I tested Gtech’s newest (and most affordable) cordless vacuum – for *only* £180, I didn’t expect it to impress me as much as it did

Gtech's AirRAM range has built a solid reputation for reliable, easy-to-use vacuum cleaners. So I was keen to see how the newer Core model fits into the line-up, especially as one of the most affordable AirRAM models you can buy.

With so many of the best cordless vacuum cleaners leaning into advanced features, smart tech and multiple attachments, I tested the Gtech AirRAM 2 Core Cordless Vacuum in my busy family home to see whether a simpler approach could still hold its own for everyday cleaning.

In a nutshell

The Gtech AirRAM 2 Core Cordless Vacuum is a straightforward, no-fuss vacuum that may lack the bells and whistles of more premium models, but I found it cleaned floors quickly and efficiently. It's sturdy and practical, with a simple upright design that's easy to grab and use without much thought. Unlike most stick vacuums, it stands independently, which makes a noticeable difference day to day if you're short on storage or need to pause mid-clean.

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It performs particularly well on hard floors, where it picks up fine dust and larger debris with ease. I also appreciated the low, floor-based design, which helped it feel easier to manoeuvre around awkward spaces. With just one cleaning mode and no complicated settings to navigate, it made the overall experience refreshingly straightforward.

The simplicity does come with its trade-off, though. The bulky floorhead is less practical in tighter spaces, and without any extra attachments, it's not really suited for jobs like stairs, edges and above-floor cleaning. It's also worth noting there's no digital display or indicator alert to say when the bin is full, so I had to rely on performance changes and doing manual checks to know when it needed emptying.

Still, once I got used to its quirks, the AirRAM 2 Core slotted neatly into my daily cleaning routine. While it's not the most versatile or high-tech vacuum I've tested, it feels like a very intentional trade-off - fewer features in exchange for a lower price, and a simpler, more accessible design. For everyday cleaning, it keeps things refreshingly uncomplicated.

Specifications

• Weight: 3.2 kg
• Dimensions: (H) 112cm x (W) 30cm x (D) 26cm
• Bin volume: 0.8L
• Run time: 30 minutes
• Charge time: 4 hours
• Modes: 1
• In the box: floor head, lower and upper handles, charger, hair removal tool, manual
• RRP: £179.99

How I tested

Rebecca Lawton

I'm Rebecca, and I'm a freelance reviewer who regularly tests floorcare products for Ideal Home. I took the Gtech AirRAM 2 Core Cordless Vacuum Cleaner through its paces in my home - which is very busy with three young kids running around!

Unboxing, setting up and first impressions

I was expecting the Gtech AirRAM 2 Core Cordless Vacuum to arrive in a large box, but to my surprise, it came compactly packaged. The packaging itself was fairly plain, with just the Gtech logo printed on the front.

It opened widthways, which I always appreciate as it makes removing the contents much easier. And the floorhead was wrapped in a plastic protective layer, labelled PE-LD 0 (low-density polyethene), which can be recycled, but it needs to be taken to a specialist collection point, which seems to be quite typical for many floor care appliances I've tested. It would be more convenient if I could just recycle it at home, but technically it's not completely wasteful, so overall it felt reasonably eco-friendly.

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The contents consisted of the floorhead, a lower handle, an upper handle, a charger, a hair removal tool and the user manual. As there were no additional attachments, the unboxing process felt refreshingly simple and straightforward.

In terms of assembly, the AirRAM 2 Core was slightly more fiddly than I expected. Both the lower and upper handles arrived in two parts that needed to be slotted together, and, with the bottom handle in particular, I had to use a fair amount of force to push the pieces fully into place.

The floorhead also has a pivot poke, which needs to be pushed upright before attaching the handle, which again required more elbow grease than anticipated. There's a locking clip at the end, which needs to be pulled out so the lower handle can slot into position.

On the bottom of the handle is a small metal pin that aligns with the pivot hole. It took a few attempts (and some patience!) before I heard it click into place. Once assembled, I pushed the locking clip back in until it clicked, securing the vacuum fully.

