We spend a lot of time in our cars, so it is only natural that the interior gets dirty and requires cleaning from time to time. Whether a deep clean or a quick tidy, you will want the best car vacuum cleaner to get the job done.
No matter how hard you try, it seems impossible to keep interiors clean. Whether trailing in muck from your shoes, dropping food on the floor, or having a layer of dog hair covering your car seat, the debris gets everywhere. This can leave your car looking filthy and smelling worse.
Fortunately, a vacuum designed specifically to clean your car interior can help make your car like new again. Pair this with a premium air freshener or some air purifiers, and you will be amazed at the difference.
A good vacuum should make cleaning your interior quick and easy. I researched a range of cordless vacuums at different price points and created this list of the best ones I found. Plus, I have included a handy buying guide for you.
This post contains affiliate links. This does not affect you, but I need to make you aware that if you purchase an item through an affiliate link, I will earn a small commission from the seller.
Do you need a car vacuum cleaner?
Your first instinct might be to use your home vacuum to clean your car. While some home vacuums come with various accessories, they will never be as convenient as car vacuums. Most large vacuums are heavy and corded and can spill over, making cleaning your car interior more difficult than it should be. A regular home corded vacuum will need, at the very least, a hose attachment to help clean your car, and you will find it annoying.
As you might imagine, home vacuum cleaners are designed to clean large surfaces efficiently and quickly. They work well on your carpets and floors, but some home vacuums struggle to get into a tight space. Like most tasks, you need the right equipment for the job, so a car vacuum is recommended to keep your car cleaning process quick and easy.
What type of vacuum cleaner is best for cars?
A good car vacuum tends to be portable with strong suction. Ideally, you will want to find a cordless one that includes a brush attachment, to help you get into those hard-to-reach areas, like down the side of your seats.
When looking for the best cordless vacuum cleaner for your car, it is recommended to consider the size and weight. You need to comfortably work around your vehicle without the weight tiring you. It is also crucial to consider other factors such as cost, battery life, and ease of use.
This list is a small selection of car vacuum cleaners available. Whichever cleaner you choose, it should help make cleaning your car interior quick and easy rather than a chore.
Be sure to refer to the questions asked below to find the perfect cordless vacuum for you.
Cordless Car Vacuums
The VacLife Handheld Vacuum cleaner has powerful suction – perfect for dust and pet hairs in your car! It has a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Absorbing) filter, similar to other models on this list.
As a portable vacuum at heart, it is light and cordless, plus the ergonomic design gives you greater freedom of movement. It has a built-in LED light for greater visibility in dark corners or at night. It includes different attachments, such as a brush and a crevice nozzle, plus a flexible extension tube, adapter, and carrying case.
The VacLife Handheld Vacuum is available in a choice of colours. Most impressive, however, is its 20-minute runtime, almost twice as long as the longest on our list. There is a battery indicator light from red to green when fully charged, and it takes 2-3.5 hours to charge from empty.
I deemed this the best overall from my list because of the run time, performance and value for money.
Pros
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Built-In LED Light
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HEPA Filter
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Attachments
Cons
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Pricey
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Filter requires regular maintenance
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Takes a few hours to charge
The HurricHand Portable Vac is the best option when you need to tackle any mess in your vehicle. It is hard to beat the versatility of this model. If you want an all-around vac, it has powerful suction, is easy to use and has two attachments to reach everywhere. Also, it is quiet, durable and has 12-minute battery life. It can be charged by USB – perfect for keeping in your car.
Pros
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Lightweight
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Perfect For Cars
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Quiet Operation
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Warranty Available
Cons
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Pricey
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Small Dustbin
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Poor Run time
The Kovebble Handheld car vacuum is a model of efficiency. Weighing in under 1kg, the Kovebble is one of the lightest cordless cleaners available. The Kovebble can be easily manoeuvred inside the car and is compact enough to store in your boot. It has a large dustbin and a run time of 30 minutes!
One thing to note about the Kovebble: The description for this product states that the vacuum can be used for pet hairs. I would not recommend it for this, as the suction is not powerful enough to lift hair tangled in the carpet. If you have pets in your car, it might be worth considering the Black and Decker vacuum instead.
That said, it will be hard to beat Kovebble regarding price. Competitively priced at £24.99 on Amazon, it is often sold out. It boasts a super low cost for an elite cleaning machine (its rating on the same site is now 4 out of 5 with over 120 reviews). You can tackle the dirt and dust in your car without breaking the bank.
Pros
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Lightweight
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Large Dustbin
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Up to 30 minutes run time
Cons
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Not Suitable For Pet Hair
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Long Charge Time
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Some Users Report Battery Issues
The Shark HandVac (Pet Model) is a great option, especially if you have pets. It has a large capacity dustbin, a one-touch empty, 10-minute run time and comes with a manufacturer warranty. It also has enough suction power to use for your home.
