Working by removing grease, dirt, weeds and stains with a high-pressure stream of water, pressure washers have revolutionised the way we clean our gardens, walls and fences.
Reducing pressure on your back and making cleaning outdoor surfaces a breeze, pressure washer come with adjustable pressure settings and can even have a detergent mixed in with the water, to remove specific types of dirt or plant life; now that’s handy! They are also usually safer to use, as they minimise contact between your hands and any potentially hazardous materials that you may mix with the water, making you and those around you safer.
However, as with anything that involves water and pumps, many pressure washers fail to live up to expectations, due to leaks, lack of pressure behind the jet and even problematic pumps. It can be hard to know which pressure washer is the most reliable and, if you have multiple surfaces that require cleaning in your garden, you will want to invest in a cleaner that provides a thorough clean, regardless of the surface type.
So, what can you look for in a pressure washer to ensure it won’t fail on the first attempt?
Our top pick
Tracklife Pressure Washer, 160
A large and powerful washer that can clean a large area with ease, this washer is perfect for cleaning cars, walls and patios without hassle.
Built with multiple safety systems to prevent damage to the pump, motor and the user, this cleaner is easy to use and comes with adjustable pressure settings, allowing you to easily alternate between the jets without fuss; it has detergent tank, is easy to set up and, unlike other pressure washers, the strength of the flow does not wane; even after a tough clean of a wall, it is still going strong after 15 minutes!
But, with the extra power comes extra pressure on your hands; squeezing the trigger when the machine is vibrating so much is an unpleasant experience, requiring you to take extra breaks to massage the cramp out of your hand.
- 2000W copper motor and two strong special spraying Wands - Electric Pressure Washer Provide high pressure impulse of 160bar, and 2000W, 450 L/h.
- PA66 High pressure outlet pipe and quick inserting copper joint - The Tacklife jet power washer outlet pipe adopts PU surface layer and explosion-proof inner layer,
- Full control of trigger spray gun and TTS automatic shutdown system (full stop system)
- Humanized design - High-pressure washer built-in Soap dispenser, can take down cleaning, to avoid residual liquid corrosion machine.
- 100% quality assurance and complete accessories.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Gas vs electric
Interestingly, there are many pressure washers available on the market that run on gas as opposed to electric and, similar to gas versus electric lawn mowers, the pressure washer will act differently depending on what its power supply is.
The most commonly noted difference between the two is the speed and the power of the wash. If you aren’t bothered by excessive noise but want a more powerful wash, it may be worth investing in a gas propelled pressure washer. These are also more suited for cleaning larger patios, walls or fencing.
If you need a small area cleaned and cannot be bothered to handle petrol, electric washers may be for you; they produce less noise but also are less powerful than the gas counterparts, so may not be suited for more difficult or compacted areas of dirt.
Power level
While gas and electricity will have an impact on the power level of the water jet produced by the pressure washer, there are a couple of other areas to look at before purchasing a washer.
There are 2 types of power measurement; PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (gallons per minute). It is worth noting that machines that offer lower PSI will generate more pressure behind the water stream and vice versa. So, if you need a pressure washer with a more powerful jet, aim to purchase one with a PSI rate of 3000 to 45000 as well as a flow of 3 to 4 GPM; this will allow you to clean larger areas in less time.
Portable?
Depending on how high the areas of dirt are that you want to remove, or based on how large your garden is, it is likely that you may want to invest in a portable pressure washer. Although many people state that stand alone washers are more powerful, this is not true; they are also often difficult to store due to their size and weight, making maintenance of them another issue.
When picking a pressure washer, it may be easier to choose one that is portable but, before purchase, check the weight of the item first and make sure it is compatible with your individual abilities.
When picking a pressure washer, it may be easier to choose one that is portable but, before purchase, check the weight of the item first and make sure it is compatible with your individual abilities.
Accessories
This is where different brands and prices of pressure washers come into play; some brands of washer will come with a wide range of accessories to make the pressure washer more suited to use in different conditions, whereas others will require you to purchase the accessories separately.
If you need your pressure washer to clean the walls on the outside of your house, then you will obviously want an extender kit; does your potential washer come with one or do you have to spend more money to obtain one from the same brand?
Also, as odd as it sounds, many pressure washers come with attachable hoses to supply the machine with a constant stream of water and some don’t; depending on the type of pressure washer you buy, a hose is an integral part of the washer, so make sure that any accessories you need for the washer to work correctly come as standard.
Adjustable pressure
When you choose a pressure washer for your home, it is unlikely you will find a brand that only offers one pressure strength.
Many, if not all of the pressure washers available on the market come with adjustable settings, allowing you to clean stubborn stains on external brick work, to removing mud from the outside of your car. When selecting your washer, make sure that all the pressure settings it comes with are suitable to your individual cleaning needs; you don’t want to invest in one to clean your soiled bricks to discover that the pressure is too low!
Also, make sure that it is easy to adjust the pressure setting when you are using the washer; fewer things are more frustrating than having to stop and start multiple times during a cleaning session to fiddle with nozzles and pumps!
What we did
To test the pressure washers below, we examined the ease of use in relation to pressure strength, consistency of the pressure of the water jet and the accessories that they came with, to provide an all-around review of how easy these washers were to use.
Tested on our wooden patio, muddy brick work, stone and car exteriors, we explored the washer’s suitability for use on a variety of different surfaces.
We reviewed 5 of the most popular pressure washers available today, to see if they value for money and assessed their suitability for domestic use -here’s what we found out!
