Is Kärcher's Steam Cleaner Worth It? I Tested the Grime-Buster

Score:

10/10

We like:

• Impressive steam power
• Large water tank, easy to fill
• Great multitasker

We don’t like:

• One of the most expensive
• A bit noisy on certain settings
• Upholstery attachment can cause water leakage

£379.99

Buy now

Price at

Karcher

What is the Kärcher Steam Cleaner SC 5 EasyFix?

You might know Kärcher for its pressure washers and window vacuums, but the brand’s powerful steam cleaner, the SC 5 EasyFix, is arguably just as impressive. We named it Best Buy in our round-up of the best steam cleaners and mops.

It is one of the most expensive options on the market, but it comes with a fantastic range of accessories and settings. If you’ve been thinking about investing in a dedicated steam cleaner or you want the option to transform a steam mop into a steam cleaner, it’s certainly one to consider.

Kärcher actually has five iterations of this steam cleaner to choose from, starting with the most affordable SC 1, all the way up to the latest release, the SC 5. This review is about the premium SC 5, but you can find other models to suit a wide range of budgets and needs via Kärcher.

JUMP TO:

• How we test
• Review
• Technical specifications
• Final verdict
• FAQs

How we test steam cleaners

To test steam cleaners and mops to find the best steam cleaner UK, I tried out each one – including the Kärcher SC 5 EasyFix – on a range of floor types, such as hard floors and tiles, as well as on a variety of messes, from dried-in mud to sticky spills and general dust, dirt and detritus.

I also took note of how quick and easy they were to assemble, as well as how simple they were to control or handle, especially under lower items of furniture and in tight corners.

Versatility was also important. Given that many steam and hard floor cleaners come with a number of attachments and accessories, I was keen to discover how many cleaning jobs they could tackle and if they would work across everything from upholstery to glass, metal fixtures and fittings, and more.

Finally, I washed, dried and reattached any of the microfibre pads and covers that I had used to assess how simple the process was.

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Setup

Score:

10/10

It took me a matter of minutes from first opening the box to having the Kärcher SC 5 EasyFix steam cleaner plugged in and heating up, ready to use. The accessories are all pretty self explanatory, slotting in or out without any issues. I liked that the microfibre cloth attaches to the mop head with velcro, making it effortless to attach and detach it, even one handed when I was pulling the cleaner along behind me.

I was impressed with the massive water tank and how simple it was to slot in and out. You also don’t need to worry about filling up a separate jug or container and then transferring it to the tank, as you can fill it directly from your kitchen or bathroom sink. How much water you use affects how long it takes for it to heat up, but even after being filled to the max capacity, it was ready to go in a couple of minutes.

It doesn’t take up much more space than a typical cylinder vacuum cleaner, and the longer pole attachments can be dismantled when they’re not in use to save space.

Cleaning ability

Score:

10/10

This is a powerful home steam cleaner, with five steam settings offering a wide range of intensities. The lowest setting works on dust and stray hairs, whereas the highest – which the brand calls its VapoHydro function – mixes some hot water in with the steam to supercharge its cleaning capabilities. This setting got rid of burnt-on food and spills on my hob without me having to scrub or put in quite as much elbow grease as usual.

The SC 5’s versatility meant that I could move from one cleaning job to another in seconds, simply by switching up the accessories or settings. And over the course of testing I successfully used it in my living room, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and even my car’s interior and exterior.

As you might expect, the higher the steam setting, the wetter it will leave your floor, surface or any soft furnishings. Because of this, I would recommend using settings four and five only on the most stubborn and dirtiest of messes.

Usability

Score:

9/10

At 6kg, the Kärcher SC 5 EasyFix is quite heavy, but thankfully it has wheels, allowing you to roll it from room to room like you would a similarly sized vacuum. I had no issues pulling it along behind me, even when bumping it over the threshold strips between different rooms and turning corners.

Using the longer pole, I was able to angle it under lower items of furniture like my TV stand and side table without having to bend over too much. I also only needed a few passes, at most, on both my floors and across rugs and carpets, thus saving a lot of time and effort.

Because of its weight, it was cumbersome to lift up and down the stairs, despite having a sturdy carry handle. If you do find yourself constantly trekking up and down stairs as you clean, a handheld multi-surface steam cleaning device might be a better option instead.

