The 9 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners To Buy (Latest Update)

When it comes to interior maintenance, one of the most important tools car owners must have is the car vacuum. Designed for vehicle application, car vacuums allow drivers to quickly clean every nook and cranny in their car without difficulty.

From leftover foods to flower pollens and even pet hair, you would be able to get rid of dirt and trash in just a blink of an eye. By using the best car vacuum model, you should have little trouble keeping the inside of your vehicle in pristine condition from time to time.

However, with so many models and brands around, it’s not exactly easy to secure the best car vacuum model. Moreover, different people tend to have different demands which means the best car vacuum for someone else may appear to be inadequate in your case.

Fortunately, if you feel confused by the sheer number of products on the market, you come to the right place. In this article, you will be introduced to some of the best car vacuum models that are held in high regard by car vacuum reviews. Aside from that, the article also contains a comprehensive list of shopping criteria to help you make the best purchase.

Top 9 Best Car Vacuum Models Available

We’ve read hundreds of reviews and done our research so we could create a list of the best car vacuum cleaners on the market. And we did it – here, you’ll find some of the most popular, affordable, and greatest quality car vacuums. Read these automobile vacuum cleaner reviews to find you the best investment and pick your next auto vacuum today.

#1. Black & Decker CHV1410L – Best cordless car vacuum

Specification

• Type: Cordless
• Dimension: 17.2 x 5.5 x 7.8 Inches
• Weight: 3.9 Pounds

Why is this the best?

If you are looking for a rugged and lightweight cordless cleaner, Black & Decker CHV1410L is the best auto vacuum you could find in the market. Thanks to the use of the long-lasting lithium-ion battery, you should be able to clean the interior of your vehicle without experiencing interruptions.

Utilizing a high-tech charger, the recharge time of the Black & Decker vacuum cleaner is short compared to its competitors. As soon as the battery is fully charged, the safety feature of the charger shall automatically stop the charging to preserve the battery quality.

As Black & Decker CHV1410L is a bagless model, it’s easy for you to empty the vacuumed dirt and trash. The cleaner tank is made from transparent material and that means you could monitor the tank content without much difficulty. In terms of suction strength, the high-performance motor of the cleaner is well-received by a lot of consumers. Because of the strong motor, this Black & Decker cleaner is considered to be one of the most powerful best cordless car vacuums.

Things we like: 

• Robust operation
• Short recharge time
• The best cordless car vacuum

Things we don’t like:

• Slightly complicated maintenance
• Quality control should be improved

#2. Shark Navigator Upright – Most powerful car vacuum cleaner

Specification

• Type: Corded
• Dimension: 15 x 11.4 x 45.5 Inches
• Weight: 12.5 Pounds

Why is it an editor’s choice?

Equipped with anti-allergen technology and HEPA filter, Shark Navigator Upright is one of the best car vacuum cleaner models. One innovative feature of the cleaner is that it could transform from an upright design to a handheld one by pushing a single button release. That is why you should be able to use the Shark Navigator cleaner for both your house and your car. The long power cord of the vacuum cleaner would let the user move best handheld vacuum for car around as they see fit.

Since Shark Navigator Upright comes disassembled, it may take a couple of minutes for you to get the cleaner up and running. The assembling process is relatively straightforward, as a result, you should have a very easy time putting the components together.

Besides the vacuum cleaner itself, you would be provided with a crevice tool, a dusting brush and a pet brush. With these handy attachments around, the Shark Navigator vacuum cleaner could handle pretty much any challenges associated with interior cleaning.

Things we like: 

• Long cord
• High capacity tank
• Flexible and versatile

Things we don’t like:

• Require assembly
• A bit cumbersome

#3. Black & Decker BDH2020FL – Best handheld car vacuum

Specification

• Type: Cordless
• Dimension: 14.9 x 10.7 x 6.5 Inches
• Weight: 3.2 Pounds

Why is it an editor’s choice

Another impressive item that deserves a spot in our car vacuum reviews is the Black & Decker BDH2020FL. Introducing a 3-stage filtration system, this auto vacuum is capable of taking care of all common particles found in the interior of your vehicle. In terms of ease of use, the Black & Decker model is the best vacuum for car interiors available on the market.

As the tank and the filter are washable, you should be able to look after the cleaner with relative ease.  In addition to that, the flexible hose of the cleaner makes it easy for you to reach every nook and cranny in your car interior. It’s not the cheapest model you’ll find, but this impressive performer is certainly among the best car vacuum cleaners we’ve tested.

