If you’ve got a driveway or patio to clean, there are two ways you can go about that.
Get down on your hands and knees and scrub the entire thing manually – that can’t be comfortable, especially during the summer! You may also end up injuring yourself, crawling about like that. Sure, you could use a garden hose but can you really get enough pressure out of yours?
Or get yourself a nice, professional pressure washer – this is what we’d recommend if you want to a sparkling clean driveway without putting in too much effort.
Pressure washers have so much more power than the average garden hose. If you’ve got lots of stubborn moss, dirt or grime to get rid of, this is exactly what you need.
Best Pressure Washers in Australia: Our Picks
Below are our picks for best pressure washers you can find in Australia. The following washers were selected based on both expert and customer reviews.
- Jet-USA RX550 – Most Powerful Pressure Washer
- Jet-USA RX500 – Best Price Performance Ratio
- Karcher K2 – Best Budget Product
- Jet-USA RX525 – Most Leightweight Pressure Washer
- Certa 2000W – Affordable Pressure Washer
1. Jet-USA RX550
Max. Pressure: 3800PSI | Motor Power: 3200W | Hose Length: 10m + 20m | Cable Length: 5m
This electric washer is perfect for tougher cleaning jobs. If you’ve got some dirt and grime that just won’t come off with a regular hosing, the Jet-USA RX550 has more than enough pressure to blast them off.
With 3800 pounds per square inch (PSI), you’ll be able to wash an entire boat in half the time it’ll usually take!
The RX550 comes with a commercial grade 20-meter hose attachment, which is more than enough length to clean the underside of a car with ease. In fact, combined with the 10-meter hose reel that’s probably enough to give your entire roof a wash!
The RX550 comes with other add-ons as well. This includes a turbo wand with a ceramic nozzle, a roof lance for cleaning hard-to-reach places and a couple of high-quality brushes that’ll loosen up any dirt coatings.
Even though it’s an electric pressure washer that needs to be plugged in, the wheel trolley design takes some of the hassle out of transporting it.
2. Jet-USA RX500
Max. Pressure: 3500PSI | Motor Power: 2400W | Hose Length: 8m | Cable Length: 5m
The Karcher K2 might be cheaper, however if you need more power, then go with the Jet USA 3500 PSI.
This high PSI pressure washer is perfect for home or commercial use.
It includes a 8m hose, which is perfect if you want to clean your car. The wheel trolley design lets you transport it anywhere.
- 3500 PSI Max
- Lightweight and compact
- Really easy to use
- 8M hose reek
- Big Detergent bottle
- Max flow rate: 8.2L/min
We really recommend this pressure washer. It’s worth the extra price.
3. Karcher K2
Max. Pressure: 1600PSI | Motor Power: 1400W | Hose Length: 6m
Karcher is one of the most know brands, when it comes to pressure washers. This brand offers top quality for a good price.
The Karcher K2 is a lightweith pressure washer for your home and car. This machine has a 1400 watt motor that packs 110 pressure bar. The motor has an air cooling mechanism and is very well priced.
Here is why we like the Karcher K2 Pressure Washer:
- Adjustable water pressure (Click Vario Spray Lance)
- Easy transportation with the telescopic handle
- It has an integrated water filter
- Hose is 6m long
4. Jet-USA RX525 3200PSI
Max. Pressure: 3200PSI | Motor Power: 2350W | Hose Length: 5m | Cable Length: 5m
Compared to its big brother, the RX525 sports a lighter design, making it easier to transport. It’s also much cheaper, meaning that it does lack a couple of things.
Most importantly, its hose only stretches to five metres and its maximum pressure setting isn’t as high as the RX550. However, 3200 PSI is still more than enough for both home and commercial use.
Like the RX550, because it comes with plenty of attachments.
We absolutely love the Vari-Nozzle, which allows you to easily switch up the spray angle.
Plus, the angled head allows you to get into those spots that are hard to reach.
In addition, you also get two types of brushes and a detergent bottle, which allows you to get started straight away.
5. Certa 2000W
Max. Pressure: 2200PSI | Motor Power: 2000W | Hose Length: 8m | Cable Length: 5m
What I like most about the Certa 2000W, is that it is really powerful and affordable at the same time. This washer is great if you want to clean your car, garden furniture, bicycle or anything else around your house.
Here are a few key features, why we like the Certa pressure washer so much:
- It’s really affordable. I still can’t believe how cheap it is.
