A DECENT vacuum cleaner is an essential bit of kit if you want to keep your home spick and span.
The new Gtech AirRAM 3 vacuum cleaner is the brand’s most premium vacuum cleaner to date and certainly gives well-known rivals a run for their money.
The Gtech AirRAM 3 provides impressive suction promising to pick up dirt like no other machine, a self-cleaning filter function, anti-hair wrap technology and a 30-minute run time at full charge.
I was curious to see if the Gtech could woo me away from my trusty Dyson (albeit an older V6 Absolute model).
Take a read of my full review to find out exactly how the Gtech performed and my honest thoughts on the machine.
Pros
- Very strong suction
- Easy to manoeuvre
- Quick and easy initial set-up
- 30 minutes run time off a full charge
- Self-cleaning filter
Cons
- Bigger vacuum head makes it harder to navigate smaller spaces, tight corners and stairs
- Cannot convert to a handheld
Rating: 8/10
How I tested the Gtech AirRAM 3 vacuum cleaner
When testing the Gtech AirRAM 3 vacuum cleaner, I considered a range of vital factors, including how easy it was to set up out of the box, how well it picked up dirt and dust, and how well it got into corners around my home.
I also looked at how easy it is to empty, how well it charges and how much I could get done in the full 30-minute run time.
I also considered the look and feel of the machine and how easy it was to manoeuvre and lift around.
More on vacuum cleaners
Gtech AirRAM 3 vacuum cleaner: Quickfire Q&A
How much is the Gtech AirRAM 3? The Gtech AirRAM 3 costs £419.99, putting it at the premium end of the spectrum and aligning it with Dyson’s V8 and V11 cordless models.
Who’s it best for? The biggest USP of the Gtech AirRAM 3 is its powerful suction, and I can imagine that if you have pets, this machine would be ideal for picking up hair. If you are an allergy sufferer you would benefit too, as this machine really does lift all dirt and dust.
What we loved: As you can tell, the suction made this a winner and the 30-minute run time at full charge means you can easily deep clean a larger space like an open-plan dining/living room without having to stop and start.
What we didn’t: The main vacuum head is large and you don’t get smaller crevice tools that other brands sometimes supply with their machines. This makes getting into tight spaces near-impossible, so if you have tighter, awkward spaces in your home this might not be for you.
Gtech AirRAM 3 review: The Nitty Gritty
First impressions
Gtech AirRAM 3 Dual Edge-Clean Cordless Vacuum, £399.99
I was surprised at how compact the box was for the Gtech AirRAM 3 and impressed with how easily and quickly I was able to unpack and put it together.
I didn’t even need to glance at the instructions to fit the main handles to the vacuum head.
In the end, I did give the instructions a quick once-over to check how to empty the filter and what the lights meant, but setting up was a breeze.
Gtech AirRAM 3 Dual Edge-Clean Cordless Vacuum, £399.99
I was really pleased to find that the battery was charged up, so once everything was set up, I could crack on without having to wait around.
The Gtech AirRAM 3 looks slick design-wise; the monochrome white and black hardware looks modern and sleek and the LED lighting strip at the front adds a touch of style and functionality.
The docking station is smaller than I expected, which is a welcome revelation as I was worried it would be hard to store if it was as bulky as I initially envisioned.
Does it deliver?
As I previously mentioned, I was impressed with the very quick set-up out of the box, so I was able to put the Gtech AirRAM 3 straight to use.
The first thing I noticed is it does feel weightier than my older Dyson to hold, but not in a bad way; it feels sturdy and robust.
Gtech AirRAM 3 Dual Edge-Clean Cordless Vacuum, £399.99
I love the leather trim on the handle, which adds to the luxurious feel of the machine and is comfortable to grip.
The on/off button control is on the main vacuum head, so you can tap your foot on it to turn it on and start cleaning without any fuss.
I was instantly impressed with the suction, which you can feel as it glides across your floor. The brand refers to it as the “self-propulsion” of the machine pulling forward.
I mainly have hardwood flooring in my home and felt the Gtech did a great job lifting away the dust and dirt with ease.
Gtech AirRAM 3 Dual Edge-Clean Cordless Vacuum, £399.99
The wider opening also means you don’t risk getting larger debris stuck in your machine as it runs, and the audio on the machine will tell you if it detects any blockages too.
I normally use my Dyson with the extra suction power enabled to get the same effect, so I was impressed.
My house has steep carpeted stairs, and it was tricky using the Gtech on this area as the wide base made it hard to navigate and manoeuvre such a small surface area.
I think in future, I will stick to my Dyson, which converts to a handheld, for vacuuming this area.
Gtech AirRAM 3 Dual Edge-Clean Cordless Vacuum, £399.99
It was very easy to steer the Gtech machine around my living room/dining area, navigating around bits of furniture and plant pots.
The main vacuum head has two large back wheels which help stabilise the base as you zoom about, which adds to the sturdiness.
I was sceptical about whether the Gtech AirRAM 3 would be able to get into corners and clean well. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the design and functionality of the edge brush technology.
It basically comprises two mini brushes that spin on the front of the machine, flicking dirt into the pathway of the main suction area.
So in the corner alcoves of my downstairs spaces, the wider vacuum base was still able to get into the right-angled corners and remove debris.
Gtech AirRAM 3 Dual Edge-Clean Cordless Vacuum, £399.99
I love the illuminating LED light strip at the front of the machine, which appeals to my OCD tendencies of trying to pick up every last speck of dirt or dust I can see.
It helped me see any areas I may have missed.
I was able to do my whole downstairs in one charge without feeling like the suction was waning, which I sometimes find happens with my trusty Dyson when it’s been used for a while.
The Gtech has smart audio features, which means your machine talks to you.
It gave a real-time update that it was cleaning the filter, which prompted me to afterwards nosily lift out the filter and have a quick look at what had been collected.
The filter at the top of the vacuum head easily clicked out of position when pressed, and I could pull it without any extreme force or difficulty, making it easy to empty into the bin.
Gtech AirRAM 3 Dual Edge-Clean Cordless Vacuum, £399.99
The self-cleaning filter is a bonus, because let’s face it, nobody really enjoys cleaning one, or does it as regularly as they should.
Once I was done, I tucked it back into its compact docking station to recharge. The machine easily clicked into place, and I positioned it upright into place in one swoop.
More on appliances
How much is the Gtech AirRAM 3 vacuum cleaner?
The Gtech AirRAM 3 costs £419.99 (including free delivery) which isn’t cheap, but it’s a similar price point to some Dyson and Shark models available on the market.
It’s definitely a premium machine; I think the quality of the design and technology you get justifies the cost.
Gtech AirRAM 3 vacuum cleaner review: The Verdict
I set out to test the Gtech and compare against my trusty Dyson — but did it meet my expectations?
It’s safe to say the Gtech impressed me more than I thought it would.
From the easy unboxing and pre-charged battery, which meant I could get started instantly, to the powerful suction that removed the finest of dust particles.
In my opinion, the Gtech AirRAM 3 rivals the latest Dyson and Shark alternatives both in results and cost.
The Gtech AirRAM 3 is a winner if you are looking for a premium machine that is durable, easy to use and provides tangible results.
I would recommend this machine to families and households with pets, who need a powerful machine to deal with the high-traffic areas of the home.
I think if you have a small home with lots of nooks and crannies to navigate, I would give this machine a miss and invest in something that converts into a handheld or has multi-tool attachments instead.
