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6 Best Car Vacuums of 2023, Tested by Experts
Pet hair, spills and dirt are no match for these powerful handheld vacs.
Cars are chock-full of nooks and crannies where dirt, food and other debris like to settle, and although you can technically use your Dyson (or whatever other brand you prefer), the compact nature of most automobiles makes using a full-size canister vacuum or an upright vacuum almost impossible.
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab have tested a wide range of vacuums over the years, from stick vacuums to robot vacuums. Our rigorous testing on different surface types, like hardwood floors, and with different dirt types, like pet hair, has helped us continue to make the most relevant and up-to-date recommendations in the field. With special attention to the needs of car cleaning, we've rounded up our top-tested picks for vacuuming your vehicle.
Our top picks:
To really detail your car — getting into the tight areas under seats, between leather seams and into little compartments—you'll need a handheld cordless vacuum designed for compact areas. With new innovations in the market launching all the time, these portable vacs are quickly rising up to rival their larger counterparts in terms of dirt pickup and overall performance, and their condensed size makes them a cleaning asset both in your car and in your home.
Read our full reviews, then find more information about we test car vacuums, what to look for when shopping for a car vacuum and why you should trust Good Housekeeping's picks at the bottom of this guide.
Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Wet/Dry Portable Vacuum
Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Wet/Dry Portable Vacuum
Pros
- Ultra-strong suction
- Comes with a variety of accessories
- Impressive debris pickup
Cons
- Heavier than other models
- Battery not included
Dewalt's cordless hand vac packs a real punch when it comes to suction power. In our dirt pickup tests, it was consistently able to remove more than 90% of debris in just one back-and-forth swipe from low-pile carpet. Plus, because it comes with a wide array of attachments, this vacuum makes cleaning between difficult-to-reach crevices and small nooks a snap.
With suction strength as powerful as this vacuum's, unfortunately this model is particularly heavy, making maneuvering it a little more difficult than some of the more compact models. Nevertheless, an extra pound and a half of weight means nothing considering how well it picks up dirt. Testers also noted that the vacuum doesn't come with its own battery pack. However, if you already own any other Dewalt lithium-ion-powered hand tools, you'll likely have just what you need to get up and running.
| Weight | 3.2 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Claimed run time | Configurable (depends on capacity of battery, sold separately) |
| Removable battery | Yes |
| HEPA filter | Yes |
| Model number | DCV517B |
Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Extra-long 16-foot power cord
- Crevice tool is fully attached
Cons
- On the heavier side
If you don't mind the heftier 3.75-pound construction and its accompanying power cord, this is a fantastic budget-friendly option. At 16 feet, you shouldn't have any trouble extending the cord from an outlet in the garage to your vehicle, but keep in mind many modern cars even have built in outlets that afford you even more ability to move around with a corded model.
Our Lab pros haven't tested this specific handheld vacuum, but have tested similar ones with the flip down crevice tool — and they work very well. Not to mention, having the crevice tool onboard means it never gets lost. The corded unit is suitable for big messes too, thanks to an extra large dirt cup that minimizes the trips you need to take to the trash can. It also has a rinsable removable filter to keep the vacuum running efficiently for longer.
| Weight | 3.75 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Claimed run time | N/A |
| Removable battery | No |
| HEPA filter | No |
| Model number | SD20005 |
Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Pros
- Good suction at a great price
- USB charging means you may never have to take it out of the car
Cons
- Tiny dust cup
Clocking in at under $50, this vacuum shows that you don't need to spend a fortune to make your car's more modest messes disappear. For the price, this vacuum has impressive suction and was able to clean up smaller messes quickly in our tests. The USB feature also makes charging in the car convenient, so you can keep it in your vehicle.
You won't mind looking at it, either — it boasts a sleek, modern design. Take note: Despite its suction power, this vacuum features a very small dust cup, meaning that for bigger messes you may need to stop and empty it more frequently than some other models. But for the price, we think an extra trip to the trash is worth it.
| Weight | 1.3 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Claimed run time | 12 min. |
| Removable battery | No |
| HEPA filter | No |
| Model number | 29869 |
Worx 20V Power Share Cordless Cube Vac Compact Vacuum
Worx 20V Power Share Cordless Cube Vac Compact Vacuum
Pros
- Easy to maneuver in even the tightest spots
- Performs amazingly well on both higher and lower settings
Cons
- Dust cup can't be removed
Worx had a stroke of genius with this vacuum: Rarely do we see a handheld vacuum that features a hose instead of being a self-contained unit, and we're pretty excited about it. The hose stretches four feet, and with several attachments it can easily pick up dirt in the most hard-to-reach places of a car.
This vacuum also performed exceedingly well in our suction testing, removing an average of 94% of dirt in one swipe — without even being on its highest setting. The one quibble we have with this vacuum is the dust compartment. Unlike some other models, this vacuum's dust cup isn't removable, so you have to bring the whole vacuum with you when you go to empty it, and cleaning it can be a little intensive. That said, the dust cup is sizable compared with the overall volume of the vacuum, so you may not need to empty it as much.
| Weight | 3.8 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Claimed run time | 30 mins. |
| Removable battery | Yes |
| HEPA filter | Yes |
| Model number | WX030L |
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum Kit
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum Kit
Pros
- Comes with four attachments, including a squeegee
- Battery is compatible with many other RYOBI tools
Cons
- Limited capacity
For a true detailing experience at home, it pays to have a variety of attachments at your disposal, including a crevice tool for nooks and crannies and a brush for stubborn debris like pet hair. This cordless handheld comes with an impressive array: four dedicated tools to help you get the job done. It even comes with a squeegee to pick up liquid spills — great for families with young kids or for the occasional coffee mishap.
