Maintaining a clean car interior can be challenging. From crumbs and dirt to pet hair and spilled drinks, the mess seems endless. A dedicated car vacuum cleaner is an essential tool for any car owner looking to keep their vehicle in pristine condition. These portable and powerful devices make quick work of tidying up your car, ensuring a more pleasant and hygienic driving experience. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the Best Car Vacuum Cleaners available today, highlighting their key features and strengths to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Top Pick
Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit
A Great All-Purpose Car Vacuum
The Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit stands out as an excellent all-around car vacuum. Its powerful suction, coupled with a long runtime, makes quick work of cleaning car interiors. The extra-large dustbin is a significant advantage, reducing the frequency of emptying. While its robust build contributes to its power, it might be slightly bulky for reaching under car seats in some vehicles.
Buying Options
$89 from Home Depot(bundle)
$50 from Home Depot(tool only)
The Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit excels in delivering strong suction, a key factor when selecting the best car vacuum cleaner. It boasts a substantial 22-ounce dustbin, which is larger than most cordless handheld vacuums on the market, meaning less frequent trips to the trash can. The included pivoting dust brush and crevice tool are thoughtfully designed to access tight spots such as cup holders and various car storage compartments, enhancing its versatility as a car detailing vacuum.
Runtime is another area where the Ryobi shines, offering a respectable 18 minutes of cleaning power on a single charge. Impressively, it recharges in under an hour, outperforming many competitors in terms of charging speed. The vacuum is designed with longevity in mind, featuring easily replaceable parts, including filters and the battery. Notably, the battery is part of the One+ Ryobi system, making it compatible with a wide range of other Ryobi tools, adding to its value for users already invested in that ecosystem. The three-year warranty further underscores the manufacturer’s confidence in the product’s durability and reliability.
Also Great
Black+Decker 20V Max Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Cordless Pet Hand Vacuum HHVK515JP07
A Great Car Vacuum for Pet Fur
For pet owners, dealing with pet hair in the car is a common struggle. The Black+Decker 20V Max Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Cordless Pet Hand Vacuum HHVK515JP07 is specifically designed to tackle this challenge. Its motorized brush is exceptionally effective at lifting pet fur, particularly from car upholstery. The extendable crevice tool is also beneficial for reaching into tight spaces and corners within the car.
Buying Options
$99 from Amazon
$100 from Chewy
$99 from Lowe’s
The Black+Decker 20V Max Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet Hand Vacuum HHVK515JP07 is a top contender for those battling pet hair in their vehicles. It reliably handles typical car messes and, crucially, outperforms other handheld models in pet hair removal. The enhanced suction is complemented by a motorized brush, which actively works to loosen and lift embedded pet hair and other debris from car upholstery and carpets. This feature makes it an ideal pet car vacuum.
The integrated extendable crevice tool is designed to effectively reach dirt in most car storage areas, although it might be slightly cumbersome in very small, tight spots. It boasts a 25-ounce bin, the largest among the tested handheld vacuums, which is particularly useful for managing large volumes of pet fur. The Dustbuster offers a runtime of up to 25 minutes and recharges in under three hours. It is backed by a two-year warranty, providing peace of mind for users concerned about durability.
Also Great
Black+Decker 20V Max Flex Handheld Vacuum BDH2020FL
More Comfortable, Less Power
Comfort and ease of use are important factors, especially for those with hand or wrist sensitivities. The Black+Decker 20V Max Flex Handheld Vacuum BDH2020FL prioritizes user comfort with its extendable hose design. This feature allows users to set down the main body of the vacuum while cleaning, making it easier to reach under seats and into crevices. However, it’s worth noting that this model is less powerful compared to other options, and it has a shorter runtime and a longer charging time.
Buying Options
$100 from Amazon
$144 from Walmart
$119 from Home Depot
The Black+Decker 20V Max Flex Handheld Vacuum BDH2020FL offers a unique design focused on user ergonomics. Its extendable hose allows for comfortable cleaning of hard-to-reach areas in a car, such as under seats and deep crevices. This design is particularly beneficial for users who may experience discomfort with handheld devices due to hand or wrist issues. While it may struggle with larger debris like chips or cereal, it effectively picks up finer particles such as dust, seeds, and glitter. The rubber-nubbed pet hair tool is reasonably effective at removing fur from most upholstery types. It features a 17-ounce dustbin, which is adequately sized for car cleaning tasks.
However, the Black+Decker BDH2020FL has limitations in terms of performance and convenience. It offers a runtime of only 12 minutes, which may not be sufficient for thorough cleaning of larger vehicles. Additionally, it requires a lengthy four-hour recharge time. It is also noted to be noisier than many other handheld vacuums. Despite these drawbacks, it includes a two-year warranty.
Also Great
Worx 20V Power Share Cordless Cube Vac WX030L
Smart Design, Small Bin
For those who appreciate clever design and portability, the Worx 20V Power Share Cordless Cube Vac WX030L is an attractive option. This model features a compact, cube-like design with onboard tool storage and an extendable hose. The flexible hose allows for comfortable cleaning, similar to the Black+Decker Flex, by enabling users to set the vacuum body down. While it boasts a smart design and a long warranty, its suction power is weaker than other picks, and it has a very small dustbin.
Buying Options
$79 from Amazon
$120 from Best Buy
The Worx 20V Power Share Cordless Cube Vac WX030L stands out with its aesthetically pleasing and highly functional design. Its compact cube shape incorporates convenient onboard storage for its attachments and includes a flexible hose that enhances usability by allowing the user to place the vacuum body on the car floor or seat while cleaning. This feature contributes to a more comfortable and less strenuous cleaning experience.
While the Worx WX030L excels at picking up fine dust, it struggles with larger debris and pet hair. A significant limitation is its tiny 6-ounce dustbin, which will require frequent emptying, especially during more extensive car cleaning sessions. On the positive side, it offers a runtime of up to 25 minutes and recharges quickly in just one hour. The battery is replaceable and compatible with other tools in the Worx Power Share system, offering added value for users within that ecosystem. It also comes with a robust three-year warranty, reflecting the manufacturer’s confidence in its quality and durability.
How We Picked the Best Car Vacuum Cleaners
When selecting the top car vacuum cleaners, several key criteria were considered to ensure effective and convenient cleaning:
- Strong Suction: Essential for tackling various car messes, from pet hair to dirt and food crumbs. A good car vac should have sufficient suction power to lift embedded debris.
- Decent Runtime: The vacuum should operate long enough to complete a thorough cleaning of a car’s interior without needing frequent recharges.
- Helpful Attachments: Attachments like crevice tools for tight spaces, motorized brushes for upholstery and pet hair, and extendable hoses for reach are crucial for comprehensive car cleaning.
- Reliability: Durability and longevity are important. A solid warranty, ideally two years or more, and replaceable parts, particularly the battery, indicate a more reliable and long-lasting product.
For routine car cleanups, the Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit is a top recommendation due to its powerful suction and overall performance. If pet hair is a primary concern, the Black+Decker 20V Max Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet Hand Vacuum HHVK515JP07 is the best choice for effectively removing fur. For users prioritizing comfort and ease of handling, the Black+Decker 20V Max Flex Handheld Vacuum BDH2020FL and the Worx 20V Power Share Cordless Cube Vac WX030L offer more ergonomic designs, though with some trade-offs in power or bin capacity. Choosing the best car vacuum cleaner ultimately depends on your specific cleaning needs and preferences.
