Keeping your car’s interior clean is much easier than it used to be, thanks to massive developments in car vacuum cleaner technology. Previously, it was a case of choosing between a pathetic 12V dustbuster or lugging a corded vac onto the driveway. Nowadays, things are thankfully better, and you can get some very good vacuums for car care.
Your car is hiding all manner of detritus. Dust on the dashboard, crud on the carpets, French fries in the footwell, goop in the glovebox, and dregs in the door pockets. We haven’t even mentioned the dog hair in the boot. The fact is, if you’re cleaning your car at home, you need the best car vacuum cleaner available.
Even in the relatively small world of car vacuuming, there is a lot of variation available. From easily portable handheld vacuums that lack the raw suction power to tackle big debris right up to enormous wet & dry vacuum cleaners that could refresh a car that had recently been pulled from a lake – but needs plugging in, you’ll need to weigh up your needs before buying anything.
The best car vacuum cleaners at a glance
How we test
With a fleet of press cars always hanging about, complete with the crumbs, mud and spillages of everyday life, there’s never a shortage of places in need of a good vacuum. With the car ready to be cleaned, we’ll then take whatever vacuum cleaner we have on test and see how well it copes cleaning car interiors.
From deep carpets and crumb-covered seats to small cubby nooks and muddy boots, we’ll take each vacuum cleaner to these areas to test it thoroughly. We’ll look at suction power, attachments, useful features like LED lights, and runtime as our key parameters. We’ll then try the vacuums out around our home to see how versatile they are before scoring them.
The top-rated car vacuum cleaners
The best vacuum cleaner
Alternative Retailers
Topping the leaderboard is a vacuum made by Henry, but not quite the one you'll be expecting. Instead of the famous wheeled Wet and Dry unit, its cordless vacuum cleaner tops the Parkers list for our recommendations. The Henry Quick impressed for a multitude of reasons, chief among which was its ability to suck up just about any piece of lint or grit we could throw at it.
Usually, I find that cordless vacuums lack the raw power to totally clean a car of crumbs, hair and dust. Then you add in the battery anxiety, and I’d much rather grab a trusty corded unit. The Henry Quick has turned that all on its head. That’s down to the powerful 300W motor and 70-minute runtime, two things that help make the Henry Quick a joy to run.
What tips this into the best spot for me is how versatile it is. Car-specific vacuum cleaners are often so focused on low weights and small sizes at the expense of usability. At 3.2kg with the big attachments all in place and a one-litre dustbin capacity, it’s not the smallest or lightest model, but it doesn’t struggle for this. An extra detachable handle makes handheld use a breeze, and the floor attachment works really well in stick and handheld mode.
At this price, too, it can genuinely perform as the only vacuum cleaner you need, car and home included. The only area it struggled with was in the deepest and most awkward of nooks. If this had a flexible crevice tool, I would classify it as unstoppable.
Read our full Henry Quick review here.
Usually, I find that cordless vacuums lack the raw power to totally clean a car of crumbs, hair and dust. Then you add in the battery anxiety, and I’d much rather grab a trusty corded unit. The Henry Quick has turned that all on its head. That’s down to the powerful 300W motor and 70-minute runtime, two things that help make the Henry Quick a joy to run.
What tips this into the best spot for me is how versatile it is. Car-specific vacuum cleaners are often so focused on low weights and small sizes at the expense of usability. At 3.2kg with the big attachments all in place and a one-litre dustbin capacity, it’s not the smallest or lightest model, but it doesn’t struggle for this. An extra detachable handle makes handheld use a breeze, and the floor attachment works really well in stick and handheld mode.
At this price, too, it can genuinely perform as the only vacuum cleaner you need, car and home included. The only area it struggled with was in the deepest and most awkward of nooks. If this had a flexible crevice tool, I would classify it as unstoppable.
Read our full Henry Quick review here.
Pros
- Immensely good suction
- Top-quality construction and attachments
- Very respectable battery life
Cons
- Couldn't quite clean the deepest nooks
- Scent boosters are gimmicky
| Dimensions | 27 x 24 x 122 cm |
| Weight | 3.2kg |
| Power (Watts) | 300 |
| Capacity | One litre |
| Run time | 70 minutes |
Editor's pick
If a single vacuum cleaner can be charismatic, the beaming face of a red Henry would surely be it. For car and home care, it may be slightly more leftfield in the face of battery-powered units, but for some tasks, it cannot be beaten.
It may not be the last word in technology; you won’t find lasers, integrated apps or other such innovations with a Henry HVR160. What you do get instead is a perfect exercise in utility and durability. It’s hard to break a Henry, even if you try, and that makes it a worthy choice for car care.
With the Henry HVR160, you get a corded cylinder vacuum with a powerful motor and a huge dust bag capacity, and it easily soaked up the worst abuse I could throw at it. There are few vacuum cleaners that feel so well screwed together or capable of sucking up a sock without killing the motor.