- Powered by a 2000 Watts motor
- 2200 PSI and 6L/min flow rate
- Hose lenght of 8m
- Power cord lenght of 5m
If you are looking for a good pressure washer or you are on a tight budget, pick up the Certa Pressure Washer.
It’s worth the price, however the overall product quality is slightly worse, then our higher rated products.
Modern pressure washers can cost more than $500. The ones on our list are nowhere near that price point and are very affordable.
What are the Different Types of Pressure Washers?
You have three main options when buying a pressure washer:
Electric Pressure Washers
Electric pressure washers are preferred by many homeowners for their general ease-of-use. They don’t cost much either and have no need for constant maintenance, which helps you save more in the long run. The only downside with electric pressure washers is that they need to be plugged in. This means you’ll have to lug around a power cord wherever you take it.
Petrol Pressure Washers
Unlike electric pressure washers, petrol-powered machines don’t need to be plugged in. They’re generally sturdier as well, so if you’ve got some heavy cleaning jobs this type of washer is what we’d recommend. That being said, they do require more maintenance than electric ones. They also output more noise and you need to keep buying petrol to use them.
Battery-powered Pressure Washers
These aren’t as common as the other two types, but a few manufacturers do offer them. Even though they can’t give you the same power as electric or petrol washers, they’re still great for the average homeowner. Plus they’re extremely portable!
Why Should You Get A Pressure Washer?
We can sum up the answer in three words: ‘efficiency’, ‘convenience’ and ‘versatility’.
If it takes an hour for you to clean your driveway or patio, a pressure washer can do it in about 10 to 15 minutes. In addition, pressure washers use about 80% less water than the typical garden hose!
That’s not all. Most modern pressure washers come fitted with their very own detergent tanks. These are designed to ensure that detergent flows steadily into the pressurized stream, resulting in greater efficiency when cleaning.
Pressure washers can be utilized in a number of different cleaning scenarios including:
- Removal of stains from concrete surfaces. This includes oil stains
- Getting rid of moss attached to the surface of your patio
- Blasting off stubborn mud coatings which cling to your car’s exterior
- Giving outdoor furniture a nice cleaning
- Cleaning surfaces prior to painting.
How to Pick a Pressure Washer
Now that you are aware of the different types of pressure washers, let’s take a look at some of the other features that you should be looking out for:
Commercial vs. Consumer Models – Know Your Needs
These days, you will find that commercial models are available for home use as well. Now, there are two things that are obvious about commercial models – they are more powerful and they cost more. However, these aren’t the only two elements that you should factor into your decision.
Bear in mind that most consumer models aren’t just less powerful, they have also been designed to be used less often. This is because the manufacturer assumes that you will only be using your pressure washer for minor work on a weekly, perhaps monthly basis.
Now, if this is precisely how you are planning on using your pressure washer, then a consumer model will work just fine. On the other hand, if you are planning on using your machine on a daily basis or a few times a week for tougher projects, a commercial grade may be a better investment.
This is because commercial models have been designed for that kind of use. As such, they will not wear out as quickly. If you try to use your commercial pressure washer as much, though, it may give out more quickly.
Hot Water vs. Cold Water Pressure Washers
It is a good idea to consider the kind of stains or grime that you will be tackling with your pressure washer. If you have to deal with a lot of oils or grease, then it might be worth it to get a hot water pressure washer. As the name suggests, this kind of washer uses hot water rather than cold water.
The benefit of this kind of washer is that it gets rid of oily or greasy stains faster, without as much need for detergent. In some instances, these washers can even be used to disinfect surfaces. These washers are more expensive, though, and certainly trickier to move around as well.
Pump Type
Another thing that you should take a look at is the kind of pump that is powering the pressure washer. There are two main types and by identifying which one is in your preferred machine, you can get a better idea of what it is capable of.
Axial Pump
The first pump type is the axial pump. It is an entry-level pump that uses a wobble plate coupled to a drive shaft to move pistons back and forth. This creates pressure before pushing the water out. The pump’s drive shaft is coupled directly to the engine’s drive shaft and runs at the same RPM as the engine.
They are easy to use and maintain. However, they can run hotter and as aren’t as efficient as they could be. Also, these pumps are meant to only be used for a few hours every week. With minimum to moderate use, they can last you for a few years.
Triplex Pump
This is a professional level pump that is actually similar to the one used in your car engine. As a result, the pump uses positive action pistons to suck in water and then push the water out in each stroke. This setup makes them incredibly efficient, allowing you to use them more often and for a longer period of time.
