6 Best Pressure Washers of 2024

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The Best Pressure Washers

best pressure washer uk

The Kärcher K5 Pressure Washer holds the top spot in our list of the UK’s best home pressure washers. We’ve extensively tested it, and it has the great combination of being easy to use, yet powerful. It’s versatility will also benefit a wide range of users, being able to clean stubborn dirty patios, yet gentle enough to use on your car. It’s a high-end piece of kit, so bear in mind it’s quite pricey. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative that still performs well, our testing shows the Kärcher K2 is the best value model to go for.

  1. Best home pressure washer - Kärcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer

  2. Best value Kärcher model - Kärcher K2 Power Control High-Pressure Washer

  3. Best budget pressure washer - Bosch EasyAquatak 120 Pressure Washer

  4. Best pro pressure washer - Kärcher K7 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer

  5. Best water pressure - Wilks-USA RX550i Electric Pressure Washer

  6. Best for small patios & decking - VonHaus Home Pressure Washer

Pressure Washer Reviews

Top Pick
  • The Plug n Clean system makes it so easy to use a detergent with this pressure washer
  • Has a 10m hose and a 5m cable, giving you plenty of reach
  • Has a pre-installed water filter to prevent internal damage
  • Comes with a long list of different attachments, making it incredibly versatile
  • Comes with a garden tap adaptor but also has a suction hose that can be used to draw up water from a bucket/container
  • Provides a good range of pressure - 20-140 bar - with 3 pressure settings, making it powerful enough for just about every domestic cleaning task
  • The Karcher app explains, in detail, how to use the pressure washer for different purposes

  • The hose kinks very easily while in use, increasing its chances of splitting
  • The LCD display on the trigger gun is more of a sleek gimmick than a functional feature
Water Pressure
145 bars
Flow Rate
500 l/h
Motor Power
2100W
Hose Length
8m
Weight
13.6kg
Overall Score 5Read In-depth Review
Design
5
Power
5
Ease of Use
5
Versatility
5
Value for Money
5

Thanks to the brand’s solid reputation, many people immediately turn to Karcher when looking for a new pressure washer. However, how do you choose between all of the different Karcher models available? And how does the Karcher K5 Power Control Car & Home Pressure Washer compare to the rest? That’s what I set out to find out…

While some Karcher pressure washers are pretty much ready to use straight out of the box, the K5 requires some assembly. This takes about 15 minutes, with the instructions making the task much easier. If you get stuck, download the Karcher app for more assembly guidance.

Karcher K5 Pressure Washer design

As you assemble the machine, you’ll start to notice a few of its innovative design features. From its pre-installed water filter to its Plug n Play detergent system (insert the shampoo bottle and the pressure washer will automatically mix this through with water before releasing it in its jet), this machine has been designed in a way that makes life so much more convenient for the user.

In terms of power, the Karcher K5 provides a pressure range of 20-140 bar. The maximum is sufficient for just about all domestic cleaning tasks, and the water-cooled motor means that you can run it continuously for long periods without dealing with overheating.

Of course, what matters most is performance, and this pressure washer gets the job done well. It effortlessly cleared my 4×4 of several weeks of deeply embedded farm dirt, with the three different pressure settings enabling me to properly customise the clean. The many attachments included with this pressure washer certainly boost its performance. Between the variety of lances and the rotating wash brush that was able to get into even the smallest of crevices, this pressure washer is able to deliver a professional-looking finish.

Kärcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer cleaning garden furniture

It looks and feels the part too – with a telescopic handle and dedicated areas to clip in the attachments, both moving and storing this machine is easy. At 12.9kg, it’s sturdy enough to stay upright while it’s in use, although the 10m hose saves you from having to move it around much. The only downside was that the hose easily kinks. It may be steel-reinforced, but you’ll still need to be careful with it to prevent it from splitting.

When it comes to versatility, the K5 really shines. The range of attachments, including the surface cleaner for patios, make this machine suitable for a variety of different tasks, while the pressure washer’s ability to suck water up from a container means that you can use it in areas that don’t have an outdoor water supply. It can be used with hot water too – up to 40°C.

Kärcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer cleaning patio

For many, the main downside to this machine would be its price. If versatility isn’t a priority for you, then there are cheaper products out there that offer a similar amount of pressure. With that said, most of those are also lacking when it comes to design features and ease of use – if you’re someone who appreciates quality, innovation, and the ability to customise your clean, then the Karcher K5 Power Control Car and Home Pressure Washer is worth spending on, especially since it comes with so many added extras.

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Good Value
  • The Kärcher K2 is very easy to assemble - you'll be up and running in about 5 minutes
  • The water pressure options are great for a variety of cleaning tasks
  • There's a wide array of Kärcher accessories which you can add on, making it extremely versatile
  • It's not too noisy, so won't disturb your neighbours too much!
  • It's easy to move around, and easy to use

  • You'll possibly need to use it with an extension lead, as the cable is only 5m long
  • For more heavy duty, industrial cleaning jobs, you'll probably want one of the more powerful options on this page
Water Pressure
110 bar
Flow Rate
360 l/h
Motor Power
1400 W
Hose Length
5m
Weight
3.99kg
Overall Score 4.6Read In-depth Review
Design
5
Power
4
Ease of Use
5
Versatility
4
Value for Money
5

If you’re a fan of Kärcher pressure washers, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Kärcher K2 Power Control High-Pressure Washer is certainly worth considering. It’s a model we know very well, having extensively tested it over the last few years.

What I find most impressive is it’s versatility. If your patio or paving needs a deep clean, the 110 bar jet is powerful enough to lift dirt, algae and black spots. But if you also want give your car a quick hosing down, the softer 20 bar spray will do the trick without the worry of damaging your paintwork.

Design-wise it’s compact, easy to move around and not too noisy. Plus the iconic Kärcher branding makes you feel that you’re using a reliable piece of kit that will last many years.

When you combine its ability to clean with the attractive price-point, it’s easy to see why the K2 is such a popular budget model for UK households. For the majority of our readers, this model would make a great choice.

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Budget Pick

3. Bosch EasyAquatak 120 Pressure Washer

Best budget pressure washer

best pressure washer Bosch EasyAquatak 120 Pressure Washer
  • Variable nozzle makes it quick to change between settings without detaching/reattaching anything
  • Very lightweight pressure washer at 4 kg - easy to move around/lift/carry
  • Because of compact design with no wheels, can be stored on a shelf
  • Powerful enough to clean grime and algae from walls and wash car
  • Metal connectors on the hose are generally considered more durable than plastic ones

  • The mains lead may be a little short in some situations - some users recommend purchasing the extension hose or using with extension cable.
  • The hose doesn't store very easily on the unit.
  • The instructions are not very informative and can leave a few things open to interpretation.
  • Requires additional purchase of Bosch self priming kit to be able to use non-tap water source.
Water Pressure
120 bars
Flow Rate
300 l/h
Motor Power
1500W
Hose Length
5m
Weight
4kg
Overall Score 4.3Read In-depth Review
Design
4.5
Power
4
Ease of Use
4
Versatility
4.5
Value for Money
4.7

The Bosch EasyAquatak 120 is powerful yet compact, owning a niche in the market as a very lightweight pressure washer.

Weighing just 4 kg, it would be easy to not expect much from this little machine; however, Bosch have in fact created a small pressure washer that can still dish out 120 bars of pressure and clean for hours.

Bosch-EasyAquatak-120-High-Pressure-Washer-Review-design

With many pressure washers it can be very time consuming and annoying to have to keep moving the heavy base unit around whilst in the middle of a task. Yet, with the Easy Aquatak 120 this isn’t such a problem;. I’d say it’s the best pressure washer in terms of portability due to its light weight. It’s even possible to be useful as a handheld pressure washer – you can even carry it with you as you go.

The only thing that slightly hinders this is the relatively short mains cable. Using an extension lead or buying a hose extension can provide a bit more flexibility.

The design of this unit is a bit different. It’s made with a low centre of gravity so it looks pretty quirky, but this design stops it toppling over. This pressure washer features a wide base that means you can tug it and it won’t fall down like the majority of washers. You can even set this Bosch pressure washer on a table, or store it on a shelf, and it won’t fall off easily.

