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Kärcher K 5 FJ vs Nilfisk Core 140-6 PowerControl

Thirty-five liters an hour, or the ability to reduce the pressure?

Both publish their flow rate, which already puts them ahead of most of the market. The difference is philosophical: more water, or more control.

Kärcher K 5 FJ pressure washer with Vario Power lance and dirt blaster, product photograph

Kärcher K 5 FJ

8.1/10

Wins 1 of 7

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Nilfisk Core 140-6 PowerControl pressure washer with Ultraflex hose, product photograph

Nilfisk Core 140-6 PowerControl

8.1/10

Wins 4 of 7

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Number against number

Compared on K 5 FJ Core 140-6 PowerControl
Maximum pressure 145 bar 140 bar
Flow rate 500 l/h 465 l/h
Adjustable pressure No Yes — PowerControl
Nozzles supplied Vario Power, dirt blaster, foam Soft, rough, rotary, foam sprayer
Hose Not stated 6 m (20 ft) Ultraflex
Nozzle cleaning needle No Yes
US availability Absent Absent
Listed on amazon.com No No

A tick marks the better answer on that line only. Counting ticks does not decide the page — the two verdicts below do, because these machines answer different questions.

Which of the two, for which job

K 5 FJ

No amazon.com listing was found for this one. We hold references for other markets but none for the United States, so it may not be buyable here — which is the first thing to weigh against anything below.

Prefer the Kärcher if the job is mostly hard outdoor surfaces and you want the shortest possible afternoon.

Core 140-6 PowerControl

No amazon.com listing was found for this one. We hold references for other markets but none for the United States, so it may not be buyable here — which is the first thing to weigh against anything below.

Buy the Nilfisk if the same machine has to do a car, shutters and a drive. The dial is what makes one washer safe on all three.

The questions we hear

Is seven per cent more flow noticeable?

Not on its own. Thirty-five liters an hour is inside the range where technique dominates. It is worth having, and it is not worth giving up a pressure dial for.

Why does adjustable pressure matter so much?

Because most damage domestic pressure washers do — to render, decking, seals and paint — happens at full pressure, since full pressure was the only setting available.

The whole page on each