The best pressure washers: eight expert picks for cleaning garden furniture and patios

Our expert puts the best power washers through their paces on the toughest - and muckiest - outdoor chores, from grimy paving slabs to dirty decking

How to get your garden ready for summer

The trouble with the great outdoors is that it gets a bit untidy. Your lawnmower might do a good job of keeping your garden in check, but keeping your patio, decking and outdoor furniture spick and span can take hours, especially if you rely on a bucket of soapy water and a scrubbing brush.

That's where the pressure washer comes in. These handy tools connect to your hose pipe and squirt water at any cleaning problem. Stubborn and unpleasant stains, from bird dirt to years of neglect, can be lifted from your garden's hard-wearing surfaces in seconds. With the right attachments, you can also use your pressure washer to hose down cars, bikes and boats.

Best pressure washer overall:
Ava Go P40
_{149.90 at Ava}

Best budget pressure washer:
Karcher K 2 Classic
_{72 at Argos}

Best cordless pressure washer:
Stihl Rea 60 Plus
_{224.99 at Charlies}

Best for high-power deep cleaning:
Bosch UniversalAquatak 135
_{135 at B&Q}