In the usual case, it would take around 4 hours to fully charge the Black & Decker BDH2020FL lithium-ion battery. On a single charge, the Black & Decker cleaner could run for 15 minutes which is enough for the average cleaning session. Given the fact that the suction strength remains consistent as the cleaner battery becomes low, the energy efficiency is commendable.

Things we like: 

• Long-lasting lithium ion battery
• Simple to use and easy to maintain
• One of the best car vacuum cleaners in terms of energy efficiency

Things we don’t like:

• The price tag is a bit pricey
• Less than ideal switch design

#4. Dirt Devil DRTSD20005 – Best portable car vacuum

Specification

• Type: Corded
• Dimension: 13.7 x 6.4 x 8.5 Inches
• Weight: 4.5 Pounds

Why we love it     

Light and highly affordable, Dirt Devil DRTSD20005 is essentially the best car vacuum cleaner in the aspect of cost-effectiveness. Featuring a long power cord, the maneuverability of this portable Dirt Devil cleaner is superior to other products on the market. The presence of a strong motor permits you to get rid of every kind of particle using this best portable car vacuum.

Thanks to the integrated quick flip crevice tool, you could access narrow spots along with cramped corners without much difficulty while using Dirt Devil DRTSD20005.

Other attachments that come with the car vacuum cleaner include a dusting brush, an upholstery tool, and a sliding brush. Because the Dirt Devil cleaner is a bagless model, it’s quite simple to empty the collected dirt and trash. When the cleaner tank fills up, all you have to do is to remove the tank and then dump all the contents into the trash can.

Things we liked: 

• Convenient attachment
• Come with a reasonable price tag
• The best vacuum for cars in the corded category

Things we didn’t like:

• Loud operation
• The clipping mechanism needs improvements

#5. Black & Decker BDH2000PL – Best vacuum for car interior

Specification

• Type: Cordless
• Dimension: 13.7 x 6.4 x 8.5 Inches
• Weight: 4.5 Pounds

Why we love it     

When you are thinking of the best car vacuum units, another name that deserves a mention is Black & Decker BDH2000P. Due to an adjustable nozzle, this cleaner stands out to be an excellent choice when it comes to reach. Couple with the strong motor, the Black & Decker vacuum cleaner shall let you remove all kinds of dirt and trash no matter where they are located. Designed with compactness in mind, the cleaner doesn’t require a lot of storage room.

Similar to other models from the brand, Black & Decker BDH2000PL utilizes a lithium-ion battery as its power source. In contrast with Ni-Cad batteries, lithium-ion batteries offer their user fade-free power. That means you don’t have to worry about a drop in the suction strength as the battery get low.

Since the Black & Decker cleaner uses a transparent tank, it should be simple to observe the collected dirt and trash. The side access door allows you to empty the tank as soon as it becomes full.

Things we liked: 

• Efficient filtration system
• High-performance vacuum motor and quality battery
• The best hand vacuum for the car if you prioritize reach

Things we didn’t like:

• Mediocre quality control
• Unresponsive customer service

#6. Eureka EasyClean – Reliable and dependable

Specification

• Type: Corded
• Dimension: 7 x 15 x 8 Inches
• Weight: 7 Pounds

Why we love it     

Sporting two separate motors, Eureka EasyClean is the best car vacuum cleaner available for purchase in terms of cleaning efficiency. From dog hairs to bread crumbs, the Eureka vacuum cleaner could take care of everything.

While it’s a corded model, the cleaner possesses a fairly long power cord, therefore, you should have no trouble manipulating it in your car.

Featuring a see-through storage tank, Eureka EasyClean lets the user gauge the dirt and trash level without much difficulty. The handy fingertip-adjusted control scheme of the cleaner makes it a user-friendly product. When not in use, you could roll the power cord around the cleaner body to save storage space. About the post-purchase support, Eureka provides their customers with a 1-year warranty as well as a money-back guarantee.

Things we liked: 

• Excellent suction strength
• Flexible hose and long cord
• Quiet operation and straightforward control

Things we didn’t like:

• Short effective lifetime
• There are some reports of overheating

#7. Armor All AA255 – Best car vacuum for pet hair

Specification

• Type: Corded
• Dimension: 7 x 15 x 8 Inches
• Weight: 7 Pounds

Why we love it     

Able to handle liquid spills and dry particles, Armor All AA255 is a quality vacuum cleaner optimized for vehicle application. In addition to that, you could even use the Armor All cleaner as a blower to dry wheels and grills. Featuring a heavy-duty motor, the suction strength of the vacuum cleaner is top-notch. Because of the built-in noise diffuser, the cleaner should function quietly in most of cases.

