I'm Mumsnet's home editor - here's why I loved Gtech's AirRAM 3 Cordless Vacuum so much

Price on writing: £400 | Buy now from Argos

Our verdict

• Performance: 14/15

• Quality and durability: 13/15

• Ease of use: 14/15

• Value for money: 10/15

• Suction power: 10/10

• Battery life: 8/10

• Versatility: 4/10

• Ease of emptying: 8/10

• Overall score: 81/100

The suction power on the Gtech AirRAM 3 honestly blew me away. This high-tech vacuum cleaner guzzled up everything - from dust and dander to crumbs and cereal spills, and it even managed to hoover up a clump of hair before I’d properly run over it. When it comes to effective cleaning, this is certainly one of the best cordless vacuums you can pick up today.

It's easy to use too, with a lightweight design and self-propulsion that makes it glide effortlessly over different surfaces. The battery life is decent - up to 30 minutes runtime - and while bigger homes may find it running out on a deep clean, it was more than enough for thorough cleans of my large two-bedroom flat. Plus, when you take into account the impressive suction (which can rival turbo/boost modes on other vacs), it's a good amount of runtime for a cordless model.

However, it’s not the most versatile vacuum out there, and the lack of attachments mean you’ll need an additional handheld model for sofas, stairs, and tight corners. But for quick, everyday floor cleaning, it’s brilliant. Lightweight, easy to steer, and self-cleaning… and did I mention the suction? It gets a big thumbs up from me.

What's in the box?

Inside the box, the Gtech AirRAM 3 arrives in three main parts:

• The vacuum head

• The upper handle

• The lower handle

You’ll also find:

• Removable battery

• Charging stand

• Spare edge brushes

• Hair removal tool (this is for maintaining the vacuum and isn't an additional attachment/tool)

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How easy is the Gtech AirRAM 3 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner to set up?

Assembly was quick and simple. The instructions were clear, with helpful diagrams, and the parts clicked together easily. The only slight hiccup was inserting the battery - you need to apply a fair bit of pressure to click it in properly for it to work. Initially, I didn’t push hard enough and left it too loose.

Read next: Best carpet cleaners

How easy is the Gtech AirRAM 3 Vacuum Cleaner to use day-to-day?

I was very impressed by how easy the AirRAM 3 was to operate. Some may grumble about it only having one power mode, but I found its simplicity was a plus point. And honestly? One power mode is enough. Featuring Gtech’s patented AirLOC technology, the suction on this vacuum is incredible across different surfaces. There's no fiddling with settings or toggling between floor types required either - it really is a case of turn it on and go.

For added ease, you don't even need to bend down to reach the power button. Instead, there's a foot pedal conveniently placed at the head of the vacuum. You also use your foot to 'unlock' the vacuum from its upright position too; simply place your foot on the side of the head and pull the handle back.

Thanks to its lightweight design, the AirRAM 3 is also very easy to manoeuvre. At 3.8kg, it's not the most lightweight vacuum Mumsnet has tested (for comparison, Dyson's V15 is 2.96kg), but it's still very slim and portable for an upright vacuum. Plus, unlike cordless stick models which you have to balance against a wall or place in a docking station, it stands on its own without falling over.

The self-propelling wheels make it easy to move and steer the vacuum with little effort, and the comfortable, adjustable handle means your hands don’t ache during longer cleaning sessions. It also flattens to slide effortlessly under low-lying furniture like sofas.

A word of caution, however. The suction is so powerful that it even picked up things it wasn’t supposed to - a stray sock disappeared in seconds! But thankfully, the vacuum has a handy block detection feature - it stops immediately, and a friendly robot voice informs you, “Blockage detected.”

I also loved the handy LED headlights. While they're not quite as effective as the Dyson V15's green lights (which show EVERYTHING), they still help highlight fluff and dust you might otherwise miss.

Now, onto the downsides. The biggest drawback of this vacuum is the lack of attachments. There’s no crevice tool or handheld mode, which means you can’t easily clean sofas, mattresses, or awkward corners. The edge-to-edge cleaning is excellent, but there are still some spots, like narrow gaps, where the vacuum head simply can’t reach. Realistically, you'd also need a separate handheld vacuum for smaller or higher-up jobs.

