Kärcher K2 vs K3 – which is better?
Published By - 9th November 2022
The Kärcher K2 or the K3 – which one should you buy? In this post, we compare the two models and show the differences.
As Kärcher no longer produces a compact version of the K3, we compare the K2 Power Control with the K3 Power Control.
K2 Power Control vs K3 Power Control comparison table
| Model | Max. Pressure (bar) | Flow rate (l/min) | weight (kg) | Power cable (m) | Pressure hose (m) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K2 Power Control | 110 | 5.5 | 4.8 | 5 | 5 | |
| K3 Power Control | 120 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5 | 7 |
Cleaning performance
The K3 Power Control delivers a bit more water pressure than the K2 Power Control. According to the manufacturer, the K3 can clean more surface area in one hour than the K2. In practice, however, we could hardly notice any difference. The K2 cleans just as thoroughly as the K3.
Comfort
The setup is usually quick and unproblematic with both devices. The hose connection mechanism on the gun is tedious with the K2 and just takes a few seconds longer.
Both devices are very light and small and can be easily carried around or stored in a rack. Furthermore, both the K2 Power Control and the K3 Power Control are equipped with wheels.
The general build quality does not feel particularly good, with both the K2 and the K3. There are many plastic parts, and the devices feel correspondingly cheap.
There is enough space to store the gun, lances, power cable and pressure hose, the design is well thought out in this respect.
You can work quite comfortably with both units. However, in contrast to the K2, the K3 Power Control gun has a display for the current pressure level. The pressure hose of the K3 is also 2 metres longer. Overall, the K3 has advantages in terms of comfort.
Versatility
Both models can be equipped with the usual accessories. The Home Kit and also various special accessories like the pipe cleaning kit or the telescopic spray lance for windows fit all models.
For using shampoo, both come with a detergent tank.
Price
The K3 Power Control is almost 50% more expensive than the K2, which is quite a significant difference.
| Model | Current price | Discount off list price | You save | last update | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kärcher K2 Power Control | £114.62 | 4% | £5.37 | Buy on Amazon | 2025-01-02 |
| Kärcher K3 Power Control | £139.99 | 13% | £20.00 | Buy on Amazon | 2025-01-01 |
Conclusion
Just like the K2, the K3 Power Control is an entry-level model for people who want to try out a pressure washer or for price-conscious people who want to clean smaller areas from time to time. Overall, the K3 does offer slight advantages. However, in our opinion, these are too small to compensate for the price difference. We prefer the K2 Power Control.
Useful articles
