Review: The all new Gtech AirRam Mk2 vacuum cleaner.
I was absolutely delighted when Gtech sent me their newest cordless vacuum cleaner to review, the Gtech AirRam Mk2, like it’s hugely popular and critically acclaimed predecessor which launched in 2012, the AirRam Mk2 is lightweight, cordless and easy to use. However, they’ve added some great new features and improvements with this latest incarnation, make cleaning even less of a chore.
For example, the dust collection system has been completely redesigned, as has the battery housing. The biggest improvement is the addition of a unique patented AirLOC system. This innovative system aims to improve the collection of larger particles, as well as dust and fine debris.
My ‘could do better’ vacuum cleaners.
Before the Gtech arrived, we were using a bulky, 10-year-old upright vacuum cleaner a cheap and cheerful cordless one. Their floor cleaning capabilities left a lot to be desired. Our upright cleaner was cumbersome and had lost some of its sucking power over the years. Plus, it was battered and bulky so the only place we could store it was under the stairs in the hallway. This meant whenever I wanted to use it I had to fight my way past a mountain of bags and coats before I could wrestle it out of the cramped cupboard space.
That’s one of the reasons we bought a smaller cordless vacuum cleaner. Unlike our main vacuum, it fitted neatly into our utility cupboard on its charging stand, so it was a doddle to whip it out when the kitchen floor needed ‘de-crumbing’. However, our little cordless alternative wasn’t that great either. It was useless at capturing the crumbs around the edge of the kitchen units, tending to ping them across the kitchen if it could reach them at all. I usually ended up getting down on my hands and knees with a dustpan and brush to sweep up all the crumbs it missed.
So, despite having two vacuum cleaners, neither of them were up to the job.
The Gtech AirRam Mk2.
The handle on the AirRam is retractable for easy storage. Source: Gtech website
In view of the limitations of our existing vacuum cleaners, I jumped at the chance to review Gtech’s new AirRam. I’d been eyeing up this stylish, compact cleaner for some time. I’d read some rave reviews about the original AirRam too, not just from satisfied customers but from trusted sources. The Independent newspaper, for example, gave the AirRam a glowing report, whilst Which.co.uk listed the Gtech AirRam as one of the most popular products of 2015:
It delivers stellar suction on laminate floors, picks up pet hair that has been combed into carpet quickly and, compared to other cordless models, it is also very good at sucking up fine dust from carpets. The Gtech is also light and easy to use….the battery lasts the longest of any cordless model we tested in 2014.- Which Review of the Gtech AirRam (Mk1).
With such impressive reviews for the original AirRam, I had high expectations for the new improved version, the Gtech AirRam Mk2 cordless upright vacuum cleaner.
Could the AirRam Mk2 really be the solution to all of my floor cleaning woes?
Would it be able to tackle the crumbs my current cordless left behind? More importantly, if the AirRam Mk 2 offered superior performance and ease of use in a more compact lightweight body, could it replace my bulky upright vacuum as well as my cordless one?
For the answer to these questions and more, read on!
Review: The Gtech Mk2 cordless upright vacuum cleaner.
The neat, lightweight design and styling means it’s smart enough to have on display in my kitchen.
As with all of my product reviews, rather than give you an opinion of the AirRam Mk2’s performance straight ‘out of the box’, I wanted to test it thoroughly.
I put the Gtech Mk2 through its paces over a two-week test period. In that time I used it to tackle all of my floor cleaning tasks in every room and floor surface (real oak, laminate, porcelain tile and carpet) in my house.
Design.
One of the first things that impressed me about the AirRam is its design. It’s a gorgeous looking vacuum cleaner with its sleek aluminium handle and green/grey styling. In fact, it compliments my green/grey kitchen colour scheme so well I’ve decided to have it on display, rather than hide it in the utility cupboard. It fits perfectly beside our cabinet and can be charged using the nearby wall socket.
The handle of the AirRam is retractable and removable for easy carriage and storage.
Oh, and did I mention the AirRam has bright LED searchlights on the front so you can see into awkward corners and dark areas. I love this feature! Practical and cool!
The AirRam Mk2 from Gtech is a fine looking vacuum cleaner. The green and grey coordinates with my green and grey kitchen.
Light-weight and easy to use.
For such a high-performance vacuum, the AirRam Mk2 is remarkably light, weighing just 3.5kg (7.7lbs). This is thanks to its revolutionary design, which does away with so many bulky parts.
Although it lacks the hose and nozzle of my standard upright vacuum cleaner, it’s lightweight design and edge-to-edge technology means it’s great for cleaning the stairs.
Using the AirRam is a dream. It glides around all of the rooms in my house and across all of my floor surfaces with ease. It moves effortlessly between different floor surfaces, too, with no settings to change. Furthermore, because it’s cordless, I don’t have to dodge the power cable or faff around moving the plug from socket to socket when the cord doesn’t stretch.