I particularly like the class-leading operating radius. The combination of a flexible hose and clever retracting power cord made car and home care so easy. I found the included crevice, dusting and firm brush attachments all earned their keep immediately. For nooks, dusting delicate surfaces and restoring carpet, the Henry never missed a beat.
Obviously, you’ll need to plug it in somewhere, which makes it less recommendable if you live in an apartment. It’s also hefty, but it’s still a top choice. If you’re after the best suction, build quality to rival a bank vault and a smart design for car and home, look no further.
Read our full Henry HVR160 and CarKit review.
It may not be the last word in technology; you won’t find lasers, integrated apps or other such innovations with a Henry HVR160. What you do get instead is a perfect exercise in utility and durability. It’s hard to break a Henry, even if you try, and that makes it a worthy choice for car care.
With the Henry HVR160, you get a corded cylinder vacuum with a powerful motor and a huge dust bag capacity, and it easily soaked up the worst abuse I could throw at it. There are few vacuum cleaners that feel so well screwed together or capable of sucking up a sock without killing the motor.
I particularly like the class-leading operating radius. The combination of a flexible hose and clever retracting power cord made car and home care so easy. I found the included crevice, dusting and firm brush attachments all earned their keep immediately. For nooks, dusting delicate surfaces and restoring carpet, the Henry never missed a beat.
Obviously, you’ll need to plug it in somewhere, which makes it less recommendable if you live in an apartment. It’s also hefty, but it’s still a top choice. If you’re after the best suction, build quality to rival a bank vault and a smart design for car and home, look no further.
Read our full Henry HVR160 and CarKit review.
Pros
- Dependable and rugged build
- Packed with attachments
- Excellent suction
Cons
- The body will get snagged as you manoeuvre the vacuum
- Make sure you have a power socket nearby
| Dimensions: | 32 x 34 x 34.5 cm |
| Weight: | 7.5kg |
| Power (Watts) | 620 |
| Capacity | Six metres |
| Operating radius: | 25.7 metres |
Best for versatility
The Henry Quick Pro uses the same recipe as the Henry Quick Hen.100 but adds a few more attachments and tools. Just like the Hen.100, the Pro can double-up as a home unit that can be used in the car too. I was particularly impressed with the 70-mins run time and charging time of 150 minutes. For reference, this is faster than the Dyson Car+Boat and the Vax HomePro that I tested. Both of those vacuums have a lower operating time as well.
I was fascinated by the suction power of the Henry Quick Pro, which I found to suck up even the most stubborn bits of dirt and dust that like to stick to Alcantara seats. I was able to test all the attachments, and there are a lot of them. The wall dock was a favourite of mine because it meant that I could grab the vacuum on the way out to the car whenever I needed it.
While the Quick Pro has the same power, run-time, charge time, dimensions and weight of the Hen.100, it does include the much-needed flexi crevice tool that can help to get in between the seats and into the corners of the door-bins. This was crucial for me as I tend to drop stuff into hard-to-reach places.
There are a few downsides; like the Hen.100, it isn’t necessarily designed for the car so the bulk of the unit itself can feel a little large as you manoeuvre it around the cabin, but no more than the Vax HomePro, in my opinion. The Quick Pro also demands a higher price than the Hen.100 thanks to the extra attachments.
I enjoyed the versatility of the Henry Quick Pro as it was easy to switch from the car to the home, and the wall dock can hold two attachments so changing between the floor to tight spots was easy – this isn’t usually the case as cordless vacuums generally don’t hold attachments on the unit itself.
Review by Naveed Hussain
I was fascinated by the suction power of the Henry Quick Pro, which I found to suck up even the most stubborn bits of dirt and dust that like to stick to Alcantara seats. I was able to test all the attachments, and there are a lot of them. The wall dock was a favourite of mine because it meant that I could grab the vacuum on the way out to the car whenever I needed it.
While the Quick Pro has the same power, run-time, charge time, dimensions and weight of the Hen.100, it does include the much-needed flexi crevice tool that can help to get in between the seats and into the corners of the door-bins. This was crucial for me as I tend to drop stuff into hard-to-reach places.
There are a few downsides; like the Hen.100, it isn’t necessarily designed for the car so the bulk of the unit itself can feel a little large as you manoeuvre it around the cabin, but no more than the Vax HomePro, in my opinion. The Quick Pro also demands a higher price than the Hen.100 thanks to the extra attachments.
I enjoyed the versatility of the Henry Quick Pro as it was easy to switch from the car to the home, and the wall dock can hold two attachments so changing between the floor to tight spots was easy – this isn’t usually the case as cordless vacuums generally don’t hold attachments on the unit itself.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Pros
- Good suction power
- Highly versatile with attachments
- Good battery life and charging cycle
Cons
- May feel slightly large in the car
- Costs more than the Hen.100
| Dimensions: | 24 x 27 x 120cm |
| Weight: | 3.2kg |
| Power (Watts): | Not stated |
| Capacity: | 1 litre |
| Run time: | 60 minutes (max) |
Best for pet hair
If you’ve got pets then you’ll understand the importance of having a vacuum cleaner with high suction, or even one that is specifically designed for pet hair. Even though my cat is uninterested in my car, I still manage to find her hair in the cabin. The Vax comes as part of the HomePro range, and this Pet-Design comes with some specialised tools specifically for pet hair.
