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The Best Car Vacuums To Keep Your Ride Spotless And Fresh

As any car owner knows, vehicles can accumulate as much dirt, dust and grime as the inside of our homes. That’s why investing in one of the best car vacuums is worth it to trap dirt before it settles on cushions, floor mats and inside the trunk. Additionally, it can save you money in the long run compared to frequent visits to the local car wash. Our top recommendation is the Rigid Portable Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum, which offers exceptional suction power, unlimited runtime due to its corded design and a variety of useful attachments to clean every nook and cranny.

There are a wide variety of car vacuums on the market today, and generally, you’ll want something compact yet powerful. “For personal use, look for a vacuum that’s more compact and easy to store in the back of your vehicle or in your garage,” recommends Leland Jones, CEO at Ceramic King Coatings, a professional vehicle ceramic coating company based in Virginia. “Another important feature in a quality vehicle vacuum is wet/dry capability, which allows it to handle water or any liquids spilled in the car before they set into the fabric.”

Car vacuums also come in corded and battery-powered models, each with its advantages. Corded models often provide greater suction power and unlimited runtime, while cordless vacuums offer greater maneuverability. Whether you use your car daily or just a few times a month, you’re sure to find an option on our curated list that will help keep your ride free of unwanted dirt and crumbs.

Best Car Vacuum Overall

A Wet/Dry Vacuum With Powerful Suction

Ridgid Portable Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum With Car Cleaning Kit

Dimensions: 18.2 x 19.4 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 9.8 pounds | Style: Corded | Attachments: Expanding locking hose, car nozzle, LED car nozzle, hose, soft bristle brush, stiff bristle brush, flexible crevice tool, claw nozzle

Pros: 

  • Large 3-gallon capacity for wet and dry messes
  • Powerful 3.5 peak HP motor for strong suction
  • Backed by a lifetime warranty from the brand 

Cons:

  • Heavier than other car vacuums
  • Car cleaning kit and LED nozzle are sold separately

While handheld car vacuums are often the most convenient, they can’t match the performance of the Ridgid Shop Vacuum. With a 3.5 peak horsepower (HP) motor, it delivers superior suction, and as a corded model, it offers unlimited runtime, allowing you to tackle even the messiest car cleanups efficiently. This vacuum handles both wet and dry messes, and its 3-gallon drum holds significantly more debris than smaller vacuums.

While you can purchase this vacuum on its own for $70, we recommend getting the car cleaning kit that comes with it. The accessory package includes useful tools like soft and stiff bristle brushes, a nozzle attachment with LED lights for dark corners, a flexible crevice tool and more. Though it’s a bit heavier than other options due to its larger size, it’s a worthwhile addition to your garage if you want to keep your vehicle’s interior in pristine condition.


Best Budget Car Vacuum

An Inexpensive Option That Plugs Into An Aux Outlet

Armor All-12V Wet/Dry Car Vac

Dimensions: 15.55 x 4.41 x 4.61 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Style: Corded | Attachments: Brush nozzle, crevice tool, storage bag

Pros: 

  • Plugs into car aux outlet for power
  • Washable filter to trap allergens
  • Built-in LED light for cleaning dark areas

Cons:

  • May not be powerful enough for deep cleaning

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly vacuum for quick cleanups, this model is both affordable and convenient to use. It plugs into your car’s auxiliary outlet for power, and the 15-foot cord gives you plenty of reach to clean every area, including the trunk. It’s suitable for both wet and dry debris, and its washable filter helps trap allergens, keeping them out of your car’s interior.

This portable vacuum also features a built-in LED light to help you see under seats while cleaning, and it comes with a squeegee, crevice tool and brush nozzle for various surfaces. Additionally, it includes a handy storage bag so you can keep all the components organized in your trunk.


Best Car Vacuum On Amazon

A Best-Seller With Several Handy Accessories

ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner

Dimensions: 13.39 x 3.94 x 4.33 inches | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Style: Corded | Attachments: Flathead, extendable hose, brush nozzle

Pros: 

  • Can be used for wet and dry cleaning
  • Plugs into car aux outlet for power
  • Includes several attachments and storage bag

Cons:

  • Not the best for cleaning carpeting

The ThisWorx Car Vacuum is a best-seller on Amazon, thanks to its convenient design and affordable price. It plugs into your car’s auxiliary outlet with a 16-foot cord and weighs just over 2 pounds, making it easy for anyone to use. This vacuum works on both wet and dry messes and features a HEPA filter to remove allergens and dust from your car’s interior.

