Best window vacs for tackling condensation

The best window vacs are a doddle to use and will easily remove condensation on windows, leaving them without any streaks or missed water droples.

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, as well as a Great Value option that costs less than most and still gives you streak-free windows.

The window vacs we tested

Only logged-in Which? members can view the test results below. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our recommendations below.

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. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Amazon Basics Window Vacuum Cleaner Set AEU-VK-9015M

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

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

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

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 Cordless Handheld Window Vacuum Cleaner

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

Fighting a constant battle with condensation? Our guide to the best dehumidifiers can help you win

Karcher WV 5 Plus Cordless Window Vacuum Cleaner

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 Cordless Window Vacuum Cleaner

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

Salter SAL0012V2 Window Cleaning Vac

Size and weight 31.5 x 28.8 x 18cm (HxWxD); 630g

Battery life and charging time 30min; 3hr

Window cleaning kit included None

Need to know Water container capacity 60ml, squeegee width 28cm

Titan Cordless Window Vacuum TTS799VAC

Available from Screwfix (£29.89)

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

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.

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. The best vacs don't leave a single drop behind, while the worst miss spots and drip water over the floor. 
• 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 have 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. The worst will only give you about 9 seconds of use per minute of charge, while the best will do almost triple that. 
• During charging, we 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 with your window vac, rather than simply sucking up condensation?

1. Spray cleaning solution on your windows and let it settle for a minute or two before vacuuming.
2. Switch on your window vac and gently slide the squeegee in a straight, vertical line down the window pane. Don't move it too quickly, and always keep your vac upright during use.
3. Start from one edge and make vertical downward passes on the glass, overlapping your previous one slightly to avoid missing patches or leaving streaks.
4. Keep an eye on the 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.

The WV 1 and WV 2 Karcher vacs are available as base models with no included accessories, while all four are available as a Plus variant that includes a spray bottle and microfibre cloth kit. The WV 2, 5 and 6 have Plus N versions that include the spray bottle, microfibre cloth and a narrow suction nozzle for detailed cleaning.

Here's a quick comparison of how their price 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.

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Is it worth buying a window vac?

While it's possible to clean your windows without using 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. This can often be a problem during autumn and winter, 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 cost up to £100, which for simple home-maintenance tasks such as clearing condensation and giving your panes a clean can seem a sizeable 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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