The features of the AirRam I’ve found particularly useful is the ultra-low profile and tilting handle. The low profile enables me to reach all the way under our bed and the sofa in our extension which used to be a safe haven for our resident dust bunnies! Furthermore, the tilting handle is perfect for cleaning right up to the edge of the plinths under our kitchen cabinets, whilst keeping the handle clear of the cupboard doors.
AirRam has an ultra-low profile, allowing you to reach under chairs and tables. Image source: Gtech website.
Performance.
The Gtech AirRam might be smart, lightweight and cordless but those things mean nothing if it isn’t able to clean the floor properly. Thankfully, the AirRam didn’t disappoint. It’s a powerful vacuum cleaner, with impressive suction. The AirLOC system does what it says on the tin too, tackling bits of fluff and dust as well as larger crumbs on our tiled kitchen floor. I travelled from tiles, to real wood to our living room carpet and I could feel the AirRam adjusting to the different surfaces with ease.
As soon as I started to vacuum our lounge carpet I noticed the AirRam’s superior suction power compared to my other vacuums. It picked up all of the visible dust and dirt and even lifted the indents in the carpet where the footstool had been. I’m also impressed by the Mk2’s revolutionary AirLOC system. It swept up dust, debris, fluff and lint, as well as the odd crisp crumb.
Although powerful suction is important, I wanted to see if the AirRam’s edge-to-edge capabilities were as good as Gtech claimed. Could the AirRam tackle the crumbs my other cordless vacuum left behind? It could, and the results were impressive. The AirRam cleaned right up to the edges of my kitchen plinths, picking up every bit of dust and debris. It was a similar story when I used the AirRam on the stairs. Although it doesn’t have attachment nozzles, it was light enough to carry up the stairs and I was able to clean each step. The only places it didn’t clean thoroughly were the narrowest points at the turn in our staircase.
Emptying.
The dirt collection system has been completely redesigned in the new AirRam Mk2, making it easier to empty with even less mess.
Gtech claim the AirRam’s redesigned dust collection system is easier to empty and makes less mess than it’s predecessor. When I looked at the dust collection compartment, I wasn’t convinced it would hold much dust. However, with the new system, the dust is compressed in the head of the vacuum, which gives enhanced dirt storage capacity.
I love how simple it is to empty the dust from the AirRam. All you need to do is unclip the dust collector, open it, then cleanly eject the tubular dirt bale straight into the bin by sliding the ejector arm. There’s also a filter stored within the dust collecting compartment which can be removed, washed and reused when necessary.
Runtime.
AirRam’s power comes from a professional grade 22V Lithium-ion battery.
AirRam’s power comes from a professional grade 22V Lithium-ion battery. Its energy efficient design means you can clean your home twice on one 4-hour charge, running for up to 40 minutes; a 1-hour short charge will deliver a burst of additional run time.‡ A 4-stage LED display indicates how much charge is left in the battery.
I was easily able to clean the floors throughout the house with one charge. In fact, I reckon I could clean the entire house two or three times before it needs recharging.
Another advantage the AirRam has over my current cordless vacuum is the ability to remove the power pack. This means you don’t have to store the AirRam near a socket or use extension cables. In my case a socket nearby so I can charge the power pack in situ.
Cost.
The Gtech AirRam Mk2 is available exclusively on the Gtech website and costs £199.
If you have pets, you may want to upgrade to the K9 version, at £249. It incorporates upgraded aluminium components to withstand the wear and tear caused by pet hair and has refillable floral scented tabs that fit into the filter, to leave rooms smelling clean and fresh.
There’s also a handheld cordless cleaner available, the new and improved Gtech Multi. It’s the perfect partner to the Gtech AirRam, using the attachments you’re familiar with from your upright vacuum, but incorporated them into a lightweight, cordless hand-held design. The Gtech Multi Mk2 costs £149. However, you’ll save £49 on RRP if you combine it with the new Gtech Multi Mk2 (£299) or Gtech Multi Mk2 K9 (£349).
Please note: All Gtech products come with free UK Delivery, a 2-year guarantee, and a 30-day money back guarantee if you aren’t happy with your product.
Conclusion.
I love the Gtech AirRam Mk2 cordless vacuum. It’s exceeded my expectations. I love it’s sleek, lightweight design, its ease of emptying and powerful suction. More importantly, I’m impressed with the AirRam’s edge-to-edge cleaning, which means it picks up particles and crumbs in every corner of my kitchen.
However, perhaps the best thing about the AirRam is it solves all of my floor cleaning woes. Instead of relying on a battered low suction vacuum or having to resort to a dustpan and brush when my old cordless vacuum failed to pick up all the crumbs, I have the ultimate floor cleaner in one lightweight, stylish package.
Hello Gtech AirRam Mk2, make yourself at home!
Find out more.
To see the Gtech AirRam Mk 2 in action, why not check out this video:
For more information about the Gtech AirRam Mk2, visit the Gtech website: Gtech
I was sent a Gtech AirRam Mk2 in return for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own honest assessment.
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