The 8 Best Car Vacuums We Tested for a Pro-Grade Clean
From car seat messes to floorboard debris, these handheld vacuums kept our cars pristine
From car seat messes to floorboard debris, these handheld vacuums kept our cars pristine People / Dera Burreson:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/peo-car-vacuums-test-dirt-devil-scorpion-plus-corded-handheld-cleaner-sd30025b-walmart-dburreson-020-10-1-60d02502982545b6b1b4d1707dee7e1d.jpeg "Person using Dirt Devil SD30025B Scorpion Plus Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaner to clean car seat")
Nothing beats the feeling of a clean car. But the vacuums at the car wash can be hard to maneuver and don’t always give you the level of cleanliness you may want. Purchasing a handheld vacuum not only makes it easier to get a high-quality clean, but you can also quickly clean up messes as they happen.
The Best Right Now
Don’t feel like scrolling? After multiple rounds of testing car vacuums, we still stand by our top pick: the Ridgid 18V Cordless Handheld Vacuum. It has strong suction and a large tank capacity. Plus, professional detailers swear by it for a pro-grade clean.
We put over 50 models to the test in our lab and in our own cars to find the best cordless and corded vacuums to use for a thorough interior cleaning. We considered each car vacuum for ease of setup, effectiveness, maneuverability, portability, ease of emptying, noise level, and value. After several rounds of testing, these are the best car vacuums tested by PEOPLE.
Best Overall: Ridgid Cordless Hand Vacuum
Home Depot
Star Qualities
Strong suction power
Comes with four different extensions for more precise cleaning
Dustbin has a large capacity
Red Flags
Bulky and difficult to store
Charger sold separately
If you feel like you can’t find a handheld vacuum that’s strong enough to efficiently clean your car’s interior, you just may have met your match in this one. The Ridgid Propack is designed for the messiest of cars. The dustbin has a generous capacity, so you don’t have to worry about constantly emptying it while cleaning, and its ergonomic design makes it easy to hold for long periods of time.
While it is great for tough messes, it is on the bulkier side and doesn’t store as easily as some of the others we tested. Also, it’s important to note that the battery and charger are sold separately, so you’ll need to make an additional purchase before this vacuum is ready to use.
How It's Held Up
After six months of additional testing, the vacuum's battery life and suction power stayed as strong as the day we took it out of the box, and it easily picked up the rock salt that littered our car mats during the winter. If we could change anything about this vacuum, it would be to make it slightly quieter, as the noise level is a bit loud in small enclosed spaces.
Cordless: Yes | Dirt Canister: 1.5 pints | Attachments: Extension wand, utility nozzle, crevice nozzle, crevice clip
Best Overall (Almost): Black + Decker Flex Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Amazon
Star Qualities
Works quickly and effectively
Lightweight and portable design
Easy to clean, with minimal fuss
Red Flags
Loud while in use
Earning perfect scores in nearly all our tests, the Black and Decker Flex Max is built for cleaning cars. The cordless design runs on a lithium-ion battery and promises to last for 15 minutes on a full charge. And thanks to the powerful suction, it only took us eight minutes to vacuum out our entire car.
The suction power didn't falter the entire time, which was impressive considering how lightweight and portable this vac is. With a four-foot hose, a pet hair attachment, and a crevice tool, this vacuum gets into all the nooks and crannies of car seats, dashboards, and floors. The decently sized dirt canister is easy to empty, thanks to a simple pop-out door, and the washable filter was a breeze to clean.
Cordless: Yes | Dirt Canister: 0.5 liters | Attachments: Pet brush, flexible hose, 2-in-1 nozzle/flip-up brush, crevice tool
Best Budget: Lipuws Mini Portable Car Vacuum
Amazon
Star Qualities
Lightweight and compact
Quiet while in use
Crevice tool and brush attachment are good for varied surfaces
Red Flags
Weak suction when picking up some debris
No storage bag for vacuum and attachments
If you aren’t looking to make a major investment, we found this hidden gem at Amazon for just under $30. We love how lightweight and compact it is — it’s easy to hold while you’re cleaning, even when you’re dealing with hard-to-reach areas like under and between the seats. It also comes with two attachments that make working on varied surfaces easier and more precise.
One thing we noticed during testing was that the vacuum struggled to effectively pick up debris in the grooves of textured floorboards and took several passes on fabric surfaces as well. While the vacuum came out of the bag with a little bit of charge and didn’t lose power while we were cleaning, it took about three hours to get a full charge. The other drawback, although small, is that it doesn’t come with a storage bag for the vacuum and its attachments.
