The characteristics of any equipment is the main criterion by which the choice is made when buying. But there are a lot of additional questions that only those who personally used such a device can answer. This is reliability, maintainability, compliance with the declared characteristics and so on. Therefore, to help choose a high-quality high-pressure cleaner, the popularity and reliability rating, composed of the most frequently purchased models based on their characteristics and user opinions, is called upon. Also, a list of popular manufacturers of this equipment is given to help the buyer.
Content:
The best household high pressure washers
The best high pressure washers for home use are moderately economical, but quite powerful devices. It is on their creation and production that the market for household appliances is oriented.
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| Karcher K 7 Compact | Karcher K 5 Premium | Stihl RE 128 Plus | Elitech M 2500 IRKBC | Huter W165-QL | |||||||
| Pressure, atm. | from 20 to 160 | up to 145 | from 10 to 150 | up to 170 | up to 165 | ||||||
| Water consumption, l / h | 600 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 375 | ||||||
| power, kWt | 3 | 2,1 | 2,3 | 2,5 | 1,9 | ||||||
| Max. inlet water temperature0FROM | 60 | 40 | 60 | 40 | 50 | ||||||
| Nozzles | standard, mud | standard, mud | standard | standard | standard | ||||||
| Use of detergent |  |
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| Weight, kg | 17,1 | 14,5 | 17 | 21,1 | 9,77 | ||||||
Karcher K 7 Compact
Household mobile sink powered by the mains. Equipped with a 3 kW engine, which allows the pump to issue 160 atm. (with the ability to adjust).
+ Pros of Karcher K 7 Compact
- The sink is far from a budget class, therefore it is assembled at factories in Germany, which determines the quality of materials and the assembly itself.
- 10 meters of high pressure hose is more than enough to wash any car. Hose material - high-quality reinforced rubber.
- High power and pressure of 160 atm. allows you to perform the washing process faster than most competitive devices.
- Mobility. Outwardly, the sink resembles a conventional vacuum cleaner on wheels, which can be rolled freely to the desired location.
- It can work from the central water supply system or take in advance water collected from any open tank (if only there is enough volume).
- Cons Karcher K 7 Compact
- The device is very sensitive to current quality. If the voltage "floats", which often happens in summer cottages, then without a stabilizer the washing will not work for a long time.
- There is no gun mount on the body of the device to hang it in between sinks - you need to come up with a homemade one.
- High power is proportionally high water consumption - a standard bucket of 10 liters "leaves" in a minute. Therefore, you need the skill to wash faster.
- The weight of the high pressure hose, especially when it is filled with water, is proportional to its strength. If you add to this recoil of the gun, then out of habit the hands can feel significantly tired when moving it.
- The length of the standard nozzles is not enough for the jet to confidently “reach” the opposite edge of the roof of tall cars - SUVs, etc. In this case, you need a stand, or an extra long nozzle.
The manufacturer positions the sink as a budget, but at the same time its characteristics are close to professional models. If there is no skill in using such devices, then initially the consumption of water and electricity can exceed expected.
Karcher K 5 Premium
Mobile sink for home use. It works from an electric motor with a power of 2.1 kW, driving water through itself in a volume of 500 l / h at 145 atm. pressure.
+ Pros of Karcher K 5 Premium
- High power, more than sufficient in domestic conditions.
- Convenient storage of a hose of a high pressure - it is reeled up on the coil specially established for it on the case.
- Quick assembly from the “for storage” state to the working position.
- Ability to work from the central water supply and take water from individual tanks.
- Large warranty period - from 2 to 5 years, depending on the place of purchase.
- Cons Karcher K 5 Premium
- The regular foaming agent either does not function properly, or there is no clear description for it - if necessary, wash the machine with detergent, most users prefer to buy a foam generator separately.
- Over time, the braid of the high-pressure hose can fray in the place of attachment to the drum - you need to look if vibration from the engine affects it in this place.
- When using water from a barrel, in hot weather you need to monitor its temperature - if it is above 40 ° C, then the washing pump will overheat and knock out thermal protection.
- 8 meters in length of a high-pressure hose - it seems to be enough for domestic use, but it conjures up thoughts of the greed of the manufacturer.
If you want to buy an inexpensive branded high-pressure washer, this model can definitely be recommended for home use, as it has very few competitors in terms of price, quality and performance.
Stihl RE 128 Plus
It is powered from a single-phase 220 Volt network, a 2.3 kW motor allows the pump to develop a water pressure of 135 Bar with a maximum flow rate of 500 l / h.
