Shop Vacs Full Story

Choosing a type and size

Reviews note that when comparing shop-vac motors, horsepower doesn't tell much because that rating only indicates the load at which the motor stalls out -- not the actual performance of the motor in normal vacuuming. Popular Mechanics recommends looking at motor amps as more relevant. Comparison tests conducted by reviewers sometimes look at practical measures, such as how fast a shop vac can suck up a certain quantity of liquid or dry objects.

Bigger shop-vac tanks hold more debris, but weigh more and are bulkier to empty and store. Reviews say to bear in mind that the size of the tank is usually bigger than the amount of material it can vacuum, since the motor takes up space and some air must be left in the tank. The smallest shop vacs are portable and fine for household dust, but fill up too quickly with woodchips or any other large debris. Big shop-vac tanks hold more debris, but weigh more and are bulkier to empty and store. Most reviews favor medium-size tanks in the 12- to 16-gallon range.

Most -- but not all -- shop vacs can vacuum both dry and wet materials. Tool-triggered shop vacs are great for use with power tools, but some have small-diameter hoses that clog easily with larger debris. Only a few are versatile enough to collect dust from power tools and also clean up the whole room.

Dry and wet pickup ability are only the start of the process. Reviews give a lot of weight to how well the shop vac captures the dust -- using bags or filters to protect the motor and keep the dirt in the tank. (It's frustrating to vacuum dust only to see a lot of it exhausted right back out.) Some shop vacs use HEPA or Goretex filters to capture very small particles -- an important safety feature if you vacuum fine dust, since it's the tiniest particles that damage lungs the most. Some shop vacs include dust bags or even self-monitoring and self-cleaning filters.

Budget shop vacs

If you want a wet/dry vacuum for general cleanup, not for collecting dust from power tools, then quiet performance and self-cleaning filters are the only reason to pay more to get a pro-brand wet/dry vacuum. For well under $200, a consumer-brand shop vac will provide plenty of suction power, and unlike the pro models, will come with a full set of accessories.

Ridgid and Craftsman shop vacs get more recommendations than any others in this price range. Even though the same company makes both brands, reviews identify pros and cons for each. The Craftsman hoses are 2.5 inches in diameter, with step-down attachments to the 1.25-inch size that fits the dust ports on a lot of power tools. It's very easy to find nozzles and other accessories to fit. Reviews say the Ridgid hose is a nice in-between size (1 7/8 inches), but quite a few owners say it can be tricky to hook it up to power tools even using the available adaptors. The size also limits the accessories that are available.

Shop vacs from both brands are very noisy, but Ridgid seems to have a slight edge for quieter performance. The same optional drain attachment fits both brands, however, to run the vacuumed liquid out through a hose - effectively turning the shop vac into a pump. Neither Ridgid nor Craftsman make dust bags for their shop vacs, though, so quite a few owners prefer smaller Shop-Vac wet/dry vacuums because Shop-Vac makes dust bags to fit them.

Both the Ridgid WD1850 (*Est. $170) and the less expensive Craftsman 17066 (*est. $120) have 16-gallon tanks. Reviews say both have plenty of power and are good buys, but the Ridgid WD1850 emits less dust in the air it exhausts. The Craftsman 17066 is the top-rated model among owners reviewing shop vacs at Sears.com, but we do see some complaints that the lid and hose don't fit tightly enough to keep it from leaking dust, and the hose can slip out of the tank, allowing more dirt to escape.

Reviews show both shop vacs perform very well in both dry and wet pickup, but in addition to emitting less dust, reports say the Ridgid WD1850 is quieter. A sensor tells when the filter needs cleaning; you have to open the Craftsman's canister to check the filter. When vacuuming liquids, another sensor turns off the motor when the maximum level is reached. Owners reviewing this shop vac at HomeDepot.com give it a near-perfect average rating, praising not only its quiet performance, but its power and reliability as well.

