Cordless and Handheld: Vacuum Cleaner for Cars

[Glassman]

Do you use a cordless, handheld vacuum cleaner for you car/van/etc?

Does it need a bag? Is it docked? What is the battery life like? Does it also blow... what kind of power... question which are hard to find the answers to unless you speak to someone with experience of one...

I'm in the market. Plenty of unknown brands available; are the known brands better or just more money for not much more than the cheaper offerings...

Thanks in advance.

[fourstardan]

I use a TITAN Wet/Dry vac, its extremely powerful and the hose long enough to get in and around it without moving it too much.

[Glassman]

fourstardan said:

I use a TITAN Wet/Dry vac, its extremely powerful and the hose long enough to get in and around it without moving it too much.

Handheld, as in a small thing to carry in the boot

[Whataguy]

I’ve had a hoover freedom for 6 years, still on the original battery and lasts more than long enough to do the whole car easily.

Pretty good suction, plus with a rotating brush attachment too.

Before that I’d had several vax models, they were ok but nowhere near as powerful as the hoover.

Just charge it up every few weeks after vacuuming the car and it keeps it charge until after the next session.

[5s Alive]

We've had one of these for several years. Powerful enough for car seats/carpets or minor (dry) spills. It sits in the charge dock when not in use.

Available from the usual market places.

https://cpc.farnell.com/black-decker/pv1820l-gb/pi...

[littleredrooster]

Second-hand Dyson. Our local market has them for sale for £20 upwards with a warranty, some complete with tools. I've actually got one that's going to the local car-boot sale on Saturday.

[rodericb]

What do you wish to do with this vacuum cleaner?

[Kermit power]

I used to have a handheld Dyson that was okay until it died. By that point I'd already decided I would never contribute so much as another penny to Jamrs Dyson's profits even for spare parts, so I did a truckload of research to find the best alternative.

The conclusion I came to - with a dog and a teenager at rugby 3-4 times a week - is that the need to constantly empty the bloody things just isn't worth the faff, so I'd rather pay £1.50 to use the vacuum at my local garage and wonder as to where on earth it puts all the dog hairs and dried mud without the garage staff having to constantly come and empty it! Has anyone ever seen a garage employee doing that?

[Aunty Pasty]

I use a GTech K2 for my house and car needs. I wouldn't buy one specifically for the car but then I don't use my car for work.

[Brainpox]

I have a Milwaukee vacuum that uses the same batteries as some of my power tools. Bought for DIY but works great for the car too. Not sure about carrying it around in the boot though. The battery will inevitably die when you want to use it

[Glassman]

rodericb said:

What do you wish to do with this vacuum cleaner?

Nothing that involves a latex glove and a dollop of gritty Swarfega is that's what you're hinting at.

[normalbloke]

Brainpox said:

I have a Milwaukee vacuum that uses the same batteries as some of my power tools. Bought for DIY but works great for the car too. Not sure about carrying it around in the boot though. The battery will inevitably die when you want to use it

I also have a MW 18 volt wet/dry hoover. It’s about the size of an old school toolbox, and all the accessories pack away neatly into it. Funnily enough, it often lives in the boot for extended periods, and is just soo handy. Power is fantastic, has a full HEPA filter, and can blow too.If you’re already entrenched in the infrastructure and batteries, the body only is <£100.

Edited by normalbloke on Friday 23 August 07:38

[dcb]

Glassman said:

Do you use a cordless, handheld vacuum cleaner for you car/van/etc?

I got given a battery powered VAX and it's next door to useless ;-<
I can do a better job with dustpan & brush.

Batteries give up after a few years and they are £40 for a new one ;-<

Most of the little battery powered cleaners run about 150-200W and
aren't very powerful. I have given up on them.

Miles easier to just get the household vacuum cleaner onto it.
800W of power sorts it out.

[Fas1975]

Got a regular vacuum cleaner for when I'm doing a full wash of the cars, but for in-betweens, I picked up this in the prime-day sales:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4LCZ2R7?ref=ppx_yo2...

It's genuinely awesome for spot cleaning, so much so, I bought a couple for the house. USB charged, great suction and picks up the usual sand / small stones picked up in every day use. No idea how long the battery lasts, it was on full charge, have used it every 2-3 days for 1-2 minutes at a time and haven't charged it since yet, so definitely recommend

[rodericb]

Glassman said:

rodericb said:

What do you wish to do with this vacuum cleaner?

Nothing that involves a latex glove and a dollop of gritty Swarfega is that's what you're hinting at.

Naah, I wasn't but I was wondering if you were going to use the vacuum cleaner in a professional capacity and i'd say don't muck around with cordless as they are usually very weak. If you're working out of a van I'd get an inverter and use a workshop wet and dry vac.

My car cleaning is merely my own cars at home and I use a Dyson V6 purely for convenience and it's pretty weak. I'll use a household vac if I want to do a proper job (Electrolux Ultra One) and I'll give the mats the odd go with a carpet machine.