Across the high street, one budget gadget keeps slipping into baskets because it takes the sting out of glass cleaning. The latest Silvercrest window vacuum at Lidl pairs a 40-minute battery with a simple spray-and-squeegee routine that suits busy households.
Why a cordless window vacuum is landing in trolleys this week
Lidl is selling the Silvercrest cordless window vacuum for €21.99, a price that undercuts many branded rivals by a wide margin. The pitch is simple: spray, wipe, and vacuum away dirty water before it runs, leaving glass clear and floors dry. The unit targets standard windows, mirrors, shower screens and tiles, which means one tool can handle several fiddly jobs.
€21.99 for a cordless unit with a 40-minute runtime, a 360 ml sprayer and machine-washable pads is hard to ignore.
Households trying to keep rooms bright as days shorten want quick wins. A cordless format removes the dance around sockets and leads, so you move from room to room without stopping. For families, that time saving matters as weekends fill up fast.
Freedom to move without a trailing cable
The Silvercrest model runs on a 2200 mAh lithium-ion battery, which gives up to 40 minutes on a single charge. That window feels long enough to cover a typical flat, including lounge doors, bedroom panes and bathroom mirrors. A two-colour indicator helps you judge when to plug in again, so you avoid half-finished panes.
What the box includes and why it matters
A 360 ml spray bottle, two machine-washable microfibre pads and a flexible rubber lip come as standard. The sprayer handles either water or a mild cleaning mix. The pads lift grime before the vacuum step collects the residue. The rubber lip hugs uneven glass and tiled surfaces, which limits streaks at the edges. The result is fewer tools in hand and fewer trips to the cupboard.
How vacuuming the rinse water changes the job
Sponges and wipes spread dirty water and shed lint. By contrast, a window vac pulls the liquid off the glass as you pass, so the mess stays inside the waste tank. Floors, sills and frames stay drier, which cuts post-clean wipe-down time. It also helps on shower screens where hard water can leave white drips within minutes.
In use: speed, handling and the small details that count
The device feels light enough for one-handed passes, which helps on upper panes. The handle sits well in the palm, so you can tilt the head slightly to maintain contact along the lip. That helps reduce the faint lines you see when the angle wobbles. Many users report a full run of a two-bedroom flat within one battery window if they work methodically.
A three-step routine that fits a busy schedule
- Fill the sprayer with water or a mild glass solution and mist the pane evenly.
- Wipe with the microfibre pad to loosen road film, fingerprints and soap marks.
- Vacuum from top to bottom with a slight tilt, overlapping each pass by a few centimetres.
For large patio doors, work vertically first and then add a short horizontal pass near the bottom edge where water can pool. On mirrors, reduce solution to avoid over-wetting. For shower screens, rinse with warm water first to soften limescale, then complete the three steps.
Try a cross pattern: vertical passes, then a light horizontal sweep to chase any remaining beads at the edges.
The numbers: key specs at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | €21.99 (with €0.30 eco-participation noted in-store) |
| Battery | Li-ion, 2200 mAh, up to 40 minutes |
| Sprayer | 360 ml capacity |
| Pads | 2 microfibre pads, machine washable at 60 °C |
| Waste handling | Built-in vacuum for dirty water |
| Use cases | Windows, mirrors, tiles, shower screens |
| Returns | 30-day free return window reported for deliveries |
What shoppers say they value most
Speed tops the list. A job that once ate an hour shrinks to a set of short passes. Streak control comes next. The vacuum step reduces the lines that paper towels often leave. The washable pads appeal to families aiming to cut disposables. Storage needs are modest, so the unit can sit in a small utility cupboard without fuss.
Price, returns and the eco angle
The €21.99 ticket pushes the tool into impulse territory, especially for renters and first-time buyers. Lidl indicates a 30-day free return period on deliveries, which lets you trial the routine risk-free. An eco-participation fee of €0.30 applies, and the brand provides guidance on battery recycling at end of life. That clarity helps households who want to avoid waste.
Tips to avoid streaks and extend battery life
- Use soft water or add a splash of distilled water if your tap water is hard.
- Work out of direct sun to stop solution drying before the vacuum pass.
- Rinse pads after each session and wash at 60 °C to keep fibres lifting grime.
- Keep the lip clean; a quick wipe removes grit that can scratch glass.
- Partial charge between rooms if you plan a deep clean of multiple doors.
Where it fits against pricier rivals
Household window vacs often sit between €50 and €80 with similar runtimes and smaller sprayers sold separately. Silvercrest’s bundle includes the core accessories in the box at less than half that typical outlay. The trade-off is straightforward: you get the essentials for routine cleaning without brand extras like heated cleaning heads or app timers.
Safety and reach: what to consider before you start
For upstairs panes, work from inside where possible to avoid ladder risks. If you must use a stepladder, keep three points of contact and avoid overstretching with the vacuum in hand. For tall panes or conservatories, pair the unit with a simple extension handle if compatible, or break the job into upper and lower sections from secure footing.
Useful add-ons and a quick cost check for households
A litre of basic glass solution costs a few euros and lasts months when misted lightly. Microfibre pads withstand dozens of washes, which spreads the cost. Paper towels drop from the list, which saves cash and reduces bin waste. If you clean every fortnight for six months, that is roughly 12 sessions; at €21.99, the tool lands under €2 per use in the first half-year, then keeps dropping.
Plan a seasonal routine that fits your space: a 40-minute window covers a two-bedroom flat with four standard windows, one patio door, two mirrors and a shower screen if you move in sequence. Start with the clearest glass first to avoid transferring grime, and end in the bathroom where soap film is heavier.
For limescale-prone areas, add a mild vinegar mix to the first pass, then switch to plain water for the vacuum step to prevent streaks. For allergy-prone households, empty and rinse the dirty water tank after each run to avoid odours. Store the unit with the tank dry and the pads aired, which helps the battery and textiles last longer.
