How we tested
Mumsnet editor Poppy tested the Tower Cordless Window Cleaner in her home over the course of January and February 2024. With multiple single-glazed windows in her house, she tested the window vac on damp windows, as well as for cleaning tiles and a shower screen. She took detailed notes on quality, effectiveness and ease of use.
Our verdict
If winter weather turns your windowpanes into puddles, Mumsnetters swear by investing in the best window vac you can find. These clever gadgets are part shower squeegee, part dehumidifier and they swiftly suck all the condensation from your windows, storing it safely in their water tank to be emptied into the sink.
I was initially sceptical about the window vac. Having never used one before, I wondered how much more effective it would be than simply wiping windows with a piece of kitchen towel, as I had done in the past. However, after one use the value of a window vac was clear to me. By sucking water into a tank (rather than just pushing it down the pane onto your window frame), it dealt with the water much more quickly and effectively. If you have multiple windows to deal with each day, it definitely saves time.
The Tower Cordless Window Cleaner has a generous 150ml water tank, so you won't need to worry about emptying it after every use. The vac itself is also quite large, so you might need to manoeuvre around handles to get to all the condensation. I have some sticky-out handles and the window vac fit comfortably under them, although I had to hold it at a slightly awkward angle.
Contrary to popular belief, window vacs aren't a one-trick pony, and the Tower Cordless Window Cleaner is also useful for cleaning windows, tiles, oven doors, kitchen worktops - pretty much any shiny surface. Just spritz some glass cleaner onto the surface and draw the window vac over for a clean, streak-free finish.
Related: The best budget dehumidifiers under £100
How easy is the Tower Cordless Window Cleaner to set up?
Arriving with very minimal assembly required, the Tower Cordless Window Cleaner is quick and easy to put together. With a 3-hour charge time, I did have a to wait a while before I could set to work on my windows with it.
It's worth noting that the Tower Cordless Window Cleaner comes with a mains charger included, but it isn't a USB cable so you'll need to keep this safe - it won't fit the usual USB-C, Micro USB or Lightning charger cables you might use with your smartphone.
Once the window vac was fully charged, it took just a few swipes to get the hang of. Start at the top of your window and draw the window vac downwards for best effects, or sideways for awkward spots. I have fluted glass on on back door, which took a little more attention and pressure to get all the moisture from between the grooves.
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