The 5 best window vacs for clearing condensation, tested and approved by our team

Dealing with condensation every day can be tiresome, but having one of the best window vacs can be a real time-saver. These moisture-clearing machines suck the water off the glass, leaving it completely dry and free of streaks.

The benefits don't stop there – not only do they help with clearing window condensation, but they're also a powerful tool to have in your cleaning kit, and can be used on other surfaces such as mirrors, shower screens, and tiles.

Here at Homebuilding & Renovating, we've been on a mission to find the very best window vacs on the market and have rounded up five of our favourite picks below, with the Karcher WV 6 Plus scoring top points for its long-lasting runtime and high-quality build.

The Quick List

Tight for time? Here's a brief overview of the best window vacs, along with jump links to their full descriptions.

The best window vac overall

Image 1 of 4

Being the original inventor of the window vac, it’s no surprise that Kärcher’s Window Vac WV 6 Plus is our top pick overall. This device has loads of impressive features, but the most outstanding is its 100-minute running time, which knocks the other options in this guide out of the park.

As well as the window vac itself, you’ll also receive an additional narrow suction nozzle to help you get into smaller gaps – super handy if you have panelled windows or want to get right up to the seal.

Once you’ve sucked away the condensation, you’ll also be able to give the glass a good clean, as this window vac comes with a microfibre cloth that attaches to a spray bottle – perfect for scrubbing away those pesky smears. Kärcher has also thrown in a sachet of 20ml glass-cleaning concentrate to get you started.

Priced at just under £120, this is more expensive than the other options in this guide, but we think it’s worth the investment thanks to its long-lasting run time, multiple attachments, and low battery indicator. If that’s too expensive for your budget, I’d recommend the Daewoo Hurricane ClearVac Window Cleaner as a good, cheaper alternative.

• Back to the top ⤴

The best affordable window vac

Image 1 of 2

Costing under £30, we were blown away by this window vac's price tag and performance when Homebuilding’s Assistant Editor, Sarah Harley, put it to the test. After using it on her condensation-ridden windows, she was very happy with the results and said it cleared the moisture effectively: “It removes the water and leaves the window pretty much streak-free.”

While this window vac is an excellent choice for large windows, Sarah noted that it might not be the best option for multi-panel sash windows like hers, as “the blade is too large to make it as quick and easy a job as it could be.”

Weighing 900 grams, Sarah said the machine was lightweight to hold and easy to use – though it’s worth bearing in mind that the handle is smooth, with no additional grip features. It holds up to 60ml of water (significantly less than the Kärcher model), which Sarah notes can fill up quite quickly. As for the noise levels, it was louder than she had expected, given its smaller size.

She says, “The biggest learning curve when using it was discovering that you have to keep it upright the whole time you use it. The minute you start to tilt it too far, the water starts to come out of the container.

“It may be that this is the same on other models, but I had naively assumed I’d be able to twist and turn it as I needed to. It’s why using it on multi-panel windows isn’t ideal, as I’m not able to get as much into the corners as I would like.”

• Back to the top ⤴

The best window vac cleaning kit

Image 1 of 3

If you want to tackle condensation and dirty windows at the same time, the Daewoo Hurricane ClearVac Window Cleaner is the one for you. The device comes with a microfibre cloth that attaches to a spray bottle – similar to the Kärcher model, but at a fraction of the price.

This window vac has an impressive 300ml water tank capacity, which is significantly higher than the Beldray model, meaning you won't have to empty it so frequently. I love how it detaches from the base, so when you do need to clean it out, you can do so easily and quickly.

The device has a 30-minute running time and a lightweight design, making it very easy to work with. It doesn't have a grip pad, but since it has a D-shape handle, this didn't cause me any issues.

The window vac left my glass completely streak-free, and when it came to my weekly cleaning, the microfibre cloth and bottle made the job a lot easier – helping me get into the corners and reach a little farther than I usually can. You do have to go back and forth quite a bit, but I still enjoy using it and like the end result.

• Back to the top ⤴

The best premium window vac

Image 1 of 3

Unlike other window vacs we've tested, this model from Vileda offers two power modes: a lower suction setting if you want to save the battery, and a higher suction setting for when you're working with a lot of water and need to get the job done quickly. According to the brand, the ‘max’ setting offers 50% more suction than competitor products.

To find out whether it's any good, Homebuilding's former Deputy Editor, Michelle Guy, put it to the test on her single-glazed windows to see if it could get rid of the condensation.