In general, the Aquatak 120 pressure washer is pretty powerful, capable of clearing moss and algae from walls and cleaning cars. It might not have the super patio cleaning strength of some other models, but it will do a good job to tackle the majority of grime.

This pressure washer can draw water from either a garden hose or an unpressurised source (bucket, water bottle, etc.), but you do need to buy a separate ‘Bosch self-priming kit’ to use the latter function.

When it comes to accessories, the pressure washer comes with several useful nozzles. There is a fixed fan jet nozzle for basic cleaning, a rotary nozzle for dirt in hard-to-reach places, and a high-pressure detergent nozzle to blast away built-up grime. All the accessories store on the pressure washer itself. Having all the accessories easily to hand is a real time saver, and they simply click in and out of place when required.

Due to its weight, this is the best pressure washer if you want a light, easy-to-use model. It provides a decent amount of cleaning power for cleaning cars and patios, it just doesn’t quite have the strength to ‘write in the dirt’ like some models.

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Pro Pick
  • This pressure washer is almost already fully assembled, meaning that you can get it up and running in just a couple of minutes
  • Its pressure range is 20-180 bar, with its maximum being higher than most other home pressure washers
  • Its Plug n Clean detergent system makes life so much more convenient, although you can only use Karcher detergent bottles for this
  • Pressure can be adjusted via the buttons on the trigger gun, giving you a greater degree of control than other pressure washers do
  • Has a boost function, which gives you an extra 15 bar of pressure for hard-to-clean areas
  • Can handle water that’s up to 60°C in temperature, which is hotter than most other home pressure washers can tolerate
  • Has a pre-installed water filter to prolong the life of the machine
  • The 10m hose and 5m cable give you plenty of room to work
  • Comes with both a garden tap adaptor as well as a suction hose, meaning that you can use it just about anywhere!
  • Has a wind-up hose reel that makes tidying up much less frustrating
  • Karcher has an app available that provides step-by-step guidelines on how to use this machine for various tasks

  • While the bluetooth connectivity, along with the ability to adjust the machine’s pressure via your phone, seems clever, it’s actually pretty pointless as it will always be much easier and faster to use the buttons on the gun for this
  • This is quite a heavy machine - some may struggle to lift it up steps or in and out of a car
  • Very loud - you wouldn’t be able to use it for long periods of time if you have nearby neighbours (unless you’re prepared for complaints!)
  • Doesn’t come with many attachments, although you can purchase these separately
Water Pressure
180 bars
Flow Rate
550 l/h
Motor Power
2800W
Hose Length
10m
Weight
17.7kg
Overall Score 4.6Read In-depth Review
Design
5
Power
5
Ease of Use
5
Versatility
4
Value for Money
4

Karcher’s range of home pressure washers varies to quite an extent, going from basic and budget-friendly to top-of-the-line and high-tech, which is where the Karcher K7 Premium Smart Control Home Pressure Washer sits. 

Thanks to how most of the product is already assembled in the box, this pressure washer impresses from the get-go. You simply need to connect up the lance, gun, and hose before you’re ready to get started – most other models require you to attach handles, wheels, reels, and more.

Kärcher K7 Pressure Washer design

The fact that this product has been professionally assembled perhaps adds to how sturdy and stable it feels. All of its parts are high-quality too, including the 10m hose, which is reinforced with steel for extra durability. I had no complaints about the design of this machine – from its Plug n Clean detergent system to its suction hose, it has clearly been designed with great thought and innovation.

There’s quite a bit about this pressure washer that sets it apart from its competition, but where it really excels is in water pressure. With a 20-180 bar pressure range, this pressure washer is far more powerful than any other home pressure washer I’ve used, and you can definitely feel this when you’re using it.

As you can imagine, this means that the pressure washer performs exceptionally well. With that amount of pressure, there’s nothing around the average home and garden that this machine wouldn’t be able to clean, especially with the addition of the boost function to give you an extra 15 bar of pressure. The Plug n Clean detergent system worked impressively well too – the convenience of being able to slot a shampoo bottle in rather than having to fill (and refill) a separate container helps to get the job done much more efficiently.

While some may find this pressure washer to be on the heavy side (it officially weighs 17.76kg, but feels heavier when there’s water running through it), this gives it great stability when it’s in use – there’s no chance of it falling over and scratching your car! That said, when you do need to move it, the telescopic handle and sturdy wheels make manoeuvring this machine feel almost effortless.

