Karcher K2 Full Control Home
A practical pressure washer that makes light work of outdoor cleaning around the home.
Pressure Washer Buying Guide: How to Choose (UK 2026)
Pressure washers look similar but vary in the things that matter: how hard they hit (pressure), how much water they move (flow rate), what accessories come in the box, and how they're powered. This guide walks through each so you can match one to your jobs.
Pressure (bar and PSI) and flow rate
Pressure is measured in bar (the UK standard) or PSI (roughly 14.5 PSI per bar) and determines the cleaning punch. Around 100-130 bar suits cars and general cleaning; 130-150 bar and up handles patios, driveways and stubborn moss. But pressure isn't everything - flow rate (litres per hour) is the volume of water, and a higher flow rinses loosened dirt away faster on big areas. The best washers balance the two; don't just chase the biggest bar figure.
Accessories that matter
The accessories often make more difference than a few extra bar. A patio (surface) cleaner head is the big one - it cleans flat surfaces fast and evenly with no splash-back. An adjustable or 'Vario' lance lets you change the spray from gentle to focused; a dirt-blaster (rotary) nozzle tackles ingrained grime; and a detergent/foam bottle or snow-foam lance helps with cars. Check what's included, as buying heads separately adds up.
Power: corded, cordless or petrol
Corded electric is the usual home choice - steady pressure, unlimited run time, light maintenance, as long as you're near a socket and tap. Cordless (battery) models trade power for portability and can draw from a bucket or water butt, ideal for cars and spots away from a tap. Petrol offers the most power and total independence for large or off-grid jobs, but it's noisier and needs more upkeep. Most households are best served by a corded machine.
Brands and storage
Karcher leads the UK market (K2 to K7), with Bosch the main rival (EasyAquatak, UniversalAquatak, AdvancedAquatak) and Nilfisk, WORX and budget brands also worth a look. Whatever you buy, store it somewhere frost-free over winter and drain it down after use - freezing water can crack the pump, the most common way these machines die.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Karcher K 2 Power Control Home
A practical pressure washer (110 bar, 360 L/h) that makes light work of outdoor cleaning around the home.
#3 
Karcher K 2 Horizontal
A practical pressure washer (110 bar, 360 L/h) that makes light work of outdoor cleaning around the home.
#4 
Bosch EasyAquatak 120
A practical pressure washer (350 L/h) that makes light work of outdoor cleaning around the home.
#5 
Bosch EasyAquatak 120
A practical pressure washer that makes light work of outdoor cleaning around the home.
#6 
Karcher K2 Premium Full Control
A practical pressure washer that makes light work of outdoor cleaning around the home.
Frequently asked questions
Is bar or PSI better for measuring pressure?
They measure the same thing - roughly 14.5 PSI to 1 bar. The UK usually quotes bar. Don't fixate on the number alone; flow rate and accessories matter just as much for real-world cleaning.
What accessories should a pressure washer come with?
Look for a trigger gun, an adjustable lance, a dirt-blaster nozzle for stubborn grime, and a detergent bottle. A patio/surface cleaner head is the most useful extra for patios and driveways.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Karcher K2 Full Control Home (our score 9.6/10) - A practical pressure washer that makes light work of outdoor cleaning around the home..