EmailBest Reviewed
Shop Vacs
- Best shop vac for most users Ridgid WD1450 *Est. $115
- Best workshop vacuum Bosch AirSweep 3931A *Est. $525
- Budget/portable shop vac Shop-Vac AllAround 971-01-00 *Est. $65
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- The compact size and large rear wheels make it easy to pull around or transport. Owners say it's ideal for use as a canister vac to clean a house or car. Professionals like it because it's easy to take to jobsites. The 20-foot cord is ample.
- Although this shop vac can vacuum liquids, it lacks a drain for emptying the tank. Nor is there any automatic shut-off when liquid reaches its maximum level. The filter clogs fast, and the latch doesn't always fasten securely, making it possible to accidentally dump the contents of the tank when picking up the shop vac by the top handle.
Owners rate the wheeled Craftsman 17776 shop vac quite a bit higher than the wall-mounted 5-gallon Craftsman 17925 (*est. $90), though both use 5-hp motors. The Craftsman 17776 is only 17 inches high, and reviews say it's easy to tug around. According to comparison tests, none of the small portable wet-dry vacuums in this size range perform very well or exhaust clean air. The 5-gallon Ridgid WD5500 (*est. $100) is an exception; it also comes with a lifetime guarantee, while the Craftsman 17776 warranty is for just one year.
The 4-gallon Craftsman 17776 Clean n Carry shop vac is not included in the recent Consumer Reports review of shop vacs. However, Consumer Reports does test two other Craftsman Clean n Carry models, so it's possible to extrapolate some conclusions from this review. At Sears.com, more than 20 owners do review this exact model, where they rate it for value, durability, and performance.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  413 store reviews | In Stock. Free in Store Pick Up- Ready in 5 Minutes, Guaranteed. | $79.99 | See It |
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Our Sources
1. Sears.com
About two dozen owners have reviewed and rated the Craftsman 17776 shop vac at Sears.com so far, and they' have given it a high average rating. This may change, of course, as more owners add reviews. This is a relatively new model, too, so comments are based on short-term use.
Review: Craftsman 17776 Reviews, Contributors to Sears.com
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Consumer Reports tests two similar portable Craftsman Clean n Carry shop vacs in this size range, comparing them with similar models by Shop-Vac and Ridgid. Each shop vac is put through objective tests, then assigned a total score as well as separate ratings for wet and dry pickup performance, emissions and ease of use.
Review: Wet/Dry Vacuums, Editors of Consumer Reports, Mar. 2007
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