Pressure washing a patio is one of the most satisfying jobs in the home garden — you watch years of grime, lichen and mossy build-up dissolve into fresh stone in a single afternoon. The right pressure washer makes it quick; the wrong one either chews up the joints between pavers (too powerful) or barely shifts the dirt (too weak). Here are the units we trust.
Our team’s top picks
Karcher K5 Premium Smart Control
- 2000 PSI, 1.4 GPM
- Smart Control app suggests pressure for surface
- Sturdy hose reel and accessories
- Brand standard for home use
Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer
- 2030 PSI, 1.76 GPM
- Aggressive value for the spec
- Twin detergent tanks
- Honest mid-range pick
Karcher K7 Smart Control
- 2400 PSI, 1.85 GPM
- Quietest in its power class
- Long high-pressure hose
- Top of Karcher domestic line
Greenworks Pro 2300 PSI with Surface Cleaner
- Bundled 14" surface cleaner — saves $80
- Brushless motor
- Strong reviews on durability
- Best stripe-free finish
Generac SpeedWash 3200 PSI Petrol
- 3200 PSI, 2.7 GPM
- Honda GC190 engine
- For large driveways and barns
- Power-Dial nozzle adjusts on the fly
What to look for in a pressure washer for patios
- Patio cleaning needs 1800–2400 PSI and at least 1.4 GPM (5.3 LPM). More PSI risks blowing out paving sand.
- A surface cleaner attachment is the secret to even, professional-looking results — without it you get tiger-stripes.
- Electric is fine for patios; petrol is overkill unless you're also doing driveways and large barns.
- Brass connections last; plastic ones crack within a season of weekly use.
- Hot water washers exist but are commercial-grade — irrelevant for home patio use.
Frequently asked questions
How much PSI do I need for a patio?
1800–2400 PSI is plenty. Anything more risks blowing the sand out from between pavers and chewing the soft mortar in older patios. Save the 3000+ PSI machines for concrete drives and brick.
Why are the joints between my pavers blowing out?
Pressure too high, nozzle too close, or you're hitting the joint dead-on. Use a 25° nozzle, hold it 200 mm off the surface, and sweep at a slight angle.
Is a surface cleaner worth buying?
For patios, absolutely. A surface cleaner attachment cuts a 14–20" wide path with even pressure, leaving no stripes. It's the difference between an amateur and a professional finish.
Electric or petrol?
Electric for patios and home use — quieter, lighter, no fuel maintenance. Petrol if you're also pressure-washing rural barns, equipment, or large concrete areas.
Bottom line
If you only take one thing from this guide, it is that quality matters more than spec on paper. The picks above have been chosen because our team uses them or trusts them — not because they are the most expensive or have the flashiest marketing. Buy once, garden often.
