We all love our vehicles, right? Even so, there are times when we neglect our cleaning duties and allow dust, dirt, and debris to turn our vehicle’s interior into a hot mess. While some people opt to break out the extension cords and their trusty upright vacuum cleaner when it’s time to vacuum their car, a much better solution is to invest in a high-quality car vacuum cleaner. A great car vacuum cleaner will be lightweight, easy to maneuver, and will have your vehicle’s interior clean in no time. However, with so many options on the market, finding one that is right for you can be tricky. We made this guide to showcase the best car vacuum cleaners on the market to help you find a model you will love!
Tips for Finding the Perfect Car Vacuum Cleaner
When its time to tackle your messy vehicle and purchase a car vacuum cleaner, keep these factors in mind while shopping:
- Filter: Nobody likes purchasing new vacuum filters, so look for a model with reusable filters that are simple to wash. Some models even come with an extra filter, adding additional value to your purchase. Your vacuum won’t work as well with a dirty filter, so pay close attention to the product’s filter requirements while shopping.
- Power Source: If you tend to let a lot of dust and debris accumulate in your car before giving it a thorough cleaning, finding a great corded vacuum is likely your best choice since you will be able to use it longer than a battery-powered model. However, be sure to buy one with a long cord that can reach anywhere in your vehicle. That being said, if your vehicle tends to stay pretty clean, you should be able to vacuum your ride multiple times with a rechargeable model before needing to recharge it.
- Ease-of-Use: A vacuum with a lightweight, ergonomic design will really come in handy when cleaning your car. Additionally, make sure the model you choose comes with attachments that can fit into tight spaces and brush out dust and dirt for deep cleaning. Emptying the dirt collector should also be an easy and clean experience, so be sure to factor that in before purchasing a vacuum cleaner.
Best Overall: CHERYLON Portable Car Vacuum
Our top pick is the CHERYLON Car Vacuum, which does just enough to put it above the other high-quality car vacuum cleaners in this guide. The powerful 150W motor makes this 12V vacuum outperform all competitors in terms of its suction, even when vacuuming hard-to-get debris such as pet hair. It also comes with some handy attachments, which will ensure you are ready to tackle any mess that your car’s backseat can throw at you. This lightweight and easy-to-maneuver vacuum comes with a 16.4-foot power cord, so unless you drive a limo, you will have no problem getting to every nook and cranny.
Car Vacuum, CHERYLON Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner High Power 150W/7500Pa for Car Interior Cleaning with Wet or Dry for Men/Women, 16.4 Ft Corded (Black)
This car vacuum features plenty of power and excellent suction to clean dirt, dust, and hair while sporting an extra-long cord that will help it go exactly where you need it.
Best Cordless: VacLife Handheld Vacuum
For the cord-cutters out there, this VacLife Handheld Vacuum is the best cordless car vacuum cleaner at its price point. It features enhanced, washable HEPA filters that resist clogging and keep this vacuum working like a dream. This product has a faster charge time and longer run time than most other cordless vacuums. It also offers excellent suction and two nifty attachments that are ideal for getting into crevices and dust-busting floors and seats. As an added bonus, the built-in LED light is a nice touch for added visibility in your vehicle’s darkest corners.
VacLife Handheld Vacuum, Car Vacuum Cleaner Cordless, Mini Portable Rechargeable Wireless Vacuum Cleaner with 2 Filters, Red (VL188-N)
This cordless car vacuum features an impressive HEPA filter design that is easy to clean and a LED light for illuminating dark corners of your vehicle.
Best Corded: ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner
The ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner features a compact, ergonomic design that packs a lot of suction power given its small size. The 16-foot power cord plugs directly into your car and is long enough to reach the areas that you need to reach most. Regarding extras, this corded vacuum comes with three versatile nozzles, a carrying bag, and a special filter brush for cleaning and prolonging the lifespan of the HEPA filter. For those who tend to let their car get pretty dirty before undertaking a thorough cleaning, this corded option will serve you better than a battery-powered vacuum since you can use it continuously until your car’s interior looks like new.
ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner - Car Accessories - Small 12V High Power Handheld Portable Car Vacuum w/Attachments, 16 Ft Cord & Bag - Detailing Kit Essentials for Travel, RV Camper
This car vacuum is easy to use thanks to its lightweight design and 16-foot cord that plugs into your vehicle for continuous use.
Best for Tight Spaces: BLACK+DECKER Flex Car Vacuum
This car vacuum cleaner from BLACK+DECKER scores major points for its ability to get into your car’s tight spaces thanks to its long cord and unique design. The nozzle and hose tandem works great for removing debris around and between seats, as well as virtually anywhere else you can think of cleaning. This vacuum also features a large dust bowl and retains its suction power due to its cyclonic action that spins dirt away from the filter. If you are looking for something simple to use and reliable, you can’t go wrong with this product.
BLACK+DECKER Flex Car Vacuum, 12V Corded (BDH1200FVAV), Iron/Red
This compact car vacuum is super reliable and adept at sneaking into the crevices of your car.
Best Wet/Dry Vac: Holife Handheld Vacuum Cordless Cleaner
Rounding out our list is the Holife Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, which is the most effective cordless wet/dry vacuum that you can buy for your vehicle. This cordless vacuum boasts an intense clean to its quick two- to three-hour full charge time and around thirty minutes of continuous battery usage. The design makes it simple to empty the contents of the vacuum’s dirt collector with its release button that keeps your hands away from the dirt. It also comes with all the attachments necessary to deal with liquids, dust, and narrow spaces that are hard to reach.
Holife Handheld Vacuum Cordless Cleaner Rechargeable, 7Kpa 14.8V Portable Powerful Cyclonic Suction Hand Vacuum Quick Charge, Lightweight Wet Dry Vac with HEPA Filter for Home Pet Hair Car Cleaning
This wet/dry vacuum is adept at cleaning and features a long-lasting rechargeable battery.