Kärcher K2 Universal
CH version, Electrical connection
Kärcher EcoBooster review: does this jet nozzle make cleaning more efficient?
24/6/2024
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Clean faster without using more water – that’s Kärcher’s promise if you use their jet attachment for high-pressure washers. The nozzle makes cleaning feel like you’re using a highlighter.
There’s something satisfying about removing dirt from a surface with a pressure washer. Like when the jet turns stone slabs in the garden from murky and mossy to light grey, as if they’d just come out of a hardware store. Ah, what a delight!
So far, only the standard spot jet nozzle and dirt cutter attachment that came with my small Kärcher have given me this kind of satisfaction.
For larger areas, however, I quickly reached the limit with them. The jet’s just too narrow for the glass roof of the conservatory or the garage door. So it was perfect timing that Kärcher provided me with the new EcoBooster attachment for testing purposes.
The attachment’s available in three versions – depending on the Kärcher model you have. For the K4 you need the 130 mm jet pipe, for the K5 model the 145 mm and for the K7 the 180 mm. In case you were wondering, the figure refers to the maximum pressure the Kärcher generates and which the pipe for the attachment must be able to withstand.
For me this means upgrading first, as I’ve been using the entry-level K2 model to date. That’s why I’m testing the new EcoBooster with the K4. This enables a pressure of up to 130 bar. The smaller models are obviously too weak with a maximum of 110 bar. Or maybe it’s just a clever Kärcher upselling trick.
The EcoBooster set consists of two parts: a jet pipe and the actual attachment. You attach the pipe to the device like any other by turning it. Removing it again is done by pressing and turning. This is standard Kärcher convenience for changing attachments.
The water jet is a wide line
The difference is at the front of the pipe. It’s a plastic attachment that’s just under 23 centimetres long and eleven centimetres wide at the front. Visually, it’s reminiscent of a very flat vacuum cleaner brush. The only difference is that it doesn’t suck things in, but sprays water out. The water’s pumped into the attachment under great pressure via the jet pipe. The inside of the pipe becomes increasingly narrow until it hits the slit-shaped outlet, which creates a flat water jet. The water shoots out in a relatively wide line, depending on the distance to the object you’re about to blast.
Source: Martin Jungfer
Source: Martin Jungfer
First up, I tackle the glass roof of the conservatory to test the nozzle. Sahara dust, leaves, pine needles and other dirt have accumulated here over the past few months. This turns out to be too much for the K4 and EcoBooster nozzle. It’s unable to remove everything completely. I also have to blast the stains from up close, making the jet narrower again. But Kärcher has thought things through. You can remove the EcoBooster attachment from the nozzle and work with a spot jet.
I carry out the second test on the garage door. According to Kärcher, this is the EcoBooster’s forte. Why? Because compared to a spot jet nozzle, it’s less ham-fisted and gentler on surfaces. That’s perfect, as I just want to remove dust from the door, not the paint. Indeed, it works like a charm. Above all, I’m significantly faster than with the other spot jets.
Source: Martin Jungfer
In my third test, the EcoBooster attachment’s pitted against the cover of our BBQ bowl. It’s made of solid stainless steel. In this case, I’m not worried about damaging the material and can get very close.
Source: Martin Jungfer
I work on one half of the round lid with the spot jet nozzle and the other half with the EcoBooster. Both are clean when I’m done, but I’m faster with the EcoBooster. It allows me to blast the flat jet at a slight angle. This way, I can experiment with line widths – like you would with a highlighter. Being a paper pusher myself, I love this. I work on heavily stained areas with the edge of the jet and go for the whole width for lighter stains.
After the test, I start seeing surfaces that could do with a clean everywhere – from the car to the wall of the house. Only a rain shower can stop me now.
Source: Martin Jungfer
In a nutshell
Clean larger spaces faster
The EcoBooster’s a useful addition to my range of Kärcher attachments. It lets me cover larger areas in the same amount of time without using more water. However, I feel Kärcher’s claim that the nozzle increases efficiency by 50 per cent is a bit of an exaggeration. But with an output of around 2,000 watts, every minute counts if you’re keeping an eye on power consumption.
Pro
- easy to attach and quick to change
- wide cleaning jet that’s gentle on surfaces
- good cleaning results on large and sensitive surfaces
Contra
- combination nozzle attachment only compatible with specific Kärcher models
Header image: Martin Jungfer
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.