Cleaning an RV poses a different set of challenges than cleaning homes.
The biggest challenge will be finding the right balance of strength, size and versatility.
A gigantic portrait would not be the best choice due to its sheer size and weight as storage would be an issue.
So the ideal vacuum for an RV would be something that has enough force on the carpet (if the RV has it like this).
It has enough tools to clean the floors but also the areas above them.
In short, a good RV vacuum should be compact, versatile and have sufficient power.
We’ll be sifting through the different options here and how to choose one. I’ve read some guides on forums and blogs, but I feel these are lacking in details, so I came up with a more comprehensive guide.
Table of Contents
Specifications comparison
| Rank |
1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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| Model |
Dyson V6 . engine |
DuoClean Shark Rocket |
Black & Decker BDH2020FLFH |
Shark missile HV292 |
Wireless Hoover Elevator |
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can be used on
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| floor |
 |
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| upholstery |
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| Angles and corners |
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| cracks |
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| Khartoum |
 |
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| battery |
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2 x 20V Li-ion
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| Shipping time |
3.5 hours
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4 hours
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3 hours (each battery)
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| the show length (Minutes) |
20 minutes (normal)
6 minutes (max.) |
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15 minutes
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50 minutes (combined)
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| rope length |
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30 feet
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15 feet
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| Energy |
28 AW
100 AW (max/boost) |
600 watts
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25 AW
|
400 watts
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Unavailable
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| dirt capacity |
15.36 oz
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Unavailable
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17 oz
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Unavailable
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1.05 liters
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| washable filter |
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| without bag |
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| motorized brush |
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| Roll brush on/off |
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| cleaning path (inch) |
9.8 “
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9 inch
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6.5 inches
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4.9 “
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11 inches
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| Weight |
9.2 EGP
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9.9 lbs (with floor tool and stick)
3.5 lbs (manual vac only) |
6.9 pounds
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3.7 pounds
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12.5 pounds
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| Guarantee |
Two years
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5 years
|
Two years
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One year
|
5 years
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How do you choose the best vacuum cleaner for your RV?
No two people are alike and this principle also outweighs the RV vacuum. Barry’s different needs.
So I’m here to help you define and narrow down the options and choose what best suits your needs.
The truth is that there is no one perfect vacuum for an RV. The upright vacuum cleaner is powerful but very bulky and lacks versatility.
The best products will cost you some $
However, Shark has broken the mold and the latest “Lift Away” series combines vertical strength with the versatility of a case. The latest Duo Clean technology also provides better agitation on hard floors and carpets. And you will be able to use this technique even in can mode.
Cordless vacuums free you from the cord but most brands lack power. One brand is strong, but expensive. Dyson is probably the best cordless cleaner available at the moment but you will have to spend a lot on their latest product.
budgeting
The Shark I’m talking about above will cost about $380, but it’s an all-in-one product that will clean most areas of an RV. If that’s something you can afford, then congratulations, this tool will come in handy in keeping your RV’s interior clean.
But if it’s not within your ability to spend, then move on to the next option. This is why it is important to set a limit on how much you are willing to spend. It helps you eliminate options.
If you can’t afford a vacuum above $500, you’ll have to move to the next level which includes Hoover Cruise, Air Cordless, and the like.
RV Size
Another thing to consider is the size of the RV. This will determine if you need a cordless or corded vacuum cleaner.
People with a smaller RV can get away with using a weaker tool that has less uptime and power. But larger recreational vehicles require longer operating time and possibly more power.
Does it have a carpet?
Another factor to consider is what is on the ground. For strollers with carpets, you will need something with a motorized brush. Good examples are Hover Cruze or Dyson V6 MotorHead products.
If it didn’t have any carpeting, something like the Dyson V6 Fluff would be a great option as it wouldn’t cost as much as the V8 but still give you similar performance and versatility.
What if your RV has a central vacuum?
There are a lot of factors to consider.
What is the length of the hose?
Can you reach every nook and cranny?
Does it have a motorized brush for cleaning upholstery or carpet?
If the center vacuum inside your RV has a hose long enough to reach every nook and cranny, you’ve got a gem. But unfortunately in the real world this is not always the case.
You may need a separate handheld device to reach areas such as the bathroom or over storage areas such as closets.
