We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Cleaning Vacuums The 9 Best Car Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Out of the 36 car vacuums we evaluated, these are our favorites. By Rachel Center Rachel Center Rachel covers all aspects of the home space and tests products to find the best for consumers. When she's not writing, you can find her streaming, hiking, and decorating. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Rachel Simon Rachel Simon Rachel has written for Dotdash Meredith's Ecommerce team since 2020, covering home goods, tech, fashion, beauty, and more. She's interviewed dozens of experts and is always on top of the latest trends and product releases. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 05, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process More To Consider How To Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects? Photo: Real Simple / Dera Burreson Car vacuums are convenient cleaning tools that can help you pick up car messes quickly and effectively, all while saving you money at the car wash. “Irrespective of the frequency of use, [you] should look for a vacuum that has a removable and washable filter,” says Joe Pallero, owner and founder of NYC Mobile Auto Detailing. “This is directly linked with suction power, as both complement each other. The filter would not only enhance the life of the vacuum, but also its efficiency.” To find the best car vacuums, we tested 36 different models in real-world conditions and in our Lab. We assessed each based on effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value. We also consulted Pallero, as well as Igor Pomishchyk, owner of Ecostates Elite Car Detailing, for expert insights into choosing a car vacuum. Our Top Picks Best Overall Car Vacuum: Baseus A2 Pro Car Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Best Budget Car Vacuum: ArmorAll Armor All-12V Wet/Dry Car Vac at Amazon $33 Jump to Review Best Car Vacuum With Attachments: Black + Decker Flex Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $125 Jump to Review Best Compact Car Vacuum: SALE Black+Decker 20V Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $90 $70 Jump to Review Best Corded Car Vacuum: Auto Joe Corded Car Handheld Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon $24 Jump to Review Best Car Vacuum for Car Detailing: SALE Baseus A3 Car Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon $100 $66 Jump to Review Best Car Vacuum for Pet Hair: Huepar Car Vacuum at Amazon Jump to Review Best Cordless Car Vacuum: Worx Power Share Cube Vac at Amazon $100 Jump to Review Best Heavy-Duty Car Vacuum: SALE Dewalt 20-Volt Cordless Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $179 $97 Jump to Review Best Overall Car Vacuum Baseus A2 Pro Car Vacuum Cleaner PHOTO: Baseus $50 at Amazon $46 at Baseus.com Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out It’s super compact and has a 2-in-1 nozzle for hard-to-reach areas. What Could Be Improved The canister is small and needs to be emptied often. For a top-quality car vacuum that will clean your vehicle thoroughly and efficiently, we recommend this great option from Baseus. The vacuum offers high-powered suction in a small and lightweight build, and when we tested it, we were pleased to discover that it performed well on every type of debris and surface. We used this vacuum on every type of debris over six months, and it maintained its quality throughout. Setting up the vacuum is quick and easy; it just needs to charge for 3.5 hours, then it’s good to go. It can run for 30 minutes on one charge, which is more than enough time to clean even a large car, and it comes with a handy two-in-one nozzle to get into hard-to-reach areas. And because it’s so compact, you can store it under the seat when it’s not in use. It’s also super comfortable to hold and quiet enough to hear a conversation or listen to music as it operates. We also like how easy it is to empty this vacuum’s dustbin and that it has a HEPA filter to trap particles. Price-wise, it’s a great value, as well. The only downside we found is that you may need to empty the bin a few times when cleaning a bigger car, as the canister isn’t the biggest. Type: Cordless | Canister Size: 120 milliliters | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Charge Type: USB-C charging cable Real Simple / Dave Decarlo Real Simple / Dave Decarlo Best Budget Car Vacuum ArmorAll Armor All-12V Wet/Dry Car Vac PHOTO: Amazon $33 at Amazon $39 at Wayfair $23 at Walmart Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 4.3/5 Maneuverability 4.3/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out It has multiple helpful attachments and an LED light. What Could Be Improved It’s not great at picking up pet hair. If you want to keep costs low, opt for this corded car vacuum from ArmorAll, which is especially great on leather seats and trunks and has several helpful tools to make cleaning even easier. During testing, we loved that this vacuum was immediately ready to use (no set-up required) and that it’s both lightweight and easy to hold. It runs off your car’s 12V charging port and comes with a long 15-foot power card, although it might struggle to reach the farthest areas of your trunk. Throughout six