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Best Pressure Washers
A pressure washer, or high pressure cleaner, is a handheld cleaning device that can remove stubborn stains, grime, oil and mud from outdoor surfaces. Whether you're using an electric or petrol pressure washer, the right model can save you from hours of manual scrubbing by hand or using a low-powered garden hose that barely shifts stains. Continue Reading...
Ryobi RPW150-G
Available for $269 at Bunnings, this 2200PSI heavy-duty pressure washer can be used for tough tasks like cleaning your garage, driveway or deck.
Price (RRP) $269.00
- Build Quality2.6 (11)
- Value for Money3.0 (11)
- Ease of Use2.6 (11)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.7 (10)
- Noise Level3.2 (10)
- Safety4.3 (7)
- Maximum Pressure2,200 psi
- Hose Length8 m
- Max Water Flow7.2 L/min
- Dimensions 930 x 320 x 330 mm
Michelin MPX 130 BC
Latest review: Very disappointed. Thought I was buying a quality product made in Italy. It’s clearly labeled made in PRC (China). Shame on you Sydney Tools for misleading ads. Don’t pay premium for Chinese rubbish.
Price (RRP) $349.00
- Build Quality4.3 (6)
- Value for Money4.3 (6)
- Ease of Use4.3 (6)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.3 (6)
- Noise Level3.8 (5)
- Safety5.0 (5)
- Maximum Pressure1,885 psi
- Hose Length8 m
- Max Water Flow6.2 L/min
Ryobi RPW140-G
Available for $139 at Bunnings, this 2000PSI or 140-bar medium-duty pressure cleaner can be used to thoroughly clean vehicles, paths, driveways and decks.
Price (RRP) $99.00
- Build Quality2.4 (33)
- Value for Money2.8 (29)
- Ease of Use3.1 (32)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 2.9 (27)
- Noise Level3.4 (28)
- Safety3.5 (25)
- Maximum Pressure2,000 psi
- Hose Length5 m
- Max Water Flow6.67 L/min
- Dimensions 480 x 270 x 310 mm
Karcher K2
· includes 8 listingsDesigned with a maximum pressure of 1750PSI, the Karcher K2 is suitable for using occasionally to remove light dirt on outdoor items such as bicycles, garden tools and garden furniture.
Price (RRP) $99.00 to $299.00
Spitwater Turbo 8-90 Boxjet
Latest review: Had the TURBO 8-90 BOXJET 1350PSI 8LPM 240V 10AMP PRESSURE CLEANER for about 20 years very and I mean never missed a beat ,use it to clean 1 semi trailer and 1 truck evert 2 weeks now it clean my
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Karcher K3
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: I turned 70 cu metres of my mouldy black driveway into a spotless show piece with this machine. 8.5 hours of pressure cleaning almost non-stop, and it didn't faulter once. If I could change one
Price (RRP) $329.00 to $399.00
Stihl RE 120
Latest review: The stihl 120 stopped working before 10 months, with only minimal use. Dealer looked for any way they could to get out of a warranty claim. Very poor after sales
Price (RRP) $419.00
Ryobi 190cc 4 Stroke RPW3200Y
Latest review: Lthought this washer is now 7 years old it has done less than 30 hours work. Got a bad oil leak then found complete engine housing is cracked. Don't
Price (RRP) $699.00
Michelin MPX 160 RBP
Latest review: So much better than the old karcher. No nonsense machine with huge grunt. Bit susceptible if I need parts but truly a great machine and better than I expected. bought from Sydney tools in Perth as
Price (RRP) $999.00
Aussie Pumps Slow Speed Blaster Scud
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: purchased an aussi pumps, premium scud AB20 pressure washer, it has the 6.5 hp honda engine GX200, and works at 11 litres per minute flow rate, but is only 2000 psi, the unit can be used for 10-30
Price (RRP) $3,980.00 to $4,360.00
Ryobi RPW170-G
Latest review: Bought this one this afternoon, took it home, washed the truck and got halfway through doing the entrance path, put it down for a 5 min break, tried using it again but the pump had failed and the
Price (RRP) $349.00
Gerni 7000
Latest review: Great product, however I do feel that it is $50-100 over priced at Bunnings for what it is. I paid $550 for this Gerni, however I believe it should be priced at a lower price point $499 would be
Price (RRP) $549.00
Jet-USA 3800 PSI RX550
Latest review: It was going fine. i have only used it a few times for no longer than two hours. Today i was using it and I noticed that it was down on power and getting a little noisy. I gave it a rest and came
Stihl RE 130 Plus
Latest review: Bought new. Just out of warranty and seals failed. Cost $400 to fix at the dealer. Now I need new nozzles as they have failed. Very disappointed with the
Price (RRP) $629.00
Stihl RE 110
Latest review: 9/02/22 Purchased RE110 from Labrador, did a good job for a few minutes, released the trigger and the hose connector blew off, this happened a couple more times, so I replaced the cheap plastic
Price (RRP) $369.00
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Bigboi WashR Flo
Latest review: I have 3 pressure washers but this by far is the best. The hose isnt stiff like others so you dont end up dragging the machine around. The 3 spray nozzles are just right for what you would use this
Price (RRP) $389.00
Karcher K7
Latest review: Only used about a dozen times before it stopped working and Karcher made it extremely difficult to get it repaired so I gave up and brought another brand. Buyer
Price (RRP) $1,149.00
Full Boar 3200PSI 7HP Petrol Pressure Washer
Latest review: After trying to use one of those $100+ cheapies and taking days to wash in 20mm lines the grime on my concrete pavers. I decided my time and back was worth more. I had a friend who had a petrol
Price (RRP) $529.00
Typhoon TE2400
Latest review: Typhoon are very poor quality. Failed within 15 hours of use. Their distributor in Australia Sydney tools. Do not follow consumer law and ignore warranties. Do not buy. They are absolutely
Price (RRP) $99.00
Karcher G 3400 XH
Latest review: I purchased mine from Total Tools in Toowoomba March 2022. I have used it 3 times and the inlet fitting for the garden hose snapped. It is plastic. It is a very unusual fitting and I can't buy one
Price (RRP) $1,099.00
Is it worth getting a pressure washer?
