We know that vacuuming your car isn't the most thrilling way to spend your time, but when you're armed with the best car vacuums for tackling the task, it'll make the job a whole lot easier. From crumbs in between the seats and dust collecting on the dashboard to mud caked on the floor mats, your car can collect quite a bit of dirt and grime over time. That's why making sure you've got the best vacuum cleaner for the task of getting your ride looking like it's fresh out of a car showroom is essential.
The best vacuum cleaners for cars will allow you to get into all those nooks and crannies inside your vehicle that are renowned for gathering dirt and dust with ease. What type of vacuum you go for is completely up to you - however, some models are more equipped for the job than others. Although some corded vacuums are more than equipped for the job, we'd recommend a cordless vacuum cleaner so you can wave goodbye to lugging an extension cord outside and cables getting tangled and in the way.
Best car vacuums at a glance:
• Best overall: Gtech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner – Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best car vacuum for awkward spaces: BLACK+DECKER PV1820LGB Pivot Vacuum – Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best vacuum for both homes and cars: VAX Blade 4 Pet & Car Vacuum Cleaner – Buy now on John Lewis
The most popular cleaner to use is a handheld vacuum as they're very handy for smaller messes. Not only can you use them for making your car spotless, but they're also great for collecting pet hair and getting rid of all the cobwebs in the garage. You of course don't need to buy a vacuum that you just use for cleaning the car. Many cordless vacuum cleaners can be converted into handheld models so you can use them for making your house spick and span as well as giving your vehicle a mini-valet.
The best car vacuums usually come with a wide range of attachments too, so you can pick the one that is best equipped to tackle your mess. They offer a more targeted clean and help pick up stubborn crumbs, fluff, dust and hair from those tricky places in between your seats and inside cupholders. Whether you're on the hunt for a dedicated car vacuum or a new cleaner to help you tackle messes both in and out of the home, we've rounded up the best car vacuums that will ensure your vehicle is pristine for whatever journeys lie ahead.
Best overall
The Gtech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is a handheld, bagless whirlwind that will make quick work of loose muck in your car. The standard attachments included are exactly what you need, as standard, you get a rectangular power brush that is superb at removing hair and dirt from the carpet, a dusting brush on an extended pole, and a narrow crevice tool for removing grit from beside the seats, which is simultaneously very small but catches 98 per cent of lost car debris.
Customer review: "Excellent for cleaning the car of dog hairs!!!"
Pros
- Great range of accessories included
- LED headlights to illuminate cleaning area
- Lightweight
Cons
- Heavier than some handheld models
Run time: | 20 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.4 litres |
Weight: | 1.5kg |
- Power brush
- Dusting brush
- Crevice brush
Best car vacuum for awkward spaces
Great value for money, this BLACK+DECKER PV1820LGB Pivot Vacuum gives you power and flexibility to clean your car with little hassle. It features a nozzle that pivots up to 200 degrees so you can easily access awkward spaces from any angle and makes it perfect for catching crumbs under and between car seats. It's compact and lightweight and comes with an integrated flip out soft brush for those more delicate surfaces and an extendable crevice tool that will help you get into those hard-to-reach areas.
Customer review: "I use this to clean the car and spot clean round the house, including the carpeted stairs. Quite powerful and even lifts the dog hairs which are usually very stubborn. It's also great for DIY dust - drilling holes and the like. I haven't really noticed the battery life, which must be a good thing. I was able to scoot round a whole small car (with dog hair) before it needed a charge."
Pros
- Pivoting nozzle
- Lightweight
- Compact
Cons
- No separate attachments (they're already attached)
Run time: | 10 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.44 litres |
Weight: | 1.38kg |
- Integrated flip out soft brush
- Integrated extendable crevice tool
Best vacuum for both homes and cars
www.johnlewis.com
Whether you've got dog hair in the boot from having adventures with your pooch or mud on the mats after a countryside walk with the family, the VAX Blade 4 Pet & Car Vacuum Cleaner has got the clean-up covered. It's been especially designed for busy homes with pets and cars and has an impressive run time of up to 45 minutes so you can whip around your home and car on one charge. The mini motorised pet tool is just what you need to suck up animal fluff and the flexible powered hose is perfect for cleaning awkward areas like footwells and car boots.
Customer review: "Just bought a few days ago. Upto now found very powerful. I wanted the car tools because I have to park my car away from my house, does the just as I hoped. Very pleased with the vacuum."
Pros
- Four tools/accessories
- Impressive run time
- Quick charging time of 180 minutes
Cons
- Capacity could be bigger for a full cordless model
Run time: | 45 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.6L |
Weight: | 3.1kg |
- Mini motorised pet tool
- Flexible powered hose
- Crevice tool
- Dusting brush
Best car vacuum for quick clean-ups
sharkclean.co.uk
Engineered with a high-efficiency motor and impressive suction, the Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum WV200UK will redefine quick clean-ups. It's sleek, slim and most importantly lightweight at just under 700g so you'll be able to whip around your car in no time. It includes a Duster Crevice Tool and a Multi-Surface Pet Tool to refresh your upholstery and remove pesky pet hair and crumbs around the car and when your mini-valet is done, you just empty the dust cap with the touch of a button for mess-free debris disposal.
