For years we've been told that more pressure equals more cleaning power. But when it comes to washing your car, the opposite can often be true.
Too much pressure can strip wax, damage delicate trim, force water into places it shouldn't go and even increase the risk of scratching paint if dirt is driven across the surface. That's what makes the Ryobi 18V One+ 600psi EZClean Power Washer such an interesting little machine - it doesn't chase headline-grabbing pressure figures. Instead, it focuses on being portable, convenient and, perhaps most importantly, safe to use on your pride and joy.
I've always believed the best car cleaning routine starts with removing as much loose dirt as possible before your wash mitt ever touches the paint, and Ryobi's portable pressure washer is perfect for that particular job.
However, it's worth noting early on that this isn't going to be the right tool for someone regularly cleaning a mud-caked 4WD after a weekend on the trails or who wants to blast the long-term grime off that exciting new barn find classic.
While thick clay packed into suspension components will eventually come off, it will take much patience - and probably a couple of battery changes - while serious grime baked on by time (think mould, moss or mildew) simply needs more pressure than the little EZClean can muster. Likewise, if you're expecting it to replace a mains-powered power washer for heavy-duty household cleaning, you'll quickly find its limits.
Some of the customer reviews on the Bunnings (the sole sales agent for Ryobi in NZ) website criticise the EZClean's lack of pressure, saying it's barely more powerful than a garden hose.
Spend five minutes with it, though, and it becomes obvious that's missing the point.
The 600psi output is strong enough to blast away road grime, dust, bugs and fresh mud without feeling like you're attacking the car with a water cannon.
Where the cordless Ryobi really separates itself from conventional power washers is its sheer convenience.
It gets into wheel arches, around badges, inside grilles and across alloy wheels with ease, but never feels aggressive enough to make you nervous around modern paint finishes or the ever-growing collection of cameras, parking sensors and plastic trim fitted to today's vehicles.
For anyone who enjoys detailing, that's actually reassuring.
But where the cordless Ryobi really separates itself from conventional power washers is its sheer convenience. There's no need to drag out extension leads, connect long garden hoses or even park near a tap as the unit can draw water from a bucket or even a plastic soft-drink bottle (properly rinsed first, of course) thanks to the pair of adaptors included in the box.
This means you can effectively wash your car almost anywhere. That's a genuine advantage for apartment dwellers, people who store classic cars away from home, caravan owners, boat owners or anyone who likes keeping their vehicle clean while travelling.
Being part of Ryobi's extensive One+ battery ecosystem is another major plus. If you've already invested in the brand's garden or DIY tools, chances are you've already got compatible batteries sitting in the garage. Better still, Ryobi famously hasn't changed its battery design for more than 30 years, so you are pretty much guaranteed future compatibility.
Its modest pressure output turns out to be one of its greatest strengths, delivering enough cleaning performance to remove everyday grime while remaining gentle on paint.
The variable pressure control and adjustable nozzle are another pair of features that prove Ryobi understands how the EZClean is likely to be used - lower settings provide a gentle spray that's ideal around paintwork, badges and exterior trim, while increasing the pressure gives you enough extra cleaning power for dirtier wheels, tyres and lower body panels without ever feeling excessive.
The nozzle's Turbo, Rinse and 15 degree settings adjust the flow to offer even more control - but be warned; the 15 degree setting may be aggressive enough to dislodge aged and brittle window rubbers if you get in too close. The Turbo setting offers a good mix of pressure and a wider spray pattern, but will chew through a bottle of water pretty quicky if you don't have a bucket or hose handy.
Perhaps the biggest compliment I could give it is that it encourages you to wash your car more often - because it's lightweight, cordless and takes only a couple of minutes to set up, you don't find yourself putting the job off. Grab a bucket of water, clip in a battery and you're cleaning.
Sometimes the best tool isn't the biggest or the most powerful - it's the one you'll actually use.
If your main goal is keeping your car clean, the Ryobi 18V One+ 600psi EZClean Power Washer is a genuinely compelling option. Its modest pressure output turns out to be one of its greatest strengths, delivering enough cleaning performance to remove everyday grime while remaining gentle on paint, trim and delicate exterior components. Combine that with excellent portability and Ryobi's versatile One+ battery platform, and you have a cordless cleaner that feels purpose-built for regular car care.
It doesn't chase headline-grabbing pressure figures. Instead, it focuses on being portable, convenient and, perhaps most importantly, safe to use on your pride and joy.
To that end, Ryobi does actually offer a small range of accessories that would make the EZClean even better for cleaning cars, with a detergent nozzle, brush and wheel brush attachments all available in some overseas markets. Just unfortunately not ours...
If you're looking for a replacement for the water blaster that cleans your driveway every spring, this isn't it. But if you're after something that's quick to grab whenever the car needs a rinse, it's hard to think of a more convenient option.
Pair it with a decent pH-neutral shampoo, a quality microfibre wash mitt and the two-bucket method, and you've got everything you need to safely maintain modern paintwork.
