Kärcher K 5 Power Control high pressure washer: Intelligent app support – the solution for a wide range of cleaning tasks
1 CLEVER 2 SUSTAINABLE 3 EFFICIENT 4 DURABLE 5 COMFORTABLE
Kärcher high-pressure washers: performance classes in comparison
 K 5 Power Control |  K 7 Smart Control |  K 4 Power Control |  K 3 Power Control |  K 2 Power Control | |
| Pressure | max. 20 – 145 bar | max. 20 – 180 bar | max. 20 – 130 bar | max. 20 – 120 bar | max. 20 – 110 bar |
| Surface performance | 40 m²/h | 60 m²/h | 30 m²/h | 25 m²/h | 20 m²/h |
| Flow rate | max. 500 l/h | max. 550 l/h | max. 420 l/h | max. 380 l/h | max. 360 l/h |
| Weight without accessories | 13 kg | 17,6 kg | 11,5 kg | 4,4 kg | 4 kg |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 402 x 306 x 588 mm | 458 x 330 x 666 mm | 402 x 306 x 588 mm | 297 x 280 x 677 mm | 246 x 280 x 586 mm |
| High-pressure hose length | 10 m | 10 m | 8 m | 7 m | 5 m |
| Water suction | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Connection capacity | 2,1 kW | 2,8 kW | 1,8 kW | 1,6 kW | 1,4 kW |
| Max. inlet temperature | max. 40 °C | max. 60 °C | max. 40 °C | max. 40 °C | max. 40 °C |
| Weight: | 13 kg |
| Dimensions: | 40.2 x 30.6 x 58.8 cm; 12.95 Kilograms |
| Model: | 1.324-552.0 |
| Part: | 13245520 |
| Colour: | Yellow |
| Pack Quantity: | 1 |
| Batteries Required: | No |
| Manufacture: | Kärcher |
| Colour: | Yellow |
| Quantity: | 1 |
Even more powerful than my previous machine (5.55) but more compact, lighter and easier to manoeuvre. Also has a really good length hose and adjustable nozzle. On the downside, the power cable could be longer and the lack of hose reel and limited tool storage is a pain. Still impressed overall.
I just knew that before buying this power washer it was going to be a great buy.
I received the power washer really quickly and the instructions for assembly were very straight forward and quite simple.
I washed the front and back of my house in the same day, brilliant, whereas the other brand of power washer was slow, this Karcher K5 was quick and powerful. The settings are simple to use and like i said quick. Very happy with my purchase and long may it last.
Following my K2 being slightly damaged by frost I had to buy a new one. What a difference with the new spray head. It cleaned faster than the rotating patio head.
Pretty powerful, though not a massive improvement on the K3 I had before. The assembly instructions are not very clear; they are in a small booklet in monochrome. Choosing which screws to use at each stage is shown, but the diagram is not very clear. Assembly from scratch takes about 30 minutes with a crosshead screwdriver. Glad I kept my old detergent bottle from the K3 as there isn’t one included.
P/s A small area No 3.A large area No 5.
Replaced a smaller machine. This one is powerful and easy to use. Took a wee bit of time to get bottom shelf fitted on as fixing bolt had to be inserted upwards at an angle but one on excellent piece of domestic power washer.
Be careful whilst attaching the nozzle to the high pressure hose… There are two nozzles in the box, one variable and one full pressure, and once attached I’m not sure they can be switched (I can’t see how to detach one once fitted).
I also found it a bit tricky to get one of the wheels to locate properly before fitting the securing screw, but a little persuasion resolved that issue.
All in all I’m happy with my purchase.
Written instructions would be appreciated. Even our local garden maintence man gave up.
I have used cheaper pressure washers and they just don’t measure up – this works really well and is worth the extra money
Not sure yet, but it seems to lack the punch that my old K5 had – fortunately I still had all the accessories from my first K5 so they are very useable on the new one – this model only comes with two wands & I’m also not sure about the pressure hose coming from the back to the front through an aperture. We’ll see how long it lasts. (Plastic v. Metal Pumps!)
