Keeping the inside of your car clean helps with its resale value and provides a more comfortable ride. It’s annoying, and gross, when there is dust, crumbs, and other debris all over your vehicle’s interior. Regularly vacuuming the interior of your car, such as the floor, seats, steering wheel cover, and console, is a key component in basic car maintenance.
While you could use a normal house vacuum cleaner for your car, it’s harder to use and not practical for cleaning all the tight spaces. Instead, you’re better off using any of the best car vacuum cleaners available on the market. this makes it easy for you to keep your vehicle clean at home. You also save money not having to bring it to the cleaners or pay to rent a vacuum,
In this post, you’ll find our recommendations for the best car vacuums. Near the end of this post there’s a helpful buyer’s guide to make the process even easier. Finally, we’ve concluded with a helpful FAQ that should cover all of your car vacuum questions. Let’s jump right into it!
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The Best Car Vacuum Cleaners
HOTOR Corded Auto Vacuum Cleaner (Best Value Car Vacuum)
The HOTOR Corded Auto Vacuum Cleaner is our top recommendation if you’re in the market for an affordable automobile vacuum that’s loaded with practical features. This is a small, portable car vacuum that’s great for cleaning all of those hard-to-reach spots in your vehicle. Having the cord is a big plus, no need to worry about running out of battery or not having enough power for a proper clean.
One of the best features about the HOTOR Corded Auto Vacuum Cleaner is its DC 12v plug. This makes it easy to plug the vacuum in wherever you are, without having to find a proper outlet. Whether you’re on the go or relaxing at home, it’s easy to plug it in and start cleaning your vehicle.
Another thing we love about the HOTOR is that it comes with a few different hose and nozzle attachments. This gives you the ability to reach all of those cramped, tight spots in your vehicle and clean them properly. The handheld unit even comes with an LED light that lets you see into those dark corners. This way you can be confident you’re getting everything cleaned.
Unfortunately, even the best portable car vacuum is going to have its drawbacks. Compared to some other vacuum cleaners for cars, the suction could be better. Despite that, the features are great and it has amazing capabilities for such an affordable model. Keep in mind that the 12v plug, while handy, means you’ll have to have your car running if you want to vacuum. Some people might not like this, or might not have a 12v plug, and will have to check out our other recommendations.
Overall, the HOTOR Corded Auto Vacuum Cleaner is our top choice for the best value car vacuum. It’s small, lightweight, and portable – everything that helps make cleaning the interior of your car a breeze. Despite a few drawbacks, we still love the HOTOR vacuum and highly recommend it if you’re looking for the best corded car vacuum cleaner.
ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum (Best Car Vacuum Overall)
The ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum is a multi-purpose, heavy duty cleaner that comes with ample power for vacuuming the inside of your vehicle. With vacuum like this, you can enjoy the best of both worlds when it comes to cleaning abilities. Designed like a traditional shop vac, this cleaner is loaded with features that make vacuum in the interior of your vehicle a breeze.
Lightweight and compact, the ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum is ideal for cleaning everything from smaller cars up to larger trucks. It’s equipped with a generous, 2.5-gallon receptacle and a 6-foot long hose. The hose comes with a range of different utility nozzles, each of which have their own dedicated storage on the unit.
The long hose makes it easy to vacuum all of the different spots inside your vehicle. Using the different nozzles, you can easily reach under the seats, behind the pedals, and any other crap spots. There’s no need to worry about losing anything, since all of the nozzles can be put back in their dedicated storage space.
Whether you’re suffering with animal hair, or you’re a contractor getting dust and debris everywhere, this ArmorAll vacuum has got you covered. It has plenty of suction power and it’s lightweight enough to easily move around. When it comes to plugging it in, you’ll have to rely on a traditional wall plug – not a problem if you’re cleaning your vehicle at home.
Overall, the ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum is our recommendation for the best car vacuum overall. Despite being a heavy duty unit, it’s a great choice for thoroughly cleaning the interior of your vehicle. All of the different nozzle attachments and powerful suction are ideal for vacuuming even the dirtiest of interiors.
BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum (Best Cordless Car Vacuum)
The BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum is our recommendation for the best cordless car vacuum. This is a lightweight, compact, and portable automotive vacuum cleaner. Thanks to the battery, you can use it wherever you are without having to rely on an outlet or plug.
