If your garden fence is looking a bit green for the wrong reasons, the best cordless pressure washer can give it a fresh lease of life. Such pressure washers can also work wonders in cleaning your patio area. What's more, cordless versions free you from the constraints of electric points, cables, and a mains water supply. Jet wash hard-to-reach weeds and get into the inaccessible edges of your patio with a portable pressure washer model that's lightweight and convenient.
Pressure washers vary in strength, from light to heavy-duty models - more on that in the FAQs below. Cordless pressure washers tend to be light-duty. So before you buy, consider the types of cleaning jobs that you want to be able to do. Corded light-duty pressure washers are around 100 bar, whilst a cordless model like the Worx is just 25 bar. If you're looking for something to make cleaning furniture or bikes more convenient, then a cordless pressure washer is ideal. But it's not going to be able to strip paint or deep clean your patio like a Kärcher pressure washer.
Best cordless pressure washer at a glance:
• Best lightweight cordless pressure washer: WORX Cordless Hydroshot - view on Amazon UK
• Best for reliability: Ryobi RY18PW22A-0 18V ONE Cordless Power Washer - view on Amazon UK
• Best for power: Aguri Power Clean P40 Max Cordless Pressure Washer - view on B&Q
Do look at the product specification - in particular, the pressure and the water flow rate - which determines how quickly it will clean. Also, consider the range of accessories, such as hoses, detergent bottles and nozzles, that come with the model. Some nozzles offer a range of spraying angles, from zero degrees to a wide-angle spray tip.
Take into account hose length and battery life too - if you have a super long fence to clean, a cordless pressure washer may not be fit for purpose.
Best cordless pressure washers
Best lightweight cordless pressure washer
WORX/AmazonThe WORX Hydroshot is for people who have small areas to clean. The full kit includes a brush, soap bottle and foldable water bucket, meaning you'll have all the accessories you need to make your garden furniture sparkle. This compact 1.75kg machine is 10 times stronger than a garden hose. With 120 litres per hour (l/h) flow rate, 25 bar maximum pressure, and 20V, you'll make light work of smaller jobs. Either drop the draw hose into a water butt, pond, or bucket - or hook it up to your garden tap. Some reviewers rate this option to clean cars, saying it has a superb action for spraying down after a wash and offers plenty of power to clean under wheel arches.
Pros
- 10x stronger than the average hose
- Comes with accessories
Cons
- Not overly powerful - it can't clean patios, for example
Best for power
Aguri/B&Qwww.diy.com
The spec on the Aguri Power Clean is impressive - with 45 bar pressure and a 40V battery - it's twice as powerful as other cordless pressure washers. Additionally, it claims to have a battery life that gives 50 minutes of continuous cleaning. It's super lightweight, too, at 1.6kg, ideal for light/medium-duty work. This pressure washer comes complete with a carry case and includes a short medium pressure wand, a long high pressure wand, a soap gun, and a six metre hose and filter. Reviewers appreciate the fact you can use this washer with water from a bucket, making it super-portable.
Pros
- Only 1.6kgs
- 50-minute runtime
- Easy to use
Cons
- Might be too powerful for some
Best for reliability
Ryobi/AmazonIdeal for cleaning your garden tools, this Ryobi is a powerful alternative to a garden hose with a lot less faff. The syphoning kit pulls water from any fresh water source, and the 3-in-1 nozzle includes a turbo nozzle for tough cleaning. Whilst it's not the most powerful cordless pressure washer, it is an effective machine. Reviewers suggest it's a good tool to keep on top of outdoor grime in between more thorough cleaning sessions. Use the 15-degree fan spray for general cleaning, and a shower function for rinsing. The Ryobi can be used for up to 30 minutes on a single charge - but please note that a 5.0Ah battery is not included.
Pros
- Three-in-one nozzle
- 15-degree fan spray
Cons
- Not many accessories included
Best ergonomic cordless pressure washer
Yard Force/AmazonTurn drab to fab - with a maximum flow rate of 270l/h, 22 bar, and 20V battery, this is one of the best cordless pressure washers from a well-known brand. Yard Force has produced a compact and ergonomic machine that's ideal for light domestic use, with reviewers appreciating the manageable weight and dimensions. The 3-in-1 nozzle offers Jet, Turbo and Low-pressure settings for cleaning a range of surfaces. Additionally, the Aquajet comes with a brush, foaming bottle, six-metre hose, charger, 20V lithium-ion battery, a storage bag, and a handy bucket.
Pros
- Three different settings
- Eco Mode
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy-duty jobs
Best small but powerful cordless pressure washer
Best small but powerful cordless pressure washer
Rigogo/AmazonDescribed as robust by many reviewers, the DayPlus Cordless Power Washer packs significant punch, with a maximum flow rate of 270l/h, 45 bar pressure and a 21V battery. It's easy to draw water from a bottle, bucket or open water source and adjust the nozzle from zero to a 180-degree water spray. From cleaning chairs and garden furniture to blasting grass cuttings from the underside of a lawnmower, the multi-functional spray makes this model versatile. In addition, the DayPlus has a built-in foaming device for rich and delicate foam. This model comes with 2 x 1.5Ah batteries, two nozzles, two connectors, a foam pot, and a 16ft hose.