Not sure yet, but it seems to lack the punch that my old K5 had – fortunately I still had all the accessories from my first K5 so they are very useable on the new one – this model only comes with two wands & I’m also not sure about the pressure hose coming from the back to the front through an aperture. We’ll see how long it lasts. (Plastic v. Metal Pumps!)
Replaced an older model that performed well for its age. This one looks and feels as if it will out last the old one (10years +)
The K5 is a very solid, very powerful power washer which is easy to use and has made light work of anything I have thrown at it. Particularly getting spots of years-old lichen out of paving stones. It hasn’t got rid of everything but it has done a better job than any washer I have used before.
It was a bit awkward to put together. I think this was mainly down to the instructions which were pretty unclear. It does come in more parts than you might expect. But once you’re over that hurdle, it’s done forever. I also was convinced there was a missing part but it turned out it was the detergent bottle which you get separately. At this level in the range I might expect the hose to tidy away a bit more easily – I am not the first to note that the stocky-but-minimalist Karcher aesthetic is let down by having a tangled mass of hose and electrical cable wrapped around it for want of a neater solution. But this is a storage issue more than a functional problem. The washer itself is really great, just don’t expect it to tuck itself away neatly at the back of the garage when you’re not using it.
Good machine, easy to assemble – but could benefit from a way to coil the hose more effectively
Karcher are one of the best brands available, excellent quality and does a great job at whatever task you need it for.
Replacement toy for my husband. So happy with my purchase as it now means I can read my book in peace.
A lot of fix it up to work item some of it needless should be done at factory
All fairly easy but cable and hose foldaway leaves a bit to be desired. Hose very rigid.
Other than that fine.
Extremely great performance, fully revive block paving drive. Very pleased.
Just used for first time. Bought to replace on I had for 30 years… this one is better still… superb and if it lasts half as long….
Machinery… no need to comment.
Perfect piece of art.
The only down side is the price, way to expensive.
Personally wouldn’t buy for regular price but got the bargain on Amazon Warehouse deals which makes great my value for money deal.
Amazing results.
The best pressure washer that I have used.
but overall it’s probably the best on the market & I’ve used a few different ones over the years in various jobs.
but overall it’s probably the best on the market & I’ve used a few different ones over the years in various jobs.
I can’t understand why companies sell stuff that is, effectively, in ‘kit’ form. The K5 it comes in bits, but would all still fit, fully assembled, in the same box – so why not sell it ‘ready to use’?….. and don’t be fooled, the ‘vario lance’ is still the same premise as turning the nozzle on your hose, close the aperture, increase the pressure. All Karcher have done is incorporate some of the features from the truly controllable/adjustable K7 into something which is, in essence, no different from the much cheaper K2,3 & 4. Neither does it include the much vaunted detergent bottle – that has to be purchased seperately, which, considering the substantial price tag, is immensely annoying.
It IS a decent bit of kit, but Karcher ‘oversell’ it – I paid 329 at Homebase for mine, Amazon are 50 cheaper, I’d say Amazon have the price right for the product – at over 300 I’d say it was overpriced – especially when you’re having to buy essential bits as ‘optional extras’.
That said, the 2.1 Kw motor pushes out a much more effective spray than the smaller models, especially when used at full power and the machine, while heavier, feels much more robust and well-constructed (even if I did have to do half of that myself) I reckon that the modern lance has been signifiantly improved, it certainly feels more powerful and it surely performs more effectively on discoloured, lichen-encrusted slabs.
It’s a shame, because at the right price, fully assembled and with all the extras this could be a wonderful piece of kit, it performs well – but to quote an old adage, I think Karcher spoiled the ship for an a’peth of tar.
