I'm already a big fan of Kärcher for household appliances, so I was excited to get my hands on its new SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner. Kärcher tends to strike the right balance between performance and practicality, so I went in with fairly high expectations.
After putting it through its paces in my family home on everything from carpets and sofas to car seats and headboards, it didn't disappoint. I'd say it more than earns its place among the best carpet cleaners and spot cleaners.
In a nutshell
After testing the Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner on everything from my carpets and sofas to my child's very grubby car seat, I'm genuinely impressed with what it can do. It might be a compact machine, but it certainly isn't shy on power.
Its design is lightweight and easy to handle, and I love that all the parts store neatly on the unit, as I'm forever misplacing attachments, so this is a big selling point for me. The upholstery tool is great for quick clean-ups, and while a built-in brush would make it even better, the separate spot brush makes up for it. It's a game-changer for tackling stubborn, set-in stains – some of the stains it managed to lift were astonishing.
I found the clean water tank lasted surprisingly longer than I expected for its size – and a full tank was more than enough for several small cleaning jobs. It only has one power setting, so it's not quite as versatile as some premium models I've tested, but in everyday use, it performed exceptionally well.
Overall, the SE 2 is a really solid choice if you're looking for an affordable, compact and easy-to-use spot cleaner that delivers impressive results on stains and gives carpets and upholstery a much-needed refresh.
How I tested
Specifications
- Weight: 4kg
- Dimensions: 38.5 x 21.5 x 31 cm
- Clean water tank capacity: 1.5 L
- Dirty water tank capacity: 0.8 L
- Suction hose length: 1.8 m
- Power cord length: 4.5 m
- What's included: wash upholstery nozzle, spot cleaner nozzle, carpet cleaner detergent, user manual, product registration guide
- Price: £99.99
Unboxing, assembly and first impressions
The Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner arrived in the brand's distinctive yellow packaging. The rectangular-shaped box was easy to carry, too, which was a promising start. Inside the box was a layer of moulded cardboard, and beneath that sat the spot cleaner, which was wrapped in a paper bag. Because the handle was exposed, lifting the unit out of the box was refreshingly straightforward.
I was also impressed to see there wasn't any plastic, and the paper that the unit was wrapped in had 'PAP 22' printed on it, meaning it can be recycled with my household waste. It's a small detail, but it earns Kärcher some well-deserved eco-friendly points on the packaging front.
After removing the packaging, my first impression was that the spot cleaner felt solid, high-quality and about average in size. I noticed some parts stored inside the clean water tank, so I removed it. Thankfully, it came away easily enough, and inside I found the spray nozzle (wrapped in the PAP 22 paper packaging), and a 100ml sachet of cleaning solution. The sachet initially felt like an odd choice over a bottle, but the manual later confirmed that a full clean-water tank does need 100ml, so it makes sense.
Also loosely placed in the box was a user manual, a product registration leaflet, and a small cardboard box containing a spot-cleaner attachment. Overall, the contents were minimal, and I liked how compactly everything had been presented.
The hose length felt conveniently sized, too, and I appreciated that the unit had a fitting at the back to keep it neatly stored when not in use. As the nozzles came unattached, I fitted the main upholstery nozzle onto the hose, which clicked into place easily. I was a little surprised to see there wasn't a brush built into the upholstery tool, as it's something I've not come across before. That said, it does have a separate spot brush for tackling deeper stains.
The Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner has two removable tanks – one for clean water and one for dirty water. At first glance, both appeared to be fairly average in size for a spot cleaner and suitable for tackling small jobs.
To get started, I filled the clean water tank to the max line before adding the cleaning detergent. The water instantly turned yellow, which surprised me as the solutions I've used in the past tend to be colourless or turn the water cloudy. Although the manual does recommend using the full 100ml supplied sachet, I do think it would have been more practical if a bigger bottle of solution had been included.
I then slotted the lid back on and inserted the clean water tank back into the unit, and I was ready to go.
Using the Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner
Cleaning carpets
When I say my poor carpets put up with a lot from my three kids, I'm not exaggerating. I already own the VAX ONEPWR Compact Cordless Carpet Cleaner, which is great for bigger jobs, but for keeping on top of everyday spills and mess, a spot cleaner is more convenient.
I started by tackling an old tea stain that I'd treated at the time with my go-to quick-fix stain remover, but the patch still looked a little dull and worn. I was keen to see if the Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner could bring some life back to it.
After plugging the unit into the mains, I realised that while it isn't cordless, the 4.5m cable provides plenty of reach, so it didn't feel restricted. I then pressed the power button at the top of the unit - and it kicked into action with a familiar loud hum - very similar to how a standard vacuum sounds.
Following the instructions, I held down the trigger on the cleaning brush head to release and spray the solution generously over the area. After leaving it to soak in for a few seconds, I moved the nozzle back and forth. I could see the machine lifting the water from the carpet with each pass (which I found weirdly satisfying). After about a minute or so, when I felt like nothing was being extracted, I switched off the machine.
The first thing that struck me was how only slightly damp the carpet felt - far less wet than I was expecting. I was surprised to see I'd used almost half of the clean water tank, but I'd given the patch a very thorough going over, so it made sense. Most importantly, within an hour, the carpet was completely dry, and I was genuinely impressed with how much cleaner and brighter it looked.
The Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner also includes a spot brush for deeper cleans, so I decided to test it on the carpet on my landing. Just outside the bathroom, I'd noticed a couple of marks, one of which looked like the kids' toothpaste had been trodden into the carpets, and it looked very set-in.
For best results, the manual advises removing any loose dirt first with the upholstery nozzle to avoid working debris deep into the carpet fibres. I gave it a quick once-over before switching the nozzle on the hose. After powering the unit back on, I pressed the trigger on the handle, which directs the spray onto a more focused area than the upholstery tool.
