There is a debate on whether a hose with elbow grease is a better option than a budget pressure washer for car cleaning. After all, a pressure washer can run into the hundreds if you get one with a couple of bells and whistles. Do more affordable pressure washers, under £150 for example, lack the power or quality to be a worthwhile investment?
The budget washer market is the perfect place for your first pressure washer. We've tested low and mid-range offerings from huge names like Nilfisk and Bosch, complete with quality specs but are not too powerful or complex for a beginner to use.
Whether you're hoping to get to grips with snow foam or want to blast away grime, we’ve put together a list of the best budget pressure washers out there to help you make the most of your car cleaning time.
The best budget pressure washers 2024 at a glance:
The best budget pressure washer: Bosch Easy-Aquatak 120 - buy from Amazon
Editor's pick: Ryobi RY100PWA - buy from Amazon
The best quality budget pressure washer: Nilfisk Core 130 - buy from Amazon
Before diving into the world of budget pressure washers, consider your needs. If you're after something solely based on car cleaning, check if it can offer 120 bar of pressure and includes a snow foam lance as standard. If you want something to keep your garden clean too, see if you can get a bundle set with a patio cleaner.
How we test budget pressure washers?
Quite simply, we find out just how good their cleaning ability is. The power to lift and sweep away dirt and residue from the bodywork is key to a great pressure washer, as you're likely to buy one as an upgrade over a traditional hose.
In terms of budget pressure washers however, there are further challenges to overcome. Value for money is our biggest target, as we ideally want to crown a winner that demonstrates amazing capabilities for an almost bargain price point.
Manoeuvrability will come next; pressure washers with wheels score bonus points for us because they're easier to tug around than a still unit. This can also be determined by hose and cable lengths, which if shorter, can make things more difficult when connected to a plug and tap.
Build quality is next, and while it isn't our biggest concern as you have to expect a shortness in it at this price point, it is nice to have if you've bought a pressure washer for a low price. Think of this category akin to how well-coveted the VW Polo and Golf next to their rivals - particularly in terms of materials and build quality.
The best budget pressure washers tested 2024
Boasting a flow rate of 350 litres per-hour at 120 Bar of pressure, the EasyAquatak 120 is one of the most reasonable pressure washers in terms of power and capability while remaining at a competitive price point.
I rather wished it sat on wheels for easier manoeuvrability, but with sturdy build quality, good materials, and a smooth-enough operation, the 120 was the decided winner. It came close with the competitors, but it wins points on all rounds including the all-important value for money part of the scoring board.
It was simple to use as well. With just one main control along with only the essential nozzle attachments, it's not an intimidating machine to approach if you're new to the world of pressure washers. What was missing however, was the variety in those attachments. They're simply not as different to each other as the competitors, but that doesn't sway our overall impressions of this well-rounded and very neat machine. It represents stellar value for money at £110, while boasting a nice, durable build quality and a capable cleaning ability with plenty of pressure to go with it. It feels smooth in its operation and it easy to use, which when cleaning a car, matters to people in the market for a pressure washer.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Incredibly easy to use and approachable to people new to pressure washers
- Adjustable spray power, which can make cleaning jobs easier
- Durable feel and sturdy build quality throughout the machine
Cons
- We wish it sat on wheels for easier manoeuvrability
| Maximum pressure: | 120 bar |
| Power: | 1500W |
| Maximum water flow: | 350 l/h |
| Weight: | 4kg |
Boasting the best value for money stamp of the pressure washers on test, the RY100PWA can be considered my secret winner on this test. It loses points for slightly off materials compared to the rest, but for the cleaning capabilities and power it offers for well under £100, it's a hard option to miss.
It generates 390 litres per-hour of flow rate at 100 Bar of pressure. That's more water coverage than the Bosch 120 and Karcher K2, while costing roughly a third as much. It's missing a snow foam cannon, wheels, and perhaps some on-board storage, but the cleaning capabilities are impossible to match in correlation to how much you pay. It doesn't feel as rough as the K2 under operation - it only makes a relatively similar, industrial-like noise.
But for most people who want their first pressure washer, I don't think there's isn't any need to look further than this one. It's easy to tell that most of the money and R&D went into producing a good motor, whereas the plastics and body came secondary - and this will be fine to most people, and you have to remember that you can get two of these for the price of one Nilfisk Core 130. It stands as my moral winner simply because of how good it is, yet it happens to cost only £79.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Amazing value at under £80 for the whole package and capabilities
- Powerful enough for most people at 390 litres per-hour at 100 Bar of pressure
- Perfect pressure washer for beginners of the machines
Cons
- The materials feel a bit flimsier than the others
| Max water flow (l/h) | 390 |
| Max pressure (Bar) | 100 |
| Power (W) | 1400 |
| Cable length | 5m |
| Hose length | 5m |
| Dimensions | 30 x 27 x 42cm |
| Weight | 5.6kg |
If you're looking for a pressure washer with a premium-esque feel for a non-premium price point, look no further than the Nilfisk Core 130. It provides a plethora of cleaning ability with a flow rate of 462 litres per-hour at 130 Bar of pressure. This means it can cover more ground than the others, which can quicken cleaning jobs.
I also love how the plastics used throughout the exterior of the machine feel much more thick and durable than the others. The handlebar feels much more comfortable and long-lasting than the rest, and the hose feels like it could take all the stress imaginable. It also sprayed a noticeable morea amount onto the cars - this is undoubtedly down to the higher flow rate, but the difference is noticeable when you're running the machine. You get the sense you can cover more ground (or bodywork) more easily than the other machines we had on test.
