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Handwashing a vehicle, particularly a large model like a van or pickup, can take much time and work. Using a foam cannon can simplify the process. 

Not only do foam cannons take less time, but they also eliminate the risk of rubbing grit into your finish. The last thing you want is to scratch your car’s finish when washing it with a cloth. You can avoid these problems by using a robust foam cannon. 

These devices typically attach to a pressure washer or a conventional garden hose and will mix in the soap for you. With a foam cannon, you can remove dirt and debris without the manual and risky scrabbing of a traditional soaping process. 

Additionally, the foam created is usually thicker and more dispersed than what you get with a regular washing mitt. This often results in a cleaner car with less effort and no risk of damaging the paint with unsightly scratches. 

But not all foam cannons are created equal. We’ve prepared this guide to help you find the best foam cannon from many options. Let’s start with the basics. 

What Are Foam Cannons Used for?

A foam cannon is a car washing device that mixes water, soap, and air to produce thick suds, then shoot the mixture all over your car using a pressure washer. 

It’s a canister with a nozzle that uses a pressure washer to deliver a thick, frothy foam that clings to a vehicle. Foam cannon makes washing a vehicle easy and provides other advantages such as improved cleaning and cost savings. 

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. For the best results, we recommend using Adam’s Mega Car Wash Soap for all your car washing needs. 

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. 

The Three Best Foam Cannons to Buy in 2023

Today, the market is saturated with foam cannons, all claiming to deliver quintessential results. To ease you the burden of scouring through hundreds of options, we researched the best foam cannons on the market, considering features, price, and many other factors. Here are our pics for the best foam cannons of 2023.  Our recommendations are based on the latest customer sentiment data and recommendations from our community:

1. MTM Hydro 28 Special PF22.2 Foam Cannon Kit -Best Overall Foam Cannon

The MTM Hydro 28 Special PF22.2 kit packs quite a punch and includes everything you’ll ever need for all your cleaning needs. The PF22.2 Foam Cannon Kit includes a spray gun, foam cannon for a pressure washer, fittings, and plug adapters.

The foam cannon easily attaches to the pressure washer with one of the included fittings, so you’ll never have to worry about compatibility issues. Ideal for heavy-duty cleaning tasks, the MTM Hydro pressure gun provides a maximum PSI of 1100 – 5,000. 

With such a high-pressure range, the MTM Hydro can be used for many cleaning applications, including vehicles, boats, roofs, sidewalks, fences, houses, and more. It also has a max GPM range of 1.4 – 5.3. 

This unit also features adjustable fan blades to easily control how much foam is sprayed on your vehicle or cleaning surface. The nozzle on the foam gun is adjustable, so you can have a vertical or horizontal fan without holding the bottle sideways, tiring yourself out.

Additionally, you can control how much soap is mixed with your solution. This can help you decide whether to decrease or increase the output. 

Product Features

• A complete kit with all the accessories included 
• Can be used for a wide range of cleaning applications
• Adjustable fan blades
• Features an injection knob to increase or decrease the output

The MTN Hydro 28 Special PF22.2 Kit has garnered an impressive 4.7-star rating from over seven hundred satisfied customers. And for $109, the unit is competitively priced for the features and the included accessories.

2. Tool Daily Foam Cannon – Best Budget Foam Cannon

The Tool Daily Foam Canon is an excellent option for those on a tight budget. At only $19, this unit gives you the best bang for your buck and is also the most affordable product on our list.

It’s compatible with pressure washers from 1,000 – 3,000 PSI and uses a ¼-inch quick connect for fast attachment to your pressure washer gun. The Tool Daily Foam Canon is a great option for cleaning cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, windows, roofs, driveways, and more. 

You’ll love its simplicity, especially when it comes to installation. Simply fill some soap in the bottle with water to produce foam. Then connect the ¼-inch plug to the pressure washer gun. Lastly, adjust the knob to your desired foam level, and you’re good to go. The snow foam cannon will distribute a thick foam after you’ve set the knob to your preferred foam level. 

The company includes five different nozzle tips, each with a different angle, so you can choose the best one for your needs. 

Product Features

• Adjustable snow foam cannon with 1/4″ quick connector
• 5 nozzle tips, each with different angles
• Adjustable nozzle for accurate mixing of foam
• Easy to install

The Tool Daily Foam Cannon is an affordable foam cannon that has garnered an impressive 4.5-star rating from over forty thousand satisfied users. And for $19, you won’t find a product that can match its features at this price tag. 

3. Chemical Guys HOL148 Car Wash Kit – Best Full Kit

The Chemical Guys HOL148 is a complete kit for cash wash supplies. Chemical Guys have packed everything you need to clean and maintain a shiny car. 

Included in this 16-piece kit are signature glass cleaner, silk shine dressing, Diablo wheel gel, Honeydew snow foam, Butter wet wax, microfiber wash mitt, short handle brush, Torq foam blaster foam gun, detailing bucket, cyclone dirt trap, speed wipe detailer, and dressing applicator. 

Additionally, the Chemical Guys Kit includes four microfiber towels with the supplied glass and wax cleaners to make your vehicle squeaky clean and dazzling. 

If you love clean cars, this kit will do you justice. The items included in the kit cost over $200, but the company offers the complete kit for just $97. 

This kit has won the hearts of many car enthusiasts, having garnered a 4.7-star rating from over twenty-two thousand happy customers. And for just $97, you get the best value. 

Other Products Worth Checking Out

While the three products we’ve reviewed are excellent in many ways, they are not the only options with a high rating. Here are a few more products worth checking out. 

1. Adam’s Premium Foam Cannon

If you’re in the market for a top-quality foam cannon, Adam’s Premium Foam Cannon will not disappoint. This cannon features a 32 oz fluid tank and adjustable nozzle for various spraying options. The company offers a 110% satisfaction guarantee and has earned an overall rating of 4.6 stars from over eight hundred satisfied customers. 

2. Chemical Guys EQP324

Chemical Guys is a global manufacturing company based out of California, renowned for its quality products. Their EQP324 foam cannon generates a lot of suds and has won the hearts of many consumers. From a customer’s experience, this unit “lays down a thick layer of foam,” which prevents scratching and swirling while cleaning your car. 

The EQP324 has an adjustment knob that lets users control the amount of foam output they want. There’s also a quick-release feature that makes it easy to attach the unit to a pressure washer. 

Chemical Guys say the EQP324 needs as little as 800 PSI and 1.4 GPM to operate, but it recommends a pressure washer with a 2.0 GPM. The product has garnered an overall rating of 4.6 from over 900 satisfied customers, attesting to its quality guarantee. 

3. TriNova Foam Cannon for Pressure Washer

If you’re looking for an affordable foam cannon that’s also exceptionally easy to use, the TriNova Foam Cannon will not disappoint. This foam cannon for pressure washers checks all the boxes for power, price, and use of use. 

This product ranges from 800 to 3,500 PSI, but the company recommends at least 1,000 PSI or more for best results. And for just $34, this product is competitively priced for its features. It has garnered an overall 4.5-star rating from over seven thousand satisfied customers. 

TriNova also backs this product with a 100% satisfaction warranty and will refund or replace it if the customer is unsatisfied. 

Best Soap for a Foam Cannon

If you’re looking for the best soap for foam cannon that delivers extra thick suds, Adam’s Mega Foam Gallon Car Wash Soap is what you’re looking for. Not only does it create huge amounts of thick lubricating suds, but it also removes dirt, soot, pollen, and other contaminants. 

Using a blend of polymers and cleaners, Adam’s Polishes has formulated a pH-neutral formula that gives your vehicle a thorough wash without damaging the vehicle’s coating. The company also provides a 110% satisfaction guarantee for all its shampoo products. 

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!