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Nothing brings greater satisfaction than seeing a wash mitt glide across a filthy car, revealing the spotless shine underneath. With every stroke, grit and grime seem to fade away. Yes, a shiny, sparkling, clean car is a beautiful sight to behold. But getting your vehicle looking showroom fresh often requires some elbow grease. 

That’s where foam cannons come in handy. These nifty devices attach to your hose or pressure washer and transform regular car soap into a thick, clingy foam that clings to your car. The foam helps lift dirt and grime away without the need for tedious scrubbing.

But with so many foam cannon models available, how do you choose the right one? Don’t stress; we’ve got your back. We analyzed the top-rated foam cannons to uncover the best options to suit different needs and budgets and bought the best-performing devices for hands-on testing; whether you’re a casual weekend car washer or a professional mobile detailer, we’ll guide you to the ideal foam weapon to wage war on dirt.

Are Foam Cannons Worth the Money?

Foam cannons transform your ordinary hose-based car wash into a luxurious experience. But with prices ranging from $20 to over $100, are they worth buying?

In a word – absolutely. While a foam cannon requires an initial investment, it pays dividends over time through convenience and outstanding cleaning results.

First, foam cannons drastically reduce the effort required to wash your car. The thick foam clings to vertical and irregular surfaces rather than sluicing off. That allows the soap to penetrate and lift grime without you needing to hand scrub every nook and cranny. Apply the foam, let it dwell, then rinse – that’s all it takes for a sparkling clean car.

Second, foam cannons provide superior cleaning power compared to washing with regular car shampoo. The rich foam formula contains more cleaning agents per volume. And because the foam sticks and spreads well before breaking down, it has more dwell time to lift dirt. That means you use less soap overall yet get better cleaning performance.

Admittedly, basic foam sprayers cost less than true foam cannons. But they have limited pressure and foam thickness for cleaning larger vehicles like trucks or SUVs.

2 Best Foam Cannons in 2023:

	👑 BEST OVERALL	🛠️ BEST FOR BUDGET
	MTM Hydro 28	Tool Daily

MAX PSI 👩‍🔬	1100-5000	3000
MIN GPM 📏	1.4- 5.3 GPM	1.1 GPM
WEIGHT ⚖️	3.54 lbs	1.23 lbs
PROS 👍	Great build quality that creates great foam	$19 to add foam to your car wash process
CONS 👎	It is a bit pricier than some other models.	Not as effective as higher priced foam cannons
PRICE 💵	Price not available	$19.99

1. MTM Hydro 28 – Best Overall Foam Cannon

Regarding the best foam cannon overall, the Italian-engineered MTM Hydro 28 reigns supreme. This professional-grade foam cannon consistently tops reviews with its robust metal build, versatile adjustability, and downright sublime foam. If you’re serious about keeping your car(s) looking immaculate, the MTM Hydro 28 delivers, but you do have to pay a much higher amount than standard foam cannons are sold for.

Constructed from brass, stainless steel, and aircraft-grade aluminum, this foam cannon boasts unmatched durability. It’s built to withstand frequent use in home garages or busy professional detailing shops. The 1/4 inch male quick connector allows a leak-proof fit to pressure washers from 1100 PSI up to 4000 PSI. Your pressure washer requires a 1.4 to 5.3 gallons per minute flow rate. It also includes multiple plug adapters to fit different hoses, so you can easily attach it to any standard pressure washer.

Adjusting the foam consistency and spray pattern is incredibly easy with the MTM Hydro 28. Just twist the large ergonomic dial to tweak the water-to-soap dilution ratio. This gives you granular control over the foam blanket as needed for different vehicles. Turn it to a lower setting for more delicate or compact cars. Or crank it up higher to coat an oversized vehicle with plenty of clingy foam.

The adjustable fan blade nozzle provides even more customization. Rotate it a full 360 degrees to switch effortlessly between different wide or narrow spray patterns. Point it vertically to coat tall vehicles. Then, rotate 90 degrees for broader horizontal reach when tackling the hood or trunk. Regardless of the spray pattern, the rich foam clings enticingly to surfaces rather than running off quickly.

And that foam – simply sublime! The MTM Hydro 28 churns out luxuriously thick, creamy foam perfect for lifting away dirt and grime. Adjustments to the chemical injection knob provide precise measurements for drawing more or less soap solution into the foam for finer control. Give the foam a couple of minutes to penetrate baked-on contaminants before rinsing to reveal a flawless, sparkling finish underneath.

Regarding the downsides of the MTM Hydro 28 foam cannon, the main issue is the premium price tag. But rest assured, you get what you pay for – which, in this case, is the absolute cream of the crop in Italian manufacturing. Consider it an investment towards keeping your vehicle(s) looking immaculate forever, or if your budget is restricted, then check out our second choice.

While cheaper foam cannons may suffice for more casual use, none match the rugged durability of the MTM Hydro 28. This foam cannon is designed for high pressure and can withstand up to 140°F. MTM products have a sterling reputation backed by quality manufacturing and materials. So you pay more upfront but save money over numerous washes rather than replacing flimsier models that break sooner.

Pros:

• Aircraft-grade aluminum and brass construction for maximum durability
• 1/4 in. male connector fits most pressure washer hoses
• 360-degree nozzle rotation enables complete spray control
• Rich, creamy foam clings to surfaces for superb cleaning
• Handles up to 4000 PSI and 5.3 GPM pressure washers

Cons:

• Premium price tag
• Stand-up bottles don’t fit in small spaces
• The dial and nozzle require two hands to adjust

2. Tool Daily – Best Budget Foam Cannon

If the MTM Hydro 28 stretches your budget, the Tool Daily foam cannon delivers excellent value for money. This foam cannon is constructed from durable plastic that measures 8.8 x 3.6 x 4.8 inches. Despite the bargain $20 price tag, the Tool Daily belies its cost with rock-solid quality and cleaning abilities that rival more expensive contenders.

