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 sub £150 pressure washer market is the perfect place for your first pressure washer. Here you'll find 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 you can get your hands on for under £150 to help you make the most of your car cleaning time.
The best budget pressure washers under £150 at a glance:
Editor's pick: Nilfisk Core 125 bar High Pressure Washer - View offer on Amazon
Best budget pressure washer under £150: Ryobi RPW120B Pressure Washer - View offer on Amazon
Best compact pressure washer under £150: Bosch EasyAquatak 120 - View offer on Amazon
Before diving into the world of sub £150 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.
The best budget pressure washers under £150
Editor's pick
Via NilfiskDescription
Our current top-rated pressure washer range from Nilfisk squeezes in under £150 if you're happy to have a slightly less powerful model. The 125 model still features fancy styling, a plethora of accessories and an aluminium water pump, it just tops out at 125 bar.
It may not be the best for tackling the very worst of garden grime, therefore, but it'll be perfect at home cleaning a car. The Nilfsik should prove reliable with that beefy pump, and the lightweight design will make it portable. That design is also functional, offering clever ergonomic and space-efficient features to keep it compact and looking sleek.
Pros
- Robust internals
- Clever design
Cons
- Hose length could be longer
Best budget pressure washer under £150
Description
Designed to clean vehicles, outdoor patios, decking and brick walls, the RPW120B has an 1800W motor, onboard storage, a spray nozzle wand and an on-demand detergent option. The compact design makes storage easy while the wheels make it easy to transport, not that it’s overly heavy at 10kg.
A 5-metre durable and flexible steel-armed hose resists kinking to give you a constant and smooth flow of pressurised water at 120 bar and a 380 litres per hour flow rate. This model only comes with the trigger gun, Vario lance, turbo lance and hose, but you can purchase other accessories like a rotary brush for cleaning your car and a patio brush kit for floors.
Pros
- Good on-board storage
- Strong motor
Cons
- Plastics could feel nicer
Best Kärcher pressure washer under £150
Description
Kärcher has long been the standard name in the pressure washer business – the German brand bringing all the efficiency it can offer with reliability and precision.
The maximum pressure of 110 bar at 160 litres per hour is the tiny weight of 4kg (without accessories), which means this model is light but mighty. Perfect for bikes, garden tools and garden furniture, the model might lack all the grunt you need to blast the dirt from your patio, but it should be enough to help you clean your car.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Good performance
Cons
- Poor control of detergent feed rate
Best compact pressure washer under £150
Description
Bosch does away with the tower-style pressure washer and makes it's own easy to hold and carry around. This highly compact design makes storage a doddle and doesn’t compromise on what makes a pressure washer one of the best products in your shed. At 4.7kg, it’s light enough for you to hold while you use it.
The adjustable cleaning intensity allows you to tailor the spray size for your task, from a gentle rinse to the removal of stubborn baked-on dirt. The 1,500-watt motor provides 350 litres of water per hour and 120 bar of pressure.
Pros
- Compact design
- Adjustable spray power
Cons
- Changing accessories can be fiddly
Best budget pressure washer for gardeners
www.tooled-up.com
Description
A generous selection of accessories is the stand-out feature of this Greenworks pressure washer. Not only does it ship with the usual adjustable nozzle and foam lance, the G30 features a dedicated patio cleaner, brush attachment and turbo nozzle for an even stronger jet of water.
Add in an aluminium water pump head and impressive 1500W motor and this pressure washer should prove to be a tempting choice if you're also interested in upgrading how you clean your garden.
Pros
- Fully stocked
- Impressive figures
Cons
- More to store
Some considerations to make when buying a budget pressure washer:
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. Here are some things worth looking at:
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.
Flow Rate: Consider the flow rate (measured in litres or gallons per hour) of the pressure washer. A higher flow rate can help you cover larger areas more quickly.
Portability and Storage: Consider the weight and size of the pressure washer, especially if you need to move it frequently or have limited storage space. Lightweight and compact models are easier to manoeuvre and store.
Hose Length and Material: Check the length and material of the hose provided with the pressure washer. A longer hose allows for greater reach without moving the unit, while a durable material like rubber ensures a longer lifespan.
Nozzle Attachments: 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.
Detergent Tank or Foam Cannon: Determine if the pressure washer has a built-in detergent tank for spraying cleaning shampoo or if it has compatibility with a foam cannon attachment for applying snow foam.
Build Quality and Durability: 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.
Myles Warwood is a Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best, Parkers and CAR. His areas of expertise include cycling, fitness tech and hot hatches.
For verdicts, scoops, news and analysis from the team, delivered direct to your inbox, subscribe to the CAR newsletter.
You can enjoy CAR in its traditional print format, or one of the swelling number of digital editions, optimised for Apple iPhones, Android devices, iPads, tablets and desktop computers.