How It's Held Up
After three months of testing, we found that the Lipuws Portable Car Vacuum works as well as it did on the first day. Although it took a while to charge, it didn't shut off mid-cleaning and worked effectively on everyday dirt, debris, and sand.
Cordless: Yes | Dirt Canister: 0.45 liters | Attachments: Crevice nozzle, brush nozzle, flexible hose, USB-C cable
Related: The 11 Best Vacuums Under $200 We've Tested from Shark, Bissell, Kenmore, and More
Best Cordless: Baseus A5 Car Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon
Star Qualities
Cleans up well between uses
Compact for easy storage
Maneuvers well in tight spaces
Red Flags
Struggled to suck up heavier debris
If your top priority is a lightweight cordless vacuum that’s easy to maneuver, we highly recommend this one by Baseus. It’s incredibly lightweight and compact, which makes it not only easy to store but also easy to handle when climbing around your car’s interior. It also comes with a long attachment that you can use to clean between the seats and on textured floorboards.
It did great picking up smaller debris on all surfaces, and although the canister is fairly small, we didn’t have to empty it while cleaning. When the canister does get full, it’s fairly easy to empty and clean without getting your hands too dirty. The main drawback with this one is that it struggles with heavier debris, so if you are dealing with bigger messes in your car, you’ll probably have to make multiple passes over each surface.
How It's Held Up
We reach for this compact vacuum frequently to clean up small messes, and it’s held a charge the entire time we’ve had it. While it’s strong enough to handle typical car messes and debris, we wish the suction was a bit stronger.
Cordless: Yes | Dirt Canister: 0.15 liters | Attachments: Crevice tool, brush nozzle, 2-in-1 suction and air nozzle, USB-C cable
Best for Detailing: DeWalt 20-Volt Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Amazon
Star Qualities
Powerful suction for tough messes
Can clean the entire interior of a car on one charge
Includes HEPA filter
Red Flags
On the heavier side
Battery sold separately
For detailing, we recommend the Dewalt 20V Max. This powerful cordless vacuum comes pre-assembled, though you'll have to buy the battery separately. It promises to run for over 20 minutes on a full charge and was still going strong after 15 minutes when we finished cleaning the car. Sucking up Cheerios and clumps of hair took only one pass, and the crevice tool was perfect for getting between the seats. It also has a HEPA filter and a larger-than-average dirt canister.
Weighing in at a little over seven pounds, we noticed it felt heavy after a few minutes. Still, we found it generally easy to maneuver. The only other thing to note is that it's pretty loud, but that's what you'd expect for such a powerful tool.
How It’s Held Up
We continued to test the Dewalt vacuum for six months and, thanks to its impressive suction, found ourselves reaching for this vacuum over a cordless stick vacuum when we really needed a deep clean. The suction remained as powerful as it was the first time, making it one of the best vacuums in our cleaning arsenal.
Cordless: Yes | Dirt Canister: 0.7 liters | Attachments: Extension tube, flexible hose, crevice nozzle, round brush, gulper brush, floor nozzle, accessory bag
Experts Say
We asked the team at MAV’s Mobile Detailing, a New York-based car detailing service, what tips they have for getting that pro-grade clean on your car’s interior. “It’s best to start the vacuuming process working from high to low, such as starting with the center console and seats. After that, you can move onto the floor mats and foot wells,” they said. “If you’re struggling with getting into the nooks of your car, pick up a flexible crevice tool from your local hardware store. You might also find a car cleaning accessories kit to go along with your vacuum.”
Best Corded: Dirt Devil SD30025B Scorpion Plus Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Walmart
Star Qualities
Reasonably priced yet efficient
15-foot cord makes it easy to maneuver around the car
Includes a beater bar head
Red Flags
Hair can get tangled in the roller brush
For quick cleans, reach for the Dirt Devil Scorpion+. This handheld vacuum has a 15-foot power cord, plus a beater bar head and a crevice tool for tackling various surfaces and textures. We were happy to see that it picked up loose Cheerios and Goldfish crackers in just one pass. And since it's just three pounds, maneuvering it doesn't require much effort, which is a game changer for targeting hard-to-reach areas.
The main drawback is that it’s pretty loud, so you won't be able to hear other people talking while it's running. Also, once we figured out where the release button was, we thought emptying the dirt canister was a piece of cake.
