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. You can buy pressure washers directly from manufacturers like Karcher , Stihl, Powerbase , and Draper . However, if you're after a pressure washer from a manufacturer like Bosch, Vax, or Nilfisk – they don't sell direct. As with other power tool categories tested by the GH Institute, from cordless drills to leaf blowers, pressure washers have seen a ton of innovation in recent years , including more durable motors, increased safety features and improved performance of battery-powered models. For this latest round of testing, our experts spent 30 hours considering these and other factors to determine the following list of the best pressure washers available today.

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. 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: Few people enjoy cleaning, especially when it involves tough surfaces such as patios, garages, garden furniture and stonework. And then there’s the difficult task of cleaning the delicate moving parts on your bike, or the alloy wheels on your motor. Ideally, an electric washer should have a pressure range between 1,800 and 2,000 psi for optimal performance.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 The Bosch EasyAquatak 120 is powerful yet compact, owning a niche in the market as a very lightweight pressure washer. 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. 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.

With the wide range of models that are available, it can be difficult to pinpoint the right power washer for your home and garden needs. Let’s talk through the options to help you find the right pressure washer for you. 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. In our video guide, we outline all of the above points and demonstrate how to use a pressure washer on both vulnerable, easily damaged surfaces and larger areas, such as paths and patios. Can handle water that’s up to 60°C in temperature, which is hotter than most other home pressure washers can tolerate In the past five years, we've reviewed more than 24 new pressure washers. When it came to evaluating specific models for this roundup, our engineers and product testers spent approximately 30 hours poring over hundreds of technical and performance data points.By following these tips, you can ensure that your pressure washing tasks are both safe and efficient. Proper Technique and Distance Typically nothing more than a low pressure washer is required for use around the home and you'll find a range of 1,000 5,000 psi pressure washers available. These units are compact, mobile and produce enough pressure to achieve the desired results without removing paint and damaging surfaces. With 100 bars of pressure, the Makita HW101 will remove algae from a small patio in around an hour. The included accessories are basic but functional; it has a spray nozzle that can be twisted to achieve a range of different powers from a concentrated spray to a wide fan. Proper maintenance and storage of your pressure washer are crucial for ensuring its longevity and performance. Regular maintenance tasks include: We tested a range of pressure washers and pressure cleaners, putting them through their paces on a range of surfaces. They were assessed according to the following criteria with equal marks attributed to each:

If you’re after high power, and plenty of accessories, the Wilks-USA RX525 Pressure Washer is a good pressure washer to consider. It’s great for a range of jobs, offering a maximum pressure of 165 bar, with a continuous pressure output of 125 bar. For comparison, the premium Kärcher K7 pressure washer (also featured here) delivers 160 bar of continuous pressure.Pressure can be adjusted via the buttons on the trigger gun, giving you a greater degree of control than other pressure washers do The 3 m hose comes up a little short – it’s the shortest of all the pressure washers featured here. It’s not long enough to reach all the way around the car whilst cleaning it, but if an extension cable is used then it’s possible to move the unit around easily using the built-in handle. It's worth considering hose length when selecting your pressure washer as if the hose is too short you'll find it difficult to get to those hard to reach places where dirt often accumulates. Loss of pressure is the biggest issue for pressure washers. There could be various reasons causing this but before taking it to a repair shop or replacing it, consider the following: 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.

There are a number of things to consider before buying your washer. The tougher the job, the more power you’ll want from your machine. The smaller or more delicate the area, the less power you’ll need. 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: Working at 1800 W, the K4 pressure washer can spray 420 L of water per hour with 130 bars of pressure. As a result, it’s slightly less powerful than the K5 model (145 bars) but still capable of performing well to complete domestic tasks. 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. 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.

Whether you'd like to remove chewing gum from your patio, dirt from your gutters or bird mess from your car; a pressure washer can help get the job done in next to no time. Battery-powered pressure washers are the latest addition to the category. Many of these cordless models still max out between 500 and 1,000 PSI, compared with the 2,000 to 3,000 PSIs of the best gas or corded electric models. But we're starting to see an increase in more powerful models, including the 1,500 PSI battery-powered Craftsman featured in this report. The pressure washer’s power output depends on the attachment that you have connected, as well as the ‘twist setting’ selected. The LED screen lets you know which setting you are working with, but does not interactively allow you to change settings from the display. To operate the display, 2 x AAA batteries are required. 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.