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Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan
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Credit:
Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan
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This isn’t the most powerful vacuum, but we loved its versatility, and it performed well in our dirt-and-debris tests. Read More
For its size, this six-gallon vac offers impressive suction. But we found its filter tough to remove, and it lacks a dedicated water attachment. Read More
We liked that this model comes with task-specific nozzles and extension wands, though it’s a little bulky and difficult to store. Read More
The nine-gallon Ridgid seems like a bang-for-buck proposition on paper, but its extra horsepower doesn’t yield the kind of performance you’d hope for. Read More
The Shop-Vac lacks power, although it comes with three cleaning attachments including a crevice, two wet-pickup nozzles, and extension wands for all three. Read More
The best wet/dry vacuum cleaners can handle big spills in the house and quickly clean out a messy car, while still being able to take on tough tasks on job sites and home improvement projects.
Commonly called shop vacuums—not to be confused with the Shop-Vac brand—these heavy duty cleanup tools are designed to deal with difficult messes, tackling jobs other vacuums simply can't. That doesn't mean they're all-powerful, though.
Performing the tasks of both a vacuum and mop, there are some shop vacs on the market that greatly outperform others. That’s why we gathered best-selling models to find out which one is worth its salt.
After putting them through tests to measure power, usability, and versatility, we found that the VacMaster (available at Amazon for $109.20) was the best shop vacuum overall. It’s adept at handling big messes.
Versatile suction—that's Vacmaster.
Plenty of raw power
Limited lifetime warranty
Hard-to-remove filter
Disappointing number of attachments
Excelled in cleanup tests
Includes two extension wands and extra nozzles
Limited lifetime warranty
Takes up a lot of storage space
Compact, space-efficient design
A handful of useful attachments
Lackluster performance
Hey, I'm Jon Chan, the Senior Lab Technician at Reviewed. In our testing labs, I'm the garage guru, testing everything from work gloves to pressure washers. I’m also the resident expert on vacuums in general. Having lab-tested more than 100 vacuums, I know superior cleaning performance when I see it.
When it came to testing wet/dry vacuums, I was most interested in finding the best model for the average homeowner. To claim that top spot, a vacuum needed to be reasonably priced, consistently powerful, and easy to use.
We test water pickup of a Craftsman wet/dry vacuum.
All the vacuums we chose ranged in size from 5 to 12 gallons, and from 3 to 5 horsepower. We tested them on three major criteria: power, usability, and versatility.
To test power, we first started by measuring how much water each unit could suction up in 10 seconds. It’s a quintessential task considering that’s the “wet” in wet/dry vac. We also took note of how much each model bucked when cleaning up a liquid mess. The strain of suctioning up water also speaks to the build quality of a unit.
The water pickup test was the most important and we performed it multiple times. Peak horsepower and amperage are not reliable ways of determining suction ability.
After the water pickup test, we moved onto more solid matter. We chose wet sand and metal bolts. We chose these two materials, but they represent a wide range of densities and malleability.
We tested usability by switching out filters, putting on attachments, and lugging the unit around our offices and labs. Finally, our versatility tests looked at how easy it was to store, how long the cord and hose were, whether it worked as a blower (plus the strength of the blower port), and if it included features like foam sleeves or cord wraps.
Wet/dry vacuums are a very versatile tool. In addition to shop sawdust, car trash, and household spills, they can be used to unclog drains and clean fireplaces. Some can even be used as leaf blowers. What you need in a shop vacuum depends on how you’ll it. Here are some things to think about when shopping for a wet/dry vacuum.
Most people should only require a 3.5 to 5 peak horsepower motor for their wet/dry vac. If it can suction up water and sawdust, you're probably good to go. Besides, the horsepower number on most wet/dry vacuums is peak horsepower, which is a more generous estimation than a defined power rating. Peak horsepower, also known as developed horsepower, is a number based on ideal laboratory conditions, not real-world work.
We like plastic tubs over metal ones. Plastic won’t rust or corrode as metal does. Remember, stainless steel means it stains less—not that it won’t stain at all. We also like plastic models because they tend to be lighter, which aids in how easy they are to move.
The capacity of the wet/dry vacuums we tested ranged from 5 gallons to 12 gallons. While there are options that have more capacity, a vacuum in that range should be big enough for most homeowners.
The more attachments that a wet/dry vacuum has, the more versatile it is. Our top pick, the VacMaster (available at Amazon for $109.20) , comes with eight attachments, including a crevice tool. Others we tested only came with two attachments. If you plan on using your shop vac extensively, you should consider one that has the attachments that suit your needs.
Many wet/dry vacuums allow you to hook the hose onto the exhaust end, in effect, creating a blower. The force generated is not as powerful as a dedicated leaf blower, but we found it more than adequate to deal with dust on workbenches and light walkway clearing duty in the fall.
Any homeowner would benefit from owning a wet/dry vacuum. They may be designed to live in the garage, but they’re not just for people working in a shop or doing construction projects. They’re a versatile tool that can help with many household messes and tasks.
However, while the best wet/dry vacuum cleaners are certainly a versatile tool, we don’t recommend having them replace your regular floor cleaner. First, most wet/dry vacuums do not come with a HEPA filter. Typically, if a HEPA is offered at all, it has to be purchased separately. Also, because a wet/dry vacuum has to be able to deal with water, there’s no such thing as a motorized brush roll head for this type of vacuum. This lack of spinning brushes means a wet/dry vacuum can’t clean carpet or upholstery as effectively as a moderately priced regular vacuum.
The ability to pick up sawdust as well as the odd nail is a huge time saver with a shop vac, too. There are also situations when a floor may be too delicate and can be scratched from using a broom and dustpan. For a case like this, such as a broken glass on your hardwood floor, a wet/dry vac would be a safer choice.
Anyone with small children will also appreciate the wet pickup power. Spills and bathroom mishaps that require half a roll of paper towels are no match for the powerful motor of a wet/dry vacuum.
If you find yourself constantly dealing with clogged drains, try using a wet/dry vacuum’s suction power on them. Plumber’s snakes and plungers can be very laborious and chemical methods can damage your pipes. Even when a wet/dry vacuum can’t remove a clog, we have found that removing the excess water makes the situation so much better.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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