Which Car Vacuum Cleaner Should You Buy?
Trying to vacuum your car manually by dragging around your old, traditional corded vacuum cleaner just isn't going to work very well. First of all, even if you get a powerful enough car vacuum cleaner with powerful suction, the effort is going to wear you out quite quickly. To really do the job right, you really need to invest in a car vacuum cleaner designed specifically for cleaning out cramped car interiors. The two most important aspects to look for when shopping around for a car vacuum are its power, measured in car watts (AW), and its attachments and tools.
Car vacuum cleaners have three major categories: bagged/bagless, cordless/hands free and electric. In car vacuum cleaner lingo, these are known as "stompers." A hand vacuum is considered a "stimpel" by car vacuum industry professionals. Stompers differ from hand vacs because instead of sucking on the carpet, the stomper applies a suction-driven motor to move the brush through the carpet. It is a bit more efficient than a hand vac, but it can't get into tight places like the back of a car or under carpet.
The type of power cord that you need will depend on what type of car vacuum you are looking at. For example, a hand vac is run on a 12-volt outlet. If you want to use it in an area that requires much more power, you may want to consider a corded model. If you don't mind spending extra money, then a cordless model is fine. However, most car vacuum cleaners are powered by the 12-volt outlet. This means that if you are connecting a cordless car vacuum cleaner to a 12-volt outlet, then you'll need an extra power cord.
The best car vacuum cleaners have two important features: convenience and power. The convenience feature is whether the device has an automatic shut off feature. Some devices are so convenient, they can do all the cleaning for you. These typically include: vacuum duty cycle, cleaning length, speed, direction, bags, mulching, and dust bin clearing. Most have a way to easily adjust cleaning power to suit different jobs. They also have convenient button controls that make it easy to control your cleaning.
Another feature that makes a car vacuum cleaner great is its powerful suction. When you vacuum, you don't just dislodge dust balls, dirt and other debris; you also lift debris out of the carpet. The suction of a good unit allows for deep cleaning that removes tough dirt and germs. But a great job also means consistent suction that eliminates the need to add more power or even keep topping off the tank. A well-suited unit should be able to sustain a full load for at least 30 minutes.
Many models have very short battery life. If you use a car vacuum when you don't have another source of power or when you don't plan to spend much time vacuuming, you will drain the batteries very quickly. The shorter battery life also means that the unit will not work for as long. A good rule of thumb is to expect to spend about five hours on a single charge for each pound of capacity you use. Look for long run times in the specifications of the unit.
Last but not least, check out the suction ability of the unit. You want to be able to pick up and carry larger amounts of dirt, yet retain the ease in which you can empty the bag or container. The best units have a high hepa filter that removes 99% or more of particles from the air, meaning that you can clean up more effectively and spend less time on the task.
Handheld vacuums offer convenience and versatility to any home or business. They are perfect for picking up small quantities of dust, dirt, and debris that you cannot otherwise reach with a typical vacuum cleaner. They are also good for picking up pet hair, dirt, and dander from hard to reach areas. And they are just as effective at cleaning car engines as many other types of vacuum cleaners.