My experience of using the HomePro was mixed; it offers good suction in Eco mode, even more than the Henry Quick, but the latter has superior suction in high-power mode. While the high-power suction isn’t as satisfying, it does make up the difference thanks to the attachments that are offered. The specialised tools are great at lifting dust and getting into crevices, and if you want to go one step further, you could get the cordless car kit that includes a tough dirt tool perfect for mucky car mats.
Vax also offers an accessory toolkit that includes a deep debris tool, a stretch hose, and a fine dusting brush. These proved especially useful for cleaning cup holders and the spaces between climate control buttons. You might even be able to get the toolkit for free when purchasing the HomePro Pet-Design from Vax.
The Vax is clearly designed to be versatile. While it offers specific attachments for pet hair and additional tools for the car, it is, at heart, a great vacuum for the home. It is self-standing, and I found the Flexiclean pole very convenient to reach under furniture. The Flexiclean pole does, however, make the entire unit feel a little flimsy, as the pole doesn’t always stand entirely straight. The unit itself weighs 3.9kg but feels lighter, which is useful when using it for extended periods.
The run-time is 45 minutes thanks to the 4Ah MAX battery, but expect less time if using the high-power mode. Personally, I only found minimal use for the high-power mode, as the Eco mode has great suction. Charging time from 0-100% is three hours, and that is in line with what I experienced. For reference, the Henry takes 2.5 hours for 70 minutes of usage, but the Dyson takes five hours for 50 minutes of run-time.
The Vax can also capture 99.9% of dust and allergens down to 0.3 microns, so it’ll be great for most purposes, and the extra tools are useful. I couldn’t find any tasks that the Vax couldn’t tackle, as there seems to be an attachment to suit pretty much any need.
Review by Naveed Hussain
My experience of using the HomePro was mixed; it offers good suction in Eco mode, even more than the Henry Quick, but the latter has superior suction in high-power mode. While the high-power suction isn’t as satisfying, it does make up the difference thanks to the attachments that are offered. The specialised tools are great at lifting dust and getting into crevices, and if you want to go one step further, you could get the cordless car kit that includes a tough dirt tool perfect for mucky car mats.
Vax also offers an accessory toolkit that includes a deep debris tool, a stretch hose, and a fine dusting brush. These proved especially useful for cleaning cup holders and the spaces between climate control buttons. You might even be able to get the toolkit for free when purchasing the HomePro Pet-Design from Vax.
The Vax is clearly designed to be versatile. While it offers specific attachments for pet hair and additional tools for the car, it is, at heart, a great vacuum for the home. It is self-standing, and I found the Flexiclean pole very convenient to reach under furniture. The Flexiclean pole does, however, make the entire unit feel a little flimsy, as the pole doesn’t always stand entirely straight. The unit itself weighs 3.9kg but feels lighter, which is useful when using it for extended periods.
The run-time is 45 minutes thanks to the 4Ah MAX battery, but expect less time if using the high-power mode. Personally, I only found minimal use for the high-power mode, as the Eco mode has great suction. Charging time from 0-100% is three hours, and that is in line with what I experienced. For reference, the Henry takes 2.5 hours for 70 minutes of usage, but the Dyson takes five hours for 50 minutes of run-time.
The Vax can also capture 99.9% of dust and allergens down to 0.3 microns, so it’ll be great for most purposes, and the extra tools are useful. I couldn’t find any tasks that the Vax couldn’t tackle, as there seems to be an attachment to suit pretty much any need.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Pros
- Great for pet homes and cars
- Flexiclean pole is great to use
- Very useful attachments
Cons
- Doesn't feel as sturdy as others
- High-power suction can be better
| Dimensions: | 25 x 116 x 22cm |
| Weight: | 3.5kg |
| Power (Watts): | 360W |
| Capacity: | 0.7 litres |
| Run time: | 45 minutes (max) |
The best dedicated car vacuum
Price: £199.99
As the name suggests, the Dyson Car+Boat is specifically designed to be used in your car, or boat, if you have one. From the get-go, you get a sense that the design process has taken this purpose into account. At only 1.9 kg, it’s lightweight and compact, so I found it easy to manoeuvre around the cabin to reach harder-to-reach areas like underneath the seats.
This compact size does mean that the capacity is only 0.54 litres – 0.16 litres less than the Vax and 0.46 litres less than the Henry Quick Pro. The Dyson is able to capture 99.99% of microscopic particles and allergens as small as 0.3 microns (in the highest setting), which is the same as the Vax.
