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There’s nothing quite like jumping in the car, buckling up, and hitting the open road. Whether alone, with friends, or family, it’s the kind of trip that creates a lifetime’s worth of memories.
What’s this? You haven’t vacuumed your car before you leave? You might not be the kind of person that scatters rubbish all over the floor, but that doesn’t mean your car is clean.
Pet hair and dirt from your shoes can get mushed into the seats and carpet. Don’t forget that friend who always leaves crumbs because they insist on eating in your car. We also cant ignore the unfreindly smell of the car carpets!
Frustrating is definitely a word to describe it, but we have the perfect solution for road trip prepping. All you need is a car vacuum. With a swoop of the hose, all that grime will be gone in seconds. Sounds great, right?
While these may not specifically be for car cleaning, we recommend checking out our Best Handheld and Best Cordless Vacuum Guides for some extra inspiration.
Read our guide on how to vacuum your car properly here.
Top 10 Rated Car Vacuum Table
Things to consider when buying a car vacuum
There is definitely a wide range of car vacuum options out there to fit your budget, taste, preference and lifestyle.
The problem is that with lots of options, it can be a bit hard to pick the best model. This guide will help you choose the right car vacuum that has been tested and proven in almost every way. So let’s get started.
- Battery Powered: the best vacuum cleaner for your car should be battery powered. After all, no one would want to hold multiple heavy wires when using the vacuum.
- Powerful suction: A good vacuum cleaner should have a powerful suction. In addition to this, being lightweight is essential, as a heavy vacuum will be quite difficult to maneuver. Choose the device according to the type of dirt you are dealing with.
- Accessories: The right tools will have accessories that have the ability to remove dirt in all of the car’s areas and spaces. The right device makes car cleaning a great experience and not a backbreaking task.
- Cleaning Performance: The best car vacuum cleaner sucks up all the dirt and dust on the floor and seats. Opt for a vacuum with sufficient power to such up all types of debris, dirt and stubborn stains.
- Design: the design of the device should be portable and lightweight. A good vacuum cleaner should ideally weigh no more than 2 KG.
- Efficiency: Many modern car vacuum cleaners are energy star qualified. In other words, they are energy efficient.
- Help and support: You will definitely want a reliable customer service so you can contact a company should you have any problem with the cleaner.
- Warranty: The minimum warranty for most car vacuum cleaners is typically one year. Sometimes, however, you’ll come across manufacturers who offer warrantee of two or more years.
Have any Questions? Ask in The Comments Below
BLACK+DECKER PD1820L-GB 18v
Lightweight Cordless Car Vacuum
4.5/5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price Range: Up to £80
- Power: 18 V lithium
- Run Time: 15 Mins
- Charge Time: 4 Hrs
- Weight: 2.28 kgs
- Dust Capacity: 0.5L
- Noise: 1 DB
Black and Decker is a good brand to go for if you are looking for a reliable vacuum cleaner for getting your car looking new again.
This model has a cool and modern design that makes it lightweight, compact, and also easy to store away when it is no longer in use.
It features lithium technology for strong suction and also prevents it from declining as it fills up.
The integrated hose measures at 1.5m, so you have more than enough space to reach every corner.
- Cordless
- Good at picking up on carpet and hard floor
- Fast charge time
- Easy to empty canister
- Easy to empty canister
- Lightweight and compact
- Leaves some fine dust behind
- Not great with pet hair
The Good
When I tested this product, I felt that it not only performed well on the carpet but on the hard floors too. Most handheld models struggle with anything bigger than a rice crispy, yet this black and decker had no struggle at all. I was impressed with the amount we scattered for it to clear, but they were sucked up in seconds.
It comes with smart technology that allows it to charge four times faster than other models of cordless vacuum cleaner, and even has a number of tools to make things a little easier to manage, but also to help you achieve the ultimate levels of clean.
The canister is easy to empty as well, which is good for those who don’t want any hassle.
The Not So Good
Some customers have found that it is alittle noiser than some similar models of its size.
Our View
This amazingly compact vacuum cleaner comes at an incredible price that can fit into a good number of budgets, making it great for those that want good quality without it costing a fortune.
While this model can be oud and is not brilliant with pet hair, it does a great job of cleaning your car and has a good battery life so that you can make the most of it. Lightweight and compact, it could be just right for you.
FAQ’s
Q: How many hours of charging is needed for the first time using this PD1820L-GB model after opening the box?
