Rigorously Tested 20 Car Vacuum Cleaners For 6 Weeks, and 4 Demonstrated Superior Performance
Written by Megan Caddel
Auto Detailer & Senior Editor
*We only recommend products we personally tested & loved.
After grappling with various drawbacks of manual cleaning on car interiors (nasty furs, crumbs, and debris that won't come off, dried dirt on hard-to-reach surfaces, and mud on upholstery), we explored alternative car cleaning method that is convenient and efficient. Since full-size canister vacuums and even your home upright vacuum aren't the most convenient options ( costs more than $550), and they are oversized, bulky, hard to maneuver in tight spaces, and corded which can be used only with a long extension cord. The next best thing is a car vacuum cleaner.
We tested 20 car vacuum cleaners including models from Learsk, MetroVac, Shark, and Bissell. We rated the best five options based on the following criteria:
Results
We conducted product testing on the 20 best car vacuum cleaners for 8 weeks to observe and evaluate their efficiency and achieve results, intending to deliver convenient, efficient, and effective car interior cleaning. Our top 4 picks delivered effective deep-cleaning, suctions dried dirt on hard-to-reach surfaces, and were easy to maneuver even in cramped car spaces making car interior cleaning an easier task to handle.
Cost
Professional car cleaning can cost $100 or more and requires time and effort for drop off and pick up. You can easily do car cleaning using your Dyson but it’s bulky and probably won't fit in your car, the vacuum nozzle won't reach hidden surfaces, and it’s corded so it’s useless without a long extension cord. Instead of going through the hassles, we found portable car vacuum cleaners that deliver impressive deep cleaning on car interiors costing around $129*.
Safe for At-Home Use
Car vacuum cleaners are specifically designed to clean car interiors. Their compact size and specialized attachments make them ideal for reaching into crevices, under seats, and other tight spots where dirt and debris tend to accumulate. Plus, they often come with features like longer cords or even cordless options, making them convenient for use in a vehicle without worrying about power sources.
Car vacuum removes dirt and debris on your vehicles which usual household vacuums cannot reach or penetrate. Its high efficiency helps you maintain your car’s hygiene, enhances the driving experience, maximizes functionality, and prevents early damage to upholstery and the car’s interior.
We searched for top-notch car vacuum cleaners on the market, ensuring they're effective, have great suction power, and are suitable for home use.
Why Car Detailers and Car Owners recommend LEARSK-Smart Car Vacuum/Air Blower as top performing vacuum for at-home car cleaning?
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$129 *
By far, everyone in the team loves Learsk because of its optimum convenience as a handheld vacuum cleaner and it works both ways as a vacuum and cleaner.
We immediately achieved great results on our first try and it just keeps getting better at removing stubborn mud and dirt on carpet floors. Its exceptional
maneuverability makes it effective in cleaning tight gaps in between seats and can easily access areas below the seats.
Dusting is made easy with its 95,000PA industrial-grade suction power that reaches even impenetrable areas. You can easily switch from vacuum to blower without the annoying extra wires and excessive attachments. It’s small but compact and versatile. We also tested its suction power using different types of grains and debris. Viola, it suctions almost anything. It’s uncorded which allows you to comfortably move around and reach far-flung corners of your car.
- Uncorded and handheld
- Emits 95,000PA industrial-grade suction power
- Multifunction; Car Vacuum and Blower
- Comes with a set of different nozzle for effecient cleaning
- Versatile beauty that's perfect for blowing ballonns, cleaning computers, and air mattresses
- Regular price at $179.00*
*Price during Women's Day Sale
MetroVac Vac N Blo
$363.99*
The Metrovac Vac N Blo is a real beast in car interior cleaning with its 4.0 HP maximum power. It removes even the most stubborn dried dirt on your car carpets and sofas. Although it’s supposed to be wall mounted, it comes with a shoulder strap so you can strap it on while cleaning your car interiors.
This beast may look chunky and old-school but it’s lightweight at around 10 pounds and undoubtedly delivers the job. Despite its high suctioning power, it’s incredibly quiet. And it comes with a full range of attachments particularly tailored to access every tight corner and crevice of your vehicle's interior.
