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The 8 Best Shop Vacs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Dominate dirt, dust, and debris with these top picks

Armor All, AA255 , 2.5 Gallon 2 Peak HP Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum

Spruce / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

A shop vac is a quick and efficient tool for cleaning up large dry and wet messes—including water, wood scraps, and small metal pieces like nails and screws—that a regular household vacuum can't handle.

Shop vacuums come in a variety of sizes, from compact and cordless to huge and powerful machines. When shopping for a shop vac, consider what types of messes you'll be cleaning up and how frequently. You might get away with using a smaller model with 2 to 7-gallon tanks to clean up spills in your vehicle, but sawdust, wet messes, and construction waste are better handled by a bigger model with a 15-gallon tank or more.

Bob Hunter, Marketing Content Specialist at SawStop, shares that shop vacs with medium capacity, which ranges from 8 to 14-gallon tanks, will suit most needs; it’s sufficient for most indoor and outdoor cleaning tasks homeowners face. He adds, "Once you go smaller than 8 gallons, you’re looking at a hand carry unit, and you lose a lot of capacity."

While looking for a wet/dry vacuum, it's also important to think about the tank material, included attachments, airpower (in CFM), and included features. For shop vacs, the higher the CFM, the stronger the suction.

With all this in mind, we tested 20 of the most popular models on the market, judging them on power, ease of setup, ease of use, maneuverability, portability, and noise level.  Backed by our thorough testing, here are the best shop vacs on the market to tackle your home’s major messes.

While the term is used interchangeably for all wet-dry vacs, Shop-Vac is a brand name. See "What is a Shop Vac? Do You Need One?"

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Vacmaster Wet/Dry Vacuum

Vacmaster VBV1210 12-Gallon 5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.9/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Noise Level
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Detachable blower

  • Easy to assemble

  • Can handle large and small debris alike

  • Four nozzle attachments

What We Don't Like
  • Utility nozzle weakens suction

  • Liquid capacity limited to 8.5 gallons

After testing over a dozen shop vacs, we selected the Vacmaster VBV1210 Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum as our top pick because it is an all-purpose, indispensable tool built for a wide variety of household vacuum tasks. This 12-gallon model with a 5-horsepower motor offers enough capacity and suction to handle dry or wet messes. However, it's so powerful that it might trip your breaker, so be sure to plug it into a 20 amperage receptacle if possible.

Some shop vacs can be rather noisy, but we didn’t find this vacuum particularly irritating. It comes with an exhaust cover that keeps the noise level at 71 decibels, which is likely quieter than your regular household vacuum. From potting soil to spilled water and snow, there isn’t a type of debris that this vacuum couldn’t handle.

We especially appreciated the detachable blower for clearing off snow from the front porch steps. The blower outputs air at speeds up to 210 MPH, so you can quickly and powerfully clean your garage, renovation area, or outdoor patio in no time.

Assembly was a breeze when we tested this vacuum, as you only need to attach the wheel housing and clip on the hose. Once it's plugged in, this shop vac is easy to maneuver, thanks to the lightweight tank and caster wheels. Although we did not fill up its entire 12-gallon capacity during testing, we assume that a larger amount of debris in the tank will affect the maneuverability of this vacuum, especially with liquid contents. Keep in mind that the capacity for liquid clean-up will be more limited.

An internal float will shut off suction once the canister reaches full capacity at 8.5 gallons. Be sure to swap out the cartridge filter for the included foam filter before sucking up any liquid contents.

While we appreciated the thought behind this vacuum’s attachment options, we didn’t love using the utility (wide) attachment. We found that the suction was actually weakened since it was spread out more. However, the concentrator nozzle is especially great for damp debris, such as wet potting soil. All in all, you can expect lasting performance and controlled movement from this high-capacity shop vacuum. 