The product comes with instructions, however, they are not that clear. The app is much better. It gives you step by step assembly instructions. I use the Karcher for washing my car, cleaning the patio and getting rid of weeds between flag stones. very impressed with the power and is very easy to use.
The product comes with instructions, however, they are not that clear. The app is much better. It gives you step by step assembly instructions. I use the Karcher for washing my car, cleaning the patio and getting rid of weeds between flag stones. very impressed with the power and is very easy to use.
Exceptionally powerful,easy to use and good value for money.
Very easy to assemble. I found downloading the karcher app a big help.very good
My old one was not up to the job so got this instead
Amazing workmanship
Built really well
Long pressure hose
Easy to operate nozzles
Really strong pressure
Not as loud as my old one
Long operation didn’t make it warm so the water cooling works well
Operates without interruptions
Love Bosch but they should stick to doing what they do best … This is so much better (yes and more expensive but it does the job)
My old one was not up to the job so got this instead
Amazing workmanship
Built really well
Long pressure hose
Easy to operate nozzles
Really strong pressure
Not as loud as my old one
Long operation didn’t make it warm so the water cooling works well
Operates without interruptions
Love Bosch but they should stick to doing what they do best … This is so much better (yes and more expensive but it does the job)
Upgraded from a K2 pressure washer to this K5 and it makes a huge difference to all surfaces including removing driveway weeds and cleans clockwork and paving really well returning it to its original like new look, and effective on dried grime on car body work. Only minor issue is difficulty in installing hose as it kinks very easily.
Karcher is a trusted, reliable brand and I have been using one of their pressure cleaners for years with total satisfaction. Given the opportunity to test this latest version. Whilst it is, as expected, excellent for cleaning drives, and cars and windows- at a lower setting , of course- the jets are very powerful, it’s in the little extras (or lack of them) that this almost drops a star. My old Karcher has a reel for the power cord- this one has nothing to wrap the cable round and that means tangles. Neither is there a reel for the hose. It also doesn’t come with a bottle of cleaning fluid. It does connect to an app (of course) and I guess this is nice, but I’m not sure how necessary or useful this is; I haven’t felt the need to use it yet.
All of which doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a really good pressure washer and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend i
That said, you have to make up your own mind how much this is worth paying a premium for, and in the end everything depends on the efficiency and user-friendllness of the local distributor/service centre. Reading the reviews, I note that the UK one has attracted a few criticisms.
Compared to the cheaper models, (K2 and K5), this one is a beast ! It’s also very heavy, and perhaps not for delicate young ladies – or doddery old men like me. In another package version, it also comes with an accessory floor and wall cleaner – note that this is not a scrubber; it relies on water pressure for cleaning and has two revolving jets – but it’s most important asset is that it saves you from getting very wet shoes and trousers, spray being suppressed inside the hood. Whether this is worth paying for depends on how much you dislike wet feet and clammy trousers – and you also have to verify that the combination pack works out cheaper than the two separate items.
It sports bluetooth, to employ Karcher’s new mobile phone control app, which has no attraction whatsoever for me, not being app-centric, so I was pleased to see that it isn’t a necessity; but you still need batteries in the trigger handle to control the degree of pressure, which is easy. and a practical advantage; I will allow someone less prejudiced to comment on the usefulness and practicality of the app.
The feature I thought I would like most is the built-in pressure-hose reel, which I’ve longed for for years; there being no such luxuries on my 30-year-old Bosch, which is a pain to put away and store, although it still does the job for me. But it turned out a disappointment; rewinding is difficult and a bit of a chore, and it doesn’t unwind easily. Needs work, I’d say.
I’ll make no bones about it, for my purposes, this K5 model should be called the OK 5 – OK for OverKill, at least with my quite ordinary needs; the next model down, the lightweight K3, is the one I would choose if I wanted another mains model. I would prefer it over the 100 K1 – apparently Karcher’s answer to the cheap Chinese competition – because, good though the K1 is, for the extra 50, the K2 offers more power. But these days, Karcher’s 18v battery-powered model is my pressure sprayer of choice, and does everything I need without fuss.