months of real-world testing, we relied on this car vacuum for picking up loose items and debris. It still performed impressively after continued use, though we think it could have higher-quality construction and build. The vacuum also has a storage bin and multiple attachments including a crevice tool, bristle, and squeegee. All the tools are helpful while cleaning, although the bristles are a bit too coarse for vents, and the squeegee tool isn’t long enough to get into deep areas like cup holders. It’s also worth noting that this vacuum isn’t ideal for picking up pet hair from carpets. Still, this vacuum is easy to empty, fairly quiet, and even has a handy LED light to help you see as you clean. Type: Corded | Canister Size: 9.5 liters | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Charge Type: 12V port Real Simple / Michele Hanson Real Simple / Michele Hanson Best Car Vacuum With Attachments Black + Decker Flex Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $109 at Amazon $143 at Walmart $113 at Lowe's Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out The powerful suction remains consistent throughout cleaning. What Could Be Improved The vacuum only runs for eight minutes on a charge. This vacuum is a steal for its weight, size, and suction power. The Black+Decker 20V Max Flex Handheld Vacuum is handheld and cordless, weighing about 5 pounds. Even though it’s a little heavier than the other car vacuums we tested, it still feels lightweight—we could hold the main mechanism in one hand and an attachment in the other without hassle. The 4-foot hose is lengthy enough to get into the nooks and crannies of the car and remove debris successfully. And regardless of where the vacuum went in the car, the suction didn’t falter. This vacuum has helpful attachments, including a nozzle that converts into a flip-up brush, a crevice tool, and a pet hairbrush. It also has a three-stage filtration system, a washable filter, and a hefty 17-ounce canister. With all its perks, we were disappointed to discover that it only lasts about eight minutes on a single charge, especially considering it needs four hours to fuel up. Despite this, it’s a fantastic product that’s powerful, portable, and effective. Type: Cordless | Canister Size: 17 ounces | Weight: 5 pounds | Battery Type: Lithium ion Real Simple / Tamara Staples Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Compact Car Vacuum Black+Decker 20V Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $70 at Amazon $95 at Wayfair $89 at Walmart Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4.5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.5/5 Portability 4.5/5 What Stands Out It folds in half during charging and storage. What Could Be Improved The charger and canister latch both feel flimsy. Looking for a car vacuum that barely takes up any space? This device from Black + Decker may be the one for you. This ultra-compact car vacuum conveniently folds in half for charging and storage and has an easy-to-hold, lightweight feel. When we tested the vacuum, we found that despite its small size, it features strong suction power and can clean the whole car on just one charge. Its pivoting nozzle makes maneuvering a breeze, although it’s worth noting that it isn’t the best at getting into super narrow spaces. We also wish the vacuum came with attachments, which would help with those hard-to-reach areas. On the upside, however, this vacuum is very easy to set up and empty, it only needs a four-hour charge to get up and running. Plus, after using it for six months, we can confidently recommend this car vacuum for its ability to quickly suction up many substances from different surfaces. While we initially believed that it wasn't as durable as some other models (the charger and canister latch both feel rather flimsy), we had no issues over our long-term testing. Overall, its compact size, strong suction, and average price still make it a worthwhile pick in our book. Type: Cordless | Canister Size: 15 ounces | Weight: 3 pounds | Charge Type: Wall outlet Real Simple / Ivy Ford Real Simple / Ivy Ford Real Simple / Ivy Ford Best Corded Car Vacuum Auto Joe Corded Car Handheld Vacuum Cleaner PHOTO: The Home Depot $22 at Amazon $22 at Walmart $25 at Home Depot Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 4/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out It can get underneath seats and into tight spaces. What Could Be Improved The suction isn’t as powerful as other corded models. Although cordless vacuums let you maneuver more easily, corded vacuums like this option from Auto Joe let you clean for longer periods and tend to be more powerful. When we tested this device, we found that it has impressively strong suction and, despite its cord, can easily maneuver underneath seats and into deep crevices. After six months of regular use and cleaning, it performed like it was fresh out of the box, quickly picking up crumbs, dirt, and other debris that ended up in our car. This highly affordable vacuum comes with multiple handy attachments including a brush, crevice nozzle, and extension hose, all of which come in handy while cleaning. It’s easy to set up, lightweight, and has a large, 17-ounce dust bin that’s easy to empty. It also has a carrying