Vacuum Capacity: 12 gallons | Air Volume: 106 CFM | Weight: 24.3 pounds | Cord Length: 12 feet | Hose Length: 7 feet | Filter Type: Cartridge and foam wet

Person vacuuming kitchen floor with Vacmaster VBV1210 12-Gallon 5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum

The Spruce / Jennifer Bonnichsen

Best Budget

Armor All Wet/Dry Vacuum

Armor All 2.5 Gallon 2 Peak HP Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.8/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Noise Level
    4/5
What We Like
  • Five nozzle attachments

  • Top handle for added portability

  • On-board attachment storage

What We Don’t Like
  • Not suited for fine dust

  • Liquid capacity not specified

This small shop vacuum doesn’t look like the standard canister on wheels, but we can vouch for its powerful suction and useful set of attachments. Aside from its convenient top handle and on-board attachment storage, which make it the ideal on-the-go vacuum, during testing, we also loved its versatility for cleaning up both wet and dry messes.

Surprisingly, this vacuum is also excellent for cleaning out a car, as its detail brush, crevice tool, and deluxe car nozzle make it easy to remove dust and other debris from a dashboard, seats, and car mats. We will point out that this vacuum isn’t great for removing hair from carpet (we recommend a vacuum for pet hair instead) —although that isn’t its original purpose—and it’s also not suited for fine dust unless you purchase a fine dust filter separately. 

Once we swapped in the foam wet filter, this vacuum easily sucked up water, but we’re not sure how much liquid it can hold. We don’t recommend filling this vacuum to the brim with liquid or wet debris, as it may have a smaller wet capacity than its total 2.5 gallons.

Unlike larger shop vacuums, this portable option does not have a drainage port, so you must remove the entire top and motor to empty wet and dry contents. We recommend thoroughly rinsing the canister and filters after each use to prevent clogs and build-up.

Although this vacuum may not have the largest capacity compared to other models on the market, we appreciate its lightweight (similar to a gallon of milk) and portable design. It’s a great budget pick at well under $100. 

Vacuum Capacity: 2.5 gallons | Air Volume: 53 CFM | Weight: 7 pounds | Cord Length: 10 feet | Hose Length: 6 feet | Filter Type: Washable cloth and foam wet

Best Large Capacity

Craftsman Wet/Dry Vac

Craftsman CMXEVBE17595 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.8/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.9/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Noise Level
    4.2/5
What We Like
  • No assembly required

  • Easily sucks up damp debris

  • Separate blower output

What We Don’t Like
  • Slightly awkward to maneuver

  • Heavy

If you’re looking for a shop vacuum that can support a full day of debris cleanup without being emptied, we recommend the CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 Wet/Dry Vac. We found that this vacuum had no problem picking up wet leaves, sticks, and water tracked into a home.

The 7-foot hose and 20-foot power cord also offer plenty of length to maneuver around a larger room or garage. We do want to point out that this vacuum is slightly cumbersome to maneuver, especially if you're shorter in height. However, we didn’t dock our ratings for its portability or maneuverability because the caster wheels, top handle, long power cord, and flexible hose all make for a comfortable operating experience despite some potential individual user differences.

Rather than having a detachable blower or a reverse airflow switch, this shop vacuum has a separate output, where you can easily attach the hose to clear leaves, water, or snow off a driveway or front steps. We also loved this vacuum’s onboard hose, attachment, and power cord storage because they make it a breeze to pack away until its next use. 

There was virtually no assembly necessary, as the caster wheels were already attached to the canister. All we had to do was attach the hose and our desired attachment tool.

Vacuum Capacity: 16 gallons | Air Volume: 190.8 CFM | Weight: 26.2 pounds | Cord Length: 20 feet | Hose Length: 7 feet | Filter Type: Cartridge

Closeup of power button on Craftsman CMXEVBE17595 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac

The Spruce / Donna Freydkin

Best Portable

DeWalt Poly Wet/Dry Vac

DeWalt DXV09PZ 9 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    5/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Noise Level
    3/5
What We Like
  • Built-in accessories storage bag

  • Drain port for liquid messes

  • Fine dust collection bag included

What We Don’t Like
  • Must detach accessories bag before emptying canister

  • Rubber latch isn’t helpful for storing hose

Some cleanup jobs may not require a large capacity vacuum but rather a vacuum that’s easy to swivel, carry, or pull around your job site. The DEWALT DXV09PZ Wet/Dry Vac has strong rubberized caster wheels that allow it to glide along hard surfaces and low-pile carpet. We also love that it has a top handle, which makes it easy to steer around large debris or other obstacles.

