Best Pressure Washer 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Kärcher is possibly the best-known brand for pressure washers, and there are now more than seven models to choose from. The K4 is the best for most households, regarding price and functionality, without going overboard.

The feature we love the most is the LED display which lets you know the ideal pressure for the surface you are trying to clean. This comes in handy when changing between items or levels of dirt. Simply twist the spray lance to adjust the pressure.

There is also a stability foot on the bottom of the body, so it will remain where you put it, and you won’t risk toppling it over.

There is a water inlet filter to prevent any dirt particles from blocking the pump. Ideal for cleaning everything from barbecues to pavements to large vehicles, the aluminium telescopic hose makes transportation and storage easy.

Newer models from Kärcher aren’t really much different, especially if you’re just after something which can undertake regular cleaning tasks outside.

Included with this package is the Full Control trigger gun, Vario spray lance, Dirt Blaster spray lance, 1L 3-in-1 Stone Cleaner and T350 Patio Cleaner, which is great for the price.

Whether you need to water the flowers with a gentle shower or need the power to clean the patio, the WORX has 10x more power than an ordinary garden hose for a lot more flexibility.

Pressure washers often need to be connected up to a water source, which can be a pain if you don’t have an outdoor tap. But with the WORX, there is no water connection required apart from dropping the hose into a bucket of water. It is also powered by battery, so entirely portable. Perfect if you need to wash the car or have a generously-sized garden.

You can still connect it to a tap, though. There is a standard fitting on the Hydroshot so it should fit most standard designs. You have the flexibility to both attach to a water butt or just drop the hose into the water.

This package comes with the battery, charger, water hose, carry bag, lance, soap bottle, brush and foldable water bucket. We think is great value compared to the price of the washer alone.

If you want an appliance primarily to clean the patio and said patio is quite grimy, don’t expect the power of Karcher models or dedicated patio cleaners. It is more powerful than a hose but still lacks that extra burst. But if you’re going to be keeping on top of the cleaning, or want a product which can tackle all tasks, it is ideal.

The idea for the WORX range is that you can use the same rechargeable battery on every product across the range. So, if you’re looking to start up a collection of power tools, this could be a great place to start.

Nilfisk is another big name in the cleaning equipment industry, and again there are various models available. We have chosen the 135 bar as it means it is an excellent all-round product capable of tackling any surface in a medium-sized domestic environment.

Changing the chosen accessory is easy, just clicking to the lance and releasing with the press of a button. The aluminium pump is super reliable and long-lasting, yet lightweight.

Onboard accessory storage keeps everything in one place so you won’t risk losing or damaging anything. There is also a storage reel for the hose and electrical cables. The wheeled upright design makes transportation more manageable, and the resistant, recyclable casing protects the machine from any dirt or damage.

It comes with the Tornado and Powerspeed nozzles, for general cleaning and rinsing and more powerful, concentrated cleaning for stubborn dirt.

Other reviewers say it is much better than its Kärcher equivalent, the K4, and we’d have to say it has the edge too.

Coming a very closely called second place in our overall favourites list, this is a fantastic all-rounder for an incredibly reasonable price.

If you’re after something on the smaller side but just as powerful as its larger cousins, this is a great option. Spear & Jackson are well loved in the gardening community, but you aren’t just restricted to cleaning the garden patio with the S1810PW.

Included is a patio cleaner, variable lance, turbo lance and a fixed brush – meaning it is ideal for anything from patios to car wheels or conservatories. These can be stored away in the SnapShut compartment on board, protected from the elements and any damage or loss.

One of the most prominent design elements of this machine was its manoeuvrability. There are a long handle and hose, but there is also the ability to use it on its side with the help of the additional wheels so it can follow you round like a vacuum cleaner, as opposed to having to carry it everywhere.

The 150 bar pressure is so strong that it shouldn’t be used for brickwork or windows as they could be easily damaged, but it will happily sort out any other surface.

Even though it is very much at the lower end of the price scale for pressure washers, it doesn’t mean there is any less performance compared to a lot of its rivals.

