Let’s face it, it’s more enjoyable to have a cleaner environment than one that’s messy, dirty, or full of dust.
Keeping a more hygienic environment is something that a lot of us strive to do. It’s beneficial for our health, well-being, peace of mind, and it simply feels better to be in a cleaner and more tidy environment.
Many of us prefer to keep our homes clean by vacuuming, but you simply can’t neglect having a dirty car either. After all, many of us use our vehicles daily or at least fairly regularly.
Maybe you’re a contractor, truck driver, or maybe you have an ordinary office job. The fact of the matter is, if you keep bringing in dirt, dust, and other nasties from your car into your home, then you’ll be doing twice the work for no reason at all.
Start by focusing on keeping your car clean, so that you won’t have to worry about dragging in dirt or dust into your home after a long day of work.
Features to Consider When Looking around for Shop Vacuums for Cars:
There are plenty of shop vacuums out there in the market, but which are truly useful and beneficial specifically for cars? You wouldn’t want to buy an extremely bulky or heavy shop vacuum to drag around just to clean your car, would you?
Yes there are small shop vacs, as well as big ones. Many come with different accessories, sizes, and features.
Here are a few important features and aspects to look out for when you’re searching for shop vacs specifically for your car:
Portability:
Ideally, you want to look for a shop vac that is portable enough to clean the entirety of your car without struggling to reach corners or other spaces.
Buying a bulky shop vac that has a short hose or one that can’t reach the far corners in your car or truck is frustrating and will simply make cleaning your vehicle a total hassle.
You should always try to look for a shop vac that has a long enough hose and comes with plenty of attachments so that you can clean in-between and under the seats of your car, mats, and more.
Accessories/Attachments:
Even if you have the most powerful and portable shop vacuum in the world, it’s not going to serve much of a purpose if you can’t use it to reach all of the corners and other types of spaces where dirt or dust typically accumulate in your vehicle.
After all, a strong shop vac is one thing, but one that comes with plenty of accessories and attachments will help you get the best usage out of it. Not only that, but you’ll save yourself tons of time and hassle if you have the right attachments for your cleaning job.
Power:
The shop vac should be powerful enough to easily be able to get any dirt, crumbs, or anything else hidden behind or under your car seats. It should also be strong enough to clean any upholstery or mats you may have in your vehicle.
Or, maybe you have dogs that you regularly take with you in your vehicle and you’re looking for something that can keep it clean and tidy.
Whatever the reason, it’s important that you choose a shop vac that you know will serve its purpose in keeping your car clean.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s take a look at some of the best shop vacuums for cars!
Best Shop Vacuums for Cars:
Best Portable Shop Vac for Cars – DEWALT 18/20V MAX Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
There’s no surprise that we mentioned DEWALT on our list, as they’ve been doing business for an extremely long time and clearly are knowledgeable when it comes to not only shop vacs, but plenty of other tools. Plus, we’ve reviewed some of their shop vacs too.
While this DEWALT 20V MAX Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum is far from the most powerful shop vac out there, what it lacks in power is made up in convenience.
Because it can be used with or without a cord, it’s very versatile and can be used for many other purposes as well. You might not get that much power when operating off of the battery, but you always have the option to plug it in for even more suction power if you need it.
This shop vac is very portable and you’ll have no trouble using it in even the tightest corners and spaces of your vehicle.
Even though a 2 gallon capacity might seem a bit on the smaller side, it’s very rare that you’ll need more than 2 gallons, especially if you’re cleaning your vehicle. The majority of what you pick up will probably be dust and dirt, and this DeWalt can easily handle that.
If you happen to own any other DeWalt products and have a spare 20V DeWalt battery, you’ll be able to use those batteries with this, which makes this shop vac an excellent choice for anyone that uses other DeWalt tools and owns a spare battery.
It comes with a HEPA filter that can trap up to 99.97% of all particles and dust that you might come across when cleaning your vehicle, which is great since you won’t be blowing all of those particles back into your vehicle’s interior.
The hose is 5 feet long, which should be long enough to help you reach any far corners. Even if you are having a difficult time reaching certain areas, the fact that this shop vac can be used without a power cord makes it an excellent choice for cleaning cars.