A: Vacuum arrives with approximately 20% charge in battery. Needs about 4 to 5 hours for the first charge – after that about 3 to 4 hours will do to get it back to fully charged.
Q: Can you use the cleaner without unwinding the hose or does the hose have to be extended?
A: Good versatile product. You can use it with or without extending the hose.
Vax H85-GA-B10 Gator
Best Vax Car Vacuum for the Money
4.8/5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price Range: Up to £40
- Power: 10.8 V lithium
- Run Time: 15 Mins
- Charge Time: 12 Hrs
- Weight: 1.24 kgs
- Dust Capacity: 0.3L
- Noise: 70 DB
Vax is a leading and trusted brand in the vacuum cleaner industry, so if you are looking for something reliable for your car, you might not need to go any further.
This cordless model delivers a surprising amount of power for its size, which makes it ideal for cleaning your car, as well as small areas in your home.
- Cordless
- Compact design
- Can be handheld or upright
- 25mins hoover time
- low price
- A Bit Loud
The Good
It has a running time of 15 minutes, which makes it ideal for picking up those little messes, as well as getting the stubborn ones out.
It is really easy to empty as well, all you need to do is press a button, and it will open up over the bin. It has a crevice tool built into it as well, so you can get even the tightest corners of your car (or your home). Plus, it is really lightweight and takes hardly any time to charge up.
I was pleasantly surprised with the ability of this handheld vacuum on both carpet and hard floor. I tested this product with an array of an everyday product that may be spilt from coffee granules to cornflakes, and nothing was too much for this little device. It was light to use and also quiet compared to some I have recently reviewed.
Our View
This cheap handheld vacuum cleaner may need a daily charge and not handle pressure too well, but it fits into any budget and will do an excellent job of giving your car a quick once over before you go out, or cleaning up messes in the home.
With some great features and a crevice tool built into it, you can rest assured that your car will look great by the time you are done.
To read more on the Vax gator handheld vacuum cleaner then read our full reviews here.
FAQ’s
Q: How long does the Vax H85-GA-B10 Gator hold the charge when disconnected?
A: Depends how much it is used on what type of mess. If it is a nice easy carpet to clean up some dust this wont use much suction and wont fill up the hoover. In general it will last around 15 minutes, which is plenty of time to blits your stairs or clean up those crumbs on your carpet.
G-tech Multi
Great Multi-Purpose Car Vac
4.6/5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price Range: Aprox £150
- Power: 22 V lithium
- Run Time: 20 Mins
- Charge Time: 4 Hrs
- Weight: 1.5 kgs
- Dust Capacity: 0.8L
- Noise: 68 DB
Cleaning the car can be pretty difficult without the correct tools and power. The GTECH Multi car accessory kit removes all of the hassle.
- Perfect for small spaces
- Offers amazing results
- Comes with three powerful accessories
- Brush is gentle enough for electronics
- Crevice tool is incredibly flexible
- Multifunctional upholstery tool
- Fits perfectly onto GTECH Multi
- Comes with a protective case
- Two-year guarantee
- Fairly expensive for what it is
The Good
It comes with three tools that have been specifically designed to reach difficult places and to reach a professional level of clean. The dusting brush is there for the delicate areas of your car interior – namely the dashboard and surrounding areas.
It provides a gentle dust that can even be used around the electronics. The crevice tool is incredibly flexible thanks to the tube it consists of.
It can reach into any little gap for the best cleaning results. The upholstery tool may be small but it is also very powerful and gets all of the hard to get dirt out of your upholstery, and even reach down the cracks to reach those irritating crumbs.
Our View
If you are looking for a set of diverse tools to get your car clean, then look no further than these fantastic extensions from GTECH.
With a dusting brush, crevice tool, and one for the upholstery, every inch of your car is sure to be sparkling after you have used it.
You can even throw a GTECH Multi handheld vacuum in there if you don’t have one already – it’s definitely a wise choice. To read the full review on the Gtech Multi vacuum then read here.
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Black & Decker Lithium 18V
Eco Friendly Car Vacuum
4.5/5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price Range: Up to £70
- Power: 18 V lithium
- Run Time: 10 Mins
- Charge Time: 4 Hrs
- Weight: 1.93 kgs
- Dust Capacity: 0.44L
- Noise: 70 DB
In order to keep a good clean home you are going to need the assistance of a great vacuum cleaner.
However, when it comes to cleaning those troublesome stairs and little mishaps you do not really want to pull out that heavy vacuum cleaner.
This is exactly where handheld vacuum cleaners can come in handy, but there are some many different models on the market.
