Karcher K5 Buyers Guide

We really hope that you love the products that we recommend. Just so you know, ToolsReview may collect a share of sales or be compensated through the links on this page, but we think it’s a fair trade for the long hours of research that we put in.

Karcher K5 Buyers Guide

Karcher is the No.1 best-selling pressure washer brand in the UK.

In 2017, the company launched the Karcher K5 pressure washer range – a revolutionary pressure washer with incredible cleaning capacity, designed and engineered with one very clear intention – to make outdoor cleaning simple, fast and effective.

The Karcher K5 has a powerful 145 bar water pressure, a 2100W  innovative water-cooled induction motor and 500 l/h water flow, resulting in the K5 models having the capacity to remove even the most stubborn dirt and grime from almost any outdoor surface, which is remarkable considering they use at least 50% less water than a standard hose! The Karcher K5 doesn’t look half-bad either – the sleek, compact design is smart, modern, tidy and compact.

Pressure washing with a Karcher K5 is viewed by many as the most effective way to clean outdoors. Not only does a Karcher K5 deliver outstanding cleaning results, but it’s also incredibly easy to use: simply connect your device to the water supply and power outlet, turn on the tap, switch on your Karcher K5 and let the cleaning begin!

Only got 5 minutes

The three models in the Karcher K5 range are:

The Karcher K5 Compact

The Karcher K5 Compact pressure washer comes with all the cleaning power and energy efficiency you’d expect from a Karcher but has been conveniently designed for smaller storage areas

The Karcher K5 Full Control Plus  

The K5 Full Control Plus is versatile and powerful, with Karcher’s innovative ‘Full Control’ system enabling you to select the perfect pressure setting for the surface you’re cleaning

The Karcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home

The K5 Full Control Plus Home is versatile and powerful, with Karcher’s innovative ‘Full Control’ system enabling you to select the perfect pressure setting for the surface you’re cleaning. This model includes several additional accessories as part of its home kit and comes with a generous 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. 

Kärcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer
  • Full control plus trigger gun: Control the pressure and detergent flow of the pressure washer using the +/- symbols
  • Located on the back of the high pressure trigger gun
  • 3-in-1 lance makes cleaning fast. The lance includes the: Vario, dirt blaster and detergent settings all in one
  • Meaning you never have to change your lance in between cleaning different areas
  • Included accessories: T 350 for cleaning large areas of patios and decking and a 1 L stone and facade detergent

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Karcher K5 Pressure Washer Features

K5 CompactK5 Full Control PlusK5 Premium Full Control Plus Home
High-pressure trigger gun G180Q
Vario Power spray lance
Dirt Blaster spray lance  
3-in-1 Multi-Jet
Quick Connect on machine
Detergent application via suction hose
Detergent application via Plug & Clean system
Telescopic handle
Water-cooled motor
Integrated water filter
Adapter garden hose A3/4″
Soft bag
Home Kit*
RRP£279£349£449

*Home Kit: T350 Patio Cleaner,  1L 3-in-1 Stone and Facade Detergent

Full Control Plus Vs Compact

The Karcher K5 Full Control Plus range (RRP £349.99 – £449.99) aims to do exactly as the name suggests – put all the control into your hands with just the touch of a button.

The Full Control Plus models are equipped with a trigger gun and multi-jet spray lance; this means there’s no old-school swapping of lances – the 3-in-1 Multi Jet allows you to select a pressure setting and effortlessly move between modes, adjusting the water pressure to suit the surface you’re cleaning.

The Karcher K5 Compact pressure washer (RRP £279.99) has the level of cleaning power and high rate of energy efficiency we’ve come to expect from Karcher, but at the same time has been conveniently and meticulously designed to fit the brief of ‘small but mighty’.

The device features an innovative water-cooled induction motor, which extends the life of the pressure washer and enhances its performance. The Quick Connect system prevents the hose from kinking and reduces assembly time when connecting your K5 Compact to the water source. It doesn’t come with the 3-in-1 Multi Jet (reflected in the price) but does come with the Karcher standard Vario and dirt buster lances.

Karcher K5 Cleaning Capability

All Karcher K5 water pressures are suitable for cleaning: 

  • Bicycles
  • Gardening machines and tools.
  • Garden/terrace/balcony furniture
  • Fences
  • Garden paths
  • Flagging
  • Motorcycles
  • Scooters.
  • Steps
  • Walls
  • Mobile homes
  • Brickwork
  • Garage doors
  • Medium-sized vehicles and small vans

Karcher K5 Pressure Washer Technical Data

K5 CompactK5 Full Control PlusK5 Premium Full Control Plus Home
Power (W)210021002100
Working Water Pressure (bar)145145145
Flow rate (litres per hour)500500500
Max water temperature (C)404040
Weight (kg)1212.713.6
Height (cm)35.439.741.1
Width (cm)30.830.530.5
Depth (cm)5258.458.4
Pressure Hose Length (m)888
Power Cable Length (m)555

The Karcher K5 Full Control Plus Range

●      The infamous Karcher water-cooled motor provides extra durability and delivers outstanding cleaning outstanding performance.

