Gtech AirFox Platinum review: powerful, lightweight and extremely adaptable

There's no denying that we love a Gtech vacuum cleaner here at T3, so much so that the brand's AirRam Platinum and AirRam Mk2 K9 have both earned impressive ratings in their full reviews. With over 20 years in the industry, Gtech has proven to be a reliable brand, and this latest vacuum cleaner launch is a testament to that.

If you haven't guessed by now, I’ve recently been testing the Gtech AirFox Platinum. Launched in October last year, this new cordless model stands out from Gtech’s usual lineup – mainly because it comes with a generous range of attachments. Naturally, I was excited to put it to the test.

So, does the AirFox Platinum live up to Gtech’s stellar reputation? Let’s find out.

Gtech AirFox Platinum review: price and availability

The Gtech AirFox Platinum has an RRP of £299.99 (around $350) and can be purchased from Currys, B&Q or Gtech directly.

Whilst Gtech lists an original price of £429.99, this isn't mentioned elsewhere – so let’s stick with the £300 price tag for now. Take a look at our exclusive Gtech discount codes before you make your purchase as well.

Gtech AirFox Platinum review: unboxing and set up

Upon opening the box, my first impression was how securely packaged each component was, ensuring no damage during transit. My second? Amazement at just how many attachments were included!

The first thing I came across was the vacuum's main body, which felt extremely lightweight. After attaching the rechargeable 37V Lithium-ion battery, it was ready to go in seconds. Next, I found the main floor head, featuring Anti-Hair Wrap technology to prevent hair and debris buildup – I’ll share my thoughts on how well this actually works later.

In terms of attachments, there's a small power head for cleaning stairs and upholstery. There's also a crevice tool, brush tool and a separate upholstery tool, covering virtually every cleaning need.

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One of the biggest surprises was discovering two different tubes – something I hadn’t seen in a cordless vacuum before. The standard extension tube allows for an extended reach, making it easier to clean high or distant spots. There's also a flexible hose which is great for tackling tight or awkward spaces with ease, and I immediately saw this being useful for car interiors.

Further unboxing included a wall mount (including wall plugs and screws) to set up a convenient storage solution. There was also an instruction manual and a charger for recharging the battery.

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Gtech AirFox Platinum review: design and features

Straight out of the box, it’s clear that the AirFox Platinum was designed with usability in mind. Weighing only 2.9 kg, it’s one of the lightest and slimmest vacuums I’ve tested, and extremely easy to maneuver and store.

The digital display provides real-time updates on battery life, suction power and cleaning mode. Whilst it's a little smaller than other models, and perhaps better placed on the base rather than the top of the main body, it’s still very effective.

Unlike some cordless vacuums, it doesn’t stand upright on its own, but the included wall mount helps if you plan to store it permanently.

The Gtech AirFox Platinum is powered by an impressive 450W brushless motor, delivering exceptional suction performance. In my top five must-have features for cordless vacuum cleaners, I typically recommend anything around 200W, so you can imagine how impressive 450W is.

The vacuum offers three cleaning modes, allowing you to customise suction power and battery life based on your needs. Eco Mode provides up to 80 minutes of runtime for everyday cleaning, and Auto Mode adjusts suction power automatically based on the surface, delivering around 45 minutes of runtime. Finally, Max Mode delivers maximum suction for deep cleaning, with a runtime of approximately 15 minutes. These are all pretty standard for a cordless vacuum cleaner, but it's still great to see them present.

The AirFox Platinum also features Anti-Hair Wrap Technology in the main floor head, designed to prevent hair and debris from tangling. Additionally, Gtech’s exclusive AirLOC Technology improves pickup efficiency, allowing the vacuum to capture both large debris and fine dust particles with ease.

The vacuum has a bagless design with a 0.4L translucent dustbin, making emptying quick and easy whilst minimising contact with dust and allergens. However, at just 0.4L, the dustbin is quite small. I generally don’t recommend anything under 0.7-0.8L, as smaller capacities can require frequent emptying. If you have a larger home or prefer less maintenance, you might want to consider a different model.

Gtech AirFox Platinum review: performance

I've really enjoyed using the Gtech AirFox Platinum, and overall, it's proven to be up there with the best cordless vacuum cleaners. However, its standout features have to be its powerful suction and wide range of attachments – and at the end of the day, that’s exactly what you want in a vacuum cleaner, right?

Throughout weeks of testing, it consistently picked up large amounts of dust and debris, including particles that some previous testing models struggled with. The variety of attachments and hoses made it easy to clean my car, furniture and stairs just as effectively as my floors. Plus, its lightweight and slim design made it incredibly easy to carry around, and I had no excuse not to clean the entire house with it.

The different modes are as you'd hope, and the stated battery runtimes are pretty accurate. However, it should be noted that Max only provided around eight minutes of runtime, but I'll forgive it seeing as the suction is so impressive.

That said, a few gripes keep it from being a five-star product for me. Firstly, the vacuum has a plasticky feel, which doesn’t match the premium build of some competitors. Whilst nothing has cracked or snapped yet, it does make me feel extra cautious when handling it.

I was also disappointed with its Anti-Hair Wrap Technology. The floor head is brushless, which is a good start, but I still found hair to wrap around the roller each time I used it. After recently testing the Shark PowerDetect – a brand known for its incredible Anti-Hair Wrap tech – this issue stood out even more. If this feature wasn't marketed as a key selling point, it wouldn’t bother me as much, but since it is, I expected better.

Gtech AirFox Platinum review: verdict

I was impressed with almost everything else about the Gtech AirFox Platinum. It’s a solid, reliable vacuum that’s extremely lightweight, but what truly sets it apart is its powerful suction and range of attachments. I would recommend it entirely if you prioritise power and versatility, but keep in mind the build quality and hair wrap limitations before making your decision.

Gtech AirFox Platinum review: alternatives to consider

If you’re after a simple, no-fuss model at a great price, one alternative I'd recommend is the Ultenic U16 Flex. Ultenic is one of my favourite vacuum brands, and this model impresses with its powerful suction and 1-litre dust bin. Whilst it doesn’t come with many attachments, that’s can be a plus if you prefer a straightforward design.

If you’d rather stick with Gtech, the AirRam Platinum is a fantastic choice. Like the Ultenic, it lacks attachments, but its effortless convenience and outstanding performance on all floor types make it a standout. That’s exactly why it earned five stars in its full review.