If you’re like me and are looking for a pressure washer to attack those grubby jobs around your place, you might find that the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer is near perfect for you, too.
Well, I’ve bitten the bullet, bought one and I’m getting to grips with putting it to work on the long list of God-awful jobs I’ve been putting off around my garden.
All that is herein is a genuine review of the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer – best in class!
Getting to Grips with the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 Pressure Washer!
I’ve crammed my review full of the vital information you really need to know so you can be sure that the Aquatak 135 is going to do the job for you including:
- Full product specification
- Features
- Pros and cons
- Frequently asked questions from myself and other customers of this pressure washer.
I will also give you my own honest opinion on whether or not I think the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer is a good buy.
And if you want to see this pressure washer in action why not check out my video review where I’ll be unboxing, assembling and putting the Aquatak 135 straight to work in my garden:
Want to know more about the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer (Link to Amazon.co.uk) or thinking of buying one?
You’ve come to the right place.
Let’s go!
About Bosch Pressure Washers
The Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer is part of Bosch’s own consumer range (Home and Garden), and is separate from its professional range of high-pressure washers that have specialist “pro” features. It has not been crafted and built for professional use.
But this does not mean the Aquatak range is not impressive, after all, I intend to put it through its paces in my garden.
I bought it because Bosch claims it’s up to providing “effortless cleaning for a wide range of jobs”, and should be able to tackle heavy-duty cleaning in my home.
You definitely benefit from the much-lauded Bosch engineering with metal pumps, aluminum casings and steel pistons being a feature of all Bosch High-Pressure washers.
The Bosch Aquatak range has “Easy”, “Universal”, and “Advanced” pressure washers. The universal pressure washer is a real all-rounder, intended for moderate, regular use.
I purchased the most powerful model in the Aquatak range – at 135 bar pressure, this pressure washer exceeds Bosch professional numpties like the GHP 5-65 X PROFESSIONAL, so I am looking forward to properly putting it through its paces.
The Bosch Brand
The German Robert Bosch GmbH commonly known as Bosch is well known for its power tools and home appliances.
With over 100 years of manufacturing experience under their belts I want to take advantage in this premium purchase!
Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 Pressure Washer Specifications
Here is the breakdown of the Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer:
- Motor power: 1900-Watt series motor
- Power: corded electric
- Operating voltage: 230 V AC, 50 Hz
- Electric cable length: 5 meters – hardwired into the pressure washer
- 3-cylinder pump
- Pump material: all metal
- Max: 135 bars (1958.01 pounds per square each)
- Max inlet pressure: 1 MPa
- Max flow rate: 410 litres per hour (7.5 litres per minute)
- Max water temperature: 40 degrees Celsius
- Noise level: 70 decibels
- Dimensions: 44.2 by 37.3 by 36 centimetres
- Weight: 10.5 kilograms
- Colour: green and black
- High pressure hose length: 7 meters (22.96 feet)
- Hose weight: 800 grams
- Hose material: PVC
- Hose connections: SDS Quick connect (no tools required)
- 3-in-1 nozzle: fan jet / rotary jet / straight jet
- Detergent container supplied
Unboxing the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 Pressure Washer
I was eager to progress to the unboxing of my new pressure washer.
If you are like me and order products online regularly, the packaging and state of your orders can be pretty hit and miss.
Bosch has ensured this unit is secure boxed with cardboard blocks and strapping to prevent shifting in transit and cabling and smaller components properly packaged.
Be Aware Of: The main pressure washer is a little on the heavy side (10.5 kg assembled) so ensure you have plenty of room to be able to haul it out and assemble everything.
So, what’s in the Box?
Here’s what you’ll receive with your Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer:
The machine itself
- A Bosch high-pressure gun
- A Bosch lance
- A 3-in-1 nozzle
- A spray nozzle for detergent
- A 450 ml detergent bottle
- A 7 m high-pressure hose
- A plastic water filter
- A patio cleaner attachment
The only problem is not having an instruction manual along with the washer.
I don’t know if this is the norm or not, but I have searched about online, and left a link to the manual of the Universal Aquatek lower down in this review.
Using Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 – First Impressions
I was after a compact portable pressure washer with plenty of cleaning power.
I didn’t want to compromise on performance, but for doing jobs at home and in the garden, I really needed the washer to be multifunctional.
Here are my initial impressions from having unboxed it:
- Well-built pressure washer: the Universal Aquatak 135 isn’t very big, which is pretty stunning given the amount of pressure it churns out. This is not a juggernaut of a Karcher or some such like, an industrial unit costing way over $500+. I was impressed with this smart little minimalist green and black unit with clear outlets and connector point on it, and bold Bosch red for the control switch. It looks as if could take some knocks without breaking down on you!
- Not lots of parts: it is really a simple setup there are not too many parts, and it seems pretty obvious how the components are meant to go together.
- Components can all be stored on the pressure washer unit: very helpfully most parts do have a home on the pressure washer, rather than just loose. There is a holder for your gun, lance and also the detergent bottle. There is a loop for your hose and the power cable can also be looped. This is ideal since you know you have everything you need with you to start to clean, no hunting around for missing parts.
