Last updated on March 30th, 2023
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I have spent countless hours looking for the best portable pressure cleaners, (this means) no water tap needed and no mains electric socket needed either. So they have to use rechargeable batteries and feature a self-contained water tank or feeder hose you can put into a container of water or another water source. It was difficult, but we eventually found 5 decent models that ticked all the boxes.
Below you will find detailed reviews of some of the best portable pressure washers currently available on the market, plus a buying guide to give you an idea of what considerations you need to make.
BEST PICK
RUNNER-UP
ALSO WORTH CONSIDERING
The 5 best portable pressure washers that I reviewed, including my top picks
- Bosch Fontus Cordless Outdoor Cleaner – BEST PICK – Not as compact as some of the other models, however, still compact enough to throw into the back of a car. An 18v re-chargeable battery and 15 litre self-contained water tank mean this model is truly portable.
- WORX WG629E.1HYDROSHOT Pressure Cleaner
- Greenworks G40DC40 Portable Pressure Washer
- Kärcher OC3 Portable Cleaner
- Sealey PW1712 Pressure Washer
Top 5 Best Portable Pressure Washer Reviews
Here are some of the best portable pressure washer models on the market. By understanding the scope of work they can accomplish, you can determine whether they will fulfil your cleaning needs before purchasing the model.
1. Bosch Fontus Cordless Outdoor Cleaner
MY BEST PICK – The largest truly self-contained portable model.
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Pros
- Everything is truly self contained, water, battery even the brushes and models are stored on the pressure washer.
- Comes with a large 15-litre water tank for seamless cleaning procedures.
- Offers 4 spray patterns to attend to different cleaning functions.
- It is a 15 bar washer pressure and therefore can handle small-medium sized cleaning jobs.
- Features various water pressure speeds to tackle different kinds of cleaning.
- Requires 18V lithium-ion batteries. These are compatible with other 18v Bosch products, which means if you already have Bosch tools, you can save money by just purchasing the bare tool without a battery and charger.
- Comes with two cleaning attachments to cater to various cleaning functions.
- Provides storage compartments for the hose and cleaning heads.
- It has wheels and an extendable handle to facilitate easy manouverability.
- Offers 60 minutes of running time and recharges in only 2 hours.
Are you looking for a pressure washer that has a bit more power, but a model that also holds the water and is 100% self-contained with everything you need all inside one unit? Search no further than the Bosch Fontus Cordless Outdoor Cleaner. You can use it to clean a number of things within and outside the house including your dogs, just don’t forget to set it to rinse before you hose them down! It runs on an 18v lithium-ion battery that is long-lasting and super energy efficient.
If you already have other 18v Bosch tools, you can even use the battery and charge from those tools and save some money just by buying the pressure washer as a bare tool, without the battery and charger. Taking up to 103 minutes, (that is just over an hour and 40 minutes to fully charge up) the batteries will then offer up to approximately 60 minutes of running time. Sixty minutes is adequate time to get a few things cleaned, so whether you are camping for the weekend and need to clean the bikes off in the evening or simply washing pram wheels off, I think it is more than long enough if you want to use it to clean your car.
To use the pressure washer, you need to fill the tank up first with 15 litres of water, yes it has a much bigger tank than any other model, so if a large water capacity is important to you, this scores high marks. These 15 litres can last a long period of time if you are only cleaning small items. If you are looking to undertake larger projects then you may need to refill the tank a few times, but with 15 litres of water, you could easily clean your car.
This model comes with two cleaning attachments, these include the nozzle and a cleaning brush. These attachments are designed to be removed or attached without too much effort. This, in turn, provides a seamless cleaning experience, even when you are trying to clean down your outdoor furniture. There is a compartment specifically designed to store the attachment when they are not in use which is a handy design feature. This will save you some headache when you are trying to store the pressure washer in a tight space and when you come to get it back out of the shed, you know where everything is.
The rotating nozzle head gives you access to different modes of water pressure. You can reduce or increase the water pressure depending on what you are cleaning. You can use the jet function to remove stubborn piles of dirt from surfaces or a soft spray to wash your dog. Also, you can choose the speed of the water being ejected between low, medium and turbo depending on what you are cleaning, so you really have ways to get the perfect pressure for the job you are undertaking.
