Hi all,
Last year I purchased a Dewalt cordless vacuum (DCV501) Dewalt has two styles, 1 looks like a box and 1 looks like dust buster. I have the latter, which at the time of purchase tested better.
I live in an apartment, so I am often looking for things to make car cleaning easier, and less dependent on 120v power. (I have a power station, but its a pain to lug that AND a vacuum outside) I also like going on car trips and want to be able to clean up dirt before it gets too deep in the upholstery or carpet. I chose the dewalt because I already have several dewalt batteries. Even with owning the batteries, there are likely cheaper options out there. But, like I said it tested well (Project farms did a review)
Cost:
The price is a problem, it normally runs about 150-170. I got mine on sale for 120. It comes with a hose, crevice tool, extensions, and brush, as well as a floor tool.
It does not include batteries.
Form Factor:
I feel mixed here, its relatively small compared to A shop vac, but ive definitely owned smaller cordless vacs (albiet cheaper less powerful ones) The dust buster hand held formfactor is not that effective for car detailing, however, the hose makes it very useful. I like to set it in my seat while i clean the carpet. with the hose it is 100% useable, but I can't help but feel it could be more compact if it just focused on the hose. With all this said, car cleaning is not the core market for dewalt.
Battery life:
I use a power stack 5 AH battery with mine. In a pinch ive used smaller batteries, but there is a noticeable drop in power with the 2AH batteries. A 5 AH is enough for maintenance cleaning of my entire car, with some battery left over. This is on a car with modern (terrible) carpet. On a really dirty car with similar carpet you may need more battery, but it depends on how much you chase the dirt. For a car with nicer carpet it will definitely do the job on one charge. If you are just doing some quick cleaning or keeping it clean as you go, there will be 0 problem
Bin Capacity:
For its size and form factor its good enough. A really dirty car is going to require you to empty part way through. I can get through 1-2 normal cleanings before emptying.
Filter:
The filter is Hepa, and I appreciate the extra filtration, with that said it isnt the easiest filter to clean. Banging it on the side of the dumpster will release some dirt but it really needs compressed air for a full clean. They are also somewhat pricey.
Power:
Its not as strong as say one of the more expensive dyson handhelds in turbo, but then the hose, intake and bin are designed better and clog less often (thats another gripe for another time) It is sufficiently powerful, if I had to compare it to something, id say its like a 2 hp small shop vac. It will pickup debris, and clean the carpet rather well. Its not going to compare to a larger shop vac, but it is strong enough to clean a car well, though maybe with a bit more effort for some things.
Accessories:
The accessories are just ok, they are not as nice as the rigid flexible crevice tool, but they work. mostly hard plastic. The hose is good, if not premium. My main complaint is that it doesnt swivel. It does however use a standard attachment size so i can use my rigid crevice tool. It comes with a mesh carying bag that i cant imagine will hold up.
x factors:
The removable bateries are both a blessing and a curse. Since it uses standard dewalt batteries, I do not worry at all about having to toss it because the battery goes bad. but its an expensive battery, even if i can use it elsewhere.
Size: I think it takes up a little too much space in the trunk of my GTI. That said, anything smaller ive used has been significantly less effective.
Reliability/brand Being dewalt, i expect at least moderate reliability.
Bottom line:
If you have dewalt batteries already, its a solid choice. (very solid IMO) if you dont have dewalt batteries, there are plenty of better options for the money, even among tool brands, like ryobi, or heck for the 250 for this and a battery you aren't insanely far from the cordless metrovac.
Last year I purchased a Dewalt cordless vacuum (DCV501) Dewalt has two styles, 1 looks like a box and 1 looks like dust buster. I have the latter, which at the time of purchase tested better.
I live in an apartment, so I am often looking for things to make car cleaning easier, and less dependent on 120v power. (I have a power station, but its a pain to lug that AND a vacuum outside) I also like going on car trips and want to be able to clean up dirt before it gets too deep in the upholstery or carpet. I chose the dewalt because I already have several dewalt batteries. Even with owning the batteries, there are likely cheaper options out there. But, like I said it tested well (Project farms did a review)
Cost:
The price is a problem, it normally runs about 150-170. I got mine on sale for 120. It comes with a hose, crevice tool, extensions, and brush, as well as a floor tool.
It does not include batteries.
Form Factor:
I feel mixed here, its relatively small compared to A shop vac, but ive definitely owned smaller cordless vacs (albiet cheaper less powerful ones) The dust buster hand held formfactor is not that effective for car detailing, however, the hose makes it very useful. I like to set it in my seat while i clean the carpet. with the hose it is 100% useable, but I can't help but feel it could be more compact if it just focused on the hose. With all this said, car cleaning is not the core market for dewalt.
Battery life:
I use a power stack 5 AH battery with mine. In a pinch ive used smaller batteries, but there is a noticeable drop in power with the 2AH batteries. A 5 AH is enough for maintenance cleaning of my entire car, with some battery left over. This is on a car with modern (terrible) carpet. On a really dirty car with similar carpet you may need more battery, but it depends on how much you chase the dirt. For a car with nicer carpet it will definitely do the job on one charge. If you are just doing some quick cleaning or keeping it clean as you go, there will be 0 problem
Bin Capacity:
For its size and form factor its good enough. A really dirty car is going to require you to empty part way through. I can get through 1-2 normal cleanings before emptying.
Filter:
The filter is Hepa, and I appreciate the extra filtration, with that said it isnt the easiest filter to clean. Banging it on the side of the dumpster will release some dirt but it really needs compressed air for a full clean. They are also somewhat pricey.
Power:
Its not as strong as say one of the more expensive dyson handhelds in turbo, but then the hose, intake and bin are designed better and clog less often (thats another gripe for another time) It is sufficiently powerful, if I had to compare it to something, id say its like a 2 hp small shop vac. It will pickup debris, and clean the carpet rather well. Its not going to compare to a larger shop vac, but it is strong enough to clean a car well, though maybe with a bit more effort for some things.
Accessories:
The accessories are just ok, they are not as nice as the rigid flexible crevice tool, but they work. mostly hard plastic. The hose is good, if not premium. My main complaint is that it doesnt swivel. It does however use a standard attachment size so i can use my rigid crevice tool. It comes with a mesh carying bag that i cant imagine will hold up.
x factors:
The removable bateries are both a blessing and a curse. Since it uses standard dewalt batteries, I do not worry at all about having to toss it because the battery goes bad. but its an expensive battery, even if i can use it elsewhere.
Size: I think it takes up a little too much space in the trunk of my GTI. That said, anything smaller ive used has been significantly less effective.
Reliability/brand Being dewalt, i expect at least moderate reliability.
Bottom line:
If you have dewalt batteries already, its a solid choice. (very solid IMO) if you dont have dewalt batteries, there are plenty of better options for the money, even among tool brands, like ryobi, or heck for the 250 for this and a battery you aren't insanely far from the cordless metrovac.