Two smaller and even less expensive shop vacs are also recommended in more than one review. The 14-gallon Ridgid WD1450 (*Est. $100) is the size most experts consider the "sweet spot" for shop vacs -- not too big, not too small. Though it's not the fastest or most powerful shop vac tested for the Popular Mechanics review, it's the editors' favorite because it's so easy to use. It doesn't have the sensors or tall handle featured on the more expensive Ridgid WD1850, but its 28-inch height makes it fit under most workbenches.

The Ridgid WD1450 gets more mixed reviews that the WD1850 when it comes to dust in the exhaust, and some owners complain that the lid doesn't fit tightly enough and needs a gasket to keep it from leaking dust.

Shop-Vac also makes wet/dry vacuums, but most comparison reviews give Ridgid or Craftsman shop vacs the edge. Also, Shop-Vac makes so many different models that there's often no overlap among comparison tests, a handicap when we look for consensus among reviews. Some of the smaller Shop-Vac models earn enthusiastic reviews from owners, however, especially because Shop-Vac makes dust bags to fit them. You can also outfit a Shop-Vac with a Goretex or HEPA filter or use a dust bag designed for sheetrock dust, making these little shop vacuums the least expensive solution to vacuuming fine dust safely. Owners say this also makes them very nice for regular household cleaning.

Best tool-triggered shop vacs for workshops

Even relatively quiet Ridgid shop vacs are noisier than the pro-brand wet/dry vacuums, especially those made by Festool or Fein. While these more expensive shop vacs are designed primarily with woodworkers in mind, we found quite a few reviews recommending them for general homeowner use as well, provided you can afford their higher prices. They're not only quieter and more pleasant to use, but also more durable, since their motors are designed for long hours of use. Shop vacs made by Bosch, Festool, Nilfisk/Alto Wap and Porter-Cable also have self-cleaning filters -- another advantage.

Tool-triggered shop vacs include an electrical outlet for plugging in a power tool whose dust port is connected to the shop-vac hose. Once set up this way, the auto-start feature turns the vacuum on and off whenever the tool is turned on and off, and dust goes straight into the shop vac. Several pro-level brands make shop vacs with this feature, but they vary in how well it works, and with how powerful a tool you can pair with it. Some tool-triggered shop vacs are more versatile than others, accepting hoses of different sizes: small-diameter hoses for dust collection from portable tools, larger-diameter hoses for use with larger dust ports. Larger hoses are also much less likely to clog when used for general workshop cleanup, picking up wood shavings and general debris.

Festool and Nilfisk-Alto share top ranking among tool-triggered shop vacs. Both are designed primarily to capture fine dust, especially from sanders. For vacuuming the finest dust -- such as sheetrock or cement dust -- reviews recommend the Nilfisk-Alto (sometimes listed by retailers under the company's old trade names of Wap or Alto-Wap) wet/dry vacuums. The 12-gallon Nilfisk-Alto Attix 12 RDF XC (*Est. $850) automatically cleans its filter every 30 seconds to keep fine dust from clogging the airflow. It's relatively quiet and has an auto-start feature, variable suction and a soft-start motor. The 8-gallon Nilfisk-Alto Attix 8 AS/E shop vac is similar but smaller, and you have to push a button to clean the filter.

Reviews say the Nilfisk-Alto shop vacs are wonderful for use with sanders, but their power outlets are limited to use with very light-duty tools. For more versatility, reviews recommend the Festool CT 33 HEPA Dust Extractor (*Est. $560). This shop vac earns top marks for excellent build quality and design. Its 8.7-gallon tank is shaped like a box, with a flat top for easy storage. Variable suction makes it versatile for use with different tools, and makes the most of a 20-amp circuit; you can allocate more power to the tool outlet to use it with tools drawing up to 17 amps. Reviews say the variable suction is ideal for collecting dust while sanding. The anti-static hose protects against shocks.

The smaller 5.8-gallon Festool CT 22 HEPA (*Est. $450) also comes equipped with a HEPA filter, and shares top marks for build quality and quiet performance. Like the bigger Festool shop vac, the CT 22 HEPA has variable speed, which reviews say improves dust collection from sanders. You can reallocate power to use higher-amp tools and take advantage of a 20-amp circuit if you have one. Both models are very stable when tugged around, and the flat top has a recessed area for holding small parts and tools.

