A waterblaster or high-pressure cleaner is an effective way to quickly clean outdoor surfaces. We've tested a range of mains-electric models by blasting away at grimy concrete paths.
Overall score breakdown
Our overall scores comprise performance (60%) and ease of use (40%).
Performance tests are carried out on a sandstone footpath. The pavers are grey with age, their cracks lousy with moss. We try all the nozzles of every waterblaster and measure how quickly they clean the pavers. The best cleaning speed we achieve is used to calculate performance scores.
Where applicable, we also try the patio/deck cleaner attachments. These are large discs containing a spinning arm to disperse water without any messy blowback, similar to the inside of a dishwasher.
Our ease of use assessment looks at:
Ease of manoeuvring the unit, including pushing it on wheels and hauling it up and down stairs, along with the length of the hose.
Lance length, as shorter lances mean more bending down, while overlong lances can be unwieldy.
Trigger comfort and ease of operation (is it tiring to hold down?).
