Keeping a car in good shape takes a lot of routine maintenance and cleaning. While most people focus on the outside of their car, or what’s under the hood, you cannot ignore the car’s interior if you want to maximize its value and lifespan. A car’s interior quickly collects dust, debris, human oils, and more as you regularly drive it to and fro. For a quick and routine cleaning, you will need the best car vacuum. Like home vacuums, these vehicular dust suckers come in many shapes and sizes.
Because they are smaller and less powerful, you'll need to decide between the consistent performance/limited range of a corded vacuum or the limited use/greater range of a battery-powered option. You should also keep an eye on the different accessories a vacuum offers to make the cleaning quicker and easier. Here are the best car vacuums you should consider.
Comparison Table
Car Vacuum FAQ
1. What Is a Car Vacuum?
2. What Does a Car Vacuum Do?
3. How Does a Car Vacuum Work?
4. Where Can You Buy the Best Car Vacuum?
How We Reviewed
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The following products were reviewed based on Features, Pros & Cons, Price, Where to Buy, and Warranty.
Overall Price Range of the Best Car Vacuums
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The price of the best car vacuums varies significantly. The products we reviewed range in price from $15 for a small, handheld, battery operated unit to $315 for a large wall-mounted commercial-grade system.
What We Reviewed
- Picks up wet and dry debris; frequency: 60Hz. Able to clean up both solids and liquids polypropylene tank holds 2.5...
- 2.5 gallon storage tank and 2 horsepower motor with an auto shut-off to prevent overflow
- Includes 6-Foot hose and 10-foot cord. Cannot plug into the car
Features
This vacuum picks up wet and dry debris. The polypropylene tank holds 2.5 gallons. It has a 6 Amp/2.0 peak-HP motor with ample suction power and easy conversion to a blower function. Auto shut-off detects when the fill limit is reached and prevents overflow. A top handle and onboard accessory storage make for easy carrying. Its built-in air and noise diffuser minimizes volume. Other great features include a 10-foot cord with wrap, 6-foot, 1.25-inch hose, reusable cloth filter, reusable foam sleeve, 2-in-1 utility nozzle, crevice tool, deluxe car nozzle, blower nozzle, and detail brush. No assembly required.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
This product carries a two-year manufacturer's warranty.
- Lithium Ion for long battery life and outstanding performance. Always ready - holds a charge for up to 18 months
- Long life, Lightweight, and no memory effect.Suction Power-15.2 AW; Dustbowl Capacity: 20.6 oz.
- Smart Charge Technology uses up to 50% less energy,air Watts: 15.2 Watts, Voltage: 16V MAX
Features
This vacuum boasts lithium battery technology, strong suction and fade-free power. With a translucent bag-less dirt bowl the dirt is easy to see and empty. The hand vac can hold a charge for up to 18 months when off the charger and is lightweight enough to tackle quick pick ups. Smart Charge Technology high efficiency Lithium ion battery chargers help to protect your hand vac by automatically shutting off when the battery is charged, allowing you to store it on the charger while maintaining long run times.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
This product carries a two-year manufacturer's warranty.
- Strong suction & fade Free power. Suction Power:24 AW
- Pet hair brush easily removes stubborn pet hair
- Easy to empty, washable bowl and filter for thorough cleaning
Features
This vacuum features lithium battery technology for strong suction and fade-free power. It also includes a pet hair brush to remove stubborn pet hair. The unit is cordless, portable and ultra-compact and its flexible 4-foot hose reaches dirt high and low. A high-performance motor delivers strong suction and the quick-charging base keeps the vac charged and its accessories organized. Cyclonic action spins dirt away from the filter to help maintain performance and a 3- stage filtration system prevents dust and debris from escaping. It also has a washable bowl and filter for thorough cleaning.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
This product carries a two-year manufacturer's warranty.
- Why HOTOR: Fast and easy cleaning in a corded handheld car vacuum with lasting and high power, no worry about the issue...
- Remarkable LED Light: This 12v vacuum with a super bright LED light, great for car interiors, user-friendly and ensure...
- Upgraded HEPA Filter: The Stainless Steel HEPA filter by HOTOR's leading technology is washable and durable, plus, you...
Features
This vacuum is corded and powered by the car, great for quick cleaning. It is able to lift up dry leaves, crumbs, and dust, but it may not lift up the trash stuck in the carpet without loosening it first, especially pet hair. It has a 16.4' cord to reach every corner of the car and it comes with a stainless steel HEPA filter, a brush for loosening trash, a crevice tool, and a soft long tube for hard to reach areas.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
The manufacturer will refund the purchase price or replace the product if it is defective.
- Includes 50' hose, hanger, caddy, wands, dusting brush, and floor/upholstery tools
- Galvannealed steel and powder-coated for corrosion-resistant lifetime use. 7 gallon dirt capacity.
- Big 5.7" Ametek Lamb motor, up to 75% more life than comparative brands.
