A shop vac is a great tool to have in the garage. There are some messes for which the in-house vacuum cleaner just is not suited. Shop vacs are offered in a variety of sizes and specialties. Perhaps you need one that is easily transportable. Or maybe you need one that is especially good at tough messes. There are features, accessories, storage packaging, and power sources that can all factor into determining the best wet/dry vacuum for you. We’ll break down the top options to get the most for your dollar.
- DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Wet-Dry Vac : Best Compact/Cordless Vac
- Ridgid RT1400 : High-Powered Vac
- Vacmaster Red Edition VOM205P : Best Value
- DeWalt DXV16PA : Best High-End Vac
- Craftsman 20-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac : Best Overall
Most of these shop-vacs are designed for home use. You leave them in the garage and plug them in when needed. But if you have a truck, go off-roading, or are doing a job away from the house, you’ll want a cordless vac. Anytime you need a vacuum and aren’t near an outlet, you’ll be glad you had this mobile unit.
- Weighs just eight pounds
- Fits DeWalt power-tool battery family
- Up to 12-hour runtime (with largest battery)
- Limited capacity (two gallons)
- Limited hose length
- No corded input
It’s nice to be able to take a smaller shop vac on the road, but what many people need is a powerful at-home unit that can handle any project that you throw at it. The Ridgid’s six-horsepower two-stage motor can tackle heavy messes and also can work in reverse as a leaf-blower. We also like how the design has evolved into something like a power-washer with the big/small wheel combination and the taller handle to make it easier to move around.
- Six-hp two-stage motor
- 14-gallon capacity
- 7.8-foot hose
- Small front wheels hamper maneuverability
- Other models stow into smaller spaces
Sometimes you want a no-frills tool that you know will take a beating. This vacuum doesn’t have wheels or many attachments, but it starts at under $50, which is hard to beat. Even the larger versions of this line of vacuum are still a tremendous value within the segment.
- Low starting price
- Multiple affordable sizes available
- Two-way functionality
- No wheels
- Short hose
- Louder than most options
When you’re ready to step up to one of the best in the game, this DeWalt seemingly has every attribute set to “11.” It has a massive capacity, powerful motor, is easily maneuverable, and has an easy-access drain-port. Though it has the same large/small wheel setup as the Ridgid unit, it’s seemingly more maneuverable. This product is designed to handle big jobs easily every time.
- Large capacity
- Maneuverable for its size
- Silencing muffler-like component
- Expensive
- Overkill for many consumers
If you’ve owned shop vacs before or worked in any shop before, you’ve likely seen a Craftsman shop vac at some point. It’s the gold standard because it’s durable, dependable, and it just works. Craftsman offers multiple large-format capacities, and all have a high-output motor. It does all this at a far lower price point than some competitors. There’s a reason this is one of the best sellers out there today.
- Powerful motor options
- Maneuverable
- Full assortment of attachments
- No extended handle (need to bend over to move)
Methodology
First-hand experience plays a large role in our expertise with shop vacs. Many of the Forbes Wheels staff have garages and spend plenty of weekend hours out there on projects. Those projects often result in the need for a shop vac. From working on cars to weekend biking/hiking/kayaking adventures, there are plenty of times you need a vacuum out in the garage. Combined with countless Amazon and Google reviews, we are able to bring you the best options on the market today.