Is the much-hyped Dyson Car+Boat handheld vacuum living up to expectations? But is this compact powerhouse of a cleaner worth the steep price tag?
Ain't no doubt about it, I've spent more than 250 hours testing out vacuum cleaners, and Dyson's offerings are certainly some of the finest in the biz. With top-notch suction and handy features, they make daily cleaning a breeze for home folk like us.
When Dyson announced a new handheld vacuum, you can bet your boots I was excited! The Car+Boat is a rare release from a brand that typically sticks to full-sized models, and I couldn't wait to see if their signature power translated to a smaller device.
Find out how this little powerhouse performed in tests at our dedicated testing center, a local cat and dog shelter, and my own crib—to find out if it joins the ranks of the best Dyson vacuums worth investing in.
Dyson Car+Boat: Specs
- Type: Cordless handheld
- Battery life: Up to 50 minutes
- Charge time: 5 hours
- Dustbin: 0.14 gallons
- Power: Up to 115 air watts
- Air flow: 7.8mph standard / 11.6mph max mode
- Noise level: 58 to 70 decibels
- Suction modes: 2
- Weight: 4.2 pounds
Type
The lowdown:
Cordless handheld
This powerful little vac can pick up dust, dirt, hair, and just about any mess on any surface without breaking a sweat. The motorized attachment is great for extracting stubborn hairs from furniture, although it occasionally misses a few strays.
The dustbin is larger than some of Dyson's full-sized cordless models, and you can clean every nook and cranny, including the filter, to avoid paying for replacements.
Battery life
Perfect for vacuuming furniture, tidying up when crumbs and pet hair clumps start appearing, and giving your car the deep clean it deserves, the Car+Boat is a great pick. But even with its standout cleaning abilities, it comes at a cost that's about twice as much as other handheld vacuums offering similar results.
Up to 50 minutes
If you're all about finding the absolute best, go for it, but if you're looking to save a buck or two, I'd check out the alternatives. They offer almost the same results at a more budget-friendly price.
Setup:
Charge time
The Dyson Car+Boat comes in a box with a big "Dyson V8" logo slapped on it. It seems like a recycled Dyson V8, which we've already reviewed. I was initially skeptical, but at a lower price point, it's still a solid choice if you only need one of the best handheld vacuums.
5 hours
It took around 3 hours to fully charge the Car+Boat, and from there, no further setup was required.
Design and features:
Dustbin
The Car+Boat boasts all the features you'd expect from Dyson's finest. There's a toggle to switch between normal and max suction modes, an easy empty dustbin, and swappable attachments. As it's a handheld vac, there's not much to learn, and its trigger is perfect for conserving battery life during short cleaning sprees.
0.14 gallons
The mini motorized tool gets the star treatment, with anti-tangle brushes to vacuum up hair without the headache of cutting it out. I tested the Car+Boat's airflow with an anemometer and found it can produce 7.8mph of airflow in standard mode and 11.6mph in max mode, almost as high as some full-sized top-performers.
Using the Car+Boat:
Power
The Car+Boat is my favorite handheld vac I've tested. With an easy learning curve and effective use, it's a breeze to clean furniture, vacuum pet hair, or tackle car cleaning duties.
Up to 115 air watts
Clocking in at just over 4 pounds, it's a tad heavier than other handheld vacs, but it still feels light enough for most folks to hold comfortably.
I ran the decibel test on the Car+Boat, and thanks to its quiet motor, it keeps noise levels between 58 to 70 decibels.
Air flow
The mini motorized tool is flexible, adjusting to the angle you're vacuuming, and it helps immensely when cleaning sofas and upholstery by suctioning to the furniture's cushions and edges.
7.8mph standard / 11.6mph max mode
The messy test:
I tested the Car+Boat using a quarter cup of flour and sugar on various surfaces like linoleum, hardwood, and carpet. The Car+Boat easily cleared the flour and sugar from hardwood, leaving no trace behind. On carpet, it struggled a bit in standard mode but cleared it all in one pass in max mode.
Noise level
When it came to cleaning carpets, the Car+Boat had no issues, offering solid performance for a handheld vac.
58 to 70 decibels
Pet hair test:
I took the Car+Boat to a local pet shelter to see how it handled pet hair and mess. Although not as powerful as the best vacuums for pet hair, the handheld version did a nice job vacuuming fur from carpets and furniture.
Suction modes
On the trickiest test, a padded chair, the Car+Boat removed most of the long hairs, but there were a few stubborn hairs remaining.
2
Attachments:
The crevice tool, combination brush, and mini motorized brush all work just as intended. And with the Car+Boat's suction power, cleaning tight corners and upholstery is a breeze.
Weight
Cleaning & Maintenance:
4.2 pounds
The first time I emptied the dustbin, I thought I broke something, but the mechanism eventually became smoother with more use. Cleaning the parts is easy, and you can even clean the vacuum filter yourself to save on replacements.
The competition:
Can't quite swallow the cost of the Car+Boat? Here are some alternative handheld vacuums to consider:
- Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+: Highly rated for its suction power and variety of tools, making it ideal for detailed car cleaning tasks.
- Eufy HomeVac H20: Small, compact, and easy to store in vehicles, but not as powerful as other models.
- Black+Decker Dustbuster Flexi: Budget-friendly with a flexible hose, but its suction power is lower compared to other models.
- Worx Cordless Cube Vac: More affordable and specifically designed for car interiors, offering good value for its price.
While the Dyson Car+Boat outshines its competitors with its powerful performance, it's priced higher—twice as much as other handheld vacuums offering similar results. If the suction power is your main priority, the Car+Boat won't disappoint. If you're looking for more budget-friendly alternatives, there are plenty to choose from.
- The Dyson Car+Boat's power and performance extend beyond traditional vacuum duties, making it an ideal choice for handling various gadget-related messes, such as spills or crumbs on technology devices.
- As for technology enthusiasts, the Car+Boat's mini motorized tool can efficiently clean keyboards, tablet screens, and other electronic surfaces with its advanced suction capabilities and anti-tangle brushes.
