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Pressure washer buying guide
Whether you're blasting dirt off the patio, giving your car a refresh, or bringing the garden back to life, a good pressure washer is the key to getting the job done.
If the journey to choosing the perfect one feels as murky as those patio flags, we're here to clear the path by breaking down all the important stuff.
What pressure do I need?
First off, let's chat pressure. It's one of the most important things to consider when it comes to choosing a pressure washer. Getting it wrong could mean you end up with one that isn't up to the job.
The force of water is usually measured in bars or PSI (pounds per square inch). The higher the number, the more power you’ve got to work with.
How much do you need? Well that really depends what you’ve got planned. Lighter jobs, like getting the decking spotless, only need a low pressure model. While if you're trying to blast dirt off your driveway, you'll need something with a bit more power.
Low
If you only want to give your garden a glow-up or take things like wooden decking, fencing, or garden furniture from frumpy to fit-to-be-seen, then a model with up to 100 bars of pressure will do just fine.
Medium
For medium-duty work, a model with 110 to 130 bars of pressure is what you're after. That's jobs that need a little more oomph like getting your car all shiny and new, clearing out the gutters, or giving your patio a surface-level refresh.
High
For some serious heavy-duty work, like cleaning paved areas, masonry, or pool tiles, then you'll need something that packs a punch. A pressure washer with 130 to 150 bars will get the job done.
What else do I need to consider?
Before you add to basket and start blasting away, there are a few other things you'll want to have a think about to find the best pressure washer for you.
• Water flow - This'll let you know how much water each model uses, and how quickly you get through a job comes down to this.
• Motor type - Pressure washers come with either a brush, universal, or inverter motor. They're all up to the job, but an inverter motor will usually last longer.
Features to consider
Different lances
A lance is the pipe that extends outward from the pressure washer's trigger. Basically, point it at a mud-caked paving flag to send a blast of dirt-destroying water its way.
Different lance lengths suit some tasks better than others. For example, a long lance is great for helping you get to hard-to-reach areas without having to bend uncomfortably.
Variable pressure
Variable pressure is one of those features you'll want to keep an eye out for, especially if you want to use your pressure washer for tons of different jobs.
It lets you switch up how powerful the water is depending on what you're using it for. So, you won't be giving that dirty patio a light misting, or blasting your car with a torrent of water.
Detergent nozzles
For some real muck-busting power, a detergent nozzle is a game changer.
It lets you attach a bottle of detergent to your pressure washer, to hit mud and grime with a mixture of soap and water for a super-powered clean. That's one way to show dirt who's boss.
Auto start & stop
Auto start & stop is one of those convenient little features you won't know how you ever lived without.
It uses a main switch for the power and a separate switch to turn on the water. So, when you turn on your pressure washer, it won't instantly start showering your garden (or you) before you've got a chance to get it into position. And since water only starts flowing when you're ready, it cuts down on waste too.
Onboard tools
As well as clever features, a lot of the pressure washers on the market come with a massive range of accessories and tools.
Whether it's different nozzle sizes or extendable lances, they can make cleaning that much easier.
Storage and portability
When you’re on the hunt for a pressure washer, you might wonder which shape or size to go for.
For light jobs, like giving garden furniture a refresh, smaller models are a great shout – they’re easier to carry and hardly take up any room too.
But for tougher tasks, like clearing a grime-covered driveway, bigger models usually have larger water tanks and higher power levels. Most of these come with wheels, so moving them around won’t become a workout.
Top Tips
Figure out if you need corded or cordless
Before you pick up a pressure washer, think about the area you want to clean and if there's an outlet nearby. If it's only a small space and you've got a plug handy, a corded model should do. But if you think you'll be moving it around a lot, you probably want to go for a cordless one.
Learn about pressure ratings
You'll also want to get to grips with what pressure ratings mean and what you'll need for each job. Too much pressure can damage what you're trying to clean, so it's important to get this right.
Shop Pressure washers
Karcher K 3 eco!Booster Pressure Washer - Yellow
Bosch EasyAquatak 100 (Long Lance) Pressure Washer - Green
Karcher K 3 eco!Booster Pressure Washer - Yellow
Karcher K 7 WCM Flex eco!Booster Pressure Washer - Yellow
Karcher K 5 WCM Flex eco!Booster Pressure Washer - Yellow
Karcher K 4 WCM Flex eco!Booster Car & Home Pressure Washer - Yellow
Karcher OC 3 Foldable Pressure Washer - Yellow
Karcher K 2 Home Pressure Washer - Yellow
Karcher K 4 Power Control Flex Pressure Washer - Yellow
Karcher K 3 eco!Booster Pressure Washer - Yellow
FAQs
- What is a pressure washer used for?
Pressure washers are usually used for outdoor tasks such as cleaning wooden decking, fencing, paving and garden furniture. They’re also commonly used to clean cars and bikes too.
- How do I choose a pressure washer?
The main thing to ask yourself when choosing your pressure washer is, what will you be using it for? Different tasks will need different levels of power. If you’re just looking to clean your garden decking, then a pressure washer with up to 100 bars of power will do the job. But if you’re wanting to clean your car or revamp your patio tiles, you’ll need a model with a bit more bite.
- How much water does a pressure washer use?
This can vary between different models, but on average they tend to use around eight gallons of water per minute.
- What is a good power washer for home use?
Any model with a water pressure between 100 and 130 bars should be fine for home use.
- What is a good PSI for a power washer?
A model that creates anywhere between 1300 to 1700 pounds per square inch of pressure is decent. The higher the pressure, the more powerful it is.
- What is a thermal relief valve on a pressure washer?
The thermal relief valve keeps your pressure washer from overheating.
- What is an unloader valve in a pressure washer?
The unloader valve is a safety feature that stops the building water pressure from damaging any of your washer’s components once the trigger is released.
- What PSI is right for washing a car?
Between 1200 to 1900 pounds per square inch is usually recommended.
- What PSI is right for washing garden decking?
Between 500 to 600 pounds per square inch should do the job.
- What PSI is right for washing a driveway?
For a concrete driveway you’ll be needing around 3000 pounds per square inch to get the job done.
- What nozzle do I need on a pressure washer?
This can depend on what you are using it for, but a 15-degree nozzle will suit most light home tasks, such as cleaning wooden decking and garden furniture.
