Best pressure washer 2025: clean everything from patios and decking to cars and mountain bikes

The best pressure washers can save you hours of cleaning time, from blasting patios and driveways to efficiently cleaning your decking, car, bike and more. It's essentially one of those gadgets you never knew you needed – in fact, you’ll wonder why you didn’t get one sooner. All you need is access to the garden tap and a mains socket, and away you go!

Pressure washers have improved in many important ways. Powerful and efficient, they're considerably quieter than models of old – some of them are also seriously smart with pro-spec technology at home-spec prices. You can also use them on more delicate items with some of the best models being safe to use on bicycles, motorbikes and won't cut through paint if you get too close to your car.

Our top pick has been the Kärcher K4 Power Control Home for a while now, but keep reading to find the best model for you. If you need other tools, check out our guides to the best cordless lawnmowers and the best petrol lawnmowers to help keep your garden looking its best.

WRITTEN BY

WRITTEN BY

Lizzie Wilmot

Lizzie is T3's Home Living Staff Writer, with plenty of hands-on experience testing everything from robot vacuums to garden gadgets. Pressure washers have earned a place in her heart – especially after seeing just how satisfying they are to use. As always, Lizzie’s a tough critic, so you can trust her to give you the honest lowdown before you buy.

The top three

Best pressure washers you can buy in 2025

The best pressure washer overall

If you’re after the best pressure washer out there, you’ll struggle to top the Kärcher K4 Power Control Home. Whilst it has fewer specs and a lower price tag than the Kärcher K7 (number 3 on our list), it actually comes with the same accessories – and for most standard cleaning jobs, it’s a brilliant all-rounder.

When we took it to task on a filthy, neglected, mould-covered patio, the Kärcher K4 absolutely smashed it, peeling off years of grime like wiping a whiteboard clean. The best part? It required almost zero physical effort.

The K4 really came into its own when tackling a car, especially the alloys. As they have an open-face design, our test vehicle’s alloys usually trap dirt in tricky spots between the spokes. However, with the K4, those awkward recesses were spotless in seconds.

We also tried out the patio brush alongside the plug-in detergent dispenser, and it made short work of stubborn dirt. On a scorching hot day, the K4 also doubled up as a fantastic mist atomiser, filling the garden with a super fine, cooling spray.

Better still, the K4 is compatible with a wide range of additional accessories – including a handy car brush, which we reckon your neighbours will be queuing up to borrow.

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The best affordable pressure washer

If you’re looking for a small, budget pressure washer, this model is very easy to recommend. Crucially, the Kärcher K2 Compact Car & Home is a well-made unit and the lightweight design makes it a perfect model for lugging around the garden or the car when cleaning – the portability helps make up for the rather short four-metre hose. Although this model is lower powered than some of its stablemates, it still performs exceptionally well. It just takes a little longer to perform the same task.

Despite it being the baby of the Kärcher family, the K2 does comes with support for all Kärcher pressure washer accessories, and included in the box is a detergent bottle and Car Kit with car brush, which is ideal for keeping the pride and joy looking brand new. For smaller homes and car-owners who like to keep their wheels in tip-top condition, this model is a great choice.

To compare this model, check out T3's Kärcher K4 vs. Kärcher K2 comparison feature. And, for information on this pressure washer’s stablemate, the standard-sized K2 Power Control Home, consult our detailed Kärcher K2 guide.

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The best premium pressure washer

If you're after a premium pressure washer with a premium design, the Kärcher K7 Premium Smart Control is perfect. It’s powerful, capable of cleaning a large range of items with multiple pressure layers, and the fastest we tested, too. Also, the LED display on the handle makes it easy to keep an eye on how high the pressure is.

This is a sizeable pressure washer and that means you get plenty of on-board storage for its accessories, which include a telescopic handle, full control lances and patio cleaner.

The 3-in-1 multi-jet lance is the star of the show – simply twist it to select the perfect mode for any cleaning application. When used along with the K7's Plus 'n' Clean system, this lance will also allow delicate items like cycles to be cleaned without ruining the paintwork of purging grease from the hubs.

In terms of price, this model is at the premium end of the market, but if you want a pressure washer that will last for years and perform better than most others in all disciplines, then this is the model to grab.

To see how this pressure washer stacks up against our top choice, check out T3's Kärcher K4 vs Kärcher K7 comparison feature.

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The best cordless pressure washer

The Bosch Fontus 18V packs a range of features that make it a seriously versatile tool for outdoor cleaning – but what really stands out is its convenient, cordless design. Its 18V battery delivers up to an hour of cordless power, and combined with its wheels, lightweight 6.4 kg frame (without water), and sturdy carry handle, it’s a breeze to move around. This is a real game-changer if you’re planning to water plants, rinse down garden furniture, or clean up a variety of outdoor gear.

You get two main attachments: a spray gun and a detachable SmartBrush. The spray gun offers four different spray patterns, giving you options for different cleaning tasks. Both attachments can be neatly stored within the unit itself, which is a big plus if space is limited or you want to grab-and-go without hassle.

That said, the Bosch Fontus 18V isn’t without its downsides. The biggest letdown is its limited pressure. Even on the highest setting, it simply doesn’t deliver true pressure-washing power. With a maximum of just 20 bar, it’s clear this machine is built for light outdoor cleaning rather than heavy-duty grime removal. So if serious pressure washing is what you need, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

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The best compact pressure washer

The Nilfisk Core 140 is a solid performer for not very much money, so if you're looking for an affordable, compact pressure washer, it is well worth checking out.