A good option for that would be the Black & Decker BDH2020FL Max. It’s a portable vacuum cleaner with a flexible hose that gives it the ability to extend reach. This will be the perfect tool for cleaning vents or blinds.
Watch this video to see the central vacuum in action…
port location
For those considering a corded vacuum cleaner, they will need to look at the RV and take notes about where the outlets are. More ports are better for obvious reasons. Also look at the position of these ports if they allow for full coverage.
One of the big advantages of wire rope is that it can last longer in addition to having more strength.
You can run this for as long as you want without worrying about running out of battery power.
Consider a wet/dry vacuum cleaner
The wet/dry vacuum cleaner is a great choice for cleaning wet spills on carpet or upholstery.
It has two functions – dry and wet dirt cleaning. The latter is a great feature for owners of RVs with small children. It will absorb any liquid messes on carpet or fabric upholstery quickly.
Dewalt has a range of wet/dry cordless vacuums that will serve this purpose well.
What are the best vacuum cleaners?
After reading the How to Partition section, I’m sure you have an idea of what kind of space you want and how much you’re willing to spend. If you haven’t read it, do yourself a favor and read it.
Our pick: Dyson V6 MotorHead
When it comes to versatility and portability, the Dyson Cordless is hard to beat and the V6 MotorHead delivers in my opinion the best value for money.
Cheaper than V8
In terms of price, it is much cheaper than the absolute V8.
But it will give you the same amount of flexibility minus the fine cylindrical cleaning head. It won’t work like a V8 but inside an RV this shouldn’t be a problem because you’re not going to clean that big area anyway.
Versatile and versatile
It comes with enough tools to clean other areas above the floor such as upholstery with the crevice and gathering tool that should be able to cover 95% of your cleaning needs.
Some issues you should be aware of
Now the V6 has many of the issues it’s had for years. This includes the clutter-free container and the ultimate hard-to-handle feature.
If you don’t want to spend $500 on a V8, the next best option is the Dyson V7 that combines the features of a V6 and V8.
Consider the V7
The V7 has a V8-only body and a V6 engine with a longer runtime (30 vs. 20 minutes).
Another thing I love about the V7 is that it comes with a small motorized tool capable of cleaning pet hair from fabric upholstery.
Dyson also has 10 other variants of the V6 that come with different kits for different types of consumers. You can also check out my other articles on the differences between a V6 and a V8 as well as an in-depth guide to the V7 engine. Make sure to check these out.
Corded Dyson: Shark DuoClean Rocket
While Dyson is the best option out there for an RV when it comes to cleaning performance and versatility, it’s not cheap at more than $300.
More power and versatility but…
The following product provides you with more strength, excitement, and more versatility. Here’s the starting point, it has just as much power (if not more) but will cost less.
Let’s take a look at the Shark DuoClean Rocket – the latest in the Shark Rocket series. It has the same design principle as the Dyson but with a wire. The portability will not be good.
This is a great option within larger RVs and has enough ports to cover the entire area.
Duo Clean Technology
What I love about this product is the DuoClean head that combines a soft barrel and a bristle brush.
I haven’t seen this combo before in the 3+ years I’ve been doing reviews. This tool picks up dirt on hard surfaces and carpets.
Got a lot of big debris like pills to clean up? There is no problem with DuoClean because it will literally pull dirt into the suction chamber.
It won’t have as much power as the full-size stand up but the panning part makes up for it.
Other tools
The Stick Vacuum Cleaner and Main Floor Tool will weigh just under 10 pounds and come with a 30-foot power cord.
What it lacks is a flexible hose that allows it to reach tight spaces but it can be purchased separately.
Hose Portable: Black & Decker BDH2020FLFH
The first couple of products I shared are versatile options that don’t have a hose included out of the box.
This next vacuum that I’m going to show you is another versatile option that has 4 built-in flexible feet.
Allows it to reach areas between upholstery and hardware that a product without a hose can’t do.
Great versatility thanks to Khartoum
The Black and Decker BDH2020FLFH Vacuum Cleaner is a portable vacuum cleaner with that capability and later some.
It’s a product from their “Platinum” line that uses Black & Decker 20V lithium-ion batteries that last longer and feature less fade than the previous generation cordless NiCad battery pack.
This particular variant is an upgraded version of the BDH2000FL. The main upgrade is the inclusion of an adhesive floor header that allows you to use this on your bare floor without bending over.
