Between sand from the beach, desert dust, pine needles from the forest, the fur Fido sheds, and the crumbs from your midnight snacks, RVers need a vacuum cleaner that really sucks! But the hunt for the best RV vacuum cleaner can be a frustrating one, since in order to try a variety of machines you’d have to purchase (and return?) several models, or at least locate a vacuum cleaner store that has a wide variety on display for testing purposes.
This post offers a guidepost for RVers. If you’re looking for a strong & durable sucker for your rig, we hope this will help. Let’s get the job done!
- 1) Can You Use a Vacuum In an RV?
- 2) What Is the Best Vacuum for RVs?
- 3) What Features Are Important In an RV Vacuum Cleaner?
- 4) What Are the Best RV Vacuum Cleaners?
- 5) Do You Use a Vacuum Cleaner In Your RV?
Can You Use a Vacuum In an RV?
This may seem like a silly question at first glance, but it’s actually quite reasonable. The answer depends on power, of course. But most RVs are perfectly capable of running some type of vacuum. For those without a house battery system, the answer may be a 12-volt vacuum that charges or runs off your engine battery. Those of us who can plug in a corded vacuum cleaner can really clean our carpets well.
You can use a vacuum in most RVs. The type of vacuum you buy has a lot to do with the size of your rig and your RV lifestyle.
But yes – you can use a vacuum of some kind in just about any type of RV.
We would like to acknowledge here that not every RVer requires a vacuum cleaner. Many travelers take shorter trips and are perfectly content to keep the rig as clean as possible while traveling and clean ‘er up when they get home. Other RVers have little or no carpet in their rigs and might prefer a broom.
This post, though, is for those of us who travel on longer trips and/or who really feel the need for an onboard vacuum.
What Is the Best Vacuum for RVs?
We’d love to be able to shout out a superb vacuum and declare that it’s the best RV vacuum on the market, period. While we will tell you our favorite vacuum that we use (and love, still!) on our own RV, it’s not always that simple. We all have different needs.
Some of us are traveling in big rigs, others in smaller RVs or vans. Some of us have more power available than others. For these reasons, we really need to break the choices down so that there are viable options offered for everyone. This way, whether you’re traveling in a motorhome, travel trailer, or overgrown van, we’ll have a vacuum cleaner for you.
Because we lived and traveled in a 43′ big rig for more than 20 years (and are still part-timing in our new travel trailer), we’ll start with what we know best from personal experience, the corded vacuum. Then we’ll move on to central vac systems and hand-held vacuums, both cordless and 12V options.
But first, let’s set the record straight on what we’re all looking for in an RV vacuum.
What Features Are Important In an RV Vacuum Cleaner?
Obviously, the purpose of having a vacuum cleaner is to clean your RV. But let’s take a quick look at some specific features we all desire in an RV vacuum cleaner.
Suction Power
This is, obviously, one of the most important features of any vacuum cleaner. A good vacuum cleaner needs to suck! Good suction power is the most sought-after feature of the best RV vacuum cleaners – or any vacuum cleaner.
The number one requirement of a good vacuum? Good suction!
Maneuverability
A good RV vacuum needs to be able to clean areas that are hard to reach. There are lots of tight spaces in RVs and the ability to reach areas that are tough to get to means having a good swivel head or a compact, hand-held feature.
Size
Size is a big deal in an RV. The weight and size of everything matters a lot. We also need adequate storage space for appliances like vacuums. While some of us have a closet or storage bay that will accommodate an upright or stick vacuum (like we had on our Class A motorhome), others require a small hand-held vacuum. Size matters!
Power Source
How you intend to power your vacuum cleaner is a significant part of the equation. If you intend to always be plugged into shore power at campgrounds and RV parks, or if you have sufficient solar or generator power, then you can opt for a corded vacuum cleaner.
Our 810Ah of Battle Born lithium batteries installed in the front pass-through storage bay of our travel trailer give us plenty of power to run a vacuum.
