Best Vacuum Cleaners for Car & Interiors

Do you often find crumbs hiding in your cup holders or sand scattered across your floor mats? A high-quality car vacuum can significantly simplify cleaning your vehicle’s interior, making the process quicker and more efficient.

These vacuums are designed with a compact structure and come equipped with accessories such as a crevice tool and a brush tool that helps agitate debris from carpets that can greatly enhance your cleaning routine, leaving your car looking like it was professionally cleaned.

We’ve tested over 30 car vacuums, both in The Lab and at home. Our top choices were excellent at tackling both hard and soft surfaces, effortlessly picking up everything from crumbs to pet hair.

Regardless of your car’s make, model, or size, these options will eliminate the need to use the bulky vacuums at the car wash.

Baseus A2 Pro Car Vacuum Cleaner

Where to get it: Baseus A2 Pro

The Baseus A2 Pro Car Vacuum Cleaner earns our top spot due to its versatility and powerful suction, even with its compact size.

We’ve tested numerous vacuums in a similar category, but this model outperforms the rest, especially considering its smaller dust bin.

We also tested the Baseus A3 Car Vacuum Cleaner, which features a 45-minute runtime and two suction settings. However, at nearly $100, we found that the suction power and accessories were nearly identical to the A2 Pro.

The A2 Pro, despite its small size, is an absolute powerhouse for cleaning. After charging it fully, which takes about 3.5 hours, we were impressed by its ability to clean an entire minivan on a single charge. It also picked up small leaves easily, despite its narrow cleaning path.

Additionally, we appreciated the 2-in-1 nozzle, which allowed for more effective debris removal in brush mode and concentrated suction when used as an angled nozzle.

We also found it very comfortable to hold while cleaning, as it weighs just over one pound making it the lightest option on our list.

Disassembled Baseus A2 Pro Car Vacuum Cleaner displayed on car floor mat
The Baseus A2 Pro is small but powerful. While its waste bin is compact, it is large enough to hold a substantial amount of debris.

During our cleaning test in the minivan, we emptied the dustbin three times. We found that emptying it regularly helps maintain suction power.

To empty, simply twist the bin, and it pops off the vacuum body. You can also rinse the filter between uses to keep the vacuum functioning at its best.

What really stood out to us was the vacuum’s quiet operation. In previous tests, similar-sized vacuums often produced loud, shrill sounds, making them unpleasant to use.

However, the A2 Pro is quiet enough that you can comfortably listen to the car’s radio or have a conversation while cleaning.

When compared to larger, corded models, the performance of the Baseus A2 Pro impressed us so much that the longer charging time and shorter battery life feel like a worthwhile trade-off for its performance and features.

Also Read: 10 Essential Tools Every Car Owner Should Keep in Their Trunk

Black + Decker Flex Cordless Handheld Vacuum

Where to get it: Black + Decker Car Vacuum

The Black+Decker Gen 2 Flex Vacuum is the latest iteration of our previous top pick, the Black+Decker Flex Auto Vacuum, which we tested and loved.

Just like its predecessor, the newer version impressed us with its design, suction power, and portability.

One of the most convenient features of the new version is that it comes mostly assembled, making it easy to get started in just a minute.

This cordless model provides fade-free suction thanks to its 20-volt battery, and it comes with a 4-foot integrated hose that gives you practically unlimited reach for accessing every part of your vehicle—a crucial factor.

The Gen 2 Flex comes with a simple accessory package, just like the Flex Auto, which includes a combination brush, nozzle tool, and a long crevice attachment.

However, what sets the Gen 2 Flex apart from other models is the inclusion of a pet hair brush. This brush features rubber bristles that help agitate soft surfaces and pick up pet hair from carpets and upholstered seats.

When combined with the reach of the hose, this vacuum can handle all your car cleaning needs. Its innovative design minimizes its footprint, and the square base allows it to sit comfortably on the floor of your vehicle or on the ground as you vacuum.

We found it easy to hold the base unit in one hand while cleaning with the hose in the other. The Gen 2 Flex was especially effective at removing sand from hard surfaces like a dusty dashboard and cup holders.

For soft surfaces like car mats, we did need to use the attachments to boost its effectiveness, especially when cleaning sand and hair, but even then, hair was no match for the vacuum’s suction power.

Overall, the suction strength and user-friendly design were enough for us to overlook the vacuum’s narrow hose diameter.

Although the noise level was louder than average, it was still manageable, and we could hold a conversation while using it. The transparent dust bin is very easy to open and empty, and the process is clean and simple.

Despite requiring four hours to charge, we appreciate that it comes with a docking station, making charging a straightforward and hassle-free process. Additionally, despite the smaller dust bin, you won’t need to empty it frequently.

