Armor All AA255 Wet/Dry Car & Shop Vac

Verdict

The Armor All AA255 is an excellent budget car vacuum, combining strong suction, thoughtfully designed attachments, and good maneuverability in a compact, lightweight body. Filtration is weak and the power cord is a bit shorter than average, but if you can use an extension cord and are not relying on top tier dust containment, it is one of the best low cost choices for car owners.

Pros

  • Accessories & Tools 3 reviews 5.0
    Attachment kit remains a standout, with a deluxe car nozzle, tiny detail brush, and a variety of heads that make fast car detailing and tight crevice cleaning easier than with many vacuums in its class, and testers consistently rank it among the best attachment sets for dedicated car vacuums.
  • Price & Value 3 reviews 5.0
    Delivers top tier performance for the money, remaining one of the cheapest yet best performing car vacuums so overall value is exceptional at its typical sub 40 dollar street price.
  • Suction & Airflow 3 reviews 5.0
    Delivers best in class power for its price, with strong suction and airflow that perform well in tests and real world car cleanups, easily pulling embedded debris and out sucking some rival shop vacs.
  • Overall opinion 2 reviews 5.0
    Owners tend to be pleasantly surprised by how strong, convenient, and affordable this little car vac feels, often rating it highly as a dedicated vehicle cleaning tool and recommending it as an excellent budget friendly buy.
  • Comparative performance 1 review 5.0
    Often judged stronger than some small shop vac competitors like Stinger, especially for car cleaning suction, making it a standout performer in its price class.
  • Hose length 1 review 5.0
    Relatively long roughly five to six foot hose gives plenty of reach inside a vehicle, so you can leave the canister mostly in place instead of dragging it around while cleaning.
  • Onboard tool storage 1 review 4.5
    Built in accessory and hose storage keeps the many attachments on board and improves hose management when moving around a car.
  • Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup 1 review 4.5
    Performs very well on car upholstery, pulling embedded debris from seats and other soft surfaces, especially when used with the small brush attachment.
  • Versatility 1 review 4.5
    Doubles as a small shop vac, quickly converting between suction and blower modes and handling wet pickups for light water related tasks.
  • Weight 1 review 4.5
    Lightweight, below average in both size and weight, making it easy to carry, position, and store for frequent car cleanups.
  • Maneuverability & Handling 2 reviews 4.3
    Compact, lightweight body, long hose, and dual hose swivels give it excellent in car handling so the base can stay put while you reach most areas and maneuver easily in tight spaces, and its below average size and hose management features make it especially convenient in cramped vehicles.
  • Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup 1 review 4.0
    Handles dirty car carpets well for its size, quickly lifting visible grit and debris in a few passes during routine interior cleanups.
  • Cord length 2 reviews 3.5
    Ten foot power cord is long enough for many users to reach around a car, though some still find it shorter than average and occasionally need an extension cord when outlets are far away, so its slightly below average length is usually manageable but not ideal.

Cons

  • Noise level 1 review 3.0
    Noise output is about average for a small car vacuum, helped by a built in diffuser so it is not unusually loud or quiet compared with competitors.
  • Filtration / Dust Containment 1 review 2.0
    Filtration is a weak point, as it failed fine dust containment tests, similar to many compact car vacuums in its class.