[Updated February 2024]Everybody loves a clean car but cleaning it can be a pain – they have so many corners and small spaces to reach that a regular vacuum just doesn’t cut it. There are many reasons cars can get dirty, from being parked at a dusty job site to the piles of Cheerios your toddler is collecting in the back seat. No matter the reason, no one has time to detail their car with a second-rate vacuum. You want a car vacuum that will get all the dirt on the first swipe so you can get back to your life. You may find that everyone has different car detailing needs, so we put together a comprehensive buyer’s guide to give you all of the information you want to make an informed purchase and showcase a few of the best models out there.
Table of Contents
Need to Know Information?
Power Source
The power source may be way down the list of essential features for some, but if your vacuum won’t turn on, it’s useless. The power source should be a major priority for anyone cleaning their car anywhere but a home garage. The type of power your machine is receiving also plays a part in suction power and in some cases the timeframe you have to clean.
- Traditional Plug
The only disadvantage to a traditional plug-in vacuum is that it doesn’t work for people cleaning their cars away from an outlet. Whether that means you are in the driveway or an underground garage, you may not have a power source close to you.
If you do have an outlet around, the traditional plug is the best way to go. Not only does it offer more power to the motor, which means more suction, but it also provides unlimited power, so you never need to worry about your vacuum losing power or dying in the middle of your chore.
- Battery Powered
Battery-powered (cordless) machines are great because they allow you a greater range of motion and can be used anywhere. The downside is that cordless vacuums are not as powerful as traditional options, and the battery can run out, leaving your cleaning half done. When possible, a hybrid option is a good idea that gives you the best of both worlds.
- Car Plug
Some car vacuums are made to plug into the outlets in your car. These vacuums are fantastic because you can take them with you and use them anywhere. They are especially great for cleaning up spills when they happen. The only downside to these machines is that they don’t have the same power that you find in a traditional car vacuum.
Motor Power
Car vacuums are strange because companies don’t seem to have a consensus about how they measure their vacuum power. Many companies measure their vacuums’ power using amperage, and they have wide ranges of power, with the most powerful vacuums landing around 150 watts. Other companies measure their motors using horsepower, which is a different scale.
Suction and Canister
These two are different parts of the vacuum, but they belong together for a few reasons. If you choose a vacuum that is only for dry messes, you want one that keeps the air circulating in the canister. If it sucks the dirt up and drops it in the canister, it will quickly block the filter and reduce suction strength in your hose.
A canister that mixes wet and dry messes won’t work like that, but a few nicer models will separate the wet and dry messes to preserve suction power. If you are using a vacuum made for vacuuming up wetness, take a look at the canister and make sure that it is easy to remove and clean, so those wet messes don’t stay behind and become gross in your vacuum canister.
Machine Size and Canister Capacity
The size and canister capacity should directly correlate to the size of the vehicle you’re cleaning. A small vacuum for a large SUV or minivan will need to be emptied multiple times and take forever to get the job done. On the other hand, having a full-sized vacuum when trying to clean a compact car is a logistical nightmare.
Noise
Vacuums are noisy, and there is nothing you can do about that, but in an enclosed space like a car, that noise can become overbearing. All the vacuums on this list are an acceptable decibel level, but it is important to think about if you are trying to score yourself a budget model.
Accessories and Features
Cars have many crevices and hard to reach places, so you need a vacuum with attachments to reach those spaces. Some vacuums even have added features that you wouldn’t expect, like built-in lights and washable filters.
The Vacuums
Now that you know what to look for, we have compiled a list of some of the best car vacuums on the market that check all of the boxes.
Hotor Car Vacuum
This is probably the best all-around car vacuum on the market, and it’s not even close. A convenient carrying case makes it easy to bring with you and keeps the vacuum and all the attachments organized. The vacuum comes with multiple attachments for different messes, a manual vent brush, and a washable filter. A light at the top of the vacuum makes it easy to see what you are cleaning, no matter the lighting conditions around you.
From a technical aspect, this vacuum has a lot going for it. It is car-powered to be used anywhere, any time, and the motor is strong and quiet. The canister isn’t the biggest, which is probably the only downside to this vacuum. It does keep the air circulating, which improves suction and reduces the chance of clogging. The flipside to the small canister is that the vacuum is light and easily maneuverable with one hand, making it an excellent choice for any sized vehicle.