Thanks to the presence of an auto-shutoff mechanism, you would never experience overflow problems while using Armor All AA255. The sizable tank of the Armor All cleaner is capable of taking in a lot of dirt and trash before you have to empty it. Equipped with a long and flexible hose, the best vacuum for car interior could reach every corner of the vehicle interior with relative ease.

Things we like:

• Versatile
• 2-year warranty
• Quiet operation

Things we don’t like:

• Inconsistent performance
• The cleaner filter often gets clogged

#8. Liberrway Car Vacuum Cleaner – Best suction

Specification

• Type: Corded
• Dimension: 14.7 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches
• Weight: 2 pounds

Why we love it

The Liberrway Car Vacuum has a variety of reasons to be on this list of best car vacuum cleaners. Firstly, its 100-watt motor comes with an aluminum alloy-constructed fan instead of a plastic-bladed fan as common cleaners. Liberrway got an amazing suction power from this, up to 5000 Pa. Secondly, it can be plugged into your car’s cigarette light port for deep cleaning. Thirdly, it further enhances your cleaning with a crevice tool, brush, and extension hose.

The only downside is that there are no HEPA filters, although there is double filtration technology. The inner filter is what traps dust and finer particles while outer canister of the filtration system separates larger particles. Disposal of the vacuumed materials is easy because it is bagless. The cord is 14 feet long, which is enough for every use.

Things we like:

• Small
• Lightweight
• Power suction

Things we don’t like:

• Used only while the car is running

#9. Hoover Air Cordless – Best battery

Specification

• Type: Cordless
• Dimension: 17.5 x 4.2 x 4.8 inches
• Weight: 5.75 pounds

Why we love it

The fully charged battery will last a long time. You can get a single job done with one charge.

The users love the suction, as it’s strong enough to pick up large debris, such as pebbles, small debris, and dirt from your pup’s paws. Anything that’s fallen to the bottom of your car will be sucked up by this little machine.

Charging for a full battery takes you an incredibly long time. Some users may not be pleased with the quality of the charger. After you buy this product, you will need 9 hours to fully charge a completely dead battery.

Things we like:

• Long battery
• Power suction

Things we don’t like:

• Only one filter
• Release button is so easy to be hit

So there you have it – our top 9 list of car vacuum cleaners. Whichever product you choose from this list, we’re sure you won’t regret it, as we’ve spent a lot of time researching about every auto vacuum that ended up on our Top picks.

Best Car Vacuum Buyer’s Guide

As mentioned at the beginning of these car vacuum reviews, it’s more than likely you’ll have to replace your car vacuum a couple of times throughout your car’s lifetime, but if you choose wisely the first time, it’s guaranteed the vacuum cleaner will last longer and perform better while it lasts.

But how do you do this? How to choose a great auto vacuum in the first place. Although the list of products compiled above is reviewed as top-rated car vacuum cleaners on the market, there are a few things you should consider before making any purchasing decisions, and we’ve bullet-pointed the most important ones.

1. Acquisition cost

There is a good chance that once you start looking for a car vacuum, the first thing that comes to your mind is the price. Generally speaking, the best car vacuum for your vehicle is not always the most expensive product on the store shelves.

If you are willing to invest your time and effort, you could locate some models that are affordable and quality. That being said, the rule of thumb here is: “You get what you pay for”.  Don’t expect advanced, top-of-the-line features on low-end, dirt-cheap products. You should compile a list of desired features, gather the price tag of car vacuum models that have them, and adjust your shopping budget accordingly.

2. Power rating

Most of the time, the power rating of a standard vacuum cleaner would tell you a lot about its field performance and vacuuming efficiency. As a result, it’s of utmost importance that you pay special attention to the power rating while shopping for the best car vacuum model. To get a good deal, you are advised to compare the ratings of multiple models and check the wattage difference. If the difference is considerable, you could make your purchase based on the power rating. In the case the difference is negligible, the performance/efficiency of those models should be more or less the same.

3. Vacuum attachment

You don’t have to be an expert to realize that there are many types of surfaces in your car. Compared to the relatively clear living space of a house, the interior of a car comes with a wide variety of hard-to-access areas. In their basic configuration, car vacuums are usually unable to get rid of accumulated dirt and trash in such areas.

At that point, you have to use special vacuum attachments to efficiently and thoroughly clean the vehicle interior. The best car vacuum must come with a comprehensive set of attachments including a crevice tool, vacuum brush, and so on.

4. Tank capacity

Everything that got picked up by the vacuum cleaner would end up in its tank. Therefore, the tank capacity of a car vacuum decides how much dirt/trash the machine can handle and how frequently you must empty the tank. Some people think that it’s a good idea to get high-capacity models so they could clean without interruptions.

