[RobUK]

Rather than dragging the house vacuum cleaner out to the car, anyone got any recommendations for a good portable/rechargeable/runs off 12v socket, vacuum cleaner with decent suction power?

[Steve_M_Sport]

I use a Henry by Numatic and it has good suction and all the tools needed.

I bought one of these last year at great expense but thankfully on arrival the power switch was faulty so I sent it back for a full refund.

http://www.garagevac.co.uk/

Very very expensive , very plasticy with a cheap feel and no better than the Henry. Customer services were very good though and refunded without a quibble.

[rich1068]

Numatic would get my vote too. Obviously not 12v though but I've never come across a 12v vac that can compare to mains powered.

Pro-tip! Rather than going straight for a Henry check out janitorial supply companies for one of Numatic's commercial alternatives such as this. They're exactly the same. We run hundreds of Numatic vacs and they're very good.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

I've always used a Henry for years for cleaning all our cars/vans. You can't beat them, the new ones are very powerful on high too. I've just had to buy a new one though as my last one blew up! (It was about 10 years old though, and did get excessive car cleaning use :P)

I find the best tool is the short adapter with the long thin nozzle on the end, you can get down all the seat cracks and hard to reach areas. I find the hose alone doesn't really cut it.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Also forgot to mention, Henrys are on offer at £75+VAT at Makro currently, no where else could beat that price!

[RichardM]

Interesting thread. My old vac that I kept in the garage packed up so I keep having to use the dyson from the house which isn't nearly as good. May have to look at a Henry. I know Costco sells them too.

[sunscreemer]

I've got the Dyson car & boat thing. Keep it on a wall mounted charger in the garage. It's been really good and powerful but two main problems - 1) it's expensive and 2) the original battery didn't last too long before it gave up the ghost. Maybe it doesn't like being kept on charge (pet hate with modern batteries still) but i've bought a replacement and it's fine, i'll just charge it before I need it. You can run it from the 12v socket though.

[kitster]

I use my Dyson DC34, lasts about 15 minutes and just enough time to clean the interior, pretty powerful for a handheld vac.

[Isow]

Dyson.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Don't you all find that the Dyson is too big though for cleaning the car? Like it's got quite a large body so how do you get down the sides of the seats, and right under the seats?

Or am I just OCD about cleaning it?

[sunscreemer]

I'm pretty OCD too but find the Dyson reaches all the most important areas, but I guess you could get a little brush to go down the side of the seats - sized according to your OCD level? ;-)

[rich1068]

I wouldn't entertain the idea of a Dyson of any sort. Especially for cleaning a car.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Originally Posted by rich1068

I wouldn't entertain the idea of a Dyson of any sort. Especially for cleaning a car.

Agreed, I'm sticking with Henry hoover

[MRPoisson]

Originally Posted by rich1068

I wouldn't entertain the idea of a Dyson of any sort. Especially for cleaning a car.

Why is that? I've used a dyson for years and found it to be top notch; especially the brush attachment for all the trim

[derekh929]

If have the numatic Goerge it is wet and dry fantastic for mats and has great suction argos had them down from £190 to £105 i think just a we while ago or if tesco vouchers when 2 for 1 on electrical when i got mine for £90 of vouchers great machine

[Isow]

Originally Posted by mtmcgavock

Don't you all find that the Dyson is too big though for cleaning the car? Like it's got quite a large body so how do you get down the sides of the seats, and right under the seats?

Or am I just OCD about cleaning it?

Dyson attachments, for hand held cleaner,will get into most crevices !

[RobUK]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of something 'portable' for those in-between cleans, then sticking with a mains job for when it needs a proper going over. Must admit, hadn't thought about a Henry even though the cleaners at work use them. Might be an idea to get one and keep it in the garage, save annoying the g/f by dragging her vac outside (and leaving it out overnight which has been known).

[davyk31]

Any handheld rechargeable are too low powered to do a decent job. I have been using a main powered handheld Dirt Devil for the last 15 years, its on its last legs but seems impossible to get a decent mains powered replacement. When I last looked I think Black & Decker had some high powered mains items so may be worth a look.

[zorroone]

Originally Posted by mtmcgavock

Also forgot to mention, Henrys are on offer at £75+VAT at Makro currently, no where else could beat that price!

I bought one recently from Makro. Delivered within two days. Excellent value and excellent cleaner. Simple. Good long lead, no need for an extension. Tools great for the car. Good carry handle and the on / off switches are on top for easy access.

[rich1068]

And the reason we use them is that they're virtually indestructible. You don't even have to run them with a bag so long as you keep the filter clean.

[changed]

I have the blue Henry in my garage.. Superb vac.

[Podro]

Also try the Karcher Bee - pretty cheap and really powerful, nice and compact too.