The device also belongs to the Bosch series called "Power for all". All the appliances in this series use the same batteries, and you can swap the batteries between the devices. Where there is light, there is also shadow On the downside, it has few of the features that are slowly becoming absolute essentials on a cordless vacuum. While I could live with the clunky emptying (and actually, I’m slightly taken by it), I would find it hard to introduce a vacuum into my household that doesn’t comb hair tangles out of its floor head.

We used the Unlimited BCs122GB on stairs with both the tube attached and with the floorhead connected directly to the cleaner body. Both worked well and, if you have straight steps, the tube gives extra reach and you can support it with your other hand. For more complex stairs, shortening up the system and using the floorhead directly works well. All in all, the BOSCH Unlimited Pro Power BSS81POW1 cordless vacuum impressed with its extremely powerful suction in the cleaning tests.

A decent enough cordless vacuum cleaner but rivals offer more for the same price

This is less powerful than the low power modes on all its key rivals. The Dyson V8 and V7 are far more powerful, as are the Xiaomi Roidmi F8 and X20 and the Shark DuoClean Wireless. Even the budget Beldray Airgility Max produces more suction than the Bosch at low power. This combination allows Bosch to claim ‘unlimited’ runtime for this cleaner. On standard power setting, it will go for an hour, and the charger can power up a battery in 55minutes. With the two batteries, theoretically, you simply won’t run out of power. Emptying the collection bin is a fairly old-school endeavour. It sits at right angles to the extension wand, so this needs removing before the bin can be extracted from the handheld unit. The filter is then lifted out, leaving just the cup full of dust to be tipped into the bin. While we have no complaints with the power or runtime in Turbo mode, standard mode simply sacrifices too much suction for those long, long runtimes. Given you get two swap-out batteries and a fast charger, it isn’t even necessary. The Bosch comprehensively outruns fixed-battery competitors like Dyson anyway. It sounds convenient, but I asked myself how its performance can be maintained over time if dust particles get permanently lodged in its fibers. Other Special Features And Ultimates

However, those huge runtime differences highlight the equally massive difference in suction power between modes, and we think Bosch has got it very wrong here. Close-to-edge cleaning was very impressive, and even close up, the Turbo mode delivered a decent clean in just this single run. It took a couple of passes to get rid of all the heavier carpet powder particles, but the good suction did well in one pass.

The Bosch Unlimited 7 gets many things right, but doesn’t keep pace with the latest cordless stick developments

The filter is durable, and you don't have to wash it, just tap it out. That works well, and we liked it. Cleaning the brush As popularised by the eponymous Dyson, this Bosch is also bagless but it only has a capacity of 0.4l so you’ll have to empty it out pretty frequently. It’s smaller than the Dyson V8’s 0.54l bin, although on balance there’s not enough in it to make a significant difference to the way you’ll use the vacuum. On top of the body is the Turbo switch. That might not be as corny as Tesla’s ‘Insane’ power mode, but it seriously ramps up the BCS122GB’s suction. Runtime takes a nosedive accordingly.