5 convenient mini-washes for car and garden

Bosch AQT 33-10

The main advantage of this mini-car wash is that at a very low price, it has all the required equipment and functions necessary for washing the car. However, it will not clean the winter mud and a dense layer of midges on the front headlights and windscreen in two counts: the maximum pressure of 100 bar at a power of 1300 watts may not be enough.

Bosch AQT 33-10 works perfectly when connected to the water supply, which is carried out through a supply hose (not included) and a transparent water filter supplied with the device. It is equally important that the device can be connected to an external water tank. Although this device is not equipped with a self-priming function, you can install a bucket or canister of water on an elevation, and supply water by gravity. At the same time, the maximum possible outlet pressure is not guaranteed, but there is enough pressure to work.

When choosing a high-pressure cleaner, drivers pay attention to the pump material. If this main structural element is made of plastic, you should not count on a long life of the device. In this case, there is no need to worry: the device is equipped with a metal pump. Convenience in using the mini-wash is also added by the "hitchhiking" function (another name is "total stop"), which ensures that the device is turned off and the water supply stops immediately after releasing the "Start" button on the washing gun.

The complete set of the sink is minimal – a 3-metre high-pressure hose, a spray gun and a tube with a fan nozzle (the shape of the jet can be adjusted) on quick–release connections - although it does not allow extensive use of additional functions, it still makes it possible to wash a car, motorcycle or bicycle. This can be done with the help of car detergent, which is supplied from a special built-in container.

Please note that all removable parts of the mini-wash (gun, nozzles and high-pressure hose) can be fixed to the body of the carrying device.

Karcher K 2 Classic Car Price from 4 198 up to 6 339 ₴ →

The manufacturer defines this model as a device that is not equipped with a self-priming function and is not able to supply water from a container. That is, the lightweight (4.8 kg) and compact 1400 W mini-car Karcher K 2 Car needs to be connected only to the water supply . Then the device will be able to operate at a maximum pressure of 110 bar. In principle, this is enough for car maintenance, but for high-quality washing you will need to spend more time than when using more powerful (and expensive) models.

In general, the purpose of the Karcher K 2 Car can be defined more as a device for cleaning a car, bicycle, garden equipment, rather than as a highly specialized car wash. The device compares favorably with the previous model by the presence of wheels for transportation, which will make it easier for you to take care of the car and service the house territory. And the long and high handle of the device will eliminate the need to bend over once again.

In addition to a 4-metre hose and a high-pressure gun, a washing brush, a jet tube and a mud cutter, there is also a foam nozzle, as well as a package of car shampoo. As you can see, the Karcher K 2 Car surpasses even some more powerful models in terms of the number of complete assembly nozzles. The gun, jet tubes, hose and cable, as in the previous version, can be fixed in special holders on the device body.

The absence of a water filter in the kit should not confuse you, since in this case it is integrated into the system itself.

Interskol AM-130/1700

The Interskol model is very popular for several reasons. First of all, the device manufactured in China by a Russian company according to an Italian project stands out for a lower price compared to other mini-washes having similar indicators power (1700 W) and maximum pressure (130 bar). At the same time, we can confidently say that Interskol AM-130/1700 is not a multipurpose garden sink, like the two previous models, namely a high-pressure car cleaner.

Interskol AM-130/1700 does not have a self-priming function, but it can work when water is supplied by gravity or when connecting a hose with a check valve (however, the outlet pressure will not be the maximum possible for this model). The device is equipped with a total stop engine automatic shutdown system, and the engine itself has thermal overload protection. The set of the mini-wash includes a 5-metre high-pressure hose, a washing gun, a removable water filter, as well as a set of nozzles: rotary, adjustable and foam.

At the same time, the foam nozzle supplied with the Interskol AM-130/1700 kit is still not a foam gun: only soapy water is obtained at the output, not foam. For high-quality work, it is better to purchase a compatible foam nozzle, for example, the Italian model PA-LS3. In addition, many tool owners criticize the operation of the pump. Despite the fact that, as in previous models, the pistons here are made of aluminium alloy, the sealing ring between the pump halves may fail, but this problem is solved in the service centre.

This model differs from the previous two also by improved ergonomics. In the upper part of the device there is a drum for winding a high-pressure hose. This reduces the amount of unnecessary movements with the sink (for unwinding or fixing the hose) during washing the machine. If it is still necessary to quickly rearrange the device, it will not be difficult to do this due to the presence of strong wheels.

Makita HW112 Price from 6 999 up to 8 892 ₴ →

This sink almost does not differ in terms of maximum operating pressure (1600 W) and performance (370 L/h) from Interskol AM-130/1700, however, the weight (14.1 kg) of the Makita HW112 is almost 1.5 times the weight of the previous model. This impressive, but quite convenient device is equipped with a heavy and strong reinforced high-pressure hose 5.5 m long, which is wound on a built-in drum. Confirms the first impression of the massiveness and power of the sink and the work of the washing gun with a metal sprayer. Thus, the Makita HW112 can be classified as a good choice for male motorists.

The spray gun on the washing gun is equipped with an adjustable nozzle that allows you to switch the water flow to high or low pressure mode, as well as to install a point or fan spray method. Of the additional attachments, there is a washing brush, a rotary nozzle and a detergent nozzle, which, like other accessories, are conveniently attached to the device body. Additionally, it is better to immediately purchase a good foam gun, this will improve the quality of the washing itself, and will allow you to save on car shampoo.

The device, like most similar mini-sinks, does not have a self-priming function, but is able to work when water is supplied by gravity, provided that you pump the pump manually. Traditionally, the mini-wash is equipped with an automatic shutdown system "hitchhiking" and a built-in water filter. The nozzles and hose are connected using quick-release clamps, which saves time during assembly and disassembly of the sink.

Karcher K 5 Classic Price from 8 795 up to 13 999 ₴ →

This mini-wash is distinguished by the largest of the review devices with power consumption (2100 W), maximum capacity (500 L / hour) and pressure (145 bar), which means its purpose and capabilities are wider than those of other devices. Therefore, it is not surprising that the manufacturer recommends the use of Karcher K 5 to remove particularly heavy dirt on cars and building facades.

The key feature of the Karcher K 5 is the presence of a self-priming function. This model, like the rest of the survey devices, can be made self-priming by connecting a special hose with a check valve. However, unlike, say, Interskol AM-130/1700, there should be no pressure loss at the outlet here.

A minimum set of nozzles and components is supplied with the Karcher K 5: a washing gun, a high-pressure hose on quick-release connectors, a Vario Power washing tube that regulates the width and power of the flow, a mud cutter, as well as detergent (1 liter). Removable parts can traditionally be fixed on the body of the device, which is equipped with convenient wheels for transportation, but there is no drum for an 8-metre hose. There is also a convenient system for quick connection and replacement of a container with car shampoo. The pump is protected by a pre-filter, and the engine is cooled by water, which increases the maximum duration of one operation session and the total resource of the device.

Note that there is no foam gun in the kit: it is better to buy it right away. In addition, if you wish, you can replenish the arsenal of Karcher K 5 attachments with a large list of available devices, among which there are very useful and interesting examples that competitors do not always have. These are, for example, a nozzle for cleaning the bottom of the car, a device for flushing pipes, a nozzle for tracks and other flat surfaces, and so on – more than 60 items in total.