Visitor - I don’t watch a lot of detailing videos on YouTube (one of those weirdos who’s selective about who gets compensated for my clicks), but watched your two above about the Ryobis.
Glad to see the stance on it being a solid unit, I just got the 1800psi/1.2gpm unit to replace my 5ish year old 1600/1.6gpm that still works, but the Total Stop function cycles like crazy because I’m sure it’s worn enough internally it detects the pressure loss with the pump not running. So far just as happy with the 1800/1.2.
I went back and forth about what route to go - between the Active, just getting another cheapie Ryobi, bumping up to a “mid level” ($300-$400) pressure washer, or going all in and getting a “Lifetime” unit (One you can have serviced/actually replace parts). I don’t get to do nearly as much detailing as I’d like to do, so I don’t put a huge amount of hours on them, but I do use it usually 2-3 times a year doing the outside of the house and washing the dust off the deck.
I know I’d probably appreciate the higher power/flow of a different unit, but I’m so used to the lil guy because it’s all I’ve had. Plus, for doing the house I use a 16’ extending thing to reach the upper areas without getting on a ladder, and I bet that’d be even more of a workout with twice the pressure coming out the tip!
Ultimately decided to do one more round with the little guy and I’ll reassess next time it’s worn out; probably make the move to a forever unit then. I did take the opportunity to upgrade to quick connects and an MTMS28 gun.