Gtech Multi MK2 | Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner for Cars, Stairs, Home | 22V Li-ion Battery | Powered Brush Bar

It is only the first day - but I am so pleased with this hand-held cleaner.I previously bought cheap (Chinese?) versions - which were fairly good but eventually lost their charge and had to be thrown away. Then I bought the Shark one - the very attractive stick version. It looked great but didn't work very well - so I returned it.This one isn't very pretty (a woman's opinion) - but that doesn't matter because it works really well and has very good suction. Excellent for the stairs (with a bright light) and the crevice tool is really good. I am elderly, and need two hip and knee replacements - so my stairs have always been a problem. Not now though. Some say it is heavy - but I certainly don't think so - and I have arthritis in my hands.Be careful at first removing the battery / filter etc. as it may be a little stiff. Wriggle things a bit (as they suggest) and they all work fine. It does say you need to remove the battery before changing the attachments (a bit of a faff when you are on the stairs) but you DON'T. I phoned their helpline and the lady (who also owns one) says there is no need to do this.This machine has been well thought out - thank you Nick. Nice to have a spare filter too when you have washed one, and good that you can buy attachments, and an extra battery. Seems like British workmanship at its best. If you are careful with it (it is plastic after all) and keep it clean and unclogged - it should last a fair while - and it does have a 2-year warranty. It is early days for me - but I thoroughly recommend this cleaner. Should I have problems in the future - I will amend my review.EDIT: It was said that you need not remove the battery when changing attachments - but when I spoke to another rep. and she said they recommend this when using the brush bar (on the K9) because you could accidentally turn on the machine. So a H&S issue but if you are careful it shouldn't be a problem.

Powerful and with long lasting battery. It works perfectly. Ideal to use in the car or indoors to hoover something quickly.

The Gtech Multi MK2 K9 is the second handheld vacuum we've owned and used for all cleaning duties aboard our 53-foot narrowboat home. It replaces a Dyson DC34 'Animal' -- the only other handheld I can compare it to (and which I quickly became disillusioned with).After a month's use, the Gtech turns out to be a robust and powerful tool that cleans our floors and carpets well, and easily picks up the sort of dust and ash (from the solid fuel stove) you get on an inland waterways vessel. Because the diameter of its pipes and tools are larger than the Dyson, it's able to pick up things like leaves and the occasional clump of dried mud off the floor that the more lightweight Dyson couldn't handle. The Gtech seems more like a proper 'hoover' in this respect than the Dyson. It also has an extension tube for reaching higher up things like the tops of curtain rails and the ceiling.The Gtech is also more robustly built. It's tools simply slip on and off -- held by friction -- and the canister just snaps in and out for emptying. I like this simple, 'mechanical' approach to design. In contrast, the Dyson has fine, plasticy and fragile clips, 'levers' and holding buttons that are finicky to use and break easily unless you are very careful with them. If they do break, you can only replace the entire module at very high cost.Powerwise, I think the Dyson has slightly more suction in picking up dust in one spot but, as I said above, the Gtech can pick up larger chunks of stuff, which is ultimately more useful.I've only had the Gtech for over a month, so can't comment on longevity. That will be the ultimate test.I did have problems with the Dyson Main Body Assembly (the 'trigger handle' and electronics module) ceasing to work after less than 20 hours use -- and the run-around I experienced with Dyson customer services and the many email exchanges over many months to get it replaced was unsatisfactory.A really simple thing on the Gtech that I love is the headlight. There's lots of dim nooks and crannies in a narrowboat and a little focused light is really helpful. It also has a 6-inch crevice tool stored in the handle, which is handy to pull out, stick on and use when needed.The Gtech weighs a bit more than the Dyson, but I think this is its strength -- this makes it stronger, simpler to use and pick up more stuff. What more do you want?