On top of how easy this vacuum is to maneuver, we were also impressed with its performance. It not only cleared out a drain clogged with hair and shaving cream but also sucked up all of the water that was backed up in the pipe.

The drainage port made it easy to empty out wet contents, and the accessories bag offers major storage appeal for anyone who is worried about losing attachments. The storage bag does have to be removed in order to empty out dry debris; however, we didn’t find this process too confusing or difficult.

On top of the pleated cartridge filter that can handle both wet and dry debris, this vacuum comes with a fine dust collection bag, which is ideal for cleaning up drywall debris or fine sawdust. While this vacuum is slightly higher in price compared to other picks on our list, we think the attachable accessories bag and compact design make it a worthy splurge at just under $200. 

Vacuum Capacity: 9 gallons | Air Volume: 90 CFM | Weight: 22.5 pounds | Cord Length: 10 feet | Hose Length: 7 feet | Filter Type: Cartridge and fine dust bag

Best Cordless

Ryobi Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum

Ryobi 40V 10 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum Kit

The Home Depot

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.8/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    5/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Noise Level
    5/5
What We Like
  • Squeegee attachment

  • Unlimited movement without cord

  • Lightweight

What We Don’t Like
  • Not best for long clean up jobs

  • Top closure method

A cordless shop vacuum may be limited by its battery run time, but you receive unlimited portability and maneuverability in turn without a power cord in tow. The Ryobi 40V 10-gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum impressed us during our testing with its powerful suction and lightweight canister.

With 45 minutes of runtime, thanks to the 40V 4.0 Ah battery, we had plenty of time to suck up various debris from a car and a set of garage steps. If necessary, you can purchase separately the 40V 6.0 Ah battery and charger, which has a 60-minute max runtime. While we didn’t find the 45-minute runtime constraining, we recognized that this vacuum may not be ideal for a full day of cleaning at a job site. 

Its suction was also impressive and did not dull during our testing. We really enjoyed using the squeegee attachment to easily pool spilled water for quick suction. The drainage port is flush with the bottom of the canister, so we could easily dump out all of the liquid at the end of our test.

While it’s not a major component of the vacuum’s operational capabilities, we were slightly concerned by this vacuum’s canister closure method. You have to squeeze the latches in order to release the top to dump the vacuum’s contents, and we felt that the latches could easily pinch tiny or distracted fingers. We recommend being extra cautious when opening the canister to prevent this.

With 10 gallons of capacity and a lightweight canister, this vacuum is a great tool for anyone who already owns other tools from RYOBI’s 40V line or anyone who doesn’t want to be limited by the length of a power cord. 

Vacuum Capacity: 10 gallons | Air Volume: 80 CFM | Weight: 16.2 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Hose Length: 8 feet | Filter Type: Cartridge and foam wet

Woman attaching hose to Ryobi 40V 10-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum

The Spruce / Jodi Espinosa

Best Wet/Dry

DeWalt Wet/Dry Vac

DeWalt 12-Gallon DXV12P Poly Wet/Dry Vac
Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    5/5
  • Portability
    4.5/5
  • Noise Level
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Can handle large amount of water

  • Attachments for both wet and dry debris

  • Attachment storage bag

What We Don’t Like
  • Cord limitations

  • Rubber latch for hose isn’t helpful

While all of these vacuums are listed as wet/dry options, the DEWALT CXV12P 12-gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac impressed us the most with its strenuous cleaning job during a home emergency in our testing period. This vacuum is the same style as our best portable pick, but its capacity is slightly larger, making it ideal for big messes.

