After a long, wet winter, or several for that matter, your patio is likely looking worse for wear.
This is when most people get out the wire brushes, don the rubber gloves, and mix up a concoction of detergents to scrub away the layers of dirt, mold, or algae.
Unless you take perverse pleasure from doing things the hard way, there is a much better system to bring life back to your patio and make it look brand new.
Using a power washer to clean your patio saves time, and money (in the long run) and actually makes cleaning up fun. It’s a must-have for any DIY arsenal of tools.
As with most tools, you get the most out of having the right power washer for the job. After testing out dozens of power washers myself, I wrote this article to help you find the best power washer specifically for patios. I updated it in 2024 to include the latest model after further tests. I link each one through to Amazon but you can also shop for these at Nilfisk, Karcher, Karcher, Screwfix, or Halfords
It’s especially important to find the right power washer for patios as opposed to your car or a barbecue. For some jobs, the washer may not be powerful enough, and for others, it’s far too powerful. You want to clean your patio, not destroy it.
Here’s a quick look at the top choices before the reviews. Click through the links to see the product on Amazon and order yours.
Top 5 Best Pressure Washers for Patios
- Top Choice – Nilfisk Core 140 bar Pressure Washer With Patio Kit
- Best Karcher – Kärcher K4 Full Control With Patio Washer
- Best Budget – VYTRONIX High-Pressure Washer Powerful 1500W Jet Wash
- Best for Decking – Yard Force 150 Bar 2000W High-Pressure Washer
- Best for Large Patio –Wilks-USA RX545 Very High Powered 210 bar Pressure Washer
1. Top Choice – Nilfisk Core 140 bar Pressure Washer
Pros
- Adjustable pressure
- 140 bar pressure
- Powerful 1800W motor
- 6M flexible hose
- Auto start/stop for longer pump life
- Very light at 8.7kg
- Has add-ons for patio cleaner and two nozzles: rotary and fan jet
Cons
- Short electrical cord at 5 meters
- Quite loud
Nilfisk Core 140 is one of the best pressure washers for general outside use.
Thanks mainly to the Power Grip adjustable pressure.
With the press of a button on the wand, you can switch from low pressure to wash a wooden deck, for instance, and within a second switch to high pressure to blast away algae on concrete.
The accessories make it an ideal power washer for patios. It comes with two different nozzles. A Click and Clean Tornado Nozzle and a fan jet for general cleaning and rinsing. The nozzles are a snap to change out.
For a speedier patio clean you might consider the additional Compact patio cleaner. You never really run the risk of damaging any surface you are trying to clean since you have so many variables to match what you are cleaning.
For tough jobs that need some soapy suds, there is a detergent bottle that attaches to the hose called the Click and Clean Foam Sprayer. It is suitable for any kind of detergent used for outdoor cleaning.
Onboard storage keeps everything at hand to avoid scurrying about for bits and bobs. The profile is slim for easy storage, as well.
Really the only negative is the electrical cord is on the shorter side.
When you have a machine like a power washer that isn’t going to be used very frequently, I think having the Nilfisk is the way to go. Having so many options means you will use this pressure washer more often since you can use it for other applications besides just the patio or concrete.
2. Best Karcher – Kärcher K4 Full Control With Patio Washer
Pros
- 130 bar pressure
- 1800 watt motor
- Rotating patio brush
- 3 in 1 stone and facade cleaner
- LED display trigger gun
- Telescopic pull handle
- Ergonomic trigger
- 6 m hose
- Can be used with a water butt
- Adjustable pressure
Cons
- Not easy to assemble
- Large profiles may be difficult to store
No review of the best power washers is complete without Karcher making an appearance!
If you have some serious work that needs doing on your patio, driveway, or anywhere outside, then this top-of-the-line power washer will fit the bill nicely.
Not only is the pressure perfect for removing tough dirt and mildew but the included rotating patio brush is the best attachment for cleaning up flat surfaces. In less time, with less effort than simply spraying.
