Vacuums

Ten new car vacs are put to the ultimate test

Auto Express Car Reviews

August 2007

Put children, food and cars together, and you will invariably end up with a mess. Yet grubby cabins can harm your vehicle’s value come resale time. So, a mini vacuum cleaner is a good investment – and here, we pick the best buy for you.

There are three types to choose from: cordless (denoted in our test with a C), 12-volt portable (P) and 230V mains (M).

Where you live will usually be a big factor in your decision. If you have on-street parking, a cordless or a 12V model is a wise buy. But if you have a driveway, a mains product may be the right one for you.

The Test

We put 10 vacuums through our tough trial. Not only did our test models have to suck up dust, but they also had scrunched-up crisps, sweets and ground-in chocolate to contend with.

Performance was a key factor, and we looked closely at how long the battery lasted in the cordless or 12V cleaners. If it was powered by the mains, we took into account the length of the lead. Extra marks were given for additional attachments, while we factored in price and considered build quality, too.

Verdict

Cleaning our car in a super-fast three minutes, the Black & Decker Dustbuster Pivot 14.4V took top spot. It was a stronger performer than the other vacs, eating the dirt, while it’s sturdy and built to last, too.
Electrolux’s Rapido Cyclonic CarVac 12V was runner up; although it's cheaper than the Black and Decker, it fell just short in the suction stakes.