  • The Karcher Full Control Plus models come equipped with Karcher’s Multi Jet spray lance; this clever piece of kit allows you to switch between vario, dirt blaster and detergent modes with just a twist of the lance.
  • The symbols on the Multi Jet spray lance serve as a guide in helping you to select the correct setting for the surface you’re intending to clean  – the vario lance has three varying pressure settings which mean even delicate surfaces such as car bodywork or stained wood can be cleaned using your Karcher K5; stubborn, built-up dirt and grime can be removed easily with the dirt blaster, which works on a much higher pressure.
  • When using detergent, the ‘mix’ setting allows you to increase/decrease the amount of detergent being released, and the Plug & Clean system extracts the detergent directly from the bottle, saving time and avoiding waste.
  • The  + / – buttons on the trigger gun allow for quick, effortless transition between the three water pressure intensities – hard, medium and soft.
  • With just a quick glance you can monitor modes and settings as the trigger gun is also equipped with a clear, informative LED display.
  • The generous 8m high-pressure hose ensures you have ample reach.
  • The new and improved design of the Full Control K5 ensures the pressure washer will stand up unsupported.
  • The innovative storage solutions of the K5 Full Control models – the retractable telescopic handle, hose reel and onboard storage – makes finding a home within your home for your K5 much easier!

Karcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home Vs K5 Full Control Plus

The K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home is the top model in Karcher’s K5 pressure washer range and is around £100 more expensive than the Full Control Plus. The price increase is justified by the fact the Plus Home model comes with an additional home kit, which includes Karcher’s renowned T350 patio cleaner and a 1L bottle of stone detergent. With this model being part of Karcher’s Premium range, you also have the peace of mind you’ve got a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, compared to the 3-year warranty sold with Karcher’s K5 non-premium models.

Kärcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer
  • Full control plus trigger gun: Control the pressure and detergent flow of the pressure washer using the +/- symbols
  • Located on the back of the high pressure trigger gun
  • 3-in-1 lance makes cleaning fast. The lance includes the: Vario, dirt blaster and detergent settings all in one
  • Meaning you never have to change your lance in between cleaning different areas
  • Included accessories: T 350 for cleaning large areas of patios and decking and a 1 L stone and facade detergent

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The Karcher K5 Compact range

  • Can be used both while upright and while lying flat.
  • Easily accessible high-pressure hose
  • Integrated detergent suction hose
  • The water-cooled motor offers maximum performance and long-term durability.
  • Includes x2 lances – Vario and dirt buster

Compact and versatile design:

Innovative hose storage concept

The Karcher K5 Compact comes with a high-pressure hose as standard which can be conveniently wound up and secured with the elastic strap supplied making it easy to store or transport between uses.

Telescopic Handle

All Karcher K5 models are equipped with high-quality aluminium telescopic handles which are easily extended and compacted, ideal for home storage.

Easy to transport

On the underside of the Karcher K5 Compact is a second carry handle which is yet another design feature to ensure easy portability and storage. 

Karcher K5 Cleaning Agents

As if the Karcher K5 pressure washer isn’t powerful enough on its own, wait until you see the results when it’s used in conjunction with Karcher’s specialist cleaning agents!

Choosing the right detergent for the surface you intend on cleaning (e.g. car bodywork, wood or masonry) makes an incredible difference. When these specialist cleaning agents are combined with the power and intensity of the Karcher K5, the results are nothing shy of outstanding!

Karcher K5 Cleaning detergents:

  • Wheel Cleaner Gel
  • Gel Glass Cleaner
  • Universal Cleaner
  • Car Shampoo 3-in-1
  • 3-in-1 Plastic Cleaner Detergent
  • 3-in-1 Wood Cleaner Detergent
  • 3-in-1 Stone Cleaner Detergent
  • Ultra Foam Cleaner
  • 3-in-1 Insect Remover Cleaning Agent

Frequently asked questions

What is the warranty on a Karcher pressure washer?

Karcher K5 domestic pressure washers – including the K5 Compact and K5 Full Control Plus – are sold with a 3-year guarantee as standard. The Karcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home may come with an increased price tag, but you do get an impressive 5 years warranty cover with Karcher Premium models. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that if you buy your pressure washer direct from Karcher, you’ll qualify for +1 extra year’s cover, taking the total warranty period up to 4 years. 

What is the Plug & Clean system?

The Plug & Clean system, which is a feature of the Full Control K5 pressure washers, allows for quick and easy application of detergents. Kärcher detergents increase cleaning efficiency whilst protecting and caring for your surface.

About Thomas Paxton 368 Articles
Hey there, I'm Thomas Paxton, your Tool Guru with a Twist! I've been knee-deep in the world of tools since I was a little tinkerer in my dad's shed. Now, I'm running my own website where I share my passion for tools and gardening products through buyers guides and insightful tips. I've got the knowledge and experience to break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand language. I purchased Tools Review from Mike Jones at the start of 2023, he has done a sterling job of building the site and I hope I can continue in his success! When I'm not writing guides, you'll find me in my garden or garage, putting my skills to work and pushing the boundaries of creativity. So, whether you're a pro or just starting out, join me on this adventure, and let's conquer DIY projects together!

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.