Within just a couple of passes, the stain began to lift, and I didn't need to use much elbow grease at all. Unlike with some other spot cleaners I've tried, the marks completely vanished on the first attempt.
Cleaning sofas
I gave my sofas a once-over with the upholstery tool, as even though I couldn't see any visible stains, they can look tired and dull quite easily. As with the carpets, I powered on the machine and pulled the trigger on the nozzle to spray water over the fabric.
Because of the texture of my sofas, I found that it didn't glide quite as easily as it did on my carpets, but they did feel fresher afterwards. They took a little longer to dry than my carpets, but were still dry within a couple of hours.
Cleaning baby and kids' gear
I'll be honest, I rarely get around to cleaning my kids' car seats, and I really should, as they're a magnet for mess. The manual boasts that the spot cleaner is ideal for car interiors, so I decided to put it to the test on my daughter's booster seat. I used the upholstery tool for this, and after powering on the unit, I sprayed a generous amount of water over the fabric.
After letting it sit for a few seconds, I started moving the nozzle back and forth. I could see the liquid being suctioned out of the tool – and the colour was filthy. I'm not sure whether I felt more horrified or weirdly smug with the results!
There was one mark I struggled to lift with the upholstery tool, so I switched to the spot brush to try to tackle it. Being able to press the bristles directly into the stain made a noticeable difference, and it took less than a minute to lift the stain completely. I was impressed, especially considering I wasn't sure exactly what the mark was or how long it had been there.
The car seat did feel quite damp after I'd finished, but given the amount of grime it pulled out, that felt expected. Within a couple of hours, it had dried completely – and the best thing? It looked brand new.
Cleaning a headboard
I'd never used a spot cleaner on a headboard before, but I was keen to give mine a refresh. In doing so, I noticed a mark on it (my youngest strikes again!) As I was covering a decent-sized area, I used the main upholstery attachment.
After lightly spraying the fabric, I gently moved the nozzle back and forth, taking care over the stain area. To my relief, I didn't need to apply much pressure, and the mark lifted within a few short passes.
Like the other surfaces I'd cleaned, the headboard was dry within a couple of hours.
Cleaning, storage and maintenance
Conveniently, the wastewater tank includes a simple cleaning guide printed on it with illustrations, which is handy. Besides emptying the dirty water tank after each use, there is a black plastic float inside that needs cleaning. It's straightforward to do - I just removed the float from the tank and rinsed both parts thoroughly with tap water.
There's also a small, round mesh filter which sits under the clean water tank. I simply pulled it out before rinsing the filter thoroughly with water (the manual recommends using a soft brush if necessary).
The spray nozzle does tend to pick up debris, so it's worth cleaning after every use. Thankfully, it's really straightforward, and I simply removed it from the hose and rinsed it with lukewarm water.
Cleaning the device itself is also refreshingly simple. After using it, I filled the clean water tank halfway with water before slotting it back into place. I switched the machine on and ran the spray nozzle for around 30 seconds to flush the system through. For a more thorough clean, you can insert the nozzle directly into the fresh water tank and run the unit until the tank is completely emptied.
And, I've already mentioned the unit has a clip at the back for storing the nozzle, and the cord conveniently wraps neatly around the unit. There's also a space to store the separate spot cleaner attachment, which is really handy.
How does the Karcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner compare to similar models?
While the SE 2 is Kärcher's newest compact spot cleaner, it isn't drastically different from the SE 3 Compact. The SE 3 offers larger tank capacities, making it better suited to bigger or more frequent cleaning jobs, whereas the SE 2 is smaller, lighter and simpler to operate.
I recently tested the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner, which sits in a similar price bracket and offers comparable functionality. It's arguably more lightweight and compact than the SE 2, but it doesn't feel quite as powerful.
At the other end of the scale is the Bissell HydroSteam Spot Cleaner, which offers three cleaning modes (including steam), and a range of attachments. However, it is bulkier and noticeably more expensive.
It's also worth comparing the VAX Spotwash Home Cordless, which wins on convenience for being cordless, but it is also pricier.
How does the Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner rate online?
As the Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner is a relatively new addition to the brand's lineup, it hasn't received too many reviews yet. It has received generally positive feedback across online retailer sites, though a large proportion of the reviews come from gifted products.
On Kärcher's website, it holds a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews, most of which were incentivised. Users praised its ease of use and effectiveness at removing stains, though noted some drawbacks - including the single cleaning solution, and carpets taking longer to dry.
On Amazon, the product has a 4.2-star rating from 15 reviews. Customers again highlighted its ease of use and lightweight, compact design, which means it doesn't take up much space. Most noted it was better suited to smaller jobs than full-scale deep cleaning.
There were 27 reviews on Argos, and customers awarded it 4.7 stars, appreciating its ease of use, compact design, and effective cleaning power on various surfaces. Most of these reviews were also gifted products, so the feedback might not be entirely independent.
Should you buy the Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner?
The Kärcher SE 2 Spot Care Spot Cleaner is impressively effective at making light work of everyday spills and mess. It might only have one power setting, and the main upholstery tool lacks a built-in brush, but that doesn't limit its performance.
If you're on the lookout for a compact, lightweight spot cleaner that doesn't take up much storage space, this is well worth considering. The neatly integrated attachments mean everything you need stays in one place, and it's versatile enough to use on carpets, sofas, car interiors, and more – and you won't be waiting hours for surfaces to dry.
With an accessible price point and genuine, solid cleaning power, this is an ideal choice for busy homes or for anyone looking for a reliable, affordable way to keep floors and soft furnishings looking their best.
