We select top-selling window vacs from leading UK retailers and put them through a string of tough tests to find out which are the best. Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien) Karcher Window Vac WV 6 Premium review: price and availability

So, what can the window vac be used for? Well obviously, the main use is for cleaning windows but in our experience, it can also be used for cleaning shower doors and removing condensation from surfaces. The window vac is extremely versatile and we found it particularly useful for cleaning up liquid spills but you may find it handy for other applications. In fact, it will perform great on all smooth surfaces. What’s in the box? Another good use for the window vac is cleaning up liquid spills from hard floor surfaces, such as laminate, tiles or hardwood flooring. For this test, we simply poured water on the laminate/tile floor surface and the window vac handled this with ease. Again the surface was left clean and streak-free but we were surprised to find that the floor was almost entirely dry to the touch.

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The water tank, which holds 150ml of dirty water, is also easily removed for emptying. Since dirty water takes some time to accumulate, you won't have the hassle of frequent emptying. Condensation on windows can be the bane of life for many over the winter months. Except those smart enough to have bought a Kärcher Window Vac. I also have a Karcher window vac. It's brilliant for clearing condensation and also for cleaning the windows.” Rated by Mumsnet user Clarice99 Our verdict Reviewer Mel lives in a three-bedroom house in Sussex with her husband, two teenagers, three cats, three degus, two tortoises and a hamster called Winnie. I sprayed the cleaning solution on the harder-to-reach areas of the shower screen first, then turned on the window vac. I moved in a vertical direction and could see the buildup (almost) vanish. This was a great result.

Mel has been using the Kärcher Window Vac for several years, on a daily basis throughout the winter months, to remove water from single-glazed windows. It is also frequently used on the shower and to vacuum up spillages from the kitchen worktop. About the author Mel said: “In the mornings in the winter, because we're not double glazed, the water is running down our windows and it's obviously going to damage the paintwork. With this, I can vacuum all of it up. It’s brilliant and it doesn't take very long.” It comes with two interchangeable squeegee heads, which can be detached from the suction nozzle for cleaning after use. These heads measure in at 18cm and 28cm. Both feature the new lip technology to allow for upper-edge cleaning to the ground without interruption, to achieve a streak-free finish.We judge how comfortable each window vac is to hold and empty. We also do this wearing Cambridge Simulation Gloves – a piece of kit that helps replicate the experience of users who suffer with limited hand movement. The WV2 Plus and WV5 Premium models are pretty much the same base unit, the only difference being that the WV5 has a removable rechargeable lithium-ion battery for even extra run time. The WV1 uses the older, bulkier and heavier, base unit.The difference is mainly in the accessories you are supplied. We recommend that you avoid the WV1 model as it only comes with a standard wide nozzle and has no cleaning tool (plus it’s the old base unit). The best bet is to go with the WV2. Log in now or join Which? to see our full results and find out if any Karcher window vacs are good enough to earn our Best Buy recommendation. Reviewer Mel King has had many happy years of use out of her WV50 Plus, which is still going strong, proving that sometimes the original really is the best.