Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more
My longed for GTech Air Ram 2 vacuum was actually delivered to my next door neighbour so with great haste I returned home to clear Ruth and Dougie's hallway of what I thought would be a 'massive' box.
When my lovely neighbour answered the door I was so apologetic about the inconvenience but when the box appeared I nearly laughed. I have never been more surprised by anything than I was by this neat small light brown box.
I actually thought they hadn't sent me a cordless vacuum at all as it was so small - It was thirteen inches by nineteen inches and six inches deep.
As well as its compact size - the Air Ram 2 impressed in my cleaning tests as well, read on for my full rundown on why I love this vacuum.
Gtech AirRAM 2 Cordless Vacuum
Product Specs
- Number of attachments: 1
- Min/max run time: Up to 40 minutes
- Vacuum type: Cordless
- Dimensions: 112 x 29.7 x 25.6cm (HDW)
- Weight: 3.2kg
What we love
What could be better
Verdict
Where has the Gtech Air Ram 2 been all my life? It's power and lightness is unbelievable.
I was seriously sceptical, as I have used both Dyson and Shark vacuums now and how could this device compete with them? The answer is easily and should not be dismissed in the slightest.
This appliance is actually very exciting to use and I know that sounds strange but it's true. It's great value for money, too and I'd recommend GTech to anyone looking for a competent vacuum on a smaller budget.
How we test
I failed at the first hurdle of putting it all together. Sorry ladies but my husband excelled and said it was ridiculously easy. I blamed brain fog and exhaustion from a long work week for my incompetence.
We charged the battery for four hours and then started the first part of our spring cleaning. We vacuumed on the full power for a solid hour and it didn't disappoint in any shape or form.
Emptying the vacuum is really easy
We then tested how easy it was to clean out the bin and remove the hair from an almost 'industrial sized' brush. We vacuumed the house twice, taking note of charge times and ease of use.
First impressions
I opened it and found a cleverly laid out vacuum ready to be built, with the head all put together. It was half charged for immediate use but I put it on to fully charge. There were no small attachments just one solid vacuum head and handles.
I came unstuck with the handles and components and was terrified of breaking them as they weren’t numbered (would help hugely for us DIY-phobes if they were) so left for my husband to put together. It took him 48 seconds to put it it all together so it’s not GTech, it’s me.
Design and performance
When I say this appliance is AMAZING with carpet it is no exaggeration. It’s incredible. The brush feels heavy duty and brushes up the carpet robustly leaving the rooms feeling spotless. If you are at the point before the big spring clean where your carpets need a deep clean but you want to last another month, then this vacuum is a lifesaver!
The Gtech AirRAM's large floor head is ideal for big cleaning jobs
It’s not just brilliant on carpet either, as soon as you hit wooden floor you feel an almost suction-like pull on the appliance as it picks up everything in its path. I absolutely love it.
You might wonder what to do about the stairs. It took us a couple of goes but then my clever husband worked it out by collapsing the handle and he made light work of it. Even though I love the big head for ALL the floors I would prefer to have a smaller device to do the stairs but it does the job beautifully anyway.
The light on the head is fantastic going round the beds and chairs is easy, as the head moves around corners beautifully due to the lightness.
I removed the handle to clear out the mornings vacuuming and this easy design feature made clearing out the dirt from the bin so easy - you simply move the lever up and down to clear it out. Bearing in mind we vacuum most days, there was a load (see picture) of dirt and dust, mainly from the dog, as we remove our shoe in the hallway.
This vacuum picked up an incredible amount of dust - and we vacuum most days
The brush comes with a small comb device that cleverly has a razor on one side to cut the long hair off (see pic) leaving it spotless and ready to use again. The simplicity and cleverness is astounding.
The battery is easily removed and charges beautifully (takes 4 hours) for a good 30 minutes worth of vacuuming - and it’s so powerful that the suction and power holds for the whole of that timeframe.
The Gtech comes with a cutting tool to help with hair
It might sounds weird, but I loved the chunky on/off button situated on the head of it which you use with your feet. Plus there are no settings, just full speed ahead with unbelievable power for a cordless. When I started hoovering on the wooden floors I could feel (and hear) dirt being sucked up with the strong suction and thought if it’s this good on hard surfaces, it’s going to disappoint me on the carpet and not feel like it was getting everything up.
I like the chunky on/off switch - it’s easy to press with your foot without bending down
I was wrong, very wrong. It does its best work on carpet in my opinion and brings a tired looking carpet to life instantly. The more you study this brilliant device the more it excels.
Value for money
Without any doubt this machine is GREAT value for money considering the prices of other cordless devices. The AirRam 2 we used is currently £179, down from from £229.99 in the spring sales.
But looking at all the offers on the website, I probably would have gone for the bundle, which includes the vacuum I used together with a light handheld device. Such a smart package and a bargain at £269.99 or £399.99 when not on offer.
I have also seen a handheld device, which would be great for my disabled mother only weighing 1kg - and don’t even get me started on all the devices for the garden which look INCREDIBLE and great value for money. If they are anything like the Gtech AirRAM vacuum then my weekend gardening jobs are going to be a lot easier.
How does it compare to similar products?
The Gtech AirRam 2 cordless sits in a mid to low price point and competes with models like the Shark PowerPro cordless and the Hoover HF3 Cordless. Unlike most stick-style rivals, the AirRam 2 keeps the motor and dust bin in the floor head, giving it more of a lightweight feel.
This design makes it easy to push around the house and helps it clean carpets and hard floors efficiently, with up to 40 minutes of cordless run time. However, it does not convert into a handheld vacuum like many competitors, so it is best suited to straightforward floor cleaning rather than stairs or upholstery.
How does it rate online?
Customer reviews for the Gtech AirRam 2 Cordless Vacuum are generally very positive across UK retailers. On Argos it holds an average rating of around 4.7 out of 5 stars and is recommended by the vast majority of buyers.
Across multiple retailers, including Amazon, average scores tend to sit between roughly 4.3 and 4.8 stars depending on the seller.
Many reviewers praise its lightweight design, simple controls and strong everyday cleaning performance, although some note it lacks the versatility of stick vacuums that convert into handheld cleaners.
FAQs
Which is better Gtech or Shark?
Both brands make popular cordless vacuums, but they suit slightly different needs. Gtech models like the Gtech AirRam 2 Cordless Vacuum focus on simplicity and ease of use, with a lightweight upright design that works well for quick floor cleans.
Shark vacuums tend to be more versatile, often converting into handheld cleaners and coming with more attachments. If you want a straightforward vacuum mainly for floors, Gtech is a great choice. If you want more flexibility for stairs, upholstery and cars, Shark may be the better option.
Where are Gtech vacuums made?
Gtech is a British company founded in the UK. Its products are designed and engineered in Britain, although like many appliance brands, manufacturing takes place overseas in factories that produce the components and final units.