Bissell AeroSlim
The AeroSlim is the perfect vacuum for cleaning up everyday messes. Its sleek design makes it easy to store and allows it to sit out on a counter and not be an eyesore. It comes with a few attachments that make cleaning the car easier by allowing you to access hard to reach areas easily.
Although this vacuum is powerful, it is small, and there is only so much power generated by a handheld vacuum. Less power doesn’t automatically mean that the vacuum will pick up less, but it does mean that it will be quieter. Its small size makes it easy to get into difficult to reach places and makes cleaning big messes a chore. A USB charger makes it easy to charge this vacuum before you go or in the car if there is a cleaning emergency. Even though it is small, there is still enough room to allow air to circulate and keep the filter clear. The small canister makes for frequent emptying, which may be annoying if you don’t have access to garbage close by.
Black and Decker Car Vacuum
The Black and Decker car vacuum is one of the stranger car vacuums you will come across, but what it lacks in style, it makes up for in other areas. The folding nozzle is great for storage but makes the vacuum look oddly shaped when out. The few attachments it comes with aren’t impressive, but it does have ten different positions, and you can extend the nozzle to a smaller point to get into those hard to reach areas.
It uses a 12v car plug-in, so you’ll be able to power it wherever you go, and with a sixteen-foot cable, you’ll be able to make your way around any sized car. One benefit of this vacuum’s odd shape is that it can fit a relatively large canister into a compact design while maintaining power and suction. The vacuum comes with a mesh carrying bag, and its compact size makes it easy to carry. With a Black and Decker vacuum, you also know that you are getting the quality that comes with the name.
Armor All Shop Vacuum
When it comes to big messes, you will want to pull out the vacuum to handle anything. It comes with a variety of accessories that will get any job done in any space necessary. All the attachments can be stored onboard the vacuum, which is excellent for a big job that requires switching attachments.
A vacuum like this needs the power of a traditional power supply, but with a ten-foot cord, it shouldn’t be an issue making it from the outlet to your car. There is no argument over the suction power or the canister size to get the job done, though storage does seem to be an issue. Even though this is a regular vacuum, it manages to keep the decibels down. This vacuum’s most apparent benefit is that it will clean up wet and dry messes and do it a single attempt.
Baseus Car Vacuum
This handheld vacuum is perfect for cleaning quick, everyday messes. One of these vacuum’s many convenient features is that it is small enough to fit in your cupholder but powerful enough to clean up every day messes. It conveniently comes with multiple attachments that help this already maneuverable vacuum get into tight spaces.
It charges using a USB, which makes it convenient to charge anywhere, but due to its small size, the battery life only lasts about twenty minutes. The size means that you need to empty the canister often, or the filter will be plugged. If that happens, though, the filter is washable, which is a great feature. Some owners have complained about the noise this machine puts off, which is disappointing.
Bissell Cleanview
Bissell is a name synonymous with vacuums, so it only makes sense that they make a vacuum great for car cleaning. At first glance, this machine looks bulky, but it is small enough to hold in one hand. Bissell offers a few attachments that will help make cleaning the car more manageable, but the rubber nose on the front of the vacuum is the best part because it helps to bring up dirt embedded deep in the fabric.
This machine has a standard plug-in, but with an 18-foot cord, you should easily be able to reach around your car in a garage. Its unique shape allows for more canister capacity, so you don’t have to stop to empty the vacuum regularly. On the flip side, the shape allows the filter to get clogged if the canister gets too full, so it is a bit of a balancing act. You’ll find that this vacuum is surprisingly powerful for its size, and with power comes a bit of noise, but it’s still not as loud as a traditional vacuum.
Cherylon Car Vacuum
It seems like everyone has their own take on car vacuum design because this is another oddly shaped wonder that gets the job done. This machine comes with every attachment you could want and one of the easiest attachment methods for a vacuum, making it easy to switch between attachments quickly.
It is powered by a 12v carport and has a 16-foot cord, so you’ll be able to clean around any sized vehicle easily. Its unique design allows it to be powerful and never lose suction because of a clogged filter. The canister is relatively large, so depending on the mess’s size, you may not need to empty it all during the job. This is one of the few dedicated car vacuum cleaners that will clean up both wet and dry messes.
Which is the Best?
All of these vacuums have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on how you plan to use them. None of them will be a disappointment when it comes to cleaning your car. Whether you choose one of these excellent options or take a risk on another option, you now have a better understanding of what to look for in a car vacuum.
Black & decker is good but expensive however Bissell worked for my new kia.