Pressure washers are one of the most adaptable tools a person can own. They produce a powerful jet of water that will clean dirt, mould and mildew from your windows, bikes, cars, driveways and even the exterior of your house if they’re strong enough!
Yet, choosing the right washer for you can be difficult. How much bar pressure do you actually need? Should you choose petrol or gas? And do you require hot water functions? To help you answer these questions and more, we've created an easy-to-follow buying guide. We've even included a ranking list of our top 10 favourites in the UK from Amazon, John Lewis, Argos and eBay.
Here, we’ll take a look at the different styles of pressure washers available; discussing the most important factors such as pressure power, what nozzles to look for and the various other aspects that are well worth considering when making your choice.
The first choice you'll have to make is whether you want a petrol or electric pressure washer. We’ll take a look at both types individually, to help you assess their specific pros and cons.
Petrol washers quickly clean large areas and driveways, as they deliver higher power pressure. The higher pressure means that the nozzle can be set at a wider angle to clean just as well as an electric model on a narrower angle. If you're unsure what that means, we’ll discuss more about nozzles in a moment.
The downside is that these pressure washers are far larger and noisier, so your neighbours may not appreciate them as much as an electric option. As this style is generally used for larger properties or commercial use, it’ll probably be overkill for most homes. Further, they will require regular tune-ups and care.
Looking for more petrol-powered equipment for your garden? Take a look at lawnmowers and cordless grass trimmers.
Without a doubt, the best bet for most UK homes will be an electric pressure washer as they are generally lighter and quieter than petrol options. These work perfectly on decks and patios, outdoor furniture and other smaller cleaning jobs that don't require stain removal.
The only real negative is that they have lower water pressure, so it will take you longer to get things clean. The main reason they’re lighter than petrol models too is that they tend to be made from less durable and robust materials, often switching out metals for plastics.
Electric-powered hedge trimmers and chainsaws are also brilliant tools to keep your environment in pristine condition, too!
The pressure a washer can maintain is indicated by the ‘Bar’ measurement. Each model will have a standard running bar and a maximum bar. However, we’ll be focussing on the maximum bar as it’s at this pressure that you'll be tackling the toughest of stains, splotches and blotches.
Firstly, identify what you plan on cleaning, as this will determine how much pressure you need. Generally speaking, the lowest bar pressure you’ll require is around 90 - 130 bar. This is best for use on objects such as outdoor furniture, grills, vehicles and smaller decks or patios.
35 – 195 bar is considered medium-duty and is the best bar pressure for home or light commercial use. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a commercial-sized machine for cleaning warehouses or the exterior of a large barn, then you’ll want to look for a washer that's capable of producing 200 bars or more.
Pressure washer nozzles direct the spray at different angles - these are generally 15°, 25° and 40°. The wider the angle, the less concentrated the power will be through the nozzle, therefore, the lower the number, the better it will be for tougher jobs.
All-in-one nozzles allow you to change the spray width or pattern by simply twisting the top. These are more convenient as they don't need to be replaced or removed, which will save you time. That said, replaceable nozzles have their benefits too as they give you more flexibility with spray patterns and angles.
When choosing a pressure washer, look if the machine has cold or hot water pressure options. The chances are you’ll only need cold water because you’re unlikely to be cleaning things that require sterilisation as well. However, if you’re cleaning industrial or farm spaces, then the hot water function may come in handy.
Note that cleaning at high temperatures can be complicated and potentially dangerous. However, if you are already confident in pressure washing with hot water and this is something you require, be sure to check the maximum temperature as it can range anywhere between 40 - 50 °C depending on the model.
Finally, you’ll want to check the portability of your purchase. These days, many pressure washers come with wheels so they can be easily carted around. However, this isn’t always the case, so if you have a fair bit of ground to cover, this may be an important feature to look for.
Regardless of whether it has wheels or not, you’ll want to check the length of the hose and cable. Most average UK gardens measure around 15 metres squared, so unless it's a cordless model, you’ll need to make sure it's long enough to reach where you need it to!
Now that you’re imagining your gleaming house or car, it's time to take a look at our top 10 selection. From monstrous machines powerful enough to clean mansions to your everyday neighbourhood-friendly blaster, we have something for every household!