Customer review: "OMG I love my new Shark. I have a normal vacuum and thought I needed a smaller one for the little bits and car and it's amazing"
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Easy to empty
- Great attachments included
Cons
- Run time and capacity could be better
Run time: | 8 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.1L |
Weight: | 700g |
Best home and car vacuum for power
A 480W high-quality motor provides the Proscenic P11 Cordless Cleaner with an up to 30 KPA powerful suction to suck up dirt, dust, crumbs and pet hairs from around your home and in your car with ease. This stick vacuum can be easily converted into a handheld model for different uses and has a long crevice nozzle and a mini motorized tool to help you get into those hard-to-reach areas, which is why we think it would make an excellent car vacuum. It has an impressive 53 minute run time and you can easily read the baterry level directly on the LED touch screen and select the suction level required.
Customer review: "I love it. It really has enough suction power and really lightweithing. It comes with different attachments and a water tank as well. Second thing I have done was the car. Perfect. Finally I can do my car. Had the perfect needed accessories not more not less and the head is moving quite smoothly reaching corners without extra effort."
Pros
- Maximum 53 minute run time
- Only 1.8kg
- Different suction levels
Cons
- Some may not like having a touch screen for operation
Run time: | 53 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.65L |
Weight: | 1.8kg |
- Anti-Hair-Wrap Roller Brush (suitable for hard floor and carpet)
- Round Brush
- Long Crevice Nozzle
- Mini Motorized Tool
Best budget car vacuum
If you're after a great little handheld vacuum that will clean up the messes in the car without breaking the bank, we'd recommend this nifty Beldray BEL01096 AIRLITE Rechargeable Lightweight Handheld Vacuum. It has dual speed settings so you can be tougher on those more stubborn areas, a crevice tool for targetted cleans in between seats and a brush tool which is perfect for picking up hair (human or pet) from your upholstery. Inside, the vacuum has a HEPA filter which is great for allergy sufferers.
Customer review: "Couldn’t live without it. Great charge life. Great suction."
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Allergy filter
- Dual speed settings
Cons
- Noisy
Run time: | 15-25 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.1L |
Weight: | 1.2kg |
- Crevice Tool
- Brush Tool
Best corded car vacuum
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are some corded vacuum cleaners that are more than equipped for the job of cleaning your car and the Kärcher Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner is one of them. It's able to suck up all the fine and coarse dirt and dust left behind on seats and inside cup holders and seat pockets into its 12-litre plastic collection container. While you don't have the freedom of not being attached to a power cable that you get with cordless models, the 1.8-metre-long suction hose means you won't struggle to reach into those more tucked-away spots.
Customer review: "Brought this for hovering the car and I must say I am impressed. Suction is good and product looks well made. I think it is very good value for the money."
Pros
- Huge capacity
- No need for dust bags
- Good value
Cons
- Not as much freedom or flexibility as a cordless cleaner
Run time: | N/A as it's corded |
Capacity: | 12L |
Weight: | 4.25kg |
- Floor and crevice nozzle
- Two suction tubes
- Suction hose
Best car vacuums FAQs
What to look for in the best car vacuums?
Run-time
You'll want to ensure your chosen cleaner has a decent run time. It will enable you to get around your whole vehicle without recharging it. You'll be able to clean a smaller car more quickly than a larger one, so if you do have a smaller car, you will be able to consider those vacuums with a lower run time to do the job.
Weight
Cleaning your car shouldn't have to be a workout, so you'll want to consider how heavy your chosen vacuum is before you buy. You'll want to look for a lightweight model that still packs a punch.
Attachments
Another thing to consider is what attachments come with your chosen model. Different nozzles and heads make it easier to clean different surfaces and offer you more flexibility to get into those harder-to-reach areas in your vehicle.
Budget
Budget is always an important factor to consider. You'll first want to think about whether this vacuum cleaner is going to be used just for your car or if you are planning on getting a new vacuum for cleaning the whole house. You don't need to spend a fortune on car vacuums but if you're using it for more than just vehicle maintenance, you may want to consider spending that little bit more for better features. This may include more attachments, higher suction power and a better battery life.
Why do you need a separate car vacuum cleaner?
While it’s perfectly acceptable to use the same vacuum cleaner for your home and car, you may want to consider having a separate one. This is to prevent damage to your household cleaner as bigger bits of mud and other dirt that you may come across in your car when cleaning it regularly can clog up your filters.
Household vacuums also tend to be bulkier than car ones. Even if you choose a stick vacuum cleaner that can be configured into its own handheld model and has separate attachments, you may still find that it’s too big to get into those smaller, tighter areas of your vehicle.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.