Craftsman 17741

*Est. $40

The compact size makes it convenient for vacuuming a car or tugging around a house, and the big 2.5-inch-diameter hose is unlikely to clog. The extension wands can be stored on the tank.

The price is a bit misleading since this shop vac is extremely basic, coming with only one nozzle; other accessories cost extra. Two reviews say it lacks a filter to protect the motor, though the current Sears website does specify a filter. The 10-foot cord is shorter than most, and there's no drain. One owner complains that the exhaust air acts like an unwanted blower, blowing dust around at 130 mph.

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Our Analysis

Reviews say the 7.3-amp (3-hp) Craftsman 17741 shop vac outperforms the similar 6-gallon Ridgid WD0625 (*est. $50). Though tests find that most Ridgid shop vacs emit less dust in the exhaust than Craftsman models, this competing pair is an exception. Neither shop vac is a great performer compared with, say, the wall-mounted Ridgid WD5500 (*est. $100), but owners say the Craftsman 17741 is convenient and a good value, though most nozzles are options at extra cost. The warranty is for only one year, compared with the lifetime warranty offered with Ridgid shop vacs.

Consumer Reports puts the 6-gallon Craftsman 17741 shop vac through a series of objective tests in its recent shop-vac review, comparing it with six other small models as well as with 16 others of various sizes. More than 20 owners also review and rate the Craftsman 17741 at Sears.com, commenting on their experiences with it and giving it specific ratings for durability, value, and performance. An editor at ConsumerGuide.com also reviews the Craftsman 17741, but we couldn't tell if the writer had tested it.

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports puts the Craftsman 17741 through rigorous objective tests, comparing it with 22 other consumer-brand shop vacs, including six others of similar size. Based on these tests, each shop vac gets separate ratings for ease of use, emissions, dry pickup, and wet pickup, plus an overall rating that ranks it compared with other models.

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

2. Sears.com

At the time of this report, 30 owners have reviewed and rated the Craftsman 17741 shop vac at Sears.com so far, giving it an average rating lower than several other Craftsman shop vacs sold here. Still, most owners say they're happy with this shop vac, especially for the price.

Review: Craftsman 17741 Reviews, Contributors to Sears.com

3. ConsumerGuide.com

This detailed review is useful since it notes both pros and cons, though it says this model comes without a filter, while the Sears website says a filter is included. We rank this review lower primarily because it shows no evidence of testing or actual use.

Review: Craftsman 17741 Wet-Dry Vacuum Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

4. Epinions.com

Only one owner has reviewed the Craftsman 17741 here so far, but the review is so detailed that it's worth noting. This reviewer agrees with the ConsumerGuide reviewer that this model comes with no filter to protect the motor, but finds the suction adequate.

Review: Craftsman 17741 Reviews, Contributors to Epinions