It has three different power levels, which are selected via the control knob on the front of the machine. These are 100%, 80% and 60% respectively, and it makes it easy to alter the power depending on what you're cleaning. For example, when cleaning a cycle with delicate parts, you can opt for the 60% power option, and when blasting dirty patios you can crank things up to 100%.

The Core 140 also features an internal hose reel that is six metres in length, as well as a plug and play sprayer detergent system. The spray gun can also be attached with two heads, one for 'gentle' application and one for 'rough'.

Portability is easy thanks to the Core 140's light weight (only 8.6kg) and the fact that it has a raised grab bar handle and built-in wheels. In the pantheon of pressure washers, it’s actually rather attractive looking as well.

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How to choose the best pressure washer for you

Most pressure washers are mains powered, meaning you’ll need either an outdoor socket or a 13-amp extension cable, plus a hose for water supply. Admittedly, that’s a bit of a faff to set up, but you do get a decent-length pressure hose so you can cover a good area before moving the unit itself. Mains models typically offer between 110 and 180 bar of pressure, adjustable from a wide spray (great for cars and light cleaning) to a narrow, dirt-blasting jet for patios and paving stones.

Cordless pressure washers are a different beast. They’re much less powerful (usually 22 to 56 bar), but far more portable. Most can work with a hosepipe, but they also come with a suction hose that lets you draw water from a bucket, which is ideal for off-grid cleaning. Don’t expect to clean a whole driveway, but for quick jobs like rinsing bikes, clearing moss, or cleaning out-of-reach areas, they’re brilliant.

When picking a pressure washer, think about what you actually need. A basic £110 model will handle occasional pathway cleaning, but if you want flexibility to clean everything from trainers to a multi-car driveway, you’ll need to spend more for extra power and accessories.

Most pressure washers will tackle the usual jobs – patios, driveways, brickwork – but pricier models do it faster and with less effort. One word of warning though: pressure washing can make things too clean. We once blasted a fake York stone path and it ended up looking newer (and cheaper) than anyone wanted. Sometimes, a bit of weathered charm is a good thing.

Oh, and one last tip – on a sweltering day, switch to a fine mist setting and you’ve got an instant outdoor cooler. Just don’t spray anyone up close, unless you fancy a trip to A&E.

How we test pressure washers

The applications of pressure washers are wide-ranging, and at T3 we try to use each pressure washer we review in multiple applications before bestowing a score on it. However, from our extensive testing of pressure washers over the years, we've learned that the two primary uses of a pressure washer are cleaning patios and decking, as well as cleaning vehicles such as cars and motorbikes.

As such, we always use a pressure washer for both of these things, as they are what the vast majority of buyers will use the kit for. It helps us give the prospective buyer the most accurate take on a pressure washer that is possible.

In terms of each piece of hardware, we first evaluate how easy it is to setup the pressure washer, which includes the clarity of instructions. Once the pressure washer is setup we take a look at design and build quality. Here we're looking to see what the fit and finish is like on the main body, as well as how well-made any spray lance or included accessories are.

From there we move on to performance, which involves using and moving the system in a cleaning scenario. We're looking at effectiveness of cleaning, reach and power of the spray gun, what different spray modes are on offer, and how the washer handles any detergent or cleaning agent.

Some sample cleaning scenarios we undertake include: patio cleaning, decking cleaning, masonry cleaning, window cleaning, automobile cleaning, push bike cleaning and gutter cleaning, among others.

Next, we have look at any included accessories included in the pressure washer package, such as dedicated patio cleaners or spray gun extenders. We also test out any companion app at this stage to see what it offers in terms of unit control and customisation.

Finally, we compare the pressure washers to others on the market at a similar price point, or those that offer the same sort of functionality. With all this considered we then bestow a star score on the pressure washer and, if it is high, consider it for our best pressure washers buying guide.

Best pressure washer FAQs

Should you consider a petrol-powered pressure washer?

Petrol pressure washers do exist, but they deliver buckets of power and portability for serious pressure washing tasks. They're also not really much more expensive than quality electric pressure washers, too.

However, they do need a supply of petrol to operate, which adds in an extra stage in getting one up and running, and truth be told the performance they deliver is likely overkill for most people who just want to clean their car every month or two.

What are pressure washers best for?

It doesn't matter what time of year it is, anytime is a great time to buy a pressure washer and clean that horrible grime off your stuff. And this is especially true in the spring, summer and autumn months, as there are simply so many tasks that are made easier with one.

For example, after the grim winter months cleaning the accumulated grime off a patio or driveway is a doddle with a pressure washer. You simply point and shoot, then stand back and enjoy a pristine, new-looking surface.

Equally, if you need to clean outdoor furniture, cycles, cars, motorbikes, gutters, windows, brickwork, garage doors and much more than doing so with a pressure washer is quicker and far easier than even attempting the same with a hose. For truly immaculate results you need to invest in the correct equipment.

And that is what T3's buying guide here is designed to help with. It has been crafted like our best barbecue and best cordless lawnmowers guides to help people find the perfect product for them.

Reviewer Panel

Lizzie Wilmot

Lizzie loves a good garden gadget, and pressure washers are right up her street. Needless to say, her garden walls are practically sparkling.

Derek Adams

Derek specialises in home and outdoor products and has personally tested most of T3’s garden gear – including plenty of pressure washers.

Ruth Hamilton

Ruth used to run T3’s Outdoors and Wellness channels before moving to TechRadar, so she’s got heaps of hands-on experience with outdoor kit.

Robert Jones

Rob may be a former Deputy Editor at T3, but his garden tech reviews are still as useful as ever. He’s tested more garden appliances than most, and his advice stands the test of time.