Craftsman 17066

*Est. $120

Top detaches for use as a handheld leaf blower
Comes with six cleaning tools
Easy to move around
No lip on the lid makes it easy to empty

Noisy and bulky
No auto-shut off for liquids
Lid doesn't lock tightly enough

Where to Buy

(check price)

See All Stores

Our Analysis

Reviews say the 16-gallon Craftsman 17066 shop vac has plenty of power and performs well in both dry and wet pickup. Reviewers like the way this Craftsman shop vac can be used as a leaf blower, thanks to its detachable top. However, users complain that the lid and hose don't fit tightly and tests show it emits more dust in its exhaust compared to the Ridgid WD1665 (*est. $130), which also doubles as a leaf blower. In addition, the Craftsman warranty is for only one year, while Ridgid shop vacs carry a lifetime guarantee. For those on a budget, reviewers recommend the lightweight Shop-Vac All-Around 971-02-00 (*est. $55). It's easy to carry on stairs, but has a small 1.5-gallon capacity and relatively low suction.

Consumer Reports includes the 16-gallon Craftsman 17066 in its thorough comparison tests of 23 consumer-level wet/dry vacs, as does Popular Mechanics in its even more recent tests of six shop vacs. An earlier review in American Woodworker compares the Craftsman not only with two consumer-level shop vacs, but with more expensive pro-level models as well. Also, quite a few owners posting at Sears.com say they've tested the Craftsman 17066 for a wide range of uses over a long period of time.

Where To Buy

$119.99 from Sears.com

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports includes the Craftsman 17066 in its review of 23 consumer-level shop vacs, comparing it mostly with four other consumer shop vacs of similar size. Each shop vac is tested, then assigned a total score, plus separate ratings for wet and dry pickup performance, emissions and ease of use.

Review: Wet/Dry Vacuums, Editors of Consumer Reports, Mar. 2007

This review compares the Craftsman 17066 with five other shop vacs ranging from 4.5 to 16 gallons. The Craftsman 17066 is the fastest at sucking up both dry debris and water, and the blower feature is nice, but the Ridgid WD1450 is more convenient to use.

Review: Wet/Dry Vacuum Showdown: We Test 6 New Clean Machines, Tom Klenck, Sept. 2007

3. Sears.com

Nearly 50 owners review the Craftsman 17066 shop vac on the Sears.com website, giving it a near-perfect rating. However, there are some complaints that the hose and lid don't lock securely to the tank, along with a few concerns about durability. The most recent reviews are positive, so earlier problems may have been corrected.

Review: Craftsman 17066 Reviews, Contributors to Sears.com

4. American WoodworkerDetails/Subscribe

This review compares six shop vacs, including the Craftsman 17066 and two other general-purpose shop vacs, as well as three pro-level, tool-activated models. The Craftsman 17066 outperforms the Ridgid shop vac reviewed here, except that it's noisier.

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