Since these pumps are easy to repair and maintain, they can last quite a bit longer than pressure washers with axial pumps. The only downside is that devices with these pumps can cost more upfront.
PSI, GPM, and Cleaning Units – Selecting the Right Ratings
Pressure washers come with a lot of different specifications. It is important to know what these terms refer to as well as what the ratings mean for you. It is only then that you can select the best possible model for your requirements.
PSI
PSI stands for pounds per square inch. What this is actually referring to is the pressure that is produced by the pressure washer. So, the PSI will determine how effectively, the water spray will break the chemical bond between a surface and a stain.
L/min
Litres per minute refer to the water flow produced by a pressure washer. A higher L/min rating relates to a greater surface area that the washer is capable of tackling at one time.
Cleaning Units
While the PSI and L/min are significant units, the real measure of a pressure washer lies in the cleaning units. Cleaning units are what you get when you measure the PSI with the L/min. So, in a way, it is like a performance score. A higher Cleaning Unit number translates to a more powerful and efficient power washer.
Making Your Choice
Now, let’s put these factors together and show you what they mean when selecting a pressure washer:
| Performance | PSI | L/min | Uses | Frequency Use |
| Light Duty | 1,300 – 1,800 | Up to 5.67 | Car washing and cleaning shutters, grills, lawn furniture | Infrequent |
| Heavy-Duty | 2,000 – 3,000 | Up to 10.6 | Cleaning driveway, pavement, and tough stain removal | Moderate |
| Tough | 3,000 – 4,000+ | Up to 15.14 | Paint stripping, graffiti removal, mildew and mold removal | Frequent |
Now that you have an idea of the right kind of power for your pressure washer, make sure to select the best possible one for you. Selecting a less powerful model will simply make your tasks inefficient and take you a longer time to complete them.
On the other hand, if you pick a model that is more powerful than you need it, you may have to worry about more than just wasting your money. Keep in mind that more powerful models can damage surfaces that can’t hold up to that kind of pressure. So, you should always be careful about the model that you are selecting.
Selecting the Right Nozzles
Every pressure washer has its own nozzle system. Some come with adjustable nozzles. Here, you the nozzle will produce a different angle or flow rate simply with a turn of the nozzle. In other instances, you have to physically switch out one nozzle for the other.
Regardless of which system is in place, it is important to pay attention to the nozzle design. This will give you an idea of how much power is behind each option. In turn, you will be able to determine if a particular make and model is the best option for you.
Sometimes, the nozzle simply differs in terms of the opening size. A smaller allows a more concentrated jet of water to come out. With a larger opening, more water comes out but with less force.
With other nozzles, it is all about the angle of the water flow that is measured in degrees. A 0° refers to the highest possible concentrated stream of water. This is so strong that it can cut through soft surfaces. A slightly wider angle of around 15° is less powerful but can still be used to strip paint off surfaces.
A 25° nozzle can be used to wash driveways or pavements. A 40° nozzle can be used for more delicate tasks like washing your car and outdoor furniture.
You should always know precisely what nozzle comes with the pressure washer that you wish to purchase. Keep in mind that very powerful nozzles can damage your property if you don’t use it on the right surface. So, don’t assume that a single nozzle can be used for all purposes.
Detergent Reservoirs
If you are going after trickier stains or want to deep clean more thoroughly, you are going to want some detergent mixed in with the water from the pressure washer. Well, there are plenty of pressure washers that have this feature.
The more basic models will have a reservoir that is closer to the nozzle. The water and the detergent are mixed at this point. Some of the higher-end models have separate reservoirs or tanks attached to the machines. This way the water is mixed with the soap right as it leaves the reservoir.
When buying a pressure washer that uses detergent, always check the detergent requirements. Some models will allow you to use third-party detergents. Others, however, will require you to use only their brand.
Cable and Hose Length
Now, this isn’t something that you need to be concerned with a gas pressure washer. However, if you have an electric pressure washer, this is something to consider. This is especially true when you are working outdoors. A longer cable (and hose) allows you to walk about freely, without having to stay as close to a power outlet. So always make sure that a particular washer is equipped with such a feature.
Accessories
These days, pressure washers are equipped with more accessories than before. This can include various nozzle designs, brush additions, lances, and more. All of these accessories help you to clean out different surfaces more effectively. As such, if they do have some use for you, go ahead and purchase pressure washers with these accessories.
| BEST CHOICE |
| Jet USA RX500 |
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| PREMIUM PICK |
| Jet USA RX550 |
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| BEST VALUE |
| Karcher K2 |
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| Editor’s Rating: |
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