10 Best Car Vacuums of 2023

When was the last time you looked between the seats of your car? How about deep into the cup holder or under the floor mats? If it’s been a while, there’s a good chance what you find will shock you.

Dirt and grime seem to find its way into every nook and cranny inside your vehicle, and if you don’t take the time to clean it up it just gets worse and worse. And just because you’re no longer noticing the mess doesn’t mean the next time you have someone new in your car they won’t notice it right away.

You don’t want to need to head out to the gas station or a local car wash to clean out your car, but you also don’t want to waste your money on a car vacuum that doesn’t work. We don’t want you to waste your money either, which is why we highlighted ten of the best car vacuums you can buy today.

Whether you’re on a tight budget or you don’t care how much you spend, we have some outstanding options for you to consider here.

Disclaimer – This article may contain affiliate links, this means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.

10 Best Car Vacuums

Before we dive into anything else, let’s highlight the ten best car vacuums you can buy today. Whether you’re looking for the best deal, you’re on a tight budget, or you want the best product no matter how much it costs, we’ve got some great options for you to consider here.

1. Shark UltraCyclone Pro – Best Car Vacuum Overall

• Brand: Shark
• Style: Handheld cordless
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Battery Type: Rechargeable lithium-ion

Some vacuums cost a fortune but work great while others don’t cost much but hardly work. Then there’s the Shark UltraCyclone Pro. It’s not the lowest-priced option out there, but it’s far from the most expensive. But nestled into this Goldilocks zone is a vacuum that works and won’t require a second mortgage to purchase.

It’s a great combination of price and quality, and it’s lightweight and easy to use. Even better, while some of the lower-priced options out there only work for a year or two, that’s not the case with the Shark UltraCyclone Pro.

It’s a durable and long-lasting choice that you can use for years to come to clean out your car. But while it is a great choice, it’s not perfect. It’s not quite as powerful as the most expensive options, and it doesn’t come with a bunch of attachments.

But at this price point, those are both things we can live with. Especially considering that for most messes in cars, it has plenty of power to get the job done.

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2. Dirt Devil Scorpion – Best Budget

• Brand: Dirt Devil
• Style: Handless corded
• Weight: 3 pounds
• Battery Type: 110 volts (16-foot cord)

If you don’t want to spend a lot on your next car vacuum but want something that works, then the Dirt Devil Scorpion is an option you’ll want to consider. It’s an extremely affordable option and compared to other low-cost car vacuums it provides more power.

It’s also lightweight at just 3-pounds, and as long as you have a regular 110-volt power outlet nearby, it’s easy to use. But keep in mind that it is a corded design, and the power cord itself is just 16 feet. For some situations, that’s not a problem, but for others you’ll need an extension cord.

However, with its powerful suction and low-price tag it’s not hard to see why the Dirt Devil Scorpion is such a popular choice. In fact, the only reason the Dirt Devil Scorpion isn’t at the top of our list is because of its durability. It’ll last a little while, but it’s not the longest-lasting option on our list.

It’s a great value choice, but it simply can’t climb to the top of our list without having a slightly more durable design.

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3. Dyson V7 Trigger – Premium Choice

• Brand: Dyson
• Style: Handheld cordless
• Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Battery Type: Rechargeable lithium-ion

If you don’t mind spending a little (lot) more for a car vacuum, you’re not going to find a better choice than the Dyson V7 Trigger. It’s by far the most expensive car vacuum on our list, but you’re not going to find a portable vacuum with a more powerful suction or one that lasts longer.

It comes with a 2-year warranty, but it’s really unlikely that you’ll need to replace it any time close to that if you take care of it properly. This Dyson handheld cordless vacuum gives you 30-minutes of use on a single charge without any drop-off in power.

It’s extremely easy to use, and at 3.7 pounds, it’s also compact and easy to take from place to place. Moreover, with tons of attachments, you can effectively clean every nook and cranny in your car, and with this level of suction power, it will leave the car looking brand new.

In short, there’s no denying that this is the best car vacuum on the market today. But it also costs two to five times as much as any other car vacuum on our list, putting it far out of reach if you’re on a tight budget.

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4. Milwaukee 0880-20

• Brand: Milwaukee
• Style: Portable wet-dry vac
• Weight: 10.1 pounds
• Battery Type: 18-volt

This Milwaukee 0880-20 car vacuum just looks like it belongs in a car or in a garage. It comes in a compact, rugged, and durable case, which ensures you don’t end up breaking it right after getting it. It also ensures you have somewhere to store it when you’re not using it, which means less clutter around your car, garage, or home!

The entire car vacuum is extremely portable, especially considering it uses an 18-volt battery. It’s easy to use, and if you have other 18-volt Milwaukee tools those batteries will work with this too!