Where the Dyson excels is in its refinement; it has been designed to keep noise and vibrations to a minimum, and I was impressed by the lack of unpleasant noise – even my cat didn’t mind. Dyson technology has always intrigued me; the powerful motor that provides a strong but efficient suction feels like it does the job first time, meaning you won’t have to keep vacuuming over the same spot several times.
Where the Dyson falls behind some of its competitors is with the charging and run-time. All that advanced technology means it takes five hours to charge the Dyson from 0-100%, and that will give you up to 50 minutes of run time (in low mode). The run time wasn’t much of an issue for me when cleaning the car because I was able to quickly get to every part of the car that I needed, thanks to the compact size of the unit. Do be aware, unlike some of the other vacuums on this list, the Dyson needs to be plugged in to charge rather than removing the battery.
It’s a simple concept with just enough attachments that would make the job of vacuuming your car easy. As a dedicated unit for cleaning your car, the Dyson Car+Boat is a solid choice.
Review by Naveed Hussain
This compact size does mean that the capacity is only 0.54 litres – 0.16 litres less than the Vax and 0.46 litres less than the Henry Quick Pro. The Dyson is able to capture 99.99% of microscopic particles and allergens as small as 0.3 microns (in the highest setting), which is the same as the Vax.
Where the Dyson excels is in its refinement; it has been designed to keep noise and vibrations to a minimum, and I was impressed by the lack of unpleasant noise – even my cat didn’t mind. Dyson technology has always intrigued me; the powerful motor that provides a strong but efficient suction feels like it does the job first time, meaning you won’t have to keep vacuuming over the same spot several times.
Where the Dyson falls behind some of its competitors is with the charging and run-time. All that advanced technology means it takes five hours to charge the Dyson from 0-100%, and that will give you up to 50 minutes of run time (in low mode). The run time wasn’t much of an issue for me when cleaning the car because I was able to quickly get to every part of the car that I needed, thanks to the compact size of the unit. Do be aware, unlike some of the other vacuums on this list, the Dyson needs to be plugged in to charge rather than removing the battery.
It’s a simple concept with just enough attachments that would make the job of vacuuming your car easy. As a dedicated unit for cleaning your car, the Dyson Car+Boat is a solid choice.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Great suction
- Quiet and refined
Cons
- Others offer more attachments
- Charging time could be better
| Dimensions | 20.6 x 13 x 33cm |
| Weight | 1.9kg |
| Power (Watts): | 425W |
| Capacity | 0.54 litres |
| Run time | 50 minutes (max) |
The best handheld vacuum cleaner
Price: $199.99
Price: $199.99
The Gtech Multi MK2 K9 feels perfectly at home cleaning a car and features performance that puts some lesser corded vacs to shame. The K9 means this is the pet-specific model, featuring aluminium internals to cope with the burden of pet hair and a motorised brush head to pull out embedded pet hairs.
In practice, this powered head is an excellent addition, combing carpets and extracting fine hair that would otherwise remain trapped (and extremely visible) in carpets. The 140W motor may not be the most powerful here, but factor this in with the low weight and excellent brush head, and the Gtech never really struggled.
The runtime may not compete with the very best cordless units on this list, but the trade-off is a lower weight and smaller footprint. Besides, the 20-minute run time from a full battery should be more than acceptable for a purely handheld vacuum cleaner. This is designed for car seats and boot carpets as opposed to full rooms.
There’s more car-friendliness on offer too. The LED light is excellent for illuminating dark areas, and the included attachments will cover all your bases. There’s a crevice tool, dusting brush and extension brush that’ll cover the main cleaning bases.
The optional Car Accessory Kit makes navigating the most annoying areas easier, but it’s a chunky cost to swallow, and you’ll capture 95% of dust without it. The scent booster in the (admittedly small) dust bin is another gimmick I’d probably forget to restock after the cartridges ran out. Still, it’s the best handheld vacuum.
Read our full Gtech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner review.
In practice, this powered head is an excellent addition, combing carpets and extracting fine hair that would otherwise remain trapped (and extremely visible) in carpets. The 140W motor may not be the most powerful here, but factor this in with the low weight and excellent brush head, and the Gtech never really struggled.
The runtime may not compete with the very best cordless units on this list, but the trade-off is a lower weight and smaller footprint. Besides, the 20-minute run time from a full battery should be more than acceptable for a purely handheld vacuum cleaner. This is designed for car seats and boot carpets as opposed to full rooms.
There’s more car-friendliness on offer too. The LED light is excellent for illuminating dark areas, and the included attachments will cover all your bases. There’s a crevice tool, dusting brush and extension brush that’ll cover the main cleaning bases.
The optional Car Accessory Kit makes navigating the most annoying areas easier, but it’s a chunky cost to swallow, and you’ll capture 95% of dust without it. The scent booster in the (admittedly small) dust bin is another gimmick I’d probably forget to restock after the cartridges ran out. Still, it’s the best handheld vacuum.
Read our full Gtech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner review.