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Once it was fully assembled, the first thing that struck me was how sturdy and robust the Gtech AirRAM 2 felt. While it doesn't have the same sleek, high-tech aesthetic as some fancier cordless stick vacuums, its simplicity gives it a practical, no-fuss feel. Overall, the design seemed centred around functionality rather than flashy features.

One immediate advantage of its upright design is that it can stand independently without needing to be propped up against a wall or stored in a docking station. This made it feel more convenient for quick clean-ups, especially given that I'm short of storage space at home.

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It also took me a moment to realise the dust bin is concealed within the floorhead - which isn't something I've come across before in a cordless vacuum. My first thought was that it would mean sacrificing bin capacity, but at 0.8L, it's actually pretty average in size. The only thing I questioned was how I'd be able to tell when the bin was full and needed emptying, since it doesn't have a digital indicator or alert system, as you get with many models.

Before use, the manual also states that the AirRAM 2 Core should be fully charged. The instructions explain how to remove and insert the battery, but as it was already fitted, there was little set-up required on that front.

The charging cable then plugs directly into a port on the back of the floorhead, so I left it connected for four hours until it was fully charged and ready to use.

Using the Gtech AirRAM 2 Core Cordless Vacuum

It's not an exaggeration to say I'm always vacuuming. With three (very messy) children and my husband all at home in our three-bedroom home, I reach for the vacuum several times a day. So I need something that's lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, but with genuinely powerful suction.

Thankfully, turning on the AirRAM 3 Core couldn't be easier. The power button is located on the front left side of the cleaning head, and while you can switch it on by hand, it's clearly designed to be pressed with your foot, which felt convenient.

I started on the laminate floor in my kitchen and conservatory, where it glided far more smoothly than I was expecting. It doesn't feel quite as lightweight or flexible as the Dreame V20 Pro Cordless I recently tested, but it does have a flexible, foldable wand for tighter reach, and the overall design is quite different.

The AirRAM 2 Core also has LED headlights. They're not as bright or sophisticated as Shark or Dyson models, but they did still help me spot stray crumbs and debris. It picked everything on my hard floors up with ease, and the flexible handle made it easy to navigate around the many obstacles in my kitchen.

While I was impressed with its overall performance, it struggled to reach stray crumbs around my skirting boards, suggesting edge cleaning isn't one of its standout strengths.

As part of how we test vacuum cleaners at Ideal Home, I then put it through its paces with a number of controlled tests. The 'debris test' involves throwing various sizes of debris on the floor and seeing how quickly and effectively the vacuum picks it up.

Starting in my kitchen, I scattered some porridge oats and flour on the hard floors before passing the floorhead over the mess. I won't lie, I expected it to take several passes to clear everything completely, but to my surprise, it picked up both the oats and flour in a single sweep.

Because the dust bin is clear, I could immediately see the flour that had collected inside, although it did make me wonder how easy the inner compartment would be to take apart and clean.

I then repeated the same test on the carpet. It did take a few passes to completely lift the flour, but it removed the oats straight away, which was still impressive overall.

I also noticed that I had to apply slightly more manual effort than on hard floors. Still, the suction power was effective enough to keep the carpets clean.

One thing I did notice, though, was that while the handle is flexible, I found it tricky to reach under my sofa due to the size of the floorhead, which made it clear that it's not quite as slim and compact as other models.

As the AirRAM 2 Core also doesn't convert to a handheld vacuum or come with any additional tools, I was curious to see how it would cope with stairs. Unfortunately, this was where its limitations became more obvious. I couldn't fit the floorhead on the step, making it awkward and impractical to use there.

One thing I did really like, though, is that the AirRAM 2 Core has a 30-minute run time, which is fairly average for a cordless vacuum. However, because there's only one setting, it means the battery drains at a consistent rate, rather than dropping quickly when using a higher suction mode, as is typical for many models.

Considering how often I used it during testing, it was several days before I needed to recharge the battery. One thing I did notice, though, is that there isn't actually a low-battery warning sign, so it can catch you slightly off guard when the charge is running low.