Despite having a smaller, 15.2-watt motor, the BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum provide plenty of suction power. It’s great for getting rid of pet hair, crumbs, dirt, and other debris that gets left behind in your vehicle. You can even leave it in your trunk for quick spot cleans whenever you have the time.
What helps with the vacuum power is the cyclonic vacuum action found in this model. This design helps to separate larger particles and debris from the smaller ones. The filtration system doesn’t get overwhelmed as easily, hoping to extend the lifespan of this vacuum.
Instead of having to replace the filters, they can easily be removed and washed. Unfortunately, the filter doesn’t come with HEPA filtration, though it does a suitable job of filtering out most of the dust particles. It’s also equipped with Smart Charge technology, so the unit will shut off if it’s not being used and preserve the battery.
Coming with a 2-year limited warranty, it’s hard to go wrong with the BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum. This model is always ready to use, portable, energy-efficient, and great for cleaning those tight spots inside your vehicle. BLACK+DECKER is well known for their vacuums, making it easy for us to recommend device.
Homasy Portable Handheld Vacuum Cleaner (Best Cheap Car Vacuum)
The Homasy Portable Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is another great choice if you’re looking for a cordless, lightweight, and compact automotive vacuum. This device comes with a 2200mAh lithium ion battery, providing up to 30 minutes of vacuuming power. It’s cordless and perfect for keeping in your vehicle for cleaning up on the go.
Speaking of power, the Homasy Vacuum takes advantage of a 100W ultra high-power motor. This provides ample suction for vacuuming up dust, dirt, and other debris you might find in your vehicle. When it comes to cleaning your car, the ergonomic 65 degree sloping design makes it up early this to clean all of those hard-to-reach spots without putting pressure on your joints.
To make it easier to clean, three different versatile attachments are included. These include a brush attachment for cleaning the carpets in your vehicle. There’s also a crevice tool forgetting in those hard-to-reach spots underneath the seats and on the console.
For a better peace of mind, the Homasy Portable Handheld Vacuum Cleaner comes with a 3-year worry-free warranty. The battery has a stated 5-year lifespan, able to be charged up to 500 times before needing to be replaced. This quality and confidence behind the brand makes it easy for us to recommend this automotive cleaner from Homasy.
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum (Best Car Vacuum for Pet Hair)
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum is our recommendation if you’re looking for the best car vacuum for pet hair. This vacuum has been specifically designed for dealing with pet hair. It’s a great choice for those of you putting your dogs or other pets in your vehicle regularly.
Pet hair can be a nuisance for many animal owners. Thankfully, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum makes it easy to clean up the hair from your vehicle. It all starts with the 14V lithium ion battery, providing plenty of suction power to reach all those tricky spots. thanks to the motorized brush, that deeply embedded pet hair is efficiently removed during the vacuuming process.
Other accessories, such as the upholstery tool and crevice tool, help make the cleaning process even easier. The upholstery tool is great for removing pet hair from the soft, cloth seats. With the crevice tool, you can get all the pet hair that’s trapped underneath the seats and in the console.
To help with cleaning performance, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum takes advantage of a triple level filtration system. Not only does the cleaner remove pet hair, it also gets rid of all the dust and debris throughout your vehicle as well. There’s also the large dirt bin that’s easy to empty and can hold plenty of pet hair, dust, and debris.
One of the main drawbacks with the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum is the 17-minute run time. You’ll have to plan your interior car cleaning process to take full advantage of this automotive vacuum before the battery runs out. Otherwise, if you’re looking for the best car vacuum cleaner for pet hair, it’s the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum that we would recommend
Best Car Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
Choosing the right vacuum cleaner for your car or truck depends on how often you plan on using it and how dirty the interior of your vehicle gets. It also depends on how passionate you are about keeping the inside of your vehicle clean.
Car vacuums today come with a number of different features that need to be considered. These include the vacuum power, the tank capacity, the overall weight of the unit, and the different attachments available. To make it easier for you to find the best car vacuum, we put together this helpful buyer’s guide.
Why Should You Use a Car Vacuum Cleaner?
If you decided to start cleaning your vehicle’s interior on your own, you might be wondering what type of vacuum to use. Many people tend to use a conventional vacuum cleaner, one that you would normally use indoors for your home. This might be suitable for your purposes, but they lack the attachments for properly cleaning every surface of your vehicle’s interior.