I would suggest that a prospective purchaser of a power washer from the Karcher range of washers should note that similar to many car manufacturers, Karcher have, to my mind, a bewildering array of models, which have sub ranges within them. You might automatically think that if a Karcher K4 washer has a so called T — Racer (circular scrubber) supplied as standard then the clearly superior K5 — superior in power and price would have the same. Not so. That is why I propose that a careful study be made when initially selecting the desired Karcher washer before purchase.
That point aside, in relation to the multitude of power washer manufacturers, the Karcher’s prices are somewhat higher than I feel are justified. At the time of this review the Karcher K5 is considerably more expensive than other makes — even those well known to us here in the UK. The build quality of the K5 is much higher than the lower priced K4; and much more powerful.
I do feel that for the given price that a decent colour print instruction manual should have been provided instead of the black and white, low grade paper and print user manual that is included. To my mind the instructions are all over the place: and the images very hard to discern.
Upon registration the user is granted 2 years manufacturers guarantee — subject to proper usage.
As with a previous reviewer I would have liked a better system for the power cord storage and the outlet hose storage.
The unit is well balanced and therefore easy to maneuver. If it were not for the exorbitant price I do feel that I would be saying “Buy it – I can see why Karcher are so well respected.”
This comes with all the attachments neatly packed into a strong box which is great for storage after use. Easy to put together following the instructions and follows you obediently when in use. Not wishing to go into the various power settings etc as that information is already given, on a practical viewpoint it is easy to assemble, easy to use and does an excellent job. I have been using their window cleaner for years and have had no trouble with that. Having said that, it could not be said that Karcher products are inexpensive, they are not, but they are built to last, do the job and will repay the money over the years – you get what you pay for.
The Krcher K5 looks chunkier than its stable mate the K4. This is the basic model of the three available models in the K5 range and it comes without the accessories of the other two but with the bigger more powerful motor, the excellent water cooled Triplex plunger pump boasting a longer life than any air cooled pump. It has the outstanding performance but without the super lance of the higher models. Although the two lance options that accompany the model are perfectly adequate in performance.
The full range in K5’s, share the powerful 2.1kW motor producing 14.5MPa (1 Megapascal = 10 bar), about 2100psi, via the water cooled Triplex Plunger Pump, a high efficiency and long life unit. So don’t go pointing it at anything soft! The pressure is controllable allowing most surfaces to be attacked and cleaned efficiently and safely. The K5 models have the ‘Plug and clean’ detergent intake which houses a dedicated Krcher accessory detergent dispenser. The liquids are available in different solutions of cleaner for various applications — stone cleaning, degreaser and detergents for various applications. And they have thrown into the mix, a bottle of their detergent for cleaning stone.
Available in three flavours identical except for accessories, the top of the range K5 Premium Smart Control has Blue Tooth and a built in hose reel with the T-5 Patio cleaner and a bottle of detergent, the middle Power Control Car and Home comes without the hose reel but various other accessories, the T-5 a ‘snow soap’ applicator, a power brush, cloth and two bottles of detergent. This model, the ‘Power Control’ has no accessories and it is reflected in the price which is very competitive for a cleaner of this calibre.
Again, a ‘ fit for everything’ power washer, with more umph than the K4.
An easy five stars for this basic model
JC
I received this item as part of the Amazon Vine programme when it was priced at 329.99 – 19th February 2021.
I have been fortunate to compare this item with the Karcher K4 pressure washer and feel that whilst both deserve a five star rating, this is my preferred washer, simply based upon three things:
+. Power – it is significantly more powerful than the already powerful K4
+. The power cable and high pressure hose are longer than the impressive length of hose and cable on the K4
+. Like the K4 it is relatively compact and is easy to manoeuvre on hard or soft surfaces yet only marginally heavier.
