The Best Car Vacuums: Get Showroom Clean

Rather than just shaking your floor mats out, suck up all that unwanted grime with a car vacuum that’s built for the job. But what’s the best car vacuum for your needs? We tested some of the top brands on the market and came up with several favorites.

You (hopefully) wouldn’t try to clean the outside of your car with dish soap and a sponge, so why would you drag your household vacuum around to clean the inside of your car? Using the right equipment will save you time, make the job easier, and leave you with a cleaner car.

Not surprisingly, small handheld vacuums are fantastic for automotive use. Going cordless is a major advantage when you’re crawling around in footwells and trunks, too. 

So how did we come up with the right car vacuums to test? And how did we end up with these top contenders? Power and mobility played the most important roles. We also looked at versatility and ease of use. And, of course, value for the price.

To put these vacuums to the test, we subjected each one to everyday cleaning duties. They were pitted against dirt, sand, dry grass, and plenty of pet hair. Several cleanings provided a solid understanding of each vacuum’s capabilities and limitations. 

We also created a side-by-side test to help visualize the variation in performance. Each vacuum got an opportunity to do its best work against three common culprits: potting soil, snack mix, and dried grass. Not content to just sprinkle debris on the fabric flooring, we ground each pile into the carpet to simulate wear and tear. 

And every dog lover knows that pet hair is the ultimate test for any car vacuum. So we gathered up as much hair as Annie would allow, and tossed it about, too.

Some of the vacuums in our comparison lined up right where we expected. Others surprised us.

Black+Decker offers the least expensive car vacuum on this list, but it punched above its price and earned the top spot with outstanding performance. During our debris test, it had more than enough power to suck up dirt, crumbs, and grass on the first pass. During regular detailing, the flexible hose made it the most maneuverable vacuum on our list, and the best for reaching into all the nooks and crannies of our test car. 

Where it really surprised us, though, was the dreaded pet-hair test, where the Max Flex Lithium performed on par with the more powerful (and more expensive) competition elsewhere on this list.

Unfortunately, all that air getting sucked up has to go somewhere, and the exhaust here is positioned on the side of the vacuum, which can cause dust and pet hair to scatter if the filter isn’t clean. Also, its motor is really loud.

Time after time, though, we found ourselves drawn to the plucky little Black+Decker. It might not have the same versatility offered by the competition but it excelled in the most important place: our cars. If you need a dedicated detailing companion, this car vacuum is up to the challenge.

The affordable WandVac was surprising, too — in a good way. As a car vacuum, it handles regular cleaning duties with ease. The attachments worked great in narrow spaces and the attached brushes swiveled into place to protect more delicate surfaces. The best-in-test value award comes from the optional attachments that turn the WandVac into a cordless upright vacuum. That makes it slightly more expensive than some car vacuums, but far less expensive than an upright. 

One drawback was the WandVac’s shape, which proved tricky to maneuver in tight spaces like footwells and floorboards. It’s no more ungainly than a traditional cordless vacuum but not quite as convenient as alternatives that use a hose to reach into the small spaces in your car’s interior. It also struggled with large debris during our hands-on test. It eventually got the job done, it just took more passes than we expected.

As tested, our WandVac costs about double what you’d pay for most car vacuums. So is the extra money worth it? 

We would argue that it is. The floor-cleaning attachment and extension tube make this the most versatile option on our list and it performed just as well around the house as it did in the driveway. If cost is a factor or you don’t need all the available attachments, the basic package is more than enough for detailing your car.

A Shop-Vac might be overkill for most car-cleaning situations, but since when is that a bad thing? Our test Shop-Vac generated big-time suction and the massive collection bin was big enough to hold more dirt than we ever want to see in our car. 

We found the short power cord to be the main setback; an extension cord is mandatory. The bucket also wasn’t convenient in spite of its wheels, but the long hose made up for it. That’s a small sacrifice to get this kind of cleaning power. 

Ours also came with several car detailing accessories including tiny nozzles and brushes designed for seat crevices, air vents, and all those tiny cracks where interior surfaces meet. It made quick work of car cleaning duty and can earn its keep in plenty of other instances around the garage and workshop.

This powerhouse is similar to the renowned Shop-Vac but mounts directly to the wall, so the canister is never in the way. Instead, the 32-foot hose lets you chase down all those stubborn pockets of dirt in your car. 

It’s also a wet/dry vacuum, so you can clean up non-toxic spills in your garage quickly and efficiently, then empty the four-gallon bucket when you’re done. Attachments for hard floors, carpet interiors, and narrow cracks are included. Airflow can also be reversed to blow out your garage or dust off your car without risking scratches.

Because the vacuum needs to be hard-mounted to a wall, it becomes a semi-permanent appliance and can’t be used outside your garage. If you do all your cleaning at home, that shouldn’t be a problem.

A full-size home vacuum like the Shark Navigator S2 wouldn’t be our first choice for car cleaning duty, but this will certainly get you by in a pinch. 

The flexible hose is long enough to reach most of your car’s interior, but we found the main body cumbersome, prone to knocking into the car’s doors, and significantly limiting in terms of maneuverability. The need to stay plugged in also required us to do all our detailing within reach of a wall outlet. 

On the other hand, the full-size electric motor generates more than enough suction and you'll have no problem removing dirt, grass, and even gravel from your car’s interior. 

