Best Overall
Ridgid 12-Gallon 5.0 Peak HP NXT Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
Best Bang for the Buck
Stanley 5-Gallon 4 Peak MAX HP Pro SS Wet/Dry Vacuum
Best Battery-Powered
Milwaukee 6-Gallon M18 Fuel Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
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‘ Shop vacs ’ , also know as besotted / dry vac , are designed to pick up after workshop , around - the - house , and DIY projects . More various than a household vacuum , they can strip up wet sawdust and evensuction water .
Since many of our projects on a regular basis make big messes , we decide to screen today ’s best - selling model in our own shops and garage . We research over 25 models before settling on the highest - rated five for script - on examination . All five score well , but we incur a favorite — a12 - gallon cord Ridgid shop vacthat demonstrated unbeatable sucking and came with several handy accessories .
Shop vacuums are simple cleanup dick — there ’s not much to them . But before purchasing , tick off out our guide below to help determine the best type for your demand and see what an expert we interview has to say . Also , find out how the following model earned a blot in this batting order of the honorable workshop vac .
Our Top Picks
Just ahead you ’ll find some of the top - performing workshop - character vacuums usable today . Some have large - content bins , while others are compact and more portable . We also included cord and battery - power shop class vac options . No matter what type of projects you tackle , you ’ll discover a vacuity that will make for a quick cleanup later .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Portability4.3/5 ; Value4.8/5
If you make grown flock ( like we do ) , you take a powerful declamatory - capacity shop class - eccentric vacuity . The Ridgid made quick body of work of sucking up both wet and ironical plenty in our tests . It number with a 7 - foot heavy - obligation lockup hosepipe and a 15 - foot cord , so we had lot of reaching between the outlet and the jam we were clean .
We poured piddle on a garage floor and used the wet nozzle to draw it up . The squiffy snoot features a squeegee on the bottom , make wet cleanups a breeze . This is the vacuum we wish we ’d had when our basement was flooding — it would have stayed in the lead of the water that was leaking in . Plus , it has a handy drain plug in front that make it easy to release the piddle without having to tip the cannister .
The Ridgid 12 - gallon vac is n’t a compendious model , standing 26.6 inch high with an 18.7 - inch diam . However , if you take professional cleaning power , it ’s just the thing .
Get the Ridgid store vac atThe Home Depot .
Our military rating : Ease of Use5/5 ; Performance4.8/5 ; Portability5/5 ; Value4.8/5
you could get a greatwet and dry shop class vacwithout spending a lot of money . The Stanley 5 - gallon shop - type vacuum feature a sleek untainted steel case shot , caster wheels , and a rear blower embrasure . When its hosepipe is tie to the blower port , it delivers up to 85 cubic feet of air per second ( CFM ) , so we were able to apply it as a leafage blower in plus to a vacancy .
It has a 10 - human foot electrical cord and a 5 - understructure hose . While that ’s not as much reach as some models we tested , it ’s likely enough for most shop - character cleanups . It did a great job of suck up sawdust , wet and teetotal leave , andvacuuming standing water system . The downside , and it ’s not a significant one , is that it does n’t amount with a waste pipe plug at the bottom of the tankful , so it has to be manually tip over to drain . But that ’s not too hard , and the price of this little power station is just right for a simple machine that ’s suited for diminished shop and around - the - menage use .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Get the Stanley workshop vac atAmazon , The Home Depot , orZoro Tools .
Milwaukee does it again ! This high - remainder tool manufacturer train a elementary shop - character vacuum and turned it into a well - designed cleaning shaft that can be used anywhere , even when an electric electrical outlet is n’t usable .
This shelling - power industrial shop vac does n’t lack world power . It comes with a high - capacity 8 - A - hour ( Ah ) rechargeable shelling and a speedy battery charger — and rapid is right ! We figured it would take 3 to 4 hour to charge this powerful battery in full , but an hr after we put it on the charger , it was ready to go .
Photo: The Home Depot
This Milwaukee shop vacuum has several smashing perks . Since it ’s cordless , we were able-bodied to delight it to a very removed spot and utilise it to vacuum-clean up piles of bonfire ash and detritus . It also excelled in our water supply - remotion tests , although we mat the floor nozzle would have been quicker at give suck up the water if it had a squeegee on the bottom . Still , it perform very well .
While this vacuum count 26 pounds , we give it extra breaker point for portability thanks to a break down - on base that wrap smoothly on caster cycle . When we wanted to murder the tank from the base , all we had to do was whole step on a foundation waiver and nobble it off . This is a calibre wet / dry emptiness , and being cordless boost it to a whole Modern level .
Get the Milwaukee shop vac atThe Home Depot(tool only),Ace Hardware , Northern Tool + Equipment , SupplyHouse.com , orGrainger .