It’s not ideal for stairs either. I live in a flat with a few steps leading to the kitchen and bedrooms, and even those were tricky to clean without any additional attachments. Also, if you lift the vacuum without locking it back into the upright position, the head sometimes spins round, so make sure you lock it before lifting onto the next step.

How well does the Gtech AirRAM 3 Vacuum Cleaner perform on hard floors?

Very well. I tested the AirRAM 3 on both laminate and tile floors, and it scooped up rice, coffee grounds, cereal spills, and general dust with no trouble. The edge brushes also did a great job of reaching right up to skirting boards.

Related: Best floor mops for hard floors

How well does the Gtech AirRAM 3 Vacuum Cleaner perform on carpets?

Excellently. The vacuum did need lifting onto my thick, deep-pile rug, but the suction power was incredible, so much so that after my first use, I found myself admiring just how clean the rug looked later that day.

It picked up fluff, hair, and debris like crushed crisps and mud with ease, and I didn’t have to repeatedly go over the same spots.

How does the Gtech AirRAM 3 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner perform on hair?

Brilliantly. While I sadly don’t have a pet of my own (yet!), my parents’ long-haired cocker spaniel, Tilly, came to stay for a weekend. She was between grooming sessions, so was particularly hairy, but the Gtech cleared up fur and dander with ease.

For an extra test, I also scattered hair from my hairbrush on the floor. The AirRAM 3’s suction was so strong it pulled a clump of hair in by being just next it, before I'd even passed the vacuum over it.

Related: We tested the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair

How is the Gtech AirRAM 3 Vacuum Cleaner's battery life?

The AirRAM 3 runs for up to 30 minutes, depending on floor type. I found that one full charge was enough to clean my two-bedroom flat, with power to spare.

Charging takes around three hours, which is pretty fast for a cordless, and I love the addition of the charging stand. After use, you just place the vacuum on the stand to charge.

How easy is it to empty the Gtech AirRAM 3 Vacuum Cleaner?

The bin is cleverly integrated into the vacuum head, which helps with manoeuvrability as the vacuum isn't too top-heavy. The capacity is fairly decent for a cordless model, especially when you consider how lightweight the AirRAM is. Larger cylinder vacuums do hold a lot more and need emptying less frequently, but they are far bulkier to move around as a result.

Emptying the bin is easy; you just pull the handle to detach it, then slide the release mechanism to empty the rubbish. I did have to nudge some stubborn fluff out by hand, but it’s mostly a clean process.

The vacuum also automatically self-cleans its filter when switched off after two minutes of continuous use, or you can manually activate this by holding the power button for three seconds.

You can also remove the brush bar for cleaning. After months of use, there were a few hairs wrapped around it, but nothing clogged or jammed, which is impressive.

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Does the Gtech AirRAM 3 Vacuum Cleaner offer good value for money?

On the whole, yes. At £400, it’s pricier than the older Gtech AirRAM MK2, but you’re paying for much better tech, excellent suction, and user-friendly features. However, it loses points for versatility, as the lack of attachments means you’ll probably also need a handheld vacuum for jobs like stairs, upholstery, or tricky corners.

How we tested

I tested the Gtech AirRAM 3 Vacuum Cleaner in my home in Hertfordshire. During testing, I carefully rated it on its suction power, effectiveness on different surfaces, features, ease of use, design, and value for money, evaluating how it performed in comparison to other vacuums I've tested.

• Tested in a two-bedroom flat over a three-month period

• Used three times a week during the testing period

• Tested on laminate, tiles, and a rug

About the author

Natasha Gregson is Mumsnet’s go-to expert on all things home related, overseeing all content related to vacuum cleaners, steam mops, and floor care. As Senior Content Editor, she leads the site’s coverage on the best cleaning appliances for family homes, from cordless vacuums to smart floor-cleaning tech.

With years of editorial experience and a sharp eye for testing performance, ease of use and value, Natasha ensures every recommendation is backed by real-life insight and rigorous research. Her work has also appeared in national outlets such as The i Paper and Stylist Magazine.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.