This isn’t the most versatile pressure washer that I’ve used, primarily because of its lack of attachments. It does come with a patio cleaning attachment, along with a bottle of patio cleaner, but that’s it. However, it’s compatible with Karcher’s range of pressure washer attachments, so you could always purchase these separately. Plus, the fact that this machine comes with a suction hose and can be used with water that’s 60°C helps to widen its range of potential uses.

Kärcher K7 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer cleaning patio

As you can imagine, all of that power comes at a cost, making this one of Karcher’s most expensive home pressure washers. Its bluetooth connectivity features probably play a big part in its high price too, although this feels like more of a gimmick since it’s highly unlikely that you would ever need to control your pressure washer from your phone, especially since you’ll already be holding the trigger gun, along with its control buttons, in your other hand.

In my opinion, this pressure washer isn’t designed for the average home user. Its biggest appeal is how it shoots out 180 bar of pressure, which is a little more than the average home user would need. However, if your cleaning tasks are on the heavy-duty side, then the Karcher K7 Premium Smart Control Pressure Washer really shines. Its power and efficiency make it perfectly suited for intensive work – if you have a few jobs in mind that other home pressure washers are struggling to tackle, then the K7 is what you need!

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  • Pressure washer unit feels very robust and has metal fittings, not plastic
  • Comes with two hoses - the pressure is still maintained through the extra long one and unit doesn't have to be moved as much
  • The wheels help to move the unit around on flat surfaces
  • For this price paid it has a good amount of 'extras' included
  • Powerful enough to remove moss, algae, and stains from patio

  • The included instructions are rather brief and could be clearer
  • The hose supplied is quite stiff and can be prone to kinking
  • The patio cleaner attachment isn't strong enough to tackle a really grimy patio
  • A lot heavier than most pressure washers and is challenging to lift/carry
  • Not as powerful as the Kärcher K7 pressure washer (for some people, this might be a positive)
Water Pressure
262 bars
Flow Rate
510 l/h
Motor Power
3000W
Hose Length
26m
Weight
30kg
Overall Score 4.3Read In-depth Review
Design
4.3
Power
4.4
Ease of Use
4.3
Versatility
4.6
Value for Money
4

For a powerful pressure washer at a reasonable price, the Wilks-USA RX550i Electric Pressure Washer is one of the best pressure washers to consider. It’s up there with the most powerful washers, yet doesn’t cost quite as much.

Offering 155 bars of continuous pressure, it isn’t quite as strong as the Kärcher K7 pressure washer (which works at 160 bars), but it comes pretty close. For this reason it’s well suited to domestic use.

Wilks-USA-RX550i-Pressure-Washer-Review-performance

This Wilks-USA pressure washer can also achieve a maximum pressure of 262 bar with its first burst of water, which is extremely powerful. However, it isn’t capable of producing this level of pressure continuously, so it’s more realistic to call it a 155-bar pressure washer.

There are also several accessories included – certainly more than come with most machines – which helps it achieve the accolade of best value pressure washer. The accessories include: brush-head attachments, various nozzles, and an additional extra-long 26 m hose. The extra hose is easy to attach to the pressure washer when the standard 8 m hose isn’t long enough, meaning tasks can be completed without even having to move the pressure washer unit.

A noticeable downside of the Wilks-USA RX550i pressure washer is its weight. Weighing 30 kg, it’s not very practical to move around. This weight makes the included extra-long hose seem more of a necessity than a bonus – to be used instead of moving the pressure washer itself. Fortunately, it does have wheels, so over a flat surface it can be rolled fairly easily.

By using the different nozzles, jets and lances, this pressure washer can clean gutters and cars, and even strip moss, algae and grime from paving slabs. In fact, the finest jet is so powerful that it can visibly ‘write’ on grubby driveways.

However, the included patio cleaner attachment is not particularly efficient. If you’ve got heavy stains to remove, you’ll be better off using some of the included nozzles instead.

There is also an on-board detergent tank for mixing in the solution whilst you’re spraying, and all of the accessories store neatly on the pressure washer too. This includes the hose, which can be wound onto the washer as well.