The vacuum itself provides a powerful suction, which is a big deal when you’re trying to clean up messes intertwined with the upholstery in your car. Still, since it uses an 18-volt battery, it’s a bit heavier than other handheld car vacuums. But at just over 10 pounds it’s still lightweight enough for most people to handle with ease.

The real tradeoff with this car vacuum is the price. It’s on the more expensive side of things, and while you’re getting a durable and high-quality tool, it’s still a little more than we’d want to spend. You could do far worse than the Milwaukee 0880-20 car vacuum, but we feel like you could do better with one of our top three.

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5. Black+Decker Flex Car Vacuum

• Brand: Black+Decker
• Style: Handheld corded
• Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Battery Type: 12-volt

Any time you’re looking for a tool for your car you should consider Black + Decker. They’re one of the tool industry’s largest names and for good reason. This Black + Decker handheld corded car vacuum highlights why.

It’s an outstanding mix of price and value, ensuring you’re getting a reliable car vacuum that works without the need to spend a ton of money. Even better for automotive applications it uses a 12-volt cigarette lighter-style plug to run.

This means as long as your vehicle runs, you’ll have a handheld vacuum you can use to clean it. It’s also extremely compact and weighs just 3.3 pounds, so you can easily store it in your vehicle for when you need it.

With this Black + Decker handheld vacuum we really only have two complaints. First, it uses a corded design. Since you can plug it right into the car, it’s not a huge deal, but if your car doesn’t have a 12-volt cigarette lighter-style outlet, it won’t work.

Second, while it’s an impressive little vacuum cleaner with just a 12-volt input, it’s not quite as powerful as some of the other options on our list. It’s convenient and works for most messes, if you have pets or anything else that requires a little more suction it won’t cut it.

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6. Armor All AA255

• Brand: Armor All
• Style: Corded shop vac
• Weight: 7 pounds
• Battery Type: 110 volts (10-foot cord)

Sometimes a handheld vacuum is all you need for your car, but sometimes you need something with a little more power. That’s where an option like the Armor All AA255 really stands apart. It’s a wet/dry shop vac with enough suction and space to clean up even the biggest messes.

It’s one of the most versatile options on our list with a tank large enough to clean your whole garage but nimble enough to reach some of the smallest nooks and crannies inside your vehicle.

Another perk with this Armor All shop vac is the price. It’s one of the most affordable car vacuums on our list, and you can use it for tons of different applications.

But the primary tradeoff with this vacuum is the size. It’s significantly larger than most other vacuums on our list, making it one of the heavier options too. Finally, it uses a regular 110-volt cord, so you’ll need to find a 110-volt wall outlet near your vehicle to use it.

If you need a shop vac and want one that’ll work great for your vehicle, you’re not going to find a better option than this.

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7. Hoover ONEPWR Blade MAX

• Brand: Hoover
• Style: Handheld cordless
• Weight: 6.8 pounds
• Battery Type: Rechargeable lithium-ion

Hoover is one of the best names in the vacuum industry, so it’s really no surprise to find that they make a great car vacuum. It has a cleaning power that only the Dyson V7 Trigger can rival. And while there’s no arguing that the Hoover ONEPWR Blade MAX is a more expensive option, it’s still not as pricey as the Dyson V7 Trigger.

The Hoover ONEPWR Blade MAX uses a rechargeable design, has tons of suction, and it has tons of attachments you can use to clean every part of your vehicle.

At 6.8 pounds, the Hoover ONEPWR Blade MAX is the heaviest handheld cordless car vacuum on our list, but it’s still far from heavy. It’s easy to use and portable, which is everything you’re looking for in a car vacuum.

Just be ready to spend a little more than you would with most of the other car options out there, but since this vacuum will last so long and do a great job, it’s still a significant investment.

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8. DeWalt 20V Vacuum

• Brand: DeWalt
• Style: Handheld cordless
• Weight: 7.1 pounds
• Battery Type: 20V

DeWalt makes tons of great tools, and this 20V car vacuum is no exception. It’s one of the most reliable car vacuums on the market today, and while it doesn’t have the same amount of suction as the higher-end rechargeable vacuums, it provides more suction than the 18- and 12-volt options.

It’s reliable, easy to use, and it comes with tons of attachments. It is a little heavier for a handheld vacuum, but its compact size makes it easy to take from place to place.

But not only is it a little heavier, but it’s also a more expensive option. You can do better than the DeWalt 20V Vacuum, but you’re also not going to regret this vacuum if it’s the one you go with. But you can get more with your money if you’re willing to spend this much.

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9. Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum

• Brand: Bissell
• Style: Handheld cordless
• Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Battery Type: Rechargeable lithium-ion

The Bissell AeroSlim is the lightest car vacuum to make our list, and at just 1.4 pounds, you’re not going to find a lighter car vacuum that performs as well as the AeroSlim. But not only is it extremely lightweight, but Bissel is selling it for an affordable price too.

