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Cleaning a car can be a tiresome, difficult job, especially if you don’t have the right tools for it. Handwashing with a hose or a bucket takes time and effort, and often doesn’t give you the results you’re after.
This is where pressure washers come in. These handy little machines make short work of a range of tasks, but especially of washing cars. What’s more, it adds an element of fun to the job and results in a professional-looking clean.
Investing in a high quality pressure washer is an excellent way to wash your car to professional standards right at home. But it’s important to purchase the right machine that gives you the results without damaging your car.
With that said, here’s a look at the 5 best pressure washers for your car. In the second section, we outline a brief buying guide to help you know what to look for when selecting the right model for you.
UK Pressure Washer Reviews
VYTRONIX High Pressure Washer
Main features
- Lightweight design
- An adjustable pressure nozzle means you don’t need to constantly switch nozzles
- A convenient storage rack for the hose, lance, and trigger gun.
- A 1,500 watt electric motor
- Water pressure of 1,000 to 1,500 PSI (pressure per inch) or 70 to 105 bar (meaning weight)
- 45 GPM (Gallons per minute) water consumption
- 1-year warranty
- A 5m hose
- A 5m mains cable
The VYTRONIX is an excellent model that comes with sufficient power to clean a car thoroughly, while being gentle enough to ensure there’s no damage. The model is lightweight and mobile, with a pressure and nozzle great for the job. It’s easy to carry around and use, and the compact shape makes it easy to store too. The model can can also be used for other tasks, such as cleaning your patio or deck, as well as harder surfaces like stone and brickwork.
What we like:
- The lightweight design and adjustable pressure nozzle make this model very comfortable for washing your car. You can easily carry the pressure washer around and adjust its pressure on the go.
- The 1,000 to 1,500 PSI water pressure is ideal for washing vehicles as it’s strong enough to do the job yet gentle enough not to damage the paint.
- The storage rack is a huge quality-of-life perk as it makes storing the pressure washer’s components much easier.
- This model comes at a very affordable price, making it a good compromise if you haven’t used a pressure washer before and you’re not certain how much you want to spend on one.
What we don’t like:
- The mains cable and hose are only 5 meters long which is shorter than most other models. Make sure that you’re ok with that length before you get this pressure washer.
- The free warranty is just 1 year which is much shorter than we’d usually prefer. For pressure washers, we usually like 2-3 year warranties or even 5-year ones if possible.
Kärcher 16018850 K 3
5 used from £145.49
Main features
- Lightweight design
- An integrated detergent tank, allowing you to mix a detergent with your pressure washer more easily.
- It comes with several nozzles, allowing you nice options for washing your car.
- An on-board storage rack for the hose, lance, and trigger gun.
- Water pressure of 1,740 PSI or 120 bar
- 67 GPM water consumption
- Standard 2-year warranty with the option for a 3-year upgrade
- A 6m hose
When it comes to pressure washers, Karcher is one of the best-known names. They’ve been in the business for years and offer an excellent range of gas and electric pressure washers. For a more mid-range option both in terms of water pressure and price, this Kärcher is many people’s weapon of choice when it comes to car pressure washer cleaning. Easy to handle, yet powerful enough, this model has an excellent storage rack, a great water consumption, and a more standard 2-year warranty with an option for extension.
What we like:
- Slightly heavier than Vytronix, this Kärcher model is still pretty lightweight nevertheless.
- The 1.740 PSI water pressure means that this unit is not only great for vehicles but pretty good for other garage and house pressure water cleaning.
- The model includes a dirt blaster together with the standard pressure washer lance.
- The Quick-connect hose system makes assembling and disassembling this model that much easier.
What we don’t like:
- You need to buy the connectors and water hose separately.
TackLife 160Bar 2000W Pressure Washer
Main features
- A 2,000 watt electric motor
- A full-control trigger spray gun with a TSS automatic shut-off system.
- A built-in soap dispenser tank, allowing you to mix a detergent with your pressure washer more easily.
- A comfortable hose reel for easier storage.
- Water pressure of 2,320 PSI or 160 bar
- 98 GPM water consumption
- A 6m hose
- A 5m cable
The TackLife 2,000 watt pressure washer is meant for those who want more than just an average car pressure washer. With a PSI of 2,320 and 2 GPM, the TackLife 160 bar model also has a built-in detergent tank, a convenient hose reel, and a powerful 2,000 watt electrical motor. Even more impressively, it offers full control of the washer through its trigger spray gun, including a TSS (Total Stop System) auto shut-off function.
What we like:
- This model has a very durable outlet pipe, joints, and body. It has a PU surface layer, it’s wear-resistant, leakproof, as well as corrosion- and rust-resistant.
- The full-control trigger gun offers a lot of convenience as it allows you to operate the pressure washer directly from its gun.
- With over 2,000 PSI, this is an above-average pressure washer power-wise. This makes it an excellent choice if you want something to use not just for your car but for your driveway, garage, and patio.