Assembly
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The pressure washer came securely packed and required a degree of assembly to connect the hose, attach the wheels and to assemble the handle. You will require a Philips/cross head screwdriver for the handle only. Assembly takes 5 minutes.
Once assembled you are presented with the Karcher pressure washer as illustrated. Setting up for use requires you to connect a water and power supply.
Operation
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There are two separate controls, both of which are simple to operate. An rotary on/off switch on the main body of the washer and a separate 4 option control on the spray wand; this allows for variable spray pressure for hard substances such as paving through to soft timber, such as garden furniture (easy to operate rotary controller with a graphic display). Additionally there is a separate high pressure lance which directs a more concentrated and powerful jet for hard or stubborn stains. Personally I found that the variable lance offers sufficient force to tackle the majority of jobs, including removing heavy deposits off car alloy wheels. Both lances are easy to remove and secure.
The Krcher K5 comes with the added Plug and Clean system whereby you can attach a bottle of concentrated detergent or similar which will be mixed in the machine and delivered under pressure. It is a significant advance on previous models where there was an option to insert a pipe to draw the concentrate into the washer. I have used the car cleaner and found that it used the concentrate far quicker than I felt was necessary and therefore I would suggest that you experiment with concentration and do not attach a full bottle the first time you use it. I found that diluting the concentrate at a rate of 5:1 was more than sufficient to coat my car in foam: you just need to decant the remaining 80% into a separate container for future use. I would also recommend that you purchase at least one of these bottles of detergent should you wish to use your own detergent in the future. as you will need a dedicated bottle
Functionality
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The washer supplied to me was not the upgraded model as advertised and did not have the retractable hose . In all other respects though pressure output is the same and the model is fully functional. It works really well, the 10 metre hose and 5 metre power cable permits me to more than access all sides of two family saloons parked parallel on my drive.
The unit is not exceptionally heavy, in fact the weight is quite reassuring. My wife commented that it was quite heavy, but not excessively and her only reservation would be lifting it any height (13kg)
Storage is relatively simple. The hose and power cable pack neatly to the rear and the wands are held securely at the front of the main unit.
The Krcher App
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The Krcher app is only used on this model to register purchase and to provide guides and tips, although higher spec models allow the app to control certain settings. A useful product guide which saves having to search for the manual if you wish to confirm any element of operation.
Overall
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the most powerful, compact mid range power washer which is ideal for the average home. There are more powerful industrial models and those which are less powerful and smaller. For our home, this item is more than adequate for cleaning cars, which I suspect will be used for regularly, combined with annual cleaning of our patios and garden furniture. It has the added bonus of possessing two wands, a very high pressure washer and the much more convenient variable wand with three easy to control settings.
Being part of the Karcher family, there is an additional range of products available such as detergents and cleaners, combined with hardware item for cleaning cars (snow foam applicator/brushes), garden and household (patio/extendable window cleaner) – visit the Karcher store for the full range of accessories.
Apart from the heavy duty more industrial range of Karcher pressure washers the K5 is the most powerful of what may be truly described as ‘compact’. It is not much bigger than the K2 but is rated 2100W instead of 1400W, and a pressure range of 20-145 bar instead of 20-110. With a flow rate of 500 l/h instead of 360 l/h the K5 may use more water but it claims double area efficiency of 40 sqm/h instead of 20, and is highly efficient.
I endorse the K5 as the workhorse washer of the domestic Karcher range, and this view is confirmed by the high specimen quality of all fittings. The washer is supplied with a dirt blaster lance and a multi-jet spray wand, and for good measure the high pressure hose is 10m long rather than more normal 5m. For the gimmicky minded the spray gun incorporates a LED display of working performance. For the even more gimmicky minded, an ‘app’ can be downloaded from the Karcher Service Centre. Prospective purchasers can look forward to 5-star performance.
What are the benefits of a pressure washer?
