I tested this cute and compact spot cleaner in my home – it's the first cleaning gadget that's actually been a hit with my kids!

I put the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner through its paces for two weeks around my busy family home, using it to refresh my carpets and sofas, and tackle various spills and mess.

Do I think it can compete with the best carpet cleaners and spot cleaners? My verdict: it's small and simple, but surprisingly capable for quick clean-ups.

In a nutshell

The first thing that won me over with the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner was how light and compact it was. It's incredibly easy to carry around, simple to pick up when a spill happens, and it doesn't take up much storage space. This is a real bonus, especially if, like me, you're running out of cupboard space. And the cute koala design didn't go unnoticed either; it's probably the first cleaning gadget that's actually been a hit with my kids!

For a small appliance, it certainly doesn't scrimp on power. It tackled a two-day-old tea stain on my carpet and lifted it far more easily than I expected. When it came to deeper, more stubborn marks, I did have to put in some manual effort, mostly because there's only one brush attachment and power setting to work with. It did leave very faint marks on some stains, but you'd struggle to notice unless you inspected really closely.

Even though it's corded, I found it really handy when it came to cleaning my stairs – an area I always struggle to deep clean. The colour of the dirty water tank was shocking to say the least, and I had no idea just how much grime was hiding in the carpet. The clean water tank capacity is generous, too, and I didn't need to pause to refill during any cleaning sessions.

It's worth noting that it doesn't come with any cleaning solution, so you'll need to buy this separately. But given that it's already a budget-friendly model, I think it's really good value for money. Overall, if you're after a simple, no-fuss spot cleaner that's genuinely effective on everyday mess, this is a great little find.

How I tested

Rebecca Lawton

I'm Rebecca, and I write freelance content for Ideal Home, where I test a variety of cleaning appliances.  With three children, my home is a constant testing ground for any cleaning tool, and I'm always on the lookout for upgrades that make everyday life a little easier.

I tested the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner for three weeks around my three-bedroom home, using it on carpets, hard floors and upholstery.

Specifications

• Weight: 3.4kg
• Dimensions: (H) 30cm x (W) 19cm x (D) 25m
• Wattage: 450W
• Clean water tank capacity: 0.1 L
• Waste water tank capacity: 0.55 L
• What's included: spot cleaner brush head,  spot cleaner self-cleaning cover, brush holder and screw
• Price: £130

Unboxing, assembly and first impressions

The Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner arrived in a neat, compact cardboard box, which was much smaller and lighter than I expected. This was refreshing for a floor cleaning appliance, which are often bulky and heavy.

Inside, I was greeted with a branded insert, featuring a welcome note from the CEO, a quick start guide, and a QR code to access the online user manual. I thought this was a thoughtful, personal touch, and not something I've come across before. The illustrated step-by-step start guide was especially handy - and gave the impression that the setup and use would be straightforward.

Below that, there was a single piece of moulded cardboard, with the appliance itself neatly wrapped in plastic packaging. I was pleased to see there wasn't a lot of unnecessary material, which usually ends up in a lot of clutter lying around that's a pain to dispose of.

Both the spot cleaner and hose were individually wrapped in plastic packaging. It wasn't immediately obvious whether the plastic was recyclable, but after a quick online search, I found it can be – just not with general household waste. It needs to be taken to a designated recycling point. While I'd have preferred the convenience of being able to recycle at home, it is still fairly eco-friendly packaging, so overall, this was only a minor gripe.

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My first impression when I removed the spot cleaner from the box was how compact and lightweight it felt. I own the Bissell HydroSteam Spot Cleaner, which is noticeably larger and heavier, so this one instantly felt more convenient to handle. I was also a fan of the cute koala-inspired design, which brings a touch of personality – so it immediately stood out as a fun and unique cleaning gadget.

Packed inside the clean water tank was the cleaning head, a self-cleaning cover, a brush holder and a screw. I was pleased to see that the parts and accessories were all neatly stored; it made the unboxing process refreshingly straightforward.

I then used a screwdriver to fix the plastic holder in place at the back of the unit. It was a little fiddly but easy enough, and only took a couple of minutes to secure tightly in place.

