Car pressure washers are a great investment if you like to keep your car looking shiny and new. They allow you to do a “car wash quality” cleaning job wherever you are. In addition, it may just be the opinion of me, the writer of this roundup, but they’re rather fun to use too!
In this list of the five best car pressure washers available in the UK right now, I’ve identified a range of models at various prices levels. It’s been pleasing to see that manufacturers have also found ways around the need to be close to both a power and a water source in order to use a car pressure washer. Among my top five, you’ll find options without these requirements – so if you’re lacking a tap and / or a mains plug, you’ll still find one that works for you.
So, without further ado, here’s our roundup of five fantastic car pressure washers.
1. A Good “All-Rounder”
Kärcher K2 Compact Pressure Washer
It’s a bit of a stretch to say there are any “household names” when it comes to car pressure washers, but Kärcher is as close as you’ll find.
This “compact” washer is described as “extremely powerful” by reviewers despite its diminutive size. The basic washer is available with a selection of different accessory sets. This example is specifically aimed at car and bike washing, and includes brushes for wheels and bodywork, as well as car shampoo.
Thanks to the power available, you’ll find it up to plenty of other cleaning tasks beyond cleaning your car, with all sorts of other accessories available for other uses.
Positives:
- Powerful yet compact.
- Well designed with accessory storage.
Negatives:
- DOES require access to both a tap and a power source.
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2. A Truly Portable Car Pressure Washer
Suaoki Portable Pressure Sprayer
As mentioned above, in years gone by a mains plug and an external tap were once a must for car pressure washers, but this innovative option requires neither.
Obviously it does require a power source of some kind, but instead of plugging into the mains, you can take power from a 12V cigarette lighter socket. You can also fill the washer with water from anywhere you want – making for a pressure washer you can actually take anywhere with you.
It comes with lots of fixings and attachments, and boasts a 4.8 (out of five) rating on Amazon at the time of writing.
It’s also worth remembering that car washing isn’t the only use for this gadget. It’s also good for cleaning windows, or even as a camping shower!
Positives:
- Completely portable.
- 12V power.
- Very positive reviews.
Negatives:
- Carrying the weight of the water is unnecessary if you DO have an easy water source.
- Not as powerful as some mains powered alternatives.
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3. Simple and Sturdy
Bosch AQT 33-11 High Pressure Washer
If sturdy quality and a reputable brand name grab your intention more than a long list of bells and whistles, this well-priced Bosch model could be the washer for you.
It’s not marketed specifically as a car pressure washer, but will do the job admirably for small cars, as well as act as a perfect pressure cleaner for outside areas and items.
It is missing some of the features of other models listed here, but does come with a detergent nozzle as an included accessory.
Finally, the guarantee lasts for two years, rather than the one year offered by most other manufacturers. Be sure to register yours with Bosch to benefit from this.
Positives:
- Simple, no-frills washer.
- Powerful and effective.
- Long warranty.
Negatives:
- Best for smaller cars – choose a more high-end model for large vehicles.
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4. A Budget Pressure Washer
VonHaus 1400W Compact High Pressure
This car pressure washer isn’t from a well-known brand, but it’s well-reviewed and packs in plenty of features for a low cost.
It does require connections to water and mains, but the five-metre cable gives you a fair bit of scope for reaching a mains outlet. The hose is five metres long also.
Like the Bosch model above, the warranty is for two years, and the washer comes with an adjustable nozzle and a free soap dispensing bottle – note that this isn’t that same as an integrated detergent nozzle, which IS included on some more expensive options.
Positives:
- Low cost.
- Long cable and hose.
Negatives:
- Requires nearby power and water source.
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5. The Professional Option!
Nilfisk MH 1C
If you take your car pressure washers seriously, you’ll want to take a look at the options from UK manufacturer Nilfisk. If you own a motoring-related business, or are lucky enough to possess a fleet or collection of vehicles, you’ll want something truly up to the job – and you need look no further.
The model shown here is at the lower end of Nilfisk’s options, and described as being suitable for “semi-pro” users.
At the higher end of the range, you’ll find jet washes suitable for agricultural use that will beat the kind of washers available on garage forecourts.
While these pressure washers will be overkill for most, this is the company to take a look at if only the best will do!
Positives:
- The “Rolls Royce” option.
- Complex controls for a range of uses.
Negatives:
- Pricey.
- Unnecessarily sophisticated for day-to-day use.
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Finishing Touches!
Once you’ve used one of these car pressure washers to clean your vehicle, you’ll want to wax it to bring it up to true showroom condition! Take a look at our roundup of the best car waxes for details or some top choices. You’ll also find an active comments section where members have compared notes on these products.
IMAGE CREDIT: Wikipedia
Am I right to be concerned about the strength of the jet overcoming door and window seals on older cars snd possibly getting under the underseal around the edges?
