Shop Vacs: Reviews

Updated May 2008

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Best shop vac for most users

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

For general cleanup of both dry debris and liquids, this is the most-recommended shop vac. Reviews say the 14-gallon size hits the sweet spot" -- big enough for big jobs, yet small enough to store easily. The hose locks… on so it's easy to tug around, and the filter is washable. A drain makes emptying liquids easy, and Ridgid offers a lifetime warranty once the shop vac is registered.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports includes the Ridgid WD1450 shop vac in its review of 23 consumer-brand wet/dry vacuums, comparing it primarily ...

PopularMechanics.com: This review compares the Ridgid WD1450 shop vac with five other models ranging from 4.5 to 16 gallons, testing their speed and ...

PopularMechanics.com: This review compares the Ridgid WD1450 shop vac with five other models ranging from 4.5 to 16 gallons. Although the Ridgid WD1450 ...

HomeDepot.com: At the time of this report, the Ridgid WD1450 takes second place only to the WD1665 shop vac according to these owner-written ...

HomeDepot.com: At the time of this report, the Ridgid WD1450 takes second place only to the WD1665 shop vac according to twenty owner-written ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com selects the Ridgid WD1450 as a best buy, reviewing this shop vac in the context of seven 2007 single-product ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com selects the Ridgid WD1450 as a best buy. The only criticism noted is that it's relatively heavy. The site ...

Epinions.com: Though only two owners review the Ridgid WD1450 here (Ridgid is a subsidiary of Emerson Electric Co.), they both criticize ...

Epinions.com: Though only two owners review the Ridgid WD1450 here, they both criticize Ridgid customer service, saying it's difficult to get ...

SawmillCreek.org: This shop-vac comparison at a woodworking forum focuses more on the Fein and Festool shop vacs, but a few contributors suggest ...

SawmillCreek.org: This shop vac comparison at a woodworking forum focuses more on the Fein Turbo II and the Festool CT 22 and CT 33 shop vacs, but ...

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Best workshop vacuum

Bosch AirSweep 3931A

*Est. $400 Compare Prices

The Bosch is a tool-triggered shop vac with a soft-start motor with bypass protection (and auto shut-off when vacuuming liquids). The twin filters automatically clean themselves, and HEPA filters are also available. Dust… bags make emptying the Bosh shop vac easier and cleaner. As with other pro-grade shop vacs, the wand and nozzles cost extra (*est. $40). It offers a lot more luxury than the basic shop vacs above, but it's probably overkill for those who have no intention of using it with power tools.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide: This review of five tool-triggered shop vacs, including the Bosch AirSweep 3931A, presents essentially the same information as ...

Fine Homebuilding: Carpenter Rob Wotzak and his crew review the Bosch 3931A shop vac along with four other wet/dry vacuums, testing each model at a ...

Fine Woodworking: Contributing editor Roland Johnson tests the newest Bosch shop vac, the AirSweep 3931A, in his own workshop. Johnson goes into ...

Fine Woodworking Tools & Shops 2007: This article previews new tools that were displayed at the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair in ...

Taunton's 2005 Tool Guide: Editors say the Bosch 3931 does a good job of collecting wood chips without clogging. The 26-foot power cord is also a plus, and ...

American Woodworker: This review compares the Bosch 3931 with five other shop vacs, testing each for power and air flow. Editors pick the Bosch 3931A ...

Journal of Light Construction: Professional contractor David Grubb tests the earlier Bosch 3931 along with six other tool-activated shop vacs. The Bosch is the ...

Tools of the Trade: After putting nine pro-level wet/dry shop vacs through a set of torture tests, this reviewer ranks the Bosch 3931 at the top. He ...

Amazon.com: Six owners review the Bosch 3931A here, dividing evenly between a perfect five-star and slightly lower four-star ratings. Most ...

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Budget/portable shop vac

Shop-Vac All-Around 971-02-00

*Est. $55 Compare Prices

Despite its small 1.5-gallon capacity and relatively low suction, owners give this lightweight shop vac good reviews for convenience. The Shop-Vac All-Around is easy to carry on stairs or a ladder. Although the hose is… too small for vacuuming large debris, reviews say it's fine for small jobs, and it doesn't cost much.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: The tiny 1.5-gallon Shop-Vac All-Around 971-02-00 receives around 20 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com. Most compare it ...

Amazon.com: The tiny, 1.5-gallon Shop-Vac All-Around 971-02-00 receives 20 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com. Most owners compare it ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports includes a similar Shop-Vac All-Around in its review of 23 consumer-brand shop vacs, comparing it primarily with ...

Epinions.com: Several owners review an earlier, even smaller and less powerful Shop-Vac model here, giving it a near-perfect average rating. ...

Epinions.com: About a dozen owners review an earlier, even smaller and less powerful portable Shop-Vac model here, giving it a near-perfect ...

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