Pros:
- Compact and portable
- Includes HEPA filter
- Crush-resistant 5 foot hose
- Can be used cordless or corded
- 3 year warranty
- Can even be used for many other uses other than your car
Cons:
- If you don’t have a 20V Dewalt battery, you’re going to have to spend more
- Not the most powerful shop vac
- No accessories included, such as crevice tools or other accessories that would be useful for cleaning the interior of your car
- Suction strength will always be stronger when plugged in
Verdict:
An excellent choice for a shop vac, especially if you’re considering using it for other uses other than your car. While you do lose out on accessories that could save you time and effort, you gain tons of portability.
If you’re constantly on the move and are looking for a shop vac cannot only clean your cars but also can be used for a variety of different things, then this is a great option to consider.
You also save yourself a good amount of money if you own a DeWalt 20V battery already, as you won’t need to purchase an additional one. (unless you want to)
Most Versatile Shop Vac – Bissell MultiClean Wet/Dry Garage and Auto Vacuum Cleaner, 2035M
The next shop vac on our list is the Bissell 2035M Wet/Dry Garage and Auto Vacuum Cleaner.
You might be surprised that Bissell makes more than just standard vacuum cleaners and steamers! The truth is, Bissell is a very dependable brand and has a wide variety of products that can easily handle anything thrown at them.
This shop vac has a very powerful 11 amp motor which can be great for not only dry cleaning, but also wet cleaning. This is always a nice feature to have, considering that spilled drinks and the like are all too familiar possibilities when driving around in your vehicle.
It has a huge 6 gallon capacity, but you won’t likely ever get near filling it. Still, it’s nice to know that this shop vac can handle quite a bit.
There are plenty of features and design choices that make this an excellent shop vac for your car.
For one, it’s designed specifically for automobiles!
You’ll get an auto toolkit included with a storage bag which has tons of great attachments that you’ll definitely get use out of.
There are plenty of others need features that this shop vac has. One of those is a blower function. You might be wondering why would a shop vac for a car need a blower function? Well, for one, you can blow the dust out of tight spaces such as the radio or air vents. It’s very helpful in some cases.
However, remember that leaves and other debris can accumulate around your car’s windshield. You can simply use it as a blower for other uses besides cleaning your interior. Maybe your mats are dusty and you prefer taking them outside to dust off before you vacuum. Whichever the reason, it’s a great option to have.
This shop vac actually has tons of other features such as the ability to inflate air mattresses and pool toys, a multi-service floor tool that will switch from bare floors to rugs and low pile carpets with a simple and effortless flip of a switch, and much more.
Pros:
- Very powerful 11 amp motor
- Huge 6 gallon capacity
- 2 year warranty
- Multi-surface tool
- 19 foot power cord
- Tons of useful attachments, especially for cars
- Sturdy, strong, powerful enough to clean plenty of different surfaces
Cons:
- Not really great for picking up larger debris
- No HEPA filter included
- No place to store attachments/accessories on the shop vac
Verdict:
If you’re looking for a shop vac that cannot only handle your car, but is also great for tons of other uses, definitely consider this Bissell Wet/Dry vac.
Even if you only intend to use it for your car, the included tools are extremely useful and you will probably get use out of just about all of them. You’ll be able to easily reach extremely tight and narrow corners with the long/thin attachment. This is incredibly helpful when you’re trying to vacuum the outside corners of your vehicle, where dust, dirt, food particles, and more can build-up over time.
This shop vac will also be able to handle plenty of pet hair, so definitely consider this as a contender if you happen to have a lot of pet hair in your car.
This shop vacuum is great for a variety of different uses, is powerful, has tons of great attachments, can be used as a blower, can inflate mattresses, and has a huge gallon capacity.
Overall, you get tons of value in this fairly affordable and well-designed shop vac.
Best Wall-Mounted Shop Vac – Bissell Garage Pro Wall-Mounted Wet/Dry Car Vacuum/Blower
For those who are serious about cleaning your cars and keeping them as spotless as ever, this Bissell Garage Pro Wall-Mounted Wet/Dry Car Vacuum/Blower is for the most passionate of car owners who strive to keep an extremely clean and well-maintained vehicle.
