A trip to a nearby beach warrants great fun and an instant getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life. While a beach trip has its merits; relaxation, winding out, and enjoying the pleasant sight of sea waves and sand, your car isn’t the happy chappy as you are after a beach trip.
The reason: sand all around and inside your car. The outsides can be managed with a simple car wash, but what to do about the sandy inside of your car. You can’t remove all the accumulated sand with a brush or cloth or remove the carpets for washing it after every sand attack. No matter how quickly you act, the sand will soon be a permanent occupant in your car. A vacuum cleaner is the only and best way to remove sand from your car.
Now, you may be interested in bringing out your home vacuum and using it to remove sand from your car, but this isn’t a great idea. I have my reasons for stopping you from using a household vacuum for removing sand from your car.
The primary reason is the lack of suction power. A household vacuum can’t generate the required suction power to suck all the sand particles. You need a handheld vacuum that is compact enough to clean the hard-to-reach areas in your car. Moreover, your household vacuum may not have the appropriate attachments needed to remove all the sand particles, pebbles, dust, crumbs, and other messes from your car.
Apart from removing sand, a good car vacuum cleaner can be used to remove pet hair.
Owing to the increased demand for a dedicated car vacuum for removing sand, I researched the best machines currently available in the market. My research focused on suction power, design, usability, and affordability. I have also included a buying guide and an FAQ section to help you make the best purchase decision.
Let’s make it easy to clean your car post-beach!
7 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners for Sand
1. BLACK+DECKER 20V Max Handheld Car Vacuum for Sand Removal
Features
- Power Source: Cordless
- Suction Power: 35 AW
- Filter Type: Washable
- Dimensions: 18 x 6.88 x 6.75 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
Review: Black+Decker is a well-known and famous household appliances brand. Its lithium-ion battery-operated car vacuum cleaner is quite a handy and purpose-built machine for all your car cleaning needs.
The most attractive thing about this vacuum cleaner is its design. It features an innovative nozzle to clean up sand from your car’s hard-to-reach areas. The Pivot Vacuum offers strong suction and fade-free power. One thing I like about this unit is its 3-stage filtration system. An effective filtration system is very important for preventing clogs and improving the air exhaust system.
Its dustbowl capacity is 15 ounces, which is good enough for a hassle-free one-time cleaning of your car. The 200-degree pivoting nozzle with an extendable crevice tool ensures that the vacuum will reach areas and spots where other vacuums don’t and can’t reach.
The 20V lithium-ion battery takes around 4-5 hours to recharge fully and lasts for 20-30 minutes, depending on the cleaning load. Please note that the battery must be charged at ambient temperatures between 50°F (10°C) and 104°F (40°C).
Another feature I like in this machine is its charging base. This is a rarity in the world of handheld vacuums and provides convenient tabletop charging.
All these features make this vacuum cleaner slightly more expensive than other models. However, you get the best value for money when buying this machine.
User Feedback: The vacuum gets an excellent response from buyers. They love the design, suction power, pivoting ability, attachments, and build quality. Moreover, people are satisfied with its performance even after a couple of years.
The only problem is its limited cleaning time. You can’t do much about it as it is common with all battery-operated vacuum cleaners.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Pivot makes it easy to clean hard-to-reach spots
- Well-built and sturdy
Cons
- Slightly expensive
2. BISSELL Cordless Hand Vacuum for Car Cleanup
Features
- Power Source: Cordless
- Filter Type: Reusable
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 16 x 5 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
Review: Bissell offers top-of-the-line vacuum cleaners for car detailing. Its cordless handheld vacuum is not only great for removing sand from your cars; you can also use it to remove pet hair, dust, pebbles, and any other messes from your car.
The vacuum uses a 14V lithium-ion battery to provide you with 20 minutes of runtime for car cleanup. 20 minutes is good enough for a car cleanup post-beach visit. Moreover, it has 0.7 liters of dust capacity to handle a load of a small car for one cleanup session. It is recommended that you clean the dust bin before cleaning your car.
The machine uses a triple-level cleaning mechanism that helps improve the cleaning process. The box includes a motorized brush that is best for removing pet hair, a crevice tool for removing sand, dust, and pebbles, and an upholstery tool for cleaning your car seats.
Overall, it is a simple to use tool from a reputable company. One thing I don’t like about this tool is its price. It is way too much costly than other vacuums on our list.
User Feedback: Buyers are pretty much happy after buying and using this vacuum cleaner. They mention good suction power, easy operation, low running sound, and multi-purpose usage.
However, the common complaint is high price and low battery backup timing. It only provides up to 20 minutes of runtime. The runtime is even reduced when dealing with a high cleaning load.
