough-and-tumble mobile cleaning powerhouse.

Compared to a gas power washer, electric machines require significantly less maintenance time. Not having to change oil or air filters and not needing to fill up with gas means that there is essentially zero upkeep needed for the GPW. On the whole, the GreenWorks is an easy machine to use, but we would give a warning to someone who cannot or does not want to lift nearly 50 pounds.

Should You Buy the Greenworks GPW3002?

If you need to blaze a trail over rough rocks, ground, or gravel and still have enough raw cleaning power to strip paint, look no further than the Greenworks GPW3002. This durably and thoughtfully designed pressure washer has a steel frame, great clearance, and robust wheels to match. It also topped charts as the most powerful electric machine we tested, and when you're ready to finish the job, its cord and hoses are stored neatly for smooth and seamless storage.

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