Karcher K1700 Review- Electric Power Pressure Washer

by Pressure Washer Today

The Karcher K1700 Pressure Washer is an affordable lightweight residential power washer.

Professional cleaning always brings back the spark to your house, car, boat, or fence, among other things. However, not everyone can afford to pay a professional cleaner all the time.

Owning an affordable power washer like the Karcher K1700 Washer can help you save money in the long run. Unlike other power pressure washers that cost between $500 and $1000, you can purchase the Kärcher K1700 for less than $150 from Amazon.

It has all the features you need to wash your property like an expert, minus the hefty bills. Keep reading our Karcher K1700 pressure washer review to find out more.

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Table of Contents

What we like

Affordable price
Lightweight design makes it perfect for residential use
Induction motor is easy to maintain over time
1700 PSI engine conserves power use
It is electric-powered so there no need for gas
It works perfectly with the typical 120V household current
Detergent tank makes soap circulation easy
The foot pedal allows you to turn it on and off without bending down
20-foot long high power pressure hose ensures performance

What we don’t like

It comes with only three nozzle tips
The unit isn’t as durable as other Kärcher pressure washers

Bottom Line:

The Karcher K1700 Power Washer might not be the best option for commercial washing but it can be used for a wide range of residential cleaning tasks. Unlike many gasoline-powered pressure washers, the Karcher K1700 is eco friendly.

It only uses a small amount of electricity, so you won’t need to worry about a significant increase in utility bills. The price is also affordable compared to many others on the market.

However, the durability isn’t what we expected from a Karcher washer. Even if it is meant only for residential use, it doesn’t last as long as other residential washers on the market.

Features of the Karcher K1700 Pressure Washer

1. Lightweight Design and Foot Pedal for Comfort

Two of the primary attractions to homeowners are the lightweight and compact design of the Karcher K1700 high-pressure hose washer. It weighs just a little over 20 pounds, so you can easily move it around your home without worrying about breaking your back!

The Karcher K1700 Washer comes with a foot pedal that can be used to switch it on or off at will. This feature doesn’t add any extra functionality but it does make using it more comfortable. Instead of bending down anytime, you want to start the machine, simply step on the foot pedal. These features promote ease of use.

2. Induction Motor Maximizes Performance

These days, almost every power tool in the market has an induction motor, and for good reasons. Induction motors do not have carbon brushes, slip rings, or any other additional parts that might be prone to friction and damage. The induction motor is an AC electric motor that draws current from an electromagnetic field.

Whether or not there are any electrical connections to the rotor, an induction motor will work just fine. Because of its simple design, the induction motor is low maintenance – in fact it is most likely the last part of the power pressure washer that will fail.

Most importantly, harsh weather conditions aren’t going to affect the washer, as the motor is mechanically strong and robust. It also has a high overload capacity.

3. Doesn’t Require Too Much Power Output

Utility bills are among the most expensive essential bills you’ll ever pay in your home. If there is anything you can do to reduce the cost of these bills, you should do it.

Electric powered tools are natural drainers of electricity but this isn’t the case with the Karcher K1700. With the average 120V household current, this power pressure washer can deliver 1.2 GPM max and 1700 PSI.

This is just enough power for your regular household cleaning needs, though not for commercial washing. It isn’t going to burn your home circuit breakers or cause any sparks in the connected electrical outlet while offering its great cleaning power.

4. 20-foot Long High-Pressure Power Hose and Nozzle Tips

What use is a power pressure washer without a powerful hose? The Karcher K1700 comes with a 20-foot-long hose with all-metal connections. While 20 feet might seem lengthy, it is important to note that competing products are at least 25 feet long.

That difference of 5 feet comes in handy when the electrical outlet is far from the product you’re trying to wash. Notwithstanding, the 20-foot-long hose still gets the job done perfectly well. The hose can be attached to any of the three nozzle tips that come with the package.

The soap nozzle should be used when you’re cleaning with detergent. There is a 0.5-gallon detergent tank attached to the device and it automatically dispenses detergent when necessary. The 15° nozzle is a general-purpose tip and the turbo nozzle is the best option for maximum pressure.

The turbo nozzle isn’t as good as some other products on the market, and five nozzle tips would have made the Karcher K1700 a more versatile power washer.

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5. Affordable Price for Homeowners

Paying a professional for pressure washing costs around $300 to $500 per wash in the United States. For most people, the primary reason behind the purchase of a power pressure washer is to save money in the long run. However, purchasing a washer for $500 or $1000 might be a big upfront cost.

For less than $150, you can buy the Kärcher. It isn’t as powerful as the more expensive alternatives but it does the job. As long as you’re not using it daily and you don’t use it for commercial-volume cleaning, it will last for a long time.

6. Warranty Card

The warranty that comes with this device has been a source of controversy for many buyers. On Amazon, it states that the product comes with a 3-year warranty card. However, this isn’t entirely true. Karcher Pressure Washer only covers the motor and some other solid parts for three years.

The accessories that come with this washer are only covered for 90 days, while some other parts are covered for a year. Make sure you read all the terms of replacement and return before you proceed with your purchase. The replacement policy requires a lot of patience, but it’s worth it to know the fine details of how your product is covered.

The Verdict
Our Karcher K1700 review shows that it is a small but powerful washing device for homeowners. It might not be as durable as other high-end products in the market but it does small to medium scale residential washing perfectly.

You’ll hardly see any other pressure washer in its price range that offers the same functions. If you overuse it, however, you might face some problems with durability. Some of the accessories might leak or break and the replacement process can be stressful. Apart from this durability and return problem, the Karcher K1700 offers you real value for your money.