No matter how hard you try to avoid or prevent it, keeping your car completely clean is impossible. Kids accidentally drop snacks on the floor while pets shed or leave mud prints on the upholstery. Luckily, a vacuum designed for cleaning your car's interior can help make your automobile feel like it's dealership-new once again. These vacuums tend to be very portable and lightweight. They also favor better performance on low-pile carpets over other surface types, and they come with several tools to help you reach more difficult areas like crevices.
We've tested over 100 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best vacuums for cars. Now, there's no single best car vacuum cleaner that'll suit everyone. These picks were chosen based on their performance on different types of surfaces, their feature set, and finally, their battery life. For more recommendations, look at our lists of the best vacuums, the best cordless vacuums, and the best vacuums for pet hair.
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Best Car Vacuum
Cars8.2Vacuum TypeHandheldBaglessYesCordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleNoThe best car vacuum cleaner we've tested is the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+. While this isn't the smallest handheld vacuum, it's still compact enough to stow away easily on a garage shelf or even in the trunk of your vehicle. It's also very lightweight yet still feels solidly built. It does a fantastic job of handling debris on flat, hard surfaces and is impressively effective in dealing with messes on carpeting and floor mats. Its dirt compartment is quite large for a handheld model, so you won't need to empty it at the end of every cleaning session. The CH951 variant comes with a crevice tool for dealing with debris in tight corners and a miniature turbo brush.
Unfortunately, the brush is bulky and has difficulty picking up pet hair on fabric surfaces. Another downside is its meager 10-minute battery life, which is pretty poor, even by the standards of other handheld vacuums. The battery isn't replaceable, so you can't swap in a new pack if performance degrades over time. Finally, this vacuum is terrible at sealing in fine particles, which can easily escape from its exhaust. If that's an issue, consider the eufy HomeVac H11, which does a much better job of trapping allergens. It's also one of the best car vacuums we've tested, but it struggles with bulkier material, which can clog its suction inlet.
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Best Mid-Range Car Vacuum
Cars8.2Vacuum TypeHandheldBaglessYesCordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleNoThe Black+Decker 16V MAX dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum is the best cordless car vacuum we've tested that balances cost and performance. It's cheaper than the Shark, uses a less expensive filter, and has an even higher-capacity dustbin that you won't need to empty as often. Despite its bulkier size, it still doesn't weigh much, so you can easily carry it wherever you need it. Its integrated extension wand/crevice tool makes it easier to clean tight spots, like between car seats, your center console, or the depths of cup holders. It also has a built-in hard-bristle brush for scrubbing away stuck-on dirt from seats or any plastic surfaces, and the brush stows away when not in use, so you don't have to worry about misplacing the attachment.
Unlike the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+, it doesn't come with a turbo brush attachment, making it a little annoying to clean larger carpeted or upholstered areas, like seats or carpet mats. It also takes much longer to recharge than the Shark and has a similarly short battery life of around 10 minutes. Another common downside it shares with the Shark is that its battery pack isn't replaceable; you can't swap it out without disassembling the vacuum first.
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Best Budget Car Vacuum
Cars8.6Vacuum TypeHandheldBaglessYesCordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleNoIf a budget-friendly price tag and portability are the most important factors in your buying decision, then get the BISSELL AeroSlim/TurboSlim, the best car vacuum with a portable design we've tested. While its super-small design limits the amount of debris it can hold, especially compared to a larger model like the Black+Decker 16V MAX dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum, it's much easier to use in tight spaces, like the inside of a compact car. In fact, it's small enough that you can even stand it upright in an extra-large cupholder. This vacuum feels well-built, especially for a handheld at this price point, and its simple design makes emptying its tiny dustbin or accessing its filters easy. Its battery life is about 15 minutes, longer than any of our more expensive picks above.
In terms of accessories, it comes with a crevice tool to extend your reach in the crevices between seats and in cupholders, not to mention a slide-on soft-bristle brush for cleaning plastic surfaces that scratch easily, like your car's center console. Unfortunately, like the Black+Decker above, it doesn't have a miniature turbo brush tool or even a wide-nozzle upholstery tool to clean larger fabric-lined or carpeted areas like the trunk or floor mats. Also, while it's highly effective at clearing away pet hair and lightweight debris, bulky material can easily clog its narrow suction inlet—you'll want to clear away any large debris by hand or with a broom before you clean with it.