Pros
- Perfectly suited to car use
- Great suction from such a small vacuum
- Multiple attachments and an LED light for convenience
Cons
- Heavier than other examples
- Optional extras really aren't worth it
| Dimensions: | 25 x 13.6 x 38.6 cm |
| Weight: | 1.5kg |
| Power (Watts): | 140 |
| Capacity: | 0.4 litres |
| Run time: | 20 minutes |
Best budget wet and dry vacuum cleaner
Price: $72.06
Price: $72.06
For those occasions where you’re sucking up more than just dust, a wet and dry vacuum really cannot be beaten. Also known as shop vacs, they’ll make mincemeat of wet leaves and sawdust while also delivering simply excellent suction abilities.
The best thing about the WD2 is the clever cartridge filter. Most wet and dry vacuums will ship with two that need to be manually swapped in order to suck up solids and liquids - the Karcher uses a clever cartridge that means it’ll quite happily take whatever you stick your nozzle at. This makes it both low-maintenance and really simple to operate.
Don’t expect it to be the last word in refinement; it lacks the ergonomic touches of its more sophisticated relatives. The cable management comes in the shape of the body (it wraps around it), and it’s not the quietest machine we’ve tested. But it’s stable and grounded, easy to empty out and really good value for money.
Stick it in the garage, and you’ll always have a reliable way of cleaning up debris that would render a regular vacuum cleaner dead. On both liquids and solids, the performance was great, thwarted only by a lack of brush attachment for really embedded debris.
Read our full Kärcher Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner WD 2 Plus review.
The best thing about the WD2 is the clever cartridge filter. Most wet and dry vacuums will ship with two that need to be manually swapped in order to suck up solids and liquids - the Karcher uses a clever cartridge that means it’ll quite happily take whatever you stick your nozzle at. This makes it both low-maintenance and really simple to operate.
Don’t expect it to be the last word in refinement; it lacks the ergonomic touches of its more sophisticated relatives. The cable management comes in the shape of the body (it wraps around it), and it’s not the quietest machine we’ve tested. But it’s stable and grounded, easy to empty out and really good value for money.
Stick it in the garage, and you’ll always have a reliable way of cleaning up debris that would render a regular vacuum cleaner dead. On both liquids and solids, the performance was great, thwarted only by a lack of brush attachment for really embedded debris.
Read our full Kärcher Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner WD 2 Plus review.
Pros
- No need to swap filters for wet and dry suction
- Simple and durable build
- perfect for bigger clean-up tasks
Cons
- Short power cord
- Lacks a brush attachment as standard
| Dimensions: | 13.7 x 12.9 x 14.8 cm |
| Weight: | 4.25kg |
| Capacity: | 12 litres |
| Power: | 1000W |
| Operating radius: | 4 metres |
The best vacuum cleaner for build quality
Price: $298.90
Price: $298.90
The Ryobi ONE+ boasts the best build quality of any cordless stick vacuum cleaner I’ve ever seen, with the Henry Quick coming in a close second. From the get-go I got a sense that the Ryobi is built for the tougher tasks that you’d find in the garage or car. This stick vacuum doesn’t come with a battery, but thanks to Ryobi’s ONE+ battery system, you can use the same battery as your Ryobi cordless drill or lawnmower.
Another advantage of the Ryobi is its self-standing design which makes it ideal to store in the garage ready for you to grab when you’re heading to your car. It has great suction when used inside the car and can remove up to 99.5% of particles, including pollen, which is ideal for hay fever sufferers, like me.
However, despite being packaged in a neat and tidy design, the first of the Ryobi's disadvantages was its weight, being heavier than the other vacuums I tested. At 3.9kg (including the battery) it became tiring after an extended vacuuming session. Secondly, I also found the Ryobi to be louder than the other vacuums on this list, but considering that Ryobi traditionally specialises in electric power tools, I believe that this stick vacuum is a solid entry into the market.
There aren’t as many attachments as other vacuums either; it’s like the Dyson in terms of additional heads. The 5.0Ah battery is expected to run up to 60 mins on Eco mode, but if you have the 4.0Ah battery, like I had, then you should expect around 40 mins. Charging can be confusing as it depends on the charger that you have, which you’ll have to purchase separately from the battery. I had the RC18120 so a 0-100% charge took around 2 hours, which is quicker than other vacuums. The RC18150 can charge even faster.
While it may not have all the attachments you might need, and the battery will need to be purchased separately, I can’t deny that the Ryobi is a sturdy unit that provides great suction and a strong light at the end of the long brush head. If you’re looking for a vacuum that should be able to cope with tougher usage then the Ryobi ONE+ is ideal for you, especially if you already have other products in the ONE+ range.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Another advantage of the Ryobi is its self-standing design which makes it ideal to store in the garage ready for you to grab when you’re heading to your car. It has great suction when used inside the car and can remove up to 99.5% of particles, including pollen, which is ideal for hay fever sufferers, like me.
