Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Amazon Spring Sale MacBook Air M4 Nintendo Switch 2 Best Mattress Wordle Today I finally tried the Dyson Car + Boat in my car — and it’s the ultimate handheld vacuum Cynthia Lawrence 30 March 2025 But is it worth $199? When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Future) When it comes to the best vacuum cleaners to tackle our floor needs, Dyson is right up there for its innovative technology, advanced filtration and ergonomic design. And so it comes as no surprise that the brand would launch its latest addition to the line — the Dyson Car + Boat handheld vacuum cleaner. As the name suggests, this is designed to deep-clean cars or (if you’re fortunate enough) your boat. But if you have neither, fear not — this is also ideal for cleaning sofas, mattresses and picking up pet hair around the home. At a retail value of $199 on Amazon, it does come at a steep price compared to other handheld car vacuums on the market. However, since I test Dyson vacuums for a living, I know first-hand of its unbeatable power and spotless cleaning results. And while I don’t own a boat (sadly), we do own a family car that seems to collect infinite dust, debris from grubby shoes, and crumbs buried in crevices from all those road trip snacks. In fact, I couldn’t remember the last time it was given a thorough spring clean. With all that said, I decided to put the Dyson Car + Boat handheld vacuum to the test and see if it was worth the hype. Here’s what happened. DysonCar + Boat Handheld Vacuum Cleaner:$199 at Amazon If you have a car or boat, the Dyson Car + Boat handheld will ensure it’s always kept clean and spotless. With two power modes and 50 minutes of fade-free suction, this get rid of dirt, debris and grime in no time. Its lightweight and super compact size makes it easy to use and store away. First impressions It didn’t take any time to set-up, as everything was all ready-to-go, inside the miniature box. At first glance, the Car + Boat looked like a miniature Dyson V8 vacuum, just minus the long wand and the big brush roll head. It comes with three handy attachments that you can swap out. This includes a motorized brush (best for hair and dirt ), a combination tool, and a crevice tool for those awkward nooks and crannies. (Image credit: Future) While it has the Dyson signature colors and design, it doesn’t have the usual LED display screen, and only comes with two power modes (normal and Max). Its super compact size makes it lightweight, at 4.2 pounds, which is ideal for travelling with. Plus, it doesn’t take up much space. The only downside is that you can’t remove the battery to charge as you would with Dyson cordless cleaners. However, this isn’t a deal breaker as such. Tiny but mighty First, I tackled the car trunk that is usually subjected to all sorts of grime from footwear and suitcases to garden waste bags. I was impressed by the sheer power of the Dyson Car + Boat as it quickly sucked up dirt, dust, and was even powerful enough to suck up some of the fibers covering it. Once I put it to ‘Max’ mode, it gave an extra boost to ensure no traces were left, and the trunk looked spotless. Dyson Car + Boat vacuum cleaning car trunk (Image credit: Future) Next, I went to work inside the vehicle, using it on the seats and floor mats, picking up gravel, dust and garden debris. I found the crevice tool particularly handy for getting into those awkward or hard-to-reach spots like under the seats, around the belts and between the upholstery. It was also great for getting rid of dust that had settled on the car doors, and the brush tool handled the upholstery with ease. (Image credit: Future) Bear in mind that the dustbin is quite small, at 0.14 gallons. But unless you have a lot of heavy-duty messes to clean often, that's adequate for smaller clean-ups. As for battery life, Dyson claims between 40 to 50 minutes — which is more than enough time to clean a car. And while my cleaning session wasn’t that long, I still had unwavering power after about 35 minutes. Just bear in mind that it takes up to five hours to fully recharge. A couple of caveats Dyson Car + Boat handheld vacuum cleaning car floor mat (Image credit: Future) There were a couple of caveats though. Like all Dyson stick vacuums, it comes with a trigger operation, meaning you’ll need to hold it down to clean. I found this tricky when trying to quickly maneuver inside the car, especially when pointing it at an angle. In addition, the handheld started to feel heavier after a long period, so if you’re used to a simple on/off button, this might take some getting used to. Secondly, the noise level ramps up when using the Max mode, so you might want to consider the time you wish to clean to not disturb your neighbors! Still, these are no major deal breakers in the grand scheme of things. The bottom line Granted, you could probably buy a decent car handheld vacuum cleaner for half the price — but that wouldn’t necessarily get the job done well. The Dyson Car + Boat may be miniature, but it certainly packs in the power. Not only did it suck up gravel, dirt, debris and dust inside my car, but was able to tackle ingrained crumbs in those hard-to-reach crevices. I liked its compact, lightweight size that made it easier to manage. Plus, it’s super convenient to carry around or travel with (if you do happen to have a boat or yacht!). It may not come with any smart or fancy mod-cons, but if you simply want a powerful clean, and spotless results each time, the Dyson Car + Boat is a worthwhile investment. Look out for my full Dyson Car + Boat handheld vacuum review to come. Where to buy The Dyson Car+Boat handheld vacuum cleaner is available on Amazon for $199. It is also available on Dyson.com for $279. More from Tom's Guide How to choose the right vacuum cleaner — 7 things to consider For hands-free cleaning, check out the best robot vacuums Plus, how to clean your Dyson's filter Today's best Dyson vacuum cleaners $349.99View Deal $389View Deal $469.95View Deal We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Cynthia Lawrence Social Links Navigation Content Editor, Homes As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many. With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain! You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 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