Find the Best Wet/Dry Vac for Your Shop and Home

You might call it a wet/dry shop vacuum, a wet/dry vac or simply a shop vacuum, but this tool is an essential for do-it-yourself project cleanup. A shop vacuum functions like a typical vacuum: an electric motor creates suction that pulls debris through a hose and into a canister for disposal. It’s essentially a vacuum that mops and sweeps. Like many household vacuums, shop vacuums can use attachments to make them more effective for specific tasks. However, shop vacuums are designed to take on many cleanup jobs outdoors as well as indoors. They often have more power than a household vacuum, allowing you to pick up wood chips and fasteners from a remodeling project.

Whether it’s a top of the line, best-rated wet/dry vacuum or a less powerful two horsepower light duty model, the wet/vac is a tool that can make your life a little easier when cleaning up messes. Most are capable of collecting liquids as well, making them perfect for cleaning up after a leak or emptying the last bit of water from a toilet you need to repair.

Most wet/dry shop vacuums designed for home use are portable.

• Larger portable shop vacuums have wheels or casters and a handle so you can easily move them around your home, garage or workshop. These corded models offer constant power, making them perfect for large projects and extended use.
• Handheld shop vacuums are lightweight and easier to handle. You can find corded models as well as handheld cordless shop vacuums. With no cord to unwind, plug in and rewind, these battery-powered models are the best small shop vacuums for quick cleanups and locations that don’t have easy access to a power outlet.

Shop vacuum size often refers to the capacity or tank size of the vacuum, indicated in gallons. The capacity gives you an idea of how much liquid it’ll hold, how much debris it can contain and the type of work you can do with it.

A large shop vacuum (4 to 16 gallons) is good for use around the workshop or garage to clean up after large projects. These models will have more powerful motors than smaller models and hoses sized to handle larger debris. The greater capacity means you can do more cleaning and empty the bin less often. These wet and dry vacuums often come with a selection of on-board accessories and a more comprehensive set of features.

If you just need a wet/dry vacuum for small projects, quick cleanup or for detailing a vehicle, the best vacuum and mop combo may be one with a smaller capacity (1/2 gallon to 3 gallons). These models are light enough to carry, easy to empty and easy to store without taking up a lot of room. Look for models with wall mounts to save even more floor space. A smaller-capacity model will often be a relatively quiet shop vacuum since it’ll have a smaller motor than a larger model.

When you compare wet/dry vacuums, they all share the same basic functionality, but capabilities differ from model to model. Here are some of the factors to consider to make sure you’re getting the best mop and vacuum combo for the type of cleanup you need to do.

• Horsepower: One of the things all the top rated wet/dry vacuums have in common is the right horsepower (hp) for the job. The horsepower a vacuum’s motor produces is one measure of the machine’s capability. More horsepower often means more power available for suction. How much horsepower should a shop vacuum have? That depends on what you need it for. Smaller ratings are sufficient for light, occasional use such as cleaning up a quick spill or vacuuming up the sawdust you create when cutting a few boards. A high-horsepower model is perfect if you do a lot of DIY work or are taking on a major project like a renovation. It will let you do more cleanup, but will also mean a larger motor and a heavier vacuum. You may see the term peak horsepower, indicating the power the motor produces at startup. Peak horsepower is higher than the running horsepower the motor produces during operation.
• Sealed Pressure: This performance measurement is also related to suction and is a key factor to consider if you want the most powerful shop vacuum. It’s measured in inches of water and higher numbers indicate more performance and more ability to pick up heavier debris.
• Air Volume: Air volume, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), indicates the air flow that’s available. Larger air volume or air flow measurements mean you can pick up more debris.
• Blower Capability: Shop vacuums with a blower port can quickly convert to a handheld electric leaf blower. Convenient feature saves you storage space by combining two tools. For many models, you can simply lift the motor assembly from the canister and attach an included blower tube to the blower port. quickly convert to a handheld electric leaf blower. Convenient feature saves you storage space by combining two tools.
• Built-In Drain: A drain is usually available on larger models and is a feature to look for if you’ll be using the wet-vacuuming capabilities of the machine. A drain makes emptying liquids from the canister easier and reduces the potential for a spill.
• Hose Length: A longer hose can make using a shop vacuum more convenient. A high-capacity vacuum will usually have a longer hose, making it easier to reach a cleanup area without needing to maneuver a larger, heavier machine.
• Cord Length: Like a long hose, a long cord will be more convenient, particularly if you don’t have a lot of outlets available. If you purchase a model with a shorter cord and need an extension cord, check your manual for specifications for a suitable extension cord.
• Onboard Storage: Clips, bags and other organization features make it easy to keep track of attachments and manage the hose and cord for efficient storage. Having everything organized and ready to go will make the next cleanup job easier and faster.
• Noise Level: If you’re concerned about how loud a shop vacuum will be, look for noise ratings, which are measured in decibels or db. A quiet shop vacuum will have a lower db rating, making conversation easier and making extended use more comfortable.

A good wet/dry vacuum comes with onboard features, but there’s also a wide range of shop vacuum accessories and attachments you can purchase to make cleanup as efficient as possible:

• Attachments: Shop vacuum attachments make the machine more versatile. You can find a variety of attachments or nozzles, including brushes for surfaces that a hard nozzle could damage, crevice tools for cleaning in tight spaces, large nozzles for floors and even small attachments designed for detailing a car dash or cleaning a computer keyboard. You can also purchase extension pieces as well as adapters that allow you to connect to power tools for dust collection.
  
• Filters: Choose a shop vacuum filter to fit your project. You’ll need a finer filter for cleaning up drywall dust than you would for sawdust or wood chips. A filter that’s too fine for your work will clog quickly while one that’s not fine enough will allow dust to escape into the room. A smaller micron rating means better filtration. High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters offer the greatest level of filtration you’ll typically see in a filter designed for home use. A foam filter is often a good choice for liquid cleanups.
• Hoses: Add-on shop vacuum hoses let you choose a longer hose for greater convenience, but a hose that’s too long can reduce suction. When considering hoses for shop vacuums make sure the hose you choose fits the inlet on your vacuum or includes an adapter.
• Collection Bags: Shop vacuum collection bags make it easy to remove debris from the canister with less mess. You can also find bags for shop vacuums that improve filtration, including bags that’re perfect for collecting fine debris such as sawdust or drywall dust.

Many types of power tools generate debris that quickly will cover a workshop in a layer of dust and can make the work uncomfortable. Dust collection accessories allow you to configure shop vacuums to function as light-duty, portable dust collection systems. A shop vacuum doesn’t have the performance capability or the high level of filtration that a purpose-built dust collector will, but it can help control nuisance-level dust that many power tools generate and keep a garage or workshop cleaner.

Look for dust collection kits that include a long hose with a smooth inner surface and a variety of adapters to fit tools such as grinders, miter saws and other handheld and benchtop tools. The best dust collection shop vacuum will be a model with a high capacity, since power tools can create a lot of sawdust and wood chips.