Whether you want to blast the dirt off your car, clear stubborn grease from a BBQ, or rid your patio of built-up muck, a pressure washer will make your life a whole lot easier. You can banish those unpleasant memories of hours spent scrubbing on your hands and knees – a few trigger-happy minutes is all it’ll take to remove troublesome stains and dirt. Here you’ll find our quick guide to buying the best pressure washer followed by our pick of the best models that you can currently buy.
If you can’t be bothered to read on and do your research – and you just want to get that patio/car/BBQ gleaming asap – then you’ll find our top two picks below. If, however, you want a little more info before splashing out, then check out our buying guide and in-depth reviews below.
Best pressure washers: Editor’s Picks
We think the best pressure washer on the market at the moment is the Karcher K4 Full Control. The combination of power, ease of use and an informative LCD Display means it's our overall pick, which works no matter what you’re trying to clean.
If your budget is a little less and you’re only looking to wash items at the smaller end of the scale, then we think the Makita HW111 is perfect for the job. It doesn’t quite have the same power as the Karcher, but this is a well-designed piece of kit that’s ideal for those annoying little jobs you’ve been putting off.
How to buy the best pressure washer for you
What type of pressure washer do I need?
There are two types of pressure washer on the market: electric and petrol-powered. The latter are generally for more heavy-duty cleaning tasks, have much higher maximum pressure readings and cost vastly more money. As such, for this list, we’re going to focus solely on electric pressure washers as they cover pretty much all the domestic cleaning tasks you could imagine.
What do you want to use your pressure washer for?
Pressure washers can generally be put into three categories, depending on their maximum pressure rating:
- Entry level cleaners are those with a maximum of 100 bar of pressure. These models are good for cleaning small items like bicycles or garden furniture.
- Pressure washers with 100-120 bars maximum are those at the mid level and are best used for cleaning the likes of fencing, patios and dirty cars.
- If you want some really heavy duty cleaning done, then go for a pressure washer with over 120 bars. If you’re tackling severely stained paving or mud-coated 4x4s, these are your best bet.
Maximum pressure is not the only way to assess whether that particular model is right for you. If the manufacturer includes it, look for the washer’s ‘bar-rated pressure’ as well. This is the average pressure that each washer can maintain over a long period.
What accessories do I need for different cleaning tasks?
Before you hit the Buy Now button, it pays to stop and check which tools are included: most pressure washers come in a variety of different bundles, all with different tools in the box, and the confusingly similar product names make it easy to buy the wrong one by mistake. If the hose is too short, perhaps you’ll need an extension wand? Maybe you need an angled wand to clean guttering? If you want to tackle specific cleaning tasks, such as cleaning patios or cars, then you’ll get the best results with brushes and nozzles that are purpose-built for the task at hand.
What other features do you need to consider?
Water flow rate is another specification that you’ll see cropping up. This indicates how much water is passed through the washer per hour. 400 litres per hour is about average. Clearly the more water that’s delivered the quicker you’ll get your cleaning done.
Another thing to consider is the hose length. It is possible to use an extension lead, but it’s essential that you use one which is rated to a suitable amperage (13 amps minimum) and suitable for outdoor use. Water and electricity aren’t the best of bedfellows.
There’s also the weight and size of the machine to think about. Some models come with retractable handles for easier storage and all of them on this list have wheels for portability.
How dangerous are pressure washers?
Pressure washers can be extremely dangerous, so always wear protective goggles, proper footwear – a jet of water against bare toes is going to result in a hospital visit – and never ever spray them at yourself or someone nearby. The high pressure water jets are capable of causing severe injuries to skin and soft tissue; these are anything but big boys’ toys.
The best pressure washers to buy
1. Karcher K4 Full Control Pressure Washer: The best pressure washer bar none
Price when reviewed:£159
Our friends at Auto Express gave this five stars last year and we’re certainly not going to disagree. Whether you’re looking to clean a car, a patio, some garden furniture or the inside of a wheelie bin its 130 bar pressure, Full Control trigger gun and LCD Display will have you covered. It will give you direct feedback on whether the pressure setting you’ve chosen is right for what you’re cleaning. It can then be regulated accordingly by twisting the Vario Power lance to the required position. Your cleaning will be limited by the 6 metre hose and some users have commented that the stiff trigger can be a little difficult to use. Make sure to buy the model with the right tools for the task at hand, though, as the K4 comes in a wide range of different bundles. Choose carefully, though, and this is a fantastic pressure washer.
Key Specs - Size (LxWxH): 39.7cm x 37 x 59; Weight: 11.4kg; Max pressure: 130; Water flow rate: 420; Hose length: 6m; Cable length: 5m; Cleaning area: 30m2 per hour; Motor power: 1800w
2. Bosch AQT 42-13 Electric Pressure Washer: The best for washing larger items
Price when reviewed:£219
Much like the Karcher, the Bosch is a 130 bar pressure washer, but this AQT model from Bosch is ideally suited for cleaning larger items. Despite its lightweight body, it's a feisty cleaner, blasting away dirt easily. There’s also a fold down telescopic handle for easier storage and the welcome addition of four nozzle accessories, including a fixed fan jet for cleaning large areas. This is by no means a perfect pressure washer – for instance, trying to re-coil the hose after washing is a real pain – but for actual cleaning quality this is hard to beat.
Key Specs - Size (LxWxH): 39.7cm x 33.6 x 78; Weight: 13kg; Max pressure: 130 bar; Water flow rate: 420; Hose length: 7m; Cable length: 5m; Cleaning area: N/A; Motor power: 1900w
3. Makita HW111: The best for washing smaller items
Price when reviewed:£138
This is a simple piece of kit from Makita that’s best used for smaller cleaning jobs. With 110 bar max pressure and 370 litres per hour flow rate, it can’t compete with the likes of the Bosch and the Karcher in this list – but what it lacks in power it makes up for in simplicity and ease-of-use. It only has a 5.5m hose and doesn’t come with quite the same amount of accessories as the more premium pressure washers, but for a no-frills pressure washer that’s well-designed and easy to use, this is asolid option.
Key Specs - Size (LxWxH): 43cm x 30.5 x 64.5; Weight: 13kg; Max pressure: 110 bar; Water flow rate: 370; Hose length: 5.5m; Cable length: 5m; Cleaning area: N/A; Motor power: 1700w
4. Nilfisk E140 3-9 X-Tra Pressure Washer: The best for build quality
Price when reviewed:£269
If price is no issue, then the Nilfisk E140 could be the pressure washer for you. Auto Express loved its build quality and consistency claiming that it “oozed quality”, and we’re certainly not ones to disagree. Not only is the hose nine metres long, but it’s also ani-kink which is a nice plus. The 140 bar max and 500 litres per hour will see you clean everything from cars to fencing quicker and more efficiently and as an added bonus you get a two-year warranty for some extra peace of mind. If there was one thing letting the E140 down it was that the clean wasn’t quite as comprehensive as the Karcher, but it’s still a top notch pressure washer.
Key Specs - Size (LxWxH): 34.5cm x 39.5 x 90; Weight: 18.6kg; Max pressure: 140 bar; Water flow rate: 500; Hose length: 9m; Cable length: 5m; Cleaning area: N/A; Motor power: 2100w