With so many models to choose from, finding the best car vacuum for your RV can seem like a near-impossible task. Thankfully, it’s easier than you think.
Experienced travelers understand how hard life on the road can be for the inside of an RV.
Everywhere you stop tracks in more dirt, debris, and allergens that can turn your RV into a health hazard if not cleaned.
That’s one of the reasons why owning the best car vacuum for your RV is so important.
How the Best Car Vacuum for Your RV Works
Your typical vacuum cleaner relies on five key components: the intake port, exhaust port, electric motor, fan, and the porous bag.
First, you plug in your vacuum, which activates the motor. As the motor fires up, the fan will start making air flow to the exhaust port. That creates pressure within the vacuum, causing suction in the intake port.
Then, the intake port allows air to push to the cleaner, which causes the friction that makes all the dirt, dust, and debris get sucked into the vacuum.
Pretty simple, right?
At the end of the day, the best car vacuum for your RV will need to have some serious suction power.
What You Should Look for in the Best Car Vacuum for Your RV
When it comes to the best car vacuum for RVs, there are several factors you first need to consider before making a purchase.
These factors can help determine exactly what type of vacuum best fits your needs.
Ease of use
Most people think something as simple as a vacuum shouldn’t be too complicated to figure out. However, many manufacturers these days include additional features and unnecessary stuff that many RV travelers don’t need.
That’s why the best car vacuum for RVs should be simple to operate without consulting a thick user manual just to find the on button.
After all, cleaning can be challenging enough without the hassle of figuring out complex configurations and menus.
The best car vacuum for RV will be simple and easy to use right out of the box.
Noise level
Most people expect vacuum cleaners to be noisy. However, the best car vacuum models for RVs should offer whisper-quiet performance by creating a quality seal between the surface and the vacuum.
With that said, if you read a review in which some describes a product as “deafening,” you may want to keep looking.
No doubt about it, RVing is supposed to be about fun and relaxation. It’s hard to imagine trying to reduce stress while enduring the drone of what sounds like a jet plane in your RV.
Ideally, the best car vacuum for RVs will allow you to take a nice mid-afternoon siesta comfortably even while someone’s cleaning.
Weight
Vacuums come in all shapes and sizes, so it is not surprising that they will not all weigh the same. However, weight is a critical factor for many when deciding on a vacuum.
Think about it, even the best car vacuum for RVs may not be suitable for every RV owner, especially if it is too heavy to use comfortably (especially for older and physically disabled folks).
And let’s face it, unless you’re really into pumping iron, the idea of lugging around a 20-pound cleaning machine may not be your cup of tea.
RV life is all about taking it easy, and heavy vacuums don’t exactly promote the spirit of that lifestyle.
Carpet fibers
Your RV’s carpet type is another vital factor when picking a new vacuum. The carpet in your RV is most likely either polyester, nylon, or elofin, which are perfectly suitable for more aggressive vacuums.
However, there are certain carpet types made from natural fibers that need a vacuum that is a bit gentler to ensure they remain undamaged.
For example, if you have wall to wall carpeting in your RV, it’s likely that your carpet fibers are wool.
Now granted, wool is pretty durable, but it still requires a vacuum with a gentler touch. Therefore, you need a machine that comes with gentle and flexible brushes on a revolving brush.
You also need to make sure the brush doesn’t have the same density as the carpet because that will cause it to wear out more quickly.
As you can see, your carpet’s material can make or break (literally) even the best car vacuum cleaner for RVs.
Battery life
If you’re considering a cordless vacuum, then battery life is going to be a huge factor.
The best car vacuum models that are cordless use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries tend to last longer while allowing the machine to run at full power until the battery dies.
However, the average run time on these batteries can vary from 30 minutes to a little over an hour depending on the vacuum.
Also, keep in mind that these batteries usually take several hours to charge from zero percent to full.
That said, some models allow you to buy extra batteries, so you can always have one charged and ready to go.
Different Types of Vacuums for RVs
As mentioned earlier, vacuum cleaners come in many shapes and sizes. Choosing the best car vacuum for your RV will largely depend on your personal needs.
You may find that you need a highly portable vacuum or prefer a more traditional upright vacuum. Each type of vacuuming system has benefits and drawbacks.
There are five types of vacuum cleaners best suited for RVs. These are handheld, wet and dry, steam, upright or canister, and central vacuum systems.
Central vacuum systems
These systems are usually nothing special. Some RVs may even come with one of these systems.
The best place to install a central vacuum system is usually in the middle of an RV. The unit can fit in a specially designed cubby space, closet, or cabinet. These units may even have pre-installed access ports to attach an expandable hose.
