Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer review: This £99 cleaner punches well above its price

There's nothing I find more satisfying than using one of the best pressure washers, so if you're the same and enjoy giving your outdoor space a proper refresh, I've found a model that deserves your attention.

The Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer is part of B&Q's own range, and after seeing it in action during an event a few months ago, I couldn't wait to put it to the test on my own patio. Since then, I've deliberately let the grime, mud and debris build up to give it a proper challenge, and it's safe to say it didn't disappoint.

Price and availability

The Mac Allister M2 costs £99 from B&Q, although Club members can currently get 15% off when spending £75 or more, bringing the price down to just £84.15.

It's positioned towards the more affordable end of Mac Allister's pressure washer range, sitting between the M1 (£59) and the more powerful M5 (£199), making it a great middle-ground option.

Unboxing and set up

The Mac Allister M2 arrives mostly assembled, although you'll need to attach the suspension bracket and pressure hose holder so you have somewhere to store the 5-metre power cable and 8-metre high-pressure hose. This only requires a Phillips screwdriver (which you'll need to supply yourself) and the included screws.

Once that's done, it's simply a case of choosing your preferred nozzle, attaching it to the spray lance and connecting your garden hose using a standard hose coupling. From opening the box to being ready to clean took me around 15 minutes, which felt perfectly reasonable.

Design and features

The Mac Allister M2 has an upright, trolley-style design with two large rear wheels and an retractable telescopic handle, making it easy to wheel around the garden rather than carry. The whole unit feels surprisingly compact and lightweight, whilst the durable plastic housing gives it a hard-wearing finish.

Power comes from a 1.8kW air-cooled motor, capable of delivering up to 145 bar of pressure and a water flow rate of around 450 litres per hour. It also features an automatic start/stop system, meaning the motor only runs when you squeeze the trigger, helping reduce unnecessary noise, energy use and wear on the machine.

The pressure washer is supplied with a high-pressure trigger gun and metal spray lance, alongside an excellent selection of accessories. These include an adjustable spray nozzle for general cleaning, a rotary spray nozzle for tackling stubborn dirt, and a 28cm pressure-adjustable patio cleaner, which is ideal for large paved areas. There's also an attachable 500ml detergent bottle that mixes cleaning solution directly into the water stream, making it especially useful for washing cars, bikes or filthy surfaces.

Mac Allister has also included a number of thoughtful features, including a quick-connect hose system that allows both the garden hose and high-pressure hose to be attached in seconds without any tools. The 8-metre high-pressure hose also gives you plenty of reach before needing to move the machine.

Finally, an integrated water inlet filter helps stop dirt and debris entering the pump, protecting the internal components and helping improve the washer's long-term reliability.

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Performance

I was really impressed by the Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer during testing, and I'd comfortably rank it among the best pressure washers I've used at this price point. The range of included attachments means it's well-equipped for almost any cleaning job around the home, and the pressure is excellent. It was powerful enough to tackle stubborn dirt without ever feeling difficult to control.

For patios, the patio cleaner attachment is undoubtedly the star of the show, and I'd recommend skipping the standard spray nozzles altogether and reaching straight for it. It cleaned each patio slab in around 5-10 seconds, meaning I finished my entire patio in well under an hour. It also left no swirl marks whatsoever, which is something cheaper patio cleaners often struggle with.

I also really enjoyed using the rotary spray nozzle, which proved really useful for washing walls and fences. I did have to keep my distance to avoid any damage or paint flaking, but that just shows how powerful it was.

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The generous power cable and long high-pressure hose also made a real difference in day-to-day use. I rarely had to stop to reposition the machine, and thanks to its large wheels and telescopic handle, it was easy to pull around the garden without feeling awkward.

After longer cleaning sessions, I did find the trigger gun started to make my fingers feel a little sore from holding it continuously. I also found that when using the rotary spray nozzle, the garden hose occasionally came loose from the rear connection, meaning I had to stop and push it back in. Neither issue was a deal-breaker, but they were noticeable during extended use.

Verdict

At under £100, the Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer delivers the sort of performance I'd normally expect from a far more expensive machine. The standout feature is undoubtedly the patio cleaner, which transformed my outdoor space in well under an hour. There are a couple of minor annoyances, namely the trigger becoming uncomfortable during extended use and the occasional hose connection issue, but neither came close to spoiling the results. When you combine its powerful cleaning performance, thoughtful design and impressive value for money, the Mac Allister M2 becomes an easy recommendation.

Alternatives to consider

A very similar alternative to the Mac Allister M2 is the Titan TTB2200PRW 145 Bar Electric Pressure Washer. It offers the same maximum pressure and flow rate, alongside a comparable selection of accessories including a patio cleaner, all for around the same price.

If you'd prefer something smaller and cordless, I'd recommend the Bosch Fontus 18V. It's brilliant for washing bikes, cars and outdoor furniture, but if your main priority is tackling patios or driveways, the Mac Allister M2 is the much stronger choice.