This vacuum came to the rescue when a pipe burst in a crawl space, and it not only easily cleaned up the large amount of water from the pipe, but it also was easy to empty and maneuver throughout the process. Although a corded vacuum will always cause some portability limitations, we were impressed by how the casters glided across hard flooring and carpet during testing.

The various attachments also came in handy (and can easily be stored in the on-board attachment bag) for clearing pooled water. However, we don’t love the on-board storage method for the hose because its nozzle still dangles freely despite being “secured” to the top with a rubber latch.

Whether you have a home emergency that requires speedy clean-up or are just looking for a reliable shop vacuum model that’s guaranteed to handle wet debris, this 12-gallon shop vac from DEWALT is a strong contender. 

Vacuum Capacity: 12 gallons | Air Volume: 105 CFM | Weight: 23.15 pounds | Cord Length: 20 feet | Hose Length: 7 feet | Filter Type: Cartridge and disposable bag

Best for Dust

Fein Wet/Dry Dust Extractor

Fein Turbo I Wet-Dry Dust Extractor

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4.3/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.5/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Noise Level
    5/5
What We Like
  • Has high filtration capacity for fine dust

  • Tool-triggered

  • Extra-long hose

What We Don’t Like
  • Fine dust bag is smaller than 5.8 gallon capacity

If you’re a carpenter or someone who is constantly exposed to drywall dust and other fine particles, we recommend purchasing a shop vacuum that’s specifically designed to filter dust. This vacuum from Fein is different from the other models on this list, because it should not be used to clean wet messes, although it can.

This vacuum is also known as a "dust extractor" or a "tool-triggered" vacuum cleaner because it has a power outlet that you can directly power tools through and thus will trigger the vacuum cleaner to turn on and suck up sawdust and other fine particles as they’re created by a power tool. 

Because of this vacuum’s unique purpose, we tested it in a wood shop, where we were impressed by its quiet operation and appreciated its extra-long hose to clean up piles of dust quickly. This vacuum comes with a standard flat-fold filter and a fleece filter bag designed to filter out small dust while allowing air to pass through it.

We wish the fleece bag were easy to empty and reuse, but unfortunately, it’s designed for singular use. You can purchase additional fleece bags in packs of five. Although this vacuum is expensive, its specialized design makes it a great tool for avid woodworkers or home contractors. 

Vacuum Capacity: 5.8 gallons | Air Volume: 151 CFM | Weight: 17.86 pounds | Cord Length: 19 feet | Hose Length: 13 feet | Filter Type: Fleece filter bag and flat-fold filter

Fein Turbo I Wet/Dry Dust Extractor open on table

The Spruce / Bob Hunter

Best for Cars

DeWalt Wet/Dry Portable Vac Kit

DeWalt 20-Volt MAX Cordless 1/2 Gal. Wet/Dry Portable Vacuum

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    5/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Noise Level
    3/5
  • Setup
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Stationary utility nozzle

  • Easy to empty

  • Easy to store

What We Don’t Like
  • Cannot pick up large debris

  • No additional accessories

Finding a vacuum that can handle the amount of dust and fine debris in a car can be challenging, especially if you’re looking for a cordless model. We enjoyed using the DEWALT DCV517M1 20V MAX Cordless Vacuum because it’s lightweight (about the weight of a bag of oranges), easy to operate, and can still hold a decent amount of debris.

While this vacuum requires a recharge after each use, we found that it had sufficient battery power to get through several car cleanings during our testing period. It has a wide utility nozzle that’s great for clearing rubber floor mats and seats. The hose also has a slim, angled nozzle that can be used to clean corners and under seats. 

It’s convenient that you don’t have to keep track of separate attachments for this vacuum, but we do wish it had an accessory for cleaning carpets, as it’s not the best for removing hair. The narrow hose opening also limits the size of debris that this vacuum can handle. However, it can pick up small liquid spills, which is great for busy families with little ones in tow. This vacuum is also very easy to empty, and the HEPA filter is great at removing fine particles as it cleans. 

