Bosch AirSweep 3931A

*Est. $400

Best workshop vacuum

Outstanding suction
Automatic filter cleaning
Automatic shutoff when vacuuming liquids

Loud

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Reviews praise the 13-gallon Bosch AirSweep 3931A shop vac for its automatic self-cleaning filter design. This makes it far more convenient to clean than the top-rated Fein 9-77-25 Turbo III (*est. $400), another shop vac designed to collect dust from power tools. The new Bosch shop vac also has a better power-management system, so it works with higher-amperage tools. The Fein shop vacs are known for quiet performance, however, and the Bosch AirSweep 3931A gets mixed reviews on this score. Noise level varies with the suction power, going as low as 62 decibels, but one review measures the top level at 80 decibels -- nearly four times as loud. If you don't want to spend as much, experts recommend the Ridgid WD1450 (*est. $100) for general cleanup jobs, but not for dust collection.

Fine Homebuilding compares the Bosch AirSweep 3931A shop vac with four other tool-triggered wet/dry vacuums by testing all five on a jobsite. At Fine Woodworking, a contributing editor reviews the new Bosch 3931A, and an earlier review compares this newest Bosch shop vac with its predecessor, the Bosch AirSweep 3931. We also found relevant reviews comparing the earlier Bosch AirSweep with other shop vacs. Taunton's 2005 Tool Guide compares the Bosch 3931 with nine other shop vacs, while American Woodworker compares it to five.

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Our Sources

1. Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide

This review of five tool-triggered shop vacs, including the Bosch AirSweep 3931A, presents essentially the same information as the review in the June 2007 issue of Fine Woodworking summarized below. Readers agree with the editors' two top picks, ranking the Bosch 3931A a rather distant third.

Review: Tool-Triggered Shop Vacs, Rob Wotzak and Taunton Press Editors, Sept. 2007

2. Fine HomebuildingDetails/Subscribe

Carpenter Rob Wotzak and his crew review the Bosch 3931A shop vac along with four other wet/dry vacuums, testing each model at a jobsite and rating each for power, convenience and overall design. The Bosch 3931A ranks at the top for power, but loses points for noise and awkward mobility.

Review: Shop Vacs, Rob Wotzak, June/July 2007

3. Fine Woodworking

Contributing editor Roland Johnson tests the newest Bosch shop vac, the AirSweep 3931A, in his own workshop. Johnson goes into detail about the features he likes; no criticisms are noted here. Johnson praises the power-management system, versatile fittings and self-cleaning dual filters.

Review: New vacuum from Bosch tames dust and debris -- quietly, Roland Johnson, July/Aug. 2007

4. Fine Woodworking Tools & Shops 2007Details/Subscribe

This article previews new tools that were displayed at the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair in August 2006. Editors hail three improvements in the newest Bosch shop vac, the Bosch AirSweep 3931A. Here the sound level is measured at 69 decibels.

Review: Highlights from IWF 2006, Editors of Fine Woodworking, Winter 2006/2007

5. Taunton's 2005 Tool GuideDetails/Subscribe

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 editors praise the way the filter is mounted above the motor, preserving air flow. The Bosch 3931 was too new at the time to be included in the readers' survey.

Review: Bosch 3931 Review -- Shop Vacuums, Editors and readers of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking, Jan. 2005

6. American WoodworkerDetails/Subscribe

This review compares the Bosch 3931 with five other shop vacs, testing each for power and air flow. Editors pick the Bosch 3931A as the best shop vac for collecting dust from power tools. They note that it's much louder than the Fein Turbo III shop vac, but find that the Bosch has slightly more airflow.

Review: Tool Test: Shop Vacuums, George Vendriska and Tony Caspar, Oct. 2005

7. Journal of Light ConstructionDetails/Subscribe

Professional contractor David Grubb tests the earlier Bosch 3931 along with six other tool-activated shop vacs. The Bosch is the top choice for workshop use because of its power and filter-cleaning system. However, it's not as easy to move to jobsites as the lighter, more compact Porter-Cable 7812, the top choice for jobsite use.

Review: Tool Test: Tool-Activated Vacuums, David Grubb, Dec. 2004

8. 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 especially likes its pulse feature, which helps clear the filter, as well as the fact that it's always ready for wet pickup. It also has a stable design and plenty of suction.

Review: Tool Test: Wet/Dry Vacuums, Chris Kulczycki, Mar./Apr. 2004

9. Amazon.com

Six owners review the Bosch 3931A here, dividing evenly between a perfect five-star and slightly lower four-star ratings. Most say they picked the Bosch because they were tired of fooling with noisier shop vacs and like its power, big hose capacity and self-cleaning filter. The only drawbacks have to do with maneuvering the Bosch shop vac from one place to another.

Review: Bosch Airsweep Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner w/Power Broker 3931A, Contributors to Amazon.com