The best pressure washers for handling every task

The Kärcher K4 is multi-function pressure washer that has a specific dual purpose — to be user friendly and smash through cleaning jobs.

Key features include an easy-to-attach hose — it’s amazing how much time this will save — and the brand's patented Plug n Clean system, which is used for changing the detergent quickly and easily. The lance itself boasts a telescopic handle with fast-adjusting pressure.

The Kärcher K4 is designed to tackle all surfaces, both hard and delicate — which is helped by a T4 surface cleaning head. Put the adjustable pressure to work on any outdoor space and surface and you’ll quickly see just how powerful and versatile it is.

Also useful is an LED screen. This keeps you up to date with your settings. A bonus Home and Garden app gives you expert cleaning tips — even telling you which pressure to use for specific tasks.

The Nilfisk C135 is a perfect pressure washer for tasks around the home, whether it’s your patio, decking, outdoor furniture, tiles, or car that needs cleaning. It’s compact and easy to store away in cramped homes or small spaces.

The high-pressure hose wraps around a reel to keep things tidy, while the bonus items — gun, lance, nozzles and foam sprayer — are stored within the body of the washer itself, which doubles up as a trolley.

Some reviewers have noted that it’s a bit fiddly to put together, but the end results are worth it — its a hard-wearing cleaner that can handle plenty of use. It's also ideal for moderately dirty surfaces (more powerful washers are available if need to bit more oomph) though it can clean up to 40 square meters within an hour.

Kärcher have stepped things up a notch with the Kärcher K7 Premium Smart Control, one of the brand’s most powerful pressure washers.

It comes with everything you need for high-performance action — a high-pressure hose, a lance with telescopic wand, storage features, the Plug n Clean detergent system, and an LCD display.

What sets this apart is the inclusion of T 7 T-Racer surface cleaner – a souped up version of the cleaning head you'll find on other Kärcher models – and the upgraded 3-in-1 lance, which has adjustable pressure and three nozzles. Choose from flat jet, dirt cutter, and detergent. You can also get an extra 15 bar of pressure with a special Boost setting.

It connects to Kärcher’s Home and Garden app via Bluetooth, giving you advice on how to clean and getting the best performance from this machine. At 17.8kg, it’s not exactly light — it might take a bit more effort to manoeuvre around the garden than other washers.

You’d expect nothing less from a reliable garden and tools brand like Bosch. In this case, a great tool that stores away efficiently — thanks to a very handy design — with an integrated storage compartment.

But the Bosch Aquatak 140 isn’t just practically designed — it’s powerful and efficient too, delivering 450 litres per hour via a high-pressure gun, using a Quad Pump system for extra oomph. 

There are multi-function nozzles — choose from variable fan jet, rotary, and high-pressure detergent options — which each allow you to tackle different surfaces and levels of dirt.

Unlike other pressure washers, this one has a self-priming pump, which lets you draw water straight from a tank or container. Other practical features include easy-to-manoeuvre wheels, a telescopic handle, and push-fit connections that help click attachments into place quickly and with minimum hassle.

Kärcher might be the premium brand, but that doesn’t mean you always have to pay a premium price. The Kärcher K2 is high-performance model that comes at a reassuringly low price.

The pressure — 110 bar — is lower than other models, but it’s certainly no slouch. It features all the tools you need, including a gun, Click Vario Power wand, and dirt blaster.

Kärcher says that it’s especially good for cleaning smaller items such as bicycles, garden tools, and furniture, though it also comes with a T 1 surface cleaner designed for patios and decking. As with other Kärcher cleaners, you can take advantage of the Home and Garden app for smarter cleaning.

The compact, lightweight design means it's easy to manoeuvre.

Not everyone needs a high-price pressure washer for large gardens. For people with smaller gardens and outdoor spaces, or just smaller sized cleaning jobs, the Makita HW111 is a great option. 

It's light and compact, which means it’s not only easy to use but easy to store away too. That’s further helped by a wind-up hose reel (which includes a locking system) for keeping things extra tidy.   

The lance has an adjustable nozzle for focused cleaning. It offers 110 bar pressure, which is lower than some models in this list, but more than enough to take care of smaller, more targeted cleaning tasks.

Other features include a Total Stop System for safe water shut-off, an advanced pumping system, and rubber treaded wheels.