Vacuum Capacity: 0.5 gallons | Air Volume: 151 CFM | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Hose Length: 1 foot | Filter Type: Washable HEPA filter

DeWalt 20V Max 1/2 Gallon Wet/Dry Portable Vac Kit opened on floor

The Spruce / Paige VandeWiele

Compare

Effectiveness Maneuverability Ease of Emptying Portability Noise Level
Vacmaster VBV1210 12-Gallon 5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum
Best Overall:
Vacmaster Wet/Dry Vacuum
5 5 4.9 5 4.5
Armor All 2.5 Gallon 2 Peak HP Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum
Best Budget:
Armor All Wet/Dry Vacuum
5 5 4.8 5 4
Craftsman CMXEVBE17595 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
Best Large Capacity:
Craftsman Wet/Dry Vac
5 4.8 4.9 5 4.2
DeWalt DXV09PZ 9 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac
Best Portable:
DeWalt Poly Wet/Dry Vac
5 5 5 5 3
Ryobi 40V 10 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum Kit
Best Cordless:
Ryobi Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
5 4.8 5 5 5
DeWalt 12-Gallon DXV12P Poly Wet/Dry Vac
Best Wet/Dry:
DeWalt Wet/Dry Vac
5 5 5 4.5 4.5
Fein Turbo I Wet-Dry Dust Extractor
Best for Dust:
Fein Wet/Dry Dust Extractor
4.3 4.5 4.5 5 5
DeWalt 20-Volt MAX Cordless 1/2 Gal. Wet/Dry Portable Vacuum
Best for Cars:
DeWalt Wet/Dry Portable Vac Kit
5 5 5 3
Final Verdict

The  Vacmaster VBV1210 12-Gallon 5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum is our top choice for shop vacs, because it offers plenty of suction with 106 CFM but keeps things quiet with 71-decibel operation. It also features a detachable blower for quick clean-up. If you’re looking for a cordless shop vac that is portable and compact, then consider the Ryobi 40V 10 Gal. Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum. It’s powered by a lithium-ion battery that can run for up to 45 minutes on one charge. It’s also lightweight and comes with unique attachments to thoroughly clean any mess.

Other Options We Tested

The following are additional products we tested and stand by; though they didn’t quite meet our rigorous standards, we think they’re still worth considering.

Ridgid 16 Gal. 6.5-Peak HP NXT Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum: Although this model was previously our pick for best large capacity, we found that it didn’t quite impress us as much as other models during testing. However, this vacuum’s suction power and locking attachments are still a great value and did perform well during testing. We just wish this vacuum came with a separate foam wet filter, as described in the manual, so it could better handle wet spills.  

Vacmaster Beast 14 Gal. 6.5 HP Wet/Dry Vac: After testing, we knew why this vacuum was named the “Beast.” It managed to suck up pebbles and clogged water from a basement drain pipe, plus its durable wheels and padded push handle are features that we didn’t find on any other model. However, this vacuum is also a beast to maneuver, and we think anyone with a shorter or petite frame would struggle to push the 28-pound canister up a flight of steps.    

How We Tested the Shop Vacs

We tested 20 shop vacuums in our own homes and applied them to real-world scenarios where they’re most useful and necessary. In our evaluation, we took into account the following factors: setup ease, effectiveness, noise level, portability, and value of the wet/dry vacuums.

