A guide to the right pressure washer
Pressure washers can be used for all sorts of jobs, from cleaning bikes and cars to cleaning wheelie bins, garden furniture, paving slabs and more. With so many models on the market, you might be wondering what is the best pressure washer for you. Well, we’ve pulled together this simple guide to help you find the perfect fit.
What should I look out for?
Here’s a quick recap of the key points to bear in mind when you’re looking to buy a pressure washer:
- What and where do you want to use the pressure washer for?
- Do you need light or heavy-duty pressure?
- Do you need a pressure washer with variable pressure options?
- Do you need a pressure washer for regular use?
- Do you need additional accessories or attachments?
- Where's your water source?
Pressure washer cleaning power measurement
Pressure washers normally measure their cleaning power using two numbers - the pressure and the flow rate:
- The pressure is a measure of the force of the water coming out, which makes up for the 'cutting power' of the stream to get through tough dirt.
- The flow rate is the amount of water that comes from the pressure washer and gives the 'rinsing' and washing action.
Putting both together will give you the 'cleaning rate', or how much you can clean in a given time. High pressure and a high flow rate mean you can clean large areas quickly. Once you've chosen which pressure washer to buy, you'll never look back!
What are my jet washer options?
Here at Halfords, we’ve got a great range of pressure washers and accessories from top brands including Karcher. Each has there own key features and benefits and we’ve highlighted these below.
Best on a budget: Halfords PW20
- Max water pressure: 115 bars
- Flow rate: 300 L/hr
- Power: 1,600 w
- Suitable for: Bikes, garden machinery and tools, and garden/terrace/balcony furniture
- Accessories included: Inlet adaptor with filter and detergent sprayer
The Halfords PW20 is our pick if you’re looking to do some light cleaning jobs without breaking the bank. The pressure washer features an auto-stop system, a 5 m long pressure hose, wheels and a tall handle for easy portability. The foam sprayer kit makes quick work of applying any detergents and the high-pressure gun and lance give you control.
Simple but effective, the Halfords PW20 is loved by our customers and will get the job done at one of the cheapest prices on the market.
Best for easy setup: Karcher K2 Compact
- Max water pressure: 105 bars
- Flow rate: 360 L/hr
- Power: 1,400 w
- Suitable for: Bikes, garden machinery and tools, and garden/terrace/balcony furniture
- Accessories included: Dirtblaster lance, one-way lance, 4m high-pressure hose and trigger gun
When you just want to plug in and go, we’d recommend the Karcher K2 Compact. This neat little pressure washer is easy to set up, lightweight and one of the most portable models you’ll see, but still has the chops to get some serious cleaning done.
It doesn’t have quite as many extra features as some of the others on this list, and you’ll want something with greater water pressure if you’re looking to do more heavy-duty cleaning jobs, but the Karcher K2 is top of our list in terms of simplicity and ease-of-use.
Best for app support: Karcher K4 Power Control
- Max water pressure: 130 bars
- Flow rate: 420 L/hr
- Power: 1,800 w
- Suitable for: Bikes, small cars, motorcycles, scooters, garden machinery and tools, garden/terrace/balcony furniture, fences and smaller garden paths or flagstones
- Accessories included: Dirt blaster lance, Vario lance, 8m high-pressure hose and high-pressure trigger gun
As well as being a top-spec pressure washer with adjustable pressure settings and significant cleaning power, the Karcher K4 Power Control comes with additional support via the Karcher Home & Garden app.
Pop the app on your phone and you’ll get access to installation and startup info for the Karcher K4, useful cleaning tips and tricks, troubleshooting advice and a direct connection to Karcher customer services. It’ll help you get the best out of your pressure washer and that’s why the K4 is our top pick for smart and effective cleaning.