To make moving the model easily, wheels were fitted into the design. The wheels are designed with treads so that they are able to manoeuvre the outdoor surfaces easily. The extendable handle is also well designed and makes matters even simpler as it provides a way to drag the machine along as you clean. The handle has been padded to ensure your hands are comfortable as it can weigh well over 15kg when fully filled with water.
What does stand out with this model is the length of the hose, it is much longer than most models and this gives you that little bit more freedom. The 4-meter hose (which is over 12ft long) is detachable and has a compartment that is used to store the hose when it is not in use. The battery pack and charger are both optional and are compatible with other 18v Bosch tools. This means that if you already have other 18v Bosch tools then they should fit the pressure washer and you could then invest in the pressure washer without the battery and charger and save yourself some money.
It is worthing that this model is not the most powerful on paper, the Worx Hydroshot, which we also review in this article, has more bar pressure but the difference is probably not too noticeable. Where the Bosch Fontis really stands out is that it has a large built-in 15-litre water tank and a lengthy 60 minutes running time and short recharge time. It also has a long hose (as we have previously mentioned) so you don’t need to move it around too much if you are washing down your patio for example.
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2. Greenworks G40DC40 40v Cordless Pressure Washer
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Pros
- Ideal for places where you need a pressure washer but don’t have access to water mains or power.
- Offers a maximum water pressure of 70 bar to dislodge dirt from different surfaces.
- Comes with a long 6 meter hose to give the user adequate reach, even when cleaning longer vehicles and caravans.
- Uses a 40V lithuim-ion battery that is interchangeable with other Greenworks 40V products. (We recommend the 40v 4Ah battery for an increased run time).
- It has a padded trigger handle for comfort.
- Features a large 20-litre capacity tank to provide uninterrupted continuity of work.
- Lightweight and easy to store with a good balance between power, practicality and affordability.
Clean anything, anywhere, using the Greenworks G40DC40 Cordless Pressure Washer that is designed to offer optimal performance and we think it provides the right balance between power and practicality.
The high-pressure washer uses a 40v lithium-ion battery to power the motor so electric cables are not required, which is a big advantage. You can move from one corner of the property to the other cleaning various surfaces without restriction. You can also take it on the move as it is fairly compact, making it useful for cleaning off bikes before putting them back onto your bike rack, cleaning off gear after camping. Alternatively also practical for cleaning cars and vans where you might not have direct outdoor access to electricity and water, for example, if you live in a flat.
If you already own other Greenworks products that use the 40V battery then you do not need to purchase another battery because the batteries within the group are interchangeable, this is becoming fairly commonplace for cordless tools. You will need to purchase a battery and a charger if you are not familiar with this brand as they are not supplied with the pressure washer.
This brings us to the run time. If you go for the smaller 40v 2Ah battery capacity, you will probably be disappointed with the run time. With this in mind, we recommend spending that bit extra and purchasing the larger 40v 4Ah battery and this should give you around 30 minutes running time from a single charge.
This pressure washer is equipped with a 20-litre tank, whether it is enough from a single fill will depend on what job you are doing. If you are cleaning a car, bikes and undertaking general clean downs it should be fine. If it is not, you could also carry a separate 20-litre tank to refill the pressure washer tank when needed.
With a water flow rate of 300l/h and 70 bar pressure, you can easily dislodge tough stains on different surfaces whether indoors or outdoors, but it’s important to not compare the power to a powerful electric model such as the karcher K5 as they are designed for different uses. But for most people, this should be plenty powerful enough.
It is not a particularly heavy model at 7.9kg, therefore, manoeuvering it around should not be an issue. The model is fitted with a handle to allow you to move it around without too much effort and the tank can be removed to make it even more compact for storage.
Finally, this model has a long 6-meter hose that provides adequate reach, permitting you to work freely and reach those tough corners. This is much better than most starter main pressure washers such as the Karcher K2 that usually have only 4 meters of hose.
There is a jet nozzle supplied that releases water and has high pressure to clean different surfaces and the trigger handle is padded to provide cushioning as the user continuously grips it, which we think is a nice finish.
