The Kärcher K4 is an electric pressure washer offering a maximum water pressure of 1900 PSI and flow of 1.5 GPM. (Read full specs)
Price alert for: ebay.com
Amazon 
eBay 
Walmart 
Acme Tools | Price history for the Kärcher K4 | |
|---|---|
| Latest updates:
Since: October 24, 2020 |
|
Page Content
Description
Zoom on the Kärcher K4
The Kärcher K4 is a light to medium duty pressure washer, that provides its users with an all-around versatile cleaning experience, and enables:
- spot cleaning of hard, paintless surfaces and reaching far-away areas
- cleaning of painted or delicate surfaces
- applying detergent and cleaning solutions
Ahead are presented its power characteristics and design, its main features and any other additional features.
Power
Using a 13 amp motor, its axial pump delivers a pressure of up to 1900 PSI (roughly 32 times more than a standard garden hose) and a flow of up to 1.5 GPM (values claimed by the manufacturer). Together, the values result in a cleaning power of 2850 Cleaning Units.
Being an electric pressure washer, the Kärcher K4's motor can be easily started by a convenient ON/OFF switch. The unit is ready-to-use with peace of mind, thanks to the included 35 ft GFCI cord.
Design & Handling
With its portable design and approximate dimensions of D12 x W15.6 x H34.3 in, the Kärcher K4 makes mobility one of its core strengths. The handle adds to the K4 convenience of transport.
With a weight of only 26.5 lbs, the unit is definitely easy to carry around. Its plastic frame certainly plays a key role in this light weight. To further improve its transportability and ease of use, the unit also features a set of two wheels.
Main Features
Along with the Kärcher K4 itself, the package also includes a spray gun, a wand, a pressure hose and a detergent injection feature, which are discussed in further detail below.
- Soap injection: A safe detergent storage is facilitated by a removable tank. The washer has a dial that allows the user to manually select the detergent dilution ratio. Detergent is automatically dispensed when the VPS wand is in low pressure mode.
- Pressure hose: The included 25 ft high-pressure hose can be neatly stored on the unit when idle thanks to a set of convenient hooks.
- Spray gun and wand: A side hook enables you to easily store the included classic ergonomic spray gun and its VPS wand. The Vario Power Spray (VPS) wand allows you to conveniently switch from low to high pressure, and everything between, while you clean. Simply twist the end for infinitely variable pressure adjustment.
Other Features
Some of the included accessories
- Safety: Safety of operation is enhanced by a trigger lock mechanism (which prevents accidental operation).
- Accessories: The Kärcher K4 comes with an owner's manual (opens in a new tab) and some basic documentation to get you quickly started. On top of that, you also get detergent tank, wand, spray gun, pressure hose, DirtBlaster turbo spray wand (which is especially useful on stubborn dirt) and power cord.
The Kärcher K4's performance versus other pressure washers
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how the key specs of the Kärcher K4 compare to similarly priced pressure washers.
- The Karcher K4, reaching a PSI of up to 1900, is one of the more powerful electric units in $10-90 price range. As for the device with the most powerful water stream, in this price range, one of the top products is the WEN PW19 with 2000 PSI.
- With a maximum GPM of 1.5 (gallons per minute), this washer belongs to the top in terms of water flow, in its respective price range. If maximum rinsing efficiency is your top priority, one of the devices with the highest water flow in the same price range is the WEN PW19, with a GPM of 1.6.
- The K4, with its 2850 Cleaning Units (PSI x GPM) sits at the high end of the cleaning efficiency spectrum, when compared to other devices of similar price. If you consider the highest overall cleaning power as a really important factor, the WEN PW19 and its 3200 Cleaning Units has one of the highest cleaning efficiency of all the similarly priced units.
Here's a list of the most popular specific comparisons:
Price comparison
As you can see from this interactive chart, when compared to other electric washers between 2500 and 3000 Cleaning Units, the Karcher K4 is on the cheap side of the price range.
It can therefore be a really good buy if you're looking to acquire a budget pressure washer.
The bottom line
- Inexpensive
- Portable
- Detergent dilution mechanism
- High PSI for the price
- High GPM for the price
- High CU for the price
- The Kärcher K4 doesn't have any notably low specs.
Features and Specifications
| Fuel | Electric |
|---|---|
| Handling | Portable |
| Water | Cold (104°F max.) |
| PSI | 1900 |
| GPM | 1.5 |
| Cleaning Units | 2850 |
| Motor | 13 amp |
| Pump | N-COR Axial |
| Other model numbers | 1.603-152.0 |
| Frame | Plastic |
|---|---|
| Soap injection | Yes |
| Soap tank | Removable |
| Soap dilution | Adjustable |
| Nozzles | N/A |
| Quick connect nozzles | No |
| Onboard storage | Yes |
| Hose | 25 ft |
| Hose storage | Hooks |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | Approx. 12 x 15.6 x 34.3 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 26.5 lbs |
| Wheels | 2 wheels |
| Included accessories | VPS wand, spray gun, high pressure hose, dirt blaster, detergent tank, 35 ft GFCI power cord |
| Security | Trigger lock |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.
About Kärcher
Founded in 1935 by Alfred Kärcher, this family-owned business is headquartered in Winnenden, Germany. Credited with developing Europe's first hot water high-pressure washer in 1950, the company continues to pride itself on ingenuity and innovative thinking for new solutions in the cleaning industry. Kärcher also insists on being a socially- and ecologically-sustainable company. The popularity of the brand can be seen by the fact that the name Kärcher has in some European countries become a colloquial term used synonymously with pressure washers.
Warranty Information
The Kärcher K4 is covered under a warranty for up to 1 year. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the unit.
For more information about the warranty of Kärcher pressure washers, please contact the Kärcher Customer Support: 1-800-537-4129.