Photo: Amazon
Best Compact Pick
Ryobi 18V One+ 1-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum Kit
Our rating : Ease of Use4.8/5 ; Performance4.8/5 ; Portability5/5 ; Value5/5
Cleaning up little pile is no trouble with Ryobi ’s 1 - gallon battery - operate on shop vac . This little shop soft touch is bantam in size but long on power . It took almost 2 minute to level the included 4 Ah battery in full , but we tested it for over an hour , and it was still imbibe potently when we finish test .
The Ryobi sucks up water , but it does n’t descend with a wet - floor attachment , so it ’s good beseem to like a shot removing redundant water from containers , such as cesspit pump buckets and the same . We thought it was well suited to small dust jobs and perhaps as a travel vac given that it weigh only 7 pound and is 11.75 inches marvelous by 14.5 inches encompassing by 10.75 inch mystifying . It ’s lightweight and meet well in most machine trunks .
Photo: The Home Depot
It was a little obtuse to vacuum up heavy dust , but that ’s to be expected . For its size and power , the Ryobi is hard to beat for those looking for a compact shop - type vac that wo n’t take up a portion of real the three estates in a service department or reposition shed .
Get the Ryobi workshop vac atThe Home Depot .
Best Large-Capacity
DeWalt 9-Gallon 5 HP Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
Our evaluation : simpleness of Use5/5 ; Performance4.8/5 ; Portability4/5 ; Value5/5
Sucking up ooze water from the flooring is no problem with this DeWalt 9 - gallon shop vacuum . It have 5 hp and get along with a floor nozzle that picks up standing water with simpleness . Its two annexe wands allowed us to stand up comfortably without needing to bend over to suckle up water . It also has a drainpipe plug that makes it well-situated to plunge the large - capacity tank when it ’s full of water .
We love the DeWalt mark , and this shop - type vacuity is one of the grounds . It ’s muscular , build to last , and gets properly down to business . The enceinte armoured combat vehicle also throw it well suitable to jobsite use , and the included o.k. - dust store vac filter allow us to vacuum-clean up piles of drywall compound junk without recirculating it in the air .
Photo: The Home Depot
If we could do one thing differently , we ’d make the caster wheels roll more swimmingly . They ’re not bad , but we have a riding habit of draw our workshop void along by their hoses , and to do that , the wheels need to wheel as smooth as butter .
Overall , however , this is our cream for fussy workshops and jobsites , plus it ’s a great vac to have on helping hand if your home is prone to episodic flooding .
Get the DeWalt shop vac atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orThe Home Depot .
Photo: Amazon
Best Multi-Use
DeWalt 6-Gallon 5 HP Wall-Mounted Wet/Dry Vac
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct behave our stain ’s highest level of recommendation .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the family and DIY products that instill us most in our material - man examination and that exemplify core value of the Bob Vila make , including craftsmanship , excogitation , and value for the dollar . Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional reassessment team and are personally approved by Bob Vila .
Folks search for a top - mountain pass wet / dry vacuum will gravely want to look at the DeWalt 6 - gallon 5 - hp wall - mounted wet / prohibitionist vac . While larger and more muscular model are available , this whole has upgraded features that make a serious difference , including a first-rate - pliant hose and remote command that turns the good example on and off from your workstation .
Photo: amazon.com
This DeWalt wet / dry vac also comes with lots of accessory . You get a paries - ride rack for the vac and its fastening as well as extensions , a chela nozzle , a crevice nozzle , a round brushing , a utility schnoz , a floor honker , several filter , a bag , and even a muffler . The 5 - hp motor has plenty of power for almost all cleanup activities , and while the 6 - Imperial gallon canister might be small for jobsites or large floods , it ’s compact enough for garage use of goods and services .
The difference between this hose and all the other hosepipe we test was night and twenty-four hour period . This model ’s hose was pliable and lenient as well as duncish and heavy - responsibility . Also , turning this wet / dry vac on and off from a remote is incredibly handy , particularly when scavenge a car or tidy up up around an intact garage . It had more than enough ability for our purposes , though we did discover that , due to its compact size of it , it ’s not ideal for large spills or really big line , and it also does n’t have wheels .
It ’s worth noting that between the onboard storage and the mounting rack , all of the accoutrement and the hose store neatly away . And , since the stand is designed to advert from just one stud , we found that it ’s much soft to install than its sizing would imply .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Read our full brushup : DeWalt 6 - Gallon 5 HP Wall - Mounted Wet / Dry Vac
Get the DeWalt wall - climb wet / teetotal vacuum atAmazon , Lowe’s , Tractor Supply Co. , orThe Home Depot .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the BestShop Vacs
Before getting our handwriting on the vacuums , we spoke to Ronnie Kendrick , founder ofCompanyClean , a business firm - cleaning armed service in Highlands Ranch , Colorado . He says storage tank capacity is the most of import aspect to consider , while attachments should n’t needs be something to concern about : “ In the years of using wet / dry vacuum , we ’ve never necessitate to utilize any attachments because the primary use is on hardwood floors . These get into the corners and edges quite well . If we need an attachment , we ’ll habituate a stock vacuum cleaner rather . ” Regarding storage tank capacity , he says that if you have a big abode , you might be refilling the tank more often than you would expect . “ In a 300 - straightforward - substructure kitchen , we unremarkably have to empty the tank and refill it at least once . ” Keeping these contingent in mind , we set up out to choose our top option for examination .