Pros
- Decent suction
- Easy to use design
- Convenient attachments
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Long recharging time
3. BANATON Car Vacuum Cleaner for Sand & General Cleanup
Features
- Power Source: Corded
- Suction Power: 7000 Pa
- Filter Type: Washable
- Dimensions: 11.81 x 2.17 x 3.94 inches
- Weight: 1.94 pounds
Review: If you are looking for a budget-friendly machine to clean your car, Banaton’s vacuum is a great option.
The corded vacuum runs on the 12V DC output of your car and comes with a 16.4 feet long power cord to facilitate easy cleaning. Since it runs on your car’s battery, you must connect it when the engine is running. Please avoid using it if the battery is in bad condition or your car is experiencing battery charging problems.
The super powerful motor generates a 7000 Pa suction force to ensure that all the sand particles, debris, and other items are effectively removed from your car. One thing I like about this machine is that it can be used in wet and dry applications. The sand in your car may get wet post-beach visit, which creates problems for some of the vacuums.
It has a powerful motor of 106W that helps perform a detailed and deep cleaning of your car. One thing I like about this vacuum cleaner is its transparent dust bin housing. You can see how much garbage capacity is utilized. Moreover, it has an innovative self-closing lid. The lid will automatically close once the dustbin is full. This feature ensures that the vacuum’s motor will never be overworked and will not get heated.
The included attachments help remove sand, pet hair, pebbles, stones, and other messes. Moreover, you can conveniently clean the floor, seats, dashboard, compartments, under the seat and trunk of your car with the help of included attachments.
Another good feature of this vacuum is the built-in LED bulb. This makes it easy to clean the dark spots in your car. It is also lightweight, making it easy to hold and clean for long.
User Feedback: Users are happy after buying this machine. They like it because it generates a higher suction power than other handheld car vacuums. Moreover, people are also happy with the cord length as it doesn’t hinder the operation and works well in big vehicles like RVs, camper vans, and trailers.
Some people mention poor suction while comparing this vacuum with home vacuums. It is important to highlight that household vacuums have a 1000-1500 watts motor, whereas this machine has a 106W motor.
Pros
- Long cord length
- Excellent suction
- Convenient and useful attachments
- Transparent filter housing
Cons
- None so far
4. BISSELL Clean View Deluxe Corded Handheld Vacuum for Cars
Features
- Power Source: Corded
- Filter Type: Reusable
- Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 8 inches
- Weight: 4.65 pounds
Review: Battery-operated vacuum cleaners have limited usability. They fail to clean big cars, RVs, camper vans, and bug SUVs in one go. You will need to recharge the cleaner before you can put it to use again, which will take around 4-6 hours. Moreover, you cannot use a battery-operated vacuum cleaner in other areas.
A corded (AC-powered) vacuum cleaner comes in handy in such a situation. The only issue with such machines is that you have to ensure a power outlet near your work place. This can be managed with a power cord extension. One thing I like about this unit is the nuilt-in long power cord. It comes with 18 feet long cord that minimizes using a power cord.
Bissell’s clean view vacuum cleaner for car and home use comes with a 0.78-liter dust capacity. Moreover, the dust container is easy to remove, clean, and reinstall. It comes with a crevice tool for hard-to-reach areas of your car, such as between the seats and under the seats. A wide-mouth tool is also included in the purchase that makes it easier to clean the carpets and seats. Furthermore, the cleaning hose provides enough room to clean high-up spots.
The vacuum weighs 4.65 pounds. It is slightly heavier than average car vacuums, but it is worth it. The extra weight is due to a powerful motor in the unit. A powerful motor enables the unit to generate more suction power, leading to effective cleaning.
The vacuum uses a cyclonic filtration system with HEPA filters to ensure it captures all the germs. It comes with a 1-year warranty for parts and labor.
User Feedback: Buyers like this machine for its versatility. Most users mention that they use this vacuum for car and light household tasks. Buyers also like this machine due to its low weight and ergonomic design.
Some people mention that the handle has an odd design because it faces forward. However, as the vacuum is lightweight, it doesn’t create any issues while working.
Pros
- Long cord
- Good quality filter
- Powerful motor
- Transparent dust bin
Cons
- No carry bag
5. AUTOSPA Bag less Car Vacuum Cleaner
Features
- Power Source: Corded
- Filter Type: Reusable
- Dimensions: 15.1 x 10.4 x 8.1 inches
- Weight: 8 Ounces
Review: This model is the perfect choice for auto lovers. If you are one of the many people who love their vehicles and perform regular cleanup and detail sessions to enhance the look and feel of their cars, Autospa’s bag-less car vacuum cleaner is a great buy.