If you need to do all your work with one vacuum, this is definitely a viable option.

This take on the utility vacuum from Armor All is a compelling alternative to the famous Shop-Vac. It’s nice to see some variety in price with this much power on tap.

The 2.5-gallon tank makes it noticeably easier to maneuver, as long as you aren’t bothered by the lack of wheels on this vacuum. Get heavy-duty suction from the two-horsepower electric motor and take on big garage messes with confidence. Since this vacuum is capable of handling wet and dry messes, you can make it your go-to for keeping your garage, workshop, or basement nice and clean.

The hose might not be quite as long as what you’ll get on similar products, but the power cord is a bit more generous. That will come in handy when you’re moving around a parked car. It also offers a blower function for quick cleanup and touchless drying and comes with several attachments to get the job done right. 

Full disclosure: We didn’t get the chance to test the AA255 in a head-to-head comparison with the Shop-Vac, but this many satisfied customers can’t be wrong.

The Dirt Devil Scorpion Plus offers comparable suction and size to most of the other car vacuums out there, but it has one party trick that earns it a special place on this list.

What sets the Scorpion Plus apart is the spinning brush attachment that leaves automotive carpet clean and smooth, like you’d see after having it detailed. (This is also a great advantage for cleaning up pet hair from the cargo hatch in your SUV.) Like the other handheld vacuums here, it’s easy to maneuver and use with one hand. It’s light to carry and small enough to get all those troublesome places that collect dirt and debris in your car.  

The one disadvantage is the fact that this car vacuum needs to be plugged in, and the cord makes it a little less convenient than cordless alternatives. This feature does result in more power and eliminates downtime for battery charging, so we’d say it breaks even. If you prioritize size and want a little extra power, this is the way to go. 

Full disclosure: We couldn't get our hands on a Scorpion Plus to test. But we sure tried.

The best overall value when it comes to automotive vacuum cleaners is by far the Black+Decker Max Flex Lithium. Its suction and maneuverability made it a clear favorite in our hands-on test. Car owners looking for serious value should consider the Shark WandVac for use in the car and around the house.

What should you look out for?

Cleaning a car is different from cleaning a house. You don’t need attachments for broad expanses of shag carpet and wood floor; you need skinny little nozzles to get in those crevices and brushes to protect delicate surfaces. Any good car vacuum will have the attachments you need to do the job right.

Wall outlets provide the most power, but sometimes that’s not the most important consideration. Most dedicated car vacuums use battery power so you can move freely and get in all those hard-to-reach places like cupholders and under the seats. Most batteries have no problem lasting long enough for several thorough cleanings.

Small vacuums are easier to maneuver inside a vehicle than larger ones, and some are portable enough to keep in the trunk so they’re ready whenever you need them. Go ahead: make quick work of unexpected spills and clean up unsightly dog hair before giving your boss a ride. 

The more you know!

The cleaning power of handheld and/or cordless vacuums isn’t as strong as you might like, but the tradeoff in maneuverability is almost certainly worthwhile. Small, cordless vacuums get into all those nooks and crannies with just the right attachments. 

Never underestimate the mighty shop vacuum. These garage favorites gained popularity for sucking up everything from dirt and sawdust to rainwater, snowmelt, and spills. Power is not an issue here, and shop vacuums typically have long, flexible hoses that reach into your car’s more remote areas. Portability can be an issue, though, so these vacuums are best thought of as all-rounders.

Odds are, you already have a vacuum around the house. So why would you buy another one just for car cleaning duty? As anyone who’s used a household vacuum to detail their car can tell you, it’s possible — but it ain’t pretty. Bulky upright vacuums with short hoses make it difficult to reach inside your car, and you can count on banging the vacuum into your paint at least once per cleaning. Go ahead and use one in a pinch, but you’ll want something else for regular cleanings.

Money, money, money! If you need a quick, simple solution for occasional clean-ups, under $100 can be a great way to go. But you’ll find plenty of the brands you know and trust in the $100-$150 price range. You’ll also get more into compact vacuums, advanced features, and more powerful motors.

You've got questions. The Drive has answers!

A. Most car vacuums from the major manufacturers cost between $100 and $150. Less expensive options are available, but they generally offer fewer features, generate less suction, and typically don’t last very long. But hey, you get what you pay for. By investing in a premium car vacuum, you’ll be able to get your car cleaner and spend less money in the long run.

A. Every time you use it. Over time, debris will pack into your vacuum’s filter and impair its ability to produce suction. To keep it performing at its best, clean the dust collector and clean the filter before or after every use. Besides, the dirt and grime you clean up is gross, and food particles can attract vermin and insects. You don’t want to leave stuff festering in your vacuum. 

A. Car vacuums are great for cleaning up dirt, grass, pet hair, and the small bits of debris that make our cars look worse for the wear. Some are even capable of cleaning up wet messes like mud, slush, and spilled drinks. Before attempting to suck up liquid though, make sure your vacuum is designed for it to avoid costly damage.

A. Most car vacuums come with a variety of attachments. At the very least, expect to get a brush and various sizes of nozzles. Some even come with attachments specifically designed to clean up stubborn pet hair. Quality vacuums from respected manufacturers usually offer replacement filters.