We no longer present Kärcher. The German floor care specialist had already ventured into the hyper-competitive stick vacuum market, without much success. Here it is again with the VC6 OurFamily, a classic model in the extreme.
If Kärcher is best known for its high-pressure cleaners, the catalog of the German manufacturer extends to many other areas of activity, in particular vacuum cleaners. We had already tested the VC 5 Cordless Premium which, while not lacking in originality, had shown its limits in terms of filtration. The VC6 OurFamily adopts a much more familiar architecture. The heaviest elements (motor, waste collector and filtration system) are located close to the user’s wrist; we are talking about stick vacuum cleaners. Thus, the machine can be oriented in all directions, equipped or not with its suction tube, to dust off places that are generally impossible to reach with a conventional stick vacuum cleaner, the main elements of which are located near the ground.
As a stick vacuum cleaner in stick format, the Kärcher VC6 OurFamily needs a wall base for storage. This is also used for recharging, and all you have to do is put the device down for the process to begin. If we rely on the technical sheet, the operation lasts 4 h 30 min for an autonomy of 50 minutes. Be careful however, as often, this duration is calculated at the minimum speed, and without electrobrush in operation. Kärcher still announces an autonomy of 11 minutes by engaging the boost mode thanks to the Li-ion battery (which does not lose power even when it is almost empty) of 25.2 V, removable on this model. We can therefore theoretically have a backup to extend the duration of the cleaning session.
Good point, the manufacturer offers the choice between fractional suction and continuous suction. During the first, better for autonomy, the device stops working as soon as the trigger is no longer pressed, in particular in order to move a piece of furniture or trinkets on a shelf. The second is more comfortable for the wrist: no need to maintain pressure, but remember to turn off the device. One can choose here between one or the other method thanks to a simple latch.
The filtration system (responsible for separating air from dust) chosen by Kärcher seems to be one of the simplest monocyclonic technologies. As in the vast majority of other stick vacuum cleaners, it is supported by a foam filter and a HEPA filter responsible for retaining the smallest particles. According to the instructions, the foam filter of the VC6 OurFamily can be cleaned using a tool similar to the one we have already seen on the Tineco A11 Master: just place the filter to be cleaned inside, attach to the suction inlet and operate the unit to remove encrusted dust.
Good point, it is not necessary to separate the waste container to empty it. Pressing the button on the transparent wall releases the hinged bottom and the waste simply falls into the bin. Admittedly, it is not as fun as Dyson’s “Point&Shoot” system, but we have experienced much less practicality. Kärcher has also worked on the suction head of the VC6 OurFamily, which is equipped with a ramp of LEDs. It is therefore very easy to spot debris on dark floors, as well as under furniture.
As we can see, the VC6 OurFamily is not very original, but it still seems quite well thought out, with very simple options that are not necessarily found on all the stick vacuum cleaners on the market; we think in particular of the latch to modify the suction method, which is difficult to do without once we have tried it. Delivered with two nozzles and a textile brush, it was launched at €320.