Pressure Washer Reviews 2026

For general home cleaning (patios, cars, garden furniture), 1400-2000 PSI is sufficient. Driveways and heavy-duty cleaning benefit from 2000-2500 PSI. Above 2500 PSI is professional-grade and can damage surfaces if used incorrectly.

Yes, but use the right settings. Keep PSI below 1500 and maintain 30cm+ distance. Use a wide fan nozzle (25-40°), never a pinpoint jet. Avoid pressure washing near seals, trim, and badges. A foam cannon attachment gives the best results.

Pressure washers use 6-8 litres per minute - actually less than a garden hose (15-20 L/min) because the pressure does the work. A 10-minute patio clean uses about 60-80 litres compared to 150-200 litres with a hose.

Cold water handles most domestic tasks. Hot water (available on some models) is better for grease, oil, and stubborn stains. For occasional tough jobs, using warm water from your tap through a cold pressure washer works reasonably well.

Essential: patio cleaner attachment (prevents splashback), variable nozzle or nozzle set. Useful: extension lance for gutters, foam cannon for cars, surface cleaner for large flat areas. Skip the gimmicks - quality basics outperform cheap accessory bundles.