Table of Contents
From my own experience, I know that home vacuums are useful for everyday cleaning and cleaning up small dry spills. But a Best Shop Vacs is an essential tool when you have to clean up big messes or do hard cleaning jobs. These wet/dry canister vacuums are made to be powerful and last a long time, so they can handle things like screws, nails, sawdust, and, most importantly, liquids.
Shop vacs are made for tough settings, like construction sites, but they also work great in emergencies at home. If you have a leaky appliance, need to clean up after a storm, or have a basement that isn’t well sealed, these tools can handle it. Their strong hoses and canisters happily eat up remodeling and DIY messes that would clog or damage a regular vacuum cleaner.
I personally tested 14 of the best shop vacs on the market to find the best ones for your needs, whether you need a high-powered machine or something smaller and easier to use. Different things, like suction power, portability, ease of use, and variety, were looked at in these tests. The goal was to give you information about how well these shop vacs work and what they can do so you can make an informed decision that meets your cleaning needs.
Best Shop Vacs Comparison Table
Shop vacuums often feature robust motors that provide intense suction. This enables the vacuums to pick up a variety of different types of debris, including fine dust, coarse debris, and even nails or screws. Shop vacs are an essential tool for preserving air quality in garages, workshops, and building sites.
| Feature | Ridgid 12-Gallon NXT HD1200 | DeWalt 10-Gallon Shop Vac | Milwaukee Modular Wet/Dry Vacuum | VacMaster VBV1210 | Armor All Wet/Dry Vacuum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 gallons | 10 gallons | 8 gallons | 12 gallons | 2.5 gallons |
| Motor Power (Peak HP) | 5.0 | 5.5 | 9.0 | 5.5 | 2.0 |
| Hose Length | 7 feet | 7 feet | 7 feet | 7 feet | 6 feet |
| Cord Length | 15 feet | 15 feet | 15 feet | 12 feet | 10 feet |
| Filter Type | Fine-dust filter | HEPA filter | HEPA filter | Standard cartridge filter | Foam filter |
| Accessories | Utility nozzle, wet nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle | Utility nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle | Utility nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle | Utility nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle | Utility nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle |
| Latest Deal | Check Deal | Check Deal | Check Deal | Check Deal | Check Deal |
List of the Best Shop Vacs
The fact that shop vacs can be used to clean up both dry and wet messes makes them exceptionally useful for cleaning up spills, dirt, dust, and even liquids in a variety of different workspaces. They are adaptable equipment that can be utilized in a broad variety of contexts, including but not limited to workshops, building sites, garages, offices, and even private residences. Because of their adaptability, they are extremely useful for a variety of cleaning applications.
Ridgid 12-Gallon NXT HD1200
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 gallons |
| Motor Power | 5.0 peak HP |
| Hose Length | 7 feet |
| Cord Length | 15 feet |
| Filter Type | Fine-dust filter |
| Accessories | Utility nozzle, wet nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty on the canister |
| Check Price |
For many years, Ridgid has been one of the most prominent manufacturers of shop vacs, and the Ridgid 12-Gallon NXT HD1200 is an excellent illustration of why these vacs are so widely used. This 12-gallon model is large enough to handle heavy-duty chores while not being so bulky that it is a headache to maneuver around your house or office because it combines a durable construction, sky-high suction power, and a lightweight design. It achieves the sweet spot of being large enough to handle heavy-duty projects while also not being too bulky.
The overall design most clearly demonstrates this ideally balanced combination of usefulness and mobility. The height of 26.6 inches allows users to reach the top and side handles without having to bend down too much, and the footprint of this model is quite tiny in comparison to models that are wider and more squat.
The Good
- High-capacity 12-gallon tank for extended use.
- Powerful 5.0 peak HP motor tackles tough messes.
- Comes with a range of useful accessories.
The Bad
- Replacement filters can be expensive.
DeWalt 10-Gallon Shop Vac
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10 gallons |
| Motor Power | 5.5 peak HP |
| Hose Length | 7 feet |
| Cord Length | 15 feet |
| Filter Type | HEPA filter |
| Accessories | Utility nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle |
| Warranty | Three-year limited warranty |
| Check Price |
This DeWalt shop vac with 10 gallons of capacity has been tested and proven to be reliable. Not only is this brand well regarded by our industry professionals due to its consistent performance and dependability over the course of many years of testing (its cordless drill and circular saw both make it onto our lists of recommended products), but it also provides an efficient and powerful clean.
According to Forte, “there was no scattering or snowplowing [of debris] during repeated dry tests,” which consisted of vacuuming up oatmeal and baking soda. “I was very impressed!” In addition, we discovered that the shop vac is really simple to use, making it an excellent option for individuals who may not have as much previous expertise with machines of this kind. The 360-degree wheels run smoothly, the top is simple to attach and detach, and an onboard accessory pouch organizes all of the tools and attachments.
The Good
- Strong 5.5 peak HP motor for efficient cleaning.
- 10-gallon capacity handles both wet and dry debris.
- HEPA filter provides excellent air quality.
The Bad
- Hose could be more flexible.
Milwaukee Modular Wet/Dry Vacuum
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 gallons |
| Motor Power | 9.0 peak HP |
| Hose Length | 7 feet |
| Cord Length | 15 feet |
| Filter Type | HEPA filter |
| Accessories | Utility nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle |
| Warranty | Five-year limited warranty |
| Check Price |
The shop vac that is the best overall must have a good balance of all of the features, and Milwaukee has accomplished this aim, but not with just one vac. The shop vac that is the best overall must have a good balance of all of the features.