You can also create a hole in a cabinet or wall and make your own access port.
These units require a power plug and will typically have a vacuum bag to store dirt, dust, and debris.
Handheld vacuums
If lugging around a vacuum machine or hose isn’t your thing, then maybe you need a handheld vacuum. These units are perfect for those hard to reach places inside your RV.
As you may expect from the name, these models are smaller and require only one hand to operate. They offer incredible mobility and storability.
Handhelds can be either corded or cordless. However, many people prefer cordless handhelds over corded.
One thing to keep in mind is that these units tend to be very high-powered and a bit heavier due to the batteries.
Steam vacuums
These types of vacuums can be ideal for RV owners with pets or mold-related issues. These models are incredible when it comes to disinfecting and deodorizing stains.
Pet owners especially appreciate the unique cleaning power of steam vacuums, especially when it comes time to clean upholstery or carpet “accidents.”
Wet and dry vacuums
If you tend to have a lot of wet spots to clean up in your RV, then a wet and dry vacuum may be just what you need.
These models typically have two buckets that separate wet and dry waste. These units are great for cleaning up wet areas such as bathrooms and sinks.
However, if you don’t plan on cleaning a lot of wet areas, a wet and dry vacuum may not benefit you as well as a conventional vacuum.
Upright or canister vacuums
Upright or canister vacuums can be great options depending on the amount of flooring and carpeting in your RV. In many ways, they are a bigger version of a handheld model, and these models can be either corded or cordless as well.
These systems also include several attachments that you can use to get to hard-to-reach areas. However, if you own a smaller RV, these vacuums can take up a lot of space.
How We Discovered the Best Car Vacuum for RVs
Finding the best car vacuum for RVs wasn’t easy. There were a lot of worthy candidates that we collected from various RV websites, social media posts, forums, and videos.
Ultimately, we made our final list based on the systems with the best customer reviews.
From there, we considered all the features, benefits and customer reviews before deciding on the best car vacuum for RVers.
A List of the Best Car Vacuum Models for RVs
These are eight of the best car vacuum models for RVs. Some of these systems are corded while others are cordless. The warranty periods range from two to five years.
We included four out of five vacuum cleaner types. These are upright or canister, wet and dry, handheld, and central vacuums.
Dirt Devil Central Vacuum Systems — CV1500 Power Unit
This vacuum from Dirt Devil is a high-performance cleaning system designed for easy storage.
Even more, it has a quiet, yet powerful motor and features HEPA filters that capture 99.97 percent of all particles 0.3 microns or smaller.
Additionally, the unit easily installs under seats, or in storage compartments and closets.
Plus, it cleans rugs, carpets, hard floors, furniture, cabinets, dashboards, vinyl floors, window treatments, upholstery, and more.
The system includes dusting, upholstery, hard floor, crevice, and rug rat attachments. Additionally, you get an expandable hose and cleaning hose, along with a three-pack of replacement bags. Also, it comes with a 5-year warranty.
Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro Multi-Surface Cleaner
The Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro Multi-Surface Cleaner features a pet hair filter and multi-surface tangle-free pet brush roll for hassle-free multi-surface cleaning.
Plus, it is safe to use on sealed hard floors and area rugs.
Additionally, this model includes a specialized pet cleaning solution that helps to eliminate pet odors. Even more, it has a two-tank system that separates the clean water and formula from the dirty water to ensure you are always getting a pure mix of formula and fresh water.
The vacuum also uses an innovative nylon and microfiber brush to mop and pick up dry debris at the same time.
Finally, cleaning and maintenance are as simple as rinsing and cleaning out the storage tray. Also, it has an easy-remove brush window and removable brush roll.
This Bissell model includes a five-year warranty.
Dyson v11
The Dyson v11 cordless vacuum features a high-torque cleaner head that intelligently adapts to different floor types. Plus, its LCD screen displays a run-time countdown and machine performance in real time.
The Dyson Digital motor V11 helps deliver up to 40 percent more suction power than even a Dyson V8 cordless. Also, it has Whole-machine filtration which captures 99.97 percent of microscopic dust particles as small as 0.3 microns.
It has a slim design that allows you to reach under furniture and other hard-to-reach areas.
Even more, its 7-cell lithium-ion battery gives you up to 60 minutes of fade-free cleaning (actual run time will vary based on power mode and attachments used).
On top of that, the Dyson v11 generates forces of more than 79,000 Gs to rip microscopic particles into its easy-empty bin.
Plus, it has a Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) system that automatically changes motor speed between hard floors and carpets.