There are multiple benefits such as keeping many surfaces clean with minimal effort and restoring multiple surfaces to their original condition.
It is a fast and effective tool using the various tools and accessories that accompany this model.
For somebody like me with back issues this is a god send. It saves me carrying buckets in and out of the house, saves on cleaning materials. You just need an available power socket and somewhere to attach your hose and away you go!
Pressure washers work by blasting water at high velocity, and the power of the water is enough to lift stains and mildew without the need for harmful chemicals so saving on environmental harm which in my books is a plus.
This particular model contents includes: 1x K 5 Power Control Pressure Washer 1x High Pressure Gun 1x Spray Lance 1x 10m High Pressure Hose and booklet on how to operate or scan the QR code which is easier to read and it takes you through step by step use and set up.
The machine itself comes in a compact box. It is not too heavy at around 13kgs without its accessories but you have wheels so that not an issue anyway.
Does it do a good job, yes it does and with its very long 10metre hose and long power cable which makes it very flexible in terms of the distance you you can pull it without difficulty to perform your tasks.
You can purchase optional extras should you please for other cleaning tasks that are not compatible with the accessories that come with this particular model.
Well priced given what you can do with this powerful mid range model.
I hope you found this review helpful
There are various makes of pressure washers and I have had a few over the years, but quality counts. Some devices are synonymous with quality and function – we call vacuum cleaning “Doing some Hoovering” even if we aren’t using a Hoover, and the same goes for cleaning with a pressure washer it is now called by my family ” a Kartchering”.
Payless and buy twice or buy a Karcher. It is the very best of pressure washers with a host of various accessories. This model has just about everything you could want. The only extra you may consider is the round head for cleaning paths that produces less “collateral” spray mess, and a soft brush head for cleaning a car. Everything else you need is contained in the box. It is sturdy and powerful and just works very well. The Rolls Royce (another synonym) of pressure cleaners.
This is a fantastic pressure washer and the must have if you can afford the high price tag. This K5 is more powerful than the K4 with a 2100W motor, and the smart control spray gun lets you control the pressure just how you need it and for what job. The plug and clean function in the top is great but make sure you do the cap right or you will use all the liquid in one go. This is the K5 power control that comes with the two spray lancers. The spray gun handle does not have the LCD screen like the K5 smart but still takes two AA batteries for the symbols to light up on the handle when you twist the lance. The power on full is fantastic as I did the old caravan in the bottom of our garden it just blasted the green mould off every part of it I cannot believe how good this washer it. For me it’s krcher washer every time and in my opinion you should not buy any other.
The K5 is towards the top of the range for Krcher pressure washers and as such is a solid feeling machine with a powerful 2.1 kw motor. Krcher is a German company renowned world wide for it’s pressure washers, in fact in parts of Europe they use the work Krcher to describe a cleaner in the same way that we use the work Hoover to describe a vacuum cleaner.
This K5 pressure washer comes with a very long 10 meter pressure hose, meaning you can wander off cleaning for a fair distance from the pressure washer. The pressure hose coils up and fits on the back of the washer for storage. This washer comes with two lances, one of them has variable pressure by turning the end of the lance and you can see the pressure setting on a readout on the back of the gun. It varies from a soft setting for mixing soap, through soft for Rattan furniture for instance, medium for your car maybe and hard for getting stubborn dirt off stonework. The other lance is full pressure only and meant for really stubborn dirt on stone or paving. It really is very powerful, more powerful than my previous pressure washer which was also a famous name brand. There is a sort of triangular shaped space at the top of the washer for adding a liquid cleaner bottle which is an optional extra. Talking of optional extras, you can get extra bits for loads of things like cleaning the gutters or pressure cleaning a drain for instance.
In summary, this Krcher K5 pressure washer is powerful and flexible, it’s also quite affordable considering it’s one of the best in the range, made by one of the world leaders in pressure washers. It looks and feels really good quality.