The car vacuum cleaners are designed to go in places where your house vacuum can’t. Car vacuum cleaners can reach tight spaces, making it easy to clean dirt and pet hair from hard-to-reach areas in your car and also tight corners where dirt accumulates. Currently, there are many options available in the market to cover everyone’s needs. Whether you are looking for a vacuum for small messes or a powerful one for deep cleaning, there’s an option available for you.
With so many models available on the market, choosing the right one can be difficult. Cordless vacuums are great for ease of use, making them a great option for cleaning small messes, while corded vacuums provide more suction for deep cleaning.
We at Vacuumadvice have tested over 20 handheld vacuums. We tested these vacuums based on their suction, usability, battery life, and how well they clean different surfaces. Our tests included picking up dust from carpets, removing pet hair from car seats, and suctioning crumbs from tight crevices. After testing, we concluded that the Black+Decker 20V Max Dustbuster is the top choice.
Our Top Picks
- Black+Decker 20V Max Flex (Best overall)
- Vacmaster Professional 5 Gal (Shopvac)
- Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+
- Dyson Car + Boat (Best battery life)
- Fanttik v8 Apex (Best lightweight)
Comparison of the Best Car Vacuums
| Model | Suction Power | Battery Life | Weight | Tank Capacity | Attachments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black+Decker 20V Max Flex | Strong | 15 min | 3.2 lb | 17 oz | Crevice tool, pet brush, flex hose |
| Vacmaster Professional 5 Gal | Very Strong | Corded | 13.5 lbs | 5 gallons | Multiple nozzles, extension wands |
| Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ | Strong | 12 min | 2.8 lbs | Small | Motorized pet tool, crevice tool |
| Dyson Car + Boat | Very Strong | 40-50 min | 3.4 lbs | Small | Various nozzles, soft dusting brush |
| Fanttik V8 Apex | Moderate | 15 min | 498g (1.1 lbs) | Small | Crevice tool, brush attachment |
Black+Decker Max Flex
The BLACK+DECKER dustbuster is the best car vacuum. Its portability and light weight design with good suction power make it our top pick. We tested this vacuum cleaner on different surfaces, including vinyl flooring, car’s carpet, and granite. The results were amazing, much more than what we expected. Its plastic body makes it super lightweight but also reduces points in build quality. We liked the suction power it provides at a price tag of only $100.
This vacuum cleaner is very easy to use. You can hold the hose in one hand and the vacuum unit in the other. In this way, you clean your stairs and upholstery with ease. The hose is approximately 4 feet long and extremely flexible. You can easily reach tight and other hard-to-reach areas.
Another thing that we liked about this vacuum is its lithium-ion battery. With this battery, you will not experience power fade. The vacuum is well powered, with strong suction power. In our testing, we were able to vacuum for up to 15 minutes without experiencing a fade in power.
Reasons to buy:
- Its 4-foot flexible hose is great for cleaning hard-to-reach areas in your car
- Its lightweight design makes it easy to use and store
- 20V lithium-ion battery provides great suction power
- You can wash and reuse filters
- Cordless
Reasons to avoid:
- Battery life is only 15 minutes
- No HEPA filter
- Can be noisy. The noise level is about 80 decibels
Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry
The Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry is a shop vacuum that is designed to handle the toughest cleanups. This vacuum has a hose length of 7 feet and a cord length of 18 feet, meaning it can provide a cleaning radius of 25 feet.
This vacuum is equipped with a 5.5 HP motor, which provides amazing suction power. In our testing, this model gives us 5 pounds of pull force. Which meets all expectations and justifies its high rating. We tested this vacuum on a car that had 4 years of dirt and sand. And this vacuum got it all out. The attachments with this shopvac are great. Whatever you need for cleaning your car is there.
Handheld vacuums lack power and runtime, and they also can’t handle wet spills on your car seats. If you are looking for a vacuum for the toughest cleanups, then this beast is the one for you. It is worth every penny and beats every handheld vacuum.
Reasons to buy:
- Its 5.5 HP motor provides amazing suction power for heavy-duty cleaning tasks.
- Covers 25-foot area
- Can be used to clean dry dust and wet spills
Reasons to avoid:
- Less portable compared to handheld vacuums
Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+
Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a good choice if you have pets and a car. This vacuum is great at cleaning both. We also tested this vacuum on high-pile and low-pile carpets, and it did a good job in cleaning both. Its turbobrush tool is very helpful for cleaning large debris.
For pet hair pickup, we tested this vacuum on both high-pile and low-pile carpets. The results on high-pile carpet were much better compared to the ones from low-pile carpet. For low-pile carpets, it performed average. We had to perform multiple passes to clean all the stuck hair.
In our testing, this vacuum was only able to run for about 12 minutes. The battery life in this vacuum is less compared to other options on the market. Another thing we dislike about this product is its charging time. It took almost 3 hours to completely charge and provides only 12 minutes of runtime.
Compared to other vacuums like Black+Decker 16V MAX dustbuster, Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet and Shark WANDVAC, this vacuum is a better choice. It performed well in our car cleaning test and removing hair from high-pile carpet test. UltraCyclone also require less cleaning and comes with a turbobrush attachment making it more effective in cleaning debris.