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6. VonHaus Home Pressure Washer

Best for small patios & decking

best pressure washer VonHaus Home Pressure Washer
  • Powerful enough to remove mould and stains from paving
  • Can be used to clean bikes, cars and motorcycles without causing damage
  • The mains cable is long enough that you likely won't need an extension to clean the patio
  • Adjustable nozzle allows you to adjust width of spray whilst you work

  • The detergent bottle empties quite quickly so should be diluted to avoid wasting product
  • Storage isn't that neat as there isn't place to store accessories on the unit itself
  • The snow foam lance is not very efficient for cleaning the car and is not adjustable
  • Can make quite a lot of noise, especially when releasing trigger, so you may not want to use it early morning/evening
Water Pressure
90 bar
Flow Rate
330 l/h
Motor Power
1600W
Hose Length
5m
Weight
5.8kg
Overall Score 3.9Read In-depth Review
Design
4
Power
3.5
Ease of Use
4
Versatility
4
Value for Money
4

For a compact pressure washer that is budget friendly, yet still capable of lifting dirt from the patio, the VonHaus Home Pressure Washer is a great option to consider. It has a flow rate of 330 L/h and 90 bar pressure.

It works at 1600 W which helps get cleaning done quickly, despite having the lowest bar pressure featured here. The adjustable spray nozzle also assists cleaning, allowing you to easily change from a concentrated jet to wider spray, depending on the task at hand.

VonHaus-1600W-Pressure-Washer-Review-versatility

Including a 5 m hose and 5 m power cable, this pressure washer permits a reasonable reach, although it’s not as flexible as some. For a small patio, or standard driveway, this is one of the best pressure washers on the market.

If you do need to pick this pressure washer up, it only weighs 6.8 kg so is easy to move without difficulty. It also has a secure carry handle, so you can even carry the pressure washer around with you as you work, if you prefer.

Whilst not the most powerful machine, this budget pressure washer still works well to spruce up the patio, clean decking, and hose down garden furniture. It will also do a good job cleaning the car, but you may wish to apply detergent directly to the surface first. Although this VonHaus pressure washer has a detergent tank, it’s quite a thirsty machine; it uses up the detergent mix quickly when the soap is connected to the lance.

Given that this is a budget option, there aren’t as many ‘thoughtful touches’ on this machine as with more premium pressure washers. For example, it isn’t possible to store the accessories on board, and the mains cable doesn’t always store perfectly neatly over the plastic hook.

Yet, even so, the VonHaus pressure washer offers good value, keeping things simple whilst providing enough power to be a decent pressure washer. In my opinion, it’s the best pressure washer for small patios and gardens, and a great budget pressure washer too.

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Product Testers

Landscape Gardener
Garden Maintenance Expert

We tested various vastly different pressure washer models in terms of their design, power, ease of use, versatility and value for money. We also assessed each model’s portability and extra features as additional tests. Here’s how we tested these key aspects of each pressure washer:

  • Design: As design is such a fundamental element of a pressure washer’s usefulness, we tested the durability of the models’ overall designs as well as the materials each part was made from. Models that felt sturdy and stable and were made from high-quality materials were ranked higher than those that felt flimsy. Hoses reinforced with steel and metal fittings, for example, were rated highly for their durability.
  • Power: The average home user needs a pressure washer with around 120 – 135+ bar pressure (or 1,800 – 2,000 PSI). So, if models performed below this, they were given a lower rating. We also tested the power settings and deemed models with a wider variety of settings more suitable for performing an array of tasks, such as washing your car (around 20 bar pressure) and cleaning tricky grime (150+ bar pressure).
  • Ease of Use: The first test was to identify whether the model was already assembled and, if it wasn’t, how long it took to assemble and the ease of this. As most models come partially assembled, we deemed assembly times longer than 10 minutes too long. Hose lengths of at least 10 metres were rated as easier to use, as this length is suitable for a range of garden sizes and garden jobs. Cables of less than 5 metres were marked down, as they may require an extension cable to use, particularly in medium or large-sized gardens.
  • Versatility: When testing the versatility of the pressure washers, we checked the attachments that came with them. The main attachments that the average user requires are a fan jet nozzle, a high-pressure detergent nozzle, and a rotary nozzle for tricky spots. If models didn’t have these attachments, they were ranked down in terms of versatility. Some models didn’t come with additional attachments, but these were available at an additional cost, which we also factored into our ranking.
  • Value for Money: Our tests regarding value for money consisted of checking whether the quality of the materials the models were made from and the range of settings, attachments, and extra features matched up with the price point. If, when we tested, we noticed that a model wasn’t affordable for the average user or its features didn’t match up with its price, this was rated down.
  • Portability: As we often have to move pressure washers from place to place, we tested the portability and weight of each model. Models below 10 kg were rated as particularly portable. Any model exceeding 15 kg was considered too heavy for the average user to easily move around. If a model was on the heavier side, we looked for other features to improve portability, like wheels or good-quality handles.
  • Extra Features: Some models had extra features, such as an easy-to-use detergent system and a boost function. We were particularly impressed with these, as the features not only improved the versatility of the pressure washers but also their ease of use. As a result, they were marked higher than those with just bog-standard features.

