Find the Perfect Car Vacuum for Your Needs

You want something with at least 8,000 PA of suction and a motorized brush head. The brush agitates the fur so the vacuum can actually pull it up from fabric and carpet. Rubber bristle attachments work really well too. We have a whole section on pet hair vacuums if you want to see our top picks.

It depends on what you are cleaning. For basic dust and crumbs, 4,000 to 6,000 PA does the job fine. If you are dealing with sand, dirt, or pet hair, go for 6,000 to 8,000 PA. Detailers and people with really dirty cars should look at 8,000 PA or higher.

For most people, yes. You get about 20 to 30 minutes of runtime with a good lithium battery, which is plenty for a full interior clean. They are great because you can keep one in your trunk and use it anywhere. That said, if you want to do longer cleaning sessions or need max power the whole time, a corded model is the better choice.

Only if the vacuum says wet/dry on the box. Regular vacuums will break if you suck up liquid, and you could even get shocked. Wet/dry models have sealed motors and special filters made for handling liquids. Always double check before you vacuum up any spills.

Once every week or two keeps things pretty clean for most drivers. If you have dogs, kids, or eat in your car a lot, bump that up to weekly. Uber and Lyft drivers usually do a quick pass every day or two. The main thing is not letting dirt sit too long because it gets ground into the fabric.

Car vacuums are smaller and come with attachments made for tight spaces like between seats and under pedals. Most run on batteries or plug into your 12V outlet. Your regular house vacuum has more power but it is way too bulky to get into all the nooks in a car. A lot of people use both.

Yes, they work great on seats. Most come with a brush attachment for fabric and leather. Run the brush over the surface first to loosen up the dirt, then vacuum it up. For tough stains, you might want a wet/dry vacuum so you can use cleaning solution too.

At minimum you want a crevice tool for getting between and under seats, a brush for upholstery and the dashboard, and a longer hose or extension to reach the trunk and back floor. Nicer models throw in a motorized brush for pet hair and flexible hoses that bend around corners.