If you need a light-duty handheld vacuum cleaner, you might consider the ThisWorx 12V. Car vacuums have many styles, varieties, and price points, so it’s worth doing some research before you buy.

The ThisWorx car vacuum functions as its name implies (it works), but is it the best car vacuum for your vehicle? We tested this vacuum for suction power, maneuverability, ease of maintenance, and versatility to determine its strengths and drawbacks.

A small hand vacuum suitable for minor spills.

*Price accurate at time of publication

The ThisWorx 12V car vacuum connects to your car’s auxiliary power outlet via a charger cord attached to the base of the vacuum. In addition to the vacuum itself, the ThisWorx 12V includes:

Because of the vacuum’s low suction power, the flexible hose nozzle is not that useful. It’s also worth noting that the vacuum and all the attachments don’t fit easily into the storage bag.

Our review team has tested several best-selling car vacuum cleaners, including the ThisWorx 12V. We evaluated each vacuum based on the following categories:

The ThisWorx car vacuum excels in maneuverability and ease of maintenance. The vacuum is easy to use and easy to store, making it ideal for picking up small messes in your car as they occur.

Because the ThisWorx plugs into your car’s 12V outlet, there’s no need to charge a battery, and you don’t need access to an outlet or an extension cord to use this vacuum. You can store it in your trunk or glove box and forget about it until you need it.

This vacuum is small and lightweight. Because it plugs into your car directly, there’s no need to maneuver it around the outside of your car as you would with a larger shop vac-style car vacuum.

The only feature that hinders the mobility of this vacuum is its power cord. While the cord is long enough to reach most back seats, it may be challenging to reach every part of your vehicle if you have a minivan or third-row seating. You also may not be able to reach the trunk of your vehicle if it’s not accessible from inside the car – unless you happen to have a cigarette lighter in your trunk.

Ease of Maintenance: 4.5 out of 5

The small size of the ThisWorx 12V makes it easy to store, and the included carrying case can help keep all the accessories in one place. The carrying bag doesn’t fit the vacuum and every accessory easily. However, you may opt to make more space by not using the extended hose attachment since it’s not very useful, anyway.

Cleaning the ThisWorx 12V is simple – the front of the vacuum pops off so you can empty it into the trash. The filter is easily accessible and dustable with the included brush.

The ThisWorx car vacuum doesn’t perform as well for suction power and versatility. While the vacuum is good for minor messes, it’s not ideal for big jobs or major spills. This vacuum lacks the wet vac function of a more expensive model and doesn’t have the suction power to pick up every type of car debris.

No 12V vacuum is going to have an especially powerful suction. If you plan to deep clean your entire vehicle, we don’t recommend using the ThisWorx 12V. It may be able to pick up most crumbs, but it lacks the power and speed to clean deeply embedded messes.

In our tests, the ThisWorx 12V managed to pick up crumbs and glitter fairly well but couldn’t pull embedded pet fur from our cloth mat. Plus, even for the crumbs that it can pick up, it cleans much more slowly than a high-power vacuum.

This vacuum is a good option to keep in your vehicle for quick cleanups, but it can’t do much more. The low suction power hampers its versatility, making it a poor choice for deep cleans and stuck-in debris.

The ThisWorx car vacuum has an average 4.1 out of 5-star Amazon customer review score based on more than 201,000 ratings. The product earns at least 4 stars from 73 percent of reviewers. Most reviewers mention the same pros and cons that our team noticed – the vacuum is convenient and works well for small cleans but offers minimal suction strength.

Satisfied reviewers often note that the ThisWorx 12V is small, convenient, and gets the job done. There are also customers who praise the seller’s customer service and willingness to replace defective vacuums.

“Not as powerful as a commercial vacuum, but if you are one to stay on top of a vehicle’s appearance, this does a good job of doing so.”

“Company reached out to me as I was unhappy with [the] product. Sent a replacement, which works way better than the first one.”

Aside from the low suction power, another issue some reviewers note is that the power cord can get hot after long use. In some cases, the plug has even melted. This only seems to be the case with a few defective models, but more than one reviewer has had this happen. It’s worth noting that if the ThisWorx 12V malfunctions, the sellers seem willing to replace the vacuum if notified.

“It did pick up some dirt out of my car, but it struggled to pick up dog hair.”

“I used it for a second time in May, again for 10 minutes, and the plug actually melted in my cigarette lighter! The cheap plastic at the end is all gone.”

The ThisWorx 12V is a portable car vacuum that’s handy to keep in your car for light use. While this bestseller is easy to use, store, and maintain, it lacks enough suction power to deep clean your car, especially if you’re dealing with pet fur.

We recommend purchasing the ThisWorx 12V if you need a car vacuum for small crumbs, want to easily store a vacuum in your trunk, and wish to avoid doing much maintenance. Don’t buy the ThisWorx 12V if you need a high-powered vacuum suitable for detailing or removing pet hair.

If you want something with strong suction strength, consider the Dewalt DXV08S or the Milwaukee 0880-20 (for a cordless vacuum option). For deeper cleans, see our takes on the best car carpet cleaners and air fresheners.

While some reviewers say they can pick up their pet’s hair with the ThisWorx 12V, we don’t recommend this vacuum for pet hair. In our tests, the ThisWorx 12V was unable to remove embedded pet fur.

The 16-foot cord for the ThisWorx 12V will reach the back seat for most vehicles, but it may not be able to reach into the trunk of larger cars such as minivans or SUVs.

A handheld vacuum is a good option for car vacuuming because it can easily fit inside your vehicle to access hard-to-reach areas and crevices.

Most professional car detailers use a powerful corded vacuum that has wet and dry functions. The specific model may vary from one detailer to another, but most use a shop vac-style vacuum such as the DeWalt DXV08S.

Before choosing a car vacuum, consider your car cleaning needs. How often do you vacuum your car? What kind of debris do you need to clean up? How dirty does your car get?

If you generally keep a pretty clean car and don’t vacuum it often, you may want a low-cost, portable option such as the ThisWorx 12V. If you clean your car regularly and need something that can handle heavy messes, consider the DeWalt DXV08S. If you want a battery-powered car vac, consider the Milwaukee 0880-20.

Car vacuums can range from around 10 volts to over 100 volts, depending on size. Handheld car vacuum cleaners usually have a lower voltage, whereas upright vacuums (such as Hoover) used in home cleaning are typically rated for 120 volts. The ThisWorx portable car vacuum cleaner is rated at 12 volts.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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