  • Setup: Upon getting the shop vac, we proceeded to assemble all of the accessible parts and attachments. We put in a filter or collection bag, depending on whether the wet/dry vacuum came with one. Before using battery-operated wet/dry vacs, we made sure the batteries were fully charged.
  • Effectiveness: After unboxing and noting the ease of setup for each of the shop vacuums, we cleaned as many of the following areas as possible—a garage, car floor, car trunk, basement, woodshop, or shed—and kept track of how well they worked on different surfaces and debris. On top of testing how dry debris was filtered through the vacuums’ components, we looked at the filter(s) provided and washed them (if applicable) before testing each vacuum’s capabilities with wet debris. When sucking up wet debris or puddles of water, we noted whether the vacuum’s suction weakened and how quickly the vacuum cleaned up the mess.
  • Noise level: Shop vac can be pretty loud, so we noted the noise level of each vacuum and considered whether ear protection was necessary. On top of testing how dry debris was filtered through the vacuums’ components, we looked at the filter(s) provided and washed them (if applicable) before testing each vacuum’s capabilities with wet debris. When sucking up wet debris or puddles of water, we noted whether the vacuum’s suction weakened and how quickly the vacuum cleaned up the mess.
  • Portability: We monitored how the caster wheels gilded and noted any supplementary handles that the vacuum had for carrying.
  • Value: We considered the overall value of each shop vacuum and determined whether we would recommend the model to friends and family.

What Is A Shop Vac? Do You Need One?

In the plainest terms, a shop vac, also commonly referred to as a wet-dry vacuum (not to be confused with wet-dry vacuums that clean tile floors—more on that below), is designed for heavy-duty cleaning that standard household vacuums cannot handle. They're most often used on construction sites and in workshops to suck up nails, saw dust, wood chips, and other destructive debris that would tear apart your beloved stick or upright vacuum.

Most models are also equipped to handle wet debris and liquids. Plenty of brands offer iterations of this heavy-duty cleaning tool, but Shop-Vac is the most notable. This brand is so revered for its vacuums that its name has become synonymous with the entire product category.

While we have not had the chance to test any Shop-Vac models, we can tell you they offer similar capacities as the models listed on our list. Thanks to brand awareness, Shop-Vac models also tend to be more expensive and more difficult to find at common retailers like The Home Depot or Lowes.

If you're completing home renovations or have a personal workshop out of your garage, a wet-dry vacuum can be an indispensable tool for quickly cleaning up large amounts of debris. Their high horsepower makes them ideal for sucking up large scraps, and the caster wheels allow them to be easily pulled around a large floor plan. If you're looking for a household vacuum that can trap dust and fine particles, we recommend checking out our story of best vacuums for allergies or best canister vacuums, which are all designed with advanced filtration systems and often come in bagged models, sealing allergens, pet hair, and dust inside.

Now, back to the term "wet-dry vacuums," you may be more familiar with the household vacuums that act as a mop and vacuum in one. Those models are often available in stick and upright variations, and they are not constructed to handle heavy-duty cleanups. However, they are also useful and powerful cleaning tools for households with hardwood, laminate, tile, or vinyl flooring. You can check out our story of the best wet-dry vacuums for household use to learn more about that specific cleaning tool.

What to Look for in Shop Vacs

Capacity

Shop vacs are available in small (2 to 7 gallons), medium (8 to 14 gallons), and high capacities (15 to 18 gallons). You should consider which capacity best suits your lifestyle and home project needs.

Hunter says, "It depends on what it's being used for but the sweet spot is typically around 8-14 gallons." He adds, "Depending on what you want to use it for, cleaning a car, for example, you would want something smaller and portable, but if you want a general household vacuum, you might have to vacuum out the sump pump or your basement floods so that's when a bigger tub is helpful because you can get a lot more water or debris in that."

If you’re a home contractor or find yourself often demoing many areas of your home, a high-capacity shop vacuum like the CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 will save you time and offer more space for long projects. If you're looking for a product that will tackle small car messes, consider a handheld model like the DEWALT 20V MAX Hand Vacuum.

Air Volume

Air volume, or "air watts," refers to the suction power of your shop vac. A higher air volume is essential if you plan to vacuum heavier objects, like nuts and bolts. A vacuum’s air volume also determines its effectiveness at lifting water and wet debris, so you should, again, consider your needs before purchasing a shop vacuum.

Power Source

There are two main types of shop vacs: corded and battery-operated. Most models that run on batteries are more compact but lack a powerful fan or motor. Although you sacrifice some power and capacity, the cordless design is convenient. Hunter says you can get, "15-20 minutes of use with a good battery. They’re handy to have in some sorts of things but more for a small clean-up. They're good for cleaning out the cars, so it is nice for that." For a good battery-powered model, consider our best cordless pick, the RYOBI 40V Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum Kit.