It only took us 30 minutes to clean our car carpet and mind you, it hasn't been cleaned for a while. Stubborn dirt easily comes off upon contact with the vacuum nozzle which is amazing. However, despite being lightweight, the vacuum cleaner gets heavy eventually. Cleaning and emptying the filter turned out to be quite an effort on its own. We have to manually remove the accumulated dirt, and shake off the canister to get the debris out. Additionally, after 6 weeks of use, the rivets that are supposed to hold the latch locks snapped off.
- Powerful vacuum power
- Lightweight and quite
- Gets heavy after long period of car cleaning
- Poor design as rivets snapped off
- Regular price at $381.99*
Shark Rocket HV302 Vacuum
$236.21*
Shark Rocket Corded Bagless Stick Vacuum is a powerful, multi-purpose vacuum cleaner because it functions as a home and car vacuum. Its swivel steering feature allows optimum control and ease of access on hard-to-reach surfaces. It is equipped with a pet multi-tool for easy fur and hair removal, fingertip controls for easy shifting on cleaning settings, an easy-to-empty cleaning dust cup, and a crevice tool that fits even in tight, cramped spaces. It comes with a 25-foot power cord which allows you to move around and reach various areas.
However, Shark Rocket lacks convenience because it’s corded. Its cord, despite being 25 feet long, will hold you back and hamper you from thoroughly cleaning your car. It’s also quite heavy compared to its previous versions and relatively loud. It also won't stand on its own and all the weight tends to accumulate on the handle making it uncomfortable to use in the long run.
Moreover, we find it quite expensive for a car cleaner with limited suction power. The price would've been reasonable if it was somehow near the professional grade level of suction power or if it offered more features.
- Functions as home and car vacuum
- Equipped with a precision duster, a crevice tool, and a pet multi-tool for thorough cleaning even in deep seated messes
- Inconvenient because it's corded
- Relatively heavier than its older version
- Quite hefty for a non-professional grade car vacuum
BISSELL Garage Pro
$226.59*
Bissell Garage Pro is not portable in the slightest sense but it’s worth buying especially if you’re a pro at car detailing or car cleaning. It delivers high suction power and its 32-foot-long hose compensates for its lack of portability. All you have to do is mount it to reveal its professional-grade features.
It also comes with a full range of attachments specialized to reach every cramped space in your car. Additionally, emptying the dirt tank is super easy.
Bissel Garage Pro is the loudest vacuum cleaner among its competitors but that’s quite understandable given the high suction power it offers. It’s not for everyone but if you’re into car detailing or car cleaning business, this is a worthy buy.
- 12 Amp wet/dry vacuum which removes both and dry dirt
- Comes with a 32 foot hose
- Not portable
- Emits loud noise at an average of 83 dB
*We only recommend products we personally tested & loved. We earn from link clicks to 4 of the products mentioned.
Our top ranked products are reviewed on the basis of our own views, opinions and knowledge. We are not able to review all products in a given category. All opinions expressed on this site are our own.
We are able to provide you with our comparisons for free due to referral fees we receive from a number of companies that are compared and reviewed on our website. We do have an ownership interest in certain categories with our top picks.
This is an advertisement and not an actual news article, blog, or consumer protection update. Any photographs of persons used on this site are models.
The story depicted on this site and the person depicted in the story are not actual news. rather, this story is based on the results that some people who have used these products have achieved.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with your physician and should not be construed as individual medical advice. The testimonials on this website are individual cases and do not guarantee that you will get the same results. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.
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Maureen Ryz
I've tried Learsk and it has saved me so much time and money.
Tina Madrame
Bought the learsk one and I have to admit I am surprised with how strong it is. very happy.
Valerie DiPetrio
Does learsk work?
Serenity Brooks
my friend bought the learsk one and she is happy, i am going to get it myself too.
Eleanor Whittaker
Any feedback on the Bissell garage pro ? Planning in getting one but not sure if it's worthy and effective'.
Petra Jaime
I own a Shark Rocket HV302 but I find it inconvenient because of the cord. I'm eyeing the Learsk and hoping it's powerful, more powerful than the Shark.
Christine Turner
Anyone tried the Metrovac?
Jean Manning
Been hearing a lot of positive reviews for the Learsk., I already ordered mine. Just hopinh that it delivers its promise.
Jenna Ellis
I'm a furmom and needless to say, I deal with tons of fur. I love my babies but thier fur constantly stresses me out. Good thing I bought Learsk. It makes cleaning so easy'
Cindy Watson
Metrovac is really powerful but it's not handheld.'