What to Look For When Buying A New Car Vacuum Cleaner?
If you’re a car owner looking for guidelines to get the perfect vacuum cleaner for the car, you’ve come to the right place. A messy and dirty vehicle is a nightmare for every car owner. However, it’s not uncommon to get a filthy car thanks to the dirt, mud, and kids ruining the vehicle.
Getting a car vacuum is all you can think of. However, getting the best car cleaner is not easy at all. When you search online for recommendations, plenty of options appear and you may fall into confusion.
There are many options, types, and budgets that you may not know about. That’s why we’re here to assist you in getting the most suitable vacuum cleaner for your car.
You’ll know about every detail you need to know before buying a new car vacuum cleaner. Even if you’re new and know nothing, you’ll find everything you need about a car vacuum cleaner and get the best car vacuum with the most efficient suction power, filter capacity, and best price range.
Types Of Car Vacuum Cleaner
There are several types of automotive dust suckers available in the market and the options are advancing these days. You may get tempted and confused at the same time. That’s why we’re giving you a basic idea about some of the most popular car vacuum cleaners available these days.
1. Wired
These sorts of cleaners need a power source to operate. Depending on the cable type, some can be operated by plugging inside the car; others may need a separate power plug-in.
The best part of wired vacuum cleaners is that you don’t need to worry about recharging or changing batteries. Wired vacuum cleaners have better built-in quality and you’ll find various options in your budget. However, the only cons are that you’ve to find compatible power sources and the wire size may be a hassle sometimes.
2. Wireless
The wireless or cordless car vacuum cleaners are operated with rechargeable or changeable batteries. The best part is that you don’t have to look for power sources to use these cleaners. Besides, you can reach everywhere inside the car without thinking about the annoying wires.
However, the only issue with this cleaner is that it may be challenging to find ones with the good build quality. And, it may feel disturbing to change or recharge batteries all the time.
3. Handheld (Corded or Cordless)
These types of car vacuums come with high portability and are effortless to maintain. Handheld vacuums are a great time saver. You don’t have to spend all your time cleaning the car. The handheld vacuum cleaners come with efficient suction power and some of them are also produced with HEPA filters.
You can find them both in corded and cordless versions. And, they take up very low space for storage. The only issue with a handheld vacuum is that it may not work well if your car has carpeting.
4. Shop Vacs
The Shop Vacs car vacuum cleaners have the best suction power and durability. They have a powerful motor and a bigger hose and a substantial canister for collecting and holding the dust particles from expanded areas. These types of cleaners are mostly manufactured with wheels for better mobility.
If you want powerful suction then shop vacs may become your ideal choice yet it has only one issue and that is portability. Since it’s like a bucket size, you may find it difficult to move and it may take bigger storage as well.
5. Wet and Dry
When it’s about cleaning dry and wet specks of dirt together, no one can beat the Wet and Dry car cleaners. They have separate units for storing dry and wet dirt. So, you can effortlessly clean both types of grimy and greasy junk with these. Besides, wet and dry cleaners have the mighty suction power to suck the dirt without leaving any stains.
The issue with this is similar to the shop vacs. This cleaner doesn’t offer good mobility and portability. But if you don’t have any issue with portability then this cleaner can be worth your money.
Essential Features of A Car Vacuum Cleaner
- uction Power:
- Dust Bin Capacity:
- Power Socket:
- Portability:
- Attachments and Tools:
- Power Cord Length:
1. Suction Power:
Suction Power is a significant feature of a vacuum cleaner. Cleaners with powerful suctions can effortlessly clean your car within a short time.
Wired and wireless cleaners contain different power measures. The suction ability of corded ones is measured with Amps and cordless ones are with Volts. You should go for a sucking power with 13-20 Volts if you want a cordless one and if you need the corded one, you should go for at least 5-8 Amps.
2. Dust Bin Capacity:
The capacity to store garbages is also a notable feature of a car vacuum cleaner. If the storage is small, you have to clean it more often. The easiest solution for this issue is getting a cleaner with a bigger tank capacity.
There are several tank-capacity vehicle vacuum cleaners available these days. Most of them vary from 1-18 gallons. However, we suggest you look for cleaners with at least 3-8 gallons of capacity.
3. Power Socket:
If you decide to purchase corded cleaners for the car, the required power voltage of the socket shall be a considerable issue. You’ll find 2 types of plugs in the car vacuum.
One is a 12-Volt socket, which is made to be plugged inside the car. Nevertheless, you can’t get a powerful suction from these cleaners as they use very low voltage power. The other type is a 110-Volt socket which is created to be plugged into a separate power source. You can’t plug it inside the car yet you can get a more powerful suction by this.
4. Portability:
This is another significant feature of an automotive vacuum cleaner. Heavy cleaners like shop vacs and wet and dry cleaners usually have lower portability than lighter ones like handheld cleaners. Besides, the corded ones are less portable than the cordless ones. Moreover, cleaners with wheels have easier mobility. Compact cleaners are easier to maintain and store.
5. Attachments and Tools:
Cleaners with several attachments can be a boon for you. By getting different types of nozzles, you can reach even the trickiest places in the car. The dust brooms come in handy to dust off the dirt particles.
Besides, chargers or replaceable batteries are an add-on if you buy cordless cleaners. A crevice tool may allow you to clean between the seats and tight areas. On the other hand, the brushes and upholstery attachments come in handy while cleaning the car interior.
6. Power Cord Length:
If you decide to get the corded cleaners, the cord length can be a noticeable matter for you especially if you have to plug in outside the car. There are several cord lengthed cleaners available these days. However, we recommend you get the ones with at least a 15 ft. cord length.
