best car vacuum cleaners

If your car’s carpet looks like it moonlights as a sandbox, go for a cordless handheld with strong suction (aim for 80–120 air watts) and 15–45 minutes of runtime. A crevice tool and motorised pet-hair brush are worth their weight in lost chips. Wet/dry shop vacs are brilliant for deep cleans and sand, but you’ll need power nearby; 12V plug-ins are convenient, not powerful. Look for a HEPA filter if you’re allergic to, well, everything, and a bin around 0.4–0.8 L so you’re not forever emptying it. Expect to pay roughly AUD $80–$300 for good cordless units and $120–$400 for capable wet/dry options. Buy the one you’ll actually use weekly—your mats (and nostrils) will thank you.