+ Stihl RE 128 Plus
- 9 m long high pressure hose. For storage, it is wound onto a drum mounted on the sink body.
- High maximum water pressure 135 Bar - an indicator above the average for household models.
- With the skills of use, the sink consumes a small amount of water - if you just knock down dust and dirt, it takes a couple of minutes (the time of water supply, excluding preparation) and 20-30 liters of water.
- A more thorough washing is carried out in 10-15 minutes and about 100-150 liters of water is spent on it.
- Light weight and generally well-calculated ergonomics. The sink does not differ in large dimensions, it is easy to carry it around the site, and there is a mount for the gun on the body.
- Cons Stihl RE 128 Plus
- There are a certain number of complaints about the quality of components, but at the same time, all owners note that if problems are present, they appear immediately. As a result - when buying, special attention should be paid to the conditions of the guarantee and return. In the very first days of use, it is advisable to drive the sink in all modes - if suddenly a defect is present, it will show itself.
- If there is no water supply or the pressure in it is weak, then you will have to buy a supply pump - a regular one simply does not draw water from an open tank. You can do without a pump, but then the water tank must be raised to a height of at least 1 meter.
- Wheels of small diameter - if the sink is not rolled on smooth asphalt, this will cause certain inconveniences.
- The length of the power cord is 5 meters - if you tinker a separate water tank in the back of the yard, then you must bring a socket to it. In this case, you must use a high-quality cable - otherwise, the thermal protection of the wiring will often start to work.
Users recommend this model for the characteristics and quality of assembly / work in general, but you need to be prepared for some of the "whims" associated with the supply of water. If there is no way to ensure its receipt even by gravity, then the best aspects of this washing in work may not appear.
Elitech M 2500 IRKBC
Compact sink with characteristics close to professional models: 2.5 kW electric motor, 170 atm. water jet pressure, flow rate of about 440 l / h.
+ Pros of Elitech M 2500 IRKBC
- The ratio of characteristics, price and quality is one of the best among household devices.
- High water pressure, plus quiet operation of the engine and pump.
The most simple management. - The design of the sink provides a container for pouring shampoo - there is no need to use portable tanks that are worn on the gun.
- The pump not only creates pressure in the outlet chamber - the sink also pumps water from any open container into which the inlet hose is lowered.
- The working parts of the pump are metallic, which significantly increases their service life.
- Cons Elitech M 2500 IRKBC
- The fasteners of the high-pressure hose reel are not protected against corrosion - after a while due to constant contact with water, they begin to rust.
- The native high-pressure hose is hard and short - its length is only 5 meters. If you do not replace it with a more suitable length, you will have to transfer the entire device from place to place during the washing process. At the same time, the length of the power cord is also small - the same 5 meters.
- The pump and other internal fillings are designed to work with water at temperatures up to 40 ° C. If you collect water in the tank in the morning at the summer cottage and start washing the car in the evening, then protection against overheating may start.
- When buying a new high-pressure hose, you need to pay attention to the fasteners - the most common on the market (Karcher brands) are not suitable.
- The instructions do not describe how to turn on the foam supply, although everything is actually very simple - the fence is carried out automatically when the gun switches to low pressure mode.
If you buy a foam head for this sink, a high-quality fine filter and a hose of sufficient length, then by its characteristics it will not be inferior to devices from famous brands, while giving them a significant head start in price.
Huter W165-QL
A household sink of a budget class with a relatively small consumption of electricity and water consumption.
+ Pros of Huter W165-QL
- Leader in rating by value. If the task is to buy an inexpensive device for short washings, then this model is worthy of attention.
- Relatively low electricity consumption and water consumption of 1.9 kW and 375 liters per hour, respectively, at maximum load.
- The pump simultaneously works to pressurize the working chamber and draw water. Those. the sink doesn’t necessarily need running water to operate - you can use any suitable container.
- You can use warm water without fear of overheating the engine or pump. Their components are designed for inlet fluid temperatures up to 50 ° C.
- Cons Huter W165-QL
- 5 meters in length of the high pressure hose will not completely bypass the machine during washing. It is necessary to buy a longer hose or you will have to constantly move the sink from place to place.
- The standard foam whisking nozzle poorly copes with its duties - a “disease” of almost all such accessories that are attached “out of the box”.
- Transporting small diameter wheels — rolling the sink from place to place on an uneven ground can be challenging.