How DIY Garden Test Pressure Washers

Derek's Smart Buying Tips

  1. The first thing to consider is the amount of pressure you need. For jobs around the home, a mains-powered pressure washer will be suitably powerful – there’s no need to mess with petrol models.
  2. For cleaning mould and stubborn dirt from driveways, patios and decking, you’ll need a pressure washer with around 120 – 135 bar pressure. Otherwise, for most other cleaning tasks (washing wheelie bins, garden furniture, bikes etc.) 100 bar should suffice.
  3. When it comes to car cleaning, look for a lower pressure setting of around 80 bar. Using as low a pressure as possible will avoid damaging paintwork and causing rust.
  4. To achieve the typical power associated with power washers, you’ll want a mains-powered unit between 2000 – 3000 W. Less powerful pressure washers will still be suitable for most cleaning tasks, but they may not shift deep-seated dirt. Battery-powered pressure washers lack the same power, which is why I haven’t included any in this list. They’re better for gentle cleaning tasks, like washing down muddy bikes after a day out.
  5. To make it easier to complete a range of jobs, you’ll want a pressure washer with an adjustable spray nozzle. This will offer at least a fan spray, wide spray and jet spray option. Look for additional accessories if you want a more versatile tool. For example, angled lances can help with clearing gutters, and patio-cleaning attachments can clean flagstones whilst protecting the grouting.
  6. The best pressure washers will have a range of compatible accessories available, meaning additional tools can be purchased at a later date if necessary.

Compare Product Features

Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature you want to see.

  • Kärcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer
    best pressure washer Kärcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer
    • 5
    • 145 bars
    • 500 l/h
    • 2100W
    • 8m
    • 13.6kg
  • Kärcher K2 Power Control High-Pressure Washer
    best pressure washer Kärcher K 2 Power Control high pressure washer
    • 4.6
    • 110 bar
    • 360 l/h
    • 1400 W
    • 5m
    • 3.99kg
  • Bosch EasyAquatak 120 Pressure Washer
    best pressure washer Bosch EasyAquatak 120 Pressure Washer
    • 4.3
    • 120 bars
    • 300 l/h
    • 1500W
    • 5m
    • 4kg
  • Kärcher K7 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer
    best pressure washer Kärcher K7 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer
    • 4.6
    • 180 bars
    • 550 l/h
    • 2800W
    • 10m
    • 17.7kg
  • Wilks-USA RX550i Electric Pressure Washer
    best pressure washer Wilks USA RX550i Electric Pressure Washer
    • 4.3
    • 262 bars
    • 510 l/h
    • 3000W
    • 26m
    • 30kg
  • VonHaus Home Pressure Washer
    best pressure washer VonHaus Home Pressure Washer
    • 3.9
    • 90 bar
    • 330 l/h
    • 1600W
    • 5m
    • 5.8kg

Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Pressure Washer

When selecting a pressure washer, it’s crucial to consider key features that contribute to its overall performance and ease of use. Some of the most important aspects to consider include:

  • Pressure output
  • Water flow rate
  • Hose length
  • Available accessories

In the following paragraphs, we’ll dive deeper into each of these factors to help you make an informed decision when choosing the best pressure washer for your needs.

