Best Window Vac in the UK (2023): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Our top pick for the best window vac is the excellent Kärcher WV2 Plus N Yellow. It’s a rechargeable cordless model with a lithium-ion battery, 35-minute run-time and excellent performance on a variety of surfaces. If you need a window vacuum for all-round cleaning on mirrors, tiles, windows and even floors, the WV2 is the one to go for.

Kärcher are kings of the non-professional window vacuum cleaner world – and the WV2 Plus is our favourite model. It’s been significantly upgraded compared to the original WV2 Kärcher window vac, including a longer 35 minute run-time and lightweight design. This allows it to clean up to 105 square metres on a single charge – which should be more than enough for most household jobs.

Kärcher has included a spray bottle kit with the vac. This includes a detergent for cleaning windows and microfiber cloth to avoid scratches. You also get a smaller suction blade with the vac. This is great for getting into window corners or other tricky places, which is why I recommend spending the few extra pounds on the “Plus N Yellow” version rather than the basic WV2 Plus.

Most importantly, it’s an excellent cordless window vacuum for getting rid of water marks and condensation on windows without leaving streaks. The design also makes it simple to use for clearing up small spills.

There aren’t many drawbacks to this window vac, but it’s worth mentioning the other models in the Kärcher series. If you’re willing to pay a bit more, then the WV5 Plus N has all the features of the WV2 Plus, but with a removable battery and edge guidance system. The WV5 and WV6 also have a battery indicator, while the WV6 has a long 100 minute run-time. For most household window cleaning jobs, however, we think the WV2 Plus is the best compromise between price and features.

Overall, the Kärcher WV2 Plus N Yellow ​takes a bit of practice use properly, but once you get the hang of it is great for cleaning windows, shower doors and other flat surfaces. It’s relatively expensive for a window vac – but justifies the price by making everyday tasks easy and even enjoyable. Click here to view its price.

To see how these vacs work, here’s a clip of a similar model (the Karcher WV2 Plus Easy):

The next model up from the WV2 is the handheld Kärcher WV5 Plus N window vac. It’s more expensive than its smaller sibling, but has a replaceable battery and is designed for semi-professional use. If you need to clean large amounts of windows without recharging, then the option of swapping batteries makes it a great choice (although you’ll need to purchase additional batteries separately.)

The WV5 shares many of the same features as other Kärcher window vacuums. These include streak-free cleaning, 3-step LED display for battery life, and a cleaning kit.

The biggest differences between this model and those not meant for professional use are the edge cleaning function and removable battery. While the 35-minute run-time and ability to clean 105 square metres on a single charge is the same as the WV2, being able to purchase additional batteries and swap them can increase its run-time almost indefinitely.

The edge guidance function is another useful feature. This allows you to adjust the edge manually, so the machine cleans right up to the edge of windows.

It also comes with a smaller cleaning blade, for easier cleaning in corners, ​and a microfiber cloth. A minor downside is that it takes around 185 minutes to charge, although this is the same as the WV2 (but longer than the WV1 and WV6.) It’s also a bit more expensive.

Despite these small issues, the WV5 Plus N is an excellent window vacuum.​ If you want to be able to replace batteries to get a longer run-time, or would find the edge guidance system useful, then it’s worth spending extra and getting this instead of the WV2. Click here to view its price.

Note: For more information about Karcher window vacs, check out our reviews page.​

If you’re looking for a budget window vacuum, then an alternative to the Kärcher window vac range is the Vileda WindoMatic. With enough battery to clean up to 120 windows on a single charge, it’s great for cleaning all the windows in a home in a single session. It also provides decent cleaning performance and suction power, along with a “MAX” mode for an extra boost in suction.

The first thing that stands out about the Vileda is its battery run-time. With a charge that lasts twice as long as the previous Vileda WindoMatic, it’s one of the best window vacs in this price range when it comes to battery life.

It also comes with two power levels and a flexible neck for cleaning awkward places. While the “MAX” power mode reduces the battery run-time, it boosts suction by up to 50%. This means the Vileda is capable of cleaning everything from windows to kitchen worktops and tables. It also has a dishwasher-safe water tank, relatively lightweight design and is easy to empty.

Most importantly, it does a great job of removing liquid from windows without leaving smears. The flexible head is surprisingly useful for cleaning difficult locations, and it’s built to a high-standard, so should last a long time.

There are a few drawbacks though. Despite the excellent suction and performance, the lack of a 2-in-1 spray bottle and cloth means you’ll need to purchase these separately. It’s also not the cheapest window vacuum cleaner on the market, as models such as the Karcher WV1 can be bought for less.

Even so, the excellent suction and convenient design of the Vileda WindoMatic Power vacuum means it’s a budget window vac worth considering.​ Click here to view its price.

If you’re looking for the best window vac with a long battery life, then the Karcher WV 6 Plus N is an option to consider. It’s a rechargeable cordless model that provides convenient streak-free cleaning and a long 100-minute run-time from a single battery charge. The WV6 also includes Karcher’s edge guidance system and a larger 150ml dirty water container.

The stand-out feature of this model is that it can last 100-minutes on a single charge. This is almost triple the WV5 Plus N’s run-time, giving you plenty of scope to clean multiple windows. It also comes with a faster charger, which means it can be fully recharged in less than 3 hours.

As you would expect from a Karcher window vac, the WV 6 is well-suited to cleaning glass, tiles and mirrors around the home. It also has the company’s Edge Guidance system, comfortable handle and a minute-by-minute battery charge indicator.

Another useful extra is that the WV 6 Plus N comes with both the regular 280mm suction nozzle and a smaller option. This, combined with the spray bottle kit and long battery life, makes it one of the most versatile window vacuums on the market.

​A downside is that the WV6 doesn’t have a removable battery. While the 100-minute run-time is enough for most jobs, choose the WV5 if you want to swap batteries during a job. It’s also not the cheapest window vacuum on the market, although we think it provides good value.

In summary, the WV6 Plus N is a great choice if you want maximum run-time from a window vacuum. It’s also a versatile model with two suction nozzles and an edge guidance system. For most homes, however, the WV2 or WV5 are probably better value. Click here to view its price.

The Bosch GlassVAC is one of the most interesting window vacuums on the market. Unlike other models, which have a simple cleaning blade, the Bosch uses the same wiper technology found in the automotive industry for a streak-free clean. It also provides a 30-minute run-time and stylish design.

Along with its enhanced rubber wiper blade, the Bosch window vac is built with a 100ml dirty water tank and a USB charging port. It also comes with microfiber cleaning pads, LED battery indicator and a spray bottle. A bonus is that Bosch has included two wiper blades of different widths, so you can tackle a variety of windows and mirrors.

How does it perform though? In general, it’s an excellent window vac. The primary blade really does reduce streaks, while the suction provides ample power for cleaning windows.

Unfortunately, the Bosch has some drawbacks. The suction is strong, but it doesn’t provide the same standard of edge cleaning as other windows vacs, making it harder to get a thorough clean. It’s also relatively pricey – although the 30-minute run-time, build quality, and suction justify the price.

If the Bosch GlassVAC had better edge performance, it would be much higher up this list. It’s still an excellent vac that provides great performance though.