According to an old saying, c leanliness is next to godliness .
Although it is likely that DIY workshops were not the original reference point, it is safe to say that a clean garage makes for a happier garage. The best way to maintain a clean garage? Get the best shop vacuum.
It is not an easy task to find the best shop vacuum. We’re going to be honest and say that many of them are suckers. ).
SawGuy has years of experience in putting tools through the wringer and subjecting them a abuse and use that would be considered criminal if they were living, breathing objects. We have used many shop vacs over the years.
Below is a list of our top picks for shop vacuums, the ones with the best price/performance ratio and overall value.
Shop-Vac is a brand name. However, most people use it loosely to describe an outside garage/workshop that uses a wet dry vacuum.
Craftsman 12004 6, or 41 Liters 3HP Wet/Dry Vacuum is an excellent choice if you are looking for a bigger vac at this price. The 3hp motor (4hp on the 41 Liters model), provides enough power to handle a variety of messy situations, dry or wet.
It comes with attachment hoses which allow for a maximum reach of 5.2m. Overall, a great choice.
Shop-Vac 2036000 11 Litres Wet/Dry is a great value option. However, it’s smaller than the Craftsman at only 11 Liters. The vacuum’s compact size and light weight make it easy to transport.
The bag is loaded with great features, including a collapsible handle (wet/dry vacuums can be awkward to carry), a wall mounting and a convenient filter replacement system.
The 55 Liters VBV1210 from Vacmaster is a great option if you are looking for something bigger and more industrial-strength.
It can be converted to a blower like the others.
The Craftsman XSP 73 Litres 6.5hp is our pick for best shop vac for dust collection. This vac is strong enough to collect sawdust from shops across the country. It has a 6.5hp motor.
This is a great choice if your goal is to put together a central DIY/homemade dust collection system powered by a standard shop vacuum (we’ll talk more about it shortly).
The Shop-Vac 3940100 Dry/Wet Vacuum is another great mid-range option we have used and were generally pleased with.
The size and power of the Shop-Vac 2.5hp is very similar, although it has a larger 16-liter capacity and a 3hp motor. It comes as a complete kit, which includes many attachments, extensions and accessories. This is the main draw and why it made it onto this list.
Review Of The Best Shop Vacs/Wet Dry Vacs
Let’s take a look at some of our top picks, and then let us know what the pros and con are depending on your reasons for needing a shop vacuum.
Craftsman 12004 6 Liters Or 41 Liters 3HP Wet/Dry Vacuum
This Craftsman blower/vacuum combination is surprisingly good value for money. Many wet/dry vacuums can be difficult to maneuver, heavy, tipy, or have no wheels.
The 12004 is different. The 12004’s wheel mechanisms are extremely well-designed and beefed up. It rolls smoothly and unhindered as it is supposed to.
The handle is a one-piece design that can be carried around the top. It’s great for those times when it is difficult to roll and you have to pick it it up. We’ve tried other vacs that require you to hug the thing to transport it.
Any decent shop vacuum hose must be flexible in order to maneuver into tight spaces. Craftsman took this into account when it added 360-degree swiveling wheels to its hose. No more pulling on the hose or knocking it over while you twist and turn your way into tight places.
Power is the most positive feature that users consistently mention when referring to how badly this vacuum sucks. A good shop vacuum must be able to do what it wants. The 3hp (27 Liters), and 4hp (41.1 Liters) motors are powerful enough to power a wide range of applications.
The 41 Liters model is approximately 53 cm high x 38 cm wide (without wheels that protrude).
Things we didn’t like
- It is a bit heavy to store and has no wall mounting options.
- A 1-year warranty is all that’s needed.
BUY NOW
Shop-Vac 2036000 11 Liters Dry/Wet Vacuum
This little guy is perfect for anyone looking for a lightweight and portable wet/dry vacuum for use around the house.
It is just 30 cm high and under 3kg, making it easy for your five-year-old to help clean up the garage or vacuum the cars.
The 2.5hp motor is powerful enough to power the 2 gallons unit. It also has sufficient power to lift the hard-to-reach dirt and sand from your car’s floormats.
Although it doesn’t have the same wheels as larger shop vacuums, the flip-up handle and the light weight make this a non-issue.
According to reviews, most people love this vacuum for its efficiency and compactness. This 11 Liter vac is a great alternative to the large, heavy shop vacuums that are kept in your garage.
Things we enjoyed
- Compactness and portability
- Wall mounting option allows you to keep it off the ground and out of sight
- Converts to blower
- 3-year warranty
Things we didn’t like
- 10 cm Hose (1.8m would be better)
- It doesn’t come with retention bags, although you don’t need them to use the bag.
Vacmaster VBV1210 55 Liters 5hp Dry/wet Vacuum/blower
This shop vac is a great option and a very affordable one. This shop vac is significantly less expensive than the 55 Liters brand Shop-Vac and performs better.
