Dyson DC31 Animal
Winter can be a bit harsh to the outside of a car, but it can be just as hard on the interior. Between the awful mix of dirty snow, used tissues and other grime left behind, keeping your car clean inside requires consistent effort. Having a vacuum for the car might be a handy way to keep dirt in check.
Black & Decker Flex Vac
$69.99
Available at: Walmart, Rona and Home Hardware
The Flex Vac's versatility lies with its four-foot flexible hose that can contort and cram into just about any nook and cranny a vehicle can offer. Though designed primarily for home use, the vacuum's design is equally suited to the confines of a car.
It does a pretty admirable job of picking up dirt, which can include gravel and pet hair. Suction power is evident, and not because of how loud the motor runs, but also because you don't need to struggle too much to make it work for you.
Like the Dyson, the Flex Vac can't run on a power source, be it AC or 12-volt, so you're at the mercy of the battery, which usually tops up at 10 minutes. An adapter would transform this into one of the ultimate vehicle vacuums, but instead, you're forced to recharge often, which is the trade-off for its performance.
Gadgetree Mini Car Vac
$29.99
Available at: The Source
Of the three units, this is the budget one because of its low price tag, but also because it's designed specifically for vehicles. The only way you can power it on is through a 12-volt socket. It comes with a three-foot flexible hose, a brush, two crevice tools and an inflating adapter.
The black bin at the bottom is a full gallon, with a dust bag that captures the excess dirt, while leaving the rest to fall into the reservoir. What you'll end up doing is emptying the bag into the reservoir after every couple of vacuum sessions because Gadgetree made it too small to sustain much more. Indeed, you will need to change the bag at some point, but no replacements seem to come with the unit.
Overall, its performance is quite good for a unit that doesn't sport the kind of power the other two do. Suction isn't great, but good enough to get basic jobs done.
Dyson DC31 Animal
$279.99
Available at: Sears, Dyson Canada site, Best Buy, Future Shop
If you've ever used a Dyson vacuum in your home, then you know what to expect. The handheld DC31 Animal is designed for those who live with pets, but the extra power it offers also makes it ideal for sucking up dirt inside a car with authority.
The improved digital motor makes it easy for the unit to take in everything from gravel to pet dander, so cleanliness isn't an issue here. Nor is the convenience its dual-use as a home handheld vacuum provides, since you're more likely to use it in your car only when you need to.
As excellent as it is in performance, the extra horsepower absolutely kills the battery. At most, you might get 10 minutes, but it's more likely to be closer to six or seven. Short 10-second bursts help cover more ground, but a car adapter would easily crown the DC31 Animal as one of the best car vacuums.
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