Best Car Vacuum Cleaners & Handheld Vacs for 2024
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Here at Autoblog, we’d never judge anyone for having a messy car interior. We get it. Sometimes, life happens. Ultimately though, we’re proponents of keeping your ride as clean as it can be. After all, it’s never a great look when someone picks you up for a ride and they have to wipe off a bunch of clutter from the passenger seat before you can even enter the vehicle. We all know someone like that and many of us have been the “someone like that” and it’s not a great feeling. Dirt, crumbs and more can pile up faster than you might think, so it’s important to tackle the problem before it gets overwhelming. Luckily, there are tons of affordable and reliable portable vacuums available to help with just that. If you’re in need of a top car vacuum, we’ve pulled together a list of some of the best corded and cordless car vacs available on Amazon.
$25.88 at Amazon
Key Features
Features 106W of suction power
Weighs 2.4 lbs
Plugs into a 12V cigarette lighter port via 16ft long power cord
Includes 3 all-purpose nozzles, a carrying bag and an extra filter w/ cleaning brush
This portable ThisWorx vac is similar to the other on our list, but with a different body design, slightly less power, and a slightly smaller price tag. The vac, like most of the others, has a 16-foot cable that plugs into your vehicle’s 12V port. It features a 106W and 8.8 amp motor, weighs on 2.4 lbs, and has a transparent trash container so you can keep an eye on everything you’re sucking up. Like the other ThisWorx, this one also comes with 3 all-purpose nozzles, a carrying bag, and a special filter cleaning brush. It also includes a spare HEPA filter.
$24.98 at Amazon
Key Features
Improved design features 110W suction power
Weighs 2.4 lbs
Features a built-in LED light
Plugs into a 12V cigarette lighter port via 16ft long power cord
Includes 3 all-purpose nozzles, a carrying bag and an extra filter w/ cleaning brush
The popular ThisWorx portable car vacuum is a solid choice for anyone looking to up their car cleanliness game. It features a 110W and 9.17 amp motor, a built-in LED light, a washable double-HEPA filter, a flat bottom, a 16-foot power cable that connects to your car’s 12V lighter port and includes 3 different all-purpose nozzles, a carrying bag for easy storage and a filter cleaning brush.
$41.19 at Amazon
Key Features
Each purchase supports the Bissell Pet Foundation
Vacuum is very compact weighing only 1.37 lbs
Battery powered – provides up to 12 minutes of cordless cleaning, great for quick clean-ups
Charges via USB
Includes a 2-in-1 crevice tool, dusting brush and charging stand
This cordless vacuum from Bissell uses a lithium-ion battery to provide up to 12 minutes of cleaning power at a time. The small size of the vac makes it easy to store in your car or office and the fact that it only weighs 2 pounds makes it easy to transport. It includes a 2-in-1 crevice tool and dusting brush and a stand for the vacuum itself and its accessories. The filter on this vac, like many others, is removable and washable. And last but not least, it charges via a standard USB charging cable. If you’re not yet convinced, every Bissell purchase supports the Bissell Pet Foundation, a foundation that helps save homeless pets.
$58.74 at Amazon
Key Features
Effective on carpets, car interiors, furniture and more
Weighs 2.6 lbs
Features a 180° rotating nozzle
Includes a pull-out crevice tool and flip-up brush
Dirt bowl is translucent and easily removable
Cordless – powered by a lithium ion battery, fully recharges in about 4 hours
The Black+Decker handheld vacuum uses a lithium ion battery and can hold a charge for up to 18 months. The dustbowl has a 20.6 oz capacity and is translucent to show the dirt captured inside. It uses cyclonic action to help keep the filter clean and also has a rotating nozzle to be used for a variety of applications. Both the bowl and filters are removable and washable, and the vac comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
$63.99 at Amazon
Key Features
Features three layers of filtration
Weighs 3 lbs
Run time of up to 17 minutes when fully charged
Includes 3 all-purpose nozzles
For those of us who have furry friends, even pet hammocks and seat covers aren’t usually enough to keep flyaway dog hairs from covering the interior of our automobiles. This handheld vac, specifically designed to get rid of pet hair, features three layers of filtration and is designed to remove embedded pet hairs from your car seats and carpet. Powered by a 14V Li-Ion battery, the Pet Hair Eraser also comes with three attachments, a motorized brush, the upholstery tool and a crevice tool, to make sure you can reach all the hair in your car.
$61.11 at Amazon
Key Features
Features a 2.5 gallon polypropylene tank
Plugs into standard outlet via a 10 foot cord
Built-in accessory/hose storage
Can be easily converted into a blower
This Armor All vacuum is a traditional wet/dry utility vac with a 2.5 gallon polypropylene tank. It has a 10-foot cord with a cord wrap that plugs into a standard electrical outlet; unfortunately this one doesn’t plug directly into your lighter port. In addition to being a vacuum, it also has a blower function. The vac includes a 6-foot x 1¼-inch hose, a reusable cloth filter, a foam wet filter, a 2-in-1 utility nozzle with brush, a crevice tool, a deluxe car nozzle, a blower nozzle with adapter, and a detail brush.
What is a car vacuum?
A car vacuum is any portable vacuum that you can use to clean out your car. We prefer the cordless variety because it makes cleaning that much easier and, if we’re being honest, one less hurdle means your car will be cleaned more often.
Why do you need a car vacuum?
Because the majority of cars out on the road are dirty, and depending on how many people get in and out of your car on a daily basis, they can get dirty quickly.
How do you use a car vacuum?
Just like a normal vacuum, though, you can prep your car first by removing any large garbage or debris, then removing the floor mats and any seat covers you may have. Remember to empty the vacuum early and often as well.
How much does a car vacuum cost?
Depending on the model you can pay anywhere from $10 to over $100, though some great models are listed above at many different price points to help find the right vacuum for you.
Pros and cons of using a car vacuum:
The biggest pro is a clean car. The biggest con is that it is one more appliance for you to purchase, unless you have a home vacuum that can also turn into a portable vacuum cleaner.
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