These Car Vacuums Suck, But In a Good Way

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 generally more popular for automotive use. Going cordless is a major advantage when you’re crawling around in footwells and trunks. 

Power also played an important role. Some vacuums in our comparison lined up right where we expected. But others surprised us.

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.

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

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.

When we start shopping for tools and products, we never overlook the secondhand market. In fact, it’s usually the first place we look. Whether you’re scrolling through Amazon’s Renewed section, eBay for car parts or tools, or flipping through the pages of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, you have hundreds of thousands of used tools, parts, and gear ready to be shipped to your doorstep. Refurbished to like-new status, they’ll be willing to give you many more years of faithful service all while saving you money. It also has the benefit of you not having to cut open an Amazon box inside an Amazon box with bubble wrapped around the part.

If those options above don’t have what you need, your local salvage yard is great for car parts, while swap meets are a great resource you should absolutely tap. Just Google either and head on down.  

To make your secondhand search easier, here are two tips for finding the best deals and making sure your new-to-you stuff wasn’t destroyed by the previous owner. 

Check the hose for cracks by stretching it out. Examine the cord and make sure it's solid without any cuts or frays. 

As you consider and compare different types of car vacuums, there are plenty of similarities and differences to take a look at. We’re simplifying things for you so you can easily pinpoint which vacuums are worth your time and how to get the most out of your purchase.

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.

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.

Many entry-level car vacuums are affordable and less than $100. They're great for quick, easy cleanups. If you spend between $100 and $150, you'll have more options and reputable brands that produce good-performing machines. These vacuums will also include more advanced features, compact sizes, and stronger motors. Should you decide to splurge and spend over $150, you'll find the highest-quality options, many of which are versatile enough to use around the home as well as in your vehicle.

As with something you do for decades upon decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product, and/or using it. That’s the case with us and car vacuums. To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.