What we don’t like:
- The mains cable and hose are only 5 and 6 meters long respectably. That is shorter than most other models so you should make sure that you’re ok with that length before you get this pressure washer.
- The hose is very stiff and doesn’t uncoil as easily as we’d like.
- As can be expected for an extra powerful pressure washer, this model is more than two times heavier than the previous two with its 14,6 kg to their 6-7kg each.
Nilfisk C 110 Bar Compact Pressure Washer
Main features
- 4 kW power
- Multiple nozzle choices for various home cleaning purposes
- Includes trolley wheels for easy mobility
- Easy storage for hose
- Water pressure of 1,740 PSI or 120 bar
- Lightweight – only 6kg
- A 5m high-pressure hose
- A 5m power mains cable
The Nilfisk is not as powerful as some of the other models on this list, it still offers excellent cleaning power with reliable performance. The model is easy to use, with trolley wheels that lets you move the machine as required. Customers love how easy it is to put the model together and use. The model is compact and stores away nicely when you’re finished with it.
What we like:
- It’s very easy to change between nozzles and accessories, making for quick cleaning. Simple click the nozzle into the lance and remove by pressing on the quick release button.
- The motor is powerful and has been built using quality materials for long-lasting performance.
- The smart design of the model ensures that everything is stored on-board. The spray gun, nozzles, lance and detergent bottle can all be stored on the device, in specially designed locations, ensuring everything is neat and tidy.
- Comes with an automatic start/stop function, that operates with a thermal sensor. This saves water, protects the pump and makes cleaning easier.
- The aluminium construction keeps the machine lightweight yet durable.
What we don’t like:
- The hose is not as durable as the rest of the machine, with some customers complaining of the hose splitting.
Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 High Pressure Washer
1 used from £135.77
Main features
- 1900 w motor power
- Water flow rate – 410 liters per hour
- No assembly needed
- Extended handle for easy maneuvering
- Large wheels for enhanced mobility
- Water pressure of 1,958 PSI or 135 bar
- Lightweight – 7.9kg
- 3-in-1 nozzle
Bosch is an indisputed leader in pressure washers for all purposes, and their Universal Aquatak 135 is an excellent all-rounder. It suits a range of tasks, and is excellent for washing cars. The model is powerful enough to remove dirt and grime in hard to reach areas, with out scratching the paint of the car. The device comes with a detergent holder that can be attached to the nozzle for easy usage.
What we like:
- The 3-in-1 nozzle lets you switch between types of spray easily, with a simple twist of the motion. You have three spray options to choose from – point jet, rotary jet and fan jet.
- High cleaning capabilities with powerful motor and high bar of pressure, makes this suitable for even the most tough vehicle cleaning jobs you may have to do.
- The extended handle bar and large wheels enhance the mobility of the machine and makes it easier to handle.
- It’s easy to store the Aquatak, as the model is designed to be compact.
- The foam cleaning system is ideal for vehicles, helping to remove all types of dirt.
What we don’t like:
- Water can leak from the nozzle, which can reduce pressure and reduce the efficiency of the model.
Buying a Pressure Washer for a Car
Pressure washers are one of the most popular ways to wash cars, as they make the job fast, fun and easy. It’s also extremely effective when done right.
The biggest risks of pressure washing a car is:
- Damage to the painwork – the extreme pressure of the machine can flake off paint if set on the wrong nozzle. This can lead to expensive repairs.
- Injury to yourself – pressure washers look fun but they’re not toys, as many people learn the hard way. It’s easy to injure yourself or a bystander if you’re not careful.
However, if these two factors are taken care of, pressure washing a car offers many advantages. We’ve covered these in detail in our guide on pressure washing a car safely. With that said, here are the main factors to bear in mind when pressure washing a car.
Factors to Consider
- Pressure (Bar)
The bar refers to the pressure and force that the machine will use to spray the water out at your car. The pressure on these machines can range, but for cleaning a car, around 110 bar is sufficient. You can also opt for heavier duty models, but ensure that they are safe for use on vehicles.
- Water Flow Rate (liters per hour)
The water flow rate, or LPM (liters per minute), is an important consideration because it impacts your water usage, utility bills and time it takes to clean the car. A higher water flow will mean less time cleaning your car, but it also means more water usage.
- Electric or Gas
Pressure washers are either electric or gas powered, but for residential purposes, electric pressure washers are often the best choice. These are smaller in size, easier to move around and are ideal for various jobs around the house.
- Detergent
The right pressure washer cleaner will enhance cleaning efforts, by providing foam and cleaning agents that remove all types of dirt attached to your vehicle. Some pressure washers come with in-built detergent holders. Others may require a separate attachment.
The Bottom Line
The right pressure washer can do wonders for your vehicle. You won’t have to take the car to the car wash anymore, or spend hours washing it by hand. Instead, simply take out your pressure washer, attach the right nozzle and away you go.
Always ensure that you’re following safety precautions when working with pressure washers, and ensure that you’re using the right attachments to avoid damaging your vehicle.
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