It’s no surprise that cars collect just as much dirt, dust, dander and grime as our homes. That's why it’s worth investing in one of the best car vacuums to grab dirt before it accumulates and keep your vehicle clean and tidy. Plus, it can save you money in the long run if you usually visit the car wash to vacuum out your car’s interior spaces. Our top choice for 2023 is the Rigid Portable Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum, which has incredible suction power, offers unlimited runtime thanks to its corded design and includes an array of useful attachments to boot.
The best car vacuums are designed to effectively suction up crumbs, dirt and pet hair with ease. Air Pump For Inflatables
There are a wide variety of car vacuums on the market today. How can one choose? In general, you’ll want something compact yet powerful. “For personal use, you want to look at something more compact and easy to store in the back of the vehicle or in your garage,” recommends Leland Jones, CEO at Ceramic King Coatings, a professional vehicle ceramic coating company based in Virginia. “The other thing you would want in a quality vacuum for your vehicle is a wet/dry capability. This allows for it to suck up water or any liquids spilled in the vehicle before they set into the fabric of the car.”
Car vacuums also come in both corded and battery-powered models—both of which have their benefits. Corded models are often more powerful and have unlimited runtime, while cordless car vacuums are easy to maneuver around and get into tight areas.
Whether you drive daily or just a few times a month, you’re sure to find an option on our curated list to help keep your ride free of unwanted dirt and crumbs.
Dimensions: 18.2 x 19.4 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 9.8 pounds | Style: Corded | Attachments: Expanding locking hose, car nozzle, LED car nozzle, hose, soft bristle brush, stiff bristle brush, flexible crevice tool, claw nozzle
While handheld car vacuums are often the most convenient, they can’t match the performance of this Ridgid Shop Vacuum. It’s powered by a 3.5 peak Horsepower (HP) motor for superior suction, and because it’s a corded model, it offers unlimited runtime, allowing you to clean up even the messiest car in one go. The vacuum can be used on both wet and dry messes, and its 3-gallon drum can hold significantly more debris than other smaller vacuums.
While you can purchase this vacuum on its own for $70, we recommend getting the car cleaning kit to go with it. The accessory package includes useful tools like soft and stiff bristle brushes, a nozzle attachment with LED lights for dark areas, a flexible crevice tool and more. The vacuum is a bit heavier than other options since it’s on the larger side, but it’s a worthwhile addition to your garage if you want to keep your vehicle in peak condition.
Dimensions: 14.17 x 4.72 x 4.33 inches | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Style: Corded | Attachments: Brush nozzle, extended hose, slot pipette
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly vacuum for quick cleanings, this Fresmol model is inexpensive and convenient to use. It plugs into your car’s aux outlet for power, and the 16.4-foot cord gives you plenty of distance to reach every area, including the trunk. It can be used on both wet and dry debris, and its washable HEPA filter helps to trap allergens and keep them out of your interior.
This portable vacuum has a built-in LED light to help you see under seats as you clean, and it comes with an extension hose, crevice tool and brush nozzle for cleaning different surfaces. There’s even a handy storage bag so you can keep all the components together in your trunk.
Dimensions: 13.39 x 3.94 x 4.33 inches | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Style: Corded | Attachments: Flathead, extendable hose, brush nozzle
The ThisWorx Car Vacuum is the best-selling model on Amazon, thanks to its convenient design and affordable price. It plugs into your car’s aux outlet via a 16-foot cord and weighs just over 2 pounds, making it easy for anyone to operate. The vacuum can be used on both wet and dry messes, and it’s equipped with a HEPA filter that tackles allergens and dust from your car’s interior.
This popular vacuum comes with several accessories, including a hose extension, flathead nozzle and brush nozzle, as well as a handy storage bag for when it’s not in use. There’s also a brush for cleaning off the filter, as well as a spare filter for when your first one wears out. It’s a compact and convenient option for routine maintenance, but keep in mind that it may not be strong enough for tough messes, such as pulling embedded dirt and hair out of carpeting.
Dimensions: 16 x 5.2 x 4.4 inches | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Style: Cordless | Attachments: Sold separately
The Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Vacuum offers the freedom of a cordless design, allowing you to easily clean every inch of your car without being tethered by a power cord. It includes a 2.0 Ah battery and charger, providing approximately 15 minutes of runtime per charge with powerful suction for an efficient cleaning experience. Additionally, this vacuum is compatible with any Ryobi One+ batteries, allowing you to use it with batteries from other Ryobi tools if you own them.
While the vacuum features a universal nozzle that accepts most 1.25-inch attachments, it does not come with any accessories. The brand does offer a four-piece attachment kit, but there are also generic options available that can help you save money.
Dimensions: 15.8 x 6.6 x 7.9 inches | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Style: Cordless | Attachments: Crevice tool, motorized pet brush
When it comes to removing pet hair from car upholstery, the Black+Decker Furbuster is designed to tackle the challenge. It features a motorized pet brush that helps lift and remove stubborn hair effectively, while the built-in rubber bristles prevent hair from tangling. With its cordless design, two suction levels and an extra-large crevice tool that reaches into cracks and narrow spaces, this vacuum offers versatility for various cleaning needs. Plus, the "Power Boost" button provides an additional boost of suction power when necessary.
This battery-powered vacuum offers approximately 20 minutes of runtime per charge, which is 145% more than other models from the brand. (A nifty battery life indicator will let you know when it's time for a recharge.) The large 750 ml dust bin is easy to empty, however, it's worth noting that this vacuum is intended for dry debris only and is not suitable for handling spills or wet messes.