All of this though, does come at a slightly higher price point than the other pressure washers tested - and in many ways, the Core 130 isn't comparable. However, I personally feel it's worth it if you care about the longevity of your machine. The smoothness of the operation and the sturdiness of the materials gave me the sense that Nilfisk designed the 130 and its siblings to last a household for years to come - akin to a slightly scruffy old Toyota Land Cruiser or Subaru Legacy Outback.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Robust internals, including thick hose and very durable motor and handlebar
- Easy to move around, thanks to big wheels and big handle
- Powerful at 462 litres per-hour, meaning it can cover more ground than the others on our test
Cons
- Hose length could be longer than six metres
| Max water flow (l/h) | 462 |
| Max pressure (Bar) | 130 |
| Power (W) | 1500W |
| Cable length | 5m |
| Hose length | 6m |
| Dimensions | 28.2 x 11.4 x 11.8cm |
| Weight | 7.9kg |
One of the the most popular options regardless of performance has always been the K2 from Kärcher. The Power Control variant boasts 360 litres per-hour of flow rate along with 110 Bar of pressure. It's more comparable to the Bosch and the Ryobi rather than the Nilfisk, yet for what it's capable for, it stands as a great pressure washer for most people's needs from the garden to the car.
I don't like the way it vibrates slightly more harshly under operation than the others. To me, it's certainly the worst offender for making my hands feel uncomfortable while washing a car. However, you can't expect the be-all and end-all of refinement when shopping around at this price point.
Where it falls short however, is a small nag compared to the pros. It's very easy to move around, is even easier to set up, and for almost any car cleaning job, it's a perfect companion for it. The materials do feel a bit less durable than the Ryobi and the Nilfisk, but it's a step-up from the Ryobi, and it feels it. You get the sense it's well-engineered inside, and for the money, it's a solid choice and we quickly understood why it sells so well with people looking for their first pressure washer.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Easy to set up, thanks to simple instructions and clear layout
- Good performance for most people at 360 litres per-hour at 110 Bar of pressure
- An ideal pressure washer for beginners of the genre
Cons
- The vibrations are quite harsh under operation compared to the others
- The materials aren't quite as durable-feeling as they could be
| Max water flow (l/h) | 110 |
| Max pressure | 360 |
| Power (W) | 1400 |
| Cable length | 4m |
| Hose length | 5m |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 28 x 58.6cm |
| Weight | 4kg |
On the topic of cordless pressure washers on a budget, we were neatly impressed by the Jet Hawk unit. It's nowhere near as powerful as the others, but it boasts a massive benefit over the others, whereby it delivers pressure washing needs without the need of a mains tap and electricity plug.
All you need is a bucket (a clean one) full of water, and you simply drop the hose and water filter in that, and away you go. It only delivers a minimal pressure rate compared to the others, but it sprays plenty of water to be able to attach dirty spots on your vehicle. It even feels smooth and unobtrusive under full load, and the materials of the machine itself don't feel budget in any way.
For a mere £70, I found it to be a mightily impressive tool that can hold its ground well against the establishments. The hose and a few other bits did feel cheap, but the overall quality isn't bad for what you get. This is our biggest surprise of the whole group test, and it shouldn't be ignored.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Great value for money at under £70 for the entire package
- Can be used without a tap and mains electricity, only requirring use of a battery and bucket
- The main machine doesn't feel like a budget unit in its build and operation quality
Cons
- Really lacks the power of the other machines on test - and other cordless pressure washers
| Max water flow (l/h) | Information not available |
| Max pressure (Bar) | 15 |
| Power (W) | 300 |
| Cable length | N/A |
| Hose length | 5m |
| Dimensions | 11.5 x 11 x 41cm |
| Weight | 2.6kg |
FAQs and considerations with budget pressure washers
When buying a budget pressure washer, there are one or two factors to consider to ensure that you not only get the best value for your money but that the pressure washer meets your needs. You may just be looking for a basic washer, or you may need something more flexible with attachments for applying snow foam and detergents.
How much pressure is enough in a pressure washer?
Pressure Output: Determine the maximum pressure output you require for your cleaning tasks. For light to medium-duty tasks like cleaning cars, patios, or garden furniture, a pressure washer with a pressure range of 100-120 bar should suffice.
How can I tell what flow rate is good in a pressure washer?
The flow rate of a pressure washer is measured in litres or gallons per hour. A higher flow rate can help you cover larger areas more quickly.
Are budget pressure washers easier to store?
Generally speaking, yes. Less expensive pressure washers have smaller motors and components, and are therefore less expensive to produce - leading to their more compact size across all the different manufacturers. Lightweight and compact models are easier to manoeuvre and store.
How do I know whether a pressure washer has a good hose?
A longer hose allows for greater reach without moving the unit, while a durable material like rubber ensures a longer lifespan. Nilfisk tend to make the most durable, quality-feeling hoses, so most products from that brand is worth considering if that's what you're looking for.
Are nozzle attachments important with pressure washers?
They can be if you're looking at performing different kinds of cleaning tasks. If you fall in that category, look for pressure washers that come with a variety of nozzle attachments for different cleaning tasks, such as 0-degree, 15-degree, 25-degree, and 40-degree nozzles.
Do budget pressure washers include snow foam cannons?
Lots of them do include snow foam cannons, but the very cheap ones tend to skimp out, leading to you buying them separately. Determine if the pressure washer you're looking at has a built-in detergent tank for spraying cleaning shampoo or if it has compatibility with a foam cannon attachment for applying snow foam.
How important is build quality with a budget pressure washer?
At this price point, you kind-of have to accept what is given to you. However, the components within should withstand stress over a long period of time with any pressure washer from a trusted manufacturer. Assess the build quality of the pressure washer, including the materials used and construction. While budget models may not offer the same durability as higher-end options, look for sturdy components that can withstand regular use.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.