This Portable Vacuum Is a Must-Have for a Mess-Free Car

Sometimes it feels like I'm spending half my life in the car shuttling kids from one activity to the next. Between school drop-offs, pickups, practices, games, and grabbing dinner on the go, my car tends to look more like a mobile snack bar than a clean mode of transportation.

I needed a solution that was quick, effective, and portable. Something that could help me tackle those crumbs and spills in the precious minutes I have sitting in the pickup line or waiting outside for another after school activity to end. I snagged the Ayla & Co Handheld Portable Car Vacuum and put it to the test to see if it could handle the mess in my vehicle. 

This vacuum has become a permanent fixture in my car. Keep reading to find out why. 

First Impressions

The Ayla & Co vacuum is compact, lightweight and looks way better than most clunky car vacuums. I was immediately drawn to its portability. It's small enough to keep stashed in the glove compartment or even in one of my bags (though let's be honest, my bags are already bursting with stuff). I loved that it didn't look or feel like a tool, but more like a gadget you'd want to use.

I love that it's cordless. As someone who's constantly untangling headphones, charger cables and other random wires, the fact that I didn't have to plug this into the car or deal with long, annoying cords was a huge win.

Results: It Sucks (In a Good Way)

So, how does it perform in the real world of dirt, cookie crumbs and spilled juice boxes? Pretty well! I'll admit I was skeptical at first. This vacuum is small and my car messes are often not. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much suction power it packed for its size. It tackled the crumbs in the cracks of my car seats and got all the little mystery bits that somehow always end up in the floor mats.

Now, it's not industrial-strength, so if your car is a disaster zone like mine can sometimes get after a weekend road trip, it might not handle a deep clean all in one go. But for quick touch-ups, it's a lifesaver.

I found myself using it in the school pickup line and while waiting for practice to end — because why not make the most of that time, right? I especially like that it gets rid of the mess before it even becomes overwhelming.

Pros

• Super portable: It's tiny, cordless, and lightweight, so it's easy to take with you anywhere. 
• Quick and convenient: No need to wait until you're home to plug in a big vacuum. You can clean up messes as they happen.
• Decent suction for the size: It does a surprisingly good job of picking up crumbs, dust and other small messes.
• Great battery life: I was able to use it multiple times between charges and it didn't die on me when I needed it most.

Cons

• Limited power: For small, everyday messes, it's fantastic. But if you're dealing with bigger debris or want to deep clean your car, it might struggle. It's more of a maintenance tool than a heavy-duty cleaner.
• Small dustbin: Because it’s so compact, it fills up quickly. If you have a particularly crumb-y car ride, you may find yourself emptying it out more often than you'd like.
• Suction area is small: You can only clean small areas at a time, which means cleaning the entire car will take longer than using a larger vacuum. 

Bottom Line

The Ayla & Co Handheld Portable Car Vacuum has become my little cleaning sidekick in the battle against car messes. It's perfect for moms like me who need something quick and easy to clean up after their kids and it's great for small messes indoors too, like keeping your workspace clean.

While it may not replace a full-sized vacuum for deep cleans, it's a great addition to my on-the-go toolkit. I've saved myself countless hours of post-drive cleanups and that alone makes it worth it in my book.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

• Tired of a Messy Car? Here's What Parents Need to Keep the Inside of Their Cars Clean
• The Best Cordless Vacuums for Quick and Easy Cleaning
• Pet Owners! Add this Popular Cordless Vacuum to Your Cart on Amazon Prime Day

Follow TLC on Apple News