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The Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner has two removable tanks – one for clean water and one for wastewater. The clean water tank was easy enough to remove – I simply pulled it upwards and released the latch to remove the lid. It didn't come with any cleaning solution, which would have been useful, and the instruction manual clearly stated to use only 'non-foaming' cleaning products.

It also warned against using washing-up liquid, bleach, or substances that may damage the appliance. This did mean I had to spend some time checking which of my cleaning products were safe to use.

There was also no guidance in terms of how much cleaning solution to add, either – the manual only advised to add cold or warm water (not boiling) to the fill line. I later discovered this appeared to be a common frustration echoed by other users online. After choosing a cleaning solution that I've previously used on my carpets, I decided to play it safe and added just a capful to the tank. After slotting the lid back on, I inserted the clean water tank back into the unit, and I was ready to go.

Using the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner

On carpets

My living room carpets are a magnet for spills and mess, providing the ideal testing ground for any spot cleaner. While I swear by this quick-fix stain remover as a cleaning hack, sometimes only a machine will do. Conveniently for testing purposes (though not for me), my little one had recently poured some leftover tea all over the carpet, so this seemed like the ideal place to start. Full disclaimer: I actually left this patch of tea for a couple of days, partly because it was in a hard-to-reach area, but mainly because mum-life got in the way. As a result, the tea stain had really set in, so it's fair to say the spot cleaner had its work cut out.

To turn on the machine, I pressed the power button, and it immediately made a noise. Most spot cleaners tend to be noisy, and while it certainly wasn't quiet, it was no louder than others I've used. I'd say it was a similar noise level to my vacuum.

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I then pressed the trigger on the cleaning brush head to release and spray water over the area. I noticed it wasn't overly powerful when I sprayed it, but a few bursts were enough to cover the stain. I then pushed the cleaning head backwards and forwards over the spill.

It wasn't immediately obvious whether the stains were lifting, but once I was confident I'd covered the area, I switched the machine off and let the carpet dry. I was pleased to see the carpet was only lightly damp, and within a couple of hours it had dried completely. More importantly, the stains had completely disappeared.

I also tested it on the carpets on my stairs. I'll be honest, I struggle to give these a deep clean. Even though I own the VAX ONEPWR Cordless Compact Carpet Cleaner, its bulky size makes it a bit awkward for cleaning stairs. In comparison, the Koala's lightweight, compact design felt better suited to the job.

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I didn't think my stairs were particularly dirty, but how much dirty water filled the tank proved otherwise. Despite the unit being corded, I didn't find it too limiting. I couldn't quite reach the top step from a single plug, so I had to switch to another socket for the last couple of steps, but I'd say this was only a minor inconvenience overall.

Once finished, my stairs looked noticeably fresher, and it's definitely a tool I'll be reaching for whenever they need a quick refresh.

Spills on hard floors

I wouldn't have necessarily thought to use the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner on hard floors, but the manual advertises that it works to mop up spills on smooth surfaces, so I wanted to put it to the test.

I poured some orange cordial onto the floor, switched the machine on, and used the trigger to pour water over the spill.

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I'll admit, I was fairly dubious at this point, but after running the brush over the spill, I was impressed to see that within a few short passes, there were no visible orange stains.

That said, quite a large patch of the floor was left noticeably wet, and I had to go over it with a cloth to help it dry. Personally, it felt a bit long-winded compared to just mopping up a spill, so I'd say it's more suited to carpets than hard floors.

Cleaning a sofa

Like my carpets, my sofas put up with a lot, so I was keen to give them a much-needed refresh. Using the spot cleaner the same way I did for my carpets, I lightly sprayed the fabric with water before gently using the brush head over it to lift the moisture and dirt.

The results were more subtle than on the carpet, while there wasn't a dramatic before and after moment, my sofas definitely felt cleaner and fresher afterwards.

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I also put it to the test on the arm of my new cream sofa (some would say that was a rookie choice with a house full of children!). I'd spotted a small mark, so I wanted to tackle it quickly. Because it's a more delicate area, I was careful not to apply too much pressure.

So I do think an alternative setting or gentler mode would be helpful here. Even so, it did a really good job of lifting the stain – it was ever so slightly visible upon closer inspection, but overall I was pleased with the results.

