The 5 Best Vacuums for Car Detailing in 2023
Source: Pixabay
Professional car detailing may produce the best results, but it’s not cheap. Therefore, many car owners opt to go down the DIY route of car detailing or keep regular car cleanliness. If you’re planning to DIY, you’ll need the best vacuum for car detailing to achieve optimal results.
Although you can use a regular home vacuum to remove dirt and debris from your car’s interior, it’s hardly a practical or elegant solution. The best vacuum for car detailing are easy-to-handle in cramped spaces and can remove accumulated dirt, debris, pet hairs, and more.
After extensive testing and research, we have compiled a list of some of the best car vacuums – ranging from heavy-duty models to handheld vacuums. Let’s check them out below.
5 Best Vacuums for Detailing Your Car
Each vacuum has its helpful features and drawbacks, and the list meets a wide range of needs and budget requirements.
1. Vacmaster Professional Beast Series 5-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
Price: $77.58 (on-sale)
The Vacmaster Professional Beast Series 5-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac is a 5.5 horsepower vacuum with 5 gallons capacity. The rugged polypropylene tank is solidly constructed and is corrosion and impact-resistant, which is great if you’re frequently detailing your vehicle. The 5.5 hp motor also offers superior suction power, which is handy for removing deep-seated dirt, debris, mud, pet hairs, etc.
FEEL SECURE IN THE CAR YOU CHOOSE
You don’t want to buy a car - you want to get the best deal on the car you’re looking for. The CoPilot app will notify you if there’s a similar vehicle in your area at a better price, so you’re always certain you got the best deal available.
Weighing only 13.5 lbs, the Vacmaster Professional Beast Series 5-Gallon offers portability but doesn’t come with wheels. This means you’ll have to carry the unit whenever you need to change position. However, the lack of wheels makes it easier to set down the vacuum, even on uneven surfaces. Plus, it does have an 18-foot cord which significantly extends your reach.
Overall, the Vacmaster Professional Beast Series 5-Gallon vac offers a good balance of performance, portability, and value.
Notable Features:
- Integrated on-board storage
- High water-lift motor
- Rugged polypropylene tank
- Blower port
- 13.50 lbs weight
2. DeWalt DXV08S Wet/Dry Vacuum
Price: $129.99 (on-sale)
The DeWalt DXV08S Wet/Dry Vacuum isn’t solely designed for car detailing, but it’s an excellent vacuum for your garage and workshop. The durable 8-gallon collection tank is a godsend for tough detailing jobs because you can work longer without emptying the tank. With its sizable wheels, the DeWalt DXV08S has excellent maneuverability and versatility, making it ideal for cleaning a car.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
However, the most impressive quality of the DXV08S is its suction power. This vacuum is more than capable of handling even the most stubborn interior dirt and debris. Plus, since this is a wet/dry vacuum, it can also handle liquid messes, including spills and pet accidents. The oversized drain should come in handy for quickly emptying liquids. It also supports a blower function for removing deep-seated debris and dust and drying wet surfaces after cleaning.
Overall, the DeWalt DXV08S is an all-around capable vacuum that also works great for car detailing.
Notable Features:
- Strong suction power
- Blower function and oversized drain
- 8-gallon collection tank
- Wet and dry capabilities
3. Armor All 2.5-Gallon 2 Peak HP Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum
Price: $49.99
The Armor All 2.5-Gallon 2 Peak HP Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum is CoPilot’s best vacuum for car detailing in terms of value proposition. While it’s unlikely a product that professional detailers would use, it gives enough power and capacity to satisfy most people’s detailing needs. The 2 hp motor and 2.5 lbs tank capacity aren’t exactly the best in class, but it does get the job done.
However, the primary selling point of this vacuum cleaner is its lightweight profile and portability. If you need to vacuum some dirt and debris quickly, you can simply lift it and get to cleaning. It’s also a wet and dry pickup, so it’s more versatile than your handheld vacuum cleaner. The vacuum has various accessories stored in the unit’s built-in accessory storage for a small package.
The Armor All Wet/Dry Vacuum is a great budget-friendly option without compromising performance, quality, and versatility.
Notable Features:
- Lightweight and portable design
- Built-in accessory storage
- Wet and dry capabilities
- Blower feature for drying
4. Milwaukee 0880-20 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
Price: $175
The Milwaukee 0880-20 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum is our top pick for people who want to do away with pesky cords. However, unlike most handheld/cordless vacuums, the Milwaukee 0880-20 doesn’t skimp on suction power in favor of portability. Its strong suction power is enough to pick up pet hairs and other stubborn debris in your car.
The Milwaukee 0880-20 unit looks like its own toolbox, so it’s easy to store out of sight. Thanks to its lightweight profile and cordless design, this vacuum is compatible with on-the-fly cleaning jobs. You may want to look elsewhere if you’re looking for something more powerful and intensive. In addition, this product is only a “bare tool” listing, so you’ll have to buy the charger and battery packs separately.
GET THE SAME INSIDER INFO THAT DEALERSHIPS USE
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Built using the same technology that dealerships use, we’ll show you everything you want to know about each listing - like how long it’s been on the lot, or if there are similar vehicles at a better price nearby.
Overall, the Milwaukee 0880-20 could potentially be your last cordless wet/dry vacuum cleaner, but it has a higher entry price barrier.
Notable Features:
- Lightweight and cordless
- Built-in blower port
- HEPA rated high efficient filter for dust collection
- Tool box design
5. Makita 18V 2-Gallon HEPA Filter Wet/Dry Vacuum Kit
Price: $415
The Makita 18V 2-Gallon HEPA Filter Wet/Dry Vacuum Kit brings the best of all worlds in one complete package. This vacuum offers cordless convenience without compromising quality and suction power. Plus, it also has a three-stage HEPA filter which powerfully removes contaminants from the air. Also, it includes an 18V battery system, a 5.0-Ah battery, and a charger.
Overall, the Makita Wet/Dry Vacuum is a solid choice if you want a balance of portability and performance. It only has a 2-gallon capacity owing to its compact and lightweight design – but it does make the unit easier to store. With a single full charge, this vacuum can run for an hour before it runs out of juice.
Notable Features:
- Up to 1-hour runtime
- Lightweight and cordless
- It comes with a 3-stage HEPA filter
- Compact design for easy storage
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