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Best Shop Car Vacuum
Cars7.6Vacuum TypeHandheldBaglessYesCordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleFully CompatibleA shop vac can be a great investment if you want a vacuum that can handle dry and wet messes inside your car. The RYOBI 18V One+ 3 Gal. Project Wet/Dry is a great option for this use and is among the best cordless car vacuums we've tested. It's relatively compact for a workshop vacuum, so you can stow it away on a shelf or under a work table when not in use. That said, it's still much bulkier than a conventional handheld like the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+, so you might have trouble fitting it within the confines of your car. The benefit of this larger design is a much greater debris capacity and a far more powerful suction motor, allowing it to clear away heavy debris and liquids easily—just make sure to remove the filter before cleaning up wet messes.
Of course, the downside of its greater debris capacity is that it makes the vacuum somewhat hard to carry around as it fills up. Also worth noting is that while there's a crevice tool to extend your reach, its hose is still very short, making it difficult to clean the furthest recesses of your car's interior or tight spots, like underneath seats. Finally, while the included 4.0 Ah battery only supplies enough power for roughly 15 minutes of runtime, you can easily swap out the depleted battery for a fully charged one, which is likely something you already have if you own any other RYOBI One+ products like a cordless drill or reciprocating saw.
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Best Corded Car Vacuum
Cars7.9Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleNoThe Eureka Mighty Mite is the best car vacuum with a corded design we've tested. It has a short power cord, so you'll probably need an extension cord to clean hard-to-reach spots in your car, but its lightweight design makes it easy to pick up and carry around compared to most conventional canister vacuums. Despite its affordable price point, it has a reasonably potent 12-amp motor, so it has little trouble lifting heavier debris or material embedded within floormats. It also does a great job of clearing away pet hair on upholstered surfaces like car seats when used with its mini brush tool, though it doesn't include a mini turbo brush. The vacuum has a simple design, so you can quickly dispose of its dirtbag once it fills up and replace the filter.
Unfortunately, the Eureka's build quality isn't especially impressive; most parts are made of cheap-feeling plastic, which isn't surprising given its bargain price. While its long wand, made of two hollow plastic tubes, gives you a bit of added reach for cleaning tight spots, it's worth noting those plastic tubes can easily fall apart if you don't wedge them together very tightly. In addition, unlike an actual shop vacuum like the RYOBI 18V One+ 3 Gal. Project Wet/Dry, you can't use it to clear away liquid spills.
![Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ [CH951, CH964AMZ] Design Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/QunWbHBB/shark-ultracyclone-pet-pro-plus-ch951-ch964amz/design-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ [CH951, CH964AMZ] In-Test Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/5lmtQlQG/shark-ultracyclone-pet-pro-plus-ch951-ch964amz/in-test-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ [CH951, CH964AMZ] Build Quality Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/PpI8zwIw/shark-ultracyclone-pet-pro-plus-ch951-ch964amz/build-quality-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ [CH951, CH964AMZ] In The Box Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/GylbslHb/shark-ultracyclone-pet-pro-plus-ch951-ch964amz/in-the-box-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ [CH951, CH964AMZ] Picture Of Controls](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/Rn5klEtV/shark-ultracyclone-pet-pro-plus-ch951-ch964amz/controls-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ [CH951, CH964AMZ] Storing Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/sFZCXtWk/shark-ultracyclone-pet-pro-plus-ch951-ch964amz/dimensions-small.jpg?format=auto)
Notable Mentions
- Shark WANDVAC:
The Shark WANDVAC performs very well on low-pile carpets and has much better air filtration than the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+. However, it lacks a miniature turbo brush tool.
See our review - Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet:
The Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet is one of the best portable car vacuums we've tested and a better option than the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ if you want something that's better at handling pet hair. It has a bigger dirt compartment and lower recurring costs. However, it doesn't feel as well-built and is more expensive.
See our review
Recent Updates
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We replaced the mention of the Wyze Cordless Vacuum with the eufy HomeVac H11 due to availability. We also made some minor text adjustments.
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Removed the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Hand Vacuum from the Notable Mentions because it isn't available. Added the Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet as a Notable Mention. Small text changes for conciseness and clarity.
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Oct 08, 2024 : We've verified that our recommendations are available and represent the best choices on the market. We've also made edits for clarity.
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Aug 08, 2024 : We've updated the article for clarity and verified that all our recommendations are available and represent the best choices.
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Jun 05, 2024 : Small text edits for conciseness and clarity. Verified that all picks are still valid and available. No change in recommendations.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best full-sized and the best handheld car vacuums that we've tested. We don't just base our results on overall performance but also on factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our vacuum reviews, ranked by their suitability for car cleaning. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no vacuum is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
Recommended Articles
Comments
Best Car Vacuums: Main Discussion
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying recommendation from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.