£80.00
Petrol / Electric | Electric |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 125 |
Nozzle | 2 replaceable options |
Hot Water | Yes |
Wheels | Yes |
Cord Length | 5 m hose, 5 m cable |
Weight | 6.4 kg |
£149.99
Petrol / Electric | Electric |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 165 |
Nozzle | 3 replaceable options |
Hot Water | - |
Wheels | Yes |
Cord Length | 5 m hose, 5 m cable |
Weight | 9.7 kg |
TX625
£289.99
Petrol / Electric | Petrol |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 272 |
Nozzle | 5 replaceable options |
Hot Water | Yes |
Wheels | Yes |
Cord Length | 8 or 12 m hose (no cable) |
Weight | 32 kg |
£239.00
Petrol / Electric | Electric |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 130 |
Nozzle | All-in-one |
Hot Water | Yes |
Wheels | Yes |
Cord Length | 6 m hose, 5 m cable |
Weight | 11.4 kg |
£80.00
Petrol / Electric | Electric |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 100 |
Nozzle | 2 replaceable options |
Hot Water | Yes |
Wheels | - |
Cord Length | 3 m hose, 5 m cable |
Weight | 5.8 kg |
£84.99
Petrol / Electric | Electric |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 120 |
Nozzle | 3 replaceable options |
Hot Water | Yes |
Wheels | - |
Cord Length | 5 m hose, 5 m cable |
Weight | 4 kg |
£150.84
Petrol / Electric | Electric |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 110 |
Nozzle | All-in-one |
Hot Water | Yes |
Wheels | Yes |
Cord Length | 4 m hose, 5 m cable |
Weight | 6.8 kg |
W3100VA
£369.00
Petrol / Electric | Petrol |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 213 |
Nozzle | 3 replaceable options |
Hot Water | - |
Wheels | Yes |
Cord Length | 7.5 m hose, (no cable) |
Weight | 27.6 kg |
S2011PW
£160.00
Petrol / Electric | Electric |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 160 |
Nozzle | 3 replaceable options |
Hot Water | Yes |
Wheels | Yes |
Cord Length | 7 m hose, 7 m cable |
Weight | 13 kg |
Gen 2
£254.32
Petrol / Electric | Electric |
---|---|
Maximum Bar Pressure | 20 |
Nozzle | All-in-one |
Hot Water | Yes |
Wheels | Yes |
Cord Length | 4 m hose, (no cable) |
Weight | - |
Image | 1 ![]() Nilfisk | 2 ![]() VonHaus | 3 ![]() Wilks USA | 4 ![]() Kärcher | 5 ![]() McGregor | 6 ![]() Bosch | 7 ![]() Kärcher | 8 ![]() Waspper | 9 ![]() Spear & Jackson | 10 ![]() Bosch |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Core 125 | Pressure Washer With Accessories | Petrol Pressure Washer | K4 Power Control Pressure Washer | Pressure Washer | Easy Aquatak High Pressure Washer | K2 Full Control Pressure Washer | Petrol Pressure Washer | Pressure Washer | Fontus Cordless Outdoor Leisure Cleaner |
Features | A Top Quality Pressure Washer at a Reasonable Price | A Dependable Model With Useful Accessories | High Power Cleaning From a Very Sturdy Machine | An All-Rounder That's Ideal for the Average Household | For Those on a Tight Budget | Small, Compact and Incredibly Lightweight | A Brilliant Tool for Those New to the Game | A Pressure Washer That Is Built to Last | Helps You Clean Even Those Hard to Reach Places | Choose Freedom With This Cordless Model |
Price | £80.00 | £149.99 | £289.99 | £239.00 | £80.00 | £84.99 | £150.84 | £369.00 | £160.00 | £254.32 |
Petrol / Electric | Electric | Electric | Petrol | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Petrol | Electric | Electric |
Maximum Bar Pressure | 125 | 165 | 272 | 130 | 100 | 120 | 110 | 213 | 160 | 20 |
Nozzle | 2 replaceable options | 3 replaceable options | 5 replaceable options | All-in-one | 2 replaceable options | 3 replaceable options | All-in-one | 3 replaceable options | 3 replaceable options | All-in-one |
Hot Water | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
Wheels | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Cord Length | 5 m hose, 5 m cable | 5 m hose, 5 m cable | 8 or 12 m hose (no cable) | 6 m hose, 5 m cable | 3 m hose, 5 m cable | 5 m hose, 5 m cable | 4 m hose, 5 m cable | 7.5 m hose, (no cable) | 7 m hose, 7 m cable | 4 m hose, (no cable) |
Weight | 6.4 kg | 9.7 kg | 32 kg | 11.4 kg | 5.8 kg | 4 kg | 6.8 kg | 27.6 kg | 13 kg | - |
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Once you've decided what it is that you plan on cleaning, follow our easy to remember advice and you'll find the perfect pressure washer in no time. Who knows, you might even be offering to help the neighbours if you enjoy your new toy that much!
Author: Lewis Clark
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