In choosing the emptiness for testing , we considered several factors . We look at the poser ’s index specs , tank content , power character ( corded or cordless ) , and whether it came with utile attachment . We study blade to an extent ; after all , manufacturers like DeWalt and Milwaukee have impeccable product reputations . We also look at client military rank because that ’s the ultimate litmus trial .
examination was straightforward . We used the vacuums to cleanse up blind drunk and dry hole , include water on a level airfoil , water in a bucket , damp and dry sawdust , and even leaf and lawn debris . Each vacuum was award point based on its functioning on a trial or judgement . After examination , we averaged the points to find our top pick and categorize the others according to their good uses .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
What to Consider When Choosing a Shop Vac
The most crucial ingredient to conceive when shopping for a shop class - type vacancy is its intended use . If you expend it on the jobsite , you ’ll probably want to choose one with a large tank and robust motor . A smaller manikin or a cordless shop vac might do if you ’re look for one to clean up occasional small mess hall .
Capacity and Power
capacitance relates to the vacuum ’s tank sizing . While there are no hard and fast rules , small - capacity manikin have the smallest tanks ( 1 to 5 gallon ) and are mostly well become for limited household messes . Medium - mental ability vacs average 6- to 10 - congius tanks and are well suited for jobsites and meddlesome DIY projects . The gravid - capacity tank ( over 10 Imperial gallon ) are normally limited to dedicated workshop use since their size makes them less portable .
Power in a twilled shop vacuum is rat by horsepower , and many of today ’s top models have 4 horsepower or high motor . Cordless vacuum are rated by voltage , and 18 to 20 V is average for most . However , you may also find 12 - V models as well as more powerful model .
Corded vs. Cordless
Both types have benefits , but as manufacturers keep to better their rechargeable battery , cordless model are becoming increasingly popular . The upside of cordless vacuity is easy to recognize : You are not limited by the length of an extension cord , and you could employ the vacuum in a remote position .
The downside is that the batteries on cordless models call for recharging . Still , if you may remember to reload the assault and battery when they turn tail low , you ’ll have crying power and you wo n’t be spark over a cord .
Hose and Attachments
have a prospicient hose on a shop - case emptiness make attain all the nook and crannies in your workshop easily . About 5 to 8 feet is standard for a hose , but some model arrive with supernumerary - prospicient hosepipe of 10 feet or longer . Remember , longer hoses can be clunky when you ’re trying to wind and store them . Still , if you use a corded vacuum in your shop class , you may prefer a long hose .
hose also come in in various diameter , from 1.25 inches on belittled shop vac unit to 2.5 in , which are common on larger , sullen - responsibility models that are ideal for picking up full-grown chunks of debris .
stag vac attachment set out from a single utility tool or crevice tool to several extension wands , a floor nozzle with a squeegee for clean house up water , utility nose , and even brush nozzles . On theDeWalt 9 - Imperial gallon modelwe tested , we were titillate to find an accessory bag that snapped onto the side of the vacuum to view as all its supplement .
FAQs
workshop - eccentric vacuums come in a handful of different style . you could find paries - mount shop class vac models for the garage , which are always handy for function as acar vacuum . If you ’re look for a placid shop vac , you may want to consider a battery - powered manikin with a low decibel rating . Here are some of the more common questions and their answer .
That depends on several factors , including lineament , how they ’re used , and how often you use them . We ’ve had workshop - type vacuum that lasted 10 years , but we ’ve also had a brace that did n’t last a twelvemonth . Look intimately at consumer evaluation for a good musical theme of how long a specific model will last .
It ’s sure as shooting more hefty , and if you need to vacuum up pee as it run into your home , it will be more efficient than a lower hp mannikin . However , if you only use it to clean up small pickle infrequently , a lower hp theoretical account will often be quieter , littler , and still effective .
For general use , vacuum hoses made from polythene ( PE ) or polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) are fine . They ’re also the most coarse . you’re able to find oneself hose made from thermoplastic rubber or polyurethane ( PU ) for industrial use . If you plan to apply the vacuum to blow up still - lovesome ( not hot ) ash , you ’ll want a specialash vacuumdesigned to defy heat energy and a alloy - reinforced hosepipe .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a mathematical product tester and writer particularise in the construction , remodeling , and actual estate industries . She tests a wide-cut range of power tools as well as other home improvement , home , and lawn - and - garden products .
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