I own a middle of the range Kärcher, certainly more capable than the K2 you review above, and find power washing gives disappointing results in terms of water marks and dirt removal unless a good foam application device is used first. I use a Karcher FJ6 Foam Jet Nozzle with a suitable foaming agent.
I suggest that washing technique is of much greater relevance to successful car washing than the type of pressure washer used.
Petrol washers are best. These electric ones don’t last too long
Try an Aqua2go GD70 Portable Cleaner it has wheels so no weight to carry; less powerful than mains so water does not get forced into wheel bearings or damage wheel fixings; saves water over mains and bucket use; will work off cigar lighter if battery runs out [usually after two or three washes]. Service from these guys is second to none and was supplied with spares in package on purchase.
You must try the Vax 2500w pressure washer. Being disabled, I can’t stand for a long time. This washer cleans my drive in half the time. And the after sales service is excellent.
Nilfisk isn’t British, it’s from Denmark.
I would NEVER use a high pressure washer on a car. It forces water past seals into all sorts of places and can cause long term damage especially to electrics and into bearings where the seals are designed to keep the oil and grease in, not high pressure water out. Mains water pressure is the most I would ever use
I think that using a pressure washer on any car is a bad idea, on heavy plant and equipment is OK but never a car as it can take the polished painted surface off the body and alloy wheels and force water into parts that it was never designed for. When dose a car get so dirty that it needs/requires this forced wash?
To Rick.
Yes you are right to be concerned. You shouldn’t use a jet washer on any car. #yoiu will force water where it would no be forced. Water comes out of a pressure washer at 200 mph, it doesn;t rain at 200 mph
Washing the car with water from the rainwater tank gives a much better finish as it is soft water. Getting a power washer to run off the tank which is gravity feed is the big problem. This is not mentioned in the article.
Only good thing about the Karcher is the sales promotion. Had 2 and would never have one again. Latest machines have a very poor build quality and the use of brittle plastic parts makes it only suitable for the very occasional small use. Try and wash a reasonable sized driveway and the machine cannot cope without breaking down. If the machine happens to topple over, which can happen easily, then there is sure to be something broken in the process. Service Agents love them because it keeps them busy repairing them.
Cant understand those people who don’t like to use presure washers dont they realise that every new vehicle delivered to a dealership is covered in a transport film sprayed on at the factory to protect the vehicles paint during transport prior to delivery and that a further transport wax removal chemical is used at the dealership to remove this.
Even if this transport wax removal chemical is hand sprayed the only way to ensure good rermoval is by pressure washer and that a well waxed car should be cleaned down with a good car wash and wax chemical added to the water used preferable through a pressure washing system. This could be done with an ordinary hose system but would not yield the same result in the same time and let a little common sense prevail you should not point a pressure washer at any water seal for a prolonged time. Moderation in everything but lets make life easy
The last time I used a pressure washer it took the paint off the plastic bumper. Never used one since.
Use your washer to take off heavy dirt then wash by hand, then rinse with your washer. A power washer will always leave a film of dirt
The electric pressure washers I don’t think they are value for money because they will more than likely have an aluminium pump head which will seize up. I had an Alto pressure washer and that’s what happened to it, scrap as it was not worth getting it repaired. Alway look for one with a brass pump head which will last a lot longer.
Try Stihl
Funny Negatives on Bosch does not mention needs water and power points. I would like to find one that uses very little water as my Kew was great at last house but keeps cutting out at this property due to poor water pressure. Could do with one that has a cylinder and pump just to wash car and wheelie bins.
Am I right to be concerned about the strength of the jet overcoming door and window seals on older cars snd possibly getting under the underseal around the edges?
I own a middle of the range Kärcher, certainly more capable than the K2 you review above, and find power washing gives disappointing results in terms of water marks and dirt removal unless a good foam application device is used first. I use a Karcher FJ6 Foam Jet Nozzle with a suitable foaming agent.
I suggest that washing technique is of much greater relevance to successful car washing than the type of pressure washer used.
Petrol washers are best. These electric ones don’t last too long
Try an Aqua2go GD70 Portable Cleaner it has wheels so no weight to carry; less powerful than mains so water does not get forced into wheel bearings or damage wheel fixings; saves water over mains and bucket use; will work off cigar lighter if battery runs out [usually after two or three washes]. Service from these guys is second to none and was supplied with spares in package on purchase.
You must try the Vax 2500w pressure washer. Being disabled, I can’t stand for a long time. This washer cleans my drive in half the time. And the after sales service is excellent.
Nilfisk isn’t British, it’s from Denmark.
I would NEVER use a high pressure washer on a car. It forces water past seals into all sorts of places and can cause long term damage especially to electrics and into bearings where the seals are designed to keep the oil and grease in, not high pressure water out. Mains water pressure is the most I would ever use
I think that using a pressure washer on any car is a bad idea, on heavy plant and equipment is OK but never a car as it can take the polished painted surface off the body and alloy wheels and force water into parts that it was never designed for. When dose a car get so dirty that it needs/requires this forced wash?
