Best Car Vacuum Cleaner

The best car vacuum cleaner is one that fits your needs, whether you’re looking for an everyday vehicle cleaning device or one for a more extensive work schedule for special projects, like taking photos in your parked vehicles or filling your garage with piles of toys. And depending on your budget, the features of your car, and how much space you have available in your home, the machine may be right for you.

How to clean a car without using chemicals

For most people, the easiest way to clean their cars is to simply use plain water, let it sit anywhere between 10 minutes and three hours, then vacuum out any remaining dust, debris, and small particles. This process works because the high pressure from your hand vacuum will pull away all of those unwanted particles, but many people find this can take up a lot of time depending on the size of your engine bay or other spaces that need to be cleaned. While no water is required to get rid of dirt in your car, you should always test the water on a piece of paper first before trying it yourself. But if you’re just doing regular car maintenance — and don’t want to wait to see a full charge or install new parts — an airless tool with a powerful electric motor can help. Here are our top picks.

Best overall car vacuum cleaner: Dyson V8 Power

One thing we love about Dyson's two models of its popular V Series of vacuums is that both feature a rotating brush head for excellent coverage, especially when it comes to deep grooves and smaller obstacles like hair, oil, and sand. We also love that this model offers automatic modes that optimize the area you're going to be cleaning, making it easy to keep the power settings adjusted quickly and easily.

Dyson V8 Power uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that allows for several runs at once and charges itself in under five minutes in addition to storing the spare charge for up to six months if you don’t need to run multiple cycles. And while it only weighs a little over eight pounds, it is compact enough to fit into a backpack or carry on your back. You can choose either the dry-bar option (with stainless steel nozzle) or the wet-bar setting (which dries itself during normal operations), which helps prevent residue from getting stuck inside and makes it easier to rewash after each use. Plus, the charging dock lets you store a credit card for faster checkout, as well as allowing it to attach to your smartphone so you can access it without needing your keys.

The cordless version costs $499.95, while the corded version starts at $999 and includes the convenient micro USB port. It also comes with an auto start/stops function to prevent clogging when needed, and a removable brush handle that can be removed via the included carrying handle. If you already own another Dyson product, there's also a wall mount for them, which gives you even more versatility when using this unit. Keep reading for our thoughts on how this system compares to others.

Dyson V8 Power 5 Best value car vacuum cleaner: Pura Turbo Maxi 5

Dyson's affordable line of vacuums gives buyers the ability to buy with little extra savings and still get great performance from the brand. These include the recently refreshed Pura Turbo Maxi 5 — designed specifically for commercial fleets — the Eufy Mini for smaller spaces and the AirPulse Solo 2 for residential users. The latter is more suited for older homes and apartments, while the former is perfect for offices and commercial applications with tight windows.

The Maxi 5 not only has four different brushes to capture debris, dirt, animal hair, and food crumbs, and a built-in fan and adjustable head, but it does so at almost twice the price per brush, plus it offers additional cleaning accessories such as bags for larger jobs and a detachable spray bottle and bag. It was developed based on feedback from professional mechanics and technicians who specialize in detailing, paint removal, general home repairs, automotive service, interior design, agriculture, and construction. That means anyone with experience working on anything else might benefit. For instance, many cleaners can say they know what type of hair can be pulled off an automobile body better than this model. Other highlights include USB ports for connection and storage, an anti-stick floor cleaner, and two 12V AC outlets. All models come with quick-charge capabilities that allow you to have several units switched on simultaneously so you'll never get drained out. They support seven speeds, including Normal, Professional, High, Ultra Clean, and Prime, which are available for purchase separately. And last but certainly not least, they offer a smart mode feature, so you can keep track of when each cycle needs to complete for maximum efficiency. There are also a few ways to get around the expensive price tags, too. A free trial app gives you access to a variety of tutorials on common questions and concerns, and online ordering tools make it simple to reserve your kit through Amazon, Home Depot, and similar partners.

Best laptop car vacuum cleaner: Shark Advanced Pro 3+

Shark has become increasingly comfortable at the forefront of personal technology thanks to the company’s previous success in gaming consoles such as PlayStation. Its latest consumer offering is called Astro, an upgraded version of its entry-level 4K TV-connected device. So, why not take advantage of its reputation for excellent multitasking abilities? This ultraportable version offers comparable functionality, though smaller and less bulky while packing down to half the weight of earlier versions in terms of power. Like other Shark devices, it doesn't have cables or slots. Just use a standard USB-A outlet and it will charge directly from the mains. Once you've finished cleaning out the dashboard, plug in your headphones and the speaker will go directly onto it. Connect it to your computer via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and you'll enjoy being able to pair it to a variety of external speakers. Of course, the key is connectivity in order to listen along with music, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of ways to actually use the Astro Pro 3+. When connected via Bluetooth, it can connect wirelessly to an Xbox console or select from a wide range of speakers and displays with a dedicated adapter. Whether you connect headphones to a wireless Bluetooth dongle or play games on a separate remote control, you can watch your favorite shows from afar, stream movies to a large screen, or even talk to Alexa or Echo through voice commands. In short, it can do it all, and more. While smaller than its predecessors, the newly revamped Shark Advanced Pro 3+ has far fewer buttons than its predecessor, and it offers better convenience for user operation. Unlike the original model, where one side of the touch panel was missing, the updated version adds Bluetooth to the front and sides of the screen, eliminating the need to remove the tablet stand to place the accessory. In addition, there is now a tiltable stand that can be rotated 180 degrees away to rest against a table so it is safer to use while sitting on a coffee table. Finally, the base of the unit is sturdier and more resistant to accidental movement or damage than its predecessor. Overall, it is a solid device for gamers or those who want something with plenty of room for storage or extra portability.

Best waterproof car vacuum cleaner: iRobot Roomba Robot Vac

Roomba vacuum cleaners aren't quite household names yet, despite having made significant waves across the industry since 2010 when it launched its robotic arm robot vacuum. With impressive longevity, ease of use, and speed, these bots have quickly taken over our homes and offices. They save time, energy, and labor thanks to their “smart zone” mapping feature, which tracks where the furniture in a particular room is located in real-time so it knows how to navigate the space with minimal assistance from us. Even better, Roomba robots provide an extremely smooth suction, meaning you won't find the dreaded mopping sound no matter how much dirt is lurking in corners and corners. Plus, Roomba owners report a reduction in the dust on floors and carpets. On top of that, Roomba's safety feature automatically detects potentially damaging objects and brings them to a stop. Thanks to iRobot, Roomba owners can even add their own artwork to give life to their houses. One downside, however, is that Roomba users must pay higher price points than ever before to secure packages of Roombas. And as technology continues to evolve, Roomba products will surely grow in demand. That said, it's hard to deny the fact that Roomba is the future of vacuum cleaning, one-day surpassing human hands. Until then, stick with your trusted Roomba Robo and explore the next generation of smarter cleaning.