The best car vacuums for avoiding that old car smell

If you've ever lost a rogue french fry in between your car seats, then you understand why car vacuum cleaners come in handy.
By Caitlin McCormack  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Overview

Best for Pet Hair

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser

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Best Multipurpose Car Vacuum

Shark 2-in-1 Wandvac System

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Best Hand Vacuum

Dirt Devil Grab & Go+

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Best Corded Car Vacuum

Dirt Devil Scorpion+

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Splurge-worthy vacuum

Dyson V12 Detect Slim

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UPDATE: Aug. 2, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EDT This review has been updated with new car vacuums based on the author's hands-on testing.

One of life’s most simple pleasures is the feeling of a freshly detailed car. While you can always head to the car wash to vacuum out your car, the car wash vacuum simply can’t maneuver as well (and isn’t as convenient) as specially designed at-home car vacuum cleaners. The best car vacuums have all the necessary tools and power to reach every nook and cranny of your vehicle for the deepest clean possible.

You may never get that new car smell back again, but you can still avoid the dreaded old car smell. To help you keep your car tidy, I went searching for the best car vacuum cleaner. All of the products featured in this review have been hands-on tested, and I only included vacuums that aced my cleaning tests. My household includes three dogs, so I had plenty of pet hair available for testing. On top of that, Mashable has reviewed tons more vacuums, from the best cordless vacuums to the latest Dyson vacs and the best self-emptying robot vacuums, and so we know what to look for in a cleaning machine.

With all this in mind, I've gathered the best car vacuum cleaners below. First, here's what you need to consider when shopping for handheld car vacuums.

the dyson v12 detect slim cleaning a car cupholder
Testing the Dyson V12 Detect Slim vacuum. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

How powerful should a car vacuum be?

The power of a car vacuum can be measured several ways. Total suction power is sometimes expressed as air watts (AW), while motor power is often measured in watts (W). Alternatively, as most car vacuums are now cordless and powered by lithium-ion batteries, the vacuum's power may also be expressed in volts (V). Watts and volts don't directly describe a particular vacuum's suction power, but they can be a good proxy for an appliance's overall cleaning power.

For general cleaning tasks, a car vacuum with a suction power between 12 AW to15 AW should be sufficient. Unfortunately, most vacuum manufacturers don't disclose their products' suction power. In terms of motor power, vacuums between 75 W to 150 W should get the job done. This power range can effectively handle common debris such as dust, crumbs, dirt, and pet hair. Battery-powered vacuums typically range from 12V cordless vacuums all the way up to 25V. That said, I tested one 8V vacuum that did a fine job.

In general, portable handheld car vacuums that fall within the ranges described above will be suitable for regular maintenance and spot cleaning, although they may struggle to clean your entire home. If you frequently encounter stubborn dirt, heavy particles, or extreme amounts of pet hair, you might want to consider a more powerful vacuum cleaner with a motor power above 150 W. These higher-powered vacuums can handle tougher dirt, sand, gravel, and other difficult-to-remove debris.

Ultimately, the choice of vacuum power depends on your specific cleaning requirements and preferences. Consider the type of dirt you commonly encounter in your car, the frequency of cleaning, and your budget when selecting a car vacuum. It's also a good idea to read car vacuum reviews and compare specifications to find a vacuum that meets your needs.

What is the best cordless car vacuum?

The best cordless car vacuum for you will depend on your specific cleaning needs, preferences, and budget. Consider factors such as battery life, attachments, suction power, and overall convenience when selecting a cordless car vacuum. To help you make up your mind, I've included several cordless vacuums for cars in the review below.

But, if you're looking for spoilers, I believe the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is the best cordless vacuum for cars, while the Dirt Devil Quick Flip is my top budget pick.

What to look for when purchasing a car vacuum

When looking for the best car vacuum, there are several factors you should consider to ensure you make the right choice. Here are some key aspects to look for:

Suction Power: The vacuum should have sufficient suction power to effectively clean your car's interior. Look for models with high air watts (AW) or motor power (W) ratings, as they indicate stronger suction.

Portability and Size: Consider the size and weight of the vacuum. A compact and lightweight design will make it easier to maneuver and store, especially in the limited space of a car.

Power Source: Decide whether you prefer a corded or cordless vacuum. Corded vacuums provide continuous power but may have limited reach, while cordless vacuums offer greater mobility but are dependent on battery life.

