10 Best Electric Pressure Washers (Reviews) in 2022

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT the best pressure washers

Do you feel like you know all there is to know about the best pressure washers? Have a little read of our FAQ and other parts below to really get to know more about power washers, where to buy them, the top brands, and even what you can clean.

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A PRESSURE WASHER

If you are looking at investing in a power washer there are a few things that you should look out for. These mainly depend on what you are hoping to use your power washer for and also the space you have available to you.

Firstly, you should look at the PSI or the BAR pressure of the high pressure washer you are thinking of buying. Anything 100 BAR or 1450 PSI and under would only be suitable for cleaning bins, tools, push bikes or garden furniture as this wouldn’t be enough pressure to efficiently clean anything more ground-on.

100-130 BAR or 1500-1900 PSI is suitable for guttering/facias, use to wash your car, caravans, boats and fences. If you are looking for a casual at home pressure washer then this is a great range to look for.

130 BAR or 1900 PSI plus would be anything for your more hardcore jobs such as patios or driveways, brickwork or even swimming pools or ponds. The higher the PSI/BAR on your unit, the more efficient the clean as well as a higher square meter area per hour cleaned.

Secondly, you want to look at hose length AND cable length. The cable length is the length of the power cord and you know what they say, you can only stretch as far as your shortest cable. Normally the hose length and cable length as the same and you hose pipe is normally longer so that gives you an idea on the reach of your unit without an extension cord.

Thirdly, you want to look at the litres per hour or litres per minute of the water flow rate. The higher the water flow rate the more water will come out of your pressure washer, the higher the number the more efficient at cleaning the unit will be in most cases.

We have listed some of the common terminology used when reading about the best pressure washers that you can ready about.

WHERE TO BUY AN ELECTRIC JET WASHER

Electric pressure washers are a lot easier to get hold of than petrol pressure washers but at the same time, you do need to know where to look. There are some obvious places you can get them but also some less obvious places.

Amazon – Our personal recommendation on where to buy your pressure washer. Amazon not only guarantees your item whilst in transit but also deals with any complaints about you. If there are any issues with the item or delivery, they will sort it out.

You can normally get your items delivered the next day if you are an Amazon prime member and you normally get a better deal on their website too.

Homebase – You can walk around Homebase and physically look at a product before you buy it. You won’t get a great deal of range at these stores though as they are limited to the size of the store.

B&Q – B&Q sell a huge range of items just like Homebase. They offer all manner of different DIY bits and their website is even DIY.com!

Tool Station – Tool station has been providing tools for years and have added a lot of other items to its catalog.

Screwfix – Screwfix is Tool Stations biggest competitor and the two are always competing on price. They are like the Argos for the tradesman.

Lidl – Lidl can provide an amazing deal on a pressure washer if you manage to catch one. They never stick around long so if you see one grab it.

Aldi – Aldi is much the same as Lidl, they offer awesome deals on electrical items, but they are quick to sell out.

HOW DO ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHERS WORK

Electric pressure washers aren’t very complicated when it comes to comparing them to their petrol counterparts but still a rather unique piece of equipment.

An pressure washer is made of four parts, the water inlet valve, water pump, motor, and the high-pressure hose. The water inlet valve takes the water in and pushed it into the water pump.

The water pump is powered by an electric motor and it pressurises the water and pushes it through the high-pressure hose to shoot out of the nozzle and start to clean.

The website Explainthatstuff.com has a very in-depth article about how pressure washers work and can be viewed here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT CAN I CLEAN WITH AN PRESSURE WASHER?

Even the best pressure washers can be outdone by some of the other types available, so you have to be sure to choose the right pressure washer for you, depending on what jobs you are looking to complete.

Choosing a pressure washer for you will depend on what they can be used for, we have listed some suggestions and also touched on the best pressure for each job.

Decking – Decking can get really grubby without you even realising that it is and giving it a good only pressure clean with some detergent can really bring it back to life. Make sure to go for a pressure washer over 120 BAR if you are looking to take on this type of job.