Constructed from thick, molded plastic, the Tool Daily foam cannon boasts durability to withstand pressure from 1000 PSI up to 3000 PSI. The 1/4-inch inlet/outlet connections allow quick attachment to any standard pressure washer wand or hose. The high-quality brass fittings and connectors guarantee leak-free operation.

Adjusting the foam output is straightforward with the Tool Daily’s top-mounted control knob. Just twist left or right to regulate the dilution ratio and the foam thickness dispensed finely. More dilution makes wetter foam, and less makes drier foam. You also get the option to toggle between 5 different nozzles with different spray angles (0, 15, 25, 40, and 65 degrees.) This lets you optimize foam coverage from a tight stream to a broad fan pattern.

In real-world use, the Tool Daily churns out mounds of rich, creamy foam perfect for enveloping your vehicle. Dense bubbles lift and encapsulate dirt while helping cleaning agents penetrate deeper. Just apply foam thoroughly across your car, then let it dwell for 1-2 minutes before rinsing for a brilliant, streak-free clean.

The integrated 1000 ml soap reservoir is clear, so you can easily gauge the correct detergent-to-water mixing ratio. The Tool Daily foam cannon has won praise from numerous satisfied reviewers. One user tried it successfully on their large gas grill, impressed by the strong initial foam blast that spreads widely to coat surfaces. They attribute the great performance to the simple venturi principle design that mixes soap and water effectively every time.

Other reviewers adore the rich, sudsy foam for making short work of washing cars. They describe the satisfaction of watching the clingy foam dissolve dirt away, leaving behind a fresh, clean vehicle. Praise also goes to the adjustable nozzle for easily switching between concentrated streams or wide coverage as needed per the cleaning task.

Regarding value, the Tool Daily foam cannon can’t be matched at this bargain price point. Despite costing mere pocket change, its build quality and cleaning abilities go toe to toe with more expensive contenders. For budget-focused buyers wanting great foam cannon performance without a premium price, the Tool Daily hits the sweet spot.

Pros:

• Durable plastic construction
• Adjustable soap dilution
• Clings well to surfaces
• Very affordable price
• Includes extra pressure washer nozzles

Cons:

• Bottle design is top-heavy, making it prone to falling over
• Can’t withstand as much pressure as metal models
• Foam not as thick as premium models

FAQ

Are Foam Cannons Worth It?

The truth is, you don’t need to use a foam cannon to clean your car. If that works, you can take your car to a carwash or clean it with a soft cloth. 

But if you can afford a foam cannon (not expensive), using this device to clean your vehicle provides many benefits. First, there’s improved cleaning. As we’ve mentioned, a foam cannon produces a thicker and more dispersed foam, resulting in a cleaner vehicle. 

Secondly, using a foam cannon reduces the risk of scratching the finish. Handwashing your vehicle increases the risks of swirls and scratches. 

Most importantly, you reduce repair costs. We need not mention that even a small scratch can oxidize if the metal is exposed, which can spread if not repaired on time, leading to costly repairs. Using a foam cannon reduces these risks. Based on these assumptions, investing in a quality foam cannon is worth every penny. 

Can You Attach a Foam Cannon to a Pressure Washer?

Generally speaking, Yes.

Some foam cannons require a pressure washer, but others require a garden hose. Your device’s model depends on whether you can attach a foam cannon to a pressure washer. Most modern foam cannons can be plugged directly into a pressure washer. A pressure washer lets you get the most out of your foam cannon. 

How Much PSI Is Needed for a Foam Cannon?

Experts agree that a 1,100 PSI is a good starting point when working with foam cannons. 

Most foam cannons generally require a min of 1,100 PSI and 1.5 GPM (gallons per minute), though higher-performance foam cannons will require a minimum of 1,500 PSI and 2 GPM.

What’s the Difference Between a Foam Gun and a Foam Cannon?

Foam guns and foam cannons are often used interchangeably but differ. 

A foam cannon is a more powerful device and uses an electric or commercial gas-pressure washer, while a foam gun can only connect to a regular water hose. The water stream produced by a pressure washer is stronger and can be used for various heavy-duty tasks. 

In contrast, a foam gun connects to a garden hose and uses low-pressure water to spray a mixture of soap and water into your car. A foam cannon, on the other hand, connects to a pressure washer and uses high pressure to create a thick, super-foaming soap solution that clings to your car. Both use the same liquid and ingredients but deliver very different results. 

Can I Use Dish Soap in a Foam Gun?

In short, Yes.

While all soaps will produce some form of suds, some formulas are specifically made to create a thick foam. We recommend using Adam’s Mega Car Wash Soap for all your car washing needs for the best results. 

Adam’s Mega Foam shampoo creates a lot of thick, lubricating suds, ideal for washing your vehicles without the risk of inducing scratches. 

But just because virtually all soaps will produce some form of suds doesn’t mean you should use them in a foam gun. Experts advise staying away from ceramic soaps containing Sio2. 

Wrapping Up

That’s it! Our round-up for the best foam cannons and soap on the market. 

Have you used any of these products? If so, what are your experiences? Share with us in the comments section below! 

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