Best CRAFTSMAN Electric Pressure Washer
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The best CRAFTSMAN electric pressure washer for a light job is a corded unit that fits a cord-reach limit and a small cleaning task. The CRAFTSMAN CMEPW1700 is a corded AC washer with a stated maximum of 1700 psi and 1.2 gpm. The listing also states a 20-foot hose, a 35-foot power cord, a weight of 17.5 pounds and a 3 Year Limited Warranty. It does not state a motor type, a cord gauge or any surface cleaner. This review covers that one model and what its listing does and does not say.
Quick answer
- The listing states a corded AC cold-water washer with 1700 max psi, 1.2 gpm maximum flow, a 20-foot hose and a 35-foot power cord.
- It fits light cleaning on cars, patios and small garage areas, where an outlet within 35 feet is workable.
- Skip it for large surfaces or hot-water work, and check the warranty and cord details before ordering, because the listing gives only the warranty term.
The product at a glance
The table lists what the Amazon listing states, as read on 2026-10-23. Where the listing is silent, the cell says not stated. The figures come from the title, the bullet points and the specification block, and nothing else.
| Item | What the listing says |
|---|---|
| Brand | CRAFTSMAN |
| Model | CMEPW1700 (from the title) |
| Type | Electric, cold water, corded, lightweight |
| Power source | AC |
| Maximum pressure | 1700 psi |
| Maximum flow rate | 1.2 gpm |
| Power cord | 35 feet (bullet) |
| Hose length | 20 feet, kink-resistant (bullet) |
| Tank volume | 1.2 gallons; the listing does not say what the tank holds |
| Soap | Soap applicator bottle included (bullet) |
| Storage | Onboard nozzle, hose, cord and wand storage |
| Item weight | 17.5 pounds |
| Product dimensions | 18.33 inches long, 10.43 inches wide, 11.25 inches high |
| Colors | Black and red |
| Certification | CSA specification met; CETA certified (bullet) |
| Safety feature | Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in the power cord plug |
| Warranty | 3 Year Limited Warranty (bullet); the listing says the manufacturer warranty can be requested from customer service |
| Motor type | not stated |
| Cord gauge | not stated |
| Surface cleaner | not stated |
Listing on Amazon: View on Amazon
What the stated figures add up to
Some useful numbers follow from the stated figures. They are arithmetic, not test results, and each one states its formula so you can check it against the listing.
| Figure | Stated or derived | Value | Formula or source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flow in metric | Converted | About 4.5 liters per minute | 1.2 gpm times 3.785 |
| Hydraulic output | Derived | About 1.19 hp | 1700 psi times 1.2 gpm, divided by 1714 |
| Water at maximum flow | Derived | 72 gallons per hour | 1.2 gpm times 60 minutes |
| Weight in metric | Converted | About 7.9 kg | 17.5 pounds times 0.4536 |
| Hose in metric | Converted | About 6.1 m | 20 feet times 0.3048 |
| Cord in metric | Converted | About 10.7 m | 35 feet times 0.3048 |
| Straight-line wand reach from the outlet | Derived | About 55 feet | 35-foot cord plus 20-foot hose, no extension cord, unit placed at the far end of the cord |
The hydraulic output is the power the water stream carries at the stated pressure and flow. It is not the motor power, and the listing does not state the motor power. The 72 gallons per hour figure assumes the washer runs at its maximum flow for the whole hour, which a real job rarely does.
The 55-foot reach figure is the most useful number for a corded unit. It assumes a straight run with no bends in the hose and no extension cord. Any bend, step or corner cuts that reach, so plan the outlet position before you start.
A reach check before you plug in
Use the 55-foot figure as a ceiling, not a target. Measure the straight-line distance from the outlet to the farthest point of the job, then compare it with the three cases below.
- Under 35 feet: the unit can sit anywhere along the cord, and the 20-foot hose gives about 20 feet of reach from the unit.
- Between 35 and 55 feet: the unit has to sit at least that distance minus 20 feet from the outlet, which keeps most of the cord in use and the hose running straight to the job.
- Over 55 feet: the stated cord and hose do not reach. Move the outlet or choose another washer, because the listing does not state an extension cord rating.
Any bend, step or obstacle in the hose cuts the reach below these figures, so treat the numbers as the best case.
Who it suits
This washer fits light cleaning jobs where a cord and a 20-foot hose can reach the work area. The title lists cars, driveways, patios and garages. The listing does not give a surface-area rating, so the figures above are the only guide to scale.
The closest matches to what the listing describes are these:
- Car owners who want a compact washer that stores on a shelf. The bullets mention onboard storage for the nozzle, hose, cord and wand.
- Owners who need a soap option without buying a separate applicator. The listing includes a soap applicator bottle.
- People who will move the unit by hand between a garage and a patio. The stated weight is 17.5 pounds, and the dimensions are compact.
- Owners who already have an outlet near the work area and a cord they can manage.
If you are comparing this washer with another corded model, put the stated pressure, flow, hose and cord figures from each listing side by side, and run the same formulas from the table above on both. That keeps the comparison to stated numbers rather than marketing wording.
Skip it if
Choose another washer if any of these apply:
- Your work area is far from an outlet. The cord is 35 feet, and the listing does not state a longer option.
- You need hot water. The title says cold water, and the listing does not describe a hot-water option.
- You need a surface cleaner or other attachments beyond the nozzles and soap bottle. The listing does not state a surface cleaner.
- You want a motor type, pump type or cord gauge before buying. None of these is stated.
- You need the warranty details before purchase. The listing states the term but not what it covers.
Buying checklist
Before you order, check these points on the listing or with the seller. Each item maps to a gap in the tables above.
