DeWalt or Makita for Car Vacuum? Need Help Deciding!

Alright, I'm in the market for a cordless car vacuum and I've narrowed it down to two: the DeWalt 20V and the Makita 18V. I'm a bit of a stickler for clean interiors, and I'm tired of dragging out my shop vac. I've got batteries in both systems, so that's not a deciding factor. Anyone have experience with either? I'm leaning towards the DeWalt just because I've got more batteries, but I've heard Makita's suction is insane. Thoughts?

I've got the Makita one, and honestly, it's a beast for a handheld. I use it mostly for dust and crumbs in the truck after a day of hauling tools. The suction is strong enough to pick up wood shavings, but it does eat batteries faster than you'd expect. One thing I love is the rubberized grip – feels solid. But if you've got more DeWalt batteries, that's a point for them. I've heard the DeWalt has a bit more capacity in the dust cup, which is nice for larger messes. Either way, you're not gonna be disappointed.

I've owned both, actually. I started with the DeWalt because I had the batteries, but I switched to the Makita after I tried my buddy's. The Makita just has better airflow and feels more powerful in the hand. Plus, Makita's filter is easier to clean – the DeWalt one tends to clog if you're picking up fine dust. But here's a tip: if you go with DeWalt, get the flex hose attachment, it helps a lot. I use mine for the car and around the workshop for quick pickups. You'll be fine either way, but I'd vote Makita if you want peak performance.

Thanks for the input! The filter clogging thing is a real concern 'cause I have a dog that sheds like crazy, and I've got a lot of fine dust from sanding. WoodWorkerWill, how's the battery life on the Makita? I don't want to have to swap batteries mid-clean. And FixItFelix297, is the Makita noticeably lighter? I've got a bad shoulder from a past job, so weight matters.

Battery life is decent, I get maybe 20-25 min of continuous use on a 5Ah battery. But if you're on a 3Ah, it's more like 15 min. You might want to keep a spare handy if you're doing a full detail. Weight-wise, it's not bad, but I'd say it's a bit heavier than the DeWalt just because of the motor. Honestly, your best bet is to hit up your local hardware store and see if they've got both on display – feel them in hand and test the suction. You'll know right away which one feels right.