More Power Than Dyson V6
Don’t sleep on this product because it has more power than the Dyson V6 in normal mode (25 vs. 22W air). And you don’t need to spend $300 for it, this product will cost much less on Amazon.
The 20V lithium-ion battery will run for about 15 minutes and it will take 4 hours to fully charge it.
tools
Comes with a 2-in-1 nozzle/brush tool, a crevice tool, a pet hair clipper, and a floor stick head. The versatility of tools makes it ideal portable within a small RV where space is a premium.
Budget option: Shark Rocket HV292
The Shark Rocket HV292 is proof that you don’t need to spend hundreds to get a proper vacuum cleaner.
This small portable device has the right set of tools that work inside a tight space like an RV. However, don’t compromise on suction.
The hose makes this extremely versatile
It does not contain the DuoClean head found in the HV382. But it has a slightly longer rubber hose than Black & Decker.
This hose is central to vacuum cleaners’ ability to reach in tight areas—something you’ll often encounter in an RV.
tools
Other tools provided include a 12-inch crevice tool, a small motorized tropit tool, and a small dusting brush.
You can use these tools on a vacuum cleaner or hose – this gives you more options.
This gives it more versatility than the Dyson V6 that doesn’t come with the hose.
The power is enough but don’t expect too much. Finally, this portable device has a 15-foot cord that is half the length of the DuoClean missile.
Cordless Upright: Cordless Pneumatic Hoover Hoist
Hoover may have been the first to coin the term “wireless mode” thanks to his wireless product line.
They are the first to use a wire-free stand design. This allows them to put in a larger container that holds more dirt. The more dirt you carry, the less often you’ll need to empty it.
Lightweight upright
This second generation Air Cordless is unlike the other big, luxurious rolls. It’s versatile enough to be used just about anywhere and power won’t be an issue.
This translates well into an RV where you need that flexibility.
two modes
It has two cleaning modes – portrait mode and canister. In the vertical position, you can use it as a vertical bracket – for cleaning floors, carpets or rugs.
Here comes the role of magic. With the push of a lever, this machine switches from vertical to canister. Hoover calls this “elevator” and this feature is also on the Shark DuoClean Rotator.
What this feature does is separate the case (or body) from the main frame. This frees up the extra weight and allows people to use this machine like a can.
Combine that with the cordless feature, and you have a machine capable of cleaning most (if not all) of your RV’s parts. Comes with crevice/brush collector and pivot duster for cleaning cabinet or shelving countertops.
Two lithium-ion batteries combine for 50 minutes – more than enough inside a mobile home.
to finish
You have 5 different vacuum cleaners to suit any price range. You’ll notice that all the products you’ve shared can do multiple things as this is essential in cleaning a tight area like an RV.
Why Dyson?
If you don’t mind paying for a walkie-talkie, you can’t go wrong with the Dyson V6 or V7 Motorhead. These two products offer the strength, versatility, and superior finishes found only on Dyson.
For strollers without any carpet, choose the V6 Fluffy because it has a soft cylinder cleaning head that works great on an open floor.
If you want something cheaper
The Shark DuoClean Rotator is another good option that offers the same features as Dyson. But this has a better commotion thanks to the DuoClean header.
This combines a soft roller and brush with bristles that pull out dirt – both big and small. Although it has a wire, it is much cheaper and will produce a similar result.
This is a great option if you need a handheld device
Black & Decker offers the most compact option here with the BDH2020FLFH. It is a handheld device with a stick attachment that allows you to use it on floors without bending over.
One feature that separates this from the other two is the flexible 4-foot hose that allows it to reach into narrow crevices.
The Shark Rocket is another compact option with a hose, but the biggest difference is that it has a cord — a relatively short cord at only 15 feet.
In terms of features, it has the same functions as Black & Decker but will be less mobile due to the wire.
Do not sleep in this wireless vertical position
Last on the list is the Hoover Air Wireless Lift.
This product combines two products in one – columnar and box. Hoover was able to pull this off thanks to a “lift” feature that separates the body from the frame. The straight frame allows for more dry dirt storage than a Dyson or Shark Rocket.
Although it is not cheap but you will get 5 years warranty
If you think I missed any brand, let me know in the comments section below and I will do my best to deal with it.