Lastly, it comes with a convenient docking station that allows you to drop-in, store, and charge your vacuum while holding additional attachments as well.
This vacuum includes a 2-year warranty.
Shark Rocket Handheld Vacuum
The Shark Rocket Handheld Vacuum features a TruePet motorized brush for handheld deep cleaning action. Plus, it is ultra-lightweight, weighing less than four pounds in total.
Even more, with its 15-foot power cord you’ll never need to recharge, leaving you free to clean your entire RV.
The Shark Rocket comes with a mini motorized brush, dusting brush, 12-inch crevice tool, and flexible hose.
Best of all, the vacuum never loses suction, delivering powerful cleaning from start to finish. And, it comes with a mini motorized brush that extracts dirt, dust, pet hair, and other allergens from upholstery.
Finally, the Shark Rocket has an easy-to-empty dust cup and washable filters. It comes with a 5-year warranty.
Dyson Ball Animal 2 pet vacuum cleaner
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 pet vacuum cleaner features a self-adjusting cleaner head that seals in suction across wood, vinyl, carpet, and tile floors.
In fact, Dyson claims that it has the strongest suction of any vacuum on the market.
Also, this machine comes with a tangle-free turbine tool, stair tool, and combination tool.
Plus, it features a whole-machine HEPA filtration system that ensures the vacuum traps allergens and bacteria.
Not to mention it has an easy-release empty bin that allows you to dump debris into the trash hygienically.
The Ball Animal 2 claims to make navigating obstacles as simple as a turn of the wrist.
Compressed airways and a low center of gravity allow the machine the ability to increase stability and maneuverability. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 includes a 5-year limited warranty.
VonHaus Grey Cordless Brushed Motor Vacuum
The VonHaus Grey Cordless Brushed Motor Vacuum features HEPA and SPONGE Filtration that traps small particles other vacuums put back into the air.
This vacuum is ideal for hardwood floor,s but smoothly glides over other surfaces such as stairs, rugs, carpets, and furniture.
Plus, you can easily switch between handheld and upright cleaning modes.
Additionally, it’s powered by a 22.2-volt lithium-ion battery that charges from 0 to full in 4 to 5 hours, providing 33 minutes of cleaning.
It includes a rotating floor brush, 2-in-1 crevice tool with a brush for upholstery, a nozzle to access narrow spaces, and a wall-mountable charging cradle.
Finally, its powerful motor produces incredible suction, and its versatility allows you to use it as a handheld or upright vacuum. This vacuum comes with a 2-year warranty.
Black & Decker 20V MAX* Lithium Pivot Vac
The Black & Decker 20V MAX* Lithium Pivot Vac is a handheld battery-powered vacuum.
Notably, the battery charges from zero to full within four hours and the unit comes with a convenient charging base.
Plus, it has an innovative, patented nozzle pivots allowing it to clean in high, low, and tight spaces.
It uses cyclonic action to spin away dust and debris from the filter, thereby keeping the suction power strong.
Similarly, its filter flicker loosens embedded debris from the filter further improving suction power.
The vacuum’s three-stage filtration system with pleated filter design offers a high level of filtration which prevents clogs and improves air exhaust.
On top of that, it has a translucent, bagless dirt bowl that holds 42 percent more than the original Pivot Vac and has a side door function for emptying dirt.
Lastly, you can remove the entire bowl from the unit and wash it. Plus, it comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Dyson V7
The Dyson V7 features a digital motor that offers fade-free power thanks to its lithium-ion batteries.
Also, it has a hygienic dirt ejector that drives out trapped dirt, dust, and debris in a single action leaving no need ever to touch the filth.
It comes with a mini motorized tool, crevice tool, and combination tool, and provides up to 30 minutes of fade-free suction on one charge.
With 15 cyclones working together, it captures fine dust and microscopic particles as tiny as 0.5 microns.
Plus, it’s incredibly lightweight and versatile, allowing you to vacuum anywhere. It includes a 2-year limed warranty.
Here’s Our Top Recommendation for the Best Car Vacuum for RVs
Our top recommendation for the best car vacuum for RVs is going to have to be the Dyson v11.
This vacuum has an outstanding battery life which offers one hour of full fade-free power. It also has an onscreen display that shows you how much battery life you have left, and it adjusts automatically to your floor type.
Best of all, it’s one of the most powerful cordless models on the market, and its slim design fits out of the way on a wall or in a closet without taking up too much space.
We hope you’ve found this guide to the best car vacuum models for RVs helpful. Do you have a favorite vacuum to use on the road? Tell us about it!
Happy travels!