How It’s Held Up
This handheld vacuum’s quality stayed pretty consistent throughout our testing. The vacuum's body showed no signs of wear and tear, and we loved how easy it was to empty the canister and clean the filter. We did have one issue: The motorized roller brush became tangled with hair, which jammed the rolling mechanism and stopped the brush head from working properly.
Cordless: No | Dirt Canister: 0.45 liters | Attachments: Quick-flip crevice tool, pivoting stair and upholstery tool
Best Battery Life: RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Multi-Surface Handheld Vacuum Kit Model
Home Depot
Star Qualities
Easy to clean between uses
Small and compact design
Red Flags
Struggled to pick up debris on fabric surfaces
This handheld vacuum by Ryobi is great if you’re looking for something that you don’t have to charge very often. Although it is small and lightweight, we were impressed at how long one charge lasted us — we were able to clean an SUV three times without having to charge it again. The sleek and compact shape makes it easy to tuck in your trunk neatly, and the easily unlatched canister allows you to empty any debris without too much fuss.
While we did love its long battery life, we did notice that it struggled with suction on cloth textures. While it managed to suck up debris on hard surfaces and leather, it hardly picked up anything when it transitioned to fabric. If you have a larger car with leather interiors that needs a longer battery life for a full clean, this is a great option.
How It’s Held Up
Over six months of testing, the Ryobi's performance didn’t falter. The battery remained strong and long-lasting, and we reached for it whenever our seats required a deep clean. The Ryobi charges quickly and feels super lightweight in hand. We stored it in our garage for easy access, and the vacuum stayed in mint condition.
Cordless: Yes | Dirt Canister: 2.5 cups | Attachments: Universal nozzle, battery and charger
Best Portable: Auto Joe 12-Volt Corded Car Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Home Depot
Star Qualities
Comes with lots of attachments
Includes a carrying case for easy storage
Relatively quiet while in use
Red Flags
Doesn’t work well on cloth interiors
Although this vacuum is cord-operated, it still has lots of features that make it a great addition to your car cleaning kit. Thanks to the three removable cleaning attachments, this vacuum has all the features you need to clean every nook and cranny of your car. Whether you’re picking up dust from your cupholders, leaves from grooved floorboards, or crumbs between the cracks of seats, the customizable attachments allow you to suck up debris in hard-to-reach places.
The cord is easily plugged into your car’s auxiliary power outlet, and although this lightweight vacuum has strong suction, it’s relatively quiet. The whole thing packs neatly into a soft-shell zip-up carrying case that, while it wouldn’t fit under a seat, tucks away nicely in your trunk. One thing to note about this vacuum is that it doesn’t perform as well on cloth interiors. While we were still able to clean them, we found that we had to keep going over certain areas.
How It’s Held Up
After six months of testing, the Sun Joe was as good as new. The cleaning attachments worked well to remove crumbs between seats, and the suction remained as strong as it was during our first use. We kept this vacuum in the trunk of our car and reached for it whenever our mats needed a touch-up. We still wish that we had the option to use this vacuum cordlessly, but it’s such a great value for its quality that we can’t complain.
Cordless: No | Dirt Canister: Not listed | Attachments: Extension hose, crevice nozzle, brush attachment, carrying bag, filter cleaning brush
Other Car Vacuums We Tried
- Black and Decker Furbuster Handheld Vacuum: We did appreciate how effective this vacuum was at getting things like dirt, crumbs, and even sticky pet hair off seats and hard surfaces. Its charge lasted long enough to effectively clean the entire car and even move onto other pieces of furniture in the house. However, it was hard to maneuver in the car due to its cumbersome shape, and it didn’t perform as well on cloth upholstery.
- Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Hand Vacuum: This one has excellent suction and customizable attachments that deliver a very thorough clean. That said, it didn’t win a spot on our list because it is fairly cumbersome, and while it does have some nice attachments, it still isn’t able to get in all the nooks and crannies.
What to Know About Car Vacuums
Size and Weight
The first thing to consider when buying a car vacuum is the size. You want something compact enough to fit into all the nooks and crannies of your vehicle. If it's small enough to store in your car or truck, even better. Your car vacuum should also be relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver with one hand since you'll be holding it up rather than pushing it like an upright model.