- 21010
Please remove Sony XM4 from the list and replace it with Sony WH-H900N. I don’t really understand how can you mention XM4 when you clearly mention in your comparison that the H900N is better. https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/sony-wh-1000xm4-wireless-vs-sony-wh-h900n-h-ear-on-2-wireless/16490/617?usage=19&threshold=0.10 XM4 (by RTINGS) The Sony WH-1000XM4 have okay bass accuracy. The response is boosted, resulting in an intense thump, punch, and boom that’s suitable for genres like EDM and hip-hop. In songs like ‘King Kunta’ by Kendrick Lamar, the boosted low-bass makes the mix overly rumbly and boomy, which muddies the vocals in the chorus. H900N (by RTINGS) The Sony H900N have an excellent bass. LFE (low-frequency extension) is at 10Hz, which is great. Low-bass, responsible for the thump and rumble common to bass-heavy music, mid-bass responsible for punch, and high-bass responsible for warmth are all within 1.5dB of our neutral target. Overall, the bass of the Sony is deep, well-balanced, and punchy, without sounding boomy or muddy. I had both. Had it because I’m returning the XM4 because it’s unenjoyable after the H900N. Mainly the bass, but overall.
Hi there,
There are a couple of things worth mentioning as to why the Sony WH-1000XM4 are the pick here and not the Sony WH-H900N. First and most notably, the Sony WH-H900N were discontinued years ago; we try not to recommend products that people can’t purchase. Even though the XM4 have been replaced by the XM5, they’re still available on the market, and can sometimes be found at a discount.
Second, we look into more than bass accuracy to inform our recommendations. Elements like comfort, build quality, and stability all factor into whether a pair of over-ears will be suitable for working out. Some people also prefer to have noise cancelling to block out gym noise, which the XM4 excel at compared to the H900N.
Third, sound is subjective. Some people may prefer one sound profile over another, bass included. Some people will enjoy the XM4’s very bassy sound as it can help make high BPM tracks seem more intense. However, both headphones can be adjusted using their companion app’s graphic EQ and presets.
I hope this helps give more of an insight into how we select our picks. That said, if you’re happy with your H900N, then that’s all that matters for your use! 🙂
- 21010
Please remove Sony XM4 from the list and replace it with Sony WH-H900N. I don’t really understand how can you mention XM4 when you clearly mention in your comparison that the H900N is better.
XM4 (by RTINGS) The Sony WH-1000XM4 have okay bass accuracy. The response is boosted, resulting in an intense thump, punch, and boom that’s suitable for genres like EDM and hip-hop. In songs like ‘King Kunta’ by Kendrick Lamar, the boosted low-bass makes the mix overly rumbly and boomy, which muddies the vocals in the chorus.
H900N (by RTINGS) The Sony H900N have an excellent bass. LFE (low-frequency extension) is at 10Hz, which is great. Low-bass, responsible for the thump and rumble common to bass-heavy music, mid-bass responsible for punch, and high-bass responsible for warmth are all within 1.5dB of our neutral target. Overall, the bass of the Sony is deep, well-balanced, and punchy, without sounding boomy or muddy.
I had both. Had it because I’m returning the XM4 because it’s unenjoyable after the H900N. Mainly the bass, but overall.
Update: Replaced the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless with the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, which offer an improved battery life and virtual surround sound.
What do you think of these changes? Let us know
- 32120
so i have the sony xm4. They specifically are not sweat proof. They have a known problem where the ANC microphone causes a very loud feedback noise in the ear, which is because the microphone on the main speaker gets damaged by moisture. The same is true of the sony XM5 which has specific guidance about not wearing in the rain, with wet hands, while sweating etc. As my XM4 are basically unuseable (if i want to retain my hearing), i need some new over-ear headphones that will not get damaged by exercise, and came across this article. But the article seems to have been written without any reference to whether the headphones are suitable for exercise which is a bit disappointing as RTings is generally great!
Update: Added the Beats Studio Pro Wireless to Notable Mentions.
What do you think of these changes? Let us know
- 21010
The Beats Studio Pro just came out on July 19, 2023. They are the successor to the Beats Studio3 Wireless. Have you tested and reviewed these versions? If so, when do you plan to release the results? And do the Beats Studio Pro stack up against the Beats Studio3 Wireless, and improve upon them? I’m about to buy a pair, but would love to read a Rtings review and see how they stack up against the Beats Studio 3 Wireless! 😁 Thanks!
