Most of us will spend an ungodly number of hours in our car a week – shout out to relentless Monday morning traffic – and as a result, its interior can leave … well, little to be desired.
Rid your car of crumbs, dust and that Macca’s fry that fell between seats weeks ago with one of our choices for best car vacuum cleaner.
SHOP BY CATEGORY:
THE BEST OVERALL CAR VACUUM
on sale
ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner, $59.97 (down from $67.58)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Featuring a powerful 106w motor and a strong metal turbine, say goodbye to crumbs with this showstopping vacuum. Coupled with the motor, its 16 feet power cable means that even the biggest of vehicles can be cleaned with ease. Purchase comes with three all-purpose nozzles, a storage bag, a special filter cleaning brush and spare HEPA filter.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
Lightweight, less than $60 and with a compelling 119,000 five-star ratings on Amazon we had no choice but to name this model the best overall car vacuum. Customers report being pleasantly surprised by the suction power, one reporting, “I have a 2yr old kid and you can imagine the amount of dirt gets into the car when we go out. It can be beach sand, snacks, paper litter etc., anything and everything. Using this vacuum cleaner, I was able to pull out all those dirt out of my car easily. Definitely, I will recommend this product.”
RUNNER UP BEST CAR VACUUM:
ON SALE
Black+Decker Lithium Pivot Dustbuster, $89.25 (down from 129.99)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Loved by users for its “folding mechanism that allows you to use the nozzle at any angle”- in fact, up to 200° – its ergonomic design is paired with cyclonic action, triple action filtration and 18 volt lithium-ion battery for high performance, fade-free power.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
Sceptical? So was this five-star reviewer, “based on previous experience with so-called dustbusters.” Their review ends simply, “This one leaves them all for dead. Tonnes of grunt.”
Another five-star review was also “surprised” by how “powerful” the vacuum is. They said, “I use it every day between 6 and 10 bursts of up to 20 secs to pick up fine materials without spreading them around via the exhaust.”
THE BEST CANISTER CAR VACUUMS:
Miele Complete C3 Allergy Bagged Vacuum, $529
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
1,700 wattage ensures all the power you needs to get dirt and crumbs off the car floor; and feel secure in your purchase, courtesy of a two year warranty. Catch unhealthy irritants, dust, and fine particles with the HEPA filter and with a weight of 8.5kg you can cart this vacuum almost anywhere.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
Titled “Best vac I’ve ever owned”, one of over a hundred five-star reviews of this German-designed vacuum says, “Highly recommend this model. It has great suction, ease to move around, has a long cord, good attachments, easy to adjust settings and parts, has a quiet mode … has everything really.”
Devanti Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, $251
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
With a price tag that attractive – and reviews like, “Awesome!! Amazing suction … better than a Dyson and a tenth of the price!” – you know we had to investigate this Devanti Bagless Vacuum Cleaner further. Designed with a multi-cyclonic system and 2,200 watts suction power, this conveniently bagless canister vacuum eliminates up to 99.97 per cent of allergens. A retractable cord and 360° rotatable hose top off this popular vacuum – no more straining your wrist to get to hard-to-reach crannies – ideal for both home and car.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
Reviewers love the strength of the suction on this vacuum from comments like “Very happy, lots of suction” to “amazing suction” and “picks up everything”, you know you won’t be disappointed with this purchase.
THE BEST PORTABLE CAR VACUUMS:
70mai Vacuum Cleaner Swift, $119
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Powered by a brushless 80 watt power motor and patented ventilation design, advanced cyclone technology offers thorough and fade-free suction, trapping 99.5 per cent of allergens. Not that it matters – although, really, if you’re anything like me, it definitely does – it’s far and away the most attractive of any other car vacuum on the market; and comes with a 30 day money back guarantee, one year warranty and lifetime support.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
With hundreds of five-star reviews – and comments like, “Amazing! My carpet looks fresh and new again, very satisfying” – this budget-friendly, cordless model from Amazon gets our vote for best portable car vacuum.
Black+Decker 18V Handheld Flexi Dustbuster Vaccum, $129
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Perhaps not as slight in form as the preceding vacuum on this list, this Black+Decker 18V Handheld Flexi Dustbuster Vacuum still earns a spot in this round up for its glowing user reviews, innovative construction and multipurpose, built-in design. Made with its 1.5m hose integrated into its body, a cordless design and – our favourite feature – a brush attachment that folds back to reveal the nozzle when not in use, the Flexi Dustbuster attacks all types of mess with its long-lasting, fast charging lithium-ion battery for fade-free suction.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
One five-star reviewer remarked, “I bought this a month ago and it’s my daily go-to item to clean up around the house. Perfect to use in the car! So easy to use.”