Pros
- Range of spray settings
- Built-in foaming device
Cons
- Only 18-minute runtime
Best cordless pressure washer for battery life
Sealey/AmazonUnlike other cordless pressure washers, this model from Sealey comes with its own 25-litre container to store it away and also provides a convenient water bucket for cleaning. It boasts the most efficient battery life of all the cordless pressure washers we've reviewed, but it's also the least powerful. Helping that battery life is Sealey's "automatic total stop system" which switches the motor on and off when the trigger is operated. Whilst reviewers rate it as ideal for cleaning garden furniture, bikes and cars, it's not quite up to the task of removing stains from stonework.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Long hose
- Convenient container
Cons
- Not as great at shifting muck as other pressure washers
Best for ease of use
Stanley FatMaz/Tool Stationwww.toolstation.com
Whether you're cleaning Venetian blinds in your conservatory or washing the mud off your bike, this handheld pressure washer gets points from reviewers as a reliable option for light cleaning tasks. While it doesn't boast the highest water flow rate, it does pack 24 bar pressure and comes with a 5-in-1 nozzle, inlet hose with connector, soap bottle, nozzle, and mesh bag. And importantly, it has a Quick Connect adapter so you can run the Stanley FatMax off your garden hose.
Pros
- Convenient for light cleaning tasks
- 2-year warranty
- Connects to a garden hose
Cons
- Not overly powerful
Best budget cordless pressure washer
VONROC/Mano Manowww.manomano.co.uk
If the garage door needs cleaning, you can say goodbye to the sponge with this washer described as excellent by several reviewers. This is by far the cheapest of our cordless pressure washers, however, do note that it doesn't come with a battery or charger. The spec is solid, with the VONROC's 24 bar pressure, and water flow rate of 198 l/h powered by 20V. For great cleaning performance at a low price, this is a good option, and it comes with useful attachments, including a 5m suction hose, detergent bottle, and an adjustable spray nozzle.
Pros
- Cheap
- Lightweight
Cons
- Battery not included
How we chose the best cordless pressure washers
All of these cordless pressure washers have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered power, functionality, and ease-of-use in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching pressure washers to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
Our verdict: Best cordless pressure washer
Get the job done quicker with the WORX WG620E.2 Cordless Hydroshot. You have the flexibility to use the draw hose in a water butt, pond, or bucket, or hook it up to a garden tap. Also, you benefit from a trusted brand that proves its worth with a quality battery, charger, accessories and connectors. Compact and easy to use, the Hydroshot has received thousands of positive reviews and a 4.4 rating on Amazon.
FAQs
What are the benefits of going cordless?
The main benefit of going cordless is the unrestricted access it brings. Save time unravelling the hose pipe and extension cables and opt to clean better under pressure.
A pressure washer makes quick work of cleaning: From swimming pools, hot tubs, awnings, and railings to the crust on your BBQ, a high-pressure water cannon with the right spray tip eliminates grime in a jiffy. When you start to think about it, there are 101 ways to utilise a pressure washer in the garden. And no one can deny there's something satisfying about seeing stubborn dirt rocketed off paving slabs. There are many YouTube videos to account for this.
Cordless models don't need a garden tap in order to use them. A cordless pressure washer has a syphon that allows it to draw water from almost any source. Syphon from a bucket, container, or rain barrel, for example, but equally, a pond or river can be a water source. So, from blasting your balcony to eliminating pigeon poo - take your compact cleaning powerhouse out and about for a spot of spring cleaning.
What can I clean with a pressure washer?
From shoe scuffs to removing graffiti, the range of outdoor surfaces and items a pressure washer can clean is exhaustive. You can clean:
Bicycles, outdoor shoes, garden tools, garden furniture, fences, motorbikes, cars, steps, SUVs, brickwork, caravans, swimming pools and exterior brickwork.
Hard surfaces: Stone terraces, paving stones, washed concrete, asphalt, metal, garden tools
Medium surfaces: Cars, motorbikes, brick surfaces, plastered walls, plastic garden furniture
Soft surfaces: Wood, bicycles, sandstone surfaces, rattan furniture
Before you buy, ask yourself, "How are you going to use the pressure washer?" Do you need a pressure washer for cleaning the patio, freeing the car of mud and grime, or cleaning garden furniture? Or are you needing to blast all the brickwork of your entire house before painting? This will help narrow down the options and determine the power level that you need.
What type of pressure washer should I buy?
There are many options for pressure washers, including models from big-name brands like Kärcher, Stihl, Yard Force and Spear and Jackson. If you shop around, remember the important factors: Build quality, suitable accessories, and power/pressure/flow ratios.
You won't need to spend more than £200 for a top-quality, light to medium-duty pressure washer. For light-duty pressure washers, you'll want to focus on quality and the right accessories to suit you.
With portability in mind, a cordless pressure washer is a much better option. However, they are not as powerful as corded models - so do bear this in mind and consider the scale of the job you're going to be using it for. In addition, their finite battery life makes them unfit for larger cleaning jobs.
If you need a washer for both big and small jobs around your property, then an electric pressure washer for medium-heavy duty use is the better option. However, full-size pressure washers take time to set up, and then you have to factor in where you're going to plug it in. Plus, the hose will need to be thoroughly unravelled otherwise, water will not be expelled at full force.
Finally, it's unlikely that you're going to need a heavy-duty pressure washer. But for the top-end for, powerful domestic machines, take a look at the Kärcher K 7 Premium Smart Control Home. This beast can clean outside walls with its telescopic lance. The 180 bar pressure is strong enough to blast fences and flagstones and give them a new lease of life.
What is the difference between a pressure washer and a jet washer?
The main difference between power washing and pressure washing is the heat. The jet wash in a power washing machine uses heated water, whereas the water in a pressure washer is not heated. Some may say jet washers are more effective on really stubborn stains as the heat can add another layer to breaking the stain down.
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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.