How do you choose a pressure washer and garden power tools?
Short answer: for a pressure washer, match the pressure (bar/PSI) and flow to the job — around 100–130 bar for cars and patios, more for driveways and paving. For garden tools, choose corded for sustained power near a plug, or cordless for freedom to roam. This guide explains the numbers that matter and how to pick the right tool for the size of your yard.
Pressure washers: what the numbers mean
- Pressure (bar / PSI) — how hard the water hits. More bar shifts tougher grime. Roughly: 100–130 bar suits cars, outdoor furniture and patios; 130–150+ bar handles driveways, paving and stubborn dirt.
- Flow (litres/hour) — how much water it moves, which drives how quickly you clear an area. Higher flow = faster rinsing.
- Motor power (watts) — a rough guide to overall capability; a ~1700W machine like the Black & Decker 1700W is a strong all-round domestic choice.
Don’t over-buy. Too much pressure can strip paint, etch soft stone or damage car clearcoat — for most homes a mid-range machine with the right nozzle does everything you need.
What size pressure washer for your job?
| Job | Guide pressure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cars, bikes, furniture | ~100–120 bar | Use a wider fan nozzle and keep your distance on paintwork. |
| Patios, walls, decking | ~120–130 bar | The everyday domestic sweet spot. |
| Driveways, paving, heavy grime | ~130–150+ bar | A surface cleaner attachment speeds up big flat areas. |
Corded vs cordless garden tools
- Corded (electric) — constant power, lighter, never runs flat, and cheaper. Best when you’re working within reach of a plug and an extension lead — small to medium gardens, hedges and trimming near the house.
- Cordless (battery) — go anywhere with no trailing lead, great for bigger or awkward gardens. Look at the battery voltage and amp-hours for run time, and whether batteries are shared across a tool range.
- Petrol — the most power and total freedom for large properties and heavy, all-day work, at the cost of weight, noise and fuel/maintenance.
For most suburban gardens, corded or an 18V/20V cordless platform covers hedge trimming, line trimming and blowing comfortably.
Choosing garden power tools by task
- Hedge trimmer — match blade length to your hedges; longer blades cut faster but are heavier. Corded suits most domestic hedges.
- String / line trimmer — for edges and long grass a mower misses; cordless gives the most freedom around a garden.
- Leaf blower — air speed (km/h) clears leaves; air volume (m³/min) moves bigger piles.
- Lawn mower — match cutting width and power to your lawn size.
Browse the full Garden Power Tools range and pressure washers.
Get more life out of your tools
- Pressure washers — use clean water, never run the pump dry, release pressure after use, and store out of frost.
- Cutting tools — keep blades clean and sharp, and clear sap and grass build-up after each use.
- Batteries — store part-charged in the cool, not flat and not in the sun, to protect their life.
- Corded tools — use a correctly rated extension lead, fully unwound, and keep leads clear of blades.
How to choose: our garden power range
- Pressure washing — the Black & Decker 1700W High Pressure Washer is a capable domestic all-rounder; see all pressure washers.
- Trimming & cutting — hedge trimmers, line trimmers and more in the Garden Power Tools range, with trusted Black & Decker tools.
- Everything outdoors — the wider Garden & Outdoor and Power Tools ranges.
Frequently asked questions
What PSI or bar pressure washer do I need?
For cars and outdoor furniture, around 100–120 bar is plenty. For patios, walls and decking, 120–130 bar is the domestic sweet spot. For driveways, paving and heavy grime, look for 130–150 bar or more. Avoid over-powering delicate surfaces like car paint and soft stone.
Corded or cordless garden tools — which is better?
Corded tools give constant power, are lighter and cheaper, and never run flat — ideal within reach of a plug in small to medium gardens. Cordless tools let you roam with no trailing lead, which suits larger or awkward gardens; check the battery voltage and amp-hours for run time. Petrol offers the most power for large properties.
What is the best pressure washer for cars and paving?
A mid-range domestic machine around 120–130 bar, such as a 1700W unit, handles both: use a wider fan nozzle and keep your distance for car paint, and switch to a narrower nozzle or a surface cleaner for paving. A single adjustable machine with the right nozzles covers most home jobs.
Can a pressure washer damage my car or paving?
Yes, if misused. Too much pressure or too narrow a nozzle held too close can strip car clearcoat, force water behind trim, or etch soft paving and stone. Use a wider fan nozzle, keep a sensible distance, and test on an inconspicuous area first.
What size hedge trimmer do I need?
Match the blade length to your hedges: shorter blades are lighter and easier to control for small or detailed hedges, while longer blades cut large runs faster but weigh more. For most domestic hedges a corded trimmer gives all the power you need without worrying about battery life.
Need help picking the right tool?
Tell us the size of your yard and the jobs you do and we’ll match the right tool and power. Browse pressure washers and garden power tools, or contact the Securadeal team.
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