Cleaning and maintenance

Although there's no indicator light or warning to alert you when the dustbin needs emptying, in practice, I didn't find it an issue. Because the bin sits on the floorhead and the casing is clear, I could clearly see when it was getting full.

At 0.8L, it's a fairly average-sized bin, so I didn't feel like I was constantly emptying it. Removing the bin is straightforward, too. I just held the floorhead with one hand and pulled the handle to release it. To empty the contents, there's a latch marked with a green arrow, which slides open to release the dirt.

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The filters are also easy to access. The manual recommends cleaning them once a month, but after only a week of testing, I was surprised at how much dust had already collected around the foam filter housing cover. You can rinse this and the filter itself under warm water, before being left to dry fully before reinserting.

One niggle I did have was that I could see debris - particularly flour residue - trapped inside the plastic casing of the dustbin, but I couldn't fully reach inside to clean it. As the manual doesn't advise dismantling the compartment further, it felt slightly trickier to clean thoroughly than some other cordless models.

The AirRAM 2 Core also comes with a hair removal tool, which is especially handy for households with pets or for anyone with long hair.

Taking the brush bar out is simple: there's a release button on the side of the floorhead. As predicted, there was a build-up of hair wrapped around the brush, but the tool made light work of it. I used the cutting groove to slice through the hair before switching to the comb end to remove it. I won't lie, I found the process weirdly satisfying.

How does it compare to its predecessors and similar models?

This isn't the first time Ideal Home team has tested a Gtech AirRAM vacuum, with the team previously reviewing the AirRAM 3 Dual-Edge Clean, and the more premium AirRAM Platinum. Compared to these options, the AirRAM 2 Core definitely feels like the more pared-back option, but it comes at a more affordable price point.

While it lacks some of the fancier features found on more advanced AirRAM models, like the AirRAM 3's dual-edge technology or the Platinum's long run time and more premium finish, it still delivers the same straightforward cleaning experience the brand is known for.

In a lot of ways, the AirRAM feels designed for people who just want a vacuum that's easy to grab and use. There's no digital display and only one mode, so it couldn't be more straightforward.

It's also worth comparing to Ideal Home's best-rated cordless vacuum - the Shark Stratos. The Shark offers a more premium experience overall, with a range of hand-held tools, anti-odour capsules, multiple cleaning modes and longer battery life. It is more expensive, though, and if you're looking for an easy-to-use vacuum, the simpler approach of the AirRAM 2 Core may be more appealing.

How does it rate online?

The Gtech AirRAM 2 Core Cordless Vacuum currently holds a 4.8-star rating on the Gtech website, based on 69 customer reviews. Many users praise its cleaning performance, suction power and lightweight design. The affordable price tag is also mentioned frequently.

Interestingly, many of the reviews appear to be from existing Gtech customers who have repurchased from the brand, suggesting strong customer loyalty and satisfaction with the AirRAM models.

Despite the overall high positive feedback, some reviewers expressed disappointment at the lack of tools or attachments, particularly compared with more versatile cordless stick vacuums on the market.

Beyond that, online reviews for the AirRAM 2 Core are limited, likely because it's a new addition to the brand's cordless vacuum range.

Verdict: Should you buy the Gtech AirRAM 2 Core Cordless Vacuum?

If you're after a simple, affordable, cordless vacuum that's designed purely for everyday floor cleaning, the Gtech AirRAM 2 Core Cordless Vacuum makes a strong case for itself. It's easy to use, quick to set up and performs well on hard floors, which will cover most of the day-to-day mess in many homes.

However, if you are looking for something more versatile, a more advanced model may be more suited. The lack of attachments, multiple cleaning modes, or digital features can feel limiting, particularly in busier households. Although it's lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, it's not really designed for stairs or more awkward areas, so it may work better as a secondary vacuum, or for smaller, low-maintenance homes.

Ultimately, if you value simplicity and affordability over flexibility and features, the Gtech AirRAM 2 Core Cordless Vacuum is a solid choice. It focuses on getting the basics right without overcomplicating things.