For those who are not near taps or electricity, you will be pleased to know that this pressure washer can use water from any source. Whether you are near a river or pond, you can fetch water easily using the bucket on the top section of the water. This feature allows for this pressure washer to be carried anywhere, whether for camping or cleaning the grill after a hearty barbecue. At the end of the day, you will find that this pressure washer will handle light-heavy work with unbeatable grace.
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Read next: Best Water fed Window Cleaning Poles
3. WORX WG629E.1HYDROSHOT Pressure Cleaner
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Pros
- Simply insert the long 6 meter hose into any stationary water, such as a bucket or container.
- Offers varied water pressure speed settings for removing different bulks of dirt.
- Offers a powerful psi of 320 (22 bar) which is 3 – 4 times more than what a normal hose can offer.
- Hydroshot possesses a rotating head at different angles to produce different water effects, such as mist.
- Comes with a share-able battery that can be used by other WORX tools.
- The battery charges up in just 3 hours giving around 20 minutes run time on full power and 30-35 minutes on low pressure.
- Comes with a great set of accessories.
- Offers a 3-year warranty for full peace of mind, just remember to register it online otherwise it comes with 2 years as standard.
The WORX WG629E.1HYDROSHOT Pressure Cleaner will help you clean all the grime and dirt from your surfaces. Effective for cleaning cars, garden furniture and patios amongst other things, this portable model draws water from available sources and does not have a built-in water tank (like the Fontis model by Bosch) so we would recommend getting a water container to use as the tank, or of course, you could use a bucket of water but this may not be practical if you are travelling in a car. You can get a 25-litre water container for less than £10 delivered, or even a foldable version for saving space if this is an issue.
To effectively clean dirty surfaces there needs to be a model that has a high psi and this is where, for a portable model, the hydroshot really excels. This portable water pressure washer is designed to offer a maximum psi of 320, and this is 10 times more water pressure than a standard garden hose or 3-4 times more powerful than a hose with a spray gun attached.
In the event that you need to clean something that doesn’t require a lot of pressure, you can adjust the water pressure to about 100psi. This is made possible through the variable speed settings that you can adjust at any given point.
A long lance is included to maximise pressure whilst also increasing space for control. You will be able to manoeuvre around and clean without feeling like the pressure washer is weighing you down. Weighing in at a measly 0.59kgs, it is light enough to carry along and is probably the lightest model on this list. As with all the models on this list, it possesses multiple spray nozzle angles to produce different water effects. When you rotate the head you can switch from mist to a pulsating spray in a matter of seconds.
All these functions are powered by a 20V lithium-ion battery pack that takes 3 hours to charge up. This gives you around 20 minutes of run time on full power and 30-35 minutes on low pressure so it might be worth investing in a second battery if the run time is a concern to you, that being said one battery will last long enough to rinse two small cars or one larger 4×4. This set of batteries can also be used by other WORX 20V products, which may be useful if you already have, or intend to buy more power tools by Worx. You end up saving money over time.
Finally, it also includes a 3-year warranty if you register online within 30 days. It is important to note that the 30 days is from the date of purchase and not upon delivery, so if it takes a while to arrive, make sure you register it straight away.
Finally, it comes with a short lance, a carry bag, 6m hose, a soap bottle, a cleaning brush, a long lance, a foldable bucket, battery and a charger together with the unit and its nozzle.
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4. Kärcher 6v OC3 Portable Cleaner
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Pros
- Self-contained including water tank, lightweight and designed for mobility.
- Comes with a 5 bar pressure rating that is low enough for gentler cleaning functions but provides enough power for jobs such as cleaning muddy bikes.
- Perfect for hikers, cyclists, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
- The water tank has a water level indicator to notify you when to refill.
- Rechargeable built-in battery pack.
If you are always outdoors traversing the landscape, then the Kärcher OC3 Portable Cleaner is the model you need, to sum it up, it is small and compact so can easily be stored in the back of the car, has good pressure, probably slightly more than a hose and spray gun. However, the water capacity is smaller at only 4 litres which means it should last long enough to clean off bikes, pets, wellies for a few minutes. We would recommend perhaps carrying a collapsible water bottle to top it up if needed.