Battery Life and Charging Time (for cordless vacuums): If you opt for a cordless vacuum, check the battery life to ensure it can handle your cleaning needs without frequent recharging. Additionally, consider the charging time required to fully replenish the battery.

Attachments and Accessories: Look for a vacuum that comes with a variety of attachments suitable for different cleaning tasks. Common attachments include crevice tools, brush attachments, and upholstery brushes. These accessories can enhance the vacuum's versatility and effectiveness.

Filtration System: A good filtration system is important to trap dust, allergens, and other particles, preventing them from being released back into the air (and straight into your lungs). Vacuums with HEPA filters are particularly effective in capturing small particles and allergens.

Ease of Use and Maintenance: Consider the vacuum's user-friendly features, such as ergonomic design, intuitive controls, and easy-to-empty dust canisters or bags. Removable and washable filters are also convenient for long-term maintenance.

Noise Level: Check vacuum reviews (like this one) or product specifications for information on the noise level of the vacuum. If you prefer a quieter cleaning experience, look for models specifically marketed as low-noise or silent — and for reviews that confirm it.

Price and Warranty: Set a budget for your car vacuum purchase and compare prices among different brands and models. Additionally, consider the warranty provided by the manufacturer to ensure you have proper coverage in case of any defects or issues.

What about wet/dry car vacuums?

The commercial vacuum cleaners you find at the car wash may have some additional features lacking in handheld car vacuum cleaners. These machines are usually bulkier and have larger dirt tanks. In addition, they are usually wet/dry vacuums, and the top models double as a car vacuum and blower.

For this review, we focused on testing handheld and cordless car vacuums. However, if you're looking for wet/dry car vacuum cleaners and blowers, then we recommend the Armor All Utility Vacuum 2.5 Gallon ($49.99 at Auto Zone) or the Bissell Garage Pro Wall-Mounted Wet/Dry Car Vacuum and Blower ($226.59 at Amazon).

With the above information in mind, here are six of the best car vacuums. All of these vacs passed our cleaning tests and provide a good value for the money.

Our Pick

As any pet owner knows, removing pet hair from your vehicle can feel like a never ending battle. However, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser was more than up to the task of ridding my vehicle of any signs of my three pups. I really appreciated that the vacuum came with specialized tools and attachments for pets, including a pet hair brush roll, upholstery tool, and crevice tool. The attachments were very effective at lifting and capturing pet hair from upholstery and other surfaces in my car.

The battery life was still a bit short at about 17 minutes, but this was still longer than some of the other cordless car vacuums on our list. If you're looking for the best cordless vacuum for cars with a major pet hair problem, this is it.

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The Dirt Devil Quick Flip handheld car vacuum is perfect for quick and easy cleaning tasks, such as car interiors and other hard-to-reach areas. This version is cordless, which was convenient to maneuver around my vehicle.

My favorite thing about this vacuum was that the crevice tool was attached to the unit — you simply flip it down and click it into place to start suctioning up debris. This handheld vac is also great for easy storage. Despite its budget-friendly price point, this car vacuum cleaned well, and the flip-open dustbin made for easy emptying and cleaning.

Unfortunately, the battery life is very limited, so keep that in mind if you have a very large vehicle.

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The Shark Wandvac System comes complete with all the bells and whistles necessary to deep clean your car. Best of all, this vacuum can do double duty and act as your home vacuum cleaner, too. For this reason, it's the best car vacuum for folks that don't want two separate vacuums.

When fully assembled, the Wandvac System is a lightweight cordless stick vacuum, which comes with a self-emptying clean station and charger. However, the top portion of the vacuum can also operate as a compact hand vacuum, which is perfect for cleaning vehicles.

Now, the self-emptying feature on the clean station is pretty cool, but because it doubles as the charging base, it's meant to live full-time in your home. So if you want to stick your vacuum in a closet when not in use, this isn't a great vacuum for you. You'll want to have a designated place for this vacuum near a power outlet.

I really appreciated how lightweight it was, which made lugging it out to my car a breeze. I did find it a little confusing to put together since there were so many different pieces, and I struggled to find the release buttons on the wand to disassemble it. Once I had it up and running, I was impressed with its cleaning abilities.

The unique self-emptying feature empties the collected debris into a HEPA-sealed base after every clean for hands-free debris disposal. Overall, it did an excellent job picking up the random Goldfish crumbs and pet hair throughout my vehicle.