To Rick.
Yes you are right to be concerned. You shouldn’t use a jet washer on any car. #yoiu will force water where it would no be forced. Water comes out of a pressure washer at 200 mph, it doesn;t rain at 200 mph
Washing the car with water from the rainwater tank gives a much better finish as it is soft water. Getting a power washer to run off the tank which is gravity feed is the big problem. This is not mentioned in the article.
Only good thing about the Karcher is the sales promotion. Had 2 and would never have one again. Latest machines have a very poor build quality and the use of brittle plastic parts makes it only suitable for the very occasional small use. Try and wash a reasonable sized driveway and the machine cannot cope without breaking down. If the machine happens to topple over, which can happen easily, then there is sure to be something broken in the process. Service Agents love them because it keeps them busy repairing them.
Cant understand those people who don’t like to use presure washers dont they realise that every new vehicle delivered to a dealership is covered in a transport film sprayed on at the factory to protect the vehicles paint during transport prior to delivery and that a further transport wax removal chemical is used at the dealership to remove this.
Even if this transport wax removal chemical is hand sprayed the only way to ensure good rermoval is by pressure washer and that a well waxed car should be cleaned down with a good car wash and wax chemical added to the water used preferable through a pressure washing system. This could be done with an ordinary hose system but would not yield the same result in the same time and let a little common sense prevail you should not point a pressure washer at any water seal for a prolonged time. Moderation in everything but lets make life easy
The last time I used a pressure washer it took the paint off the plastic bumper. Never used one since.
Use your washer to take off heavy dirt then wash by hand, then rinse with your washer. A power washer will always leave a film of dirt
The electric pressure washers I don’t think they are value for money because they will more than likely have an aluminium pump head which will seize up. I had an Alto pressure washer and that’s what happened to it, scrap as it was not worth getting it repaired. Alway look for one with a brass pump head which will last a lot longer.
Try Stihl
Funny Negatives on Bosch does not mention needs water and power points. I would like to find one that uses very little water as my Kew was great at last house but keeps cutting out at this property due to poor water pressure. Could do with one that has a cylinder and pump just to wash car and wheelie bins.
I have had two Karchers and both only lasted less than 18 mouths and the after sales was poor thaveo say the least, I have a Vax now for 3 years and it is still going strong. I bought the Vax because we had a Vax cleaner and it is the best cleaner we have had and the after sales is very good.
See there are a few people unhappy with Karcher. Well I bought their smallest cheapest unit back in 1996 and it’s still going. The on/off switch packed up years ago so you just have to pull the plug out to switch off but other than that it still does the job and has seen plenty of use washing off trials cars, motocross bikes, off-road vehicles and other duties. So I guess, like everything else these days, ‘they don’t make them like they used to’
Richard, there is a super product on the market which cleans all moss, algae and weeds. If you are interested the product is WET & FORGET. I am NOT a sales rep by a long chalk. My brother told me about it after getting a demo from his neighbor who has a gravel drive. How would you clean that? Well WET & FORGET really does the job superbly. Fences, paths, walling and anything which has become a shade of green with moss and weeds attached to it. All you need is a garden back pack sprayer, just avoid spraying grass, plants and hedges. Honestly it works like magic. Look it up on the internet.
I’ve had a B&Q Power pressure washer for over 20 years, it cost about £18. The water outlet hose now needs a piece of ducktape at its joint with the pressure washer but I can probably get a replacement as it is only a screw-on item and looks Hoselock compatible. The case is pretty tough but broken in a couple of places from where I’ve left it on top of the wheelie bin and it has accidentally fallen off.
Similarly, I inherited my mother-in-law’s Karcher washer which is also over 20 years old. It is very heavy and I worry that it is too powerful for a car. However during a recent hose pipe ban I bought an attachment that sucks water from a bucket. It showed how little water that pressure washers use as it only took about two full buckets to wash the car. The Karcher cost about £100.
I’d recommend both but suggest you try the cheapest option available. Lidl and Aldi do them from time to time, with three year guarantees.
I had a Karcher washer for some years but it was alway cutting out and refusing to start. I then bought a cheap one from Aldi and it has been completely reliable and has given excellent service. As ann added bonus I discovered it will accept any Karcher accessory so replacement brushes, etc are not a problem.
I TOTALLY AGREE. I HAD A KARCHER AND TWO PARTS NEEDED REPLACING. ONE WAS THE HOSE WHICH WAS OVER £60 AND THE OTHER PART WAS THE INLET STUB / FILTER FOR THE WATER INLET WHICH WAS ANOTHER £20. I REPLACED IT WITH A MACALISTER FROM B&Q. FOR A MACHINE THAT COST JUST £45 ITS ABARGAIN AND PERFORMS BETTER THAN THE KARCHER