Choosing a vacuum cleaner for the car really can be confusing. I looked into various options the other day, and I found that products differed not only in suction power, but also in how easy they are to maintain and how easy they are to handle—so I compared nine popular models.

In conclusion, Makita’s cordless cleaner CL107FDSHW ranks #1. Since it’s a paper bag type, emptying trash is truly easy. The suction power is also more than satisfactory, and because it’s a stick type that can be used indoors, it’s useful at home as well. In fact, when I tested it on genuine leather seats and long-pile mats, it cleaned up sand and hair completely in just 0.5 passes back and forth. Its large dust collection volume also means fewer times you need to empty it, which is a small but genuinely appreciated benefit.

#2 is Makita’s CL106FDSHW. This one is a capsule type, so the appeal is that you don’t have to worry about ongoing running costs. It also has strong suction power, and again, you can almost completely pick everything up in 0.5 passes back and forth. It’s a good fit for people who want to use it both indoors and in the car.

If you want a more compact vacuum, VOLCANO VC360 is ranked #3. It’s recommended for people who want to clean every corner of their car, and it comes with a well-stocked set of included nozzles. It has strong suction power too, and for crumbs or gravel, it can pick everything up in 0.5 to 1 passes back and forth.

If you prioritize quiet operation, MyStick Neo is #4. Even compared among the models tested, it’s quiet, with a operating noise level of 69.2dB. The main unit is also lightweight at 389g, so you can use it right away whenever the urge to clean hits you at night or early in the morning. Its suction power is enough for smooth materials. However, since the dust collection volume is small at 0.12L, you’ll need to empty it frequently.

From #5 onward, the models differentiate themselves with unique features such as lightweight design, blower functionality, and flexible hoses. YAMAZEN at #9 has weaker suction power, but it’s extremely quiet (64.4dB). It runs on dry-cell batteries, so there’s the hassle of replacing the batteries, but for people who care about noise, it might be a viable option.

Honestly, for a car vacuum cleaner, what matters most is the balance between suction power and ease of maintenance, and also light weight. If you use it every day, the top two Makita models are really recommended. And if you’re thinking about using it both in the car and indoors, I think choosing from the top-ranked stick-type models will help you avoid making the wrong choice.