THE BEST PREMIUM CAR VACUUMS:
Miele Triflex HX2 Lotus White, $899
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Who doesn’t love a two-in-one? Well, German-owned, Miele, takes it the extra step further with this three-in-one cordless vacuum, which will not only thoroughly clean the nooks and crannies of your car, but the ones that hide in your closets and furniture and home, too. Lasting an industry-high of 60 minutes per charge, this vacuum’s lithium-ion battery is equipped with seven high-performance cells to keep your cordless handstick running for longer; and brilliant head attachments, including a dusting brush, crevice nozzle and upholstery nozzle for customised treatment depending on the surface. This vacuum comes with a two year warranty.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
“Very impressed about the looks, design, suction power and quality built parts. Easy to use and adjust to your needs,” starts on review on Google. Another five star review was super impressed after only a few days. “Had this for nearly a week, and it is amazing how much it picks up,” they said.
Compared to a Dyson, it is much lighter, according to one five-star reviewer. “I have a floor model Dyson which is fantastic but very very heavy to pick up and cumbersome to move around the house. It was time for a handheld model and the Miele Pro Triflex HX2 is amazing. Light, manoeuvrable, gets down low and into corners, the light bar that stretches across the front makes a world of difference.”
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute Cordless Vacuum, $1299
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
It can’t come as a surprise to anyone that consumer favourite, Dyson, should make an appearance on this list. Synonymous with power and precision, the UK brand is responsible for the V12 Detect Slim Absolute Cordless Vacuum, which is transformed from powerful stick vacuum to convenient handheld tool with ease. Featuring laser technology to reveal microscopic dust, this vacuum will seriously deep clean your car. This smart vacuum is then able to capture 99.99 per cent of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
Sitting at five-stars on The Good Guys website, this vacuum is sure to do the job and do it well. One five-star review summarises her though by simply saying, “Extremely light, easy to manoeuvre, laser light very good also. Highly recommend this cleaner.” Could you get a better review?
Another five-star review was amazed at how well it worked. They said, “Owned many Dysons over the years V12 is a mile ahead of everything we’ve used I thought the laser thing a gimmick until I actually saw it in action on our ash floorboards.”
THE BEST CAR VACUUM FOR PET OWNERS:
Bissell SpotClean Carpet Cleaner, $229
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
There are many models in this list that will do the job of sucking up pet hair from your car’s carpets but we couldn’t end this round up without mention of the Bissell SpotClean Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner. Accompanied by three tools for the utmost cleanliness of carpets and upholstery – Large Touch Stain Tool, Small Tough Stain Tool and Stain Trapper Tool – messes are stored in a separate container from the heated water unit used to clean surfaces, ensuring the longevity and hygiene of your car’s interior. Currently boasting a 100 per cent buyer satisfaction status on eBay, pet owners are sure to love this excellent vacuum-come-cleaner.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
91 per cent of customers on The Good Guys website recommend this vacuum cleaner. “This is a great spot cleaner for those little areas that need a clean. I used it on my bench stools and car seats and they came up like new,” said one five star review.
Another wrote, “This unit is lightweight and easy to use. It cleans incredibly well removing pet stains from my carpets and general grime from the car seats.”
BEST AFFORDABLE VACUUM:
on sale
Bissell 2024F Featherweight Stick Vacuum, Blue, $79 (down from $99)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
This lightweight vacuum is easily convertible into a handheld device for your convenience. Weighing less than two kilograms, it can easily be stored in a cupboard for when the need arises. Also, users can simply attach the crevice tool to get to those hard-to-reach places.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
“Ripper little vacuum” is how one five-star rating describes this vacuum and honestly is there much else to say after that? They continue by saying, “100 per cent recommend this vacuum for anyone in an apartment, looking for a powerful little tool that deals with hair well, and that folds away nice and small when you’re done with it.”
Another five-star review says purchasing this vacuum was “the best decision I made.” “This model is very capable, easy to use, compact and lightweight and not much can escape its strong suction power,” they said.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
You’d be surprised to discover the many, affordable ways you can get your car to do even more for you. From improving the ambience through scent and sound; to easy fixes for little annoyances like storage and rubbish disposal, there’s something for every car owner here.