And, if you want to get the 12-Volt ones, getting ones with at least 7 ft. cord length can be a good idea. In addition, consider buying ones that have a longer hose and varieties of nozzles
Factors to consider when buying
1. The best deal according to the budget:
Budget is a must-consider before buying any product. The cleaners are made for different budget-segment. A price within 20$ is considered a low segment, 40$ is considered mid-range, and more than that is considered the high range for car vacuum cleaners.
First, you should decide the possible price you want to spend on your cleaner. Then do your best research to get the cleaner with the best features. After that, visit different online and offline stores to get the lowest price. If you decide to buy online then search for the voucher or promo codes as well. And, that’s how you’ll get the best deal on your vehicle vacuum cleaner.
2. Check the cleaning abilities and filters:
Automotive vacuum cleaners come with various filter types and power motors. For motor power, we suggest getting ones with at least 1000-1200W capacity for getting the most effective suction in a car vacuum cleaner.
The HEPA filter is a must-have for people with pets and allergies. It can remove pet furs, hair, and most dirt particles that size within 0.3 micrometers. Thus, it will suck the small dust, bacteria, and mites responsible for your allergies.
3. Easy to use and maintain:
Usage and maintenance should always be easier for consumers. For appliances like cleaners, you should always get ones provided with good user manuals. Always choose cleaners whose accessories are easily available. Besides, you should buy cleaners that contain easily washable and replaceable filters, bins, and brushes.
Moreover, choose cleaners that offer more modes and power options so that you can get both low and powerful suction as you prefer. In addition, you can choose ones that have transparent trash bins so that you can empty them when needed. Cleaners that offer storage bags are an add-on.
4. The multi-purpose worker is a bonus:
Some cleaners can work for several purposes at once. Like you can clean wet dirt along with dry dirt with a wet and dry cleaner. Besides, you can clean both your home, furniture, and car together with some cleaners. If they offer such multipurpose features, you should consider buying them.
Moreover, some cleaners come with various attachments like pet grooming, mattresses, mini turbo, etc., and power options so that you can get more efficient results. You don’t have to buy separate brushes and tools for them as you’ll get them with the cleaning machine.
5. Low noise level matters:
The vacuum cleaner noise is an all-time annoyance. It can be disturbing for your neighborhood. Besides, high noises can interrupt your child’s studies and your work attention. Moreover, it creates noise pollution which can be hazardous for young children and old people’s health.
We recommend you avoid cleaners that produce more than 75 dB of noise. However, if you can find ones that produce noise lesser than 60 dB. In addition, if you want to reduce the noise, you can slow down the suction speed of the cleaner.
6. Make your preferences:
As we mentioned before, there are endless types of car vacuum cleaners available with different specifications. However, you should set your priorities first. Make a list of your requirements for the cleaner such as the cleaner type, brand, suction power, attachments, and approximate budget.
We suggest you keep the suction power and durability at the top of your priority list. Besides, you have to keep in mind that if you want good specs from a reliable brand then you may have to spend some extra bucks than your budget.
7. Warranty and Return Terms:
Unfortunately, many cleaners can be produced with manufacturing faults and you may receive one of them. That’s why having a warranty is essential for consumers. If you decide to purchase a low-budget cleaner, get one with at least a warranty period of 6 months. If you get ones from the mid to high range then we recommend getting ones with at least 1 year warranty period.
Besides, some online platforms provide return and exchange facilities with some terms and conditions. You can read the terms and consider buying from there if you find it reliable.
Charging Systems and Standby Time:
If you purchase cordless cleaners, you have to buy ones with rechargeable or replaceable batteries. If you get rechargeable ones, see the power adapters, charging speed, and charging cable types. Besides, look at the standby times as well because extremely low standby times can be a sign of faulty batteries.
If you get ones with replaceable batteries, research the battery type, price, and availability before buying the cleaner. Research about the battery shelf life as well.
8. User Reviews:
Last but not least is the reviews. Reviews can be a game changer for any purchase. Always see reviews from not only the shopping site but from different websites and platforms to get an honest user experience. Reviews bring out the pros and cons of the products. You can match your criteria with them.
Besides, try to purchase from reliable brands because they often provide better build-quality products to win clients’ trust. These brands own higher reviews as well. If possible, get opinions from your friends and family if they’ve used these types of appliances. Trust us, it helps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Vacuum Cleaners
Q : Can I clean my car with a regular vacuum cleaner?
Ans : Yes, you may. However, we don’t suggest doing so because technically home cleaners are not meant for cars. If you still want to use it, we recommend buying tools and brushes specifically made for cleaning cars in that case.
Q: What is the average life span of a car vacuum cleaner?
Ans : The average lifespan of a car vacuum cleaner is about 2-3 years. This may vary for several reasons like brand, price, and build quality. Your car vacuum may work longer than this. However, it should work well at least within the warranty period.
Q : What should be the minimum budget for a good car vacuum?
Ans : You should have at least a budget of 35$ – 50$ for a good quality car vacuum. Because the quality of a car vacuum cleaner includes brand value, suction power, durability, tools and accessories, and much more.
Q : How much suction power should a car vacuum have for efficient cleaning?
Ans : Your car vacuum should have at least 4-6 Amps of suction power for efficient cleaning. If your cleaning unit is KPA, then suction power should be 60KPA – 90KPA ideal because very high KPA may ruin your car.
Top 6 Best Car Vacuum Cleaner In 2024
Final Words
Select a new car vacuum cleaner, and prioritize models that offer strong suction, versatility through various attachments, and cordless convenience for unrestricted movement. Consider the vacuum’s battery life, ease of cleaning, and durability. A compact design is essential for manoeuvrability in tight spaces, while a quiet operation ensures minimal disturbance. The best vacuum cleaner is one that meets your specific needs, providing a balance of power, convenience, and efficiency.