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Youll also want to consider the peak horsepower of the shop vacs motor.
The Spruce
This number reflects the motors power (mostly listed on corded tools).
A wet/dry vacuum with at least 100 CFM can handle most household tasks.
While the term is used interchangeably for all wet-dry vacs, Shop-Vac is a brand name.
PHOTO: Amazon
See “What is a Shop Vac?
Do You Need One?”
It has a water lift of 60 inches, which is a measurement of the motors suction force.
The detachable Vacmaster Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum was very useful around the house.The Spruce
Put together, those numbers give you the overall power of the vacuum to move wet or dry messes.
We put it to a real-world test, cleaning up spilled muddy potting soil after repotting a plant.
This wet/dry vacuum has a 7-foot hose with a 2.5-inch diameter and two extension wands for even more reach.
The Vacmaster VBV1210 impressed us with its powerful suction and array of attachments.PHOTO: The Spruce
The detachable top easily lifts away for use as aseparate blower.
While it has a 12-gallon capacity, we found it easy to lift and carry.
All the attachments fit nicely on top for compact storage, as well.
We then turned to wet testing, using the squeegee tool to suck up water quickly and easily.
We do wish it had wheels for easier transport, though.
This vacuum is powered by a 20-volt battery, so there are no cords to deal with.
At 9 pounds, this is the lightest wet/dry vac we recommend, so it’s very portable.
Its also very handy for cleaning out the interior of a car.
While the vacuum has no self-cleaning function, it was not difficult to rinse the canister after use.
Both store neatly aboard the vacuum when not in use.
Unlike most shop vacs, its filter is HEPA-rated for 99.97 percent efficiency at 0.3 microns.
We also appreciated that this vacuum was not very noisy, and it was easy to empty after use.
PHOTO: Amazon
We loved how easy it was to use the vacuumit required no assembly and was very easy to operate.
We love that theres a large drain at the bottom of the canister for emptying out liquid.
To empty dry debris, just unlatch the cover, lift, and dump.
We like the “anybag” feature of the Shark VS101, which allowed us to use any plastic bag as a liner.The Spruce
This might be more of an issue for someone shorter than average, though.
We liked how easy it was to clean.
Plus, we found the shop vac reasonably quiet, even when working close to it.
The long wand is comfortable to handle without having to crouch over too much.PHOTO: The Spruce
It comes with a cartridge filter for vacuuming dry debris and a foam filter for cleaning up liquid messes.
We found it easy to swap the filters as needed.
Unlike most shop vacs, the attachments dont come off this one.
Instead, they are built in place.
We used both attachments to clean the car and to suction up a small spill of water.
Both performed well, and we noted no loss of suction power.
Luckily, this shop vac was already on hand and quickly brought to the rescue.
We used all of them and noticed no fluctuations in suction power.
We put it to good use on several real-world tests, and it easily handled them all.
First, we used the vacuum to clean up fine dustafter sanding wallsduring a DIY painting project.
Again, the vacuum did so very effectively.
The 6-foot hose was easy to maneuver and long enough to reach everywhere inside the car.
By moving the hose, it can be switched from vacuum mode to blower mode.
All the accessories are stored neatly onboard, making it very simple to store the vacuum between uses.
That makes it ideal for dust but not as suited to larger debris like leaves.
Then, when you switch on the vacuum, it also powers up your tool.
However, we appreciate its quiet performance, very strong suction, and 13-foot crush-proof hose.
The battery is kind of difficult to remove though, which can get annoying.
What Is A Shop Vac?
Do You Need One?
Most models are also equipped to handle wet debris and liquids.
Many 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.
Both options have their strengths and weaknesses.
Battery-powered tools have a limited amount of power (runtime) before they need to be recharged.
For those situations, a corded vacuum is a better option.
There are a few common options, and many vacuums come with more than one filter.
For most people, Farrell recommends sticking between 5 gallons and 12 gallons.
Moving up a step, shop vacs with 8- to 14-gallon capacities are considered medium-sized vacuums.
But if you need the capacity, we recommend the 16-gallonCraftsman Wet/Dry Vac.
PHOTO: Amazon
Options with lots of power can also lift metal objects like screws and bolts.
The length of the hose can add to the versatility of your shop vac.
Most wet/dry vacuums have a hose between 3 and 8 feet in length.
The Craftsman V20 2 Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Vac was very easy to open and empty.The Spruce
There are even some models with lift-off blower tops, including our best overall pick, theVacmaster Wet/Dry Vacuum.
TheArmor All Wet/Dry Vacuumcomes with five handy attachments, including a car nozzle and a crevice tool.
The Right Noise Level for Your Home
Likeother vacuums, shop vacs tend to be fairly loud.
The Craftsman V20 has handy accessories that store conveniently on the vacuum and connect easily.PHOTO: The Spruce
While testing, we found that theRyobi 40V 10 Gal.
Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum, our best cordless pick, had a relatively quiet operation.
The manufacturer lists it as 68 decibels on low (about the sound of a normal conversation).
Why Trust The Spruce?
She also considered feedback from customers, both positive and negative, about each of our recommended products.
Our Experts:
Decibel Level Comparison Chart, Yale.EDU
PHOTO: Amazon
The Dewalt Wet/Dry Vac crevice tool was perfect for cleaning food debris from a carseat.The Spruce
We like that the Dewalt Wet/Dry Vac has a convenient way to wrap up the cord for easy storage.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: Amazon
The hose attachments of the Craftsman CMXEVBE17595 made it easy to reach any mess.The Spruce
The Craftsman CMXEVBE17595 has exhaust and suction ports on the lid, allowing it to blow air too.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Home Depot
The Ryobi 40V 10-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum comes with two useful attachments.The Spruce
PHOTO: Amazon
We found the DeWalt 1/2 Gallon Wet/Dry Portable Vac easy to open to access the dust bin and filter.The Spruce
The DeWalt 1/2 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac is compact and self contained, so it’s perfect for cars.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: Amazon
We cleaned a car with all the attachments of the Armor All 2.5 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac to great results.The Spruce
The Armor All 2.5 Gallon 2 Peak HP Utility Wet/Dry vacuum includes a nice selection of attachments.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: Amazon
We were impressed with how well the Fein Turbo Wet/Dry Dust Extractor trapped fine particles.The Spruce
The Greenworks 3 Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Vac has a short hose but picked up liquid spills perfectly.The Spruce
We loved how easy it was to detach and empty the Dewalt 10/20-Volt Max Wet/Dry Vac’s canister.The Spruce
We used the crevice tool on the Craftsman V20 to clean all the crumbs and debris from a carseat.The Spruce
The Shark VS101 picked up kitty litter, popcorn kernels, and cereal from hardwood floors with ease.The Spruce