However, despite being packaged in a neat and tidy design, the first of the Ryobi's disadvantages was its weight, being heavier than the other vacuums I tested. At 3.9kg (including the battery) it became tiring after an extended vacuuming session. Secondly, I also found the Ryobi to be louder than the other vacuums on this list, but considering that Ryobi traditionally specialises in electric power tools, I believe that this stick vacuum is a solid entry into the market.
There aren’t as many attachments as other vacuums either; it’s like the Dyson in terms of additional heads. The 5.0Ah battery is expected to run up to 60 mins on Eco mode, but if you have the 4.0Ah battery, like I had, then you should expect around 40 mins. Charging can be confusing as it depends on the charger that you have, which you’ll have to purchase separately from the battery. I had the RC18120 so a 0-100% charge took around 2 hours, which is quicker than other vacuums. The RC18150 can charge even faster.
While it may not have all the attachments you might need, and the battery will need to be purchased separately, I can’t deny that the Ryobi is a sturdy unit that provides great suction and a strong light at the end of the long brush head. If you’re looking for a vacuum that should be able to cope with tougher usage then the Ryobi ONE+ is ideal for you, especially if you already have other products in the ONE+ range.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Pros
- Superior build quality
- ONE+ battery can be used in other appliances
- Great suction
Cons
- Heavier than other vacuums
- Battery sold seperately
| Dimensions: | 58.5 x 27.5 x 20cm |
| Weight: | 3.9kg |
| Power (Watts): | N/A |
| Capacity | 0.6 litres |
| Run time | 40-60 minutes (max) |
The best all-in-one vacuum cleaner
Price: £299.00
Take one Henry wet and dry vacuum cleaner, infuse it with a spot cleaner, and you’ll end up with this all-in-one solution for all vacuum cleaning duties. If you’re dedicated to deep cleaning your home or car, for features alone, a George is a recommendable choice.
This vacuum has the potential to be the best of all worlds. It’s an excellent regular vacuum because it uses a beefier Henry motor for some seriously powerful suction and ships with all the usual attachments for dusting and scrubbing carpets. It’s also exceptionally well-made, as all Numatics are.
When in wet mode, it can be used for deep carpet extraction, spot cleaning, mopping and sucking up water. It really does do more than almost any other vacuum cleaner. For covering all bases, I found it to be an undisputed champion.
There are certain drawbacks to this jack-of-all-trades product, though, namely the compromised design from jamming so many features into one unit. For your money, you’ll be getting two hoses, a bucketful of attachments and some instructions you’ll probably want to keep a hold of because swapping between the different modes is a faff, to say the least. Then there’s keeping everything stored when it’s not in use, it all easily eats up one of my cupboards.
Read our full George Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner review.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
This vacuum has the potential to be the best of all worlds. It’s an excellent regular vacuum because it uses a beefier Henry motor for some seriously powerful suction and ships with all the usual attachments for dusting and scrubbing carpets. It’s also exceptionally well-made, as all Numatics are.
When in wet mode, it can be used for deep carpet extraction, spot cleaning, mopping and sucking up water. It really does do more than almost any other vacuum cleaner. For covering all bases, I found it to be an undisputed champion.
There are certain drawbacks to this jack-of-all-trades product, though, namely the compromised design from jamming so many features into one unit. For your money, you’ll be getting two hoses, a bucketful of attachments and some instructions you’ll probably want to keep a hold of because swapping between the different modes is a faff, to say the least. Then there’s keeping everything stored when it’s not in use, it all easily eats up one of my cupboards.
Read our full George Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner review.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Very capable fabric cleaner and vacuum
- It'll clean almost any surface well
- Bank-vault construction
Cons
- A complex bit of kit
- It's heavy to carry
| Dimensions: | 35.5 x 51 x 35.5 cm |
| Weight: | 14.68kg |
| Capacity: | 15 litres, nine litres wet, six litres extraction |
| Power (Watts): | 1060 |
| Operating radius: | 26.8 metres |
The best cordless wet and dry vacuum cleaner
Price: $369.02
Price: $369.02
The niche I never knew I needed, this Worx combines all the best components of a cordless vacuum cleaner with a wet and dry cleaning function. This means powerful suction from something portable and, most importantly for car owners, battery-powered.
In my testing, it was able to easily vac up whatever we pointed the nozzle at, wet or dry. Larger debris was mostly happily sucked up, although the flexible hose did become gummed after a prolonged cleaning job. It’s not the last word in vacuuming refinement either; there’s no brush attachment, and the shoulder strap needs some work. But the fact it uses Worx’s excellent battery-sharing platform really places it in a league of its own. It really is hard to find a vacuum that’ll deliver comparable cleaning power without a cord.
Even as a regular cordless vacuum cleaner, it excels at car cleaning. The dust capacity is massive, thanks to all the vacuuming components being held in the top casing, which leaves eight full litres for dust and debris. The hose was also malleable, which, combined with the wide head and crevice tool, proved handy for reaching nooks. Finally, at only 1.7kg, it'll never be a burden.