If, on the other hand, you often have limited power, you may need to opt for a cordless handheld vacuum cleaner to do the job. And in this case, battery life will factor into your decision as well, because your vacuum’s run time needs to match up with your cleaning needs. (More on that in a bit.) And finally, a 12V option may be best for some.
HEPA Filtration
Not everyone looks for HEPA filtration in an RV vacuum, but it’s a valuable feature to have, especially in a small space. HEPA stands for “High-Efficiency Particulate Air.” HEPA filters have fibers (typically fiberglass) with very little space between them, allowing the filter to capture tiny particles and contaminants such as pet dander, pollen, and dust mites.
HEPA filtration is a good feature to have on an RV vacuum.
Motorized Brush vs. Air-Powered Brush
This feature relates to how the vacuum works and the surfaces on which it works best:
- Air-powered brushes use low-voltage power to move the air and suction debris through a small tube. So, air-powered brushes use suction to control the brush. This reduces some of the suction power available for cleaning your RV carpets and are best suited to hard floors and short carpets.
- When a motor is responsible for spinning the brush, suction is not impacted. Motorized brushes are more commonly found in upright models and are best suited for higher-pile carpets (with longer fibers), such as those found in some luxury motorhomes.
What Are the Best RV Vacuum Cleaners?
As previously noted, the best RV vacuum cleaner depends on the type of RV you have and on your style of RVing. But we do own our favorite model and we can’t say enough great things about it. So we’ve listed that one first, as it’s our own personal first choice.
Upright Corded RV Vacuum Cleaners
We’ll begin with upright corded vacuums, which are most appropriate for larger motorhomes and travel trailers. In this category, we absolutely must start with our personal favorite vacuum cleaner. We read about it in The New York Times Wirecutter (usually paid access is required, but a free account allows you to read a limited number of reviews/articles each month).
Much like Consumer Reports, the WireCutter thoroughly tests scores of products. They’ve ranked our Shark Navigator Lift-Away as their Number One Pick for something like 7 years running. We bought ours on their recommendation, and now wonder what we ever did without it!
We’ve owned and used a Shark NV352 for years, and we’ve loved this vacuum cleaner. It’s far and away our favorite vacuum ever.
Our favorite vacuum has been the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away upright, which we have absolutely loved!
But remember – for most of the time we owned this vacuum, we had a 43′ motorhome with our ultimate RV solar panel system and, in case we needed it, a powerful generator. We had no trouble at all plugging in a corded upright vacuum and cleaning the entire rig. In fact, we preferred a corded vacuum because it’s one less thing we had to worry about keeping charged. And it’s powerful! It’s not going to be the right vacuum for every RVer, but if you’re in the market for a corded upright, we highly recommend it.
With that noted, let’s get into what we’ve appreciated about this vacuum (bear with us, as this is the vacuum with which we’re most familiar… we’ll try to be a bit more brief with the models that follow).
First, the PROS:
- It REALLY sucks… like an amazing amount. We’re slightly embarrassed (okay, not really) to share this, but when we used it the first time, we did so immediately after vacuuming with our old vacuum. We were HORRIFIED by how much dirt and debris it pulled out of our carpeting, showing just how much our old vacuum had been leaving behind!
- It has a powered/motorized beater bar, which really does a great job on carpets.
- It’s reasonably small for an upright, and it fit in our bedroom closet quite easily.
- It has a very long cord that we could plug into a single outlet near the middle of our RV, and it reached all the way to the front and back (of a 43′ rig) without having to move the plug (handy for making quick work of vacuuming).
- It’s reasonably priced.
- It comes with a good assortment of accessories that make it easy to use. These include an upholstery brush (great for cleaning vent fan screens!), a short crevice tool, and a longer crevice tool.
- The lift-away (detachable pod) feature makes it very modular. So, it works great as an upright, but can be carried around like a small, light canister vacuum, too. This is great for stairs and furniture, for example.
- The swivel head makes it very maneuverable and easy to steer, even in tight places.
- Replacement parts are supposedly easy to come by (although we’ve never needed any).
Now let’s take a look at the one and only CON we’ve found:
- The hose is fairly short. But this isn’t much of a problem thanks to the lift-away feature.