The accessories offered by the pet model make it easy to clean hairs from the car carpets. It has a motorized pet tool, a dusting brush and a crevice tool that can reach almost anywhere in the vehicle.
While the Shark might cost you more money than some of the other models on this list (£59.00), customer satisfaction speaks for itself. However, it is ultimately not worth it if you only use it in your car. The model currently has a 4.6-star rating out of 5 on Amazon, with over 2,500 reviews.
Pros
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Tackles Pet Hair
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Manufacturer Warranty
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Well-built and easy to maintain
Cons
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Poor Run time
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Expensive
The Black+Decker Dustbuster Car Vacuum impressed me with its design, suction power, and portability. The Dustbuster can be used on multiple surfaces and has an intelligent sensor. The sensors alert you when it is time to clean the filter and indicates the remaining battery charge. Perhaps my favourite feature is the Boost Mode. It can increase the suction power for stubborn debris.
The suction power and user-friendly design were adequate to pass my strict car vacuum cleaner test. The overall usability is efficient, capable, and convenient. While the noise level was slightly higher than others featured on this list, it was not annoying to use for long periods.
The transparent waste bin is incredibly intuitive. You can quickly see when it is time to empty, and it is easy to open and clean. Despite the small 0.59 container, you won’t have to run to the bin too often to empty it.
Pros
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16 Minute Run time
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Intelligent Sensors
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Extendable nozzle and built-in flip-up brush
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Attachments are part of the vacuum
Cons
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Expensive
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Bulky Design
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No Additional Attachments
BISSELL is a well-known household appliance supplier, and its vacuum cleaners are reliable for various purposes. When you need a compact yet robust vacuum, BISSELL offers the AeroSlim Lithium-Ion Cordless Handheld Vacuum. It is designed for life on the go and has a sleek, compact design that’s also easy to store in your car, office, or bedroom.
The AeroSlim car vacuum film has a 3.7V lithium-ion battery and can be charged in your car. There are up to 12 minutes of cleaning time before it requires charging via the included USB port or traditional wall charger. Either way, your vacuum will know when to recharge the battery with built-in indicator lights. Charging time lasts between 2.5 and 3.5 hours.
This vacuum comes with a 2-in-1 crevice tool and a spray brush that stores conveniently in the handle. Special features for efficient cleaning are also incorporated, such as bi-plane filtration with a washable filter and BISSELL’s exclusive easy-to-empty dustbin. Plus, this is a purchase you can feel good about, as a portion of sales will support the Bissell Pet Foundation to help save homeless pets.
Pros
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Lightweight and Compact
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Easy To Use
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Supporting a good cause
Cons
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Expensive
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Only powerful enough for small jobs
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Small Dustbin
It’s almost impossible to list vacuum cleaners without a Dyson product. The Dyson V7 is the most expensive option on our list, but it’s recommended for those who want the best. The company makes high-quality vacuum cleaners, and you probably couldn’t find a product that cleans your car more efficiently.
The V7 Dyson digital has a powerful motor, two suction levels and a run time of up to 30 minutes thanks to its lithium batteries. Given its compact size, it is not surprising that its dustbin (with a capacity of 0.5 litres) can be emptied effortlessly. With the touch of a button, you can release all its contents into a bin. You don’t need to touch any dirt.
Dysons completely cordless vacuum includes various tools, plus a two-year warranty with its product.
Pros
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It's a Dyson!
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Powerful Suction
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Up to 30 minutes run time
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Hygienic Bin Emptying
Cons
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Expensive
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Heavy
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Limited Attachments
Five things to consider before buying a car vacuum cleaner
1. Do you need to vacuum only, or do you need a wet/dry cleaner?
A wet/dry vacuum cleaner allows you to deep clean cloth seats that may be stained or smell. Most people only need vacuum cleaners for dry dirt and crumbs. You should consider a professional car detailer for deeper cleaning.
2. Does your car/home setup allow you to use corded vacuums, or do you need a cordless car vacuum?
A corded vacuum might be impractical if you live in a flat and need to clean your car on the street. The cord may not be long enough to reach your vehicle and can be a trip hazard for pedestrians. Cordless vacuums can be more convenient, but they also require charging.
3. What does the vacuum weigh?
When it comes to handheld vacuums, you definitely want a very lightweight one. A heavy one might be fine for a few minutes, but if you are cleaning your entire car, you will feel tired and unable to carry it any longer.
4. Do you allow pets in your car?
If you do, they will likely leave dander and dog hair behind, making your car a hotspot for bacteria and bad smells. Not all cleaners are designed to pick up pet hairs. The Black and Decker vacuums are regularly ranked among the best cleaners for picking up stubborn hair. Others come with a pet tool attachment.
5. How Powerful is it?
It goes without saying that the more suction power the vacuum cleaner has, the more effectively it picks up dirt. This saves you from going over the same area again and again.
Make sure you consider all of this before you buy any of these vacuums, and then you can choose which one is best for your specific needs.
If you have other recommendations, please share them in the comments below!