Kärcher K4 Power Control: questions before you buy
Yes — for most homes.
Enough power for patios and cars, with pressure set on the gun.
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Is it powerful enough for a patio?
Yes, for most home patios, decking and paths. It reaches 130 bar and 420 litres an hour, covering about 30 m² an hour. For a big driveway you'll be at it longer than with a K5.
Can I use it on my car?
Yes. The Power Control gun has three pressure settings plus a detergent setting, so you can turn the pressure down for paintwork without swapping lances.
Does it come with a patio cleaner?
Not the standard K 4 Power Control Flex. The 'Home' version adds Kärcher's T 5 surface cleaner and a litre of stone and façade cleaner, which stops splash-back on patios.
How long is the hose?
8 metres of high-pressure hose, plus a 5-metre power cable. There's no hose reel.
How heavy is it?
About 12 kg without accessories. It has wheels and a telescopic handle, so you pull it rather than carry it.
Can I use detergent with it?
Yes. Kärcher's Plug 'n' Clean bottles click into the machine, and you switch to the detergent setting on the gun.
What does 'water-cooled motor' mean?
The motor is cooled by the water passing through it rather than just air. Kärcher says this gives the motor a longer life.
How much electricity does it use?
It's rated at 1.8 kW, so about 1.8 kWh for a full hour of spraying.
Should I get the K4 Power Control or the K4 Classic?
Both clean with the same pressure and flow. The Power Control lets you change pressure on the gun and has a longer hose; the Classic is lighter and cheaper if you mostly wash the car and furniture.
Should I get the K4 or the K5?
The K4 for most homes. The K5 Comfort Premium only makes sense for big drives or patios, or if you want a hose reel — it costs around twice as much.
- Is the K4 Power Control worth it?
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Answers from Kärcher UK: K 4 Power Control Flex and Expert Reviews. We don't test products ourselves.