Features
This wall-mounted vacuum cleaning system has a 120-volt 5.7″ Ametek Lamb motor for performance, a sealed HEPA-style bag for filtration, and 7-gallon dirt capacity. This system comes with a variety of tools, accessories, and an extension wand. The standard hose is 50 feet long. There is a floor brush and premium cleaning tools for dusting and cleaning upholstery, vehicle floors, and the cracks and crevices of your vehicle or shop bench. A hose hanger and bag for tool storage are also included.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
This product carries a five-year limited manufacturer's warranty (90 days for commercial use).
- Portable, lightweight handheld vacuum for home, car or garage; weighs less than 5 pounds
- Motorized brush with on/off switch for thorough cleaning of carpets, Integrated filter with easy to empty dust...
- 20-foot cord gives extended reach to clean an entire room, set of stairs or a vehicle in the driveway
Features
This portable, lightweight, handheld vacuum is great for home, car or garage. It weighs less than five pounds. It has a motorized brush with on/off switch for thorough cleaning of carpets and an integrated filter with an easy to empty dust canister. The 20' cord gives extended reach to clean an entire room, a set of stairs or a vehicle in the driveway. The product features two motors, one for the brush and one for its suction, to ensure a thorough clean.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
This product carries a one-year manufacturer's warranty.
- (2 YEARS WARRANTY) Powerful Suction - 5.0Kpa suction, best ideal tool to clean the dust, sand, cig ash, crumbs, pet...
- Useful Components - comes with 3 accessories to clean your car. The Brush is used for cleaning the carpet/cushion/air...
- Wet & Dry Use - not only can vacuum dry garbage ,but also can vacuum something wet, like water.14Ft long power cord,...
Features
This vacuum has 5.0Kpa suction, 1.5X the suction of other vacuums. It comes with three accessories to clean your car. The brush is for cleaning the carpet/cushion/air conditioner outlet. The extension hose is for connecting with other accessories. The nozzle is slim and used for cleaning in gaps. Not only can it vacuum dry garbage, it can also vacuum something wet, like water or a spilled beverage. It has a 14' power cord that plugs into the cigarette lighter. The HEPA filter is reusable and easy to empty. There are no bags to replace, making this product economical and environmentally friendly.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
This product carries a one-year manufacturer's warranty.
- PICK UP AND GO: this hand vac packs power and portability - all under 4 pounds.
- CORDED POWER: 15 feet of cord = taking on every kind of mess with the power of an upright
- GREAT FOR PET HAIR AND CAR CLEANING: The lightweight and portable design is great for vacuuming pet hair or cleaning...
Features
Great for clean-ups in the workshop, house or car. The powerful 7-amp motor picks up tough messes like sand and pebbles. The Quick Flip crevice tool cleans tight spaces like couch cushions and car seats. A long 16' power cord gives you the freedom to clean complete car interiors and stairs. The bag-less design makes cleanup effortless, and at 3.75 pounds it's easy to use.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
This product carries a three-year manufacturer's warranty.
- Lift-Away Press a button to lift the canister away and easily clean hard-to-reach areas
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology + a HEPA filter Traps 999% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum
- Powerful and lightweight Portable and versatile at only 125 lbs
Features
This is a lightweight 2-in-1 Lift-Away upright vacuum with a detachable canister for portable cleaning power. With the push of a button, Lift-Away technology allows you to lift the canister away and easily clean in hard-to-reach areas. This vacuum is also armed with swivel steering for excellent control when maneuvering around furniture and has a completely sealed system with an HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens. Additionally, it has a Brushroll Shutoff button so you can easily switch between carpet and bare floor cleaning.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
This product carries a five-year manufacturer's warranty.
- BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser hand vacuum is cordless, to clean wherever your pet goes
- Motorized foot provides powerful suction for a deeper clean. Power Rating : 14.4 Volts
- Crevice tool helps clean hard-to-reach areas and tight spaces. Telescoping Extension Wand
Features
This lightweight and cordless handheld device allows you to clean up pet hair and dirt that collects wherever your furry friends play. The detachable motorized brush helps capture more embedded dirt and pet hair, providing a deeper clean. The included crevice tool and upholstery tool can be used separately or stacked together to combine their usefulness. In addition, this hand vacuum has a two-staged filtration system designed to help extend the life of the filter and provide easier cleaning.
PROS
CONS
Price
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product can be found on Amazon.
This product carries a one-year manufacturer's warranty.
The Verdict
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It should come as no surprise that the best car vacuum in this review turned out to be the VacuMaid GV50PRO Wall Mounted Garage and Car Vacuum. That being said, its price tag may be more than you were looking to spend on a vacuum. You may not want to go to the hassle of mounting it to the wall, and the 50' hose may be overkill if you just want to vacuum the trunk after hauling the Christmas tree home. It is a commercial grade unit, and it will certainly get your car clean.
If you're looking for something more affordable and portable, we recommend the Shark Navigator Upright vacuum. It is less than half the price of the VacuMaid and it is convertible from an upright to a canister model. It has an HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens, and it has an exclusive pet hair brush that effectively removes embedded pet hair. As long as you don't get one of the defective units that deliver painful electrical shocks, you're sure to love the cleaning power of the Shark Navigator Upright, and it will surely be your best car vacuum.
Featured Image via Amazon