The best thing about this vacuum cleaner is its super-powerful and heavy-duty 560-watt, 120V motor. The AC-powered vacuum cleaner will remove sand, dust, dirt, debris, stones, and pebbles from your car within the blink of an eye.
It comes with a 12 feet long power cord. The cord may not be very useful if you have a big vehicle or RV; you will need to use extensions to make it reach the back of the car. This can be a hassle, but you will love its cleaning strength if you know how to manage wires.
As far as the design of this vacuum is concerned, it is flawless. The no-kink 360-degree swivel elbow allows the flexible hose to be easily maneuvered for thorough cleaning. The attachments include a blower grip handle for blowing away dirt, debris, and water from seams and crevices. The carpet and upholstery tool is best for removing hair and debris from seats, carpets, and floors.
The crevice brush helps clean tight spots in your vehicle like seat pockets, cup holders, and seat belt crevices. The 4th attachment is a dash and console brush that sweeps dust from vents, electronics, and console items.
Overall, this is a great buy for car enthusiasts who like to keep their cars neat and clean.
User Feedback: Buyers are extremely happy about their purchases. They say that they got everything at the price of a simple vacuum. The car detailing and sand removal kit are cheaper than many vacuum cleaners that don’t have so many features. This makes it one of the most frequently bought car appliances.
There is only one major complaint about this vacuum. The included attachments are made from cheap and flimsy plastic.
Pros
- Complete detailing kit
- Lots of attachments
- Powerful motor
Cons
- Flimsy plastic attachments
- Short power cord
6. ARMOR ALL 2.5 Gallon Heavy Duty Shop Vac for Cars
Features
- Power Source: Corded
- Filter Type: Reusable
- Dimensions: 10.6 x 14.2 x 14.4 inches
- Weight: 7 pounds
Review: This machine may look like a shop vacuum, but it is a great machine for car cleanup post-beach visit. In fact, this is the most powerful vacuum that you can buy for car cleanup.
It is a big unit with a 2.5-gallon dust capacity, making it an ideal machine for large cars such as RVs, camper vans, small buses, and SUVs. You can also use it as your home vacuum, so buying it will give you maximum usability and a 100% return for your money.
The thing I like most about this vacuum is its powerful 2 HP motor. It will not leave even a sand particle behind in your car. Such a powerful motor makes this vacuum stand out from the other models reviewed above. A powerful and heavy-duty motor enhances the blowing capacity of the machine as well.
Before buying this vacuum cleaner, you must consider that it is ineffective against large debris, tea leaves, and other such things. The reason is the hose diameter that stands at 1-1/4 inches.
Another good thing about this vacuum is the onboard accessory and hose storage. The vacuum has built-in space for keeping accessories and hose safe. It frees the user from the tension of packing the attachments after every use.
The vacuum supports wet and dry pickup, which is great for post-spill cleanup.
The package includes a hose, reusable cloth filter, wet foam filter, 2-in-1 utility nozzle with brush, crevice tool, deluxe car nozzle, blower nozzle with adapter, and a detailing brush. All these attachments and features make this machine a complete car detailing vacuum.
User Feedback: The vacuum gets a great response from buyers. Car owners recommend this machine without any second thoughts for easy cleanup. Moreover, RV owners mention that this is a must-use appliance after a road trip on an RV.
A handful of buyers mention the motor getting heated after 20-30 minutes of activity. It usually happens when the cleaner is overloaded, and you don’t empty/wash it before a cleaning session.
Pros
- Excellent suction
- Wide variety of assortments
- Lightweight for carrying around the vehicle
Cons
- Flimsy clips of the holder
7. BLACK+DECKER Dust Buster Quick Clean Cordless Handheld Vacuum for Cars
Features
- Power Source: Cordless
- Filter Type: Washable
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 16 x 6.5 inches
- Weight: 2.72 pounds
Review: Black+Decker’s handheld dust buster vacuum cleaner is the last of the top 7 vacuum cleaners for removing sand from your car. The vacuum also works on carpets, furniture, and hardwood floors to remove sand, pet hair, and other debris.
One good thing about this vacuum is its low weight rating. You won’t feel any stress or stiffening after using this vacuum. The vacuum comes with a motorized head that is great for removing hair. It has special attachments for removing sand from your car as well.
The dirt bowl is translucent, and keeps you aware of the dirt level. Moreover, its filter and dust bowl are water washable. You can clean them with tap water and wipe the bowl, and air-dry the filter before installing it back.
One thing good about this cleaner is that it comes with a 2-year warranty compared to a 1-year industry standard. It runs on lithium-ion batteries that get fully charged in 4-5 hours, and fully charged batteries last for 15-20 minutes.