Review by Aaron Hussain
In my testing, it was able to easily vac up whatever we pointed the nozzle at, wet or dry. Larger debris was mostly happily sucked up, although the flexible hose did become gummed after a prolonged cleaning job. It’s not the last word in vacuuming refinement either; there’s no brush attachment, and the shoulder strap needs some work. But the fact it uses Worx’s excellent battery-sharing platform really places it in a league of its own. It really is hard to find a vacuum that’ll deliver comparable cleaning power without a cord.
Even as a regular cordless vacuum cleaner, it excels at car cleaning. The dust capacity is massive, thanks to all the vacuuming components being held in the top casing, which leaves eight full litres for dust and debris. The hose was also malleable, which, combined with the wide head and crevice tool, proved handy for reaching nooks. Finally, at only 1.7kg, it'll never be a burden.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Better cleaning abilities than regular cordless vacuum cleaners
- Easy to carry around, use and store when not in use
- The Worx battery-sharing tech is top-notch
Cons
- Usual wet and dry lack of refinement is present
- Battery anixiery does lurk in your mind
| Dimensions: | 16.5 x 12.2 x 13.8 cm |
| Weight: | 1.7kg |
| Capacity: | Eight litres, three litres wet |
| Power (Watts): | 40 |
| Operating radius: | Cordless |
Best car carpet cleaner
The area where vacuum cleaners often fall is stains, which is where spot cleaners come in. We’re huge fans of these portable stain slayers here at Parkers, and my top pick is the BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro.
This device works by injecting a carpet-cleaning solution into the fabric to help break down any stains and grime, all before a powerful vacuum dries the fabric in one quick sweep. What I like most about this model is that it’s designed with pets in mind. This means it ships with the Stain Trapper Tool, a tool that hygienically lifts nasty stains and stores them for easy disposal. In practice, that meant it absolutely obliterated stains both in my car and around the home on carpet and fabrics.
Beyond stains, I found the BISSELL to be excellent for restoring lost fabric lustre. The vibrant red upholstery in my Volvo, reduced to a murky brown by years of wear, was totally transformed with a few passes of the BISSELL. The dirt it pulled out was almost black, and it left the seats looking totally new. If you’ve bought a used car or own an older one, investing in one of these will totally transform your car’s inside.
The main criticism we could find was the bulky size. Fitting a 750W motor, total tank capacity (clean and dirty) of 4.4 litres, and five metres of power cord means this isn’t the daintiest of designs. A 5.9kg weight before liquids also means it’s on the heavier side.
Read our full BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro review.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
This device works by injecting a carpet-cleaning solution into the fabric to help break down any stains and grime, all before a powerful vacuum dries the fabric in one quick sweep. What I like most about this model is that it’s designed with pets in mind. This means it ships with the Stain Trapper Tool, a tool that hygienically lifts nasty stains and stores them for easy disposal. In practice, that meant it absolutely obliterated stains both in my car and around the home on carpet and fabrics.
Beyond stains, I found the BISSELL to be excellent for restoring lost fabric lustre. The vibrant red upholstery in my Volvo, reduced to a murky brown by years of wear, was totally transformed with a few passes of the BISSELL. The dirt it pulled out was almost black, and it left the seats looking totally new. If you’ve bought a used car or own an older one, investing in one of these will totally transform your car’s inside.
The main criticism we could find was the bulky size. Fitting a 750W motor, total tank capacity (clean and dirty) of 4.4 litres, and five metres of power cord means this isn’t the daintiest of designs. A 5.9kg weight before liquids also means it’s on the heavier side.
Read our full BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro review.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Powerful stain removal capabilities
- Perfect for pet owners and the mess that comes with them
- Really well engineered
Cons
- Bulky for a portable unit
- Heavier than other spot cleaners
| Dimensions: | 25 x 36 x 35.6 cm |
| Weight: 5.8kg | 5.8kg |
| Power (Watts): | 750 |
| Capacity: | 2.6 litres |
| Operating radius: | 6.5 metres |
Best value car carpet cleaner
Alternative Retailers
A budget-friendly way of deep-cleaning a car, the Vax SpotWash is still a solid pick. It's compact dimensions and manageable weight of 5.5kg, when brimmed with cleaning solution, make its portability arguably more impressive than that of the Bissell.
The powerful stain removal capabilities were evident during my testing; from carpets to car seats, it did manage to lift away the majority of grime. A huge bonus feature is the self-cleaning function, which adds a layer of convenience and hygiene by flushing out the nozzle, preventing blockages and stagnant water pooling between uses.
While the SpotWash excels in its value and portability, drawbacks include its reliance on a power cord, a pain for most car owners. It also didn't feature the attachments to go toe-to-toe with the BISSELL. Overall, the Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner is still our pick for a budget spot washer. If you don't have pets or children, it'll do a fine job.
