If you are a regular user of your car either to work or school, then you must agree with us when we state keeping your car clean is not the easiest task. And if you choose to neglect cleaning your interior, the gradual buildup of dirt will make your vehicle unbearable.
A solution to this is investing in the best water vacuum cleaner for car maintenance. However, the numerous options available in the market will make your search more complicated than it should.
Therefore, we shall do an in-depth review of the top car vacuum cleaners in the market so that you can have an easier time finding the right item for the task.
Table of Contents
Top 6 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners Comparison
From all the units that we checked out in the market, we narrowed them down to the following six items, which we found superior to the rest of the pack. Take a look at the brief reviews we have done and see if any of them is worth investing in.
| Ranking | Product Name | Style | Weight |
| 1 | Dirt Devil Scorpion SD20005RED Vacuum Cleaner | Hand Vacuum | 3.75 pounds |
| 2 | Armor All Utility Shop Vacuum | 2.5 Gal Vac | 7 pounds |
| 3 | Black + Decker CHV1410L Handheld Vacuum | Hand Vac | 2.6 pounds |
| 4 | Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner | – | 1.96 pounds |
| 5 | Vacmaster VBV1210 with Detachable Blower | 12 Gal 5PHP Vac w/Blower | 24.4 pounds |
| 6 | Stanley SL18910P-3 Portable Car Vacuum | Vacuum | 8.08 pounds |
1. Dirt Devil Scorpion SD20005RED Vacuum Cleaner
The first item on our list is a unit that would do an excellent job of cleaning up pet hair, sand, pebbles, and other similar elements from your car.
An impressive aspect of this car vacuum cleaner is that it is designed to reach tight spaces with ease, making it more efficient for the task.
Next up is the 16ft power cord that provides sufficient extension to reach your target area of operation. On top of that, it has a bagless design that will make it easy for you to empty after use.
However, being a corded unit, you always have to park your car close to a power source.
Pros
- Reaches tight spaces easily
- 16ft cord
- Easy to empty
Cons
- noisy
2. Armor All Utility Shop Vacuum
Are you looking for the ideal vacuum to deal with both wet and dry spills in your car? If you are, we suggest you take a look at this unit from the Armor All brand.
We were impressed by the suction that it possesses, which makes it very effective in removing any hint of pet hair that may be in your vehicle.
Besides that, even with its massive 2.5-gallon storage tank, this unit is quite lightweight to ensure that it does not wear you out during the vacuuming process.
However, you will have to contend with its 10ft cord which we found very short.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Deals with both wet and dry messes
- Excellent suction power
Cons
- It could have been compatible with car chargers
3.Black + Decker CHV1410L Handheld Vacuum
Next up is a car vacuum cleaner that we rate very high mainly due to its impressive charge that can last up to 18-months. We liked how the rechargeable lithium battery can maintain steady power, ensuring that you proceed with the vacuuming process uninterrupted.
Another impressive feat is that the cleaner uses 50% less energy to recharge than other units do.
Let’s not forget the cyclonic tech that gives it power and suction power that makes it more efficient for the job. The only issue we had is that we did not find the cleaner to be that effective in cleaning up debris from car mats with thick fabric.
Pros
- Excellent suction power
- Long-lasting charge
- It needs less energy for recharging
Cons
- It could have come with a crevice tool
4.Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
This unit by Bissell is the top compact option to feature on our list. This size is convenient to allow you to store the unit within your car in the trunk, glove compartment, or back seat so that you can easily reach for it whenever you need to.
Further, it is cordless, eliminating the need to be always close to a power source. Then, its battery has a 12-minute life, and you can choose to charge it via a USB port or a standard power outlet.
We cannot forget to mention that this unit will reach the tightest spaces, such as under car seats and corners, with maximum ease.
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Reaches tight spaces with ease
- Powerful suction
Cons
- Dust cup capacity is limited
5.Vacmaster VBV1210 with Detachable Blower
Due to its massive 12-gallon tank, you should only invest in this unit if you own a large vehicle that you are often subject to heavy use. This massive tank coupled with the five-horsepower motor for powerful suction ensures that you will be done cleaning your huge vehicle before the tank runs dry.
