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Best window vacs
The best window vacs are a doddle to use and will easily remove condensation on windows, leaving them without any streaks or missed water droplets.
We've put bestselling window vacuums from Karcher, Beldray, Titan, Tower, Bosch, Amazon and Salter to the test – to find out which is the best window vac overall, and whether it's worth paying more for a Karcher window vacuum.
Our tough testing revealed several Best Buys. These are our top recomendations. We also found a Great Value window vac that costs less than many others to buy and still gives you streak-free windows.
The best window vacs
Only logged-in Which? members can view the test results below.
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| Window vac | Typical price | Vacuuming performance | Ease of use | Battery life | Charging time | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | Good | |||||
| Excellent | Good | |||||
| Excellent | Good | |||||
| Excellent | Average | |||||
| Average | Average | |||||
| Good | Average | |||||
| Good | Average |
Date tested: September 2023. Page last checked May 2024. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
The window vacs we tested
All the window vacs we've tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best window vacs from our tests.
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Amazon Basics Window Vacuum Cleaner Set AEU-VK-9015M
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Size and weight 33.8 x 28 x 12.6cm (HxWxD); 770g
Battery life and charging time 40min; 3hr 30min
Window cleaning kit included Spray bottle with microfibre cloth
Need to know EU and US plug adapters also included, water container capacity 120ml, squeegee width 28cm
Beldray Cordless Window Vacuum Cleaner BEL0749N
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Size and weight 31.5 x 28 x 18cm (HxWxD); 680g
Battery life and charging time 30min; 3hr
Window cleaning kit included None
Need to know Water container capacity 60ml, squeegee width 28cm
Bosch GlassVac Window Vacuum Cleaner 06008B7070
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Size and weight 22 x 26.6 x 17cm (HxWxD); 700g
Battery life and charging time 30min; 2hr 10min
Window cleaning kit included Spray bottle with microfibre cloth (small and large attachments for the microfibre cloth)
Need to know Small suction nozzle and USB charging cable also included, water container capacity 100ml, squeegee width 26.6cm, small suction nozzle squeegee width 13.2cm
Karcher WV 1 Cordless Handheld Window Cleaner
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Size and weight 27.5 x 25 x 13cm (HxWxD); 500g
Battery life and charging time 25min; 2hr 30min
Window cleaning kit included None
Need to know Water container capacity 100ml, squeegee width 25cm
Karcher WV 2 Plus Cordless Handheld Window Vacuum Cleaner
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Size and weight 32 x 28 x 12cm (HxWxD); 600g
Battery life and charging time 35min; 3hr 50min
Window cleaning kit included Spray bottle with microfibre cloth, window cleaning solution
Need to know Water container capacity 100ml, squeegee width 28cm
Compare the best dehumidifers.
Karcher WV 5 Plus N Cordless Window Vacuum Cleaner
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Size and weight 32.5 x 28 x 12.5cm (HxWxD); 700g
Battery life and charging time 35min; 3hr 5min
Window cleaning kit included Spray bottle with microfibre cloth (small and large attachments for the microfibre cloth), window-cleaning solution
Need to know Small suction nozzle also included, water container capacity 100ml, squeegee width 28cm, small suction nozzle squeegee width 17cm
Karcher WV 6 Plus N Cordless Window Vacuum Cleaner
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Size and weight 31 x 28 x 12.6cm (HxWxD); 800g
Battery life and charging time 1hr; 2hr 50min
Window cleaning kit included Spray bottle with microfibre cloth (small and large attachments for the microfibre cloth), window cleaning solution
Need to know Small suction nozzle also included, water container capacity 150ml, squeegee width 28cm, small suction nozzle squeegee width 17cm
Titan Cordless Window Vacuum TTS799VAC
Available from Screwfix (£24.99)
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Size and weight 33.5 x 28 x 16cm (HxWxD); 760g
Battery life and charging time 30min; 1hr 10min
Window cleaning kit included Spray bottle with microfibre cloth
Need to know Water container capacity 150ml, squeegee width 28cm
Tower Cordless Window Cleaner T131000BLG RWV20
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Size and weight 33.5 x 28 x 16cm (HxWxD); 750g
Battery life and charging time 30min; 3hr
Window cleaning kit included None
Need to know Water container capacity 150ml, squeegee width 28cm
How we test window vacs
We select top-selling window vacs from leading UK retailers and put them through a string of tough tests to find out which are the best.
We pay for every window vac we test.
We regularly revisit the window vacs on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing and when we find them we do.
Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.
Vacuuming and ease of use
- We spray the same amount of water evenly across a large glass panel, and use the window vac to clean the water off multiple times. We look out for how much water drips down off the glass, rather than getting sucked into the water container, and check for any streaks and missed patches.
- We judge how comfortable each window vac is to hold and empty. We also do this wearing Cambridge Simulation Gloves – a piece of kit that helps replicate the experience of users who suffer with limited hand movement.
Battery life and energy efficiency
- We judge the battery life and charging time of each window vac, taking into account how many minutes of use you get per minute of charge. We also record how long each vac lasts after a quick 10-minute charge.
- During charging, we also measure how much energy each window vac uses. It's worth knowing that they don't use very much – the least efficient window vac would need to be recharged more than 20 times before it would cost just one penny's worth of energy.
Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us stay editorially independent.
The best way to clean windows with a window vac
Wondering how to clean windows withyour window vac, rather than simply sucking up condensation?
- Spray your cleaning solution on your windows and let it settle for a minute or two before vacuuming.
- Switch on your window vac and gently slide the squeegee in a straight, vertical line down your window pane. Don't move it too quickly, and always keep your vac upright during use.
- Start from one edge and make vertical downward passes on the glass, overlapping your previous one slightly to avoid missing patches or leaving streaks.
- Keep an eye on your water container and pause to empty it into the sink if it's reaching the maximum fill line.
Find out how to stop condensation.
Which is the best Karcher window vac?
We've tested all four Karcher window vacs: the WV1, WV2, WV5 and WV6.
They all look similar, but the difference in price can be striking – while some cost less than £50, others are priced north of £100.
Which? members can see our full ranking and rundown of which Karcher window vac is the best.
Here's a quick comparison of how their price, accessories and battery life compare:
- Karcher WV 1 – £40, includes no extra accessories; has a battery life of 25min and a charge time of 2hr 30min.
- Karcher WV 2 – £55, includes a spray bottle with a microfibre cloth and some window-cleaning solution; has a battery life of 35min and a charge time of 3hr 50min.
- Karcher WV 5 – £100, includes a spray bottle with a microfibre cloth, small and large attachments for the microfibre cloth, and some window-cleaning solution; has a battery life of 35min and a charge time of 3hr 5min.
- Karcher WV 6 – £120, includes a small suction nozzle, a spray bottle with a microfibre cloth, small and large attachments for the microfibre cloth, and some window-cleaning solution; has a battery life of 1hr and a charge time of 2hr 50min.
Log in now or join Which? to see our full results and find out if any Karcher window vacs are good enough to earn our Best Buy recommendation.
See the best and cheapest way to dry clothes indoors, and compare the best heated clothes airers.
Is it worth buying a window vac?
While it's possible to clean your windows without the assistance of a window vac, it's much less convenient and you're more likely to do an uneven job.
Where window vacs really come into their own is removing condensation on windows. This is often a problem during the autumn and winter months, so if you get up in the morning and find water droplets all over your windows, a window vac is a quick and convenient way to deal with the condensation.
Some window vacs can be priced up to around £100, which for simple home-maintenance tasks such as clearing condensation and giving your panes a clean can seem like a large expense.
You can buy window vacs for less than £50, though, and one or two of the cheaper window vacs we tested turned out to be worthy Best Buys.
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