We all love how powerful and convenient pressure washers are, but there are times when a cordless pressure washer will become very useful. The spring and summer seasons of the year are perfect for getting such things out, and they’ll give you the advantage on the potential of a hosepipe ban.
They’ve happened across the UK in previous summers and fines can go up to £1,000. However, the neat trick of a cordless pressure washer is you can feed the hose into a bucket of water and clean your car as normal. No continuous running water is needed and due to the lack of taps at the Parkers office, we’ve employed that method to great effect when testing cleaning products on cars.
Are cordless pressure washers worth it?
Our answer is a simple yes. There are plenty of great cordless pressure washers out there. They range from budget units to more powerful ones, and we use one ourselves, a Worx Nitro Hydroshot WG633E, as a go-to during product testing. When you don’t have access to running water, they can really be a time and life-saver, depending on your home and/or work situation. The only real drawback is the charge anxiety when using it, which you don’t get with a corded unit.
Best cordless pressure washers at a glance:
• Editor’s choice: Worx Nitro Hydroshot – Buy now from Amazon UK
• Best budget cordless pressure washer: Black and Decker BCPC18 – Buy now from Tooled-Up
• Best cordless pressure washer for power: Greenworks GDC40 – Buy now from Amazon UK
These battery-powered gems give you the freedom to work anywhere and not be reliant on a plug. These compact pressure washers use water much more efficiently and do not need a hose to feed in water, many cordless pressure washers can pull water from any source. Inevitably, you won’t get the same performance as you would from an electric machine, but you may be surprised at how powerful they can be.
Best cordless pressure washers
With a silky smooth motor operation that feels more comfortable than any similarly-priced Karcher, the 4.0Ah battery can last well-over an hour in a standard cleaning procedure (tested) and you get an array of useful nozzle settings for different cleaning tasks, from general to precision tasks. You also get a six metre hose which should be enough for most situations.
Read out full review of the Worx Nitro Hydroshot here.
Pros
- Great quality item
- Smooth operation and running
- Great value for what it is
Cons
- Charge anxiety does play with you
| Max pressure | 56 bar/ 810psi |
| Max flow | 220l/h |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
Best budget Worx pressure washer
Rrp: £139.99
Rrp: £139.99
You do however, get only half the amount of pressure as the 633 (24 Bar), but it still churns out ten times as much pressure as a traditional hose, so it should be more than adequate for most situations. The 2.0Ah battery won't last as long as a 4.0Ah included in the other unit, but for quick washing jobs away from a plug socket and possibly on the road, it's more than ideal.
Pros
- Great Worx build quality
- Smooth running operation
- Six metre hose
Cons
- 2.0Ah battery won't last as long
- Half the pressure as the WG633E
Best cordless low-pressure washer
Rrp: £139.99
Rrp: £139.99
However, the gentle pressure makes efficient use of any water added to the four-litre tank, and its compact size makes it ideal for transporting in a car or campervan. The spiral hose and trigger can be stored under the water tank when not in use, and a wide range of accessories are available to extend its repertoire.
Pros
- Long run time
- Useful device for little cleaning tasks
- Easy to transport
Cons
- Not really suitable for car care
- Is really a portable hose rather than pressure washer
| Max pressure | 5bar/72psi |
| Max flow | N/A |
| Weight | 2.2kg |
Best cordless pressure washer with integrated tank
There are three pressure modes, from strong (20 bar) to gentle, so you can spray down the patio, wash the car and even give the dog a wash. The Bosch Fontus is easy to move around as it has wheels and a telescopic handle. Like most of our washers, the battery is compatible with other battery-sharing tools in the manufacturer's range.
Pros
- Water tank included
- Snow foam attachment included
- Long run time
Cons
- A bit heavier than the other washers featured
- Not as powerful as other cordless pressure washers
| Max pressure | 20 bar/290psi |
| Max flow | N/A |
| Weight | 7.5kg |
Best cordless pressure washer for power
It comes with a variety of accessories, including a soap applicator, a 6-meter hose, and a variety of quick-connect nozzles for effortless set-up and use. The integrated bucket feeds the pressure washer and can be disconnected for easy refilling or used as a regular bucket.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Six metre hose is long enough
- Powerful and versatile
Cons
- Can be a bit noisy
- Battery not included
| Max pressure | 70/1015psi |
| Max flow | 300l/h |
| Weight | 7.9kg |
Best budget cordless pressure washer
The 5-in-1 nozzle attachment gives you plenty of flexibility with spray patterns; the 6m long hose gives you plenty of freedom to move about, and the trigger operation is easy to control. You even get a flow rate of 120 litres per hour from 24 Bar of pressure, which is powerful enough for the price point. You can purchase the unit by itself or as a package with a battery and charger.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Batteries
- Multiple spray patterns
Cons
- Batteries not included
- Lower flow rate than everything else
| Max pressure | 24bar/350psi |
| Max flow | 120l/h |
| Weight | 2.5kg |
What to consider with cordless pressure washers:
Pressure and Flow Rate: Look for a washer that provides sufficient pressure and flow rate. Higher pressure and flow rate generally result in more effective cleaning but will use more water and battery power. The battery life should be capable of providing enough runtime to complete your cleaning without frequent recharging. However, if this is an issue and you’re worried about cord length on a traditional pressure washer, outdoor waterproof extension cables are a solution.
Portability and Weight: Cordless pressure washers should be lightweight and easy to carry around. Look for ergonomic designs and features like wheels or handles for the best portability.
Water Storage: Do you need an onboard water storage tank, or will you have access to a water source?
Nozzle Options: Different nozzle attachments provide various spray patterns and pressure levels for different jobs. A wide-angle nozzle is ideal for general cleaning, and a narrow nozzle works best on more focused areas or stubborn marks. Aftermarket pressure washer attachments may not be much use with these specialised tools.
Cordless pressure washers – FAQs:
Which is the most powerful cordless pressure washer?
Excluding petrol-powered units, that honour would go to the Greenworks GDC40 as found on this list. It has a flow rate of 300 litres per hour at 70 Bar of pressure. Many entry-level corded units have at least 120-130 Bar of pressure, so it isn’t that far behind.
What PSI pressure washer is best for home use?
You will have noticed we’ve been using the Bar measurement when it comes to pressure. This is the unit that manufacturers like to boast about, and put simply, one Bar of pressure equates to 14.5 PSI (Pounds per square inch). Based off our impressions of the Worx Nitro Hydroshot which generates 56 Bar of pressure (812 PSI), we’d say that would be more than enough – and will provide enough pressure when a snow foam lance is attached. A lot of soft pressure units will have around 72 PSI which is more useful for lighter home jobs.
Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer for Parkers, specialising in power tools and pressure washers. In his spare time, he enjoys DIY, travel, gardening and music.
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