If you don't want to deal with the hassle of charging batteries, corded models are your better option. Hunter recommends looking for models with at least a 10-foot power cord so you are not constrained by the cord. With its 20-foot power cord, our best wet/dry vac pick, the DeWalt Poly Wet/Dry Vac, eliminates the need to unplug and reconnect the vacuum as you work.

Material

In addition to size, you’ll be faced with another choice: plastic or stainless steel tank. Plastic tanks are lighter and less prone to dents, but stainless steel tanks are often easier to clean and more durable for sucking up cold ash, nails, large wood chips, and other destructive debris. While all of the models listed in our roundup feature plastic tanks, we did test the Vacmaster Beast 14 Gal. 6.5 HP Wet/Dry Vac, which has a stainless steel tank. Keep in mind that the material that a vacuum’s tank is constructed of will also affect the overall weight of the vacuum.

Attachments

The type and number of attachments may vary among shop vacuum models, but some of the most frequently offered attachments are a utility nozzle, wet nozzle, and crevice tool. Extension wand attachments are also often provided when you purchase a shop vac. They are essential if you want to reach into tight spaces or overhead areas to clear cobwebs, dust, and more.

Keeping track of loose attachments can be a hassle, so onboard attachment storage is a must for busy families and households. Some models feature a toolbox-like top that stores attachments. Other models, like many of the vacuums listed in this roundup, have snap-on storage for wands, nozzles, and more. Our best portable pick, the DEWALT DXV09PZ 9 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac, has a storage bag that hooks onto the back of the vacuums. This bag not only provides ample room for all of the vacuum’s attachments, but also allows for easy storage of the vacuum hose when not in use.

FAQ
  • How do shop vacs work?

    Shop vacs function in the same way as any other vacuum, though shop vacs typically collect debris in a bucket instead of a bag. An electric motor drives a fan, which pulls air in from inside the bucket. That forms a vacuum inside the collection bucket, creating a significant amount of suction at the intake port or the open end of the vacuum hose to pull in air and any debris caught in the vacuum's suction.

  • How many HPs should you look for in a shop vac?

    For home renovation debris such as drywall dust and saw dust, a vacuum with 3.5 peak horsepower (HP, meaning the output of the motor) to 5 HP should be sufficient. If you plan to use your wet-dry vacuum for wet spills, be sure to check the water lift, which is a measure of the maximum suction force of the vacuum when the hose is blocked. The higher the value of the water lift, the denser the object (or spill) the vacuum will be able to suck up.

  • Is stainless steel or plastic better for a shop vac?

    As mentioned above, the drum material on a shop vac is a vital consideration before purchasing. While both plastic and stainless steel will be able to withstand wear from smaller wood chips and saw dust, a stainless steel shop vac will be better suited for cleaning up broken glass, cooled fireplace ashes (if applicable—be sure to check the manufacturer's guide before using a shop vac in this way), and nails or screws. Consider the type of projects you'll be completing around your house to help you determine the type of material that works for you.

  • Why do shop vacs blow dust?

    If you find that your shop vac is blowing dust out of the blower port and back into the room, then you need to make sure the filter is installed properly. Another cause could be that there is a hole in the filter or that the dust is too fine for the filter to catch. A fully clogged filter will also have issues catching any dirt or dust sucked into the vacuum, so replace the filter regularly.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Emma Phelps, updates writer for The Spruce, researched and evaluated testing feedback to write this roundup. She evaluated our team’s feedback for each vacuum to provide product descriptions that reflect our hands-on experience during testing. She also researched key features of shop vacuums and considered their performance over time, based on testing feedback. Phelps writes articles for various topics across The Spruce’s library but specializes in content relating to home improvement, organization, and decor.  

This roundup has been updated to offer additional purchasing and brand context for the term "shop vac."

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