Maintenance

Score:

10/10

I had no issues with looking after the SC 5 EasyFix to keep it in top condition, nor with cleaning the accessories or the steam cleaner itself. A quick wipe down with a damp cloth more than sufficed, even when it had been stored in my cleaning cupboard for a few weeks. The removable water tank was easy to clean, too. And the well-placed handle helped me to lift it in and out without a struggle.

The microfibre cloth and microfibre nozzle cover get quite damp during use, so even if they aren’t that dirty or you’d like to use them a few times before washing them, you will need to find somewhere for them to dry before putting them back in the box or storing them away, or else they might get a bit musty. Both washed and dried well, though, either when machine or hand washed.

Accessories

Score:

9/10

Despite not coming with as many accessories and attachments as some competing steam cleaners, the SC 5 EasyFix is incredibly versatile, allowing you to clean every room in your home.

The small, rounded brush and nozzle are great for getting into tight spots and crevices, and they made light work of grime and dirt on my gas hob and toilet. The larger brush can refresh upholstery such as sofas, cushions and curtains, but was probably the least effective of the Kärcher SC 5 accessories. I used it several times, with or without the accompanying microfibre cover on top, and this caused a significant amount of water to leak out from the head. The floor cleaning kit was more successful, making it a better steam cleaner for tiles and floors.

I appreciated the designated holders on the main body of the steam cleaner for storing the different attachments and poles, either in storage or as you move between cleaning jobs. The addition of a pouch of descaling powder is a nice (and unusual) touch that will help people in hard water areas.

Technical specifications

If you’re looking for an affordable alternative, with many of the same features, the Polti Vaporetto Smart110 Eco Steam Cleaner also comes with a number of accessories and a wheeled design. It even benefits from a larger water tank capacity and longer power cord. Usually £100 cheaper than the Kärcher, it’s currently on sale, making it even more affordable.

Should you buy the Kärcher Steam Cleaner SC 5 EasyFix?

The SC 5 EasyFix is Kärcher’s most recent steam cleaner release, and it has the quality and power that you’d expect from the brand. It is versatile, tackling everything from your kitchen and bathroom to floors and upholstery, but at £349 it is a considerable investment. Although it will help you to clean more thoroughly, you’ll still need to use a vacuum cleaner before using this model’s floor attachments.

Yes, if:

• You want a versatile steam cleaner
• Quality and design are priorities for you
• You wish to avoid the need to use cleaning chemicals

No, if:

• You’re on a budget or looking for a more affordable option
• You’d prefer more or different attachments
• You don’t want to vacuum separately before using

£379.99

Buy now

Price at

Karcher

Kärcher Steam Cleaner SC 5 EasyFix FAQs

Is the Kärcher SC 5 EasyFix worth the price?

This will likely be down to personal preference. For some, spending over £300 on a steam cleaner, regardless of how impressive and high-quality it might be, will be out of the question. However, for others who may want to speed up their cleaning routine or reduce the number of cleaning products and appliances that they use, it could be a worthwhile investment.

Can the SC 5 EasyFix replace a mop or vacuum?

As it doesn’t suck up dirt and detritus like a traditional vacuum does, you will need to give your floors a quick once over with one of the best vacuums before employing the SC 5 EasyFix. However, it is a great alternative to a mop, whether that be a traditional mop and bucket or another steam mop.

Unlike these other types of mop, its twin tank system prevents you from spreading dirty water around your floors when using the floor cleaning kit, so it could certainly replace a mop for certain individuals.

How hot does the Kärcher steam cleaner get?

While the steam issued from the nozzle is typically around 100C, which is within the optimal range for disinfecting and cleaning with steam, the Kärcher SC 5 EasyFix steam cleaner reaches a maximum temperature of 140C inside the boiler.

You can adjust the steam intensity, depending on what you’re looking to clean, and you can also use the VapoHydro function which combines steam with a burst of hot water to tackle even the most stubborn dirt and grime.

What surfaces can you use the SC 5 EasyFix on?

This model can be used on a variety of surfaces, from wall tiles and wash basins to extractor hoods, hobs, windows, mirrors, taps, upholstery and hard floors. So, you can essentially use it in every room.

Does it kill bacteria effectively?

If you’re looking for eco-friendly deep cleaning without chemicals, this high-pressure steam cleaner cleans solely with water. Steam can be used to remove and eliminate around 99.99 per cent of common household bacteria.

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