Additionally, it uses a USB-style charger like you’d find with a cellphone, which makes it easy to keep it ready to go for when you need it. The AeroSlim comes with plenty of attachments you can use to clean your car perfectly with it.

As the name implies the AeroSlim is compact, which makes it easy to store wherever so you can have it when you need it. On a single charge you can get 12-minutes of use. While that’s less than you can get with other options, it’s still plenty long enough considering the amount you’re spending for this vacuum.

The real issue is that it’s neither the most powerful nor the most durable car vacuum and since it doesn’t thrive in either category, it can’t climb any further up the list despite the great price.

It’ll last for a year or two, but if you go with this car vacuum we recommend saving up for another car vacuum since you’ll need to replace it before too long.

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10. HOTOR Car Vacuum High Power

• Brand: Hotor
• Style: Handheld corded
• Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Battery Type: 12 volts (16.4-foot cord)

If you’re trying to find the lowest-priced car vacuum that works, this is it. It doesn’t come from any of the large names in the industry, but that’s part of the reason Hotor can keep the price so low.

Unfortunately, the other reason the price is so low is because of the quality of the parts they use. When it works the vacuum has no problem cleaning things up, but the problem is that it doesn’t work for as long as the other car vacuums that made our list.

Not only that, but it’s less powerful compared to the more expensive options. It’ll work for most everyday jobs, but it’s not the best of the best.

But in addition to the great price this vacuum is lightweight at just 2.4 pounds, it uses a dual filtration system, and it’s compact and convenient. It uses a 12-volt cigarette lighter-style outlet, which means as long as your vehicle doesn’t have a dead battery you can use it for as long as you need it.

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Car Vacuum Cleaner Buyer’s Guide

With so many great car vacuums out there it can be a challenge to narrow it down to just one. We understand, and that’s why we came up with this buyer’s guide that will break down everything you need to look at and consider when you’re picking out a car vacuum.

Just follow this guide and you’ll be able to pick out the perfect car vacuum for you from our list in no time!

Why You Need a Car Vacuum

If you already have a vacuum for your home you might find yourself asking if you really need a separate vacuum for the car. And if you really need a specific vacuum for the car all comes down to a few different factors, but there’s no denying that they make it a lot easier and more convenient to clean your car.

Car vacuums are smaller and more compact, which makes them easier to navigate inside the tight confines of a vehicle. Not only that, but many of them don’t rely on external power outlets, so you don’t need to worry about running the vacuum cord from your house to your car.

Finally, many car vacuum cleaners come with specific attachments that make it easier to reach into all the smaller spaces you can find inside a car. From the cup holders to the small space between the seats and the center console, the right car vacuum will come with everything you need to get your car looking like new again.

Corded vs. Cordless

Whether you go with a corded or a cordless car vacuum there are advantages and disadvantages. There’s no wrong decision here, but there might be a wrong choice for you. 

Corded vacuums have the advantage of never running out of power. Whether you’re vacuuming for 5 minutes or 5 hours, they’ll keep running as long as you keep them plugged in. That’s a big advantage over cordless vacuums.

Because while you can easily move cordless vacuums from place to place and you don’t have to worry about tracking down an outlet, you do have to worry about a dead battery. If you run out of a charge, you’ll need to wait until the vacuum recharges, and that can kill all your momentum and desire to clean the car in the first place!

12 Volt vs. 110 Volt

When you’re talking about a corded car vacuum, there are two main types of plugs they’ll use. It’s essential you know what kind of plug the vacuum you’re using has and the pros and cons of each option.

The first option is the 12-volt plug. This plug, which many people call a cigarette lighter, uses a unique plug that fits inside a round receptacle you can find in most cars. This makes it a convenient power outlet for most automotive accessories.

All you need is a working car battery and you can plug in the device and use it! However, since it’s only a 12-volt receptacle it doesn’t provide nearly as much power as a traditional 110-volt outlet.

While it’s less common to find a 110-volt outlet in a car (although they are becoming more common in newer vehicles), they provide more power for different devices. For a vacuum cleaner this means you’ll usually get more suction from a vacuum cleaner that uses 110 voltage instead of 12 volts.

But the tradeoff is that you might need to find a power source outside your car, which can be a pain when you’re trying to vacuum your car!

Choosing a Battery Source

If you choose to go with a cordless car vacuum, you’re not done making decisions just yet. You still need to decide what kind of battery you want in the vacuum. There are a few different popular options to choose from, and they all have their pros and cons. We’ve highlighted three of the most popular options for you here.

1. Lithium-ion

Lithium-ion batteries are pretty much the gold standard of cordless car vacuums. They recharge quickly, provide tons of power, and most importantly, they’re extremely compact.