THISWORX Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner

Where to get it: THISWORX Car Vacuum

The ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner is an affordable and efficient option that’s ready to use right out of the box. It plugs into your car’s 12-volt outlet and provides you with a 16-foot cord to clean both hard and soft surfaces, such as upholstery, car carpeting, and cup holders.

During testing, we found that the suction was powerful enough to pick up cereal pieces from tight spots, such as under the levers for the hood and gas tank, saving us the trouble of needing a smaller attachment to reach those areas.

Although the flexible attachment hose initially seemed flimsy, it proved to be very secure when we connected the crevice tool or brush tool.

It offers extra reach for hard-to-reach areas like under car seats or inside door pockets places that are difficult to clean with the vacuum’s wide body.

While this car vacuum does have some limitations, they don’t detract from its effectiveness for light-duty vehicle cleaning. We would have preferred if the nozzle tip detached, like some other handheld car vacuums, since debris like cereal can get stuck at its end.

The vacuum also uses a basic filter, which allowed some fine particles of sand to pass through. If you’re cleaning fine particles regularly, it would be helpful to empty the dust bin frequently.

We found it very easy to detach the dust bin and empty it. A few shakes are all it takes to clear the debris before reinserting the filter and attaching the dust bin back to the vacuum.

The ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner does the job well. While it has a few quirks and areas for improvement, it’s a solid value for the price.

Hoover ONEPWR Blade MAX AutoVac Vacuum Cleaner

Where to get it: ONEPWR Car Vacuum

If you consider cleaning your car a luxurious experience, investing in a high-end vacuum like the Hoover ONEPWR Blade MAX AutoVac makes sense.

While basic vacuums, such as our best budget pick, may get the job done, they offer fewer conveniences than this premium model.

This cordless vacuum provides a longer runtime than most others and comes with a variety of accessories that make cleaning both large and small debris easy.

Though its price tag is higher, it’s a worthwhile splurge for the improved battery life, suction power, and large-capacity dust bin. Additionally, during testing, it wasn’t overly loud, which was a pleasant surprise.

Although this vacuum might appear complex to assemble, it took us only about four minutes to set it up. The components click together effortlessly, and the vacuum is ready to use once the batteries are charged.

Hoover includes two lithium-ion batteries in the box, extending the vacuum’s runtime to approximately 45 minutes. Each battery takes about three to four hours to charge fully.

During our tests on hard surfaces, the Hoover ONEPWR Blade Max easily cleared sand from the dashboard in one pass.

With the attachments provided, we could reach cup holders, compartments, and door pockets. It also performed well on soft surfaces, quickly lifting hair, mulch, sand, and cereal from carpets in one or two passes.

The vacuum’s boosted suction mode proved particularly effective at removing fine particles embedded in car carpeting. The motorized brush tool also made cleaning pet hair, whether short or long, much easier.

The combination of a long, flexible hose and a generously sized dust bin makes this cordless vacuum user-friendly. While the manufacturer doesn’t specify the dust bin size, we found it significantly larger than most other car vacuums we tested.

The dust bin is also easy to release, and its wide opening makes it simple to ensure all debris is disposed of properly.

Although a charging stand would be a welcome addition to keep the vacuum and accessories organized, the Hoover ONEPWR Blade Max comes with a practical hanging storage bag for the attachments.

Also Read: The Case Against Manual Transmissions: Are Stick Shifts Obsolete?

Auto Joe Corded Car Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Where to get it: Auto Joe Car Vacuum

For families frequently on the move, whether for weekend sports events or school drop-offs, having a compact and convenient car vacuum can make all the difference.

The Auto Joe 12-volt Corded Car Vacuum is not only easy to store but also comes with a handy detailing kit, making it ideal for quick clean-ups on the go.

We were impressed by the vacuum’s easy setup—just a few quick steps, and it was ready to use.

It plugs directly into your car’s auxiliary outlet, eliminating the need for extension cords. The 17-foot cord offers ample length for cleaning the interior, including the trunk.

The crevice nozzle attachment proved useful for reaching under car seats, while the extension hose provided flexibility for areas where the bulk of the vacuum would be obstructive.

However, the vacuum fell short when it came to cleaning cloth car mats. Despite using the brush attachment, we struggled to remove fine particles from the mats. Still, its corded design meant the suction power remained consistent throughout the cleaning session.

Another plus was how quiet the vacuum was. We could easily converse or listen to the radio without being distracted by noise.

Additionally, we found that dusting off the filter after emptying the dust bin helped maintain performance as the bin filled up. The dust bin was simple to empty, with a button on top to release it, and the filter can be rinsed and dried for future use.

Despite its limitations with cloth mats, the Auto Joe 12-volt Corded Car Vacuum is an excellent, space-efficient choice for quick and regular car cleaning.