Kärcher K4
Coming with an LED display trigger gun, this washer also provides you with a 3 in 1 cleaner, designed to suit all your outdoor cleaning needs.
Easy to use due to the LED screen, you can quickly select the pressure level required for the cleaning job; no messing around with mixing detergents- they can be simply plugged into the machine and there is no contact with the skin. With a telescopic handle, this washer can reach new heights, eradicating the need for using a ladder or stool.
However, when used on a lower setting for cleaning cars, doors or windows, this washer is more prone to leaking. Its handle is not exactly the most structurally sound either, or, it can at times feel as though it is going to snap in your hand. For the high price of this washer, we expected more!
- LED display trigger gun
- Extendable aluminium handle makes transporting your pressure washer simple
- The high-pressure hose is stored at the back of the unit, making it easy to set up and store away
- 3 years manufacturers warranty
- Flow rate (l/h) - max. 420 . Max. water feed temperature (°C) - max. 40
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
WORX WG629E.1
A reasonably priced pressure cleaner with a sleeker look, this model is also battery operated and requires no bulky tank and is not mains operated; you can carry it anywhere! It can also draw water from any source, meaning no tedious returns to the kitchen tap.
It has an attachable longer lance, allowing you to clean areas that are difficult to reach, and it also allows you to change the angle of the water jet easily. There is variable pressure control to suit a wider range of jobs, that is easy to change and can even provide a jet soft enough to clean muddy dog paws!
However, when the extendable lance is attached, the pressure behind the jet drops; I investigated and found no kinks or damage, it just seems the pump used in this washer is not very strong.
- Portable water and cleaning device eliminates bulky hoses and cords
- 3-4 times more pressure than garden hose & nozzle
- Adjustable pressure settings: 0°, 25°, 40°, shower, mist,Charging Time 5 hours
- Dual system Design: Watering and power cleaning
- Variable pressure control. Max pressure (Low/High): 94/320 PSI
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Tracklife Pressure Washer, 160
A large and powerful washer that can clean a large area with ease, this washer is perfect for cleaning cars, walls and patios without hassle.
Built with multiple safety systems to prevent damage to the pump, motor and the user, this cleaner is easy to use and comes with adjustable pressure settings, allowing you to easily alternate between the jets without fuss; it has detergent tank, is easy to set up and, unlike other pressure washers, the strength of the flow does not wane; even after a tough clean of a wall, it is still going strong after 15 minutes!
But, with the extra power comes extra pressure on your hands; squeezing the trigger when the machine is vibrating so much is an unpleasant experience, requiring you to take extra breaks to massage the cramp out of your hand.
- 2000W copper motor and two strong special spraying Wands - Electric Pressure Washer Provide high pressure impulse of 160bar, and 2000W, 450 L/h.
- PA66 High pressure outlet pipe and quick inserting copper joint - The Tacklife jet power washer outlet pipe adopts PU surface layer and explosion-proof inner layer,
- Full control of trigger spray gun and TTS automatic shutdown system (full stop system)
- Humanized design - High-pressure washer built-in Soap dispenser, can take down cleaning, to avoid residual liquid corrosion machine.
- 100% quality assurance and complete accessories.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Wilks-USA RX550i
A very pricey washer that comes with a large variety of accessories, this machine has a handy built in set of wheels, making it easy to move around; sounds small, but when you are lugging litres of water around, it really takes the pressure off of your back!
With a high-pressure nozzle (that you can adjust), this machine aims to reduce cleaning time, and it does! Easy to connect to an external water supply and with a compartment for attaching the detergent to, this washer is simple to use and also comes equipped with a very long hose; allowing you to clean a wider area without restraint to the water source.
However, it has a built-in safety system to prevent the motor from overheating, which can limit how long you are able to use it for in one setting.
- 24 month warranty and free to call UK based technical support line
- The highest pressure electric washer on the market - 262 Bar (max)
- Heavy duty but easy to move with wheels, handle and on-board storage, perfect for cleaning your car, driveway, paving, home, decking and more
- Powerful air cooled, copper wound 3000W motor, built to the highest quality
- All accessories included - lance, gutter lance, 5 x varying nozzles, turbo wand, fixed washer brush, rotary brush and patio cleaner
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Bosch EasyAquatak 120
The cheapest of all these washers, this cleaner is very good value for money!
It has a variety of nozzles, comes with an extension pole and is small enough for easy storage in your shed. It is also surprisingly powerful, providing a more thorough clean than expected for the price. It is also energy efficient.
However, while it boasts being able to draw water from any source, it definitely seemed to struggle with this task; it needs to be attached to an outdoor tap but, oddly, comes without a suitable adapter, like a hose.
- Outstanding 120 bar cleaning performance in a compact, easy to use pressure washer
- Compact, portable design with a broad base for extra stability and storage for all accessories
- Simple push fit connections for quick and easy set up
- Includes variable power and rotary nozzles for deeper cleaning
- The high-pressure detergent nozzle reduces cleaning time by quickly applying the soap
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Our conclusion of the best Pressure Washer
If you have money to spare and can tolerate having hand cramp, it goes without saying that the Pressure Washer 160 is going to be great for you. It delivers a superior clean and provides a consistent pressure level, helping you to clean an area quickly and effectively.
Of course, if you are on a budget, I would recommend the Bosch washer; despite it coming without an adaptable hose, it is a fantastic machine for its price and truly delivers a clean that is equal (if not better) to some of the more expensive washers in this list.