However, a big storage tank often leads to a more cumbersome vacuum cleaner. In the case you prioritize maneuverability over everything else, you need to think carefully when it comes to the capacity. If you make a wrong choice, you will likely struggle with your vacuum cleaner later on.

5. Reviews and opinions

Needless to say, every brand wants to make their vacuum cleaners look good in the consumer’s eyes through the use of various marketing strategies. Commercials and advertisements only emphasize the strength of a particular model while overlooking its shortcomings.

That means if you buy a product without taking into account the customer feedbacks, you may end up with a less-than-ideal vacuum cleaner. You should be able to find car vacuum cleaner reviews and opinions from customers on websites like Amazon, eBay, …. From time to time, you may run into conflicting feedback but that is quite completely normal, there is no such thing as a perfect product.

Corded Models vs. Cordless Models: The Difference!

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Nowadays, there are two types of car vacuum cleaners on the market: corded and cordless. Each type of cleaner possesses its advantages and disadvantages. In the usual case, a good model would serve you whether it’s a corded model or a cordless one.

As a result, it all comes down to the user’s demands and the layout of the vehicle’s interior. Here are the characteristics of corded and cordless car vacuum cleaners, you could use them to make your final decision.

Corded cleaners

Products in the category are excellent choices for people who have to clean their cars every once in a while. Corded models require a power source to function so there must be an outlet in the vicinity.  In case you decide to use a corded cleaner, you should go after models that could be powered by both DC and AC power.

Such car vacuum models shall provide you with a lot of versatility and flexibility when it comes to interior cleaning. Pay attention to the length of the machine cord as well because it would inevitably dictate your movement while cleaning.

Cordless cleaners

In contrast with corded vacuum cleaners, there is no need to have an electric outlet nearby while using cordless models. Furthermore, you are not restricted by the cord and that means you can maneuver the cleaner as you see fit. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that some of the best portable car vacuum models belong to this category. On the other hand, the operation of a standard battery operated car vacuum is often limited by its battery life which often lasts around dozens of minutes. So if you want to buy a cordless vacuum cleaner, it’s recommended that you select a long-lasting model.

Some Reputable Brands You Should Keep An Eye Out For

No one could guarantee that vacuum cleaners from famous names would be able to match your cleaning needs and requirements. That being said, well-known manufacturers don’t earn their popularity by providing customers with fragile products and shoddy services. Whenever it’s possible, you should attempt to get your car vacuum cleaner from reputable brands such as Dirt Devil, Black & Decker, Eureka, Armor All,….  Of course, you could buy a model that comes from lesser-known brands if you are certain that it matches your situation and budget.

How To Vacuum Your Car Interior In A Professional Manner

Having the best car vacuum cleaner means nothing if you don’t know exactly how to put it to good use. Generally speaking, everyone should be able to push the vacuum cleaner back and forward but it does take some skill to maximize the machine’s potential. To thoroughly clean the interior surfaces of your car using the vacuum cleaner, there are some tips and tips you have to remember:

#Tip 1: Remove all of your belongings

The last thing you ever want to do after finishing vacuuming is to search the tank to find missing items. In addition to that, some objects like coins or twine may damage the cleaner if they got sucked in accidentally. To avoid falling into such predicaments, you need to remove practically all of your belongings right before the cleaning session. You should use the opportunity to get rid of trash such as beverage cans and used tissues so you can conveniently vacuum the vehicle interior. That sounds tedious and time-consuming but as long as you pay attention to what you are doing, you will finish everything in no time.

#Tip 2: Vacuum from section to section

To keep the car spotlessly clean, you must finish vacuuming a section of the interior before you move to the next one. Don’t jump between different spots because it would reduce the cleaning efficiency and make everything unnecessarily tedious for you.

Of course, you have to use correct vacuum attachments for particular surfaces as well if you want to be thorough. Focus on sections that see a lot of activities since they tend to collect a lot of participles and alike. In most cases, it’s wise to save cramps and narrow sections till the end of the cleaning.

#Tip 3: Empty the cleaner tank periodically

All modern vacuum cleaners would tell you when you must empty the tank but you should take a look at it once in a while. To fill the tank of the vacuum cleaner to the brim is ill-advised because it may lead to a considerable drop in suction strength. Not even the best car vacuum could work as designed when its tank is full. The vacuumed dirt and trash may go back into the vehicle interior if you don’t keep a close eye on the tank. So if you want to clean your car quickly and efficiently, you have to occasionally check the vacuum cleaner tank and empty it if needed.