Kärcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus Home Pressure Washer

So I have just upgraded from a Karcher K2 to this Karcher K5 and used for the first time today. It's really very good.My main reason for choosing the K5 over the K4 was the 3-in-1 wand; this is an excellent feature which allows you to switch between mix (low pressure for applying detergent), lance (the fan option) and dirt blaster modes without having to stop and change tools, and I am glad I did - not only can you do this with one easy twist of the wand, you can also adjust the pressure for different jobs by pressing a +/- button on the trigger, so moving from decking to block paving was a cinch.The included T350 patio cleaner also has adjustable power via a dial on the cleaning head. This I found very good for decking, but having not cleaned ours for a number of years I needed it on full power - it didn't do any damage, but I would urge caution for softwood decking; start low and turn it up gently. It wasn't as good for the block paving - ours has quite a rough surface and I found the cleaner didn't float quite enough to move easily. That said, it cleaned up OK.But what really impressed me was the sheer power of the dirt blast mode. This delivers a rapidly rotating focused jet - at a distance of 6" from the surface it covers about 3" diameter - that simply strips away dirt from hard surfaces. I used it to prepare a garden wall and it took off all loose paint readily, then to clean some concrete steps which came up beautifully.The hose reel is really useful for storing the 8m hose - I didn't need to move the main unit from the top of the steps to do the stairs - and there is onboard storage for the main wand and extension; I've also got the T350 on the extension to keep it all neat. A better solution for storing the cable than tucking it into a net at th back of the machine would be nice, but to be honest the net is pretty robust and this works OK.I haven't yet used the detergent, so can't comment on whether it's worth it - but the plug and spray function is definitely a step up on the K2 hose suction option so I dare say I'll give it a go soon enough.Overall, I would be surprised if this can't cope with any task I'm likely to throw at it - the unit feels solidly built and is certainly heavy enough to inspire confidence. Very pleased so far.

I find this K5 Powerwasher a surprisingly quiet but powerful high-pressure washer. It is a big step up from a K2 which has done me for the last decade. I particularly love the sprayer wand that triples up as three tips in one. Just twist to change! As a lover of gadgets, I just love the three-speed power switch in the LCD display panel on the wand handle which connects to the pump unit by Bluetooth, and also controls the optional mix of detergent additives to the water.Ensure you read the set-up instructions before you switch on this product. I was glad I did, on this (rare) occasion.....they say you need to pair the Bluetooth wand to the pump before you use the thing! Not difficult, just important, apparently!The high-pressure hose which links to the wand seems virtually kink resistant and stretches way beyond the length of a large car, then winds up easily on a small reel on the rear of the unit when you are finished, making it a very neat package to store with no giant arcs of hose sticking out anywhere.The mains electrical cable tidy is not great; perhaps it was designed to store a smaller plug-end than a UK three-pin one. I struggled to fully put away the electrical cable into the string-bag provided, but leaving the plug hanging out makes it feasible. The cable tidy is really my only criticism of this now beloved piece of equipment, which, using the great extendable handle, wheels easily to where you need to use it, like a modern suitcase.Supplied is a bottle of stone cleaner which is added to the spray and controlled by the electronic wand from the control panel. Just turn the bottle upside down, no lid to worry about. I have not used the patio cleaner attachment yet but this should be better at containing overspray than using the standard wand on the ground around your feet!I separately purchased a water brush and an extension handle for it and this is great for reaching over car roofs and along sides of vans or high windows on the house. What, you're still sitting there? Order this thing......it's great!!

Karcher is a very well known brand and their pressure washers are certainly one of the best out there. But when you pay a premium price you should not have to assemble anything. Here's why.You have fit the following yourself:Top handleFront spray lance storageBase plateWheelsStorage netAll these should be preinstalled. The screws are different sizes and are not clearly identified which screws are to be used for which parts, it's all trial and error and somebody without much DIY knowledge could quite easily damage the screw threads.Instructions are split over six different pieces of literature - why not consolidate everything together?Stowage area for the electric cable is badly designed, it just consists of flimsy netting and the cable is quite fiddly to store and take out. It's a cheap option. There should be moulded plastic to wrap the cable around.Screws to fix the top handle are badly located, you have to screw it down from the top. The screws should be fixed from the side so that it can provide better support when lifting the washer which is quite heavy. In fact why is it necessary to screw on a handle which could already be moulded in during the manufacturing process??There should be links to YouTube videos showing how to set it all up.Please Karcher read your customers' reviews and improve your product design and stop trying to save money by making your customers build the damn things!