The 2.17kg pressure washer is lightweight and is very well made, as you would expect coming from Karcher. This pressure washer comes in handy for campers, cyclists, hikers or those who work in muddy areas. Using a 6V lithium-ion battery will give you a running time of 15 to 20 minutes before requiring a recharge.
This is not a high powered model considering the amount of power it needs to run. Possessing a water pressure of 5 bars, you won’t be removing layers of dirt from your driveway, however, it is perfect for taking on the move, washing the dogs down and cleaning your bike etc.
It comes with a water tank that sits on top of the nozzle compartment and supplies cleaning water. The tank has a water-level indicator that reveals the amount of water left in the tank which is nice. As it is a low-pressure washer, you can easily wash your dog or remove mud from the driveway too.
The battery is not detachable from the unit like most models but it comes with its own battery indicator. The indicator will flash depending on the level of battery power left, this will remind you to recharge soon if you want to continue working. It is worth noting that you can get it with a car battery charger and many will find this option useful. It measures 27.7 x 23.4 x 20.1cm, therefore, storing or moving the model around will not be a problem and you can keep it in the back of your car if needed.
Overall, an excellent piece of kit if you just want to wash something down for a few minutes.
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5. Sealey PW1712 Pressure Washer 12v Rechargeable
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Pros
- The unit is lightweight, weighing 6.8kgs.
- Can be powered by a 12V external source or 12V rechargeable batteries.
- Offers 40 minutes of running time.
- Provides a 6m hose for easy manouverability.
- Comes with two cleaning heads with soap bottles for seamless cleaning.
- Provides on-board storage for accessories.
- Features 8-bar pressure and a 17-litre tank to cater to various cleaning applications.
The Sealey PW1712 Pressure Washer is a lightweight model that you can purchase to help you with a number of cleaning applications and like the Bosch model, it comes with a large self-contained water tank that holds an impressive 17 litres of water. The downside to this is that it is heavy when fully filled and does not have wheels for easier mobility. This is higher than any of the models featured in this review.
With a maximum water pressure of 8 bars, this model is unable to handle large jobs but remember is not supposed to replace a mains powered pressure washer. This is a common mistake that some people make before purchasing it. It is important to consider what jobs you are using it for, cleaning your bike or car, yes it will do this brilliantly, cleaning moss off your drive, simply not powerful enough.
It comes with two cleaning heads so as to tackle different levels of dirt. The first is a spray head that can be rotated to adjust the water pressure whilst the second head is a cleaning brush that is great for cleaning your car. It is worth noting that both of these heads have been fitted with soap dispensers to make cleaning your car even easier, however, it is worth noting it won’t work with snow foam, but it is a really good feature to have as most models only use water and cannot be used with detergent.
Another valued feature with this pressure washer is the long 6-meter hose length, this gives you plenty of reach for cleaning larger cars. No matter the size of your vehicle, you can get around it easily and clean the surface effectively. It even comes with a shoulder strap to make transporting the pressure washer manageable but remember when it is fully filled with water this will be hard work.
Enjoy the onboard storage compartment that will hold the hose together with the cleaning attachments. This feature makes it simple to store and move with the unit whenever it is needed.
Finally, it relies on 12v lead-acid batteries, these are a little old school, the lithium-ion batteries are much better in terms of holding their charge and recharging quickly but the batteries on this model still do the job. That being said, it can also be powered by a vehicle’s 12V socket which is a handy feature. Depending on where you are, you can rely on either of these methods.
When fully charged, the pressure washer will give you approximately 40min of running time which is good. Overall, this model gets the job done and is much more affordable than our ‘best pick’, it is however just not in the same league in terms of quality, for the price though it is well worth considering.
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Pressure Cleaner Buyer’s Guide
What do you consider when trying to pick between all the models to select the best portable pressure washer on the market? Price is obviously a factor, but there are more important things to think about, such as portability and the ability for it to be self-contained.
What size of pressure washer is right for you?
Consider the amount of work that you want to undertake and the size of the model that you will be able to carry or push around. Larger models will provide you with a larger tank capacity and possibly more power to remove stubborn dirt from garden furniture with the help of the scrubbing brush.
