Armor All AA255W vs Dyson Car+Boat (586119-01)
The short answer
Dyson Car+Boat (586119-01) comes out ahead overall with 7.5/10 against 7.4/10 for the Armor All AA255W. Armor All AA255W is stronger on value. Dyson Car+Boat (586119-01) is stronger on ease of use and filtration, safety & repairability. At current verified prices, the Armor All AA255W costs about $161.70 less.
- Choose the Armor All AA255W if: Owners with a garage or driveway outlet who need maximum suction for sand, salt and wet spills, and accept that it's a shop vac, not a handheld.
- Choose the Dyson Car+Boat (586119-01) if: Drivers who want the strongest all-round cordless handheld with sealed filtration and will pay a premium for it.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Armor All AA255W | Dyson Car+Boat (586119-01) |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning performance | 8.5Capped. Its 66 in. water lift is the best suction data in the pool, but there is no model-specific pickup test. | 8.5CR: excels on pet hair and bare floors. Tom's Guide: cleared ingrained crumbs and gravel. |
| Reach & car-specific tools | 7.0Hose and crevice nozzle. The Drive found the hose shorter than expected, and the canister is bulky in footwells. | 7.0Has a long crevice tool and a mini motorized tool, but CR says it is less effective in narrow spaces and it has no hose. |
| Runtime & power supply | 8.0Unlimited, but only near an outlet. | 7.8CR measured about 24 min, among the longest it tested. The charge takes 5 hours and the battery is not swappable. |
| Ease of use | 4.5Bulky canister and cord, and loud at 82 dB (The Drive). | 6.8About 4 lb (CR), one of the heaviest. Pistol grip. |
| Value | 8.8Strongest suction here at $64.29. | 6.0$229.95, 2-4x the B+D picks. Battery and charger are included. |
| Filtration, safety & repairability | 5.5Reusable cloth and foam filters and no battery to wear out. Not HEPA. | 8.5Sealed whole-machine filtration (Dyson claim) and a 2-year warranty. No CPSC recall found. |
Specifications
| Spec | Armor All AA255W | Dyson Car+Boat (586119-01) |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | Corded 120V AC | Cordless (lithium-ion) |
| Runtime (tested where available, else manufacturer max) | — | 24 min |
| Removable / platform battery | No | — |
| Suction rating (as stated) | 2 peak HP; 66 in. water lift (Vacuum Wars measured) | 115 AW (MAX mode, Dyson) |
| Dust bin capacity | 9,460 ml | 530 ml |
| Weight | — | 4.2 lb |
| Flexible hose | Yes | No |
| Motorized brush included | No | Yes |
| Filter type | Reusable cloth filter + foam wet filter | Fully sealed whole-machine filtration |
| HEPA or sealed filtration claimed | No | Yes |
| Washable filter | Yes | — |
Armor All AA255W
Pros
- 66 in. of measured water lift (Vacuum Wars)
- Wet and dry pickup, plus blower
- Unlimited runtime on AC power
- No lithium-ion battery to wear out
- Low price
Cons
- Needs an outlet or extension cord
- Hose is shorter than expected (The Drive)
- Fairly loud, 82 dB as measured by The Drive
- Bulky and awkward in tight footwells
A strong choice for a garage or driveway deep clean, especially for sand, salt and spills. It isn't a handheld, and it's less convenient for quick jobs.
Full Armor All AA255W review →Dyson Car+Boat (586119-01)
Pros
- Excels on pet hair and bare floors (Consumer Reports)
- Runtime among the longest Consumer Reports tested
- Mini motorized tool and long crevice tool
- Sealed whole-machine filtration
- Two-year limited warranty
Cons
- Premium price
- About 4 lb, one of the heaviest tested
- Less effective in narrow spaces
- Long charge time (Dyson spec)
The best overall car vacuum, though its lead is narrow. It cleans well and runs long, and it costs far more than the others. Buy it if you want one strong cordless vacuum and can live with the weight.
Full Dyson Car+Boat (586119-01) review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Car Vacuums of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.