A handheld car vacuum cleaner is the perfect tool for cleaning up messes in your vehicle, whether you have kids or pets. It's also a great way to keep your car clean between professional detailing jobs.

The best car vacuum cleaner will clean up any messes in your car with ease, whether they're made of dirt, crumbs or spilled liquids. Some of the top models on the market are corded or battery-powered, with different levels of suction power and accessories to suit your specific needs.

Choosing the right vacuum is crucial for keeping your car clean, so it's important to consider your needs and budget before purchasing one. You'll want to find a model that can easily remove dust, debris, dander and pet hair from all areas of your car, especially the floors, seats and upholstery.

1. The size of the car vacuum Vacuums should be compact and lightweight, so they can be tucked away in the trunk or glove box without taking up too much space. Ideally, they will also be easy to maneuver and reach in tight spaces.

2. The size of the suction hose is also important for cleaning in tight corners and under seats. The hose should be long enough to fit between the front and back seats and to extend out over hard-to-reach crevices, like the underside of the steering wheel or around door pockets and cupholders.

3. The suction hose should be able to handle pet hair and other heavier material efficiently, with strong enough suction to remove it from low-pile carpets.

4. The amount of time a handheld car vacuum cleaner can run on a single charge is important, as it will affect how quickly you can finish your cleaning job. A good handheld vacuum should last about half an hour on a single charge, which gives you plenty of time to tackle smaller messes in between bigger ones.

5. The best car vacuums for pet hair include attachments that remove stubborn pet hair from upholstery and floor mats. These tools are often attached to the wand of a vacuum, so you can position them over your pet's favorite spots and get rid of any unwanted dander or fur.

6. The best car vacuums for pet hair include an extension hose that's long enough to reach the spaces between your front and rear seats. This is especially useful for cleaning under the seat and behind the headrests, where you might not be able to access a standard wand.

7. The most versatile vacuums for car cleaning are those that can also be used to clean the interior of your home, such as the Dyson V11.

The Dyson V11 is a powerful, cordless handheld vacuum that's also effective at clearing up small messes in your home, making it a top option for most people. It has some great features, including a carpet cleaner motorized brush that can be used to scrub down the floors or other surfaces, a soft-bristle dusting brush that can be used on hard or delicate materials, and an auto detailing accessory that allows you to use it as a handheld nozzle. It's a bit noisy, though, and its dirt canister is a little difficult to empty due to the location of the door.