How do you know a good quality handheld vacuum cleaner when you see you? Well, the Black+Decker vacuum cleaner may be small in size, but it is big in performance.
- Longer run time on each charge
- Equipped with a lithium battery
- 18 volts of power
- Lightweight and portable design
- Foldable so easy to put away
- Debris container hold 0.44 litres
- Little more expensive than other brands but worth it
The Good
Unlike other handheld vacuum cleaners, this one has a much longer battery life of around 10 minutes on each charge.
The vacuum folds down, so you can transport it anywhere or store it away with ease. The ECO Smart Technology boosts the battery’s charge, so you do not have to wait around for the charging process to complete.
The side empty door allows the user to easily empty the dust bin, without having to manually manipulate anything.
The Not So Good
It is a little more expensive than other brands that are offering similar products but the is worth spending the extra money to get better quailty.
Our View
Overall, the Black+Decker Lithium Compact is designed to offer superior suctioning, filtering, and storage.
FAQ’s
Q: Can I vary the suction on the Black and Decker Lithium?
A: No, unfortunely it`s at full power when you switch it on, so you cant change the suction for different surfaces. If you are worried about damaging where you are hoovering then you can apply the brush for a softer end, this is always attached and simply folds out the way when not in use.
B&D PV1200AV-XJ
A Great Value Car Vacuum – Low Noise
4.2/5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price Range: Up to £45
- Power: 1 V lithium
- Run Time: 10 Mins
- Charge Time: 4 Hrs
- Weight: 1.53kg
- Dust Capacity: 0.7L
- Noise: 60 DB
It can really be a hassle to pull out that heavy vacuum cleaner every time you need to clean up a simple mishap.
This is where handheld vacuum cleaners come in handy. If you are in the market for a great quality, yet affordable handheld vacuum cleaner then you need to check out the Black and Decker PV1200AV-XJ.
This is truly an affordable handheld vacuum cleaner that can hang with the most expensive models.The lightweight and ergonomic design makes this handheld vacuum cleaner very user-friendly.
- Very easy and comfortable to use for long periods of time
- Translucent bowl allows users to see when the bowl needs to be emptied
- Emptying the bowl is an easy task
- Reusable filter
- Extremely lightweight and portable
- Does not include any extra crevice tools
The Good
The large mouth design is capable of sucking up more dirt than your average handheld vacuum cleaner.
The 12 Volts of power provide users with an extreme amount of suction power. The cyclonic action ensures that dirt and debris are spun outside of the bowl, which basically means that you are going to experience much fewer clogs.
The translucent bowl makes it easy to see when the bin needs emptying. However, when the bowl is full emptying it is an easy task.
Just simply undo the quick release button on the nozzle and you will have immediate access to the bowl.
The filter can also be easily removed from the bowl, washed, left to dry, and reinstalled. You will never have to buy another filter again.
The Not So Good
The only thing we found a little dissapointing is this product does not come with any extra attachments.
Our View
Overall, the Black & Decker PV1200AV-XJ is designed to offer convenience, affordability, and a long service life.
Other Great Car Vacs
Vax H86-GA-P Gator
Cordless Pet Car Vacuum
5/5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price Range: Up to £60
- Power: 10.8 V lithium
- Run Time: 13 Mins
- Charge Time: 4 Hrs
- Weight: 1.79 kgs
- Dust Capacity: 0.7L
- Noise: 50 DB
This vacuum is light and portable. It is also comfortable to hold with a single hand.The vacuum is cordless and rechargeable. Typically it can run for thirteen minutes when fully charged.
- Flexible enough to maneuver and clean hard to reach spaces
- Battery powered, meaning it is cordless
- Easier to empty
- Lightweight
- Low Power
The Good
The cleaner does an excellent job according to many consumers. It is designed to rid your car of crumbs, spills and other solid substances.
Emptying the dust collection container is also very easy and quick.The vacuum is very flexible and versatile. It is not just designed for cars. You can use it to for stairs, carpet and upholstery cleaning.
It is extremely effective when it comes to removal of tough stains, spills and grime. Consumers have also noted that you do not have to clean the hoovers whenever the system is used.
But you will need to empty the dust container every time. This is especially true if you have pets that shed a lot of hair.
It comes with a number of accessories that allows it to clean hard to reach spaces. It can get even underneath seats and also between seats.
The Not So Good
The slight concern for the device has to do with the battery. It seems like most consumers are not impressed by the battery life.