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The Dirt Devil Grab & Go+ is the best handheld car vacuum for those who want a compact, lightweight, and affordable handvac. I was able to put it together in about two seconds, and it was very intuitive to use.

The dirt cup doesn’t hold a ton of debris, but it’s easy enough to twist off and empty as you clean floor mats and upholstery. Even though this is a small, budget-friendly unit, it still came with a 2-in-1 crevice and dusting tool that I found very convenient for cleaning all the corners of my car. I really liked the countertop charge stand, which didn’t take up very much space at all. If you have just a teensy bit of DIY skill, you can mount the charging base to the wall of your garage, which is a cool feature.

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The Dirt Devil Scorpion+ is a very well-rounded hand vacuum, and it's designed for quick and convenient cleaning of upholstery, stairs, car interiors, and other hard-to-reach areas. In the handheld space, most vacuum brands are focusing on battery-powered cordless vacuums, so why would you choose a corded vacuum? There's actually a very good reason.

Even the best cordless car vacuum will have a very limited runtime, which can make cleaning large vehicles (or multiple vehicles) very inconvenient. Some of the cordless models we tested could only offer 10 minutes of cleaning time, for instance. With a corded vacuum, you can clean as long as you need to, which makes this the best vacuum for car detailing. Keep in mind the cord is 15 feet long, so you may need an extension cord.

I found the design of this handheld vacuum to be compact and lightweight, making it easy to maneuver from front to back seat. The 120V motor was powerful and provided strong suction that effectively picked up dirt, dust, and debris from within my vehicle. It didn't disappear pet hair as effectively as some of the other vacuums I tested, but it got the job done.

If your car is really dirty and could use a deep cleaning, the corded design of this vacuum is just the ticket. The neverending power supply means you don’t have to worry about running out of battery before the job is done.

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Read the full Mashable review of the Dyson V12 Detect Slim vacuum cleaner.

You really can’t go wrong with a Dyson vacuum cleaner, and the V12 Detect Slim is no exception. Even though it’s considered the bottom end of the brand’s offerings, it still boasts a much, much longer runtime (60 minutes) and a larger dustbin (0.38 L) than any of the other car vacuums on our list. It includes multiple cleaning tools that make it ideal for cleaning in tight spaces of your vehicle, such as cupholders or in-between seats.

Mashable's senior shopping reporter Leah Stodart recently tested this vacuum in her own car, and she found it easy to whip around with one hand. As a car vacuum, it can also go multiple cleanings before needing to empty the dirt bin.

If you're only looking for a car vacuum, then like the Shark 2-in-1 Wandvac System, this appliance will be overkill for you. However, if you want a multipurpose vacuum cleaner that can clean your car as well as your home, then this relatively affordable Dyson is your best bet.

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Topics Cars Vacuums

How we tested

We hands-on tested all of these car vacuums, and our writer is head over heels for anything Dyson. (Seriously, she tells everyone she knows about why Dyson vacuums really are worth the hefty price tag.) To select the best car vacuums to test for this review, we put forth hours of careful research to find the top car vacuums, and specifically sought out high-quality options that catered to different use cases.

First, we prioritized car vacuums from well-known brands to come up with a list of options that are widely regarded to be dependable and well-made, with customer service and warranties to match. We then narrowed down the field by focusing on items that were generally well-reviewed and had no glaring issues with their functionality. Each of the car vacuums on this list has hundreds, if not thousands, of car vacuum reviews.

In making our final selection, there were a number of factors that we took into consideration while researching car vacuums, including:

  • Capacity: Whether it was a handheld car vacuum or an option you can use in the home, we wanted to showcase choices for people who want to vacuum just their car, as well as those who prefer a multipurpose appliance that pulls double duty. Models with larger debris tanks make it easy to vacuum multiple spaces.

  • Cost: While most of these car vacuums fall in the $50-$100 range, we wanted to include options for shoppers who were looking for a more budget-friendly (but still high-quality) item, as well as those who were looking to treat themself with a splurge-worthy gadget with all the bells and whistles (cough, Dyson, cough.

  • Weight: A car vacuum needs to be lightweight and easy to maneuver to reach into every nook and cranny of your vehicle. So, we sought out compact and lightweight car vacuums.

  • Accessories and Attachments: Having the right tool for the job makes the job that much easier, which is why we looked for car vacuums that included various accessories and cleaning attachments that made cleaning easier. A crevice tool, for instance, makes it easy to reach between seats.


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