Cleaning equipment is important for our beloved boat in order to keep it neat and tidy. Vacuum cleaners are the top items on your cleaning equipment list, especially if you have carpet or wooden flooring. Your sailboat is like your second home (or maybe your first one if you are a liveaboard), so it’s essential to keep it clean, inside and out. So, are you in search of the best vacuum cleaner in the market? If yes, then continue reading this article! Below, I’ll give you information about different vacuums, their price, characteristics, and performance.

General Information about Vacuums for Boats and Sailboats

A vacuum cleaner for use in a boat needs to meet specific criteria. Firstly, they have to be lightweight and small so that they don’t add extra weight to your boat. Secondly, they need to be powerful and last for more than a year. If you want to make a good investment and make it last for more than 1 year, then it will certainly cost you more, but it will repay you in a good performance and longevity. In addition, always prefer a vacuum in which you can change its filters easily or you can just empty the container.

Some vacuums are corded, which means you don’t have to worry about battery life, and you get better dust capacity, but they’re bulkier and difficult to store. On the other hand, cordless vacuums are lightweight and practical for cleaning, but they don’t have enough battery life and need to empty the container frequently. This is not something difficult, though, since you can empty the container into the sea providing, there is no plastic, and everything is biodegradable like dust and things like bread crumbs, etc.

In general, all vacuum cleaners operate with air flowing from their opening, through the vacuum cleaner, and through their bag or filter system. Moreover, remember that the most important component of a vacuum is its motor. This means that the more powerful the motor, the better the pressure, suction power, and airflow of the vacuum. But the cleaning ability of a vacuum doesn’t depend only on suction power. There are other factors that influence the cleaning ability such as volts, watts, airflow, filtration, capacity, and horsepower, among others. So, let’s continue and see the best models in the market.

Best Cordless Handheld Boat Vacuum Cleaners

Cordless vacuum cleaners function with batteries and that’s why they easily lose suction power. However, it’s recommendable to prefer models that work with lithium batteries because they last longer and provide consistent suction power. Furthermore, cordless vacuums offer better portability and convenience which is an important aspect to consider for cleaning in your sailboat. However, they have a smaller capacity and need to be emptied more often otherwise their performance will gradually deteriorate.

Dyson V7 Cord-Free – Best Cordless Boat Vacuum Overall

Yes, the Dyson V7 vacuum is pricey but it’s definitely a good investment that will last long. There are more pros than cons related to this model as it’s cord-free, has a large capacity, easy to store, and has excellent performance. As soon as you hold this vacuum in your hands you will notice that it is built with better quality materials than anything else you used in the past. However, because the max suction capacity is much higher than many of the other vacuums on this list, the battery will last for about 20 minutes on high. I would suggest getting an additional battery pack if power onboard is a concern to recharge it often. All things considered, I firmly believe that the Dyson V7 is the best cordless handheld vacuum cleaner to use on your boat.

Dewalt Portable 20V Max – Best Wet/Dry Vac For Boats

A small and practical vacuum with a wet/dry washable filter that also has a well-proven battery lifespan. The DeWalt 20V MAX good vacuum choice that will keep clean the interior of your boat or sailboat. It comes with a half a gallon tank that is more than enough for most people when cruising. Also, it comes with a heavy-duty latch that secures the holding tank when the vacuum is in use, and it releases easily when you want to empty and clean out the tank. What I also like about this vacuum is that it is made by DeWalt as you probably noticed and I have had good experiences with the brand and its service.

Eureka RapidClean Pro Lightweight

Another preferred model among sailors is this lightweight Eureka vacuum. It can ensure excellent cleaning, removes dust and hair, has sufficient capacity and a long-lasting battery. It’s not really pricey and you can choose between 3 different vacuum types. If you like Dyson’s functions and practicality but hate the price tag then this vacuum might be the one for you. Check it out here!

Hoover Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

You’re likely to prefer this vacuum if you’re looking for a lightweight option, easy maneuvering, and multi-floor cleaning. It provides more than enough features for its price and can assure efficient cleaning for your sailboat. https://www.amazon.com/Hoover-Cordless-Vacuum-Cleaner-BH50010/dp/B001PB8EJ2

Dyson V6 Car + Boat

Dyson models are considered to be the best vacuum brand for sailboat use and you really get what you pay for. This is also a model that removes all dust & hair, doesn’t produce too much noise, and can operate for up to 20 minutes. This color is also my favorite! It is the most pricy option on the list and honestly too expensive for me to buy but I was very satisfied with the one I tried. Also, I know that many sailors and boaters want the best product and don’t really care about the price so I should include it on the list anyway. Link To Amazon.

BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium-Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum

Small, practical, and powerful, what else do you need for your sailboat vacuum? In addition, it has motorized brush and upholstery tools, powerful suction, and triple filtration. I’d definitely recommend it if you have your little furry friend with you! This vacuum also supports a good cause since Bissell will donate 5 dollars for each unit sold. Link To Amazon.

Best Corded Boat Vacuum Cleaners

Corded vacuum cleaners have generally a bigger dust capacity and better suction power because they’re plugged into the power unit. And that’s why they perform better, especially for cleaning carpets. However, corded vacuum cleaners are not as portable as cordless cleaners. A portable corded vacuum cleaner comes with a power cord that can be around 20ft. And that’s what makes corded vacuums difficult to store. But, they have a higher capacity for collecting dust and their container doesn’t need to be often emptied.

BISSELL Cleanview Swivel Pet Upright

The Bissell Cleanview vacuum is a good choice especially if you have your dog or cat traveling with you. It has a triple-action brush roll and its pump can easily remove dust and hair from the floor. Furthermore, it’s practical for cleaning because you can easily maneuver it around furniture and swipe difficult cleaning areas like the corners in your boat or sailboat. If you have a reliable power supply onboard then this vacuum is no-brainer.

Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro Ultra-Light

Even though the Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro is corded it’s relatively light and powerful. It can clean both dry and wet surfaces as well as small corners. However, it has a 25 feet cord, which is not really practical for your sailboat, and it’s a model that won’t likely last for more than a year.

Shark Rocket Corded Bagless Stick Vacuum

The Shark Rocket Corded Bagless Stick Vacuum is a really practical vacuum because even though it’s corded you can convert it to a hand vacuum. Moreover, it’s easy to store and efficiently cleans carpets and removes dust and hair. The model weighs 8 pounds and includes extra tools that facilitate the cleaning process.

Best Vacuum Cleaner For Boats – Summary

As previously mentioned, choosing a boat/sailboat vacuum is an essential piece of equipment to have in order to efficiently clean your boat. In order to get the best quality boat vacuum, you should firstly think about your needs and preferences. For example, the size of your sailboat, if you have carpet flooring, your dog or cat with you, and if you want to make a long-lasting investment. So, think about what you need a vacuum cleaner for. In my opinion, the best vacuum cleaner for boats is Dyson V7, which is suitable for day-cleaning but also for heavy-duty cleaning. In general, Dyson models are widely preferred by sailors because they have a long lifespan, sufficient capacity, are lightweight and distinguish from others due to their high-performance.

However, there are other great vacuum brands suitable for sailboats such as Shark, Bissell, and Dewalt that have also proven to be practical, easy to handle, and powerful. Remember to prefer cordless vacuums for your boat or sailboat(with rechargeable lithium battery if possible), as they’re more convenient, flexible, and fast. Wish you an enjoyable cleaning in your sailboat!