Our View
Overall, it is fair to say that this vacuum cleaner is up to the task. It is reasonably powerful, durable and highly versatile.
This is a must-have device if you have cats or dogs, especially those that most a lot of hair. It is powerful enough to clean a fair amount of dust, grime and allergens. Also, it is affordable and compact thus recommended
Black & Decker Pad 1200
A Great 12v Car Vacuum
5/5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price Range: Up to £40
- Power: 12 V lithium
- Run Time: 30 Mins
- Charge Time: 5 Hrs
- Weight: 2 kgs
- Dust Capacity: 5.5L
- Noise: 52 DB
The Black & Decker Pad 1200 auto vacuum cleaner allows you to clean virtually all areas of your car.It’s a handheld vacuum cleaner which includes 12V power for maximum cleaning performance.
- Perfect built quality
- Great Price
- Flexible, light and portable
- Has a long cord
- Lower Power
The Good
The Black & Decker Pad 1200 auto vacuum cleaner allows you to clean virtually all areas of your car.It’s a handheld vacuum cleaner which includes 12V power for maximum cleaning performance.
The auto vacuum is integrated with an extendable hose. The hose enables you to clean difficult to reach areas.Moreover, the vacuum can spin dirt and dust away in the filter, a process known as cyclonic action.
The crevice tool allows for deep cleaning of small spaces and confined areas. This includes areas such as between or underneath car seats.
The Not So Good
One of the major downsides is perhaps the low power. However for the price you should not overlook, overall, it is a great buy and great value for money
Our View
This model is not only stylish, but also exclusive. The Black & Decker pad accessories are kept aboard, meaning you can always access them for your cleaning tasks.
According to many consumers, the Black & Decker PAD 1200 is really a great car vacuum. It is easy to store away and has more than enough suction.
It is also flexible and thin to maneuver between seats and other confined areas.
Dyson DC34
Best Dyson Car Vacuum for the Money
5/5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price Range: Up to £200
- Power: 22 V lithium
- Run Time: 25 Mins
- Charge Time: 5 Hrs
- Weight: 2.4 kgs
- Dust Capacity: 0.7L
- Noise: 70 DB
To start with, the device is light, sleek and highly portable. It is less heavy than most models out there.It is battery powered, meaning one will not have to worry about electricity when using it.
You will need to recharge the battery for maximum performance.
- Cordless
- Compact design
- Can be handheld or upright
- 25mins hoover time
- low price
- Can be a little bit loud
The Good
This stick vac is ideal if you want something slim and compact for easy storage in your home. It can fit into pretty much any space, and its compact size is part of what makes it so appealing.
It’s exceptionally lightweight as well, which makes the overall handling much easier. This means that it is more comfortable to use, and your wrists are less likely to get sore while you clean.
The battery lasts for 25 minutes, which is actually pretty good for a budget cordless. It’s also more than enough time to clean most small homes efficiently. It also converts into a handheld model, which means it can easily vacuum furniture, the stairs, and your car interior. It also works across all floor types, which makes it more versatile and an excellent option when cleaning a home with both carpets and hard floors.
The Not So Good
It can be a little noisy, and it is not brilliant with pet hair, so if you have animals look elsewhere.
Our View
This cordless stick vacuum comes at a great budget price, making it an affordable option. While it can be a little loud and isn’t the best for pet hair, it is the perfect general-purpose model for a standard home.
Looking for a cheap vacuum? Read our guide to the best models budget models here
It has a great battery life and short charge period, as well as turning into a handheld model for ease of use.
Did I mention the low price as well?
Car Vacuum Buyer’s Guide
Before you go ahead and buy your car vacuum, you need a clear idea of what it is you’re looking for. This quick buyer’s guide will take you through everything you should know, allowing you to make the right choice.
Car Vacuums vs Handheld Vacuums: What’s the Difference?
So, what’s the same with car vacuums and handheld ones? Both of them are portable, and that’s pretty much where it ends. Yes, they can both be used in the car and the home, but the design is where they separate. Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between them:
- Car vacuums have been specially designed for tight spaces
- Car vacuums have special attachments that prevent scratching and can clean vents
- Car vacuums are more powerful so that they can pick up more dirt and debris
Handheld vacuums are still fantastic, but they are made for the home and not with your vehicle in mind.
Why Do You Need a Car Vacuum?
