The best motorhome vacuum cleaner provides a quick and efficient way of getting the interior of your ‘van ready for your next trip, whether you’re getting it out of storage or have just returned from an enjoyable tour.
In the same way you would want to use the best motorhome cleaner on the exterior of your ‘van, you will want to use a good vacuum cleaner for a motorhome to keep the interior clear of the dirt, crumbs and pet hairs that can accumulate.
Picking the motorhome vacuum cleaner for you will essentially come down to when you plan to use it. If you want the option of using it when you’re staying at one of the best campervan sites or when you’re off-grid and without mains hook-up, we’d recommend an option which will not take up too much payload and is either 12V or with a good runtime. Make sure you’re going to be able to manoeuvre it into the numerous corners of your motorhome too. With that in mind, we’ve mainly picked out options that are handheld or else both cordless and handheld. A couple of them can be used as a conventional upright domestic vacuum too.
To help you find the right one for you, we’re sharing our pick of the best vacuum cleaners for motorhomes – and it includes a product we shortlisted at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2024.
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The best vacuum cleaners for a motorhome:
GTech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Shark Handheld Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Karcher Handheld Vacuum Cleaner VC 6
The best 12v motorhome vacuum cleaners
BLACK+DECKER 12 V Flexi Auto Dustbuster
Hilka 12V Corded Wet and Dry Car Vacuum Cleaner
The best motorhome vacuum cleaners
GTech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
- Run time: up to 20 minutes
- Charge time: 4 hours
- Weight: 1.5kg
Reason to buy:
- Useful LED headlight, only weights 1.5kg
Reason to avoid:
- Better run times available
We’re big fans of this Gtech option, shortlisting it for the best motorhome gadget category at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2024, where we were impressed by its manoeuvrability and useful headlight.
Only weighing 1.5kg, this effective vacuum cleaner is easy to move around so you can get rid of any dirt in your motorhome.
Once it’s fully charged (which takes four hours), you’ll get up to 20 minutes of run time, and we like how you’re able to keep track of this thanks to the helpful LED display. That’s not the only LED feature though; there’s also a headlight which will illuminate any darker corners of your motorhome, to help you find and suction up all of the dirt in your home-from-home space.
If your ‘van has any high areas, we appreciate the option of using the attachable extension tube to make life easier too.
Shark Handheld Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- Run time: 10 minutes
- Charge time: 4 hours
- Weight: 1.2kg
Reason to buy:
- Lightweight and ideal for pet hairs
Reason to avoid:
- Only 10 minute run time
If you’re looking for a handheld and cordless motorhome vacuum cleaner that will allow you to keep on top of dog hair or dirt while you’re on the road, this could be the model for you. Usefully, three attachments are provided with it, a crevice tool, a dusting brush and a motorised pet tool.
We should draw your attention to its runtime of 10 minutes though. This is half of what the Gtech offers off the same charge time of four hours – however, this is also a more budget-friendly option. Handily, it has a battery light too, so you can keep an eye on when it needs a recharge.
It’s also very lightweight, coming in at only 1.2kg. This means it’s very portable, and should be easy to get into all of those corners in our ‘vans.
BLACK+DECKER 12 V Flexi Auto Dustbuster
- Runtime: N/A
- Charge time: N/A
- Weight: 1.49kg
Reason to buy:
- Long 5m cable, runs on 12V
Reason to ask:
- Can’t be used cordless
For those who want the convenience of a 12V vacuum cleaner, we’d recommend this Black+Decker option.
We should point out it’s not a cordless option, but when you factor in the five-metre cable it comes with, that becomes less of a problem. For added convenience, the flexible hose is 1.5 metres long, so getting into the nooks and crannies of your motorhome should be no problem.
The ease of emptying the dust bowl is another appealing trait we think – simply pour the side door into the bin. Its 500ml capacity is a good size too, with its portable 1.49kg weight making it easy to lift.
Another feature we like is the storage bag it’s provided with, a handy way of keeping everything in one place til you next need it.
Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- Runtime: 40 minutes
- Charge time: 5 hours
- Weight: 2.5kg
Reason to buy:
- Has an excellent runtime, can be used as a cordless or as a conventional option
Reason to avoid:
- Expensive
We think if you’re looking for an option that can be used domestically and in your ‘van, this could be the best motorhome vacuum cleaner.
The versatility it offers is something we’re particularly fans of. This Dyson can be used as a cordless option, with an impressive 40-minute runtime from a five hour charge, as well as offering both handheld or upright vacuum usage. Usefully, it comes with a combination tool and a crevice tool, making the corners of your ‘van easier to reach.
As it spins at up to 110,000rpm, we like how it can be relied upon to effectively clean your motorhome. The Dyson’s de-tangling technology will be handy for vacuuming up dog hairs if a canine companion is a member of your touring party.
Okay, we know it’s the most expensive option in our guide, but for charge time, versatility and performance, we think it’s well worth considering.
Karcher Handheld Vacuum Cleaner VC 6
- Run time: up to 50 minutes
- Charge time: 235 minutes
- Weight: 2.6kg
Reason to buy:
- Great run time
Reason to avoid:
- More budget friendly options available
This Karcher is another option that can be used as both a conventional upright vacuum cleaner or as a handheld option in your motorhome. We think the excellent run time of up to 50 minutes should provide more than enough time to give your ‘van a thorough vacuum. It’s well suited to carpets and hard floors, while it can take up to 800ml before being emptied at the click of a button.
A wall mounted charger can be used at home for convenience, and it takes around four hours for the VC 6 to fully charge.
We also like the accessories you get with it, including a crevice nozzle and a 2-in-1 dusting brush, ensuring you have everything you need to keep your motorhome’s interior looking spotless.
Hilka 12V Corded Wet and Dry Car Vacuum Cleaner
- Runtime: N/A
- Charge time: N/A
- Weight: 977g
Reason to buy:
- 12v option which weighs less than 1kg
Reason to avoid:
- Can’t be used as a cordless option, 2.8m lead makes it better suited to smaller ‘vans
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option to give your motorhome a quick clean when you’re pitched up, before a more thorough clean is done when you’re back home, this 12V vacuum could be the product for you.
We’d say it’s best suited to smaller ‘vans though, due to a lead of only 2.8m. However, we really like how it can be used on small wet spillages, as well as on dirt, providing some helpful peace of mind should you inadvertently spill a drink.
It also comes with a good 500ml capacity.
How to choose the best motorhome vacuum cleaner
The most important factor here will be where and when you intend to use your motorhome vacuum cleaner. Will it be pre and post tour when you’re at home or will it be when you’re pitched up?
If you’re intending to use it on tour, a small, lightweight option will be preferable, as it will be easy to store and won’t take up much space when you’re packing your motorhome. If it’s going to be used when you’re back home, however, the size will be less of an issue, so long as you’re still able to manoeuvre it into all of the crevices of your ‘van.
The battery life could be a factor to think about too – you’ll want to make sure it gives you enough time to give your motorhome a clean while you’re on tour. This will also apply to a lesser extent when you’re at home. While it will be easier to charge, you still won’t want to have to run in and recharge it every few minutes if you’re looking to give your ‘van a good clean.
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