Reasons to buy:
- Portable and light-weight. It weighs about 2.8 pounds (1.27 kg)
- It includes a pet hair tool, which helps remove pet hair without tangling
- Comes with additional tools, including a crevice tool and scrubbing brush.
Reasons to avoid:
- Battery life is only 12 minutes
- No HEPA filters
Dyson Car + Boat
This vacuum is the most powerful handheld vacuum we have tested so far. The battery life in this vacuum also impressed us. It provides 50 minutes of runtime without any fade. Its motor spins at up to 110,000rpm to generate the most powerful suction and operates at low noise.
In our testing, this vacuum performed great on different surfaces, including hard flooring, upholstery, carpets, car interiors, and stairs. Its powerful motor cleans everything in a single pass. It also did a good job of cleaning pet hair from all the surfaces.
This vacuum includes a number of attachments, a motorized brush bar, a crevice tool, and a combination tool to enhance your cleaning experience. For deep clean fabric, you can use a motorized brush. You can remove anything from allergens on mattresses to stubborn dirt on upholstery and stairs. For hard-to-reach places, it includes a crevice tool. This attachment is designed to tackle dust and debris in tricky places.
Reasons to buy:
- Strong build quality with 2 years of warranty
- 50 minutes of runtime without any fade
- Amazing suction power
- Include multiple attachments for different surfaces
Reasons to avoid:
- Expensive compared to other handheld models
Fanttik v8 Apex
Fanttik v8 Apex is a compact vacuum cleaner designed to clean quick messes and is not suitable for cleaning large areas. Despite its small size, it provides good suction power. This compact vacuum is equipped with an 80000rpm brushless motor, which provides a suction power of max 45AW/19kPa to easily pick up sand, dust, and small-scale debris. In our testing, we were able to use this vacuum for 40 minutes with eco mode and 15 minutes with turbo mode. The battery life in this vacuum is better compared to some of the other models on the market.
This vacuum is the lightest vacuum that we have tested. It weighs only 1.1lbs (498g). Its compact size and less weight make it the most portable vacuum on this list. This portable vacuum comes with a USB-C charging cable. You can fully charge it in almost 2.5 hours.
Another good thing we liked about this vacuum is that it comes with HEPA filters. According to Fanttik, this vacuum can trap 95.99% of dust and particles, keeping the air fresh and allergen-free.
Reasons to buy:
- Its compact and cordless design makes it easy to handle
- Includes multiple attachments like crevice nozzle, pet brush, and a push-in brush.
- Include HEPA filters to trap allergens
Reasons to avoid:
- Build quality feels cheap
- Not ideal for cleaning large areas
Factors to consider before buying a car vacuum
When buying a car vacuum, you should consider these factors:
Suction Power: The suction power defines how good a vacuum is. The more suction power, the better cleaning it provides. It is usually measured in air watts (AW) or kilopascals (kPa). In our list, the vacuum with the best suction power is Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry. However, if you want to go cordless, then Dyson Car + Boat provides amazing suction power.
Portability: Car vacuums need to be lightweight, so you can easily maneuver them inside your car. However, there is one downside with lightweight vacuums. These vacuums may provide less suction power and battery life. They are designed to handle small amounts of dust and debris.
Battery Life & Power Source: The vacuum with the best battery life on our list is the Dyson Car + Boat. It provides a runtime of 50 minutes without any fade. However, if you want more runtime and more suction power, we recommend looking for a corded vacuum.
Attachments & Accessories: Before buying a vacuum, make sure it has all the necessary attachments that you need. Like a crevice tool or a flexible hose.
Filtration: If you are alergic, then you should be looking at vacuums with HEPA filters.
Which vacuum is the best for car detailing?
The best car vacuum depends on your needs. If you’re looking for a vacuum with the best performance, then look no further than the Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry vacuum. This shop vacuum is a beast, designed to handle the toughest cleanups. It provides great suction and also cleans wet spills. However, if you are looking for a vacuum with the best portability and ease of use, then the Fanttik V8 Apex is a good choice.
Dyson Car + Boat and Black+Decker Max Flex are also good handheld vacuums with their own strengths. The Dyson Car + Boat is the most powerful cordless vacuum we have tested. The battery runtime in this vacuum is impressive. On the other hand, the Black+Decker Max Flex is a good mix of all performance, portability, ease of use, and price tag. If you are looking for both performance and portability, then these two vacuums are a good choice.
- Black+Decker 20V Max Flex (Best overall)
- Vacmaster Professional 5 Gal (Best performance)
- Dyson Car + Boat (Best battery life)
- Fanttik v8 Apex (Best portability)
Can I use my car vacuum for home cleaning?
Yes, these car vacuums are designed to clean different surfaces, including upholstery, stairs, and carpets. Some of these models are equipped with specialized pet hair attachments for cleaning pet hair without getting tangled.
Are wet/dry car vacuums worth it?
Yes, wet/dry vacuums are great as they can handle both dry dust and wet spills. For families with kids and pets, these vacuums are great. These vacuums have more suction power compared to handheld vacuums and provide a better cleaning experience. However, they are heavier and bulkier.