The Best Car Vacuums We've Tried, Tested in a Messy Parent's Car

WIRED

5 days ago

Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum for $41: This is a great little budget vacuum and a fine detail cleaning option. It doesn't have as many attachments as the Airify Pro V3 and it's battery life isn't as long (the AeroSlim only lasts up to 12 minutes), but it's a good option if you're on a budget and are mostly fighting small messes.
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Hand Vacuum for $80: This is our favorite handheld vacuum for cleaning pet hair. If you want something really designed for pet hair over other messes, this is a good pick.
Dyson Humdinger for $290: This is another great Dyson handheld. The Car+Boat is more powerful, and the Humdinger costs more, so it makes more sense to go with the Car+Boat. But the Humdinger is still a great hand vacuum to use both in and out of the car.
Shark Ultraclone Pet Pro Plus Handheld Vacuum for $80: This vacuum is made for pets, but it's great for car messes from kids, too. I preferred the picks in this guide, but this one is still a solid handheld vacuum for cars and indoors alike.
What to Look or in a Car Vacuum
For this story, we focused on cordless handheld vacuums that would be easy to maneuver inside cars. While you could use a corded design, power outlets aren't always easily accessible in garages or driveways, and can make the task of vacuuming your car seem more difficult. It's especially limiting to move around with a corded vacuum holding you back, which is why we prefer handheld vacs.
A great car vacuum cleaner isn't just portable, it's also powerful. We tested to see whether the suction power was enough to clean your usual car messes like dirt, sand, and larger debris. You don't need a ton of attachments for car cleaning, but you'll want one that at least has a crevice tool to get between the seats, and if you have a pet there are models that offer pet brush attachments, too. It's not always easy to switch out attachments in the midst of car cleaning, though, so I don't recommend you buy a model just because it has a half dozen attachments you could use.
All of the models we recommend have rechargeable batteries, though the charger style can vary from each model. Some work like power tools, with the battery popping off to be charged, while others simply plug into a cord to recharge. Each pick has details on its charger style.
Where Should You Store a Car Vacuum?
Should a car vacuum live in your car? I'm certainly tempted to keep the adorable Worx hanging out in my trunk for quick cleans on the go. But vacuums aren't designed for outdoor use or for storage in the extreme temperatures that cars can reach when sitting in the sun or in a snowy climate. It's best to keep your car vacuum in your garage or house. Especially since you need to charge these small vacuums often.
What About Stick Vacuums?
Do you really need a special car vacuum, or can other vacuum cleaners work? Your classic upright vacuums can work, but they're frustrating to lug into the garage and connect to power and then unwind the hose to use in your car. If you wanted to buy one vacuum to do it all, I'd recommend a cordless stick vacuum, since those usually break down into a handheld vacuum. Check out our guide to the Best Cordless Vacuums for more suggestions.