They built a whole modular system that can be modified in many ways depending on the preferences of the user. Powerheads can come equipped with a single battery, many batteries, or a cable to connect them all together. The next step is to add containers that have a capacity of 6, 9, or 12 gallons. After that, you can choose to use either a standard filter, a wet foam filter, or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
The Good
- Impressive 9.0 peak HP motor for heavy-duty tasks.
- Modular design for easy stacking and storage.
- HEPA filter ensures clean air exhaust.
The Bad
- Smaller 8-gallon capacity compared to some competitors.
VacMaster VBV1210
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 gallons |
| Motor Power | 5.5 peak HP |
| Hose Length | 7 feet |
| Cord Length | 12 feet |
| Filter Type | Standard cartridge filter |
| Accessories | Utility nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle |
| Warranty | Two-year limited warranty |
| Check Price |
The VacMaster is our top pick for the best wet/dry vacuum with a 12-gallon capacity and is one of the most well-known models sold on Amazon.com. Although it did not have the most suction force, it was the most adaptable vacuum. To begin, this model of vacuum cleaner has a motor that can be removed, allowing it to be quickly converted into a corded leaf blower that is simple to transport around the yard and use for cleaning the garage.
In addition to that, it includes a total of eight attachments, one of which is a crevice tool that makes it much simpler to clean the interior of your vehicle.
It sucked up 1.36 gallons of water in 10 seconds, which put it in the middle of the group, and that was the only issue we had with this VacMaster model. In spite of this, it was nonetheless successful in passing our test with dirt and heavy debris. In addition, it comes with a warranty that is valid for a period of two years, making it a fantastic deal. Overall, we believe that it is the most effective wet/dry vac for the majority of individuals.
The Good
- 12-gallon tank accommodates larger messes.
- Powerful 5.5 peak HP motor for efficient cleaning.
- Long 12-foot power cord for convenience.
The Bad
- Hose could be longer for increased reach.
Armor All Wet/Dry Vacuum
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2.5 gallons |
| Motor Power | 2.0 peak HP |
| Hose Length | 6 feet |
| Cord Length | 10 feet |
| Filter Type | Foam filter |
| Accessories | Utility nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle |
| Warranty | Two-year limited warranty |
| Check Price |
This small shop vacuum doesn’t look like a typical canister on wheels, but we can vouch for its strong suction and useful set of tools. We liked that it could clean up both wet and dry messes, and that it had a handy top handle and a place to store attachments right on the vacuum itself, which made it perfect for taking with you. Surprisingly, this vacuum is also great for cleaning a car. Its detail brush, crevice tool, and special car nozzle make it easy to remove dust and other debris from the dashboard, seats, and car mats.
Once we put the foam wet filter in this vacuum, it was easy to pick up water, but we don’t know how much it can hold. We don’t suggest filling this vacuum up to the top with liquid or wet debris because its wet capacity may be less than its total 2.5-gallon capacity. This portable option doesn’t have a drainage port like bigger shop vacuums, so you have to take the whole top and motor off to empty wet or dry items. We suggest cleaning the canister and filters well after each use to keep them from getting clogged and dirty.
The Good
- Compact and lightweight design for easy storage.
- Suitable for small to medium cleaning tasks.
- Budget-friendly option.
The Bad
- Less powerful motor compared to larger models.
Why Choose a Shop Vac for Your Cleaning Needs?
Using a shop vac to clean has a lot of benefits that make it a useful and flexible tool for many different scenarios. Here are some good reasons why you should choose a shop vac:
- Powerful Suction: Shop vacuums are made to clean up a lot of dirt and dust. They usually have motors with a lot of power and strong suction, so they can pick up big pieces of trash, dust, dirt, and even liquids.
- Versatility: Shop vacs can do a lot of different things. They can clean up both wet and dry messes, which makes them great for a wide range of cleaning tasks. A shop vac can clean up sawdust in your workshop, take water out of a flooded basement, or clean up after a home improvement job.
- Large Capacity: The dustbins or tanks on shop vacuums are bigger than those on regular home vacuums. This means you can clean more without having to constantly empty the bucket, saving you time and effort.
How to Use a Shop Vac Effectively?
To use a shop vac well, you need to set it up, use it, and keep it in good shape. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using your shop vacuum to its fullest:
- Read the instructions: First, read the instructions that came with your shop vac. It has important information about your model’s safety, how to put it together, and how to keep it in good shape.
- Get the things you’ll need: Find out what tools and devices you will need for the cleaning job at hand. Crevice tools, extension wands, brushes, and floor nozzles are some of the most common devices.
- Put the Shop Vac together: If your shop vac isn’t already put together, follow the directions from the manufacturer to put it together. Make sure that all parts, like hoses and filters, are attached firmly.
- Pick the Correct Filter: Choose the right filter based on the type of trash you’ll be cleaning. A HEPA filter is good for getting rid of small dust and allergens. Make sure you have a wet filter or a foam sleeve in place if you want to clean with water.
Questions and Answers
Most shop vacs are made to clean both wet and dry surfaces. They are very useful tools because they can pick up trash, dust, liquids, and spills.
Filtration is very important in a shop vac to catch small particles, dust, and allergens. The type of filtration, like HEPA filters, affects the quality of the air that is released when cleaning. This is important for home use in particular.
Yes, you can use a shop vac for both work and at home. They are often used in shops, on building sites, and in factories, but they are also useful for cleaning around the house, in the garage, and for people who like to do their own projects.