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Shop vacs differ from traditional vacuum cleaners, as they can also clean wet messes. They come in several sizes and power levels to fit a variety of needs. To help you select the vacuum that’s right for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best wet vacs on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Top 5 Wet Vacs
- Best For Large Tasks: Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac
- Best For Medium Tasks: Craftsman Portable Wet/Dry Vac
- Best For Small Tasks: Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum
- Most Portable: DEWALT Cordless Vacuum
- Best Filtration: Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Vac
Compare Top Wet Vacs
| Product | Voltage | Capacity | Horsepower | Hose Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac | 120 volts | 20 gallons | 6.5 | 7 feet | 30.3 pounds |
| Craftsman Portable Wet/Dry Vac | 120 volts | 9 gallons | 4.25 | 7 feet | 15.5 pounds |
| Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum | 120 volts | 2.5 gallons | 2 | 6.25 feet | 7 pounds |
| DEWALT Cordless Vacuum | 20 volts | 0.6 liters | Not listed | 5 feet | 4.5 pounds |
| Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Vac | 120 volts | 5 gallons | 5.5 | 7 feet | 13.5 pounds |
| Product | Voltage | Capacity | Horsepower | Hose Length | Weight |
Best For Large Tasks: Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac
Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac
- $206.66
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a large 20-gallon tank
✔ Has wheels for easy portability
✔ Comes with 10 different accessories
✘ Blower port doesn’t turn off
✘ Motor can be loud while in operation
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who liked this wet vac were impressed with its suction power and large gallon capacity. Others also liked that it was easy to maneuver. On the other hand, others felt this product did not seal properly while some customers had issues getting the wheels to lock on.
Best For Medium Tasks: Craftsman Portable Wet/Dry Vac
Craftsman Portable Wet/Dry Vac
- $113.33
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes two extension wands, a car nozzle, and a dust collection bag for sawdust, dirt, and other materials
✔ Has a large nine-gallon tank
✔ Features Qwik Lock Filter Fastening System for easy filter changes
✘ Does not have blower attachment
✘ Is heavy for a portable machine
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were pleased with this wet vac liked that it had several useful accessories and attachments. They also liked that it was easy to assemble and that it was particularly effective on pet hair. On the other hand, some other customers felt this product did not have the suction power they were hoping for, while others complained that it let out a bad smell.
Best For Small Tasks: Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum
Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum
- $49.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Is lightweight at just seven pounds
✔ Comes with eight accessories
✔ Has cord wrap for easy storage
✘ Not ideal for large households
✘ Power cord is shorter than some comparable products
What Customers Are Saying
Those who were happy with this wet vac liked that it was highly portable and easy to maneuver. They were also impressed that it took up minimal space. On the other hand, others felt this product didn’t have enough suction power to lift medium- or large-size items, and others claimed it stopped working properly after a standard amount of use.
Most Portable: DEWALT Cordless Vacuum
DEWALT Cordless Vacuum
- $111.4
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has built-in filter that can be removed and rinsed with tap water between uses
✔ Weighs less than five pounds
✔ Blocks 99.7% of dust
✘ Too small for large particles
✘ Has a loud operation
What Customers Are Saying
Those who left satisfactory reviews for this wet vac were pleased with its simple setup and had excellent suction power for its size. Others were impressed with its lightweight design. However, some customers felt this vacuum was overly loud, and others found it challenging to operate.
Best Filtration: Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Vac
Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Vac
- $168.6
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with foam wet filter that prevents debris from damaging machine
✔ Has 5.5-horsepower motor and five-gallon tank
✔ Features quick-release cord
✘ Hose holder is poorly designed
✘ Has a smaller capacity than some other wet vacs
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who liked this wet/dry vac were impressed with its excellent suction power and its long cord. Others liked that it had a long cord. However, some customers felt this wet/dry vac was hard to maneuver since it didn’t have wheels. Some also found that the latches didn’t fully tighten.
Buyer’s Guide
Read our buying guide below to learn about the features that distinguish the best wet/dry vacuums from each other.
Cleaning Ability
Most of the shop vacs on the market pick up dirt and other dry debris in addition to liquids for added versatility.
Tank Size
Most wet vacs have tanks between two and 18 gallons in size. Choose a tank size that fits the types of jobs you will use your shop vac for. Small jobs require tanks between two and six gallons, while 14-18 gallon wet/dry vacuums are better for large jobs.
Material
Most wet vacs have stainless steel or plastic bodies. Plastic is more lightweight, making transportation from room to room easier. However, stainless steel is more durable and long-lasting.
Power
The power of your wet vac’s motor is measured in horsepower. Small tasks, such as picking up a half-gallon water spill, require one-to-two-horsepower motors, while large tasks, such as picking up large pieces of debris or pumping water out of your basement, require more powerful suction ability such as machines with four-to-six-horsepower motors. However, vacuums with more horsepower typically have a shorter runtime.
Accessories
Wet vacs often come with extra hoses, brushes, extension wands, and other accessories for use in different situations. Vacs with accessories typically also have onboard storage to keep all of the tools together. Some vacuums will also include a drainage plug to on the bottom of the canister to help reduce clogs, and others have built-in self-cleaning capabilities.
Maneuverability
Wet or wet/dry vacuum cleaners that come on wheels or casters will be easier to maneuver. Heavy, corded wet/vacs will be the most challenging to move, especially if you have rely on an extension cord Light weight, handheld, and cordless vacs are more portable options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wet vacs loud?
Yes. Some wet vacs are as loud as 85 decibels, so you may want to wear ear protection to avoid hearing damage.
Are wet vacs portable?
Most wet vacs are either lightweight for carrying or have wheels for rolling. This allows you to maneuver the vacuum to clean up messes with ease.
What does the static pressure rating of my wet vac mean?
Static pressure (SP), also called sealed pressure or sealed suction, is a measurement used for shop vacs whose main function is to pick up liquid. High-end shop vacs usually have an SP rating of around 75.
What is the difference between a shop vac and wet/dry vac?
A shop vac is a vacuum optimized for heavy-duty cleanup. It typically doesn’t come with a rotating brush roll, meaning it shouldn’t be used on carpet. Shop-Vac is also the name of a popular brand of wet dry vacs.
Wet vacs can clean liquids without ruining the vacuum. Most wet vacs are also wet/dry vacs meaning they can separate dry materials.
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