I think you may have found this thread already, but yes we did buy them and you can track the review status here. Hope this helps :)
- 21010
Please remove Sony XM4 from the list and replace it with Sony WH-H900N. I don’t really understand how can you mention XM4 when you clearly mention in your comparison that the H900N is better. https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/sony-wh-1000xm4-wireless-vs-sony-wh-h900n-h-ear-on-2-wireless/16490/617?usage=19&threshold=0.10 XM4 (by RTINGS) The Sony WH-1000XM4 have okay bass accuracy. The response is boosted, resulting in an intense thump, punch, and boom that’s suitable for genres like EDM and hip-hop. In songs like ‘King Kunta’ by Kendrick Lamar, the boosted low-bass makes the mix overly rumbly and boomy, which muddies the vocals in the chorus. H900N (by RTINGS) The Sony H900N have an excellent bass. LFE (low-frequency extension) is at 10Hz, which is great. Low-bass, responsible for the thump and rumble common to bass-heavy music, mid-bass responsible for punch, and high-bass responsible for warmth are all within 1.5dB of our neutral target. Overall, the bass of the Sony is deep, well-balanced, and punchy, without sounding boomy or muddy. I had both. Had it because I’m returning the XM4 because it’s unenjoyable after the H900N. Mainly the bass, but overall.
Hi there,
There are a couple of things worth mentioning as to why the Sony WH-1000XM4 are the pick here and not the Sony WH-H900N. First and most notably, the Sony WH-H900N were discontinued years ago; we try not to recommend products that people can’t purchase. Even though the XM4 have been replaced by the XM5, they’re still available on the market, and can sometimes be found at a discount.
Second, we look into more than bass accuracy to inform our recommendations. Elements like comfort, build quality, and stability all factor into whether a pair of over-ears will be suitable for working out. Some people also prefer to have noise cancelling to block out gym noise, which the XM4 excel at compared to the H900N.
Third, sound is subjective. Some people may prefer one sound profile over another, bass included. Some people will enjoy the XM4’s very bassy sound as it can help make high BPM tracks seem more intense. However, both headphones can be adjusted using their companion app’s graphic EQ and presets.
I hope this helps give more of an insight into how we select our picks. That said, if you’re happy with your H900N, then that’s all that matters for your use! 🙂
- 21010
Please remove Sony XM4 from the list and replace it with Sony WH-H900N. I don’t really understand how can you mention XM4 when you clearly mention in your comparison that the H900N is better.
XM4 (by RTINGS) The Sony WH-1000XM4 have okay bass accuracy. The response is boosted, resulting in an intense thump, punch, and boom that’s suitable for genres like EDM and hip-hop. In songs like ‘King Kunta’ by Kendrick Lamar, the boosted low-bass makes the mix overly rumbly and boomy, which muddies the vocals in the chorus.
H900N (by RTINGS) The Sony H900N have an excellent bass. LFE (low-frequency extension) is at 10Hz, which is great. Low-bass, responsible for the thump and rumble common to bass-heavy music, mid-bass responsible for punch, and high-bass responsible for warmth are all within 1.5dB of our neutral target. Overall, the bass of the Sony is deep, well-balanced, and punchy, without sounding boomy or muddy.
I had both. Had it because I’m returning the XM4 because it’s unenjoyable after the H900N. Mainly the bass, but overall.
Update: Replaced the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless with the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, which offer an improved battery life and virtual surround sound.
What do you think of these changes? Let us know
- 32120
so i have the sony xm4. They specifically are not sweat proof. They have a known problem where the ANC microphone causes a very loud feedback noise in the ear, which is because the microphone on the main speaker gets damaged by moisture. The same is true of the sony XM5 which has specific guidance about not wearing in the rain, with wet hands, while sweating etc. As my XM4 are basically unuseable (if i want to retain my hearing), i need some new over-ear headphones that will not get damaged by exercise, and came across this article. But the article seems to have been written without any reference to whether the headphones are suitable for exercise which is a bit disappointing as RTings is generally great!
Update: Added the Beats Studio Pro Wireless to Notable Mentions.
What do you think of these changes? Let us know
- 21010
The Beats Studio Pro just came out on July 19, 2023. They are the successor to the Beats Studio3 Wireless. Have you tested and reviewed these versions? If so, when do you plan to release the results? And do the Beats Studio Pro stack up against the Beats Studio3 Wireless, and improve upon them? I’m about to buy a pair, but would love to read a Rtings review and see how they stack up against the Beats Studio 3 Wireless! 😁 Thanks!
I think you may have found this thread already, but yes we did buy them and you can track the review status here. Hope this helps :)