LAST UPDATED: 04 Nov 2020
Best Car Vacuums – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide


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This product guide is written by Paul Hardwick
Anyone that has decided to get a car vacuum knows the options on the market are overwhelming. It’s important to get a vacuum that is easy to use, lightweight, and will actually keep the inside of your car clean. Make sure you consider whether you want a vacuum that is corded or cordless and if you want a handheld model or a wet/dry shop vacuum. Here are a few tips and reviews to help you find the best car vacuum for your needs.
About The Author


Welcome to Vacuum Picker!
My name is Paul Hardwick. I am passionate about all things vacuum. From very early on I was fascinated with them and after earning an engineering degree in electro-mechanical systems, I have been able to appreciate them even more. Here I will share with you my insights on the options available in the market & help you pick the best for all your vacuum needs! Read more.
10 Best Car Vacuums
1
Black & Decker Dustbuster
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Perfect for vacuuming your car or for cleaning around the house, the Black & Decker Dustbusteronly weighs 2.6 pounds, so it super easy to use anywhere. This is a cordless car vacuum that you can use on dry materials and features a max voltage of 16 volts. With a suction power of 15.2 air watts, this car vac also comes with a washable dustbowl that features a capacity of 20.6 ounces.
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2
Armor All Shop Vacuum
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For anyone looking for a wet/dry vacuum, the Armor All Shop Vacuum is a handy choice with a two HP motor. It features a 2 ½ gallon storage tank along with a ten-foot power cord giving you plenty of length to an outlet. Easy to move around, this replace/dry vac is a convenient way to clean out your car and take care of both damp and dry messes.
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3
Dyson V6
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On any vacuum list, you would be remiss not to list a vacuum from Dyson. The Dyson V6 comes from this company that specializes in producing high-quality vacuums, so it makes sense that they would have this model that will clean your car out efficiently. One of the pricier options on our list, the Dyson V6 is also worth the investment.
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4
Eureka EasyClean
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Corded and compact, the Eureka EasyClean is a handheld car vacuum that comes with two motors. One motor is for suction while the other powers the brush. Designed for household use, this vacuum is also a great choice for cars due to its flexible hose that comes with a gap tool.
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5
Shark Cordless Pet Perfect II
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Anyone that travels with their pet in their car knows how helpful having a vacuum that is designed just for sucking up pet hair can be. With the Shark Cordless Pet Perfect II, you get a pet brush that is motorized and created to suck up pet hair that is embedded on any surface. This 18-volt cordless vacuum only weighs 4.3 pounds making it a little heavier than other handheld vacuums on the market.
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6
Dirt Devil Scorpion Vacuum
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Our next choice is from the well-known Dirt Devil brand. The Dirt Devil Scorpion features a quick flip design that is handy when it comes to cleaning up a car. This handheld vacuum features this integrated gap tool to make it easy to vacuum out nooks and crannies. You also get a 16-foot cord as well as a 2 ½ foot extension hose attachment.
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7
Vacmaster Wet/Dry Vacuum
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If you have a larger vehicle, you may be in need of a decent wet/dry vacuum. The Vacmaster wet/dry vacuum features five HP and a 12-gallon capacity. Made for heavy use, this is a great investment for those that want powerful suction and a strong blower speed that also features a two-year guarantee.
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8
HOTOR 4S Car Vacuum
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The Hotor 4S is a popular corded car vacuum that features 12-volts along with 4500PA of suction power. This is a lightweight option that only weighs 2.44 pounds, but comes with three attachments and a stainless steel HEPA filter. It also features a 16.4-foot power cable, so that you can maneuver around the inside of your car easily as you clean.
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9
Shop-Vac 5989300 5-Gallon
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If you’re looking for a wet/dry vac with a large capacity, the Shop-Vac Wet/Dry Vacuum features a five-gallon capacity and a stainless-steel design. This is a popular choice thanks to its lightweight and compact size. Plus, it includes a wheeled dolly that measures the full circumferences of the vacuum allowing you to easily move it around as you vacuum out your car.
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10
HOLIFE Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
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The Holife Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is an affordable option that is available in two models. One is more compact and features a HEPA filter and 4000PA suction power while the other is a little bigger that features a typical filter, dry/wet use, and 6000PA suction power.
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Car Vacuum Buying Guide
Considerations When Choosing the Best Car Vacuum