A budget device that clearly performs its task within the capabilities of the engine and pump. If there is no need to wash your car often and quickly, and cost and price come first, then this is definitely the right option.
The best professional pressure washers
The use of professional sinks does not always become commercial use. The “prefix” prefix simply speaks of the increased reliability of the most important components, therefore professional high-pressure washers from the rating of the best may well be purchased for domestic use - they simply will have an unlimited work resource.
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| Portotecnica Elite 2840 T | Karcher K 7 Premium Car | Stihl RE 163 Plus | |||||||
| Pressure, atm. | from 30 to 190 | up to 160 | up to 160 | ||||||
| Water consumption, l / h | 780 | 600 | 650 | ||||||
| power, kWt | 5,3 | 3 | 3,3 | ||||||
| Voltage | 380 | 220 | 220 | ||||||
| Max. inlet water temperature0FROM | 50 | 60 | 60 | ||||||
| Pump material | Brass | Brass | Brass | ||||||
| Weight, kg | 44 | 20 | 27,6 | ||||||
Portotecnica Elite 2840 T
One of the most productive devices in the class of professional-grade mobile pressure washers, which converts 5.3 kW of engine power into a stream of water under a pressure of 190 Bar at a flow rate of 780 l / h.
+ Pros of Portotecnica Elite 2840 T
- High-quality assembly and reliable components. The brass pump housing and ceramic pistons ensure the durability of the operating units of the device.
- The sink was originally prepared for the use of detergents, for which a 7.5 liter tank is already in the device body.
- Multilevel protection against engine overheating and overpressure in the pump outlet chamber.
- Mobility - all components are compactly placed in a housing made in the form of a three-wheeled trolley. The large diameter and width of the wheels make it easy to move the sink, even if there is a floor cable channels or similar obstacles.
- Cons Portotecnica Elite 2840 T
- If the pump breaks down, the advisability of repair is in doubt.
Thermal protection is not provided for bleeding water when it is heated in the pump outlet chamber. It is advisable to manually relieve pressure after stopping the engine to rest, so that “metal fatigue” does not develop due to heating / cooling. - Before putting the sink into operation, it is advisable to check the availability and quality of engine oil. Although the device is not cheap, it is for this reason that it is not known how much time he spent in the warehouse in what conditions.
According to its characteristics, the Elite 2840 T is uniquely designed for small and medium-sized car washes, and not for domestic use. At the same time, do not forget that the device is still mobile class, therefore it requires regular breaks in work - if there are constant queues at the car wash, then even a companion will not interfere with this device.
Karcher K 7 Premium Car
3 kW of power of a single-phase motor allow stably maintaining a pressure of 160 atm throughout the entire washing process - flow rate in a maximum mode of 600 l / h.
+ Pros of Karcher K 7 Premium Car
- Well-designed overall ergonomics of the device - large wheels, comfortable handles, mounts for storing hoses and network wires. In the "storage" position does not take up much space.
- Stable power of a water pressure (if its uninterrupted supply is organized).
- The brass pump housing is an extended service life of the entire device.
- High-quality high-pressure hose 10 meters long. It withstands the maximum pressure of water and is quite easily transferred from place to place.
- High-quality housing material and good assembly of the device as a whole.
- Cons Karcher K 7 Premium Car
- Wheels with a plastic rim that “knocks” when transporting a sink on asphalt.
- The "native" filter of cleaning is just a fine steel mesh - it is better to buy a good filter separately.
- There is an unconfirmed opinion that K7 is not a professional device in the full understanding of this term, so for commercial use it should be purchased with caution and additionally consult the seller about the resource for which the device is designed. Indirectly, this opinion is confirmed by the price - despite the brand, the cost of washing is not the highest of devices of a similar class.
If in doubt about the commercial use of a round-the-clock car wash, the K 7 Premium Car has plenty of room for living conditions, even if its owner has several not-so-small cars.
Stihl RE 163 Plus
A professional sink operating from a single-phase household network of 220 volts, the electric motor power is 3.3 kW. At maximum load, it produces up to 160 atm. pressure with a flow rate of 650 l / h.
+ Stihl RE 163 Plus
- Overall build quality and materials used. Increased resource and wear resistance of moving parts - a pump with a ceramic piston is used.
- The increased length of a standard high-pressure hose is 12 meters. For storage, it is wound on a drum in the upper part of the body.
- Increased heat resistance of the working part - the sink can operate at an inlet water temperature of up to 60 ° C.
