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Best Car Vacuum Cleaners & Handheld Vacs for 2023

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Keeping your car interior clean is important. Dirt, dust, crumbs and more can overwhelm an interior faster than you might think, and the worse the problem gets, the harder to correct. Nowadays, it’s easier and more affordable than ever to get the best car vacuum to help suck up all the junk, and luckily there are a ton of options available. If you’re in the market for a top of the line vacuum for car detailing or just a generic, inexpensive vacuum for cars, we’ve pulled together this list of corded and cordless car vacuums for small clean-ups or big spills.

ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner w/ Flat Bottom Body (Model 2.0) – $38.99 (13% off)

Key Features

  • Improved design features 110W suction power 
  • Weighs 2.4 lbs
  • Features a built-in LED light
  • Plugs into a 12V cigarette lighter port via 16ft long power cord
  • Includes 3 all-purpose nozzles, a carrying bag and an extra filter w/ cleaning brush

The popular ThisWorx portable car vacuum is a solid choice for anyone looking to up their car cleanliness game. It features a 110W and 9.17 amp motor, a built-in LED light, a washable double-HEPA filter, a flat bottom, a 16-foot power cable that connects to your car’s 12V lighter port and includes 3 different all-purpose nozzles, a carrying bag for easy storage and a filter cleaning brush.


BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum, Cordless – From $49.00 (18% off)

Key Features

  • Effective on carpets, car interiors, furniture and more
  • Weighs 2.6 lbs
  • Features a 180° rotating nozzle
  • Includes a pull-out crevice tool and flip-up brush
  • Dirt bowl is translucent and easily removable
  • Cordless – powered by a lithium ion battery, fully recharges in about 4 hours

The Black+Decker handheld vacuum uses a lithium ion battery and can hold a charge for up to 18 months. The dustbowl has a 20.6 oz capacity and is translucent to show the dirt captured inside. It uses cyclonic action to help keep the filter clean and also has a rotating nozzle to be used for a variety of applications. Both the bowl and filters are removable and washable, and the vac comes with a 2-year limited warranty.


BISSELL AeroSlim Lithium Ion Cordless Handheld Vacuum – $41.19

Key Features

  • Each purchase supports the Bissell Pet Foundation
  • Vacuum is very compact weighing only 1.37 lbs
  • Battery powered – provides up to 12 minutes of cordless cleaning, great for quick clean-ups
  • Charges via USB
  • Includes a 2-in-1 crevice tool, dusting brush and charging stand

This cordless vacuum from Bissell uses a lithium-ion battery to provide up to 12 minutes of cleaning power at a time. The small size of the vac makes it easy to store in your car or office and the fact that it only weighs 2 pounds makes it easy to transport. It includes a 2-in-1 crevice tool and dusting brush and a stand for the vacuum itself and its accessories. The filter on this vac, like many others, is removable and washable. And last but not least, it charges via a standard USB charging cable. If you’re not yet convinced, every Bissell purchase supports the Bissell Pet Foundation, a foundation that helps save homeless pets. 


Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum – $61.11 (15% off)

Key Features

  • Features a 2.5 gallon polypropylene tank
  • Plugs into standard outlet via a 10 foot cord
  • Built-in accessory/hose storage
  • Can be easily converted into a blower

This Armor All vacuum is a traditional wet/dry utility vac with a 2.5 gallon polypropylene tank. It has a 10-foot cord with a cord wrap that plugs into a standard electrical outlet; unfortunately this one doesn’t plug directly into your lighter port. In addition to being a vacuum, it also has a blower function. The vac includes a 6-foot x 1¼-inch hose, a reusable cloth filter, a foam wet filter, a 2-in-1 utility nozzle with brush, a crevice tool, a deluxe car nozzle, a blower nozzle with adapter, and a detail brush.


ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner (Model 1.0)- $32.99 (18% off)

Key Features

  • Features 106W of suction power
  • Weighs 2.4 lbs
  • Plugs into a 12V cigarette lighter port via 16ft long power cord
  • Includes 3 all-purpose nozzles, a carrying bag and an extra filter w/ cleaning brush

This portable ThisWorx vac is similar to the other on our list, but with a different body design, slightly less power, and a slightly smaller price tag. The vac, like most of the others, has a 16-foot cable that plugs into your vehicle’s 12V port. It features a 106W and 8.8 amp motor, weighs on 2.4 lbs, and has a transparent trash container so you can keep an eye on everything you’re sucking up. Like the other ThisWorx, this one also comes with 3 all-purpose nozzles, a carrying bag, and a special filter cleaning brush. It also includes a spare HEPA filter.


Bissell Pet Hair Eraser – $76.21

Key Features

  • Features three layers of filtration
  • Weighs 3 lbs
  • Run time of up to 17 minutes when fully charged
  • Includes 3 all-purpose nozzles

For those of us who have furry friends, even pet hammocks and seat covers aren’t usually enough to keep flyaway dog hairs from covering the interior of our automobiles. This handheld vac, specifically designed to get rid of pet hair, features three layers of filtration and is designed to remove embedded pet hairs from your car seats and carpet. Powered by a 14V Li-Ion battery, the Pet Hair Eraser also comes with three attachments, a motorized brush, the upholstery tool and a crevice tool, to make sure you can reach all the hair in your car.


What is a car vacuum?

A car vacuum is any portable vacuum that you can use to clean out your car. We prefer the cordless variety because it makes cleaning that much easier and, if we’re being honest, one less hurdle means your car will be cleaned more often.

Why do you need a car vacuum? 

Because the majority of cars out on the road are dirty, and depending on how many people get in and out of your car on a daily basis, they can get dirty quickly. 

How do you use a car vacuum? 

Just like a normal vacuum, though, you can prep your car first by removing any large garbage or debris, then removing the floor mats and any seat covers you may have. Remember to empty the vacuum early and often as well. 

How much does a car vacuum cost? 

Depending on the model you can pay anywhere from $10 to over $100, though some great models are listed above at many different price points to help find the right vacuum for you.

Pros and cons of using a car vacuum:

The biggest pro is a clean car. The biggest con is that it is one more appliance for you to purchase, unless you have a home vacuum that can also turn into a portable vacuum cleaner.

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