We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
Hand washing a vehicle, particularly a larger one like a pickup truck or an SUV, can take a lot of time and work. A foam cannon can simplify the process. You can run out of suds when you hand wash your vehicle using a bucket and wash mitt. Foam cannons provide a continuous stream of foam, and you don’t have to stop and refill a bucket to finish the job.
Foam cannons also emit more soap that is thicker than what’s dispersed through a wash mitt. That means you don’t have to scrub as hard to remove dirt and grime. Foam cannons, which are attached to a pressure washer, are a great item to add to your car washing arsenal because they are effective, easy to use, and provide the results you need in a shorter amount of time.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Big Mouth Max Release Foam Cannon
- Best Value: Tool Daily Foam Cannon
- Use With A Garden Hose: Chemical Guys Foam Blaster Wash Gun
- Best Nozzles: Twinkle Star Foam Cannon Snow Foam Lance
- Best Warranty: TriNova Foam Cannon
Our Methodology
I took several factors into consideration when choosing the best foam cannons. First, I made sure to choose products that are durable and designed to last. While I didn’t have the opportunity to hand test all of the products in this list, I consulted consumer reviews and feedback to see how these units perform in real-world conditions. Some are made of higher-quality materials and are more apt to last longer, so they made the list.
I also checked the size of the bottles and how user-friendly each product was. Some have ergonomic qualities that make them easier to use. Those with adjustable spray patterns and other features also ranked higher. In addition, I made sure to choose foam cannons in a variety of price points to suit a wide range of budgets. For more information on our methodology, go here.
Best Foam Cannon Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Big Mouth Max Release Foam Cannon
Pros
- Affordable
- Ergonomically designed
- Adjustable solution dispersal
Cons
- Not as durable
- May wear down in the neck area
Chemical Guys sent over the new Big Mouth Max Release Foam Cannon for testing and Febbo has been using for a few months. His written review has been pretty popular amongst our readers since then, which surprised me. Foam cannons have become a mainstay amongst car enthusiasts looking for both better results in home detailing as well as those looking to make the process a little easier. This accomplishes both.
It hasn’t been tested hooked up to a garden hose, but even a DeWalt 2100 PSI electric pressure washer feels like it’s towards the bottom of the performance range needed for this. It has the ability to provide plenty of foam with the right settings. The knob on top adjusts the mixture of soap to water; you still want to dilute the soap in the bottle. By twisting the “barrel” of the cannon, you open and close what looks like a reed valve to spread out the jet of water. It does take some experimenting, but once you get the hang of it, you know if you need a richer mix or wider fan. The mechanical parts feel tough and well made. You should be careful about dropping the 34-ounce jug, the crystal clear shininess of the bottle may have been a priority over drop resistance. But, it makes it easy to see your ratio for mixing and the wide mouth of the jug makes it easy to fill.
Best Value: Tool Daily Foam Cannon
Pros
- Five nozzle tips included
- Adjustable knob
- Dispenses a thick foam
- Well made
Cons
- Not compatible with all pressure washers
- Knob may require frequent adjusting
The Tool Daily Foam Cannon is great for cleaning cars, motorcycles, trucks, SUVs, roofs, driveways, windows, and more. The one-liter cannon has a quarter-inch quick connector and includes five nozzle tips: 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 40 degrees, and 65 degrees. Simply connect the device to a pressure washer gun or wand after filling it with soap and warm water, then adjust the knob based on the amount of foam you want to dispense.
Overall, it’s simple to set up and easy to operate. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with all pressure washers, such as some models made by Craftsman. There have also been some complaints that the knob to control the spray pattern doesn’t stay in position very well, and you may have to adjust it frequently
Use With A Garden Hose: Chemical Guys Foam Blaster Wash Gun
Pros
- Pressure washer not required
- Good pouring accuracy
- Spray nozzle included
Cons
- Lacks adjustability
It could be said that there are more people who own a garden hose than a pressure washer. For this reason, we chose the Chemical Guys Foam Blaster Wash Gun as an alternative to pressure washer-specific foam cannons. The wide neck allows for increased pouring accuracy and the bottle still holds about a liter of liquid.
What the Foam Blaster Wash Gun lacks is adjustability. Sure, you can move the nozzle of the foam gun itself to direct the spray, but you won’t be able to adjust the dilution ratio on the fly. At the same time, the adaptability of the product itself makes it an easy solution for anyone with a dirty car, house, motorcycle, RV, lawn furniture, etc.
Best Nozzles: Twinkle Star Foam Cannon Snow Foam Lance
Pros
- Five adjustable nozzles included
- Heavy-duty brass core
- Doesn’t require a lot of soap
- Easy fill
Cons
- Heavy and can be fatiguing to use
- May leak from the top
- No measurement levels
The Twinkle Star foam cannon comes with five nozzle tips and a one-quarter-inch quick-disconnect fitting. These are the same types of nozzles that come with mose pressure washers, so will likely fit the pressure wand. Its core is made of heavy-duty brass to prevent leaks. The nozzle can be adjusted to produce a wide to narrow spray pattern, and a knob on top controls the foam thickness. Pressure washers must have 2.0 GPM and over 1,000 psi for it to operate properly.
This is substantially cheaper than the foam cannons above and we did experience a couple of problems during testing. It’s a little heavy, which may fatigue your hands while using it. And while it’s sturdy, it tends to leak from the top. Also, the fittings are not the best quality, and the bottle doesn’t have measurement levels.rn
Best Warranty: TriNova Foam Cannon
Pros
- Extra-wide neck
- Nozzle fits most equipment
- Produces a thick foam
- Easy to use
Cons
- Nozzle may require frequent adjustments while operating
- No measurement levels
- Top heavy when empty
We haven’t tested this one but users report that it produces a thick foam, and it’s easy to pour soap from a container into the wide-mouth opening without making a mess. The company also backs up its product with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and will replace the product or refund the purchase if you’re not happy with its performance.
One downside is that you may have to adjust the nozzle after each use, and it only sprays foam vertically. The bottle also doesn’t have measurement marks, so you don’t know how many ounces are being used.
Our Verdict
Our pick for the best foam cannon is the Chemical Guys Big Mouth Max Release Foam Cannon due to its affordability and capability. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Tool Daily Foam Cannon. Simply add a wash mitt with the foaming action of a foam cannon, and you’re on your way to having a cleaner vehicle.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Foam Cannon
Pressure Washer Requirements
There are two specifications you’ll want to pay attention to when buying a foam cannon. The first is the rate of water flow through the cannon itself. Many can handle upwards of two gallons per minute (GPM). This characteristic will be listed alongside the pressure (in pounds per square inch, or psi). Foam cannons typically require between 1,000 and 3,000 psi. Pressure washers of light to medium duty have a pressure of anywhere from 1,400 to 2,500 psi, so make sure you check your power washer specifications and align them with the specifications of the foam cannon you choose.
Bottle Size and Shape
Many manufacturers differentiate themselves based on the shape of the foam cannon they sell. Most bottles will have a capacity of around one liter or 32 to 33 ounces, but it’s the shape of the bottle itself that you’ll want to pay attention to. Most foam cannons resemble a scuba tank. A short, broad neck sits atop wide shoulders that drop straight down the length of the cannon. However, some manufacturers add an ergonomic twist which makes it easier to hold the cannon as you loosen and tighten it.
Quick-Release or Quick-Detach
You won’t necessarily have to worry about searching for a quick-release foam cannon because most products on the market include this as a standard feature. However, you will want to make sure the platform you are working with accepts the quarter-inch fitting found on most foam cannons. There are ways of adapting your platform to the quarter-inch fitting, but it’s better to be aware of this concern before you purchase a product. Quick-release fittings are desirable because it allows you to store the pressure washer without the foam cannon attached, and you can also easily switch between spraying foam and rinsing the vehicle.
Adjustable Dilution Ratio and Spray Pattern
Just like with a pressure washer, sometimes you’ll want to adjust the water spray pattern to more easily direct water towards a specific area of concern. Being able to do the same with a foam cannon allows you to target hard-to-reach areas that require special attention. The ability to adjust the dilution ratio of your foam cannon is another great feature. That way you can go heavy on the areas that need more attention — think wheel wells and front grilles — while staying lighter across the paint and windows, for example.
Foam Cannon Pricing
Many foam cannons cost around $20. They are often made of plastic and include a brass core nozzle with quarter-inch fittings that are easy to connect and disconnect from a pressure washer. You may find some with accessories, but you typically have to pay a little more for extras such as interchangeable nozzles, wash mitts, and soap. These units can cost upwards of $60. The most expensive foam cannons can cost between $75 and $100 and are designed for professional purposes. They feature the highest-quality materials, are designed to last, and feature controls that allow users to efficiently adjust them to suit specific purposes.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A. Some require a pressure washer, but there are those that only require a regular garden hose. It’ll depend on which model you go for.
A: A foam cannon connects to a pressure washer, while a foam gun works with a standard water hose. The latter typically doesn’t produce as thick a foam, but it will still loosen dirt from the vehicle’s surface. If you don’t have a pressure washer, a foam gun is a great alternative.
A: Rinsing first can remove surface contaminants such as dirt and brake dust. This will help the foam do its job to further clean your vehicle.