The vacuum comes with several useful accessories, including a hose extension, flathead nozzle, and brush nozzle, as well as a handy storage bag for when it’s not in use. There’s also a brush for cleaning the filter and a spare filter for when the original wears out. While it’s a compact and convenient option for routine maintenance, keep in mind that it may not be powerful enough for tougher messes, such as pulling embedded dirt and hair out of carpeting.


Best Cordless Car Vacuum

A Battery-Powered Vacuum With Impressive Suction Power

Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Multi-Surface Handheld Vacuum

Dimensions: 16 x 5.2 x 4.4 inches | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Style: Cordless | Attachments: Sold separately

Pros: 

  • Cordless feature lets you get into tight corners
  • Ergonomic design is comfortable to use
  • Universal nozzle accepts most accessories

Cons:

  • Car-cleaning attachments sold separately 
  • Not recommended for wet messes

The Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Vacuum provides the convenience of a cordless design, allowing you to clean every inch of your car without being limited by a power cord. It includes a 2.0 Ah battery and charger, offering approximately 15 minutes of runtime per charge with powerful suction for efficient cleaning. Plus, this vacuum is compatible with any Ryobi One+ batteries, so you can use it with batteries from other Ryobi tools you might own.

While the vacuum features a universal nozzle that accepts most 1.25-inch attachments, it doesn’t come with any additional accessories.


Best Car Vacuum For Pet Hair

A Cordless Option With A Special Pet Tool

Black + Decker Furbuster Handheld Vacuum

Dimensions: 15.8 x 6.6 x 7.9 inches | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Style: Cordless | Attachments: Crevice tool, motorized pet brush

Pros: 

  • Motorized pet brush pulls hair from upholstery
  • Cordless design is convenient to operate
  • Extra-long crevice tool gets deep into cracks

Cons:

  • Not designed to tackle spills or wet debris

When it comes to removing pet hair from car upholstery, the Black+Decker Furbuster is specifically designed for the task. It features a motorized pet brush that effectively lifts and removes stubborn hair, while built-in rubber bristles prevent hair from tangling in the machine. With its cordless design, two suction levels and an extra-large crevice tool for reaching into cracks and narrow spaces, this vacuum offers versatility for a variety of cleaning needs. Plus, the “Power Boost” button provides an extra surge of suction power when needed.

This battery-powered vacuum offers approximately 20 minutes of runtime per charge—145% more than other models from the brand. A handy battery life indicator lets you know when it’s time to recharge. The large 750 ml dust bin is easy to empty, but it’s important to note that this vacuum is designed for dry debris only and isn’t suitable for handling spills or wet messes.


Best Lightweight Car Vacuum

A Small Vacuum For Quick Touch-Ups

Ofuzzi H8 Apex Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Dimensions: 12.13 x 2.17 x 2.17 inches | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Style: Cordless | Attachments: Crevice nozzle, dust brush, two upholstery tools

Pros: 

  • Compact and lightweight design can be stored anywhere
  • Offers up to 30 minutes of runtime on Eco mode
  • Available in three colors

Cons:

  • Slightly expensive for its size
  • Not able to pick up wet messes

If you’re looking for a compact and lightweight option for quick daily cleaning, the Ofuzzi H8 Apex is a convenient choice. Weighing just over 1 pound, it’s the smallest vacuum on this list, making it easy to store in your car’s glove compartment or center console. Its cordless design provides up to 30 minutes of runtime in Eco mode, and it can be charged via a USB-C cable, allowing for convenient charging in your car with the right adapter.

The Ofuzzi H8 Apex is ideal for picking up crumbs and dirt that accumulate in your vehicle, but it shouldn’t be used on wet spills. It comes with several attachments, including a brush tool, crevice tool, two upholstery accessories and a storage bag.


Best Professional-Grade Car Vacuum

A Vacuum/Blower Combo For Heavy-Duty Cleaning

Metrovac Vac N’ Blo Car Detailing Vacuum/Blower

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