Cleaning a mattress

My mattress is fairly new, but I did spot a small mark, and keen to stay on top of its maintenance, I decided to use the spot cleaner to tackle it. I lightly sprayed the area and powered on the unit before gently brushing over the stain. I was careful not to soak the mattress, as I didn't want to be waiting hours for it to dry.

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To my relief, it only took a few passes before the stain lifted. It was still faintly visible, but considering I didn't tackle it straight away, and deliberately avoided using too much water on it, I was impressed with the results. I'm confident if I went over it again, I'd be able to remove it completely.

Cleaning, storage and maintenance

I've already mentioned its lightweight, compact size, but when it comes to storage, this is one of the things I really like about the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner – it doesn't take up much room. The hose wraps neatly around the unit, the cleaning head clips into its holder, and the power cable sits securely around the built-in hook. As it doesn't have any other attachments, it's easy to pop away without worrying about losing any parts.

In terms of maintenance, I was relieved to find it doesn't need much at all. The filter, water tanks, and brush all need to be kept clean, and the manual advises wiping the outside of the unit with a dry cloth if it gets dirty – including under the water tanks.

The cleaning head can be removed from the hose to clean, simply by pressing the button on the front and pulling it off. You can also take off the front plastic cover of the cleaning head to clean, which I did after each use, as it does collect debris

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I also like that it has a self-cleaning attachment, which is another plastic cover that clips onto the back of the handle. To use it, I powered on the unit, then held down the trigger to circulate water through the cleaning head, then released the trigger and left the unit running until the excess water cleared from the cleaning head and hose – it took less than a minute to clear.

Cleaning the filter was even simpler than I expected. It sits underneath the waste tank, so I removed the tank, and even though the manual suggests using a suitable tool to lift the filter out, I found I could easily pick out the small, round, mesh sponge with my fingers. There was a little debris caught in it, so I rinsed the filter with clean, cold water before carefully pushing it back into place. That was literally all it took.

How does the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner compare to similar models?

Before the Koala, Gtech's main spot cleaner offering was the Penguin. The specifications are nearly identical – the designs seem to be the biggest difference.

Retailing at £129.99, it sits in the mid-range of spot cleaners. It's far more affordable and noticeably more compact than the Bissell Hydrosteam Spot Cleaner I've previously tested. However, the trade-off is that it doesn't offer steam cleaning or multiple attachments, making it less versatile.

It's also worth comparing to a couple of VAX models. The VAX Spotwash Home Cordless has the clear advantage of being cordless for convenience, but it is pricier and bulkier overall. The VAX SpotWash Duo is corded like the Koala, but it's not as lightweight, although it does offer two brush heads, giving it a slight edge when it comes to cleaning versatility.

How does the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner rate online?

The Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner has an impressive 4.7-star rating from 22 reviews on the brand's website. Customers praised its strong cleaning power and found the lightweight compact design particularly handy for tackling stairs. The main gripe, which I also encountered, was that a cleaning solution is not included, and the user manual doesn't specify how much product to use or recommend any particular type.

Beyond that, although the Koala Spot Cleaner is listed on several major retailers, I couldn't find any additional reviews. Given that the Penguin model has nearly identical specs, I also searched for its ratings. Reviews were scarce here, too, but the penguin model did have one 4-star review on Amazon. The reviewer was impressed with its suction and noted that it didn't leave carpets soaked, but mentioned the water trigger could be a bit temperamental.

Verdict: Should you buy the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner?

If you're looking for an easy-to-use spot cleaner to stay on top of everyday spills and messes, the Gtech Koala Spot Cleaner is definitely one to consider. It's compact, lightweight and incredibly easy to store, and the lack of multiple attachments means it's not overwhelming to use. It's also really low-maintenance when it comes to cleaning and upkeep.

That said, it is more suited for tackling smaller clean-ups, rather than deep cleans, so if you need something more powerful and versatile, there are stronger models out there.

For quick jobs, small spaces, or for households that want a reliable spot cleaner, without the bulk or the faff, the Koala is a practical, user-friendly choice at a reasonable price.