Unsuitable for an apartment and frequent use

This particular vacuum cleaner disappointed me in several areas, mainly because of its design and practicality.

• It is especially bulky and difficult to store. Besides the vacuum body itself, the accessories require separate space or an extra box to be kept organized.
• Its design ignores basic ergonomic solutions that have existed in vacuum cleaners for decades.
• It does not have a telescopic tube, which makes it difficult to adjust to the user's height and to store.
• It does not have an automatic cord rewind mechanism.
• There is not even a hook or retention system for manually tidying up the cord.
• The wheels are simple plastic, without rubber coating or bearings. They give the impression of very cheap construction, like a beach toy. There is a risk they may leave marks or scratches on delicate floors, such as parquet.
• It does not have suction power adjustment. On carpets, the suction is so strong that it lifts them, making vacuuming impossible.
• Switching between dry and wet suction is not at all practical. It requires removing and reinstalling containers or the bag, a time-consuming and annoying process. In addition, the containers that are not being used must be stored somewhere, taking up extra space. Personally, I would prefer two separate devices, one for dry and one for wet, rather than this. They would be more immediate to use and easier to store.
• The overall build quality ranges from mediocre to poor. The plastics show visible molding flaws, and the cord also looks low quality.
• In no way does it resemble the durability, build quality, and ergonomics one used to find in vacuum cleaners from the 1990s and 2000s.

Conclusion: This is a device with quite a few compromises in ergonomics, ease of use, and build quality. It would only be convenient for me if I used it 1-2 times a year to clean carpets or car seats. For those with limited space or who need a vacuum for regular use in an apartment, it is a very bad choice.

--------

Thank you for the representative's reply.

However, there is an obvious contradiction. On your official website, this series is presented as ideal for the home, stating that it cleans carpets and upholstery and that it is "ideal for families, allergy sufferers, and households with pets." In addition, all the promotional material shows it being used in domestic spaces.

For this reason, I consider it entirely reasonable to evaluate it as a household vacuum cleaner. It also seems ironic to me that a household vacuum cleaner from the 1990s, which I still use today even for the car and the storage room, has a telescopic tube and automatic cord rewind without ever having had any problems, while a modern device promoted for home use lacks these basic ergonomic features.

I got the Kärcher SE 5 and tried it for the first time on a carpet. The result is simply impressive, the carpet became "like new."
Why it's worth the money:

1. Immediate Payoff: With 3-4 washes of large carpets and a biological cleaning of the car, the machine has already paid for itself. If you consider what they charge outside for these jobs, the payoff happens in no time.
2. Depth of Cleaning: What it pulls out from inside is indescribable. The water in the tank comes out black, it sucks the dirt from the root.
3. Speed: Because the suction is powerful, the carpet stays barely damp and dries in a few hours, not in two days like with traditional washing.

ATTENTION - Care to make it last for years:
To avoid "crying over it," the machine needs careful maintenance:
• After each use, run plain clean water through the spray system so the detergent doesn't dry in the pump.
• Let all parts (tank, tubes, filter) dry 100% before storing them. Especially the filter must be completely dry so it doesn't clog with dust.

• The Tubes: Hang the suction tubes upright somewhere (e.g., behind a door) for about an hour before storing them. There are always drops left inside, which if left stagnant, will smell rotten after a month.
• Lubricant on the O-rings: Where the water tubes connect, there are small rubber rings (O-rings). Put a bit of Vaseline or silicone spray (not cooking oil!). This way they will never dry out and will always connect with one hand, without leaking water.
• Tank: Do not seal the top part of the vacuum (the motor) tightly onto the tank if everything isn't dry. Leave it a bit "ajar" so air can circulate.

Bonus Tip: If the next time you use it after months it doesn't bring water immediately, don't force it. Remove the tank and pour a syringe of water into the hole where the pump draws to "moisten" it – it will start instantly!

If on first use it doesn't bring water immediately, it needs a little patience with the trigger held down (air release).
I recommend it with my eyes closed, it's a tool for a lifetime!