And when it comes to cleaning the tank, you are sure to appreciate the extra drain port that makes everything easier.
We were particularly pleased with the detachable blower with a maximum blowing speed of 210 mph that could come in handy for completely drying up your car after a wash.
Then, it comes with useful accessories such as a crevice tool, cartridge filter, and foam sleeve, noise diffuser, and two extension wands. The product comes with a two-year warranty for your peace of mind.
Pros
- It comes with several attachments
- Large drain port for easy cleaning
- Powerful
Cons
- Pricey
6. Stanley SL18910P-3 Portable Car Vacuum
We shall wrap up our discussion by looking at this unit by Stanley, which has a large capacity exceeding 11L to minimize the number of times you have to empty the tank.
We liked how powerful and versatile this unit is, and we attribute this aspect to the 3-peak HP motor that provides sufficient suction for any cleanup task. Its 3-in-1 crevice nozzle makes everything easier.
Another vital feature is the 2-1-in-1 function that allows you to use this cleaner to pick up both wet and dry messes.
The sturdy top handle makes it easy for you to carry the unit around, but we felt that the 10ft cord was too short.
Pros
- It comes with all the necessary accessories
- Versatile
- Sturdy top handle
Cons
- Short power cord
Water Vacuum Cleaner for Car: Buying Guide
Next, we shall look at the factors that you should keep in mind as you search for the perfect vacuum cleaner for your car. Have a read.
Suction Power
Whereas handheld car vacuum cleaners are not the most powerful ones around, you should always strive to get one that offers the perfect balance between suction power and battery life.
This means that you should settle on a vacuum that gets the job done without requiring recharging in the middle of the project.
Power Source
If you find a vacuum compatible with your car’s 12V outlet, it will be a convenient option that you take with you on the road. However, due to their corded nature, they are likely to have limited mobility and reach.
And for the cordless option, ensure that its battery life is enough to get you through the job without running out of power.
Accessories
For a vacuum cleaner to effectively achieve its intended goal, it should have all the necessary attachments needed to get the job done.
This includes a crevice tool for accessing limited spaces, an upholstery brush to eject ground-in dirt from seats and mats, and an extension hose for accessing under the seats.
If you get these items, you can expect the cleaner to perform the thorough cleaning that you were hoping for.
Weight
Whether it is corded or cordless, a bulky unit will give you a hard time handling it, and this will complicate the overall task of cleaning your vehicle.
Wet-Dry Capabilities
Even though all vacuum cleaners can pick up dry messes, not all can pick wet spills. Ideally, invest in a unit that is designed to pick up both types of messes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the following questions and see if we have answered any query that has bugged you for a while.
Can I use my car vacuum inside my house?
Yes, you can. Although some units have car-specific cleaning settings, there are settings that could help clean other parts of the house, such as stairs or upholstery.
How long can a vacuum cleaner last?
It all depends on the quality of the unit that you invested in. In general, a high-quality cleaner can serve you for up to five years. Looking at companies that offer two-year warranties should give you a hint that the products’ lifespan should range between two and five years.
Why are wet-dry vacuum cleaners rated so highly?
Such units are designed to be dual-purpose to safely vacuum wet and dry parts of your car’s interior. You will find such a cleaner particularly useful when dealing with spills or muddy floors and is protected from shorts since it is specially designed to vacuum liquids.
Our Top Pick
In the end, we chose Dirt Devil Scorpion SD20005RED Vacuum Cleaner as the best product overall. It can reach tight spaces without much difficulty, and the 16ft cord offers relative mobility, while cleaning it after use will be a straightforward process.
Final Thought
If you have been keen on our discussion, you must now be on the right path towards finding the ideal water vacuum cleaner for your car. Always take your time to read the product description on the label or user guide so that you understand what the product is all about.
Lastly, always have a budget within which you are willing to spend. This will help you avoid messing up your overall financial plan.
I’m Anthony King, a systems integration, automobile technician & automotive expert who earned his bachelor’s and master’s in mechanical engineering and an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I worked on pioneering technologies from the beginning of his career.