case, HEPA filter, replacement filter, and filter cleaning brush. You can plug the vacuum’s long, hard-to-tangle cord right into your car’s auxiliary outlet, and when you’re done cleaning, store it in its included carrying case. Because of its slightly larger size, the vacuum probably won’t fit under your seat. It’s also not as strong as some other corded car vacuums, so you might need to go over larger debris a few times. Still, there’s a lot to love about this model. Type: Corded | Canister Size: 17 ounces | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Charge Type: 12V port Real Simple / Mary Amadeo Real Simple / Mary Amadeo Best Car Vacuum for Car Detailing Baseus A3 Car Vacuum Cleaner PHOTO: Baseus $66 at Amazon Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out It can get into tight areas like cup holders and under the gas cap. What Could Be Improved It’s pretty expensive. No car vacuum we tested was as good at getting into tight crevices and leaving every inch of a car spotless as this pick from Baseus. This powerful cordless vacuum can run for nearly 45 minutes on one charge, and it comes with multiple nozzles that, as we found during testing, make a big difference in the cleaning process. Setting up this vacuum took no time after its four-hour charge, and we love how light and compact it is. It picks up all types of debris, including pet hair, with minimal issue and is so easy to maneuver that it can even get into hard-to-reach areas like cup holders and underneath the gas cap. Throughout six months of use, we were continually impressed with its powerful suction and long-lasting charge, which performed just as well as when we initially tried the vacuum. Emptying the canister is quite simple, and the vacuum’s low noise level is another great bonus. Plus, it has a HEPA filter and a double filtration system to keep the air clean. This is one of the pricier car vacuums, but for how strong and easy to use it is, we think it’s worth the cost. Type: Cordless | Canister Size: Not listed | Weight: 2 pounds | Charge Type: USB-C charging cable Real Simple / Lisa Pezzuto Real Simple / Lisa Pezzuto Best Car Vacuum for Pet Hair Huepar Car Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon $40 at Walmart Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 4.5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.5/5 What Stands Out It has two suction modes and multiple attachments. What Could Be Improved The flexible hose is too flexible. If you love driving around with your pet, chances are they’ve left a lot of hair in your car, which is where the Huepar Car Vacuum comes in. This powerful device is especially good at removing pet hair from seat cushions and carpets (though we also enjoyed using the vacuum for small household tasks during our long-term testing). This vacuum takes less than three hours to charge and can work continuously for up to 30 minutes, ample time to fully clean a car. It includes a brush attachment that’s excellent at getting under seats and in tight crevices, LED lights to help you see, two type fittings, two suction modes, and a flexible hose (although the hose is a bit too flexible, making it difficult to use). After using this vacuum for six months, it performs like it's still brand-new. Additionally, the vacuum’s large dustbin is easy to empty and helpfully comes with an extra filter, which we appreciated during our six months of testing. It’s too large to fit under seats, but it can easily go into the trunk when not in use. And price-wise, it’s a bit lower than average, proving that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality cleaning device. Type: Cordless | Canister Size: 450 milliliters | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Charge Type: 12V port Real Simple / Nellah Mcgough Real Simple / Nellah Mcgough Best Cordless Car Vacuum Worx Power Share Cube Vac PHOTO: Amazon $100 at Amazon $120 at Target $120 at QVC Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out It takes only 40 minutes to charge. What Could Be Improved It’s a little loud and pretty expensive. There are many great cordless car vacuums, but this one from Worx is an absolute standout. During our testing, the small yet powerful cordless vacuum was fantastic at picking up all sorts of debris (including pet hair) from multiple surfaces and cleaning up the whole car—cushions, floors, trunk, and all—quickly and efficiently. Plus, after six months of use, it was a handy and reliable companion for our weekly car cleanings. This vacuum has three attachments; a brush, a crevice nozzle, and a four-foot-long flexible hose. It has two speed settings (high and low) and features a larger-than-average canister that we found extremely easy to empty. The vacuum requires minimal setup and takes only 40 minutes to charge, far less time than many other models on our list. We also love how lightweight and ergonomic this vacuum is, allowing us to maneuver around tight areas. It is a bit loud, and the price point is notably higher than many other similarly-sized car vacuums on the market. That said, this HEPA-equipped cordless vac is a great all-around choice for casual car maintenance. Type: Cordless | Canister Size: 6 ounces | Weight: 3 pounds | Charge Type: Wall charger Real Simple / Lexi Juhl Real Simple / Tamara Staples Real Simple / Tamara Staples Best Heavy-Duty Car Vacuum Dewalt 20-Volt Cordless Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $97 at Amazon $149 at Home Depot $149 at Lowe's Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 4.5/5 Maneuverability 4.5/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out This vacuum is equipped with a HEPA filter and six handy attachments for convenient cleaning. What Could Be Improved It’s not as effective on soft surfaces. Everyone’s go-to brand for tools also does a decent job at making car vacuums. The Dewalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum comes with six useful attachments that make it easy to reach between and underneath car seats as well as the trunk. These attachments include an extension tube, floor nozzle, flexible hose, crevice nozzle, gulper brush, and round brush. It also comes with a storage bag for the accessories and a light attached to the machine that allows for greater visibility while cleaning. We also appreciate that it comes with a HEPA filter, and we were generally pleased with the power of the machine, even though there were some inconsistencies with the suction. We were able to clean up our messes on hard surfaces well, but had trouble sucking up sand and hair on softer surfaces. Another thing to keep in mind is that the 3-pound machine started to feel heavy in hand. The good thing is that this cordless vacuum lasts longer than other models we tested, at more than 21 minutes. However, you do have to buy this vacuum’s battery and charger separately. Type: Cordless | Canister Size: 23.6 ounces | Weight: 3.3 pounds | Battery Type: Lithium ion Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Final Verdict Overall, we recommend the Baseus A2 Pro Car Vacuum Cleaner, as it was able to pick up all debris, including in hard-to-reach places thanks to its useful attachments. It also was easy to set up and felt comfortable in our hands throughout the entirety of our real-world testing. Our Testing Process We tested 36 car vacuums over the past couple of years, both in real-world conditions and in our Labs. To evaluate the effectiveness of the vacuums in real-world conditions, we tested 16 models by cleaning regular messes you might find in your car. We first unboxed and set up the car vacuum, adding a filter if one wasn’t already installed and charging the vacuum before use. Throughout the testing period, we used the car vacuums to clean messes like dust, dirt, rocks, leaves, sand, pet hair, and food crumbs. We also maneuvered the car vacuums in various areas of our car including the seats, floors, car seats, dashboard, trunk, cup holders, and air vents. While we used the vacuums, we evaluated suction power, maneuverability, any included attachments, noise level, battery life, recharging time, ease of use, ergonomics, ease of emptying, and how easy it was to store when not in use. For the Lab testing, we put 20 vacuums to the test by sprinkling Cheerios all over the car, including in harder-to-reach areas, to assess each product’s suction power and maneuverability. We noted how many passes it took to clean up these messes, then repeated the same test with sprinklings of hair. After each vacuuming session, we emptied the vacuum’s canister and cleaned the filter to see how easy it was to go through that process. We then ran the same cleaning tests on our hard surfaces, such as the console and inside cup holders, but this time with sand. Following our initial Lab tests, we tested our top-performing picks in real-world conditions over six months. We continued to evaluate each car vacuum's durability, performance, and usage on real messes we encountered during our day-to-day lives. Real Simple / Dera Burreson More Car Vacuums to Consider Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum: This tiny vacuum’s compact size and two-in-one attachment make it great at getting into tight spaces. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the strongest suction power and can struggle with large debris. Ridgid Hand Vacuum: When it comes to picking up pet hair, this cordless vacuum is highly effective, due in part to its many helpful attachments. But it’s pretty bulky and hard to maneuver into tighter areas, and the filter is tricky to clean. How to Shop for Car Vacuums Like a Pro Corded vs. Cordless There are pros and cons to both corded and cordless vacuums. Cordless vacuums, which are growing more popular, give you more flexibility to maneuver around your vehicle and allow for greater portability. “Cordless vacuums are ideal if it's a person at home, who wants to just do a quick vacuum to remove a few crumbs,” says Pomishchyk. It’s much easier to take your car vacuum’s charging mechanism with you while on the go than having to find an outlet close to your vehicle that you can plug your car vacuum into. The main drawback of cordless vacuums is that the charging time can take hours, and the actual time it lasts while on a charge can range between 2-30 minutes. If your car sees frequent messes, whether that’s from pets, kids, or both, that may not be enough time to adequately clean your car, unless you commit to cleaning up small messes quickly so they don’t build to larger messes later on. “To