If there's one thing we all agree on, it's that outdoor cleaning can be a right pain in the backside. Whether your regularly tackle your bike, garden furniture or garden walls, it's a time-consuming task that involves a high amount of effort. If you couldn't tell, it's the one job I try and avoid as much as possible.
You're probably shouting the words pressure washer at me by this point, and you're not wrong. The best pressure washers are great for a variety of cleaning jobs, especially if you take pride in a sparkling decking or patio. However, for someone without an outdoor plug, they can be more hassle than they're worth.
This means when the Bosch Fontus 18V fell into my inbox, it instantly caught my attention. With a simple set up, easy manoeuvrability and cordless design, it sounds like it couldn't get any better. Shall we find out?
Bosch Cordless Outdoor Pressure Washer Fontus 18V review: price and availability
The Fontus 18V has an RRP of £345 and can be purchased from a number of retailers, including Currys and Amazon. It's also easy to find discounted, especially around Prime Day and Black Friday, so hang on for a few more months if you've got your eye on it.
The Fontus 18V is only available in the UK at the time of writing.
Bosch Cordless Outdoor Pressure Washer Fontus 18V review: unboxing and set up
As the Fontus 18V has such a user-friendly design, setting it up is a straightforward process. Once the box was opened, I came across the main unit, 18V battery, battery charger, hose and a water connection/filter.
The instruction manual explained that the battery had to be fully charged so that was the first thing I did. This took around an hour but the manual states it would take just under two if the battery was empty.
Once charged, I inserted the battery into the designated slot and closed it shut. I thought it was particularly great that the battery is interchangeable with other Bosch 18V tools, such as the GRT 18V-33 Professional Cordless Grass Trimmer or the GBL 18V-750 Professional Cordless Leaf Blower.
All that was left to do after that was attach the hose to the main unit and fill it up. Once full, I just screwed the water connection/filter on and I was ready to select an attachment and get going.
Bosch Cordless Outdoor Pressure Washer Fontus 18V review: design and features
There are a variety of features that make the Bosch Fontus 18V a versatile tool for outdoor cleaning, but my favourite thing has to be its compact and convenient design. I've already mentioned that its 18V battery provides up to an hour of cordless power, but its wheels, 6.4 kg weight (without water) and carry handle means it can be easily transported around. This is a godsend if you plan to use it to water plants or clean a variety of outdoor items.
There are two main attachments to choose from, a spray gun and a detachable SmartBrush. The gun offers four different spray patterns: a gentle shower for rinsing, a direct jet for pressure washing, a fan for wider coverage and a low-pressure spray. This allows its user to tackle a variety of cleaning tasks with just the one attachment.
I also really liked the SmartBrush, and it's useful that it just needs to be attached on top of the spray gun. This is ideal for scrubbing patios or garden furniture, or the exterior of a car.
Both of the attachments fit into the unit itself, making it easy to store them when on the move or if space is tight.
The integrated water tank is able to hold up to 15 litres, meaning you don't need a constant water supply. The opening is also wide enough that it doesn't need to be exclusively filled with a hose, and it's easy to refill with with a bucket or container if the tap is a bit of a walk away.
Bosch Cordless Outdoor Pressure Washer Fontus 18V review: performance
As someone with a small outdoor space, the Bosch Fontus 18V has solved a lot of problems for me during the last few weeks. Its cordless design was the first thing that appealed to me, especially as I'd been on the lookout out for a machine that'll be able to clean more than just my walls. It's safe to say that the Fontus 18V ticked a lot of boxes.
If we begin with the obvious, the Fontus 18V is incredibly simple to use. The dial on top adjusts the water pressure to your preference and you turn the spray gun to your desired spray setting, et voilà! As mentioned, it's also nice to just fix the SmartBrush to the gun without having to replace the entire attachment.
One of the main ways I found myself using the machine was watering my outdoor plants. As the weather has been all over the place this summer, my plant babies have been feeling the brunt of it. You can all probably tell, but let's not talk about my very sad look sunflower on the far left.
I often have to fill up my watering can two or three times to make sure they all have a good drink, so the Fontus 18V has been a great replacement.
I also found it to be effective when cleaning, especially when using the SmartBrush to scrub my garden furniture. It has long bristles which helps to tackle tough spots, and it was easy to take on and off throughout the process.
After maybe three or four sessions, I did notice the SmartBrush deteriorating rather rapidly. This could have been down to my excessive scrubbing or just its design, but the bristles started to resemble an overused electric toothbrush head. However, it still did the job it needed to, so I can't complain too much.
My biggest disappointment with the Bosch Fontus 18V is that its highest pressure setting is not enough to actually pressure wash. As well as wanting the machine to clean my outside patio and garden furniture, I was also hoping it would remove a horrible green sludge that's settled in the corner of my wall. This said sludge hasn't actually been there very long and is the outcome of my wall being covered in climbing plants, so I was hoping the Fontus 18V would help get rid of it.
Unfortunately, even the highest pressure setting didn't make much of a mark. Its 20 pressure bar confirms that the machine is predominantly designed for outside cleaning and not powerful pressure washing. This means if the latter is something you're looking for, you're best off finding a different model.
Bosch Cordless Outdoor Pressure Washer Fontus 18V review: verdict
The Bosch Fontus 18V is an essential tool for outdoor cleaning, especially if you're a fan of convenience. Its wheels, lightweight design and carry handle make it extremely easy to maneuver, and the 15-litre water tank, versatile attachments and one hour battery life means you can use it pretty much anywhere on anything. Its low pressure bar is disappointing, but if you're wanting a machine that can tackle a variety of cleaning tasks, the Fontus 18V is a great choice.
Bosch Cordless Outdoor Pressure Washer Fontus 18V review: alternatives to consider
If you're looking for something cheaper than the Fontus 18V, I'd recommend the Black & Decker BEPW2000. At just 9kg, it's exceptionally easy to carry and pull around, and it's priced at a much more reasonable £170. It's also capable of producing a whopping 150 bar of pressure; the Fontus 18V can only reach 20!
Another alternative I'd suggest is the WORX Hydroshot WG633E. It's pressure bar is on the lower side, but it's great if you're looking for a machine that will tackle a variety of cleaning jobs. It also has a larger water tank that can contain up to 20 litres.
Check out the 6 mistakes everyone makes with pressure washers before you make your new purchase.