The Shark’s hose is fairly short, which could be a disadvantage. But that one-and-only very minor negative is offset by the awesome lift-away feature… and its positive performance in every other area.
The Shark NV352 features “Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology” and a HEPA filter, which work together to trap dust, allergens, and other contaminants inside the vacuum. It has a brush roller shut-off that lets you switch instantly from cleaning a deep carpet to cleaning a bare floor (we had both in our RV, and it works beautifully on either).
The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away vacuum weighs 14 pounds.
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: lift away the detachable pod and easily clean above-floor areas like stairs, furniture, and more.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
BISSELL 2999 MultiClean Allergen Pet Vacuum
Those of you who travel with dogs and cats might be partial to this vacuum as it specifically targets pet hair and dander, and even includes special “pet tools” and a floor tool. The Bissell 2999 also has a HEPA sealed filter system and swivel steering. This vacuum gets excellent user reviews for maneuverability, suction, and cleaning up pet hair.
It has an extended quick-release wand that provides over 12 feet of reach for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, including ceiling corners and the like. And the vacuum weighs 15.7 pounds.
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Powerful Cleaning Performance. Effectively remove pet hair and other debris across multiple surfaces with powerful suction and the Tangle-Free Brush...
Yes, another Shark product. Shark does vacuums well. The HV302 is a lightweight stick vacuum that, though corded, may be the perfect size for an RV. It has swivel steering, a pet multi-tool, and a precision duster. This vacuum receives high ratings for cleaning both carpets and bare floors, and it converts easily into a handheld vacuum.
The Shark HV302 weighs only 8.2 pounds, and the stick can easily be used overhead for cleaning ceiling corners and other high places.
It gets rave reviews for great suction.
- SHARK ROCKET PET CORDED STICK VACUUM: Ultra-powerful, corded cleaning on carpets and hard floors.
- PERFECT FOR PETS: Powerful pet hair pickup attachments like the pet-multi tool make cleaning pet hair a breeze.
Central RV Vacuum Cleaning Systems
Central vacuum systems that are sized for RVs work in a similar fashion to central vac systems found in homes. In an RV, they may be mounted in a storage compartment or on a wall. The suction outlets can be mounted on the floor, the wall, or the kick-panel of stairs if you’ve got a 5th wheel.
Once mounted and connected, simply bring out the hose, open the cover of the vacuum outlet, and place the hose end in the outlet. You’ll connect whatever attachment you want to use, and the suction will be supplied through the outlet.
We mounted a central vacuum cleaning system to the wall of our friends’ RV, and you can see how we did it here:
HP Products 9880 Dirt Devil Central Vacuum System
With hundreds of five-star ratings from Amazon reviewers, this Dirt Devil is consistently a top-rated RV central vacuum system. It features a HEPA filtration system and includes multiple accessories specifically designed for RVs. The all-metal vacuum box is sturdy and durable, and a 5-year warranty backs the system.
The vacuum box weighs only 14 pounds and requires a space of only 6.25″ x 7″ x 14.5″ for mounting. It requires 120V for operation. The system has overheat protection and an automatic reset. Dirt capacity is one gallon.
Many reviewers consider this system a must-have, noting that installing it can increase the value of an RV. They typically tout the generous hose length, with one reviewer noting that there’s sufficient hose to run it out the RV door and into his car to vacuum the vehicle! There’s high, high praise out there from users of the 9880 Dirt Devil.
- Built in for convenience and space-saving purposes
- 7' to 35' expandable length hose
Hand-Held Cordless or Corded RV Vacuums
In this section, we’ll feature some of the higher-rated, smaller, hand-held vacuums. These can be mounted if desired. All require either the ability to be charged (and thus ready when you need them) or a 12V cord for plugging into a 12V outlet in your RV or van.
Cordless hand-held vacuums are notorious for insufficient suction, so we worked to find a few that have a majority of decent reviews from users.