The turbo brush makes short work of caked-on mud, algae, or any other stubborn debris from your patio or even your car tires. It can handle your house siding, gutters, anything really.
The pressure is adjustable so it can work on your car without stripping it of its paint. The LED display will ensure that you are in the right setting for the job. You don’t want to find out that the pressure was set too high by seeing the paint on your car chipping away!
The full-control gun is one of the easiest lances to use as it fits well in your hand with a large trigger.
There is a dedicated slot for the detergent to simply click into place. If you need to soak a surface with a cleaning solution it doesn’t get any easier. The downside is that you need to use Karcher’s own detergent since other bottles won’t fit into the slot.
The onboard storage does make it easy to keep everything to hand, but the large profile means you will need a dedicated space for it. Another negative is that the assembly is not very intuitive and there are some small pieces that require some patience.
If you have a large area that needs frequent cleaning or you just like to keep things tidy then you have a great all-in-one power washer that excels at patios.
3. Best Budget – VYTRONIX High Pressure Washer Powerful 1500W Jet Wash
Pros
- Max Pressure 70 Bar
- Super user-friendly and easy to use
- Trigger gun, hose, and lance can all be stored on the unit
- Ideal for cleaning delicate surfaces caked with tough stubborn dirt
- Lightweight and portable
- 1-year warranty
- 5-meter long high-pressure hose
- 5-meter-long power cable
- Small and compact
Cons
- The adjustable pressure nozzle doesn’t seem to influence the spray much
This pressure cleaner sure does deliver value for money.
It might not be the biggest, baddest, pressure washer around; but it’ll certainly blast the grime off your patio and alloys.
There will be no need to worry about it damaging any paintwork, perfect for painted paved areas. The water pressure is plenty powerful for most pavier cleaning tasks without risking any damage. The sweet spot of pressure.
It also makes quick work of cleaning up garden furniture.
I think it has a clever design. It combines the lance and dirt blaster storage with the high-pressure hose storage into one feature that works well for both. So all of the accessories do not get in the way of other features such as inlets, outlets, and, of course, the on button.
The small form and lightness make for brilliant portability.
The water inlet can be a little tricky to remove. You can be sure that’s not going to come loose.
Removing thick moss might be a bit beyond this pressure washer, but that is a job for a rotary brush anyway. Unfortunately, that’s not an attachment that’s available for this model.
Overall this is a brilliant value little pressure washer. It’s ideal for light-medium work. Especially when a regular garden hose just won’t cut it.
4. Best for Decking – Yard Force 150 Bar 2000W High-Pressure Washer
Pros
- Maximum pressure 150 Bar
- Compact and lightweight
- 0.7L foam sprayer,
- Turbo nozzle &Vario nozzle
- 6.5m high-pressure hose
- 5m power cable
- Built-in battery
Cons
- Pressure drops significantly when using standing water
- Short Battery Life
With 150 Bar pressure and 440 liters per hour flow rate, this pressure washer is going to be a force to be reckoned with in your yard.
The assembly couldn’t be easier. Simply plug and play.
I really do like a hose reel on a pressure washer. It’s the absolute best way to keep the high-pressure hose tidy.
It has a 6.5-meter hose length and a 5-meter power cable length. You will be able to reach the most stubborn of grime.
The detergent tank and foam sprayer come as one detachable unit that connects to the end of the spray lance. It is so easy to include suds in your spray. You’ll have a hard time finding a cleaning job this pressure washer can’t handle.
While it can run from standing water, you will find the pressure drops quite a bit if you do. I recommend using mains water if the option is available to you.
I really like that this pressure washer has the option to operate as cordless. I found the battery life to be a bit short-lived. Best to have it connected to power if you can.
Overall it’s a super versatile washer with plenty of power behind it to make quick work of pressure washing your patio.