Cordless vs. Corded
There are a few types of car vacuums: handheld vacuums, compact models with hoses, and stick vacuums. After you narrow it down to your preferred type, you'll want to consider whether you want a corded or cordless model. Cordless handheld vacuums are a popular option, as they're generally small and lightweight. There are also cordless compact models with hoses, allowing you to reach into tight spaces at various angles. A stick vacuum (cordless or corded) can also work, especially if it has a handheld configuration.
Mint Cleaning co-founder Monika Scott is a fan of corded models, as they won't die on you midway through. Though you won't have to worry about the battery dying, you will want to make sure the cord is long enough — 15 to 18 feet should suffice. The Dirt Devil Scorpion Plus, which has a 15-foot cord, is our pick for the best corded model. Battery-powered vacuums are more portable, but they may only run for about 20 minutes before needing to be recharged.
Attachments
Scott also says to look for something with various attachments, like a crevice tool and a pet hair remover — both helpful features for hard-to-reach areas. Crevice tools are the most useful for cleaning cars, as they allow you to get into all the nooks and crannies of your vehicle. A pet hair tool can also come in handy for dog owners, and some handheld vacuums have beater bar heads, which are nice for cleaning the floor and trunk of your vehicle.
Canister Capacity
The canister capacity you need will depend on the size of your car. For example, if you have a larger SUV, you’ll want a vacuum with a bigger canister so you can clean your whole car without having to empty it midway through. If you go too long without emptying the canister and let it get too full, it can impact the suction and ultimately damage its power in the long term. Our top pick, the Ridgid 18V Hand Vacuum, has a large (1.5-pint) canister capacity.
Price Range
Car vacuums are available at a range of prices, so consider your budget before shopping around. Handheld models are typically more affordable than standard upright vacuums, though they can still range anywhere from $25 to $150 or more. People / Kayla Kitts
Behind the Scenes
Our editors selected 55 best-selling car vacuums to try firsthand. We began by testing the car vacuums in our PEOPLE Tested lab and then took them home and used them again in our cars to see how they did against real-life messes. We thoroughly tested each vacuum, rating them on the following qualities.
- Setup: We began by unboxing the vacuums and reading over any included instructions. If the vacuum required charging before use, we made sure to charge it according to the directions.
- Portability: We paid attention to how heavy the vacuum was both when we took it out of the packaging and as we carried it around the car we tested it on. We kept in mind whether or not it was awkward or uncomfortable to hold and how easy it was to store when not in use.
- Effectiveness: Perhaps the most important thing we looked for was the performance of each vacuum, which included the vacuum’s ability to pick up debris off car mats, carpets, and seats — from Cheerios and pet hair to leaves and gravel. If the vacuum was cordless, we took note of how long the battery life lasted in between charges. We used these vacuums in a variety of cars, from four-door sedans to SUVs, to see how well they maneuvered around different interior designs and how long batteries lasted depending on the car’s size.
- Noise Level: When it came to evaluating noise level, we considered whether or not we’d be able to carry on a conversation or listen to the radio while using it at its highest setting.
- Ease of Emptying: When we cleaned out the dust canister of each vacuum, we kept in mind how long the process took, how hands-on and messy it was, and how often it had to be emptied while being used.
- Durability: We continued to test the best-performing car vacuums over six months, taking notes about each vacuum’s performance after two months and then again after six months of use. We compared each vacuum’s battery life, suction power, and overall performance throughout our long-term testing.
- Value: After completing all tests, we had testers review the things they liked about the vacuum, what they would change, and how it compares to others they’ve used in the past. Then, we had them look at the price and, taking into consideration the things they liked and things they’d change, determine whether or not it was on par with the quality.
The car vacuums with the highest average scores were ultimately selected for this story, and we threw in a few honorable mentions on the end that didn’t quite make the cut. People / Dera Burreson
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Olivia Avitt is a freelance shopping writer for PEOPLE who specializes in thorough, honest product reviews. For this article, she compiled the vacuums on this list based on our detailed lab and real-life testing. She also consulted Monika Scott, co-founder of Mint Cleaning, and the team at MAV’s Mobile Detailing for tips on how to get an expert-level clean in your car and what products they prefer using. This story was recently updated with new products to reflect the ever-changing market and insights on our methodology, so you can know how exactly each product made our list.
Our Expert Panel
- Monika Scott is the co-founder of Mint Cleaning, a professional cleaning service with its own line of cleaning products.
- MAV’s Mobile Detailing is a New York-based car detailing service.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
