Dirty Car? Make Cleaning a Snap with these Car Vacuums (2024)

In our latest test of handheld car vacuums, this versatile vac from Dewalt earned the top score for removing dirt of all types. Cleaning Lab analysts found that this vacuum removed 99.9% of small particle dirt and 94.7% of large particle dirt in a single back-and-forth swipe from low-pile carpet (the kind you find in most cars). Analysts were also impressed with the attachments for this vacuum, like a hose, crevice tool and several types of brushes and bristles — though they're sold separately.

With suction strength as powerful as this vacuum's, unfortunately this model is particularly heavy, making maneuvering it a little more difficult than some of the more compact models. Nevertheless, an extra pound and a half of weight is a fair trade, considering how well it picks up dirt. Testers also noted that the vacuum doesn't come with its own battery pack, meaning you'll need to factor that into the price too. However, if you already own any other Dewalt lithium-ion-powered hand tools, you'll likely already have a battery on hand.

Worx had a stroke of genius with this vacuum: Rarely do we see a handheld vacuum that features a hose instead of being a self-contained unit, and we're pretty excited about it. The hose stretches 4 feet, and with several attachments, it can easily pick up dirt in the hardest-to-reach places of a car.

This vacuum also performed exceedingly well in our suction testing, removing an average of 94% of dirt in one swipe — without even being on its highest setting. The one quibble we have with this vacuum is the dust compartment. Unlike some other models, this vacuum's dust cup isn't removable, so you have to bring the whole vacuum with you when you go to empty it, and cleaning it can be a little intensive. That said, the dust cup is sizable compared with the overall volume of the vacuum, so you may not need to empty it as much.

Coming in at under $50, this vacuum shows that you don't need to spend a fortune to make your car's more modest messes disappear. For the price, this vacuum has impressive suction and was able to clean up smaller messes quickly in our tests. The USB feature also makes charging in the car convenient, so you can keep it in your vehicle.

You won't mind looking at it, either — it boasts a sleek, modern design. Take note: Despite its suction power, this vacuum features a very small dust cup, meaning that for bigger messes you may need to stop and empty it more frequently than some other models. But for the price, we think an extra trip to the trash is worth it.

For a true detailing experience at home, it pays to have a variety of attachments at your disposal, including a crevice tool for nooks and crannies and a brush for stubborn debris like pet hair. This cordless handheld comes with an impressive array of four dedicated tools to help you get the job done. It even comes with a squeegee to pick up liquid spills — great for families with young kids or the occasional coffee mishap.

The vacuum does need a separate battery and charger, but for your convenience, it's included in this kit. If you already have a RYOBI battery, opt for the standalone vacuum to save a little bit of money. While our Lab pros haven't tested this specific model, we have tested the brand's dry-only vacuum with much success. (It scored so well that it was a previous .) The only downside we see with this particular model: Dust bin capacity is limited, so you'll likely have to empty the canister a few times during bigger jobs.

Pet hair gets everywhere, and if you've ever traveled in the car with your pet, you know how much they can shed on your seats and floor. What sets this model apart is its ability to pick up pet hair, due to its motorized pet brush attachment with rubber bristles. The AdvancedClean+ Pet Hand Vacuum earned a spot on our list of the best vacuums for pet hair, competing right alongside upright and stick vacuums, which is impressive considering its size.

Our testers also loved how quiet this vacuum is. In fact, after being examined by the independent certification program Quiet Mark, it received a three-star rating, the quietest rating a vacuum can get. It should be noted that the air vents on the sides of this model push out air pretty strongly, so you may have to pay attention as you vacuum to make sure you don't accidentally blow your mess to another location.

To find the best car vacuums, we gathered data on five of the newest models to hit the market, spending more than 10 hours performing five different tests that yielded more than 40 data points.

All vacuums were tested on low-pile carpet that mimicked the texture of car rugs. We vacuumed different types of debris, including crushed cereal, baking soda and almost 2 pounds of oats. We also weighed the vacuums, assessed their ergonomics and measured their loudness to determine how easy and comfortable they were to use.

We also reviewed and incorporated data points from previous handheld vacuum tests. In our most recent test of handheld vacuums, the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tested 19 models from 14 different brands. We test all handheld vacuums on bare floors and low-pile carpets for how well they pick up light debris like sand, baking soda, dry oatmeal, orzo pasta and pet hair. We also test their suction with heavy items, like screws and nuts.

When weighing your options, factor in these four important elements to find the right car vacuum for your needs:

✔️ Run time: A vacuum with a longer run time means fewer charges between cleanings and not having to worry about charging every time you use the vacuum. For vacuums that have separately sold batteries, choose a battery with a larger capacity to keep your vacuum running longer.

✔️ HEPA filtration: Though not always necessary, a HEPA filter in your vacuum can help prevent small particulate matter, like pet dander, pollen, dust mites and ash, from being recirculated into the air as you vacuum. People with allergies or air-pollution sensitivities should look for vacuums that feature HEPA filters to better capture irritating particles.

✔️ Attachments: When you're cleaning a space that has lots of tight crevices and is made from a variety of different materials, like the interior of a car, attachments are your best friends. Look for a vacuum that has a crevice tool to get into the little nooks where dirt likes to settle and consider one with a rotating brush attachment to easily remove hair from fabric materials.

✔️ Charger type: If you plan on storing your car vacuum in your car, look for a vac that features a USB charger. That way, you'll be able to keep it charged with the auxiliary power outlet found in most cars, so you're prepared when a mess arrives.

Nikolas Greenwald has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and, as such, has a breadth of experience working with various vacuum and pump systems in the unit operations laboratory setting. He helps refine and develop novel testing protocols and data systems across the Good Housekeeping Institute based on industry standards and his knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and data science.

Carolyn Forté has tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, mops and other major (and small) home appliances as executive director of the Home Care Lab. She oversees all testing done in the Cleaning Lab and recently tested all of the handheld, stick, upright and canister vacuums that were submitted for consideration in the most recent . She is an active member of the ASTM Committee on Vacuum Cleaners and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee.