The best car vacuums for avoiding that old car smell

When you’re looking for a good car vacuum cleaner, you’ll need to decide what features are more important to you because few vacuums do everything — but this one comes close. It’s lightweight, cordless, and compact, making it easy to use as you maneuver about the car. The suction is decent and, best of all, it features a long hose that allows you to really get any dirt and grime that falls into seat crevices. It also comes with a pet hair brush, making it a great choice for anyone who travels frequently with their dog. 
It’s easy to empty, charges relatively quickly, and — best of all — it does all of this without being as expensive as some of the other car vacuums on this list. 
Amazon reviewer bob writes:

“This little guy is amazing! It is smaller than it looks, and comparable in size to a ‘traditional’ handheld vac. In terms of weight, it's actually lighter than many traditional handheld models. With the hose locked into position (like in the default product picture), it ‘drives’ very nicely -- the center of gravity is basically right under the handle, so it maneuvers very easily without too much effort. I was worried about it being clunky or awkward at first based on its appearance, but it's actually the most maneuverable handheld vac I've ever used. With the hose detached from the handle, you can either hold the hose in one hand and the vacuum unit in the other; or, you can set the latter down next to you. Detaching the hose helps greatly with detail work, and also with cleaning in tight spaces (e.g. the car). The hose is 4 feet long and extremely flexible.”

And he came back to add to his review a year and a half later:

“UPDATE: 1.5 years in, and it's still going strong! Still every bit as great as the day I bought it. The suction is still very powerful. The filter rinses out easily in the sink, so there are no consumables to pay for. The battery still holds a great charge -- I've never run out of juice during use. Would recommend highly!!!”

If you’re looking for a powerful, versatile car vacuum cleaner that won’t break the bank, this one is a pretty good option. It’s the perfect size for a car, with a dedicated spot to store all of its accessories. Speaking of accessories, this auto vacuum comes with a detail brush that is perfect for getting dust out of the dashboard, vents, and any other electrical components, as well as four other accessories.  
It’s also a wet and dry vacuum, meaning it can suck up any wet or damp messes, not just crumbs and dry mud. While it is corded, the cord is 10-feet long to make maneuvering around a little easier. 
Amazon reviewer Buster writes:

“I use it to vacuum my cars and it does a GREAT job! For starters, the electrical cord is about 10 feet, which is nice. Though for most applications, you'll likely still need an extension cord.The suction power is pretty impressive. And it's not much louder than your normal vacuum. It's not blaringly loud, but at the same time it's not whisper quiet. The vacuum hose is adequately long at about 6 feet. Even better, the end of the hose rotates. This makes using it with attachments so much easier as you don't kink the hose as easily.”

If you’ve ever vacuumed out a car after a road trip, you’ll appreciate this auto vacuum's bright LED lights that will help you clean. Not only will you see in dark areas of your car, but it will help with cleaning once the sun starts to go down, like in the winter. It comes with a retractable, 2-foot long hose to help you get into cracks, crevices, and other tight spaces, but it is worth pointing out that some reviewers have noted the hose is a little stiff.
While the vacuum cleaner is a bit heavier and more cumbersome than some handheld options, it more than makes up for that with its strong suction. It also comes with a number of attachments, including a dusting brush, to help you clean in all the tight spaces of your vehicle. 
Amazon reviewer Eli “The Realestate Guy” writes:

“This vacuum did everything I expected and more. It even collected the small annoying specs that No vacuum ever picks up. Do yourself a favor and buy this vacuum today!”

And reviewer russ writes:

“Best cordless vac on the market. I have 2 big dogs who go to the beach every day and i've tried just about every vacuum on the market. this one is INCREDIBLE!. sucks up more sand and fur from my car than a huge barrel vacuum. one my best purchases ever!”

Dysons are known for their powerful suction, and this cordless vacuum  is no different, offering 100 air watts of suction power for up to 30 minutes without fading. Plus, since it’s cordless, you can easily maneuver around the car while you’re cleaning without getting tangled up in a cord. 
This handheld vacuum comes with an extension hose, mini motorized tool, and a combination tool, making it pretty versatile. Even better: it comes with two ways to charge it — AC plugin and car 12V charger — meaning you can take it on a road trip and clean as you go without worrying you won’t have a place to plug it in. It’s also easy to empty thanks to a hygienic dirt ejector. 
Amazon reviewer Bailey Davis writes:

“By far the most powerful vacuum I’ve ever used!! I use it for everything, my truck, boat, my rug, my bed, my recliners, everything. Comes with so many attachments that are good for every situation.”

And reviewer Jon Coyne writes:

“Best cordless handheld vacuum ever. I used this vacuum on my car recently and I was amazed at what it could do. It could get all the hard to reach places, with all the great attachments included. It can even suck up larger items, such as peanuts.”

The biggest downside, of course, is the price but if you don’t mind splurging, this is a great handheld vacuum.

If you have a garage — and that’s where you plan to do all of your vacuuming — then this is probably the best choice for you. This car vacuum can be mounted to your garage wall, saving you some floor space, and thanks to its 32-foot long hose, you won’t have to worry that you won’t be able to reach the car from the wall, even if you have a big garage. 
This BISSELL is also a wet/dry vacuum, which means it will pick up not only those pesky crumbs but also any wet messes, like mud and leaves and milkshakes. (Hey, we don't judge.) It comes with a 4-gallon dirt tank, meaning that it has plenty of room for you to be able to do a deep clean without needing to stop and empty it. Plus, the tank is semi-translucent, so you’ll be able to easily know when it’s time to empty it. The vacuum also comes with seven different attachments and accessories that can clean up almost any type of mess. 
Amazon reviewer Matthew Hamilton writes:

“I wish I had found this years ago. I mounted in my garage and use it all the time. From easy cleanup on woodworking projects picking up saw dust and lighter debris to car detailing. I use this now almost weekly to vacuum my family’s cars. Long hose, good attachments and great suction make this a must have. Mounts easily and isn’t too large. Nice that you can go from wet to dry without having to change anything. Emptying the collection bin is also very easy. 2 clips and its off and ready to dumb in the garbage.”

If you’re looking for a small, relatively inexpensive, no-frills vacuum that will do the trick, then this is the one for you. The filter is rinsable and it features a detachable hose to make it easier to get into cracks and other tight spaces. While it is corded, the cord is 16-feet long, making it easier to move around without getting tangled up. 
One Amazon reviewer writes:

“I normally don't take the time to write amazon reviews, but I was blown away by how powerful this little vacuum is. It picks everything up no matter what size and very quickly!“

And reviewer LadyStarlight writes:

“I'm really happy with this purchase. It does exactly what I need it to, and even comes with all the extra little parts to do things I didn't expect it could. I will say, it's incredibly loud for such a small device, but it is a vacuum after all. But yes, for my small bedroom it's absolutely perfect. No more mess!”

If you’re looking for something small, light, and cordless, this vacuum is the one for you. While not exclusively a car vacuum, there’s no denying that its small size, light weight, and two nozzles make it a great choice for zeroing in on the cookie crumbs in your seat cracks or the smashed cheerios your toddler dropped in the backseat. The suction is reportedly very good for a small vacuum, it’s easy to dump after your clean without getting your hands dirty, and you also won’t have to finagle a cord as you maneuver around the seats while you clean. 
This hand vacuum comes with a well-designed charging dock and it charges very quickly — a nice feature that helps offset the inconvenience of a relatively shorter battery life than some of the other vacuums on our list. Still, if you’re planning to do regular deep cleans of your large family van, you might find the battery life a little limiting. 
Amazon reviewer CQ DX writes:

“Initially, I scoffed at the idea of spending $100 on a souped-up dustbuster, but as long as this unit lasts, it is worth it. I love the fact that this is super light and has excellent suction. I love the attachments. I love the super easy charging station and that it only needs 2.5 hours to fully charge. I love the easy dump one button dirt canister.”