The Vacmaster’s rigidity is our favorite feature. Many shop vacuums are too tippy and clunky.
This is not the case. The vac’s well-designed wheels give it excellent balance. It also has a 3.7m power cord with a 2.1m hose (not including extensions), giving you more than 6.1m reach without the need to use an extension cord. This is why we have this full-sized vac in our garage.
Although it is quite bulky at over 61.5 cm high and 46 cm wide, this should not be a problem for a 55 Liter vacuum. There are plenty of smaller options if you’re looking for something.
Users and reviewers alike love the power it provides without causing a commotion in the ears. Vacs with larger motors, such as those with 3hp+ motors, can be annoyingly loud. However, the 5hp Vacmaster isn’t that bad. More importantly, you won’t be disappointed with how much juice it pumps out.
It can also kick butt as a full-on blower with 210 mph max blow force.
Things we enjoyed
- Stability, rigidity and balance
- Overall, the price is a good value. There are many other vacs of lower quality that are significantly more expensive for this class.
- Includes 2 hose extensions as well 6 different fittings
- Blower can be detached
Things we didn’t like
- It could be easier to replace or swap a filter from dry to moist.
The Best Shop Vacuums For Dust Collection
Craftsman XSP 73 Liters 6.5hp
Although central dust collection systems can be great, they are prohibitively expensive and out of reach for many DIYers and homeowners.
There are many cheaper options for standard-sized garages and DIY woodworking shops. With a few hose extensions and connectors and the right accessories you can create a central collection system that runs off of a standard wet dry vacuum.
A Craftsman XPS 73 Liters is a great choice for such a system. You need a powerful central dust collection device, but most 6hp+ wet-dry vacs are very expensive. The Craftsman XPS 73 Liters is much more affordable and can provide the power required to run a centralized collection.
The standard 2 hose is included, but adaptors are available to make 1 work with any cordless or stationary power tool. This video shows you how to connect each of your shop tools to the central vacuum for just a fraction of the cost.
The XPS 73 Liters is getting excellent reviews from all sides, proving that it has a good price-performance ratio. Users did not mention that the XPS 73 Liters can suck small pets from up to a meter away. This is a joke.
Things we enjoyed
- Price, price and more price. There is no better value than a 73 Liters wet-dry vac.
- Great for dust collection
- This motor’s 6.5hp is an absolute beast. If you have a small dog or a cat, this motor is a beast.
Things we didn’t like
- Size. It is big and bulky and takes up lots of space. There is no way to avoid it if you are looking at 73 Liters shop vacuums
- It is loud. There is no way around it.
BUY NOW
Shop-Vac 16 Liters 3hp Dry/Wet Vacuum Kit
This shop vacuum is a great mid-range model at a reasonable price. However, it’s mainly because of the incredible number of attachments included in the kit.
At 16 Liters, the vacuum is mid-sized. It’s somewhere between an in-house and garage vac. The vacuum comes with a wall mount that is very convenient and well-designed. This mount can be used to store it up high off the ground or to place it on a specific area (e.g., over a workbench).
You get a lot of attachments and accessories with the kit, which is why we included it on our list. It’s an amazing value for money considering all that it includes.
It comes with a 5.5m long hose and three extension wands. There are also four nozzles (gulper/crevice, brush, 25cm wet/dry), wet cartridge filters. A collection bag/retainer is included.
These are all items that you will eventually have to replace or purchase anyway if your vacuum is purchased by itself. It really makes sense to buy a combo kit.
Apart from the many accessories and goodies that are included with the kit, the most popular comment is the generous power of the vacs, especially considering their size. Many other 14 Liters wet/dry vacuums are powered by 2hp or 1hp motors. But this baby is equipped with a powerful 3hp motor, so you won’t be frustrated by a lackluster suction power.
Things we enjoyed
- Huge array of accessories/attachments in the kit
- A mid-range 14 Liters vac provides plenty of power
- Superlong 5.5m hose (not counting extension wands).
- Converts to blower
Things we didn’t like
- For inside use, can be cumbersome
- Too large to use as a wall-mount vacuum
Additional Considerations: What To Look Out For When Buying A Dry/wet Shop-vac
You don’t have to ponder over which size or type of shop vacuum is best for you. Here are some suggestions:
What will it be used for?
Inside? Outside? The larger models (6 to 55 Liters) are best if you intend on using it as a garage vacuum. For indoor use, the smaller models (2-18 Liters) are more efficient and easier to handle.
Are there filters included?
Filters are required for shop vacs. If you are using the shop vac as a dry one, a paper cartridge is required. However, a foam filter can be used for wet jobs. All of the recommended ones come with both.