It is a great, easy to lift and carry product perfectly capable of tackling most light to medium tasks. The coverage area of the spray is only small, so it wouldn’t be ideal for any large space or stubborn stains as it would be time-consuming, but it would be perfect if you need a quick blast every so often.

Having said this, it removes things like moss and algae from patios and cobblestones with ease. For the price, it is an incredibly effective product and worth giving a go if you’re sceptical about splashing out hundreds of pounds on a washer with only slightly better specifications.

Most regular pressure washers will also clean your car or bike perfectly well, but if you are looking for a product which is just for your vehicle, you are probably after something which is small, transportable, easy to manage and not so powerful that it will soak you in the process, too.

The Bosch EasyAquatak is small yet will tackle dirt comfortably, with a decent amount of pressure and power for its size – easily enough for removing mud. It is compact and incredibly lightweight, so is no trouble to move around or lift to reach those hard to reach places such as car roofs. The broad base will keep it stable even with maximum reaching.

There is an attachment to fit your soap detergent bottle to, as well as a dispenser for the nozzle. This makes cleaning your car easier, as the right amount of soap is used for the task and you can choose which detergent to use.

It comes with a Variable Fan Jet Nozzle, Rotary Nozzle, and High-Pressure Detergent Nozzle, but there are plenty of extra additions available for a really great price if needed, such as a wash brush and a 6m long hose extension. Although the standard hose is easy to direct with being short, it can be a bit annoying for higher areas.

You aren’t just restricted to car washing though – it will also clean small patio areas and garden furniture, too. And the most brilliant think is that you can buy a hose to use with it which can draw water from a bucket, water butt or can – look around online for this and make sure you read the priming instructions to get it to work.

With a high-pressure bar for its size, the Pico Power perfectly describes itself as small and mighty.

It has been designed to be moved around your home with ease, with Hozelock understanding that no two houses and outdoor areas are the same. You can carry it with the easy to grip fixed handle or wheel it behind you using the extendable one. This also keeps its storage size to a minimum.

The 6m hose is generous enough to help you out without restricting your movements. There are also plenty of attachments available so you can adapt it for your desired use, such as a patio cleaner head if you’d like to be able to use it for more than the car.

It is only slightly more expensive than the Bosch EasyAquatak 110, but a lot more powerful and adaptable, so the better choice if you want a product you can use to clean other things in the future.

Kärcher has been dealt the tasks of cleaning Nelson’s Column, the Space Needle and Mount Rushmore in the past, so there is no denying they know what they are doing. If you are after something which can easily take care of large areas, stubborn ground in dirt or merely give you all the choice and flexibility you would ever need, this is a winning option.

It is the most powerful in the Kärcher range, capable of cleaning anything that would possibly need cleaning in your home. You can change the pressure with the press of a button, and use the LED screen recommendation as a guide.

The 3-in-1 lance makes cleaning fast and easy, as it has the vario, dirt blaster & detergent settings all in one tool. So if you are washing your car and suddenly realise your patio needs a quick blast, there is no changing of accessories required.

Also included is a T450 tool for cleaning large areas of patios & decking, and a 1L stone & façade detergent.

Worried about storage space? The handle is telescopic, and there is storage for the cable, high-pressure gun and lances. The hose can be wound into the integrated hose reel after use, too.

Requiring no assembly and powerful enough for any application, the Nilfisk 150 is super easy to use.

A fan jet Tornado PR nozzle controls pressure regulation, and there is also an extension lance, dirtblaster lance (provides a concentrated blast of power to remove dirt), pressure adjustable lance (allows you to alter the level of water pressure to suit the task), and low-pressure gun included.

There is also a detergent bottle and foaming nozzle which attaches to the end of the lance. Because of this method, the detergent doesn’t have to be flushed out of the hose and gun after use.

All of the included standard attachments can be stored on the machine. The wheels make it easy to move about on level surfaces, which is good as it is on the heavy side.