When choosing a pressure washer, it is essential to take the following factors into account:
Pressure: Bar is the unit of measurement for pressure in pressure washing machines. Higher pressure ensures more effective cleaning of surfaces or embedded dirt.
Water flow: The water flow rate is expressed in liters per minute (l/min) or liters per hour (l/h). Higher flow rates allow work to be carried out more quickly and are therefore ideal for larger areas.
Power: The power of the pressure washer’s motor is expressed in watts (W) if it is electric, and in horsepower (hp or cv) for motor models. More power means more effective cleaning.
Water temperature: Models equipped with a heating system offer the possibility of using hot water to wash surfaces.
Accessories: some pressure washers are sold with accessories that allow the equipment to be adapted to different cleaning tasks.
These are the most common accessories:
- Rotary brushes for washing delicate surfaces such as car bodies.
- Floor brushes for washing balconies and terraces.
- Single or rotating nozzles for degreasing surfaces.
- Telescopic arms to reach hard-to-reach areas without having to use scaffolding (e.g. rain gutters on roofs, house facades).
- Extenders to increase the overall length of the arm.
- Hydroblasting kits for removing paint and other coatings from resistant surfaces such as wood, metal, or stone.
- Water filters to prevent the nozzle from clogging.
Weight and dimensions: Opt for a light and compact model if you have to move the machine frequently.
Categories: High-pressure washers are classified into three categories according to their power and performance: high-pressure, very high pressure, and ultra-high pressure. The type you choose will depend on the intensity and nature of the cleaning tasks you intend to carry out.
- High-pressure washers are the most common and are designed for domestic and semi-professional cleaning tasks. They have enough pressure to efficiently clean outdoor surfaces, vehicles, and garden equipment.
- Very high-pressure washers offer higher pressure than the above models, making them suitable for more demanding tasks such as cleaning facades, roofs, and industrial surfaces.
- Ultra-high pressure washers are the most powerful, with extremely high pressure, suitable for intensive industrial work (removing paint, tough coatings, etc.).
Price: Pressure washers that operate only with cold water are cheaper than those that provide hot water.
Type of surfaces: If you sometimes have to clean surfaces that could be damaged by hot water, make sure you opt for a model that also operates with cold water.