Lastly, Some Things To Remember
- Make use of the wall mount option. Wall mounts are great for storing your vac in a fixed location. They also work well for general storage. Because shop vacs can be bulky, make sure to store it away from the path when you aren’t using it.
- Hose length. The hose lengths of the four shop vacuums we recommend ranged from 10 to 46 cm. If you intend to use the vacuum indoors 90% of the time, the longest hose is not always the best. For instance, if the vacuum drags around the house, freaking out your dog and knocking things all over the place, the hose may not be the most effective.
Conclusion
Given the different sizes and applications of each product, it is difficult to name a clear winner in this product roundup. We will however say that the 55 Liters Vacmaster is our top-rated full-size wet/dry vac. High stability, appropriate length of hose, and both dry and wet filters included.
The 11 Liters ShopVac is a small option. Wall mount that is perfect for indoor use and portable enough to handle some outdoor/garage jobs.
- Picks up wet and dry debris
- 2.5 gallon storage tank and 2 horsepower motor. Type: Residential
- Includes 6-foot hose and 10-foot cord
- Voltage: 120 volts - 60 hertz. Features dust sealed switch
- Note: The hose is inside the canister portion (inside the units tank) of the...
- Replacement Filters: CVFF21, CVRC2
- 【LARGER CAPACITY Stanley SL18910P-3 Wet / Dry Vacuum has a larger capacity...
- 【VERSATILE & POWERFUL Thanks to the 3 peak HP motor, this vac offers powerful...
- 【2 in 1 Function With this versatile vac you can vacuum both wet liquid spills...
- 【FARTHER CLEANUP With over 10 ft. of cleaning reach(4 ft. hose, 6 ft. power...
- 【WHAT YOU GET Stanley SL18910P-3 Wet / Dry Vac x 1, 1-1/4"x4’ hose x 1, 3 in...
- 5 Gal. Polypropylene Tank | Powerful 5.5 Peak HP | High Water Lift Motor |...
- 18’ Cord with Cord Wrap | Easily Converts to Blower | Large On/Off Dust Sealed...
- Balanced Top Handle Design | 5 Year Warranty
- Accessories Included: 7’ x 1-7/8” Kink Resistant EVA Hose, Utility Nozzle,...
- Accessories Included: Car Nozzle, Fine Dust Cartridge Filter, Foam Wet Filter,...
- High Performance Motor Provides Strong Power For Suction And Blowing...
- 4 Gallon Capacity With Sturdy Handle And Light Weight For Easy Carrying
- Widespread Stainless Steel Base To Prevent Tipping, Built-In Storage Stage,...
- Swiveling Casters Enable The Ease Movement In Any Direction, 10 Feet Power Cord...
- 5 gallon poly container, 4.0 peak HP motor, Airflow: 85 CFM
- Rear blower port
- 10-foot power cord with built-in cord wrap
- Swiveling casters provide ease of movement
- Accessories include: 1 1/4-inch x 5-foot hose, two extension wands, crevice...
- Portable 6 Gallon wet/dry vac ideal for small clean-up jobs
- Powerful 4 peak horsepower motor provides just the amount of suction needed to...
- Ultra durable rubberized casters allow smooth swiveling for ease of movement
- 10' power cord with cord wrap helps reach almost any cleanup need. Ideal for...
- Built-in blower port powerful enough to blow sawdust and debri from most any...
- A MUST-HAVE TIME SAVER: One-Step Cleaning wet or dry messes and hairs on hard...
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Up to 30 mins runtime by a Interchangeable battery....
- HANDS-FREE SELF-CLEANING: Self-cleaning cycle keeps the roller brush clean....
- MULTI-SURFACE CLEANING: Picks up messy, sticky spills and hairs on all sealed...
- CORDLESS & LIGHTWEIGHT: With only 8.7 lbs, you can easily maneuver this wet dry...
- 6 gallon steel container, 4.0 peak HP motor, Airflow: 85 CFM
- Rear blower port
- 10-foot power cord with built-in cord wrap
- Swiveling casters provide ease of movement
- Accessories include: 1 1/4-inch x 5-foot hose, two extension wands, crevice...
- HEPA Rated filter traps up to 99.97% efficiency
- Washable/reusable filter
- Crush-resistant 5ft hose
- On-board storage for easy transport
- Includes - 5' Heavy-Duty Crush Resistant Hose (1-1/4" Diameter), Crevice Tool...
- VACUUM AND WASH HARD FLOORS AT THE SAME TIME. With the patented Tineco iLoop...
- CORDLESS AND POWERFUL. S3 Breeze leaves your floors completely dry and...
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND SELF-PROPELLED. Move your appliance freely. Easily maneuver up...
- MESS-FREE SELF-CLEANING. Place your S3 Breeze on the storage tray and run the...
- GUIDED CLEANING. Check real-time status on the LED screen and with voice...