These household vacuum cleaners make it difficult to reach under the seats, clean the small spaces in the console, and they’re difficult to use in tight spaces. They tend to be bulky and heavy, so they won’t easily fit into your car, if they fit it all. You would need an extra-long vacuum hose to properly clean the interior of your vehicle, especially if you don’t want to risk scratching or damaging the seats or console.
On the other hand, car vacuum cleaners are specifically designed to be used in cars and trucks. They’re made with enough power to suck up all the debris, dust, and other particles found inside your vehicle. Many models even come with special filters to help get rid of allergens and harmful particles that can be found in the air. The size of these car vacuum cleaners next time use your to use and manage inside of the confines of your vehicle.
Cordless vs Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner
There are two main types of car vacuum cleaners. These are the corded and cordless models. it basically comes down to your personal preference that determines which of the two models is best for your vehicle. However, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each to make it easier for you to decide.
Cordless Car Vacuum Cleaner
With a cordless cleaner, you don’t need to worry about any cords or wires getting tangled or tripping you up. These vacuums can be left in the vehicle or stored in the garage until they’re required. With a cordless model you can easily get into the tight spots inside your vehicle and you have more flexibility when it comes to where you can clean.
Unfortunately, there are a number of drawbacks to the cordless cleaners. Compared to the corded models, cordless vacuums don’t offer as much suction power. You also have to worry about keeping the battery charged and risk having it run out halfway through the cleaning process.
Many cordless car vacuums come with a 15 to 20 minute battery life. This is not ideal for cleaning every inch of the interior of your vehicle. Such a low battery life is better for quick, spot cleans if you happen to spill something or want to quickly vacuum up some pet hair. It also takes a significant amount of time to fully charge the battery, so you’ll have to plan more carefully.
Despite the drawbacks, many people will find the cordless models easier to use. They’re also suitable for people looking to keep their car clean without fussing over all of these small details. If you’re someone that commutes, or you don’t spend too much time on your vehicle, a cordless model is probably better for you.
Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner
The corded vacuum cleaners work by plugging into an AC or DC power source. Depending on the model, you have to plug it into a standard plug or it could be used through your vehicle’s own 12-volt battery system.
The biggest advantage to the corded vacuum cleaners is the power they have. As the device is plugged directly into an outlet, more power can be drawn by the vacuum. This gives you more suction power and better vacuuming efficiency resulting in a more thorough, deeper cleaning. There’s also no need to worry about charging batteries or running out of power halfway through the cleaning process.
The main drawback to the corded models is that there needs to be an outlet or power source nearby. For some, this might limit where and how the vacuum is used. If you live in an apartment or you have to park your car on the street, there might not be a power source nearby for you to use. While an extension cord might be a solution, this isn’t always the case.
Even with the minor drawbacks, the corded car vacuum cleaners are going to be the best choice for most people. They might not be easier to use, but they offer more power and there’s no need to worry about batteries.
Tips for Using a Car Vacuum Cleaner
Now that you have a better idea on the type of car vacuum cleaner you might want, knowing how to use it properly is also important. Are some helpful tips on how to make the most of your car vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum the Vehicle With the Doors and Windows Open
Before you start vacuuming the inside of your vehicle, always opening doors and windows. this helps the dirt and debris to circulate through the air and outside the vehicle, rather than getting stuck inside. Leaving the windows closed, or even the doors closed, can result in dust getting trapped in the vehicle making it harder for you to clean.
It’s especially important to open the doors and windows if you’re using any cleaning chemicals. For example, if you treat the seats or console with any sprays or foams. You don’t want these chemicals trapped in the vehicle while you’re working inside.
Not only are opening the doors and windows going to allow for better ventilation, it’s going to give you more space to work on the interior. You won’t be bumping into the door or getting your elbow bashed in the window if it’s all open. Afterwards, leave everything open for at least an hour to let it all air out and ventilate.
Start by Removing Garbage and Large Debris
Before you start using the vacuum, after opening the doors and windows, remove any garbage or large debris. You don’t want to be vacuuming up wrappers, large stones, paper, or anything else that might have been left behind.
This will also make it easier for you to clean your car after it’s vacuumed. Consider using a vehicle garbage to manage any of the daily garbage or large debris that gets left behind in your vehicle. Otherwise, take it all out before you start using the vacuum.
