Kärcher K2 Pressure washer review: small, simple and solid
If you’re in the market for a new pressure washer, you’ll invariably research plenty of models and probably come across the Kärcher K2 in some capacity. The entry-level pressure washer in the Kärcher range, the K2 Power Control is a tempting pressure washer with a reasonable price and the weight of the German name behind it.
Kärcher needs no introduction. Synonymous with pressure washers, these bright yellow tools can be found on almost every driveway come the summer months. Renowned for its engineering, premium examples can cost north of £500, making the K2 a bargain pressure washer.
I’ve been testing the K2 Power Control to see if it’s all the pressure washer you need to keep a car clean. It impressed me with its compact size, variable cleaning modes and value for money. It was fine on a somewhat dirty car but lacked the attachments and flow rate to be something a dedicated car detailer would rely upon.
Verdict: Ideal for beginners, the K2 really can’t be faulted for basic pressure cleaning.
Score: 4/5
Pros
- An excellent pressure washer for beginners
- Lightweight and easy to store
- Overall quality feel
Cons
- No included foam cannon
What’s good about the Kärcher K2 Power Control?
As a basic pressure washer, it’s excellent. With the large plastic dial switched to the on position and one of the lances collected, the K2 is easily able to deliver a powerful blast of pressurised water. As a Power Control model, the overall power can be easily adjusted for different cleaning tasks. From light-duty fence cleaning right up to blasting away years of grime from pavement, the K2 is simple to adjust thanks to the excellent Vario lance.
From car cleaning to stone cleaning, I tried the Kärcher K2 on multiple surfaces, and the K2 adapted well to the vast majority of them. As a basic pressure washer, you’ll find the K2 won’t be tough enough to cut through the toughest of grime. I tested the pressure washer on a series of muddy cars and found it was excellent for tackling road grime and mud but struggled on embedded muck like bird poo. This was the same on pavements and brickwork, it would improve the overall look but couldn’t quite cut through the worst grime.
Another quality that impressed me was the build quality. The bright yellow plastic and finish of the Kärcher K2 point to it being a reliable choice. Despite the rugged feel to every surface and control, the K2 remained lightweight at just 4kg. That’s largely thanks to its small size, which also means it’s straightforward to move around and store when not needed. The wheels are almost not required at this weight but are still a welcome addition, especially when cleaning a car.
The locking mechanism for holding the hose in place is a very clever touch. It clips the hose at both ends into the pressure gun and the body of the K2 to ensure there’s no risk of the hose popping off and drenching whoever is unfortunate enough to be stood nearby.
What does the Kärcher K2 Power Control do okay?
The K2 requires some minor assembly, adding both handles. The smaller simply clips into place, while the second requires four screws to attach it in place. It is nowhere near as bad as the self-assembly required by some Nilfisk pressure washers, but you’ll need a thin screwdriver with a hex head. My screwdriver caught mid-way on the plastic which meant the screws were never fully tightened during testing, and the panel vibrated during use.
What are the negatives?
For an entry-level pressure washer, there’s little to grumble about. It excelled at cleaning cars and anything else we pointed the lance at and offered genuine value for money. If you want something basic, reliable and capable, look no further. Kärcher offer attachments that fit the K2, but these considerably snowball the price.
One noted disappointment is the lack of extra attachments that increase cleaning versatility. The Dirt Blaster head is perhaps a little too aggressive for paintwork, which leaves the Vario Lance to tackle the entire car. While it has a car setting designed to clean without causing damage, for a more seasoned car cleaner it would leave you lacking.
A foam lance isn’t included in the base price, so you’ll need to shell out some extra money if you want to try snow foaming your car. The integrated detergent suction tube is no replacement and excels more for cleaning stonework and garden chairs than dousing a car in cleaning chemicals. It’s also something you’ll need to remember to move each time you shift the pressure washer around, the tube is external, and the bottle of cleaning product will sit next to the K2.
Other products to consider
Pros
- Excellent build-quality
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- Requires assembly
Pros
- Easily portable
- Full of extra attachments
Cons
- No wheels
Pros
- Tiny size
- Powerful motor
Cons
- No extra attachments
Who tested it?
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Parkers, and has three years of experience testing car cleaning products. During this time he’s tested pressure washers from Kärcher, Nilfisk and more, and knows what to look for when buying a pressure washer for car care.
How this product was tested
The Kärcher K2 Power Control was extensively tested cleaning a fleet of test cars. Here we tested the car cleaning power, durability, and manoeuvrability. It’s since been used to test snow foam using an aftermarket lance and for general garden care duties.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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