As stated above, a car vacuum was made to deal with the car. It reaches into more corners, it has more power, and it is actually gentle on the surfaces and seats. Every car needs to be cleaned, and if you would rather do it yourself than use a valet service, this is the quickest and easiest way to go about it. You can even use a car vacuum in the house because of their excellent design and superior suction, but we wouldn’t recommend a handheld vacuum being used for the interior of your car.
How Much Does a Car Vacuum Cost?
The price varies for a car vacuum, but the average you will likely spend is around £50. There are much cheaper models out there that only come in at £20, and there are more expensive models that have a £150+ price tag attached to them. It all depends on your budget and the amount you are willing to spend. If you go for something around the average price, you are likely to get a model that is good at its job as well as reliable.
Corded or Cordless?
This is probably one of the biggest questions, because there are so many positive and negative points for each. Here are some of the advantages of going with a corded model:
- No limit on the amount of time you can use it for
- No loss of suction due to battery life
- Usually a little cheaper than cordless models
- Can use it any time as it does not need to charge
Here are some of the advantages of choosing a cordless model instead:
- No cord to tether you in place, which means more cleaning freedom
- Tend to have a good battery life so that you can clean the whole car
- More compact than their corded counterparts
Features to Look Out For
There are a couple of other features you should be searching for while browsing through our car vacuum selection. Take a quick look and keep them in mind.
Suction
You need a machine that has a fair amount of power, otherwise, you’re going to be dragging it over the same spot constantly just to get those embedded crumbs from out of your seats. There are different ways to measure this level of power. Some companies will use watts or amps, and others will use air watts. All of these are valid forms of suction estimation, but they may not all be listed in the tech specs because they don’t always use the same measurement forms.
Wet and Dry Capabilities
These are quite useful to have. You can’t suck up any wet messes with a standard vacuum cleaner because it will end up shorting the machine and causing permanent damage or breakdowns. The solution to this is to buy a wet/dry vacuum that is able to deal with both types of mess without causing damage to the vacuum cleaner. They are really handy to have, especially with kids that end up opening juice or drinks in the back. We’ve all been there.
Battery and Cord Length
For a cordless car vacuum, the average battery life is 10-15 minutes, although a rare few go up to 20. This is actually plenty of time to clean your car, but you need to take the size of your cleaning area into account first. How much do you need to vacuum, and how long will that take you? After this, you can pick a model that matches these needs. Take a look at the voltage as well, because the higher numbers are likely to give you more life.
For corded models, you just need to look at the length of the cable. Longer is better so that you don’t need to stretch it too far from the house and into the car. Of course, we always recommend having an extension cable handy so that you have more flexibility while cleaning. Keep an eye out for the cleaning radius when you go to pick your next vacuum cleaner.
Capacity
With portable vacuum cleaners, you’re never going to have a massive capacity. However, some have larger canisters than others, and this will dictate how often you need to empty it while cleaning. 0.5L is about as high as you will get with a car vacuum, but it is an excellent capacity to have. Generally speaking, the average you will find for a car vacuum is around 0.3L.
Weight
It’s unlikely that you will find a heavy car vacuum because they are all relatively small and portable. You’ll find that all of the models we have chosen for this guide are lightweight and easy to use – because the handling is just as important as the weight of the machine. Our heaviest pieces are around the 1.5kg mark, and this is usually due to the battery size.
Attachments
These are essential for a good and thorough clean. After all, you need to be able to reach right down into every corner and crevice of your car. Not every car vacuum comes with a load of accessories, but they all tend to at least have a basic crevice tool and dusting brush. These tend to be designed in a way that makes them gentler than standard vacuum attachments because you have so many different materials and surfaces to clean; many of which need delicacy.
Warranty
Most will come with a warranty that spans a year, and some companies will allow you to extend that up to five years if you register the vacuum. Warranties are important because they protect you from faults and breakdowns for its duration. Where possible, we always strongly recommend that you extend the warranty to the maximum time period available.
Final Thoughts
It seems to be such a very easy choice to make but in reality, because there are so many models around, choosing the best car vacuum could be quite challenging.
There are so many car vacuums that go so cheap you’d be tempted to put your money on it right away.
However, it is still best to follow the advice listed above and consider all the important points and features a model has to have before making your purchase.
You can go cheap at first but if the car vacuum will give up on you too soon or if its power won’t even be enough to get rid of most of the dirt and dust in your car’s interior, then you will just be spending more money to get a replacement. T
he list we provided includes car vacuums that are tried and tested by many satisfied consumers and we hope that you too will be one very satisfied customer.
For more enquiries or if you wish to add any detail we may have missed, drop a comment on the section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.