- Compact design: the fold down handle, and this washer is of a space saving cuboid shape so it should pack easily into a weatherproof box in your garden, or a shelf in your garage or shed.
- Decent chunky wheels: moving the pressure washer around your garden is easy due to the rugged wheels, you can get them to ride along the ground just as easily on your lawn as on your patio or decking. A large extendable handle helps keep this washer portable without you needing to bend.
- Some fittings seem a little flimsy: as with so many modern appliances there is a lot of plastic. The lance and nozzle looked a little flimsy, but were able to be securely and robustly assembled.
- Soap dispenser is a nifty feature: this pressure washer can dispense soap! No more soaping everything down before you wash the parts.
Need to Know Features of the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135
These are some of the standout features of the Universal Aquatak 135:
- Powerful pressure washing: As you will see in the video review, this pressure washer does pack a punch with wattage and pressure that are strong enough to challenge pro models.
- Hand trigger gun control: You don’t need to reach and fumble about with the control switch on the unit as it can be operated pant with the red hand trigger on the lance.
- 3-in-1 nozzle: Pretty useful the trio nozzle as you do not need to keep switching between the individual nozzles while you are actually cleaning. There are fan, rotary, and pencil jet settings. Simply rotate the head anti-clockwise to the setting you require with the green dot pointing to the setting you need.
- Detergent and foam cleaning: The foam detergent dispenser is to deliver great foam cleaning – ideal for the car or well-loved garden furniture. Pick your detergent, pour it into the dispenser and fix it to the nozzle head for targeted cleaning foam.
- Self-priming pump If you’re drawing up water for your Aquatak 135 from a well or tank, the pump inside the pressure water is self-priming. There is an inlet strainer with a non-return valve so simply immerse the hose length and inlet strainer into the water and quickly connect the hose to the power washer.
- Autostop function: The Universal Aquatak 135 will turn itself off automatically if the trigger is released on the gun for any reason.
Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 Pressure Washer Assembly
As you can see from the video, putting the Aquatak 135 together is a very simple process – all the connections are quick-connect so you shouldn’t need any tools to get the pressure washer ready to use.
The connectors are all made from plastic and, if I’m honest, I did feel like I was going to snap something off at times as they felt weak in places. The filter that you have to attach to the front of the machine with every use is made from a suceptible clear plastic that I do wonder how long it will last.
The mains water supply hose can be run directly to your water after securing it to the machine with the filter.
Using the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 Pressure Washer
After a quick set up, I found starting off with my new pressure washer to be simple.
Once the water supply hose is connected, all that’s required is to plug the pressure washer into the mains, leaving the big red switch in the “OFF” position.
Then, turn on the water, keeping the trigger on the lance pressed down together, until you’re certain you have a constant flow.
You’re now ready to turn on the pressure washer. Simply if safely to “ON”, using the switch at the front, and off you go. You’ll want to keep the lance pointing downwards when you do this!
The Aquatak 135 was easy to handle and every bit as powerful as I had expected. There are many cleaning jobs around my garden that a simpler machine will not be able to cope with. I am sure you know the type!
Heavily soiled areas, staining on surfaces and well aged grime didn’t stand a chance when confronted by the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135. It really needs to be seen!
Works Well: The three different settings made short work of very grimy concrete and the pencil jet setting was very powerful, cutting right through the filth along straight lines clearly.
The pencil jet might be too good for glass or double glazing, using the fan nozzle setting is very helpful in getting larger areas covered fairly quickly.
The attachment for detergent is handy too and saves on buying an extra foamer. I used it with a stone cleaning solution, that I mixed as per the instructions on the bottle.
The detergent was all used in a matter of seconds, so beware if you’re using the more expensive cleaners with this washer.
Optional: Also, the foam was not all that frothy and spectacular, so you might like to use a separate foamer if you prefer a really rich foam clean.
The patio cleaner can be attached to the lance and used like a floor washer.
It’s very quick and easy at cleaning with a domed head to contain the spray and prevent you making too much of a mess.
Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 Pressure Washer PROS
- It is definitely a powerful pressure washer
This pressure washer was certainly as powerful as expected, especially given its size and versatility. The focused pencil jet was extremely strong and definitely separated this model from cheaper competitors.
- The Aquatak 135 cleans fast
I am confident that I can get jobs done quickly with this washer. High pressure means that you do not have to go over areas over and over again and you can be confident that very stubborn areas of dirt will shift. You will also use less water too!
- The multi-setting nozzle is a plus
The triple setting on the nozzle means that I can change my cleaning approach without dismantling the nozzles. I’m hoping that this means that my lance will have less wear and tear over time.
- The pressure washer is easy to handle
It’s clear that Bosch has taken the effort to make this design ergonomic. The lance is easy to hold and not too heavy, and also the fold-up handle means it can be wheeled around trolley-style without stooping.
- The motor is not excessively loud
Let’s be honest. A pressure washer is going to be loud but at 70 decibels, I won’t be disturbing the entire neighbourhood.