Pressure cleaning may be worth it if you need an appliance to help you with heavy-duty cleaning of outdoor areas.
When it comes to getting rid of hard-caked grime, getting physical with a bucket of soapy water will likely be laborious and ineffective. A pressure washer can blast out the debris effectively and in a fraction of the time.
To demonstrate, a lower amount of power (or PSI) a pressure washer uses is around 1500 PSI. A garden hose uses around 35PSI, and an automatic car wash uses around 700PSI.
Here is a list of surfaces that a pressure washer can tackle:
- Windows
- Brick exterior of a house
- Driveways (including concrete)
- Paths
- Outdoor stairs
- Decks and patios
- Fencing
- Outdoor furniture
- Your car (on a low PSI)
- Boats and caravans
- Outdoor equipment, like lawn mowers
- Roofing and gutters
Types of Pressure Washers
Electric pressure washers · See All
These connect externally to two places: a garden hose or water tank, and into a grounded outlet using a waterproof cord. The electric motor inside the unit uses water from the hose.
The initial pressure is low, but it will be gradually amplified using the pump in the pressure washer. This pressurised water is released in a powerful jet via a nozzle when you pull the trigger.
Pros
Cons
Petrol pressure washers · See All
These use a petrol-powered engine to work the pump inside a pressure washer.
If you’re mainly using your high pressure washer for concrete and tough stains, or you're cleaning large areas outdoors, a petrol pressure washer is a reliable option. Their typical PSI is around 2500-3500 - at the higher end of the scale.
Pros
Cons
Cordless pressure washers
These are the least commonly available type of pressure washer. They use rechargeable batteries, meaning you don’t need a power outlet or a supply of fuel.
If you’re only after a pressure cleaner for lightweight jobs, and want something that’s easy to use and carry, a cordless model may be up your alley. However, they have less horsepower than both electric and petrol pressure washers.
Should I use hot or cold water?
Water pressure cleaning jobs use either hot or cold water to clean. You can only use the water temperature that your power washer is specifically designed for.
Cold water is the more common, default option, but you can also buy a power washer.
Also known as hot water pressure washers, they heat the water to a high temperature. They’re great for removing salt, mildew, mould, heavy grease, and even chewing gum.
The hot water, however, makes them more dangerous to use and requires more caution.
The safety of the person operating the pressure washer and anyone else nearby is paramount.
Since some high-pressure jets are sharp enough to slice like a knife, make sure there are no pets and kids nearby when you're operating the washer, and always wear safety goggles, enclosed footwear and earmuffs.
What else to look for when buying a pressure washer
What is a good PSI for a pressure cleaner?
This depends on the task at hand. Electric pressure cleaners vary in how much power they can deliver (measured in PSI, or pounds per square inch).
Choosing the right PSI is important. High pressure cleaners can be abrasive. For example, cleaning your car with more than 1500 PSI can damage paint and cause rust.
Using a lower PSI might take you longer, but this is better than damaging a surface, which will take you more time and effort to repair.
- 1000-2000PSI: These pressure washers are good for light stains on outdoor furniture, patios, lawn mowers, pavements and driveways. Can clean timber decks and cars - but use caution - a lower PSI is better.
- 2000-3000PSI: Suitable for medium stains on concrete, house siding, bricks and walls, pools and some oil stains.
- 3000 PSI and over: This level of power is suitable for industrial settings, and can cause damage to surfaces if used incorrectly (for example, it can strip paint).
Flow Rate
This measures the amount of water that leaves the nozzle, in litres per minute. A higher flow rate means more water is released from the nozzle every minute. This can make a pressure washer more efficient.
However, the PSI also needs to be accounted for. To get an accurate measure of power (PSI) combined with speed (flow rate), you can multiply the two figures together. A higher total means a more efficient pressure washer.
Here’s an example of two electric pressure washers where the cheaper model is actually more efficient.
Spec | Gerni GPW-3000 1670PSI 1400W High Pressure Washer |
|
Price | $150 | $129 |
PSI | 1750PSI | 1670PSI |
Flow rate | 6L/m | 7.3L/m |
Overall efficiency rating | 1750PSI x 6L/m = 10, 500 | 1670PSI x 7.3L/m = 12, 191 |
Weight
Consider the weight of a prospective model. If you’re going to spend a long time out in the garden using it, making sure the weight is sustainable to carry for this period.
Hose length
Consider the location of the surfaces you’d like to clean in your garden. Measure the distance from the nearest power outlet, to ensure you can reach these places comfortably with the hose length.
Extra Features
- Variable jet nozzle: lets you adjust the pressure depending on the surface you’re cleaning.
- Cleaning attachments: If you’re purchasing mainly for one specific job, these could cut down labour time. Attachments include car washing brushes, patio cleaning attachments and drain cleaners.
- In-built soap tank: includes detergent, which can help when trying to remove stubborn stains.
- Durable wheels makes a heavier washer easy to manoeuvre, causing less strain on your arms or back.
How much does a pressure washer cost?
Pressure washers vary in price greatly, by the power source, capabilities and features. They will cost roughly between $50-$1, 000 for an electric corded model, $500-$2, 500 for a petrol pressure cleaner, and $100-400 for a cordless model.