The price of these vacuums puts them out of the budget range of most homeowners. Bosch, Porter-Cable and Fein tool-triggered shop vacs are less expensive and also get several top rankings in various reviews. Each brand has unique advantages. Fein shop vacs have long been favorites for ultra-quiet performance and good mobility -- and the Fein Turbo II (*Est. $330) is still the top-ranked shop vac in owner-written reviews at Amazon.com. The larger Fein Turbo III (*Est. $400) has a larger hose that makes it more versatile since you can also use it for general cleanup.

The Fein shop vacs are falling behind other models, however, when it comes to filter technology and ease of use. Controls can be hard to use and the vacs are very messy to empty unless equipped with expensive dust bags (*Est. $40 each). They're also losing points with users for some plastic parts that break easily.

Reviews say Bosch and Porter-Cable shop vacs are easier to maintain. They have internal filter cleaners and separate filter doors, so they're much easier to clean. Both also have bigger rear wheels and tall handles that make them easier to pull up steps than the Fein and Festool shop vacs.

The Bosch AirSweep 3931A (*Est. $400) has a filter that cleans itself automatically as needed. Like the Festool CT 33 HEPA, it provides variable power allocation (for use with higher-amp tools), can take advantage of a 20-amp circuit, and comes with an anti-static hose -- with a bigger hose for general cleanup as an extra option. A bypass system protects the motor. Reviews say the 13-gallon Bosch 3931A has excellent suction, and its size makes it a shop vac for big jobs. A drain makes it more convenient than the Festool for vacuuming liquids, and it automatically shuts off when liquid reaches its maximum level. Because of its versatility, this is the model we've included in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers.

For vacuuming liquids, reviews also like the way you can attach a hose to the drain on the 15-gallon Porter-Cable 7814 (*Est. $340) , and owners praise the flat top for storing tools and parts. It's more compact than the Bosch, but the tool outlet is only rated for only 6 amps, and reviews find Porter-Cable vacuums the noisiest of the pro-level shop vacs.

Portable shop vacuums

None of the tool-triggered shop vacs are very light in weight or easy to transport to jobsites. Smaller portable shop vacs are popular for this. Though they can't come close to matching the suction of larger vacuums, owners usually find they have enough power to get the job done. The hose diameters are usually small -- ideal for vacuuming dust, but easy to clog with bigger debris.

The six-gallon Fein 9-11-55 Turbo I (*Est. $230) is a high-end shop vac that's among the quietest available. Its small size and rubber bumpers make it ideal for jobsite use, and it's tool-triggered so it can connect to the dust port on a sander. It carries a three-year warranty. The main drawback is that its dust bags are very expensive, and without them owners say it's very messy to empty.

The 4.5-gallon Ridgid WD4550 Pro Pack (*Est. $100) doesn't accommodate dust bags, but is recommended in more reviews than any other portable shop vac -- it's also far less expensive than the Fein shop vac. This model is shaped like a toolbox and the lid provides storage for the hose, cord and cleaning tools (but not wands). Reviews say it's ideal for vacuuming autos or for use on stairs or ladders. It can also be used as a blower. The exhaust isn't quite as clean as that of the bigger Ridgid WD1850 or WD1450 vacuums, but it's still cleaner than most shop vacs in its size range.

However, some owners report that the canister or lid on the Ridgid portable shop vac can warp so they no longer fit together well, causing the WD4550 to leak dust or liquid. We also found complaints that the hose is too short, parts hard to get, and that the filter clogs fast.

Owners praise the even smaller Shop-Vac All-Around series of wet/dry vacuums, though they provide less power than the Ridgid Pro Pack. Models as small as 1.5 gallons accommodate dust bags, so they're the easiest and cleanest portable shop vacs to empty. The 3-gallon Shop-Vac All-Around 971-06-00 (*Est. $80) gets very good overall scores in owner-written reviews. Tests show that it doesn't have quite as much suction as the Ridgid WD4550 toolbox shop vac, but users like the lighter 11-pound weight.