BLACK+DECKER 20V Max Handheld Vacuum
Another Black & Decker product, this handheld vacuum features a 20V lithium-ion battery, providing you with a bit longer runtime to scoop up the crumbs in your RV. It has a pivoting nozzle and a high-performance motor that allows for a fair amount of suction for a hand-held.
While we don’t own this vacuum ourselves, we can tell you why we’re confident in placing it at the top of this category: It’s the NY Times Wirecutter’s winning pick as The Best Handheld Vacuum. They said it “has more suction than any other cordless handheld vacuum” they tested, with the exception of a far more expensive (and not currently available) model from Dyson.
It has a three-stage filtration system and, like the previous model, has cyclonic action to spin dust and debris away from the filter. And while the Wirecutter’s testing showed a less-than-ideal no-fade average of 10 minutes run-time per charge, they still picked it as their #1 choice. They said its strong suction makes up for any lack of longer battery life.
It comes with a standing charging base and needs to be plugged into 120V power to charge. It has a little crevice tool and brush that remain onboard the vacuum for handy access. Plus, this little vacuum weighs just three pounds.
- #1 brand in hand vacs **
- Hand vacuum cordless rechargeable- optimal performance - 20V MAX* lithium ion battery provides high power suction and performance
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum
Right near the top of the list of hand-held vacuums is the Pet Hair Eraser from Bissell. With an average of 4.7 stars from tens of thousands of Amazon reviewers, if you’re in the market for a cordless hand-held vacuum, this might just be the RV vacuum for you.
This vacuum features a 14V lithium-ion battery, providing the runtime you need to clean throughout a mid-size or smaller RV (up to 17 minutes). It also has a large dirt bin with triple-level filtration and comes with a motorized brush tool, an upholstery tool, and a crevice tool.
This vacuum is 16 inches long but only weighs 3 pounds. Four lithium-ion batteries are required to run it and are included with the vacuum. Just remember to keep it charged!
- EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. Every purchase makes it possible for BISSELL to continue our support of BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission of saving...
- POWERFUL PET CLEANING. Remove embedded dirt and pet hair with a motorized brush tool designed specifically for homes with pets.
BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum<
This Black & Decker Dustbuster is a more typical hand-held vacuum and seems to be quite popular with Amazon reviewers, 87% of whom have given it 4- and 5-star reviews.
This Dustbuster comes with a crevice tool, push-in brush, and a high-capacity bagless dirt bowl. Reviewers seem to agree that the suction is great for a small machine like this, although run time is anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how steadily you’re running it. Users state that this battery needs to be plugged in for 3-6 hours and then can be unplugged until its battery life has been depleted from use. The internal battery is lithium-ion.
This compact vacuum with cyclonic action weighs only 2.11 pounds and comes with a limited 2-year warranty.
- Tackle large household messes without stopping to empty the high-capacity dirt bowl
- Count on reliably strong, lithium-powered suction
QYHY Portable 12V Car Vacuum Cleaner
Our final handheld vacuum on the list is this compact 12V corded handheld unit, designed for use in the vehicle detailing profession. It has an LED light that illuminates when the vacuum is in use, and it can be used as a wet or dry vac. It features a high-power motor with reportedly strong suction and comes with a brush nozzle, an extended hose, and a slot pipette for cleaning corners and slots. It also has a washable HEPA filter.
The 12V power cord is 16.4 feet (yes, FEET) in length! This unit weighs only 1.9 pounds but still packs a punch.
- Strong suction and lightweight. car vacuum cleaner adopts 100w/12v high-power motor with a strong suction power of up to 8000pa, the noise is...
- Fully-equipped multifunctional accessories. this portable car vacuum cleaner is equipped with a brush nozzle, an extended hose, a slot pipette, a...
Do You Use a Vacuum Cleaner In Your RV?
Feel free to drop us a comment letting us know whether or not you carry a vacuum in your RV. If you’ve got one you really love (as much as we love ours), be sure to share the details!
