There's nothing more satisfying than blasting your patio and garden furniture with the best pressure washer. Seeing all the grime and dirt wash away is definitely one way to have a productive morning, and there's no better time to do it than in the spring as we prepare to spend much more time outside in our beloved outdoor spaces. We've had a dig through the market to find the best options for you. From Bosch to Kärcher pressure washers, check out our choice of the best below.
Pressure washers help to clean large spaces of areas really quickly and efficiently. So, there are lots of outdoor materials and spaces that you can clean off easily with a pressure washer. The most common things you'll find to pressure wash in your garden are wooden decks, patios, concrete surfaces, fences, walkways, and driveways. Not to mention, you can also use your washer to tackle those gritty, tough parts of the garden, like rubbish bins and outdoor furniture when they've got especially grimy.
Best pressure washer shortlist:
• Best high-end pressure washer: Kärcher K7 Premium Smart Control Home Pressure Washer
• Best lightweight pressure washer: Spear and Jackson Pressure Washer 1400W
• Best value: Ryobi Pressure Washer
But with so many different pressure washers on the market, which one is right for you? For starters, decide if you want a corded or cordless model. Cordless pressure washers tend to be light-duty so aren't the best for deep cleaning the patio, however, they give you the freedom of not needing to be tethered to a power supply. Corded electric pressure washers give you more power to tackle those bigger cleaning jobs but do tend to be heavier as a result. Consider what you plan to clean and how often to determine what best fits your needs. There are petrol-powered pressure washers too but these are designed for us typical home users.
We've brought together a list of the best, user-friendly pressure washers to buy so you can enjoy the satisfaction of cleaning your garden through the power of water.
Best pressure washers 2024
Best corded pressure washers
Best high-end pressure washer
Kaercherwww.kaercher.com
Description
Kärcher, a legendary pressure washer brand, is known for its high-quality and durable washers. There are a range of options, including pressure washers for cars or outdoors specifically, but this K7 premium pressure washer tackles everything from cars to external staircases, garden paths, pools, and patios. The ultimate pressure washer you can get your hands on.
This machine can work through a Bluetooth connection, meaning you can tailor your machine to what you're cleaning at the press of a button.
Customer review: "Overall, this is a great bit of kit, and worked wonders on my driveway! It is compact considering its size as it has storage spaces. I am impressed! So impressed, I have purchased further accessories to compliment it!"
Pros
- Compact
- Accessories available
Cons
- Smart control can be faulty
Best lightweight pressure washer
www.argos.co.uk
Description
This compact and lightweight Spear & Jackson 1400W Pressure Washer is perfect for most medium-duty tasks. This product comes with a variable lance, patio cleaner, fixed brush and detergent bottle, giving you all the tools for the job, whether you're cleaning your car, patio, BBQ or garden furniture. Ideal. Plus, there's a three-year guarantee.
Customer review: "I was looking for a jet wash to clean my patio. Did not want to spend too much money and liked that this one had different accessories attached. Really good value for money and does what it says. No problems with it at all."
Pros
- Lightweight
- Adjustable pressure
Cons
- Not too powerful
Best value pressure washer for garden
AmazonDescription
Want more bang for your buck? Check out this new Ryobi pressure washer which delivers a 1400W motor and max pressure of 110 bar. It's super durable and has an incorporated 1L tank for efficiency. With wheels making transport easy and on-board accessories, this is an all-rounder with great value.
Customer review: "Small and compact - good selection of accessories, no attachments are included for heavy floor cleaning scrubbing head etc. - but this wasn't important to me - easy to set up some slight assembly required for the handles and holders - screwdriver required. I use mine for the cars I feel this was value for money in comparison to other brands and prices."
Pros
- High power and pressure
- Long hose length
Cons
- Instructions are confusing
Best compact pressure washer for your garden
On Sale
Description
Need a pressure washer but don't want to be lugging a massive one around the garden? This Bosch EasyAquatak 110 pressure washer is easily portable with enough power to tackle patios and garden furniture. It has a selection of additional heads to add to the jet, and an auto-stop system allows energy efficiency.
Also comes in two other options: the EasyAquatak 100 and EasyAquatak 120.
Customer review: "I used this to clean two very dirty patios with years of caked-on grime. It did an absolutely superb job. I've also used it for car cleaning and again it's been great. I bought the extension hose and I'm pleased I did. It means that I hardly ever have to move it whilst I'm using it. However, when you do need to it's very easy because it's so light and compact. It's also very good value. I'm absolutely delighted with this."
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great value
Cons
- Short hose
Best pressure washer for style and substance
On Sale
AmazonDescription
If you're looking for efficiency, this Nilfisk pressure washer allows ease of cleaning whilst incorporating power and value. It has an optimised engine and six-metre hose for easy handling, as well as additional pocket storage. Reviewers love that it's smaller but just as powerful as other pressure washers.
Customer review: "Had a previous version which lasted 6 years and was constantly used detailing cars. This new version is more powerful and smaller. The new hose rubber is much improved and does not twist up and is so simple to roll up and put into the front hose compartment. Wheels make it nice and easy to move around. Really lightweight and the power control allows my foam gun to work more effectively being able to turn the power down. Great value."
Pros
- Long hose
- High power and pressure
Cons
- Nozzle's a bit fiddly to change
Best heavy-duty pressure washer for garden
B&Qwww.diy.com
Description
This Mac Allister pressure washer has more pressure and power for that heavy-duty washing you may need to do outside in your garden. It has a two-year guarantee as well as an anti-tangle hose and two wheels for easy pull-in. A great value choice for a high-pressure washer.
