Without cable, but with bag: the Gtech Pro Bag tested
22.11.2018
Translation: machine translated
Hoovers with a bag are commonplace. You can also find cordless hoovers in many households these days. But: Combining the compelling sales arguments of both devices in one product is new.
The first hoover without a cable but with a bag - that's the marketing slogan of the new Gtech Pro Bag. Cordless hoovers are practical in that you can use them anywhere without restrictions. Hoovers with a bag have the advantage that cleaning is extremely easy: full bag out, empty bag in and you're done. Gtech has combined these two things in the Pro Bag. I tested whether the unique selling point of the latest product from England deserves special attention or is nothing but dusty air behind it.
Gtech Pro Bag
The 2-in-1 floor and handheld hoover is not only supposed to free your home from dust, but also be very easy to clean - thanks to the bag. So even 3-in-1, I would think. In any case, the whole thing sounds very promising. And the purchase price of 299 francs doesn't seem excessive to me - provided the thing delivers what it promises.
Unboxing
When you buy a Gtech Pro Bag, you get everything you need. In addition to the main unit with motor, battery and bag container including bag, an extension tube and a large floor nozzle for "normal vacuuming"a smaller nozzle for upholstery or for the car, a narrow attachment for corners and inaccessible areas and a dusting brush for stubborn dirt. Floor and handheld hoover in one: The scope of delivery is impressive.
You will also find a charging cable, a spare bag (another one is already included in the main element) and operating instructions in the box. There are also LEDs on the main element and the large floor nozzle to make it even easier for you to see where the dust is hiding. Or for all those who like to vacuum in the dark. I find the LED lights particularly useful when using the handheld hoover in a dark corner or under the sofa. They are rather unnecessary with the floor brush.
The thing with the bags
A vacuum cleaner with a bag? Who has a vacuum cleaner with a bag these days? They have to be replaced all the time - if you don't, you're doing something wrong. The problem is that replacing them is expensive. Depending on the manufacturer and model, the refill bags can be quite expensive. On the other hand, I no longer have to clean filters and all the dust stays in the bag. The cleanliness in and around the vacuum cleaner cannot be denied with bags. But the same applies to the additional costs.
At Gtech Pro Bag it is 26.70 francs for 10 bags (price at Galaxus on 19/11/18), making 2.67 francs per bag. The manufacturer specifies a service life of 1-3 months for an average household. Assuming you have to change the bag every month, that's 32.04 francs per year. I think that's fine.
The thing with the battery life
The Gtech Pro Bag has two levels: Max and Eco. According to the manufacturer, it can vacuum continuously at high power for 20 minutes on the Max setting. I tested it for 21 minutes and 24 seconds. According to Gtech, the Eco setting allows 40 minutes at lower power. I only managed 38 minutes and 35 seconds here. The battery is fully charged after 3 hours and 31 minutes - so I fell almost 30 minutes short of the manufacturer's 4-hour specification.
How it vacuums
On the parquet floor, there's nothing to complain about on either the Max or Eco setting. My girlfriend's long hair disappears just as easily as breadcrumbs or dust flakes. The floor nozzle with integrated roller is designed for all types of surfaces and does not damage wooden or stone floors. A rubber lip at the front of the nozzle ensures that there is no escape for dirt even when the vacuum cleaner is moving backwards. I was pleasantly surprised by this: I like!
On carpet, my rating is a little more mixed. The power setting gets most of the dirt out of deep fibres, but not as well as my bagless hoover with cable. The red devil from Electrolux has the edge here. On the Eco setting, the Gtech Pro Bag takes longer to vacuum, but you also need this time as the power decreases. Nevertheless, the result is fine even on carpet. Cleaning the vacuum cleaner itself is simple and clean: you remove the full bag and fill in a new one, done.
How it feels
I've never vacuumed cordlessly before. Although the cable doesn't really bother me with my vacuum cleaner, it was only with the Gtech Pro Bag that I realised how flexible I could actually be when I'm out and about. If I switched back to my old model, the thing would definitely get in the way. I don't claim to be a hoover freak, but I'm not opposed to this chore either. My first cordless vacuum makes me wonder - is this the new must-have? I'll have to rethink the vacuum cleaner question after my move at the latest.
One shortcoming of the Gtech Pro Bag is its weight. The 2.4 kilograms of the main unit are not too heavy for me, but the vacuum cleaner is definitely not "light as a feather and easy to manoeuvre", as Gtech writes. Especially after 40 minutes, you can feel that you have vacuumed dust. Not only because the dust is gone, but also because your arm hurts. For petite people, this fact could lead to unwanted and excessive effort when vacuuming.
Conclusion
The 20 minutes of cordless vacuuming at maximum power is enough for my small 70 square metre flat. The suction power is sufficient on both the Max and Eco settings, but not outstanding. The flexibility and versatility of the Gtech Pro Bag are clear plus points. I've never been a fan of bag vacuum cleaners, but with the prices and the fact that there's no need to clean the vacuum cleaner, I'll have to think again. For 300 francs you get both a floor and a handheld hoover that you can use anywhere. The battery is quickly charged, but also quickly empty again and the three-layer bag offers plenty of space for dust.
For smaller households, the Gtech Pro Bag is the perfect appliance for getting rid of dust easily, quickly and cleanly. For larger households, I would recommend a more powerful model - more powerful especially in terms of suction and battery performance. Although it convinced me, I don't think it will be able to hold its own against bagless vacuum cleaners. This is because replacement bags cost money and have to be reordered regularly. If I combine this with the laziness and greed of mankind, bag vacuum cleaners will probably soon be threatened with extinction.
And you?
Vacuum cleaner
How do you suck?
- With cable and with bag29%
- Cordless and with bag4%
- With cable and bagless22%
- Cordless and bagless45%
The competition has ended.
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Header image: Looks like a pimped-out sports car, but it's a vacuum cleaner: the toxic green Gtech Pro Bag with LED lighting.
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.
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