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JESS ARAGON
Thursday 24th of July 2025
THE DEWALT BAGLESS HANDHELD IS AWESOME, HAS PLENTY OF POWER, RUNS WITH DEWALT BATTERIES WITH LONG USE LIFE AND BATTERIES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER DEWALT TOOLS YOU MAY HAVE ONBOARD.
Alan Douglas
Wednesday 23rd of July 2025
A lot of vacuums that suck, really suck, and not in a good way. Vacuums are just air pumps with a filter mechanism. Good ones combine high air flow, which picks up the dirt, with filters that don’t clog easily. Space is a vacuum, but the moon is still dirty. You have to move a lot of air to pull up dense material like dirt. If the air is circulating to throw heavy particles into a container and filter the light stuff through the filter, the airflow will be maintained longer and give better results.
Jay
Wednesday 23rd of July 2025
Our last 2 motorhomes had space for our Shark upright. Our current one came with the built-in Dirt Devil, so we can compare both. Both require 120V. The Shark is less expensive and the various versions are often on sale at Sam's Club. It is bagless and comes with a long cord and the usual accessories. It has adjustable suction and a rotating brush for hard floors and rugs. Its combination crevice and brush tool is problematic. There is a nice upholstery rotating brush tool that's great for entry steps. It uses about 1,600 watts, so its power requirements need to be considered if you are on inverter-power or have a 30 amp hookup. Be careful using your microwave oven and the vacuum cleaner at the same time!
The Dirt Devil was factory installed. It is small and is located in a compartment with its tubing routed to a port under a fake fireplace. Opening the port to attach the hose turns on the vacuum cleaner which otherwise has no moving or adjustable parts. The port is centrally located, which allows the hose to reach the entire coach. Where the tubing attaches to the unit in the compartment, it can come loose with resulting poor or no suction. You will need replacement bags that fit inside the unit. Due to the long lengths of tubing and hoses and with everything just being pushed together to fit, the suction is only fair and often disappointing. All of the Dirt Devil's hoses and accessories fit in a shopping bag and don't take up much room. I don't know its power requirements.
My verdict: The Shark upright is more effective for multiple surfaces and is adjustable. It costs less and, if you have the space, it doesn't require any installation. Replacement parts are readily available (count on replacing the crevice/brush tool often). We also have a Shark for our real home and prefer it over a Bissell upright, an old Sears canister and a Dyson.
We have a Dyson Animal. Other than the motor, it's 100% plastic. Its design is quite ingenious but the parts would crack and eventually not fit well together. While bagless, it does have filters that need to be cleaned (and so does the Shark). It didn't work on rugs very well and its overall suction was just fair. As probably the most expensive vacuum you could buy, we cannot justify that price for its disappointing performance.
We don't have much carpeting or rugs in our current coach but when necessary, we have a Sears rug shampooer. Obviously, Sears is no longer around. The rug shampooer is way to large to travel in an RV. Similar rug shampooers are available for rent at many supermarkets. The shampoo detergent is expensive but you don't need much. Frequent shampooing will increase the wear on carpets both in your RV and your house.
Robert Ball
Tuesday 12th of December 2023
We travel with our dog in our 2022 Thor Palazzo which has an electric outlet in one of the basement storage areas. After we bought a new Dyson V10 Animal for our home, I hung our old cordless Dyson V8 Animal charging unit next to the outlet and charge the vacuum head as we travel. The rest of the vacuum parts are stored near the head and in a small plastic tub for quick access when we need to vacuum. Works great on our all wood floors in the RV!
Loggenrock
Sunday 23rd of July 2023
We are in a B+, so size and weight do matter. We carry a rechargable "stick", similar to the Dyson, but waaay less expensive (~$100)! Comes apart into 3 sections, powerhead with collection cannister (washable filters), telescoping tube (works as a handheld if you don't use the tube), and powered beater brush. Whole thing fits in a small duffle bag in an overhead compartment. Between sand and dog fur, certainly worth having the vacuum with us!
Cherryl
Tuesday 12th of December 2023
@Loggenrock, My hubby thinks we need something other than a the Swiffer dry/wet mop. Your solution sound feasable in our 27" class C. Would you share the make/model of your vacuume?