Dimensions: 12.13 x 2.17 x 2.17 inches | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Style: Cordless | Attachments: Crevice nozzle, dust brush, two upholstery tools
If you're looking for a compact and lightweight option for quick, daily cleaning, the Ofuzzi H8 Apex is a convenient choice. Weighing just over 1 pound, it's the smallest vacuum on this list, making it easy to store in your car's glove compartment or center console. Its cordless design provides up to 30 minutes of runtime on Eco mode, and it can be charged via a USB-C cable, allowing for convenient charging even in your car with the right adapter.
The Ofuzzi H8 Apex is great for picking up crumbs and dirt that get tracked into your vehicle, but it shouldn’t be used on wet spills. It comes with several attachments, including a brush tool, crevice tool and two upholstery accessories, as well as a storage bag.
Dimensions: 17 x 7 x 7 inches | Weight: 12.5 pounds | Style: Corded | Attachments: Upholstery nozzle, crevice tool, two extension wands, blower nozzle, combo swivel floor brush, dust brush, micro tool kit, inflator adapter
If your car often ends up extremely dirty, you may want to invest in a heavy-duty vacuum like the Metrovac Vac N' Blo. While it comes at a higher price point compared to other models, it’s equipped with a powerful 4.0 Peak HP motor, enabling you to efficiently remove even the toughest debris from your vehicle's interior. Additionally, it features an air blasting function that allows you to easily dislodge dirt and crumbs from hard-to-reach areas, ensuring a thorough clean.
Designed for professional-grade performance, this car vacuum is mounted on a four-wheel dolly, providing easy maneuverability as you clean. It also includes a comprehensive accessory kit, featuring a 6-foot flexible hose with two extension wands, along with attachments such as a swiveling floor tool, dust brush and more.
The Forbes Vetted editors, like all consumers, want products that work efficiently and help make daily chores a little bit easier. To find the best car vacuums, we took our own car cleaning tasks into consideration. When we evaluate products like best car vacuums, we look at all the bells, whistles and functions that make these small appliances ideal for cleaning out all the family cars.
In addition to articles about vacuums that keep our vehicles tidy, we also written, researched and in some cases, tested a slew of car-related content. This includes input on the best car air fresheners and car phone mounts that will keep your phone supported while you focus on the road.
We refresh this story regularly and it was last updated September 2023.
Car vacuums are typically powered in one of three ways—classic corded models that plug into an electrical outlet, cordless models powered by a rechargeable battery and special adaptors that allow you to plug them directly into your car’s aux outlet.
There are benefits and drawbacks to each style of car vacuum, so you’ll want to consider how you plan to use the tool. “Corded vacuums offer consistent power, but the cord may limit reach,” explains Emma Rostron, general manager at cleaning company One Less Thing. “Cordless vacuums, on the other hand, offer greater mobility, but they may have limited battery life.”
Jones recommends looking for a vacuum that offers wet/dry functionality, as this will make it easier to quickly clean up spills in your car. Models like the Ridgid Portable Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum are able to suck water and other liquids out of floor mats and upholstery, which can help prevent stains and odors in the long run.
Other attachments you may want to look for include a brush nozzle, which can help pull dust and dirt out of tight areas, as well as a hose extension, which will increase the reach of your vacuum.
It's important to regularly clean your car vacuum to ensure its optimal performance. Make sure to empty the dust receptacle when debris reaches the maximum fill line, and also periodically wipe or rinse out the bin to remove accumulated dust and dirt. Filter maintenance is also crucial. Some vacuums have washable filters that can be cleaned and reused, while others have disposable filters that need to be replaced after several months of use. Staying on top of these factors will keep your car vacuum functioning effectively.
If you’re trying to decide between a vacuum with more or less suction power, consider how you plan to use it. Smaller battery-powered models are perfect for quick touch-ups and handling crumbs, while larger and more powerful vacuums are better suited for a thorough cleaning, tackling dirt, dust, pet hair and even spills on your upholstery and floor mats. If you're aiming for a deeper clean, seek a model with higher horsepower (HP). According to Jones, "When looking for a great vacuum for your vehicle and for personal use, you want to look for ‘Peak HP’ over 2 HP for suction power.”
Just like your home, it's essential to regularly vacuum your car to prevent the accumulation of dirt, dust and allergens. “For cleanliness and upkeep, you want to vacuum out your vehicle once a week,” recommends Jones. “To avoid build-up of bacteria, stagnant dust and dirt, you don’t want to wait more than a month.”
However, it's important to note that the frequency of vacuuming may vary depending on your car usage. Jones explains, “The times may vary based on how often you drive and use the vehicle. For example, weekend vehicles may require less frequent vacuuming, while cars with younger kids or those used as work vehicles with high wear and tear may need more frequent cleaning.
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I focus on tax law including tax planning and tax controversy matters. My goal is to help taxpayers get compliant and stay out of trouble.
I earned my J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia, PA. While at law school, I interned in the federal estate and gift tax attorney division of the IRS, and participated in the review and audit of federal estate tax returns.
I started writing using the moniker Taxgirl years ago and love making complicated information accessible to taxpayers and tax professionals.
I hate lists of awards but do have a few that I'm particularly proud of, including the Philadelphia Business Journal \"40 under 40\" and being named one of the Global Tax 50 by the International Tax Review for my \"tireless and passionate tax reporting.\"
I love to travel with my family and spend much of my time explaining to the kids why we can’t move to Europe—this week.
Want more taxgirl goodness? Pick your poison: follow me on twitter, hang out on Facebook and Google, play on Pinterest or check out my YouTube channel.
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