Kärcher WV6 Plus

Kärcher WV 6 Plus window vac – streak free windows (review)

9.2

It seems that everyone hates two things – mopping and window cleaning. The Kärcher WV 6 Plus window vac makes streak-free window cleaning easier, just as the Kärcher FC 7 Cordless mop cleans floors like no other.

But, and there is always one, it is a manual process, albeit with some tech to help produce stunning results. One thing is for sure – it, like the Kärcher mop, gets the results if you are willing to put in the effort.

The best way to describe this is a vacuum squeegee to suck water from windows. And therein lies the rub. How do you get the water onto the windows in the first place?

It comes with a Window cleaner spray bottle, microfibre cleaning strip (washable – replacements $20.90 per pair) and a 20ml trial sachet of Glass cleaner concentrate ($11.90 for a 500ml bottle). For taller windows, you can get a telescopic extension pole.

The other way is to use one of the many Kärcher pressure washers that pressure clean the windows, and then use the Kärcher WV 6 Plus for a streak-free finish.

Kärcher WV 6 Plus window vac

WebsiteKärcher WV 6 Plus
Price$199
Extension pole $69.90
FromKärcher online, Harvey Norman, and authorised Kärcher Centers
Warranty2-year ACL
Country of originItaly
CompanyAlfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG is a German family-owned company that operates worldwide and is known for its high-pressure cleaners, floor care equipment, parts cleaning systems, wash water treatment, military decontamination equipment and window vacuum cleaners.
MoreGadgetGuy Kärcher news and reviews

First impression

Kärcher yellow – shaped like a ‘dust-buster’ and reasonably light at 780g. I admit that I was a little perplexed at first by the separate spray bottle – I was hoping it was an all-in-one window cleaner. But now that I have used it, I can see that would be impracticable.

Think of it as a vacuum squeegee that removes water and soap very well for a drip-free and streak-free surface. However, I did use a cotton cloth to dry the odd hard-to-reach corner.

It is IPX4 rated that meaning water splashing against it has no harmful effect. It is not waterproof.

Prime advantage – faster drying

No matter how you wash your windows, this makes drying a hell of a lot faster. It replaces the manual squeegee and cloth that invariably leaves marks. It has a 280mm width, and you can buy a smaller squeegee blade if you wish (not tested).

The vacuum water bottle holds up to 150ml of dirty water, which fills fast (if you have done your job)

Cleaning other surfaces

I have used it on mirrors, shower screens, bathroom tiles, benchtops and any flat surface you may use liquid to clean.

Battery – heaps

It is a little slow to charge. The 5.5V/2A/11W adapter takes about three hours for a maximum of 100 minutes run time. At least there is a percentage charge gauge. That is plenty of run time but a nuisance if you run out mid-way a job.

Noise – quiet

About 50dB

Maintenance

The squeegee section is removable and replaceable. You can buy replacement pads (different types) and cleaning concentrate.

Using it

Its sole purpose is to remove water, soap and dirt from an already cleaned window.

So, forgive me, Kärcher but the 200ml manual pump bottle and wipe pad is a little under spec for big jobs. You will get very tired of pumping and, depending on the dirt, may need to clean it every few square metres of use – else, you will be dragging dirty water everywhere. And the wipe pad won’t remove bird poo or splattered insects. We won’t include the pump bottle as part of our review. For big jobs, use a Kärcher pressure cleaner and preferably the T 5 surface cleaner tool.

The next tip is not to be stingy about using water to clean. The VW 6 Plus will suck it all up – from spray damp to soaking wet. The only issue is the150ml wastewater tank will fill faster. Add to that the need to vacuum squeegee windows while they are wet. Don’t try on dry windows.

A final tip is that the extension pole is probably necessary for window heights over 2.4m (your reach).

Results

Photography does not do it justice, but the windows are dry and streak-free. You need to learn the correct angle to hold the vacuum squeegee – too angled can leave some streaks. Have a cotton cleaning cloth handy for hard to clean corners.

Timewise – I did three large windows in about 5 minutes with little effort. I then did another three of the same manually, and it took closer to 15 minutes – and the job was not as good.

A final tip. If your windows are filthy or in a coastal area with dried salt, then spend some time getting the windows properly clean – the Kärcher just dries.

GadgetGuy’s take

I am glad we have reviewed this item – not because it forces me to clean windows – but because there is some tech behind this. Its main advantage is speed to dry and a dirty water tank – something a manual squeegee or towel does not.

We will also be reviewing the Kärcher KV 4 all surface cleaner – a hand cleaner with a vibrating pad that works on windows too. It puts the elbow grease back into cleaning without human effort. Kärcher has a WV6 bundle for $50 more (usually $99).

But you should also consider a robot window washer. Depending on your environment, these also speed up the process and leave clean windows.

Rating

There are quite a few vacuum squeegees, so a quick trip to the local hardware was an eye-opener. Bosh, Ryobi, Leifheit, Black and Decker, not to mention the plethora of generics on Amazon and eBay – even Kmart has one. And then the cleaning fluid – all too much choice.

At $199, it is at the top end, but its build quality, battery life, 280mm wide squeegee blade, and spare parts availability is outstanding. If you can’t afford that, then Kärcher has models from $109.

Kärcher WV6 Plus
The Kärcher WV 6 Plus is a vacuum squeegee to suck water from windows for a streak-free finish. It is fast and efficient making a chore easier.
Features
9
Value for money
8.5
Performance
9.5
Ease of use
10
Design
9
Positives
Completely removes water from windows for a streak-free finish
100 minutes battery life
Kärcher quality, repairability and spare parts
780g is light to use
Negatives
Slowish charging
9.2