Best high pressure cleaners washers to do the dirty work for you
If you have been putting off cleaning your outdoor areas then investing in one of these pressure cleaners could be the answer.
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We love our outdoor areas but they are hard to keep clean.
That’s why our patios, decks and pools areas often end up looking worse for wear - covered in so much dirt and grime their original colour is a distant memory.
If you’ve ever stumbled across the part of the internet reserved for mesmerising cleaning videos, you’ll have discovered the miracle cleaning product that is a pressure washer as caked- on grime is washed away in satisfying seconds.
It’s a relatively simple piece of kit. A pressure washer pumps the water out of a small opening at high speed and the jet of water hits the ground with enough force to blast away dirt, grime, algae, moss and whatever mess your children and pets have left behind.
BEST HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS AND WASHERS
With prices starting from the low hundreds, pressure cleaners are more accessible than you might have thought – and they can make restoring your garden to a state of like-new cleanliness ridiculously easy (and, dare I say it, fun). We’ve rounded up our picks of the best-rated options below.
BEST HIGH PRESSURE CLEANER FOR LIGHT DIRT
Bosch UniversalAquatak 125 High-Pressure Washer, $215, Amazon Australia
Featuring 1813 PSI of pressure and a powerful 1500W motor, the Bosch UniversalAquatek 125 makes cleaning light dirt effortless. (PSI stands for pounds per square inch and there is more information about this at the bottom of the article.)
The three-in-one nozzle has fan, rotary and pencil jet settings suitable for a variety of cleaning jobs, as well as a 450ml high-pressure detergent nozzle perfect for washing cars and stubborn dirt.
The design is fairly compact, with a telescopic handle that folds down to halve unit height to make storage easy.
It has a 4.5-star average rating, with one five star reviewer commenting “Have just finished washing my timber deck, concrete stairs and paved areas and it hasn’t missed a beat. All the areas were green with moss and hadn’t had a pressure clean for years. It was extremely satisfying seeing the green and brown disappear and the original colours shine through. For the price … you can’t go wrong”.
K2 Full Control Pressure Washer, $259, Kärcher
With smooth-running wheels and a six metre hose for manoeuvrability, a dirt blaster with a rotating point jet to tackle stubborn dirt, and a water filter to protect the pump, the K2 Full Control is easily one of the brand’s most popular models.
The Full Control Click Vario Power spray lance offers soft, medium, hard and detergent mix modes, the telescopic handle is retractable making storage easy, and the machine can clean up to 20 square metres per hour.
The machine has a 4.7-star average rating, with one five-star rating reviewer noting it offers “great features” and is “easy to use”.
BEST HIGH PRESSURE CLEANER FOR MODERATE TO HEAVY DIRT
K4 Premium Full Control High Pressure Washer, $549, Kärcher
Ideal for cleaning moderate levels of dirt at a rate of 30 square metres per hour, the K4 Premium Full Control allows you to adjust pressure settings on the spray lance. You can also view your chosen settings on the LED display on the trigger gun for maximum control, and even switch to detergent mode without having to change the spray lance. The pressure washer has a low centre of gravity for improved stability, and the reel allows you to easily store the nine metre hose.
BEST AFFORDABLE HIGH PRESSURE CLEANER
Advwin 3500 PSI High Pressure Washer, $119.90, Amazon Australia
This high-powered pressure cleaner offers 3500 PSI of water pressure and a 2000-watt universal motor. It has a six metre power cord, and comes with a gun handle, gun lance, and soap bottle attachment for versatile cleaning capabilities. Best of all, it comes at a super affordable price that offers plenty of value for money.
Reviewers say it’s worthwhile for the price, with one five-star reviewer writing “This is truly the perfect power washer. First, it is very easy to put together with clear step-by-step instructions. Second, it has a very small footprint so it fits nicely anywhere in the garage without protruding out. Third it is very powerful. We used it to power wash all stone and concrete surfaces around our house and pool and then even the sidewalk in front of the house. Many of the stone/concrete surfaces that we cleaned had dark stains and/or green moss which had developed for many years (some up to 20yrs)”.
BEST PETROL-POWERED HIGH PRESSURE CLEANER
Kolner K9000 5000 psi Petrol Engine High Pressure Washer, $949, Harvey Norman
If you’d prefer a petrol-powered motor, this model from Kolner will do the trick. It’s a super powerful unit driven by a compact petrol engine that offers consistent power flow and a hassle-free, cordless operation. A maximum of 5000 PSI water pressure makes quick work of the grimiest surfaces, and it comes with a low-pressure detergent injector for added practicality. The ergonomic handle and large wheels make it easy to manoeuvre around.
A five star reviewer called it a “great machine for the money”, adding “I bought this for blasting moorings on the bay and it works a treat”.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A PRESSURE WASHER?
Here’s what to consider before you take the plunge and purchase a pressure washer:
• Usage: What will you be using the pressure cleaner for? If it’s for light amounts of dirt, you can choose a cheaper, more compact unit with a lower PSI and area performance. But if it’s for large areas with heavily caked-on grime, you’ll want something with a little more oomph.
• Area Performance: This refers to the speed at which you can clean with the machine – for example, the Kärcher K2 can clean 20 square metres per hour, while the higher-powered K7 can clean 60 square metres per hour. Choose the right level for the amount of space you’ll be cleaning.
• PSI: Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). The higher the PSI, the more powerful your pressure washer. 1500 to 1900 PSI is considered light and suitable for sidewalks and furniture; 2000 to 2800 PSI is medium and suitable for fences, decks, and driveways; 2900 to 3200 is heavy and suitable for cars, stain removal, and paint prep.
• Power Source: Pressure washers are petrol or electric powered. Electric is generally considered more user friendly and cost effective, although you do have to deal with a cord.
• Attachments: Most pressure cleaners come with a spray lance and detergent attachment. Others have added intuitive accessories like integrated detergent injectors that require no changing of lances, and trigger guns that allow you to adjust pressure and keep an eye on settings.
HOW MANY PSI DO I NEED TO CLEAN CONCRETE?
To clean concrete, you’ll want a pressure rating of around 3000 PSI and a flow rate of about four gallons per minute (GPM).
IS IT WORTH BUYING A PRESSURE WASHER?
The benefit of a pressure washer is its ability to clean large areas in a short amount of time with far less elbow grease on your part. If your garden, car, or outdoor furniture are looking worse for wear, a pressure washer can easily blast away caked-on dirt and grime far more effectively than a sponge and soap. They’re suitable for everything from wooden decks, to the siding of your house, to a car and outdoor furniture, to concrete or tiled patios, walkways and driveways.
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