enhance the effectiveness, cordless vacuums should be complemented by lithium-ion batteries,” says Pallero. “This combination (cordless, portability, ample battery life) would be an attractive choice for the customer.” Corded vacuums, on the other hand, typically offer improved suction power, and don’t require a charge, making them better suited to heavy-duty tasks. “It is often argued that corded vacuums are better because of their capacity of unlimited cleaning time, along with their strong suction power,” says Pallero. Pomishchyk agrees: “Corded vacuums are ideal because they are more powerful and long-lasting, and you don't have to worry about running out of power in the middle of the job.” Because corded car vacuums need a nearby outlet, these models are most ideal for people whose home or apartment has a garage. Real Simple / Dera Burreson Attachments While people can largely get away without using attachments for their regular, upright vacuum, you can’t do that with car vacuums. To be able to get to those hard-to-reach areas in your car, including under and in between the seats, you need attachments. “Preferably the vacuum nozzle should be smaller, thin, and long to reach more areas in between the seats and underneath, reaching every corner of the car,” says Pomishchyk. Common attachments include a hose, a crevice tool (which helps you better get into the nooks and crannies of your vehicle), and a brush attachment. Pallero outlines the benefits and uses of each attachment below: Crevice Tool: This is a long and narrow tool that can reach tight spaces of the car, such as between seats and in cup holders. This tool ensures you get a quality clean without leaving any dust and debris behind.Brush Nozzle: This is a quite often used accessory, especially when there is a lot of dust. A brush tool can shake and remove dirt, debris, and pet hair that are often trapped in the carpets and vents.Extension Hose: This can be attached to the vacuum to extend its reach, making it easier to clean hard-to-reach areas in your car. This is especially useful if you have a heavy, non-portable, corded vacuum. Comfort Because all car vacuums are handheld, it’s important to pick something that will be comfortable in your hands while vacuuming. “Users that travel with their car vacuum need one that is portable and lightweight,” says Pallero. “The misconception that light-weighted vacuums have a lack of suction power, battery-life, and durability isn’t plausible anymore with today’s advanced technology implemented by top-rated brands.” Real Simple / Dera Burreson Questions You Might Ask Can I use my regular vacuum’s attachments to clean my car? You can certainly try. Lugging around an upright vacuum as you try to clean your car with its attachments will get very frustrating very quickly. Trying this will be easier if you have a handheld vacuum or a vacuum that converts into a handheld. Even then, it may not be as smooth as a process that you’ll get with a car vacuum. This is because you need car vacuum-style attachments to be able to clean your car in its entirety. With a handheld vacuum, you may clean your seats and where you rest your feet, and maybe under the seats or cupholders to an extent, but it won’t produce the exact same results you’ll get with a vacuum that is designed for a car. How long does a cordless vacuum last on one charge? We found that this varies by brand and model. Of the cordless models we tested, they lasted between 2-30 minutes, with the median runtime being between 6-8 minutes. The best way to conserve your battery is by turning the machine off in between cleaning different parts of your car. You can also conserve the battery of your cordless vacuum by cleaning up messes as soon as they happen. That way, you won’t spend longer having to clean a dirtier car later on down the line. Can I plug my car vacuum into the auxiliary outlet without draining my car’s battery? It depends. If you have a device that can convert your car’s auxiliary outlet into a proper outlet, you can plug your car vacuum into it and it won’t put a dent in your car’s battery. Unless your car battery is really old or on its last leg, it’s strong enough to be able to handle 20 minutes of a car vacuum’s power once a week. However, we aren’t confident that it won’t have a greater effect if you try to charge your cordless car vacuum from your car’s auxiliary outlet (if the cordless vacuum is charged via a cord, such as a USB, that is). That’s because it takes hours for a cordless vacuum to charge (typically between 3-4 hours), so that will certainly use up more power than a short vacuuming session. In short, we recommend staying on the safe route and charging it in a wall outlet. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple, and was updated by Rachel Simon, a contributing writer for Real Simple. We researched the best car vacuums and tested 36 of the most popular in real-world conditions and in our Lab, evaluating them on effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value. We also spoke to Igor Pomishchyk, owner of Ecostates Elite Car Detailing, and Joe Pallero, owner and founder of NYC Mobile Auto Detailing, for expert insights into choosing a car vacuum. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.