Wuteku Magnetic Dashboard Phone Holder, $26.95
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
If you’re anything like me, you absolutely refuse to touch suction cup-mounted phone holders – never do they stick to windscreens like they promise, always falling off the moment you hit a speed bump. I can confirm from experience, this wallet-friendly, magnetic dashboard phone holder is the answer. The strongest of magnet plates are affixed to both the car dock and your phone – don’t worry, you can place it inside your phone case to maintain its sleek appearance – never once budging, whatever the road may throw at you. With 720° of motion, you’re able to view your phone from every which angle, making navigation easier and most importantly, safer.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
With a massive 6,200 five-star reviews, you know you’ll not be disappointed.
“This is such an awesome product. It’s high quality and holds my iPhone XR easy, horizontal or vertical. I love how I can angle it whichever way I want even to the passenger side,” said one five star review.
EPAuto Car Trash Can with Lid, from $30.92
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Designed with a 7.5 litre capacity, this bin has been designed with a waterproof interior and sturdy construction to prevent collapse. Its lid allows for easy disposal, while keeping crumpled wrappers and food scraps hidden – no more unsightly mess! – and its thoughtfully situated fasteners allow you to conveniently attach the bin to either centre console, seat back, gear stick or glove box.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
So, this car bin has over 40,500 five-star reviews – yes, 40,500 – so I have a sneaking suspicion it might be the thing to replace the ratty plastic bag I currently use.
“So happy I purchased this!” starts one five-star review. “When driving on rough roads, it doesn’t topple over. The adjustable strap fits perfectly in the middle console. I also love the elastic opening, it’s almost like a one-way valve. Trash can only keep going in and will never spill,” they say.
Another five-star review is titled “Roadtrip essential” and honestly we couldn’t agree more.
SURDOCA Car Trunk Organiser, $25.49
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Most of us fall into one of two categories of car owners. Those with belongings strewn about our boot, with no sense of organisation; and those who have repurposed cardboard boxes as storage containers, slowly disintegrating as they come into contact with mud and water. Fitting 90 per cent of car models, this easily-installed, eight-pocket organiser will hold everything from groceries to camping equipment.
WHAT REVIEWS SAY
Durable, waterproof and discreet, this boot organiser currently sits on over 5,500 five-star review on Amazon, with no sign of slowing down.
One five-star reviewer commented, “Love how this storage bag sits at the back of the rear seats instead of taking up room on my boot floor. Great way to utilise space and keep everything organised.”
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I VACUUM MY CAR?
The answer to this question depends, of course, on your lifestyle and occupants of your car. Car owners with little children; active lifestyles that track dirt through carpet; and commutes through dust or pollution-heavy areas, may choose to vacuum their car interiors fortnightly (if not more often).
Regardless of lifestyle however, we recommend vacuuming your car’s interior at least once a month, to rid carpet and surfaces of latent dust and unseen bacteria that may be gathering, despite regular use of your vehicle or not.
HOW DO YOU PROPERLY VACUUM A CAR?
Though not an exact science, there are a few tips to ensure you clean your car thoroughly and efficiently.
We recommend:
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- Vacuum the floor last, so any residue from seats that fall to the floor are collected at once.
- Consider a combination vacuum-cleaner if you have pets – like the Bissell 472OP SpotClean Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner – to ensure all allergens are thoroughly removed from upholstery and carpet.
- Make use of any and all head attachments that have been designed for use in the car. Broad head attachments, while excellent for overall surfaces, often can’t get to the nooks and crannies behind foot pedals and between seats.
- If your car has any lingering odours, consider laying down baking soda before vacuuming. Inexpensive and easy to use, this will make a marked improvement on your car’s interior.
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Originally published as 10 best car vacuum cleaners of 2023 | Top-rated vacuums
Philippa TonkinRead related topics:Best Of: CleaningncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7wqGcnKOfqsFwtM6mnGaZnpl6qK3RnZynZ5OhsqK6yKeeaK6RmMK2uYyco56Znpq%2FtHvBnqqtZZOWv27CwJysrqVdmLmmrc2eqWimlazAbr%2FTqKmyZ2Ztg3J%2FlGmcn2%2BWln92rpRyamlpZ5h%2Fp62TamxummOY