She was impressed with its lightweight, portable design, which is easy to use on the go, and praised how quickly it removed the water. However, she warns that the ‘max’ line is there for a reason – if the liquid exceeds this level, it will start to drip out if you turn the vac to the side.

The device comes with a removable, dishwasher-friendly water tank, making it easy and convenient to clean. In terms of sound, Michelle commented that it wasn’t very noisy and comparable to the volume of a small low-voltage car vacuum.

Her favourite feature is the flexible neck, which helped her quickly reach excess water that had pooled down the frame and press harder to suck up the condensation. Compared to the Beldray model, this one worked much better when used side to side – useful to note if this is how you plan to use it (just make sure the water tank stays below the max line).

There may be cheaper options out there, but Michelle was very happy with the results and has added it to her everyday routine.

Read the full review

• Back to the top ⤴

The best window vac for hard-to-reach areas

Image 1 of 4

If you have hard-to-reach windows, like skylights, this Swan window vac is our top pick, as it comes with an extension pole to make the job easier. Not only does this save you from standing on a chair and risking a fall, but it also gets the job done in half the time.

As well as the vac itself and the extension pole, you'll also receive a spray bottle, a cloth holder, and two washable microfibre cloths, so you'll have everything you need to get started.

The water tank is the largest of all the options in this guide, holding 350 ml of liquid, which saves you from having to constantly empty it. The device works well on a range of surfaces, including windows, tiles, showers, and oven doors, with a running time of 35 minutes from a three-hour charge. This isn't the longest option we've seen, so if you plan on doing a heavy day of cleaning, the Kärcher model will work better for you.

Amazon reviewers have praised the vac's lightweight design and how much quicker it makes cleaning and clearing condensation. One commented that it has made her life "so easy" when it comes to wiping her skylights and patio doors.

• Back to the top ⤴

How we tested the best window vacs

To help you find the best window vac, we scoured every major retailer and considered the specs, reviews, and overall value for money. After narrowing the selection down to five options, we tested them in our own homes, taking the following factors into consideration:

• How effectively did the window vac remove water and leave a streak-free finish?
• How easy was the window vac to hold, move and operate, including grip and weight?
• How convenient is the water tank, in terms of capacity, emptying, and drip prevention?
• How long does the battery last?

For more information on our procedure, read our dedicated page on how we test products.

Curated by

Curated by

Megan Milstead

This buying guide was curated by Homebuilding’s content editor, Megan Milstead, who tested the Daewoo Hurricane ClearVac Window Cleaner.

How to choose the best window vacs

When it comes to choosing the best window vac, Katie Lilywhite, vacuum expert at AO, says to consider the following things:

1. Battery life and charge time: "You’ll want enough run time to handle your home’s windows without the battery giving up halfway – make sure that 20 or 30 minutes is feasible."

2. Suction power: Before you make your purchase, check the device’s suction power, as "this will determine how streak-free the finish is."

3. Water tank size: "Another tip is to check the water tank and making sure this is big enough to handle your windows. This means you’ll have fewer trips to the sink even if you have heavy window condensation this winter.”

Still feeling undecided? Here's a quick comparison of the models in this guide:

Katie Lilywhite

Katie Lilywhite is a category buyer at AO.com with expertise across various appliances, including dehumidifiers.

FAQs

How do window vacs work?

You can trust Homebuilding & Renovating. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and materials in order to help you choose the best for your home and garden. Find out more about how we test.

“Window vacuums are essentially a handheld vacuum squeegee designed to suck moisture off smooth surfaces," Katie Lilywhite, vacuum expert at AO, explains.

"You spray your window, tiles, shower screen or perhaps mirror then wipe down with your window vac’s squeegee blade and the vacuum hoovers up the water before it can drip. This is all powered by a tiny motor that creates suction which pulls dirty water into a small tank, leaving your windows clean and dry.”

Do window vacs work for condensation?

Yes, window vacs do an excellent job at removing window condensation, and according to Katie Lilywhite, this is the main reason most people buy them.

She explains, "Window vacs remove moisture instantly so it can’t drip onto your windowsill or soak into the walls. This makes them super effective at tackling condensation and far quicker than if you were to wipe your window with a cloth. They’re also non-streak so you won’t end up smearing the water around and can help quicken up that cold morning clean up as we get closer to winter."

The best window vacs are a good solution, but if you want to tackle the root of the problem, read our guide on how to solve condensation and how to prevent condensation on your windows.

Edited by Beth Murton.