Weight & Portability
A vacuum needs a little flexibility to maneuver in out of the corners of your car’s interior and behind its headrests, not to mention trying to get down in between the center console and the seats. A bulky shop vac may not be able to get into those small areas, so it’s important to consider the weight, mobility, and dimensions of the car vacuum you want to buy.
Besides the vacuum’s ability to work in a tight space, you also want to consider the capacity of its dust bin and how that will affect the weight of the unit. The weight displacement and portability of the unit can be greatly impacted by the hose management, cord location, and body style, so keep all these things in mind as you choose a car vacuum.
Dirt Containment & Capacity
Bagless vacuums are a good design to have in your car. Typically, a vacuum that is designed to operate as a bagless system will use multiple filters in order to capture dust particles of any size and shape and hold them in the dust bin.
The capacity of the dustbin varies depending on the body style of the vacuum. In a shop vac, the canister can capture four times the amount of dirt that a handheld vacuum can. With this extra space, you have an extended time between emptying the vacuum out, but the added bulk changes the design of the vacuum dramatically. Plus, a car vacuum may need to suck up both dry and damp messes, which can require you to swap out from foam to cloth filters to stop damage to the motor.
Power Source
Ranging from cordless battery-powered models to typical AC corded versions, the power source in an automobile vacuum has otherwise few variations. With corded power, you don’t have to worry about the battery dying, recharging the battery, or reduced suction, but you will have to deal with maneuverability and cord range issues.
A cordless vacuum utilizes a battery to power the suction of the vacuum and allows you to be free of short cords or having a hard time getting around to tight corners. You are still restricted by how much power the battery has, which is often gauged by minutes instead of hours.
Other power solutions that are able to balance out these other two power sources include a dual functionality that uses both corded and battery options. There are also options with a 12-volt cord that was designed to plug-in the car’s own charging ports.
Attachments and Functions
The attachments and tools that come with a portable vacuum cleaner for car help to keep your car+boat interior clean no matter what happens day today. Created to deal with specific circumstances to keep your vehicle’s interior in pristine condition. Other features like blower functions, battery indicator lights, and adjustable suction settings are also nice additions to a car vacuum.
Versatility
Having the versatility to take on several types of messes is another great feature of a car vacuum. Including flexibility power sources, blower functions, extension wands, and attachments can add to a unit’s overall versatility. Hose diameters and lengths are also a big consideration when choosing a car vacuum to handle different types of tasks, but it’s super important to make sure that the vacuum has the ability to take on its main task.
Battery Life & Cord Length
The power source is always one of the main considerations when choosing any vacuum. In a car vacuum, having to deal with a cord or a battery can be a huge impact on its productivity.
If you go the car vacuum cleaner cordless, you either want to make sure you have a battery with a long lifespan or multiple batteries that removable, so you can recharge the main battery. With a corded vacuum, you need to make sure it has the best reach for your car. Also, remember that a wet/dry shop vac will come with a pretty short cord since the intention of the vacuum is so that a user can use an extension cord to maximize the units reach while minimizing the bulk of the canister.
Features to Look for in the Best Vacuum Cleaner for Car
Multiple Power Sources
Having several options for power can make a handheld vacuum for car pretty versatile. With the capability of switching in between a 12-volt car cord or battery power, this unit gives you a constant feed of power without interruption. Plus, using dusting brushes and crevice tools combine with the suction power of the vacuum to get rid of all types of dust and debris from your vehicle’s interior.
Cleaning Tools
An extension wand can help reach deep into a trunk or back under a seat while an upholstery brush can help turn up hair from mats and other upholstered surfaces.
Replaceable or washable filters
Having the right suction function and airflow connection to the vacuum’s filtration system can add up. So, it’s important to be able to replace or wash filters frequently. On most vacuums, you will find a reusable filter that will last for at least a dozen washes. Make sure to air-dry the filter once you rinse it out to get rid of all the trapped moisture.
What Are Other Ways You Can a Car Vacuum?
You don’t’ only have to use a cordless hand vacuum in our vehicle, you can also use them for tons of chores around the house. They are an efficient way to clean patio and outdoor furniture, pet beds, boats, and furniture upholstery. Common everyday spills can be easily cleaned up with a compact and lightweight hand vacuum.
Typically, a car vacuum also makes a great vacuum for stairs since they are able to navigate hard to reach places and access tight spaces with very little bulk. The miniature, motorized tool along with upholstery attachments are easy to incorporate on a carpeted surface or anywhere you have a lot of pet hair.
A car vacuum can be a super handy tool to have in your car allowing you to tackle any mess as it happens. It's important to find a model that gives you the maneuverability and cleaning power your need for your vehicle and your everyday life. This means reaching those tight spots between the console and the car seats as well as in between the seat cushions.
Your top pick should be comfortable to use, convenient, and compact car cleaning model that has good battery lifespan or a long cord to give you the reach you need in the trunk and under the seats. You also want something easy to clean out and that will be ready and waiting for the next mess. Not only will a handy car vacuum keep your car clean, but it will save you time and money from all those trips to use the gas station vacuum.
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