You might be surprised to see another Bissell shop vac on this list, however, there plenty of reasons why you should consider this shop vac.
For one, it’s nice to know that every purchase of Bissell products and directly supports the Bissell pet foundation and their goal to prevent pets from being homeless.
That’s far from all there’s to like about this though. This shop vac in particular will be great for anyone who is looking to save space in their garage. You’ll be able to directly mount this on the wall of your garage, saving you plenty of space while keeping both your garage and car cleaner.
You might not think that the hose wouldn’t be long enough, especially in the event that you do mount it, however, it comes with an extremely long 32 foot hose so you’ll be able to reach just about everywhere in your garage that you need to clean with absolute ease.
The 4 gallon capacity tank should be plenty to hold any debris or pet hair that you might find in your car.
It’s worth mentioning that the power cord is fairly short at 5 feet, so you might have to consider the placement for this before you plan on purchasing. Although, you can always use an extension cord in the event that you need to.
The shop vac comes with plenty of attachments and nozzles – 7 to be specific, so you’ll be able to find plenty of uses for those.
If you know that you’re going to be in your garage with your vehicle for the majority of the time that you clean it, this is the shop vac for you and your car! If you’re short on space, whether it be in your garage or in your home, you’ll be able to save tons of space, simply due to the fact that it’s mounted on the walls and won’t get in your way.
Pros:
- Because it’s wall-mounted, it saves tons of space you don’t have to carry it around
- Also excellent for pet hair, woodworking, working in the workshop, or simply cleaning your garage
- 32 foot hose
- 2 year warranty
- Perfect for anyone who regularly parks their car in the garage
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Even though the hose is extremely long and convenient, it can get clogged and isn’t the best quality
- Won’t provide as much suction as a standard wet/dry shop vac
- Not portable
- No HEPA filter
Verdict:
If you’re primarily going to be working around in your garage and will do most of the cleaning of your vehicle in your garage as well, this would be a great option to consider. Because it can be wall-mounted, it can save you tons of space, which is perfect for anyone who might have a messy or otherwise smaller garage.
You won’t get the same amount of versatility or power as you would in a standard wet/dry shop vac though. Due to the fact that it will be wall-mounted, you also won’t be able to use it in any other location other than your garage. Technically, you can unmount it and bring it somewhere else, but that would be extremely inconvenient.
However, you still get plenty of attachments that can help you clean just about every part of your car with ease.
Overall, a contender for anyone who spends lots of time in the garage or workshop and wants something to keep both their garage and car clean, without taking up any additional floor-space.
Most Powerful Shop Vac – DeWalt 12 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Shop Vac
We have yet again another Dewalt recommendation on our list for the most ideal shop vacs for your car. Although this DeWalt 12 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Shop Vac is much less portable than our other recommendation, it’s still an absolutely great choice for a car shop vac, so keep reading to find out why.
One of the most important reasons why we recommended this shop vac in particular is that it’s actually one of the most commonly used shop vacs used at dealerships and other auto detailing companies. That means it definitely is effective and simply works.
Additionally, this wet/dry shop vac comes with a very generously long 20 foot power cord. You should be able to easily clean both the front and rear of your car with ease.
Even though the 12 gallon capacity probably won’t be anywhere close to being full, you won’t have to worry about filling this shop vac up, even after tons of uses without being emptied.
It has a powerful 5.5 HP motor that gives you plenty of suction – a considerable amount over most shop vacs, especially portable ones.
This shop back is reviewed extremely favorably, especially considering that it has 90% of its reviews are five stars, out of a little over 550 total reviews, which is extremely impressive for not only a shop vac, but for any product.
It has a built-in drain tank so that in the event that you do need to clean up any wet spills or liquid, you’ll be able to do so in a cinch.
This shop vac also has great built-in storage and an overall well-thought out design. You’ll be able to store all of your accessories neatly in the included bag on the back of the shop vac, which is always great for anyone who might misplace any helpful attachments.
It also has a blower port, which also makes it another great choice for a shop vac for not only your car, but also for someone who works in the garage often. Even though the shop vac isn’t the most portable or light as it is on the more bulky side, if you do have the space available for it, it’d be an excellent addition for not only your car, but also your garage or workshop.
Pros:
- Powerful 5.5 HP motor
- Huge 12 gallon capacity
- Commonly used at car dealerships and car washes for vacuuming cars, it’s a popular choice – for good reasons
- Plenty of helpful attachments and nozzles
- Won’t have to worry about losing any attachments, thanks to the accessory bag
- 3 year limited warranty
- Trusted DeWalt brand
- Affordable and great value
Cons:
- Bulky
- A bit on the heavier side – 23 pounds
- No HEPA filter included
- Not nearly as portable or compact as other shop vacs
Verdict:
If you’re searching for a shop vac that will not only leave your car interior spotless, but also one that can withstand just about anything, this is your ideal shop vac.
Even if we ignore every other aspect of this shop vacuum other than the sheer power and attachments that come along with this, it’s still an excellent shop vacuum for your money.
If you’re looking to replace an old shop vac or are simply looking for one that can handle not only your car, but your garage, workshop, and any other cleaning job you might need – big or small, this is one heck of a shop vac that will surely handle just about anything you throw at it!
Most Affordable – Armor All Aa255 2.5 Gallon Two Peak Horsepower Wet/Dry Utilities Shop Vacuum
We simply couldn’t overlook the Armor All Aa255 Shop Vac in particular, seeing as it’s one of the best shop vacs that you can get for your car, considering the price, compact nature, and the fact that you can clean your car with ease makes it a very tempting purchase.
Although a shop vac for this price will never be able to match up to a more expensive one in terms of features or horsepower, it’s extremely affordable. If you’re looking to save money while searching for a shop vac for your car that can simply get the job done and keep your car interiors clean and dust free, this Armor All shop vac is quite the contender.
This is one of the lightest shop vacs out there, coming in at just 7 pounds. The form factor is very compact, and it’s very easy to handle and carry around.
Another great thing about this shop vac is just because it’s cheaper, it doesn’t mean that you sacrifice on losing any helpful attachments and whatnot. Both the hose and accessories can be stored easily and conveniently directly on the shop back. It also comes with features that more expensive shop vacuums have, such as the ability to convert to a blower, which can be helpful for a variety of different uses.
Accessories such as the detail brush or the deluxe car nozzle are nice and thoughtful touches that will help save you tons of time, while also helping you clean every nook and cranny of your car.
There’s not much else to say about this little guy, other than the fact that it can get your car interior looking brand-new in no time.
Pros:
- 2 year warranty
- Affordable
- Lightweight and Compact
- Very Good Wet/Dry Vac for the money
- Plenty of accessories and attachments included
- Onboard accessory plus hose storage
- Capable of Cleaning Wet messes
Cons:
- 2 peak horsepower isn’t too much to boast about
- Not suitable for bigger cleaning jobs
- No HEPA filter included
Verdict:
An overall fairly bare-bones shop vac that should be able to get the job done for just about most people. If you’re looking for something that’s able to clean other areas of your home and not just your car, you might want to take a look at some of our other options instead.
However, you’ll certainly lose out on other aspects such as horsepower and suction strength, but for the amount of money that you’re saving, you should anticipate some shortcomings.
If you’re looking for a lightweight, affordable, and compact shop vac for your car, there are very few better options out there for your hard earned money.
Final Thoughts:
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who you are or what job you have. It doesn’t matter how many differences there are between us. One thing that we can all agree upon is that nobody enjoys a messy car!
Many of us depend on our cars to get us from point A to point B to point C and so on throughout our lives. Life can get hectic sometimes, but the interior of your car doesn’t have to suffer if you have the right shop vac for the job.
Ideally, you want something that’s portable, lightweight, is designed with your car in mind, and powerful enough to make you stop and appreciate how clean it will look once you’re done vacuuming it!
We hope that we’ve given you enough knowledge and insight so that you can go out there and find the best shop vac for your vehicle!