Accidental dirt spills are possible as the gap that dirt travels into the collection bin is on the side, rather than the top. Careful handling usually means you can remove it without anything falling out, but the spillage risk is more significant than most vacuums, which contain the dirt at least until you’re holding them over a dustbin. In the floor unit, there’s a single brush bar with two lines of bristles running along its length in a double helix. The collection bin lies horizontally behind the roller and has room for 0.8l of dust and dirt. Unlike the HyLite 2, the AirRAM MK2 doesn’t use a bag, so there are no additional running costs. The result was even better on carpet, collecting every piece of cereal apart from a few stragglers that had escaped to the side, registering at 100% on my scales.

Like all batteries, Gtech sweeper batteries don't last forever and after many hours of constant use they can begin to lose their run time. The first thing to establish is that the battery is charging correctly and that it is fully charged before you use your sweeper.You still need to bend down to empty the vacuum though, as you have to lift the collection bin out of the floor head. Without any clips or buttons it just lifts straight out, but doing so needs both hands, with one holding the floor head down while the other jiggles the collection bin out of its tight-fitting slot.

When ready for emptying, the collection bin must be rotated into a vertical position, and a clip on the bottom releases the dirt. Anything that doesn’t fall out straight away can be teased out with a lever, which can be moved up and down the bin’s length to nudge out any stubborn wads of debris. Fully extended, the vacuum measures 1,120 x 297 x 256mm (HWD), although it shrinks to standing 845mm tall with the handle dropped. The whole unit weighs 3.2kg, with most of the weight in the base (as is typical of the upright design). While that keeps things simple, it leaves the vacuum struggling to find the appropriate suction power on a variety of surfaces, something that Gtech hasn’t got quite right. However, to help combat this, if you shop around you’ll find offers to bundle the AirRAM M2 with Gtech’s excellent Multi MK2 K9 handheld vacuum cleaner. That’s a fine combination, but most of its rivals have a handheld option already built into the same model, and these bundles inevitably cost more. When shopping for sweeper spares you will need to know your model number, which can be found on the rating plate on the underside of the main cleaning unit.Switching the AirRAM MK2 on and off is a breeze, with a huge button on the floor head that you operate with your toe. That’s literally all you need for everyday use of this vacuum, as it has no other buttons for changing suction levels or floor types. All information provided is a guide only. BuySpares accepts no liability for any problems occurred while