DeWalt DC500

*Est. $100

Owners appreciate the way the DeWalt DC500 shop vac can run on either regular AC power or rechargeable batteries. Tests show that emissions are low compared with other ultra-portable shop vacs. The long-lasting washable filter is used for both wet and dry pickup, so there's no need to change filters when switching tasks, and users say the filter is easy to clean. Overall, this is one of the best small portable shop vacs available.

The main complaints we found are lack of suction, and short run time -- about 15 minutes with an 18-volt battery. This portable vac needs to be hand held or set on something high or else you'll be vacuuming bent over. The combination of slick base and top-heavy balance make it liable to tip over or fall off, and we found a few complaints about the hose and attachments coming loose. Some owners express disappointment that the DeWalt DC500 comes with no battery or charger. Instead, it uses the 12- or 18-volt rechargeable batteries and chargers of other DeWalt tools -- handy if you already use other DeWalt cordless tools, but an extra expense if you don't. Also, some owners say tool storage and battery changes can be awkward.

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The 2-gallon DeWalt DC500 shop vac is larger than a handheld vacuum cleaner, and is designed for professional heavy-duty use. It's unique in that it can run on either regular AC power or rechargeable batteries, which owners say is handy when portability is an issue. The DeWalt can also operate as a portable blower and can vacuum liquids. In fact, most of the positive reviews we found recommend it for quick household cleanup; just don't expect it to take the place of a full-size shop vac.

Although woodworking magazines usually provide the best reviews of professional-brand wet/dry vacs, the DeWalt DC500 (*est. $100) is too small to be included in those roundups, though Workbench Magazine does give it an award for innovation. We found detailed owner-written reviews and ratings at Amazon.com, Epinions, and HomeDepot.com; these reviews give a clear picture of what this little shop vac can and cannot do well. Consumer Reports tests the DeWalt DC500 shop vac in its recent roundup review of 23 wet-dry vacuum cleaners. However, the DeWalt is the only cordless shop vac tested here, and the only professional-brand model, so these comparisons are of limited use.

Where To Buy

Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
1176 store reviews	In Stock. New	$137.01	See It
0 store reviews	In Stock.	$119.99	See It
1653 store reviews	In Stock. Get free shipping on orders over $25!	$99.00	See It
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Our Sources

1. Workbench Magazine

In this brief review, Workbench magazine editors pick the DeWalt DC500 cordless shop vac as one of the ten most innovative tools of 2004, but no testing is documented.

Review: DeWalt CD500 Portable Shop Vacuum -- Top Ten Innovative Tools, Editors of Workbench

2. Amazon.com

There are nearly 60 reviews of the DeWalt DC500 published here, which makes it an excellent place to read owner opinions. There are many more positive ratings than negative, but these reviews give a full picture of what you can realistically expect from this portable shop vac. These DeWalt DC500 reviews are a good place to check out its best and worst points in detail.

Review: DeWalt DC500 Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com

3. Epinions.com

The DeWalt DC500 is reviewed in two different places at Epinions. The handful of owner-written reviews here are very detailed and give a good idea of the usefulness of this DeWalt portable shop vac. One user mentions how well the DeWalt DC500 vacuums pet hair, while another says it's great for vacuuming up spilled coffee. Some owners complain even on a freshly charged 18-volt battery, run time is only about 15 minutes.

Review: DeWalt DC500 Canister Wet/Dry Vacuum Review, Contributors to Epinions

4. Lowes.com

Lowes publishes owners' ratings of products sold here, and at the time of this report, the DeWalt DC500 gets the highest average rating among wet / dry vacuums sold here.

Review: DeWalt 2 Gallon Cordless or Corded Wet/Dry Vac Reviews, Contributors to Lowes.com

5. HomeDepot.com

The DeWalt DC500 is one of the only professional-brand shop vacs sold at Home Depot. Only a few owners have reviewed and rated it here, but unlike Lowes, Home Depot does allow readers to leave comments, not just ratings. Most comments here are positive.

Review: DeWalt 2-DeWalt DC500 Reviews, Contributors to HomeDepot.com

6. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports includes the DeWalt DC500 shop vac in its review of 23 consumer-brand shop vacs. However, since this is a professional model, and the only cordless shop vac reviewed here, the comparisons are of limited use.

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

7. Handyman-Business.com

This is another site that publishes owner-written reviews. Only two people have posted reviews here of the DeWalt Cordless Shop Vac, but their comments are useful.

Review: DeWalt Cordless Shop Vac Customer Reviews, Contributors to Handyman-Business.com

8. Northerntool.com

Northern Tool publishes ratings and reviews of tools sold here, though this feature is new enough that not many reviews have accumulated. One nice feature of these reviews is an extra question: "Would you recommend this model to a friend?" Yes and no answers are summarized along with the average rating. One review here highlights the disappointment of owners who buy this shop vac thinking that the price includes batteries.

Review: DeWalt DC500 Shop Vac Review, Contributors to NorthernTool.com