Electric pressure cleaners draw their power from a standard home power plug, while battery-powered pressure cleaners are cordless. In our experience testing these models, the battery life only lasts long enough for small cleaning jobs.

We recommend pressure cleaners with a CHOICE Expert Rating of least 80%.

This overall score is made up of cleaning performance (60%) and ease of use (40%).

Each cleaner is tested on a concrete path (for our 2021 test) or a sandstone path (for tests prior to 2021). This is a tough test, allowing our expert tester to rate how well the pressure cleaners clean the path. He uses each cleaning nozzle supplied and times how long it takes to clean with each. The fastest time is used as the basis of the cleaning performance score. 

We rate ease of manoeuvring, taking into account hose length, unit weight and ease of wheeling or carrying if the unit doesn't have wheels. We also assess ease of cleaning, checking the length of the handle/lance, vibrations and trigger comfort.

Our expert rates ease of cleaning based on trigger comfort, length of the lance and vibration.

Our expert rates how easy the pressure cleaner is to move around.

We measure the noise of the cleaner at the user's position, approximately one metre from the unit. The noise produced by each nozzle is measured and we publish the highest noise level here.

Due to a change in test conditions, models are comparable according to year tested. We may retest models from previous tests to bring results in line with current conditions.

The price we paid or the recommended retail price at the time of testing.

The measured weight, including the hose, gun, lance and attachments that are stored/attached to the unit.

The distance from power point to nozzle tip at full stretch.

The length of the hose from the pressure cleaner's body to the nozzle.

How much water the pressure cleaner delivers per minute (in litres).

The manufacturers' claimed water consumption. We state the 'working' figures (not the 'maximum' figures) as noted in the manufacturer's manual. These figures can also be referred to as 'rated' or 'nominal'.

The manufacturer's claimed water pressure at the nozzle, in bar. We don't measure this. We state the 'working' figures (not the 'maximum' figures) as noted in the manufacturer's manual. These figures can also be referred to as 'rated' or 'nominal'. 

The manufacturer's claimed water pressure at the nozzle, in psi (if we don't have this figure, we convert the claimed operating pressure in bar to psi). We state the 'working' figures (not the 'maximum' figures) as noted in the manufacturer's manual. These figures can also be referred to as 'rated' or 'nominal'.

Some manufacturers extend the warranty period if you register the product. This is shown in the table with a "+" symbol.

These are the nozzles supplied with the unit. They control the spray of water and each one is ideal for cleaning different surfaces.

Whether the pressure cleaner comes with a detergent bottle. This is used to hold the cleaning detergent which the pressure washer mixes with water before dispersing. When we test performance, we only test using water in order to provide directly comparable results, but a detergent may help for some types of stubborn stains.

Whether the pressure washer can store the various tools/accessories it comes with.

This is a useful attachment for paths and patios and is sometimes an optional extra.