The vacuum does need a separate battery and charger, but for your convenience, it's included in this kit. If you already have a RYOBI battery, opt for the standalone vacuum to save a little bit of money. While our Lab pros haven't tested this specific model, we have tested the brand's dry-only vacuum with much success. (It scored so well that it was a previous Cleaning & Organizing Award winner.) The only downside we see with this particular model: Dust bin capacity is limited, so you'll likely have to empty the canister a few times during bigger jobs.
| Weight | 2 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Claimed run time | Not listed |
| Removable battery | Yes |
| HEPA filter | No |
| Model number | PCL702K |
Black & Decker AdvancedClean+ Pet Hand Vacuum
Black & Decker AdvancedClean+ Pet Hand Vacuum
Pros
- Motor-powered pet brush makes cleaning pet hair much easier
- Three-star Quiet Mark rating
Cons
- Side vents might move messes around as you clean
Pet hair gets everywhere, and if you've ever traveled in the car with your pet, you know how much they can shed on your seats and floor. What sets this model apart is its ability to pick up pet hair, due to its motorized pet brush attachment with rubber bristles. The AdvancedClean+ Pet Hand Vacuum earned a spot on our list of the best vacuums for pet hair, competing right alongside upright and stick vacuums, which is impressive considering its size.
Our testers also loved how quiet this vacuum is. In fact, after being examined by the independent certification program Quiet Mark, it received a three-star rating, the quietest rating a vacuum can get. It should be noted that the air vents on the sides of this model push out air pretty strongly, so you may have to pay attention as you vacuum to make sure you don't accidentally blow your mess to another location.
| Weight | 4.2 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Claimed run time | 20 minutes |
| Removable battery | No |
| HEPA filter | No |
| Model number | HHVK515JP07 |
How we test car vacuums
To find the best car vacuums, we gathered data on five of the newest models to hit the market, spending more than 10 hours performing five different tests that yielded more than 40 data points.
All vacuums were tested on low-pile carpet to mimic the texture of car rugs, and different types of debris, including crushed cereal, baking soda and almost two pounds of oats, were cleaned using the vacuums. We also weighed the vacuums, assessed their ergonomics and measured their loudness when operating to determine how easy and comfortable they were to use.
We also reviewed and incorporated data points from previous handheld vacuum tests. In our most recent test of handheld vacuums, the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tested 19 models from 14 different brands. We test all handheld vacuums on bare floors and low-pile carpets for how well they pick up light debris like sand, baking soda, dry oatmeal, orzo pasta and pet hair. We also test their suction with heavy items, like screws and nuts.
What to look for when shopping for a car vacuum
When weighing your options, factor in these four important elements to find the right car vacuum for your needs:
✔️ Run time: A vacuum with a longer run time means fewer charges between cleanings and not having to worry about charging every time you use the vacuum. For vacuums that have separately sold batteries, choose a battery with a larger capacity to keep your vacuum running clean after clean.
✔️ HEPA filtration: Though not always necessary, a HEPA filter in your vacuum can help prevent small particulate matter, like pet dander, pollen, dust mites and ash from smoke, from being recirculated into the air as you vacuum. People with allergies or air-pollution sensitivities should look for vacuums that feature HEPA filters to better capture irritating particles.
✔️ Attachments: When you're cleaning a space that has lots of tight crevices and is made from a variety of different materials, like the interior of a car, attachments are your best friends. Look for a vacuum that has a crevice tool to get into the little nooks where dirt likes to settle, and consider one with a rotating brush attachment to easily remove hair from fabric materials.
✔️ Charger type: If you plan on keeping your car vacuum in your car, you'll want to find a vac that features a USB charger. That way, you'll be able to keep it charged with the auxiliary power outlet found in most cars, so you're prepared when a mess arrives.
What is a good suction power for a car vacuum cleaner?
If we want to get super technical, according to ASTM F558-13, the standard test for measuring air performance of vacuum cleaners, the air power (reported in watts) of a vacuum is a description of the net time rate of work performed by an airstream while expending energy to produce an airflow under specified air-resistance conditions. In other words, a vacuum with a higher air power will have greater suction power.
When you're looking for a car vacuum, the most important thing is not to confuse air power with electrical power (reported in volts). A vacuum with higher electrical power will not necessarily provide greater suction. Air power is often not reported by vacuum manufacturers, whereas electrical power typically is.
Due to the complex nature of calculating air power, and the fact that not all manufacturers report air-power wattage, we measure vacuum pickup in a more practical way: The Cleaning Lab uses pickup tests to approximate suction power as a percentage of deposited matter that is recovered by the vacuum after one forward and one backward pass of the vacuum. Seven out of the nine vacuums featured in this article had an average pickup of more than 80% of deposited dirt after just one complete pass (the other two were not included in the initial round of testing), meaning they're powerful enough to clean up most messes with minimal effort.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nikolas Greenwald has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and, as such, has a breadth of experience working with various vacuum and pump systems in the unit operations laboratory setting. He helps refine and develop novel testing protocols and data systems across the Good Housekeeping Institute based on industry standards and his knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and data science.
Carolyn Forté has tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, mops and other major (and small) home appliances as executive director of the Home Care Lab. She oversees all testing done in the Cleaning Lab and recently tested all of the handheld, stick, upright and canister vacuums that were submitted for consideration in the most recent Cleaning & Organizing Awards. She is an active member of the ASTM Committee on vacuum cleaners and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee.
As the lab assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Nik (he/him) works with all of our Labs to develop testing protocols and manage data collection and analysis. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Nik worked in the labs of MIT and Regeneron, working on projects ranging from chemical inventory and reporting to the development of bioassays. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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