5. Best for Large Patio – Wilks USA RX550i Very High Powered 262 bar Pressure Washer
Pros
- Massive 262 Bar Maximum Pressure
- Includes standard lance
- guttering lance
- 5 different varying jet nozzles
- Rotary brush and fixed washer brush
- Detergent tank
- Lightweight and easy to move
- 24-month warranty
- Free technical support
Cons
- Noisy
When it comes to high pressure, the Wilks RX550i takes the heavy-duty crown. With 210 Bars of pressure, you’ll certainly feel a kickback from this turbocharged monster.
Really, there are few electric pressure washers with a similarly powerful pressure output. There’s no outdoor cleaning task this behemoth can’t tackle. It even includes a gutter lance, so you can easily pressure wash your gutters.
When the cleaning job doesn’t need brute strength but more tact, the rotary wash brush is sure to scrub up well.
Alongside all that pressure, this pressure washer comes with an 8-meter hose and a 10-meter hose extension, meaning you have a massive 26-meter hose length to play with.
The detergent tank is stowed neatly out of your way. It attaches to the main unit, so you don’t have to carry a heavy detergent bottle on your lance.
For extra peace of mind, it comes with a 2-year warranty and there is a free UK-based technical support line.
A brilliant, versatile, washer for blasting through some tough cleaning jobs.
Must-Have Features of a Jet Washer for Patios
There are some features that any home pressure washer, in general, should have that are not specific to washing your deck or patio. Namely ease of use, easy to store, and appropriate accessories. These aspects are certainly needed for any entry-level washers.
For pressure washing your patio here are some points to consider before buying a pressure washer:
Pressure
Measured in Bars, the minimum pressure to properly clean a patio is 130 bars. Most pressure washers for home use will start around 90 bars of pressure, especially compact ones like the Ryobi pressure washer, which may not be enough to properly clean your deck or concrete.
On the higher end of the pressure spectrum, you can find pressure washers that boast 180 bars and even into the low 200 Bars. For example, a high end Karcher pressure washer offers 180 Bars of pressure. That would really be too much; especially if the concrete on your patio is old or cracked, the pressure may cause damage.
Try to find a pressure washer with pressure somewhere in the middle and you will find the sweet spot that can handle cleaning grime that could be built up over the years without breaking up the concrete.
Some washers have adjustable pressure settings. This can make it all that much easier to find that sweet spot. Remember to always start off at lower pressures and work your way up until the grime starts to move.
Waterflow
For the kind of pressure you need to pressure wash a patio, you will need a good amount of water to blast the debris. The minimum you could get by with is around 360 liters per hour to clean up an average patio that is washed regularly.
For more difficult to dislodge debris, you will obviously need more water flow. The maximum you can expect to find on a non-professional power washer would be 600 liters per hour. That may be too much for most home clean-ups. Something between 400 and 500 liters an hour should get the job done.
You can also consider a petrol pressure washer if you’re looking for a serious clean.
Accessories
At the end of the lance or wand, there is the nozzle. Most power washers made for patio cleaning will likely have an adjustable nozzle.
For really stubborn dirt, you can close the nozzle to concentrate the spray making it more powerful, though in a smaller area. If you want to cover more area more quickly then you can open it up to spray a wider surface, though with less cleaning power to strip away heavy grime. Having the option to adjust according to the job is essential when cleaning an area outside, often with varying surface types.
Besides the nozzle, there are also brush attachments and rotary nozzles. Most attachments simply connect to the end of the spray gun itself for easy swap-outs.
Looking like a vacuum floor head with bristles, they can help scrub edges and areas where you need to use a little more effort. The head usually also creates spinning jets to be more gentle on the surface you are cleaning since you are operating at a close range.
A surface cleaner attachment is especially helpful if you have a larger area to clean, such as a driveway. It almost feels like vacuuming.
There are also nozzle attachments that spray in an almost laser-like stream to get areas between tiles and stones, for instance.
Is it safe to use a pressure washer?
Though it can be fun to use a power washer (Surely, I’m not the only one who finds seeing the methodical cleaning of a surface oddly satisfying), it is not a toy and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Think of the force that it takes for a stream of water to strip away layers of dirt and what that force could do to soft flesh.
- Never point the spray at another person.