- I found that the patio cleaner does the job
I have to say I was really impressed with the patio cleaner which was really simple to use and deep cleaned my patio in minutes with minimal mess!
- Thankfully, spare parts are available
I chose the Bosch brand because they are very good at providing a reliable inventory of spare parts. I am not expecting to have to replace my pressure washer any time soon, but I am glad I can get spare parts if anything becomes broken. More on that below.
Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 Pressure Washer CONS
1. The wobbly rotating handle on the gun
For some reason the lance on the gun is always rotating which makes me have to put in more effort to steady the lance. I’ve read in other reviews that the lance connectors on this device rotate at both ends, not just where you change the nozzle setting.
2. The connectors are a bit fragile
The plastic of the connectors and lance do seem a bit flimsy. Also, the connectors that I’m going to be using a lot are looking like they’re easy to wear.
3. Soap gets used up quickly
The soap did not last long at all, which is pretty understandable since this pressure washer is putting out a high flow rate. So refillling the soap for big jobs can be a nuisance.
4. Leaking from the pressure washer can be a troublesome
Some reviewers of this pressure washer on the world wide web got leak cracks. This is understandable for a pressure washer.
5. There’s no place really to store smaller attachments
Although Bosch has done an exceptional job stowing the big parts, when everything is put away I’m still left with a lot of little fiddly connectors that could easily become lost in my garage.
6. The hose is a pain to wrap up
The hose is super stiff and have a hard time wrapping it down to anything small enough to fit in the pressure washer.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135
Is Bosch a reliable brand?
If you’re considering the Bosch Universal Aquatak competing against Karcher and other leading brands like STIHL, Nilfisk, etc. you want to make sure you’re making a good investment.
You can buy Bosch and you can be confident buying Bosch, which is one of 2021s most reliable appliance brands, with a good warranty and outstanding customer service.
You can see in the video, this pressure washer is a pretty good performer doing the all the usual cleaning tasks that you do on the average house.
Designed as a consumer product it’s not a tool for pros, but the specification, handling and quality are produced by a brand whose innovation and engineering is widely recognised.
Sometimes you find that you need to buy right retailer as far as this pressure washer is concerned to sort things out in case you have issues with the Bosch if it runs into problems.
You don’t want to immediately revert to the manufacturer, if possible, as you are looking for remedial solutions that you can get done from in-house servicing or perhaps a replacement that saves you time and makes one less hassle for.
Is there a warranty for the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135?
All Bosch pressure washers come with a standard 2-year guarantee which covers private use of your pressure washer.
You can sign up for the MyBosch service platform and extend the guarantee to three years. This needs to be done within 4 weeks of purchase.
The warranty gives you access to the Bosch repair service for your pressure washer. They will collect, repair and return your pressure washer if it becomes broken for free.
You need your warranty certificate and proof of purchase for your washer to use this service.
Where can I get Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer spares and parts?
I’m happy with my purchase given, it seems, there are loads of Bosch spares and parts available online for the Universal Aquatak 135.
These spares can be kept up your sleeves as replacements, say, when the pressure washer is out of warranty.
You will find the following genuine spare parts for the:
- Hand trigger gun
- High pressure hose
- Variable fan lance
- Roto fan lance
- O rings, seals and clips
These should keep this little workhorse going around your home and garden a good while, and help you get maximum value from your outlay.
Where can I find a Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer manual?
One of the disappointments with this pressure washer is the lack of paper instructions in the box to be able to follow to get it set up.
As you can see from the video, I had to just get on with working it out myself.
However, trying to assemble a high-pressure appliance like this without being guided by manufacturer instructions, could be a sure way to damage it, misuse it or lose warranty.
Mains and high-pressure water – not a great combination! If you want to hunt down the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 pressure washer PDF instructions you’ll find it with a quick online search.
Can I use the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 on decking?
Pressure washers can damage your decking – but Bosch say you can clean your decking with the fan nozzle of the pressure washer.
You should not use the rotary nozzle or the high-powered pencil jet as these can damage the surface of your decking.
Can I clean my windows with the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135?
Take extreme care when using the Aquatak 135 on windows.
You’re not actually forbidden to use them, but the pencil jet setting could smash a pane of glass and if you pressure wash double glazed windows at high pace you could break the seal leaving them to seep water inside.
If you really must, use this pressure washer on or near windows, go for the fan setting.
Can I use the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 with my water butt?
Yes. You can attach your pressure washer hose to a tap connector on the water butt, or alternatively, you can use the self-priming filter and hose by pushing it into the water butt and running the pressure washer off the water.
My Own Thoughts on the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135
Overall, I’m happy with the Aquatak 135 model I got. It has done a fine job on my garden cleanup. If anything, I would say the patio cleaner isn’t really required.
It’s a good idea though, but in my book it doesn’t really help with the cleaning ability of the unit.
I’ve not used the lower pressure models obviously, but I have seen them compared to my pressure washer and the difference in performance and standards of cleaning the Universal Aquatak 135 will achieve is amazing.
I feel it’s a good choice for the money for an active household that wants a portable pressure washer for regular jobs about their property.
Easy enough to pop in your car boot to take to clean your boat or caravan too.