Smaller models, such as the Kärcher OC3 Portable Cleaner will take care of smaller jobs like cleaning your bike after a day on the trails or a pair of dirty wellies. They also incorporate a much smaller water tank, to compare between models, the Karcher has a 4 litre tank while the Bosch has a much larger 15-litre tank, but it is obviously much bulkier. Smaller models weigh less and have less sophisticated features compared to pressure washers like the Bosch Fontus Cordless Outdoor Cleaner.
Nozzle functions
It is important to have access to different nozzle spray functions so that you can clean different things. The nozzle pressure will differ when you want to comfortably wash your dog and when you need to get the mud out of your tyres. Models such as the Worx Hydroshot Pressure Cleaner come with different spray functions like jet and mist.
Soap bottles
Soap bottles save time, especially if you are in a hurry to get the car clean. Models that integrate built-in soap bottles are convenient as you can soap and rinse at the same time. Alternatively, if the pressure washer you want lacks one, you can always consider getting an independent soap bottle if one exists.
To give you an idea, the Worx pressure cleaner comes with a soap bottle attachment so you can wash things down with soap first. In the Bosch model, however, because the water tank is built into the unit, you cannot use detergent as it can damage the pressure washer, which means you can only use it to wash off mud with water pressure only.
Whether you need to use detergent would probably depend on what you are cleaning. If you are just rinsing your mountain bike down, probably not, cleaning furniture in spring after a winter outside, would probably be a good idea to use detergent.
Hose length and storage
If you don’t want to drag the pressure washer every few steps, search for a model that possesses a long hose. The Sealey PW1712 model comes with a 6ft hose but even with this length, you will probably still need to move the pressure cleaner around as you clean.
The quality of the hose matters as cheaper hoses will kink and often split, this is usually a problem with cheap Chinese imports and is just something to be aware of. Look for a hose that is flexible but still made of durable material. Many of the models being supplied on the market now feature some form of onboard cable storage too.
Additional accessories
We all like accessories that are delivered with our orders. It is like opening a double Christmas present. When you purchase your pressure washer, there are some things that you are likely to expect. These things include:
- Cleaning brushes- these come in handy when you have a bit of scrubbing to do. These brushes are great at scrubbing wooden furniture or the steps to your house and of course bikes and cars.
- Straps – not all models have this feature. However, it is possible to find mobile models that are designed to function with straps. These straps enable the user to hoist the pressure washer onto their shoulder and carry it around as you work.
- Wash bucket – wash buckets are great for washes on the go. They easily fit into the car or a bag and you can move them from one area to another.
- Tap adapters – for pressure washers that can be connected to running taps, some manufacturers are able to supply compatible adapters. This allows you to enjoy continuous cleaning action without the hassle of refills. This may seem like something not everyone who is looking for a portable pressure washer would need, however, it is always handy to at least have the option.
Wheels and handles
In the case that you are willing to put more money in, you can access the pressure washers that come with wheels and a handle. These two features make moving a slightly heavier pressure washer an easier task. You can glide with the unit behind you as you go about cleaning your surfaces. Both indoor and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the services of these pressure washers. An example of such a pressure washer would be the Bosch Fontus Cordless Outdoor Cleaner.
Warranty
To avoid wasting money on fake models on the market, we think it is safer to purchase a new model from a trusted brand or one that provides a warranty. The length of the warranty you need will depend solely on personal preference. It could be as long as 5 years or as short as 1 year, as long as the quality of the product can be vouched for. It’s worth noting that many manufacturers (including Bosch) offer a longer warranty when you register online so it’s well worth doing
Our Final Conclusion
There is nothing complicated about portable pressure washers. They function the same way as their full-sized counterparts only on a smaller scale and they don’t quite have the same power but they do have the advantages of being much more portable.
If you need a simple model for simple cleaning applications then there is no need to shell out large sums of money. Invest in a model with adequate tanks and enough power to accomplish it. If you got heavy work to do, then I am afraid you will need to invest in a seriously powerful model and most portable models probably won’t be up to the task.
One last thing, we won’t dictate what should work for you because the best mobile pressure washer is a personal choice. Just think of what you need the pressure to do and whether you need a built-in water tank or whether you don’t mind carrying a separate water container.
If you own one of the models below then feel free to comment on what you think about the model and whether you would recommend it. We hope you have found our reviews helpful on the best portable pressure cleaners.
Last update on 2023-11-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
