My other main gripe with this Mac Allister pressure washer is that the adapter that connects the water hose to the machine shattered the first time I turned on the tap. It’s possible I hadn’t connected it properly, but you’d still hope it would be more robust than that. For fences, dirty cars and cleaning grime off paving slabs, look for a model with 120 bars of pressure. Anything above this is best reserved for complete garden overhauls and other industrial outdoor tasks. Flow rate

Fewer owners of Karcher pressure washers experienced faults within the first seven years of owning it - 8% said they had (sample size: 2,271) versus 16% of Nilfisk owners (sample size: 185). To be fair, that problem isn’t exclusive to this particular pressure washer, but at least with the Mac Allister 2,100W you get a built-in cable winder to help keep things tidy. Nilfisk pressure washers tend to be quieter than Karcher models as they're designed with a noise-reduction system. Buying a new pressure washer can be confusing. There are usually several models in each manufacturer's range, with different types of motors and impenetrable model numbers which mean that useful accessories are either included in the price, or have to be bought as an extra.

We value your privacy

Nilfisk models are typically more lightweight compared to Karcher models. They are constructed with light materials to make them easier to move around. Variable fan-jet: also called variable pressure lances, these allow you to vary the force of the jet from a focused point to a broad fan. Best for: Cleaning small areas of lightly soiled paving, bicycles, small cars and garden furniture. Karcher were the first to introduce smart technology to pressure washers so you can connect them to your smartphone via an app. The window and patio cleaning tests factored in whether the pressure washer left an attractive streak-free appearance, and during muddy car washing, they paid particular attention to whether the pressure washer was able to access all the nooks and crannies, including wheel arches and the underside of the car.

As a result, I left the patio roof looking like an unfinished job. Again, that’s not a problem that’s exclusive to the Mac Allister 1,800W, but if you’re looking to buy a pressure washer for the purpose of cleaning your conservatory roof, you might want to reconsider. Mac Allister 1,800W review: Verdict If you’ve ever tried to take on a muddy patio with just a brush and some elbow grease, you’ll know that some garden jobs just need a little extra investment. In terms of brand loyalty and how many people bought the same brand of pressure washer again, an impressive 73% of Karcher owners (sample size: 329) said they had versus 10% of Nilfisk owners (sample size: 52).That’s where power washers come in. These efficient machines make light work of a deep clean, whether you’re sprucing up your patio and grill for BBQ season, giving your bike a much-needed wash after your latest cycling adventure, or giving your car a shiny new facelift. Toolstation has electric and petrol pressure washers, some of which are bundled with a patio cleaner. Nilfisk's entry level models tend to have more powerful motors and come with an aluminium pump head rather than a plastic one for durability. Unlike your standard garden hose, pressure washers deliver serious power. They use a strong, concentrated jet of water to obliterate dirt in no time. Motor noise is typically less intrusive with these machines but they can be a little overpowered for many domestic cleaning jobs. Make sure you know how to use them properly to avoid damaging your surfaces.

The shorter hose and low power can make cleaning slow and difficult, and the motors tend to be noisy. The parts also tend to be flimsy and prone to frost damage. Medium duty The first thing you need to consider when investing in a pressure washer is which area or outdoor items you’re looking to clean. This will determine how much pressure – measured in bars – you need your washer to have. Having recently cleaned my patio while testing the Kärcher K4 Full Control, I decided to put the Mac Allister through its paces by cleaning my car, my wheelie bin and my conservatory roof. To choose the best pressure washer for you it is worth taking time to think about what you'll be cleaning, how dirty it will be and how often you'll use it.Hoses lengths vary from three metres, which is too short to wash a car; to five metres, which is an adequate length for car cleaning. Some of the cheaper pressure washers come with fixed nozzles that don't allow you to vary the water pressure.

Our in-house experts at the GHI assessed the pressure washers' performance on common outdoor cleaning tasks, using their high-power jet sprays to take on muddy patios, windows and cars. The testers noted how easy the pressure washer was to set up, use, manoeuvre and, of course, the time it took to get the job done. For the money, the Mac Allister 1,800W is undeniably a powerful machine. Having also tried out the more-expensive Kärcher K4 Full Control, I’d say the two machines blast away dirt with similar gusto.Pressure washer pump fails - Store the pressure washer in a frost-free place, such as a cupboard in the house, and make sure that the water is turned on and at adequate pressure before running the pump. Takes steps to remedy a pulsing pressure washer. Detergent tank: we found built-in but removable detergent tanks more convenient than bottle attachments in our tests. This all depends on how much you can afford and how powerful and durable you want your pressure washer to be. The most powerful models cost hundreds of pounds so to avoid your pressure washer breaking, take a look at how to avoid issues, such as leaking and pump failure.