User Feedback: The most common praise about this unit is its ergonomic design. Moreover, people prefer buying it due to its lightweight and easy-to-reach difficult areas design.
The common complaints include flimsy plastic and battery durability issues. The batteries stopped charging after a couple of months for most users.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Lightweight
- Decent suction
Cons
- Flimsy attachments
- Short-lived batteries
7 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners for Sand Compared
Buying Guide
Keeping your car clean can become a hassle if you don’t have the right cleaning tools. A car vacuum cleaner for removing sand is an all-out solution for keeping cars tidy. To ensure that you get the best one as per your needs, you must check some critical features before making the final call.
I have listed the major features you must consider before buying a car vacuum to remove sand. Let’s check them out!
Features to Consider before Buying a Car Vacuum Cleaner for removing Sand
Power Source
You have two options here. You can either go for a cordless battery-operated vacuum cleaner or select a corded version. The corded version either runs on AC power or the DC power of your car.
Corded vacuum cleaners are best for large cars such as RVs, camper vans, SUVs, buses, and vans. They are also best for people who clean their cars at home. A corded vacuum cleaner is better than a cordless one because it offers more suction power, has unlimited cleaning time, and can be used for other applications as well. The only issue with a corded vacuum cleaner is cord management.
The cordless vacuum cleaner uses batteries to power the motor. These machines are compact and best known for portability. They don’t have a high suction power like corded ones, but they are enough for getting the job done.
Cordless vacuum is great for people driving Uber, Lyft, and taxis. It can facilitate quick cleaning sessions between rides and remove sand, dirt, dust, and debris from your car.
Type of Filter
Another important thing to consider before buying a car vacuum is the type of filter installed. Most cleaners come with a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter is best for removing bacteria and other allergens from the cleaned area. Make sure that the filter is washable to use it for extended times.
Suction Power
Your vacuum’s cleaning ability will depend on its suction power. Battery-operated vacuums don’t have a high suction power, so they are good for small cars and less load cleaning. A corded vacuum power with a large tank offers high suction power. Therefore, checking the suction power before making the final call is critical.
Car Size and Interior
The car’s interior and size also affect your purchase decision. A cordless vacuum cleaner will do the needful for small cars as you don’t need large dust containers and high suction power. For large cars, I recommend selecting a corded vacuum cleaner with a large dust capacity.
Moreover, the car’s interior and seat material must be considered while buying a vacuum cleaner for your car. The leather seat car needs a soft brush attachment and medium suction power. Fabric seats require high suction power to withdraw the deposited sand and dust particles.
Attachment and Tools
Ensure that the vacuum you are buying comes with enough attachments to clean your car. The vacuum must have a brush attachment and a crevice tool. Extendable hose pipes, motorized brush, and other attachments for cleaning the interior and dashboard are value-added features.
Design and Weight
Check out the cleaner’s design and handle dynamics before making the final purchase. The vacuum must be easy to carry and maneuver while cleaning. For this, it must have a low weight. A lightweight vacuum cleaner doesn’t tire you while cleaning.
Portability
If you prefer keeping the vacuum in your car, go for a cordless model as they are small and can be easily stored in your car. Corded models are usually large unless operated on your car’s 12V DC power.
FAQs
Which is the best vacuum cleaner for removing sand from your car?
BLACK+DECKER 20V Max Handheld Vacuum is the best cordless vacuum for sand removal, Banaton Car Vacuum Cleaner is the best 12V DC powered vacuum cleaner, and Bissell Clean View Deluxe Corded Handheld Vacuum is the best AC powered vacuum for sand removal.
Can I use sand removing vacuum for general car cleanup?
Yes. You can use a sand removal vacuum cleaner for general car cleanup and other areas of your home. However, you need to take care of a couple of things as not to overload the unit because of the small motor and limited dust capacity.
Why is my vacuum so loud?
Vacuums get extra loud because of a blocked filter and filled-up dust cap. Sometimes an overworked motor causes the vacuum to run louder than its normal operational sound.
How to clean a car vacuum?
The filter and dust bin can be washed with tap water. For the rest of the parts, cleaning with a dust brush or using another vacuum to remove dust and debris helps keep the vacuum neat and clean.
Does a 12V DC car vacuum drain car’s battery?
It depends on various factors. First of all, if the vacuum is being used when the car is not running causes the battery to drain faster. Secondly, your battery’s condition, recharging ability, vacuum power, and working time affect the battery usage.
Final Words
Buying a car vacuum may look like an easy outing, but it involves a critical evaluation of the features and specifications of the model you are buying. I have done the hard part for you. The rest is up to you. Buy the best vacuum as per your needs from the list above and make your life easy.
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