- Never spray it at yourself, even if it seems like it isn’t working.
- Always wear shoes and safety glasses.
- Check with the manufacturer before using an extension cord as you may need a specific kind to reduce the risk of shock.
These are some common sense precautions. If you are not careless when using your power washer, they are perfectly safe. If you are not paying attention you may risk injury.
Other Power Washers for Patios Reviewed
Bosch High Pressure AQT 37-13
Pros
- 130 bars pressure
- 360 liters per hour water flow rate
- Powerful 1700 W motor
- Includes 3-in-1 spray nozzle, detergent nozzle, PC2 patio cleaner, underfloor nozzle, and brush head
- Simple click system to attach a hose to the water supply
- No assembly required
- Energy efficient autostop
- Lightweight at 6.9 kg
Cons
- Quite loud
- Confusing instructions
As is the case with the previously reviewed Nilfisk, you get a lot of extras here which make this a versatile power washer ideal for cleaning patios, concrete, and just about any other outdoor area.
With many attachments and accessories, you have just about everything you need for a total Spring cleaning, for example.
The 3-in-1 nozzle gives you a fan jet to cover a large area, quickly blasting dirt and grime away. The rotary jet does the same thing, but in a more gentle way, while still plowing through tough-to-clean surfaces. Then the pen nozzle uses laser-like focus to get into the nooks and crannies like between tiles or edges. It also includes a detergent nozzle for easy detergent application.
The bristled patio cleaner head has a power control knob on top to give you more control over the amount of pressure you use depending on what kind of surface you are cleaning.
130 bars of pressure are high enough to do some difficult jobs but not too much that you are in danger of ruining your cleaning area. 360 liters of water flow seems low to clean concrete, but the motor is powerful enough that it doesn’t seem to be an issue.
It is very lightweight, one of the lightest that I have reviewed in fact, so it is very easy to move around. The slim profile is resistant to tipping over and storage is a breeze. The accessories are all stowed on board, as well.
Bosch has a lot of years behind the brand so it is easy to trust that you get a good machine when you purchase this pressure washer.
If all you need it for is to clean up your deck or patio, then it is worth it for that. What makes it a great value is the fact that you aren’t limited to only cleaning up concrete.
VonHaus 2200w Pressure Washer
Pros
- Powerful 2200W motor
- 370 litres per hour water flow
- 110 bars pressure
- Adjustable spray nozzle
- Attachments include: rotary patio brush, soft bristle window brush, turbo nozzle
- 5 m long hose
- 5 m long electrical cord
- Cable tidy system with hose reel
- Lightweight at 9.7 kg
Cons
- Quite loud
If you are looking for the best budget pressure washer for patios, then the VonHaus should top the list.
Known for great vacuums at a good price, the power washer for patios is no exception.
The rotating brush makes it easier to clean concrete patios than you would imagine. Since this unit is on the lower end with regard to pressure, the rotating brush head scrubs away dirt and mildew with little effort. You can cover a big area in a little time using this handy attachment.
For a compact pressure washer, it does have some versatility. The adjustable nozzle can lower the pressure for more gentle cleaning and then turn it up for a power surge to blast off the grime. A soft bristle brush is great for windows or your car.
The turbo nozzle is also excellent for cleaning wood decks, tile, and stucco surfaces.
It is also very maneuverable with a top handle and big, solid wheels. The compact profile means it is easy to store. And the hose reel keeps everything tidy to make it a quick process to put everything away after cleaning up.
It’s really nice to know you don’t have to spend hundreds of pounds to keep your patio tidy and neat. If you’re short on space as well as cash, then there is no need to skimp with this smart little power washer on the market.
Final Thoughts
So there we have it. That’s my selection of the best pressure washers to use on your patio at home.
I feel like we covered all the bases here and hopefully, you’ve got a better idea of what will do the trick for you and cleaning your patio.
While there are, of course, always more models on the market such as the Karcher K4 Full Control Home Pressure Washer, which is an excellent choice also, I believe this is the best selection for all of your patio cleaning jobs.
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