Best Car Vacuums

The size and weight of a car vacuum is an important feature to take into consideration. There are pros and cons to each — a smaller model is easier to operate and easier to transport, but they tend to be less powerful. Larger models can be clunkier and more difficult to use or move around, but they usually come with a more powerful motor. Ultimately, you’ll just need to decide which you prefer based on personal preferences.

You will also want to think about the size of the vacuum’s receptacle (the container that holds the trash and debris that’s been sucked up). If you plan on vacuuming a larger car, like a truck or SUV, you may want to find a car vacuum with a larger receptacle so you won’t need to empty it multiple times as you clean.

Vacuum cleaners that come with handy attachments make cleaning those hard-to-reach spaces and car seats easy. Attachments range from additional nozzles of all shapes and uses, extra lights to help see and clean under the seats, and even water filters that give you the ability to vacuum up liquids. It all depends on the model type — at a minimum, you’ll want a car vacuum with a tool to clean in crevices, a brush attachment to help with the car seats, and an extension piece to reach under the seats.

It’s important to think about the vacuum’s power source and how much umph its suction has. Vacuums can plug into a wall, plug into your car, or be battery powered. Ones that plug into the wall are great if your car is in the garage, models with a 12-volt plug are convenient for cleaning when away from home, and battery-powered devices don’t need a cord at all but may not be as powerful.

A vacuum’s suction power usually depends on the motor power, but there are exceptions. You can certainly find models nowadays that have smaller motors, but still offer excellent suction power. If you aren’t sure on a vacuum’s suction, your best bet is to go with one with a higher motor power — this usually means they’ll have a more powerful suction, too.

A big difference between vacuum models is what they can clean. Every vacuum can suction up dry debris like dirt and sand, but some vacuums have an added ability to clean liquid messes, too. If you frequently have drinks that could spill or you live in a rainy or snowy climate, having that liquid clean-up add-on would definitely come in handy.

A typical shop vacuum has a large base container that sits on the ground and holds debris and an industrial hose to vacuum with. They’re typically found in automotive shops and garages and come with specific capabilities that set them apart from regular vacuums. Most are wet/dry, the bases have wheels for easy transportation, and there are drains on the bottom so you can quickly empty any liquids.

When it comes to car vacuums, handheld models are easily one of the most convenient options. They come both battery-powered or corded, whether that be plugged into a wall outlet or your car’s 12-volt plugin. There’s a wide variety of models and features for these, including various hose attachments, some with wet/dry capabilities, different sizes, etc.