However, with lithium-ion batteries, there’s a pretty wide disparity when it comes to quality. Some lithium-ion batteries are great top-of-the-line choices while others barely get the job done. Moreover, while you can swap out 18-volt or 20-volt batteries as they age, with lithium-ion batteries, you’re usually better off replacing the entire vacuum.

Finally, with both 18- and 20-volt batteries you can keep a couple on hand to quickly swap it out if one dies. That’s not the case with lithium-ion batteries. If the battery dies you need to put the entire device on the charger and wait for it to recharge before you can go back to vacuuming.

2. 18 Volt

Another option you have to consider with cordless car vacuums is the 18-volt battery. These are compact battery packs you physically remove from the vacuum to charge them, and you can often switch them from device to device.

The convenience of an 18-volt battery is that you can have more than one battery on hand and quickly swap them out if one dies. And if you have multiple devices that use 18-volt batteries, it’s not hard to accumulate a few and ensure you always have at least one with a full charge.

But compared to lithium-ion batteries 18-volt batteries are much larger, and they often don’t pack as much of a punch. Not only are the 18-volt batteries larger, but they also weigh a lot more, which can be a little frustrating when you’re just trying to clean out your vehicle.

3. 20 Volt

20-volt batteries are all but identical to 18-volt batteries. 20-volt batteries provide two extra volts of power and depending on the vacuum this either provides a little more suction or a slightly longer battery life.

The tradeoff is that 20-volt batteries are also slightly larger and heavier than 18-volt batteries. It’s not a huge difference, but they are slightly larger.

Getting Enough Suction

The last thing you want is to get a vacuum cleaner only to realize that it doesn’t have the power to suck up the mess in your car. There are plenty of car vacuums out there that don’t do what they promise, but the good news is that each of the car vacuums that made our list will get the job done.

However, that doesn’t mean they all provide the same level of suction for you. When you’re trying to determine how much suction a vacuum will provide, do yourself a favor and look at the power source. The more power a vacuum needs, the more likely it is to provide more suction.

A vacuum that uses a 12-volt outlet simply doesn’t have the necessary power output to compete with a device that uses 110 volts! Of course, price and quality have a role to play in this too, but if you want more suction, start with more power!

Going with a Reliable Brand

A lot goes into a name. While you can often end up spending more for a “name brand” there’s also a reason why the brand is so popular in the first place. The big companies don’t want to tarnish their name with an inferior product, and if you do have a bad experience they want to fix it for you.

While you might get that experience with a lesser-known company, they also might ignore you completely. Going with a reliable brand gives you a little more peace of mind compared to the smaller companies out there.

Price vs. Quality

This is an age-old question, and it’s certainly not specific to car vacuums. But just because it applies to other things too, doesn’t make it any less relevant. You can certainly save some money upfront by going with the Dirt Devil Scorpion or the Hotor Car Vacuum, but you really have to consider that you might not be saving money in the long run.

Because while they’re less expensive upfront, they also won’t last as long as the more expensive options. When you add in that they don’t perform quite as well as the more expensive options, it often makes more sense to spend a little more upfront to get the better vacuum.

Of course, you have to be able to afford the higher upfront payment, and if you can’t, it really doesn’t matter which one is the better deal in the long run!

What Do Car Detailers Use To Vacuum?

Car detailers often use powerful wet/dry commercial vacuums equipped with professional-grade accessories, but it depends on the detailer. Commercial vacuums usually have more suction power than normal handheld car vacuums, so they can remove more dirt and dust easily from the car.

Which is the best vacuum cleaner for cars?

There is no best vacuum cleaner for everyone, as it depends on many factors, such as how often you use it and what you use it for. However, the Shark UltraCyclone Pro or the Dyson V7 Trigger are excellent choices for most people.

Can I use a regular vacuum for my car?

Yes, it depends on the type of regular vacuum you have, but most regular vacuums are enough to clean the inside of a car. However, you may need some accessories for your vacuum cleaner to reach tight spaces to get it properly cleaned.

If you’re still trying to figure out which car vacuum is right for you and your vehicle after reading the reviews and the buyer’s guide, don’t overthink it. The Shark UltraCyclone Pro is our top choice for a reason, as it expertly combines price and performance.

But if that’s still out of your budget, the Dirt Devil Scorpion will last a few years until you need to replace it. And of course if money is no object then the Dyson V7 Trigger is the best car vacuum money can buy – even if it’s more than most people need.

Just don’t put off getting a car vacuum for long because those dirty spots in your car aren’t going to clean themselves up!

Learn more:

• How To Clean Car Seats (Cloth & Leather)
• 10 Best Steering Wheel Cleaners
• 10 Best Car Buffers & Polishers

Categories: Cleaning & Detailing, Reviews