Fed up with streaky panes? Lidl’s SilverCrest window vac is €21.99: can one pass save you hours

Windows eat weekends, wrists ache, and streaks refuse to shift. People want quick wins, small prices, and tidy results.

A pocket-priced window vacuum from Lidl is drawing attention for promising fast, streak-free panes with less elbow grease. At €21.99, the SilverCrest-branded cleaner lands squarely in impulse-buy territory, and its spec sheet aims to take the drag out of routine glass care.

One pass, no streaks: how the gadget works

The device pairs suction with a flexible squeegee so dirty water disappears as you wipe. That stops drips, keeps the blade in contact with the glass, and reduces the need to go back over the same spot. It feels more like hoovering a pane than polishing it by hand.

Streak-free in a single pass, with electric suction catching drips before they trail down the glass.

The squeegee lip bends around window edges and frames. That helps on awkward corners where cloths leave marks. Because it pulls moisture into a tank through suction, you do not chase water with towels, and you avoid cloudy residue that often appears as glass starts to dry.

Design and build

The SilverCrest unit is compact and easy to steer. It tackles more than windows: bathroom mirrors, shower screens and smooth tiles sit squarely in scope. A light body and centred handle make it comfortable for longer sessions, while the nozzle width is suited to standard panes and interior glass.

Battery and charging

Power comes from a 3.7 V, 2200 mAh lithium‑ion battery. Lidl states up to 40 minutes of continuous use per charge, with bicolour LEDs flagging battery status at a glance. Charging is via USB‑C, taking roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours. That port choice matters: you can top up from a phone charger or a power bank without hunting for a proprietary brick.

Up to 40 minutes per charge, USB‑C top‑up in 2.5–3.5 hours, and status LEDs you can read quickly.

Accessories in the box

The bundle leans practical. You get the suction nozzle, a 360 ml spray bottle, two machine‑washable cleaning pads, and a USB‑C cable. The spray bottle covers pre‑wetting and agitation; the pads lift grime; the vacuum stage finishes the surface without streaks.

Price, availability and early reaction

At €21.99, the unit undercuts many familiar window vacs by a wide margin. That price sits where a single professional clean for a small flat might land, which is why interest has spiked among people who want to keep on top of glass without booking a service.

Early buyer comments cluster around three angles: speed, visible absence of streaks, and reduced effort. Users say they move through multiple panes quickly, with only a quick cloth pass needed around frames. Several mention that the lightweight build keeps arms fresher for longer sessions. A few add that mirrors and shower screens come up especially well because the vacuum stops that familiar bead-and-drip pattern on vertical surfaces.

Fast passes, fewer cloths, less fatigue — owners highlight speed and clean finishes for a budget outlay.

Who will get the most from it

Anyone with large patio doors, full‑height glazing or a bathroom plagued by water marks stands to benefit. Renters who want their deposit back tend to like the speed. Parents pressed for time will welcome not having to shuffle piles of microfibres during a Saturday clean.

If you only tackle a couple of small panes a month, this is still useful because it doubles as a shower‑screen helper. Limescale picks up easier when moisture disappears straight away, so you spend less time scrubbing and more time rinsing and moving on.

Tips to get the best result

• Pre‑spray and agitate: use the 360 ml bottle and pad to loosen grime before you vacuum.
• Work top to bottom: let gravity help and keep streaks from wandering back up the pane.
• Overlap strokes by a centimetre: that avoids thin lines where the blade lifted.
• Wipe the squeegee lip every few passes: a quick cloth swipe prevents fine haze.
• Mind the frame: vacuum the last 2–3 cm gently, then dry the gasket with a small towel.
• Mix a simple solution: warm water with a dash of washing‑up liquid; add a little white vinegar for hard water.
• Avoid harsh chemicals on tinted films or ageing sealants: test on a corner first.

How it compares with pricier rivals

Window vacs from household names often sit in the £40–£70 range and typically quote 20–35 minutes of run‑time, with proprietary chargers and similar squeegee widths. Lidl’s SilverCrest aims to outlast some of those on a charge, trades brand gloss for a lower ticket, and adds the convenience of USB‑C. You do not get premium accessories or a long model list, but the essentials are here for routine home care.

What the numbers mean in real life

Run‑time dictates pace. At two to three minutes per standard pane — spray, quick pad pass, vacuum pass — 40 minutes covers roughly 12 to 20 panes before a recharge. That range includes drying the squeegee and tidying edges. A small house with a couple of patio doors and a handful of windows should fit inside one session. Larger homes will likely split the job across two charges or two days, which is still manageable when top‑ups are as simple as plugging in a phone cable.

Care, safety and longevity

Empty the dirty water tank promptly. Wipe the squeegee lip after each use. Wash the two pads in the machine and air‑dry them so the pile stays grippy. Keep the unit away from standing water; it vacuums moisture but is not designed for immersion. Do not use on cracked panes. Use stable steps for high glass and avoid leaning out while the motor is running.

Extra ways to squeeze value

Turn it into a bath and kitchen helper. Tiles behind a hob or sink often collect a film that smears if you use paper towels. A light spray, brief pad scrub, then a vacuum pass clears that film in seconds. Hard‑water stains on shower screens respond well to a pre‑soak with a vinegar solution, followed by a slow vacuum stroke. For car detailing, interior glass benefits too, provided you keep the nozzle away from soft trims and electronics.

If you share a home, set a monthly glass rota and time a session: five minutes in a bathroom, ten for the main room. Small, regular runs keep limescale and airborne grime from building up, so each pass stays quick. Combine with a squeegee-friendly rinse aid on shower glass once a week to reduce spotting, then let the vacuum handle the final dry.