Pressure Output and Water Flow Rate

Pressure Output and Water Flow Rate

Pressure output, measured in PSI, and water flow rate, measured in L/hr, are critical factors in determining the cleaning power of a pressure washer.

Ideally, an electric washer should have a pressure range between 1,800 and 2,000 psi for optimal performance.

The water flow rate affects the speed and efficiency of the cleaning process, with higher L/hr rates resulting in faster cleaning but higher running costs.

To compare the performance of two pressure washers, you can look at their cleaning units (CU), which takes both pressure output and water flow rate into account. By considering these factors, you can select a pressure washer with the right balance of power and efficiency for your outdoor cleaning tasks.

Hose Length and Storage

Pressure Washer Hose Length and Storage

Hose length and storage options play a significant role in the user convenience and ease of use of a pressure washer.

A longer hose allows for greater reach, making it easier to clean large areas or hard-to-reach spots. However, managing a long hose can be challenging, and having a reel to keep the hose under control when not fully extended is essential.

When choosing a pressure washer, look for models with big wheels, a metal spray wand, and effective hose and cord storage. Additionally, opt for metal fittings over cheaper plastic ones to ensure durability and longevity.

Working to a tight budget? Check out The Best Pressure Washers Under ÂŁ100

Tips for Safe and Effective Pressure Washing

Using a pressure washer safely and effectively is essential for achieving optimal cleaning results. In this section, we’ll provide expert advice on:

  • Proper technique
  • Maintaining a safe distance from the surface being cleaned
  • Using the right pressure and nozzle
  • Maintaining and storing your pressure washer.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your pressure washing tasks are both safe and efficient.

Proper Technique and Distance

Pressure Washing Proper Technique and Distance

Using the correct pressure washing technique is crucial for preventing damage to surfaces and achieving effective cleaning results. To begin:

  1. Wear protective clothing
  2. Use the appropriate nozzle for the task at hand
  3. Start from a distance and gradually move closer to the surface until the pressure is just right
  4. Use a sweeping motion while cleaning
  5. Avoid pointing the pressure washer at yourself or others

Maintaining a safe distance from the surface being cleaned is essential to prevent damage and ensure effective cleaning.

Always keep the nozzle at least 12 inches away from the surface, and adjust the distance as needed for different cleaning tasks.

Using the Right Pressure and Nozzle

Using the Right Pressure and Nozzle

Selecting the appropriate pressure setting and nozzle type is critical to prevent damage to surfaces and ensure effective cleaning.

Different nozzles are designed for specific cleaning tasks, and it’s essential to choose the right one for your cleaning job.

Maintenance and Storage

Proper maintenance and storage of your pressure washer are crucial for ensuring its longevity and performance. Regular maintenance tasks include:

  • Draining and refilling the oil
  • Checking the water inlet screen
  • Cleaning the nozzle
  • Inspecting connections
  • Examining the cleaning detergent injection tube and filter

When storing your pressure washer, ensure that it’s kept in a dry and protected area to prevent damage from moisture and other elements.

Common Pressure Washer FAQs

In our experience, Karcher pressure washers are worth the money. They consistently perform the best when we test them and we actually believe they represent good value for money considering their performance, features and longevity.

Our top recommended pressure washer for home use is the Karcher K5 model. However the Karcher K2 is also a very good alternative that’s also cheaper.

Our top recommended pressure washer for block paving is the Karcher K2. Because block paving often attracts moss and debris, it’s important that you choose a pressure washer that has good adjustable power settings. You don’t want to spray too hard on block paving, as the dirt will be flying everywhere! The K2 is a great model for this and is well worth your consideration.

Yes. You can use pressure washers to wash the car (and you can be sure that it will do a great job as well!). The best pressure washer for car cleaning will have under 130 bar pressure. Pressure higher than 130 could start to strip the paint.

Always be vigilant when using a pressure washer to clean the car. Keep an eye on the paint to make sure it is not getting damaged.

Yes, pressure washers work extremely effectively even without detergent. The benefit of detergent is that it can help kill germs and bacteria, and create more of a shine. If you’re cleaning mouldy areas, you should consider using detergent to kill the mould spores and stop them spreading.

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