Read our full Vax SpotWash review here.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
The powerful stain removal capabilities were evident during my testing; from carpets to car seats, it did manage to lift away the majority of grime. A huge bonus feature is the self-cleaning function, which adds a layer of convenience and hygiene by flushing out the nozzle, preventing blockages and stagnant water pooling between uses.
While the SpotWash excels in its value and portability, drawbacks include its reliance on a power cord, a pain for most car owners. It also didn't feature the attachments to go toe-to-toe with the BISSELL. Overall, the Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner is still our pick for a budget spot washer. If you don't have pets or children, it'll do a fine job.
Read our full Vax SpotWash review here.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Excellent performance on most stains
- Excellent value for money
- Effective self-cleaning function
Cons
- Not the most powerful
- Lacking the attachments of others
| Dimensions: | 35.8 x 38.2 x 24.3 cm |
| Weight: | 3.89 kg |
| Power (Watts): | N/A |
| Capacity: | 1.5 litres |
| Operating radius: | 1.5 metres |
FAQs: Car vacuum cleaners
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Is a car vacuum cleaner worth it?
The household vacuum cleaner under your stairs would do a good job, but do you really want to lug it outside to your car? Upright vacuum cleaners are designed for household carpets, rugs and stairways, not for squeezing through a car door.
That's where one of our top vacuum cleaners comes in. We're well acquainted with the chore of vacuuming a car using an upright machine and don't want you to suffer the same miserable fate of banged knuckles and weightlifting bulky vacuums onto the back seats of a car.
We've found countless vacuums that'll serve various needs with ease, from heavy-duty wet and dry vacuum cleaners that could quite easily suck up a swamp to tiny handheld vacuums for the lightest of cleaning chores. Don't forget that the vast majority of these vacuum cleaners can be used to clean your car, too. -
What are the different types of vacuum cleaners
Wet and dry vacuum cleaners - Wet and dry vacuums are designed to be tougher and more robust, meaning you'll be able to tackle larger jobs with no worry at all. Not to mention, it can be used on spillages safely, too, hence the 'wet' in the name. Owning one makes sense if your car gets partially muddy on the inside, as a good wet and dry vacuum cleaner will be more effective on the mud while keeping your regular vacuum cleaner in working order.
Handheld vacuum cleaners - Handheld vacuum cleaners are streamlined models that have done away with all the size and weight of regular vacs, making them lighter and easier to wield. As you'd expect, they're designed for single-hand use, allowing them to reach some of the deepest, tightest areas of any car for an easier yet superior job. A handheld vacuum cleaner will be really easy to manoeuvre, freeing you up with easier movement to improve efficiency and results.
Spot cleaner - A spot cleaner works like a regular handheld vacuum cleaner but also injects cleaning product into the fabric to shampoo and deep clean the surface. Even the world's best vacuum cleaner won't be any good against a tough, embedded stain. For these particularly horrible tasks, one of our favourite spot cleaners will make light work of the task, breaking down the stain. For restoring tired upholstery, the localised suction power is perfect for pulling dirt out of fabrics and restoring lost piles. -
What is the best car vacuum cleaner on the market?
Unfortunately, there's no simple or straightforward answer to that question as it really depends on your circumstances and what you are looking for. Hopefully, our reviews above has given you an idea of what's available and how it might suit your needs.
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What vacuum do car detailers use?
There are many car vacuum cleaners available, some of which are aimed solely at the motor trade for heavy-duty use. Most professional detailers will opt for the power of a mains-operated wet and dry machine, but with enough flexibility to get into awkward or tight spaces. They are also likely to use a dedicated spot cleaner for stain removal and carpet restoration. The pros will also be looking for durability as they are likely to be using their machines multiple times a day, most days of the week. Even the most ardent amateur detailer shouldn't need that kind of robustness.
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How often should I vacuum my car?
That depends on how often you use your car, and how likely it is to gather dust and dirt. If you find yourself spending your lunch eating in the car then you might find crumbs and bits of food accumulate in the footwell. We recommend you vacuum your car every week if you use your car regularly for commuting. If you want to go one step further, you could add a fragrant air freshener to give your car a pleasant scent and eliminate bad odours.
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How should I clean car seats?
Car seats can be cleaned in a number of ways. If your car has fabric seats then you can use a spot cleaner to thoroughly clean them and remove stains. For a general clean you can go over the seats with a handheld vacuum, most of which come with a small brush head tool. For leather seats we recommend using a soft nozzle for getting all the dirt out without damaging the material.
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How should I clean car carpets?
Car carpets are tougher than seat fabrics, as they have to withstand dirt, muck, and stones that are tracked in under your shoes. For this task, we'd recommend using a handheld vacuum to lift away general dirt, and then wash it with a spot cleaner. If you want to go one step further, use an upholstery cleaner or a carpet brush to scrub away all the muck, and then simply suck it all up using a wet and dry vacuum. If you'd like to learn more about how to keep your car's interior clean, read our car interior cleaning guide.
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