5 things to know if you're buying a pressure washer

Pressure washers can cost up to £400, but is it worth spending this much for what you need to use one for?

Keep reading to find out what you should consider before you part with your money.

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1. Its size and your storage space

Pressure washers come in different sizes, and we know from our testing that some compact versions can be just as good - sometimes even better than full-sized machines.

If you don't have a whole lot of storage space, you might be better off opting for a compact pressure washer, but some full-sized machines with smaller dimensions might also be suitable, so you should refer to dimensions in the specifications of the model you're after, and then compare it to your storage space.

If you won't be storing it inside, it's also important to keep it in a frost-free place over winter or the internal pipes can get frozen and burst, leaving you with a useless machine.

2. What you'll be cleaning and how dirty the surface is

We divide pressure washers into three types: light duty, medium duty and heavy duty. Which type you'll need, entirely depends on what you'll be cleaning, how dirty it will be and how often you'll use it. 

• Light duty - tend to have low-powered motors (1,200W to 1,600W), low water pressure (less than 90-bar) and low flow rates. They're usually on the cheaper side - £40-100 - and will only be appropriate for cleaning small areas of lightly soiled paving, bicycles, small cars and garden furniture as they have shorter hoses (generally between three and five metres).
• Medium duty - tend to have medium-powered motors (1,600W to 2,000W), mid-range water pressure (100 to 130-bar) and medium flow rates. They cost between £100-200 and are best for cleaning domestic garden paved areas and decking, cars and 4x4s. Their hoses tend to be between five or six metres, and some may even have hose reels.
• Heavy duty - tend to be semi-professional models with high-powered motors (1,800W to 2,500W), high water pressure (130 to 150-bar) and high flow rates. They cost between £200-£400 and are best for cleaning extensive areas of paving, grimy 4-wheel drive vehicles, commercial vehicles and caravans. They have long hoses and tend to be very large and heavy.

Not sure which model to go for? See our pressure washer reviews to compare models.

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3. Which brushes and attachments do you really need

Most cheaper models come with the basics only, so if you need specialised attachments, such as car brushes or patio cleaners, you may need to buy them separately and end up spending more money overall then if you opted for a slightly pricier model.

On the other hand, some attachments only add to the cost but may not be useful to you. Carefully consider which attachments you'll be using regularly and which ones you can live without.

4. Portability

Light duty models tend to be on the lighter side and either come in a form of a small hand-carried units or smaller trolley-style units with low handles and small wheels, so portability generally isn't a big issue. 

But if you're opting for a medium or heavy duty model, you'll want to pick one that won't be a pain to lug around, especially if you have lots of uneven ground or steps.

We test all models on their ease of use, so pay special attention to our 'ease of moving around' assessment and opt for a model with four or five stars for this area.

To find out which pressure washers aced our rigorous lab tests, head over to our best pressure washers guide.

5. Which power type you should choose

• Corded electric pressure washer - This is the most common power type of pressure washer and is suitable for all types of uses from light to heavy duty. One thing to consider is that you'll need to be you need to be near a power supply to use one, or invest in an outdoor extension lead that's long enough for your needs.
• Cordless pressure washer - Cordless models are powered by a battery, which will need to be charged regularly. In the past, cordless pressure washers were appropriate for light duty use only, but we've been seeing more releases that can compare to corded models in water pressure and flow rates.
• Petrol pressure washer - Although not as common, petrol-powered models are generally the most powerful, but they also may be inadvertently contributing to environmental damage, along with other petrol-powered garden tools. They are not tied to a power supply, and can be useful if you have a large garden.