- Work in an upright position and the relatively small weight of the device assembly (27.6 kg), maintain its high mobility.
- The ratio of quality and price is quite good, as for a device with professional characteristics.
- Cons Stihl RE 163 Plus
- When used in domestic conditions, the payback period can be more than a year.
- There is no clear instruction on how to carry out foaming - if you simply turn on this mode, then the foam from the tank is supplied for 10-20 seconds, after which clean water starts to flow.
- A regular foaming agent does not always correctly cope with the task - the foam is often too "liquid".
Despite the characteristics of a professional sink, the RE 163 Plus is still more suitable for use in the domestic environment, if this requires increased power. For commercial purposes, it is better to use it as a backup device in case the main one is overheated, and urgently need to wash the car of the next client.
Overview of the best manufacturers of pressure washers
Often, the knowledge of the manufacturer helps to determine which high pressure washer is better, even if this information does not really mean anything, but its mere presence is at least a sign of respect for the buyer.
Karcher - Leader in Origin and Vocation
This German company is the founder of the market for high pressure washers. For a long time, until the competitors established their own production, the company name was a household name for non-contact washing equipment, and all its achievements are still unsurpassed.
Now, buyers note the company's high price bar and an excessive supply of power for its devices - the maximum pressure for competitors' sinks is also higher. However, often these are marketing moves that do not affect the position of the company as a whole.
Bosch - Silver and Gold
In all respects, Bosch has been literally stepping on the heels of the market leader for a long time, and in some aspects, even periodically breaking ahead. In particular, this concerns the cost of the equipment offered to the market, without losing its quality. Buyers also note the good ergonomics of the devices, finding it difficult to unequivocally award a palm to someone in this matter. More or less confidently, only one drawback looms - Bosch technology is clearly louder.
Elitech - close to the people
Domestic company, focused primarily on the market of the CIS countries and better than many understands what needs to be offered to the buyer. Elitech high pressure washers are assembled using technologies purchased from market leaders, but without additional overhead costs and overpay "for the brand." As a result, this name is worth looking for quality and practicality at the lowest possible cost.
Nilfisk - Professional
The scale of activity of this Danish company is primarily indicated by the presence of its plants in the United States, whose residents mostly prefer to support local manufacturers. The history of the company has already crossed a century and during all this time she was engaged exclusively in cleaning equipment - professional and household. For their sinks, Nilfisk engineers even developed nozzles for cleaning various types of surfaces and systems for their quick attachment to equipment.
Portotecnica - From General to Private
First of all, the name of this Italian manufacturer is well known to buyers of professional car washes, but little by little the company occupies its niche in the household appliance market sector. The company's equipment is popular with users due to its reliability, practicality, ergonomics and the combination of all these advantages with excellent design and affordable cost. The company's engineers are proud of the development of an engine that can operate without interruption for 2 hours. If you compile a rating of high pressure washers according to this criterion, then Portotecnica is an unrivaled leader, because it is recommended to turn off washers of other manufacturers after 20 minutes.
Huter - Precision and Functionality
Maximum performance at the lowest price. The equipment of German manufacturers has already won laurels in terms of reliability and practicality, so the developers of Huter can only not lower the high bar. For example, the use of double insulation and durable metal components from the category of exceptions is gradually becoming the rule.
Makita - tool quality
There was no assignment, but this is the only missing brand from two sample sites - I decided to leave it just in case.
The technologies of the land of the rising sun enjoy the same respect and recognition in the world as German quality and accuracy. Own research centers, continuous innovation and tracking of user needs is the hallmark of the Makita brand. Over the past decades, the company has been actively promoting the association policy, buying up production facilities around the world and developing new markets, including the production of pressure washers. Like other Makita products, sinks of this brand are reliable, unpretentious and easy to operate.
Patriot - Learn to Simplify
Thanks to this brand, the domestic buyer has the opportunity to evaluate the commitment of Americans to products from their manufacturers. The birth of the brand began in the 1970s, when its future owners opened a workshop for the repair of agricultural machinery. The expansion began with the acquisition of machine tools for the manufacture of parts, and over time Patriot turned into a manufacturer of equipment that finds its buyer far beyond the borders of his country, due to the maximum simplicity and cost of construction. Part of the company's facilities is located in China, but buyers note that this does not affect the overall quality of the equipment manufactured. The brand has been present on the market of the CIS countries and Russia since 1999, confidently keeping a occupied niche.