Customer review: "I bought this jet wash to tidy the concrete outside my house, it made light work of getting up all the old moss and dirt, I tried it out on my car and van with the snow foam attachment and was surprised how well it did all these jobs, I can not recommend this enough, this is the best jet wash for around £100 hands down."
Pros
- Great value and performance
- Easy to use
Cons
- Some found it to be on the noisy side
Best cordless pressure washer
Best for reliability
On Sale
Description
Ideal 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. 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.
Customer review: "Dislike price apart from that brilliant. Used for cleaning wheelie bins used on high setting and done the job nicely. I used a folding bucket five litre topping up with two litre jug, battery - biggest 5 amp. Also managed to clean off green algae from the windows."
Pros
- Effective
- Can be used from a hose or a bucket
Cons
- Battery not included
Best cordless pressure washer for garden
On Sale
AmazonDescription
One of the top choices on Amazon, this WORX cordless Hydroshot washer is perfect if you don't have access to mains water and power or just want something easy to work around the garden. It has five different pressure settings, meaning you can use it across a range of materials, and you can draw the water from any freshwater source with the 6m hose, including a pool, lake, or bucket.
Customer review: "I bought this for cleaning my aviary, for which a Karcher would be much too powerful, but tried it out on my little patio first just to see what it could do - wow! It shifted 15 years of muck and moss with relative ease."
Pros
- Convenient
- Portable
Cons
- Instructions not clear
Best handheld pressure washer
www.screwfix.com
Description
This Titan cordless handheld pressure washer makes hard-to-reach tasks easier, including cleaning bikes, patio furniture, those pesky corners of buildings, and even watering plants. The six-metre suction hose allows water to be drawn from any water source and has a 90-minute charge time.
Customer review: "Good quality and easy to use. Needed for light duties and this is perfect. More powerful than a hose pipe but not a replacement for a normal jet wash."
Pros
- Great for small and quick jobs
- Attachments available
Cons
- Won't do for larger jobs
Best powerful cordless pressure washer
redirect.viglink.com
Description
If you're after a washer that packs a punch, the DEWALT has been rated one of the most powerful on the market as it has 34 bar power, almost doubling some of its competitors. It is not just the power that makes it stand out, but it is also small and lightweight.
Customer review: "I was delighted by this product. I cleaned years of dirt from my rooftop pavers, cleaned some dirt from my hot tub, and cleaned storage cabinets. My sail boat is next. But, it goes though batteries fast. Even so, I am glad I bought this."
Pros
- Powerful
- Small
- No need to connect to water source
Cons
- Plastic fittings may crack over time
What to consider in your pressure washer
There are lots of things to consider when buying a pressure washer for your garden and outdoor areas.
Weight and size: Firstly, you'll want to think about the type of pressure washer you'll want to invest in. Do you want something big and chunky that will have a high power and pressure rating for heavy-duty jobs? Or would you prefer a lightweight model that allows you to carry your pressure washer around the garden?
Power and pressure rates: With each pressure washer, there will be certain power wattage and pressures that it can go up to. If you'd rather blast all the dirt away as efficiently as possible, you'll want to go up higher, but this may also mean going up in price and size.
Components: Pressure washers can come with all sorts of accessories and additions. Think about what you might need depending on the materials you're hosing down. Do you need various nozzles, brushes and bottles, or do you want to keep it simple?
Hose and cable lengths: Most pressure washers will come with a cable if they're corded and electric, and all will come with a hose attached to the machine. If you have a huge garden with lots to wash down, you may need a longer hose length to reach through your garden.
Pressure washer FAQs
Can you use detergent in your pressure washer?
Yes, though it's worth checking the manufacturer's guidelines first and foremost. They may recommend a detergent in particular or advise against it for their particular machine. You can buy universal detergents and patio cleaner solutions to oust dirt, mould, moss, and more.
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 typically 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.
What water pressure do I need?
The water pressure is measured in bars or PSI (pounds per square inch) - the higher the bar, the more powerful the pressure washer is. For a light clean, up to 100 bars will do the trick, whilst a medium clean such as cleaning the car or lifting grime from the patio will do well with 110 to 130 bars. However, if you're working on more intense jobs, need to clean large areas or are looking to clean stone, 130 bars and up would be your best choice.
What aftercare should I do to preserve my decking?
Regardless of whether you've used a pressure washer or a scrubbing brush to clean your decking, one of the cons is that wood absorbs moisture, causing the fibres to expand, warp and worsen splintering. Using a sealant to preserve wood is a good idea, however the wood must be absolutely bone dry before you seal it. Quite simply, sealing in moisture leads to rot.
It's important to seal wood with a decking oil, such as Barrettine All In One Decking Oil Treatment. Look for a decking oil that is water-repellent, UV-resistant and prevents wood from splitting. Additionally, Barrettine's product protects decking from mould growth.
Alternatively, you may prefer a water-based sealant, such as Ronseal Ultimate Protection Decking Oil, which is more eco-friendly than a solvent-based product.
Seal wooden decking to keep it looking like new and protect it from the elements. Additionally, it makes the wood more resilient for those occasions when you need to clean dirt or lichen off your patio or decking. The good news is that by applying a good quality sealant you'll keep your decking looking cleaner for longer.
What to read next:
Description
Discover everything you need to know to make your outside space look fantastic, quickly and easily, with hundreds of simple ideas, designer tricks, affordable products and expert advice with a Modern Gardens Membership. Find out more about the benefits of being a Member now.
Caitlin Casey is a Senior Writer for Modern Gardens, heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.