Remove Large Car Accessories
It’s also a good idea to remove any of the interior car accessories in your vehicle before you start vacuuming. This includes smartphone holders, floor mats, dashboard covers, car seat cushions, and seat covers. Anything that’s large and that could get in the way of your cleaning should be removed.
Removing these items from your vehicle makes them easier to clean once you’re done with the interior. Don’t forget to vacuum your floor mats and hand wash any of the other accessories that you’re putting back inside.
Take Advantage of the Vacuum Cleaner Attachments
All of the best car vacuums will come with a wide range of different attachments. These attachments help to make the cleaning process easier and are effective for getting into those hard-to-reach spots inside your vehicle. Always use the different attachments to their full extent to get the cleanest vehicle possible.
For example, using the brush attachment helps to loosen up dirt and debris in the carpets and mats. The brush can get into those tight spots on the seats and on the dashboard or console. This makes it easier to vacuum up any dust, dirt, and debris that might be stuck or hard to reach.
You also want to use the long-nose attachment or the crevice tool if your vacuum has one. These make it easy to clean under the seats and those other cramped, hard-to-reach spots. Don’t forget to vacuum the floor board, air vents, the dashboard, the upholstery, the seat track rail, the area behind the pedals, and anywhere else in your vehicle you can access.
Vacuum the Entire Interior
Some drivers vacuum only the areas where they spend time. It’s a better idea to vacuum the entire interior, rather than neglecting anywhere inside. That’s because dust and debris can be trapped in areas that aren’t commonly used. You wouldn’t want to clean a small part of the vehicle, and leave the rest dirty.
My favourite method is to start in the driver seat and work clockwise around the vehicle. Cleaning in sections makes it hard to miss anything, resulting in a cleaner car or truck. Make an effort to vacuum every surface that you can reach before moving on to the rest of your car cleaning process.
Car Vacuum Pricing
Under $30
In this price range you’ll find some of the best handheld auto vacuums. This is a great price point if you’re on a tight budget but still want to keep the inside of your car clean.
These are usually smaller, portable models. Most of them will come with either wall plugs or car plugs.
$30 to $80
In this price range you’ll find some of the best car vacuums available on the market. This is where you’ll also find a wide range of shop vacs and battery-powered handheld vacuums.
Spending this kind of money starts to get you some decent features for cleaning the interior of your car. Don’t forget to read reviews to get a better idea of exactly what you’re getting for your money.
Over $100
Spending more than $100 and you’re looking at getting some of the most premium car vacuums. You can expect to find a number of larger shop vacs and other vacuums that offer difference, practical features.
Some of these features include multiple hoses, detachable leaf blowers, and more than 10 gallons of waste containment. This makes it easier to properly clean the inside of your vehicle.
Other Factors to Consider
Vacuum Life
If you’re interested in a battery-powered vacuum cleaner, you need to think about how long the battery is going to last. Obviously, larger vehicles are going to take longer to clean than smaller vehicles.
In this case, it’s necessary to find vacuums with a larger battery. Think about how long it takes to vacuum your vehicle and check how long the battery is rated to last.
This will give you the best idea of whether or not you’re looking at the best car vacuum for the job. Don’t forget to check with you to see what other users have to say.
Power Plug
Many newer vehicles don’t come with the old 12-volt socket. Most of them come with a car USB port.
This means you need to check to see if the vacuum you’re interested in requires a 12-volt socket or if it can be plugged into the wall. Alternatively, going with a cordless car vacuum makes the most sense if you can’t plug it into your car.
Vacuuming Location
Another factor to consider is where you’ll be doing your vacuuming. If your car doesn’t come with a 12-volt outlet and you’re not near any plugs, then you’ll need a cordless car vacuum.
On the other hand, if you’re doing your vacuuming in the garage and you have access to a plug, you could go with a Shop-Vac. Keep us in mind when you’re shopping for a car vacuum.
Spills and Messes
The Last thing to consider is the type of messes you’ll be cleaning up inside your vehicle. When it comes to liquid messes, you’ll want an automotive vacuum cleaner that can handle dry and wet vacuuming.
Vacuums that are rated for dry debris cannot handle any liquids without becoming damaged. If you’ll only be vacuuming up dry materials, then you won’t need something that’s heavy duty.
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