- Measure the distance from the outlet to the farthest surface you plan to clean. Compare it with the 35-foot cord and the 20-foot hose, and remember the straight-line reach is about 55 feet.
- Confirm the warranty coverage in writing. The listing states a 3 Year Limited Warranty and says the warranty can be requested from customer service.
- Ask what the 1.2-gallon tank volume holds, since the listing does not say.
- Check whether a surface cleaner or other attachment is available, because the listing does not state one.
- Plan to store the washer with the cord and hose stowed, using the onboard storage the bullets describe.
Keep the listing page open while you check these items. Prices and availability change, and this post does not record either, so the seller page is the place to confirm them.
Safe use before the first spray
A pressure washer is a water tool with an electric cord, so two sets of hazards apply. The University of Kentucky’s pressure washer safety page says the water stream can cause injuries to the eyes and skin. Its advice is to wear eye and hearing protection, keep hands, feet and body out of the stream, and wear good footwear and long clothing. It also says never to point the sprayer at another person, even when the washer is off, because it can discharge unexpectedly.
The same page warns against using a pressure washer where the water could reach electrical equipment. The OSHA guidance on electric tools says electric tools should not be used in damp or wet locations unless they are approved for that purpose. It adds that protective measures are needed where insulation and grounding do not cover the risk, and it names a ground-fault circuit interrupter as one acceptable measure.
The listing states that the washer has a GFCI in the power cord plug. The safety information says that if the plug needs replacement, only identical parts should be used to keep that protection. Use the GFCI protection as one layer, not the only one, and keep the cord clear of the spray path.
The Ag Safety page on stored energy adds two points for any pressure washer. Before operating a machine that uses water pressure, examine the hoses and fittings for wear, and never aim the nozzle at a person, including yourself. For cord reach and extension choices, our guide to extension cords for an electric mower covers cord length and gauge questions: extension cords for an electric lawn mower. For the separate question of electric equipment on wet ground, see our guide to electric mowers on wet grass: electric lawn mowers on wet grass.
Before the first run, these checks follow from the sources above:
- Look at the hose and fittings for wear before operating the washer, as the Ag Safety guidance advises for any water-pressure machine.
- Confirm that the GFCI is in the plug, as the listing’s safety information describes, and use only identical parts if the plug ever needs replacing.
- Keep the cord away from the spray, and keep the washer out of damp or wet locations, as the OSHA guidance advises for electric tools.
- Wear eye protection and keep other people out of the stream, as the University of Kentucky page recommends.
What the listing does not say
The listing is silent on several points that matter before buying:
- Motor type. Not stated. The specifications give pressure and flow, but not the motor design.
- Pump type. Not stated.
- Cord gauge. Not stated. The cord length is 35 feet.
- Tank use. The listing gives a 1.2-gallon tank volume and does not say what the tank holds.
- Hot water. Not stated. The title says cold water.
- Surface cleaner and extra nozzles. Not stated in the specification block or bullets.
- Warranty coverage. The term is stated. What it covers is not.
How we chose
This post covers one product: the CRAFTSMAN CMEPW1700 electric pressure washer, ASIN B085285X4J. It is in the batch plan for the keyword above. The ASIN was not in our stored product file, so we read the Amazon listing once on 2026-10-23 and recorded only its title, bullet points and specification block. This post does not compare the washer with other models and does not rank it against them.
The content follows three criteria:
- What the listing states, with the stated condition beside each figure.
- What the University of Kentucky, OSHA and Ag Safety pages say about pressure washers and electric tools.
- What the listing leaves out, as the tables and lists above show.
What we could not verify
The sources we opened do not cover this model, so the following points stay open:
- How the washer cleans concrete, vehicles or siding in real use.
- Whether the 1700 psi and 1.2 gpm figures hold under load.
- Motor type, pump type and cord gauge.
- The warranty coverage beyond the stated term.
- How long the washer lasts in regular use.
- What the linked user guide says, since we did not open that file.
FAQ
Is the CRAFTSMAN CMEPW1700 a corded or battery washer?
The listing states an AC power source and a 35-foot power cord. It does not describe a battery option for this model, so plan for an outlet near the work area.
What pressure and flow does it state?
The listing states a maximum pressure of 1700 psi and a maximum flow rate of 1.2 gpm. Those are the stated maximums, not figures measured under load.
Does it include a soap option?
Yes. The bullets describe a soap applicator bottle for cleaning with soap. The listing does not describe other detergent types or a foam cannon.
Does the listing state a warranty?
Yes, the bullets state a 3 Year Limited Warranty. The listing says the manufacturer warranty can be requested from customer service, but it does not describe what the warranty covers.
Does it have a safety feature?
The safety information states a ground fault circuit interrupter in the power cord plug. If that plug needs replacing, the listing says to use only identical parts.
Can I use it with hot water?
The title describes the washer as cold water. The listing does not describe a hot-water option, so do not assume hot-water use is supported.
Bottom line
Buy this corded CRAFTSMAN only if an outlet can reach the whole work area within the 35-foot cord and the 20-foot hose. If the work needs hot water or attachments the listing does not state, choose a different washer.
Sources
- CRAFTSMAN Electric Pressure Washer, CMEPW1700, Amazon listing (opened 2026-10-23)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085285X4J - Pressure Washer Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, University of Kentucky (opened 2026-10-22)
https://ohs.uky.edu/worker-safety/pressure-washer-safety - eTool: Construction – Electrical Incidents – Power Tools, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (opened 2026-10-22)
https://www.osha.gov/etools/construction/electrical-incidents/power-tools - Mechanical Hazards: Stored Energy, Ag Safety and Health Community of Practice (opened 2026-10-22)
https://ag-safety.extension.org/mechanical-hazards-stored-energy/