Patio – Patios are a part of your house that gets neglected over time but is used the most, every time you step out into your back garden you step on to your patio. Be sure to go for a 130BAR+ pressure washer if you are looking to clean your patio.

Driveway – Your driveway is another part of your house that takes a battering and can get grimy from tires and footsteps. Using an pressure washer can be an easy way to refresh it and make it look like new. Make sure you use 130BAR+ for a driveway clean.

Cars/Bikes – Car cleaning is another hugely popular thing to use a pressure washer with and make the process a hell of a lot quicker than doing it by hand. Be sure not to use too high of a PSI as this could cause the paint to chip on the car or bike.

Windows – Some pressure washers come with an accessory you can attach which is a window brush, this is a soft bristled brush which will clean a window whilst the water is simultaneously pushed onto the window.

Fences/Shed – Fences and shed have animals brush up against them, wee on them, you can get grass shavings and rain pound them and they eventually get weathered and dirty. Using a low PSI pressure washer will bring these back up to showroom garden quality.

Swimming pool – Emptying and cleaning a swimming pool is an almighty task and can take several days. There’s nothing worse than having to clean the filth and grime by hand. Using an pressure washer with a high PSI (2000psi +) will cut down on the time taken and make your job a lot easier.

WHY DOES MY PRESSURE WASHER KEEP CUTTING OUT?

Ultimately your pressure washer shouldn’t keep cutting out but if it does there could be a problem. Be sure to understand that most pressure washers have an auto stop/start feature meaning they will not run whilst the trigger isn’t held down so that could be the cause for the stop/start of the motor.Another option could be a problem with the unloader valve if this is the cause of your issue then you can replace it on most units, but it might be a better idea to send it to the manufacturer to get repaired.

Also, you shouldn’t use an pressure washer continuously for more than 5 minutes. Be sure to do a small area, wait a minute, and then continue. This is to prevent the motor from overheating potentially causing irreversible damage to the electrics.

HOW TO WINTERIZE AN PRESSURE WASHER?

If your pressure washer is going to be out of action for longer than 30 days then you need to properly store it. Storing it in the proper fashion will allow the unit to last for many years and avoid a nasty surprise once you get it out after winter.

Step 1: Remove any detergent tank (if there is one) clean thoroughly and then run clean water through the pipe to flush out.

Step 2: Detach the hose from both the unit and the spray gun and rinse out with air.

Step 3: Remove the nozzle from the trigger end of the gun and pull the trigger to release any water.

Step 4: Get some pump guard and run it through the system, this is to protect from freezing and corrosion whilst also lubricating the unit.

HOW MUCH PRESSURE DO I REALLY NEED?

But as a general run of thumb, a pressure washer around the 130 bar will be sufficient in covering all household jobs.

CAN A PRESSURE WASHER GET WET?

You would think that this might be a silly question, but the answer is actually no. Although pressure washers are built to withstand splashing and the odd bit of water, they aren’t actually designed to be water-resistant.

Most pressure washers have an IP rating and the higher the IP rating the more water-resistant they are, but you are advised not to pressure wash in the rain or hose down your unit after use.

HOW TO START AN PRESSURE WASHER?

SUMMERY

In this guide we have looked into the best pressure washers and how they can be used. We even touched on some important FAQs and some useful tips and tricks for looking after your pressure washer. We have written an article on how to use a pressure washer and that be seen on our blog page.

CONCLUSION

Overall pressure washers are quite clearly a must-have item for the home. They provide expert level cleaning power and can be used by your average Joe. Always make sure to use your pressure washer safely and securely and read up on the best pressure to use for the job you are looking to complete before starting.

Pressure washers used in the wrong way can be quite dangerous and no one wants to end up injured by a stream of water.

We have brought together the 10 best pressure washers and put them all in one place so you can easily read up on what one to buy. We have touched on the pros and cons of each one whilst also trying to stay completely neutral with our review.

If you are undecided on whether to go for a petrol pressure washer or an pressure washer you can read our guide on the differences between petrol and electric pressure washers here to help you decide.