The smaller 2-gallon and 1.5-gallon All-Around portable shop vacs cost even less and also get nice reviews from owners. The 2-gallon Shop-Vac All-Around vacuum (*Est. $60) is sold at various retailers under different model numbers. The 1.5-gallon All-Around 971-02-00 shop vac (*Est. $55) is the smallest Shop-Vac that still takes dust bags. Tests show the exhaust is relatively clean and the price is right.

Cordless shop vacs

Cordless shop vacs offer the ultimate in portable convenience, but only at the expense of suction and runtime. Still, reviews say they're ideal for vacuuming a car or for quick cleanup jobs that last ten or 20 minutes. Some can use the same batteries as other cordless tools, but they are usually sold without batteries.

One of the best cordless shop vacs can also run as a corded model on AC power. In cordless mode, the 2-gallon DeWalt DC500 (*Est. $100) can be used with any DeWalt rechargeable 12-volt, 14.4-volt or 18-volt battery. Reviews give the DeWalt DC500 especially high marks for low emissions. It can vacuum liquids (with full 2-gallon capacity) and can also operate as a blower. 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 reviews say it's easy to clean. Users have a few minor complaints about a short cord and hose, as well as awkward tool storage and battery changes, but most reviews are quite positive. It carries a three-year warranty.

If you already have 18-volt cordless tools in the Ryobi ONE+ series -- either NiCad or lithium-ion -- then owners say the Ryobi P3200 (*Est. $50 without battery) is a reasonable buy. It has a convenient spout on the drain so it's easy to vacuum liquids, and you can use the lid as a blower. Owners say it doesn't have much suction, but the main drawback is its short run time -- about ten minutes with a NiCad battery or 20 minutes with lithium-ion.

Milwaukee is making two new cordless shop vacs shaped like toolboxes. They look similar to the corded Ridgid Pro Pack, but use Milwaukee lithium-ion batteries. They carry five-year warranties and come with washable CleanStream (Goretex) filters, so they're capable of vacuuming fine dusts safely. The Milwaukee 0780-28 (*Est. $100 without battery) uses the more powerful 28-volt batteries, but run time is still only about 16 minutes. The Milwaukee 0880-20 is priced the same but uses 18-volt batteries -- either lithium-ion or NiCad -- and runs about eleven minutes. Both shop vacs use soft-start motors and can double as blowers. They're too new to be covered in reviews, so the jury's still out on their actual performance.

Wall-mounted shop vacuums

Recent years have seen growing interest in small wall-mounted shop vacuums, since they save space in garages or small workshops. These shop vacs have limited capacity, around five gallons, but the hoses are much longer than usual. Owners say the long hoses are ideal for garage use, since you can vacuum a car or the whole room while the shop vac stays mounted on the wall. The main drawback is that the hoses are small in diameter and can clog easily. Craftsman, Ridgid and Shop-Vac each make a wall-mounted shop vac, with the Ridgid WD5500 Stor-N-Go Cleaning Station (*Est. $100) getting the highest ratings in reviews.

Tests show the Ridgid wall-mounted shop vac excels at dry pickup, with reasonably low emissions, and also performs well vacuuming liquids. Owners reviewing the Ridgid WD5500 at Home Depot (where it's sold) give this shop vac reasonably good ratings, noting that it can also be carried around as a portable shop vac. It comes with both a 7-foot hose and a 14-foot hose, so you can maximize suction by using the shortest hose required, or connect the two for very long reach. Like all Ridgid shop vacs, the WD5500 comes with a lifetime warranty. The standard Ridgid hose is 1 7/8 inches in diameter so it doesn't clog as easily as a narrower one, but it can be harder to connect it to the dust ports of power tools.

The Craftsman 17925 Clean N Carry Shop Vac (*Est. $80) costs the same and comes with a similar two-hose setup. This Craftsman wall-mounted shop vacuum gets mixed reviews, however, from owners rating it at Sears.com, with some complaints that the 1.25-inch-diameter hose clogs easily. A larger diameter 2.5-inch hose is available as an extra option.

The Shop-Vac Hang Up 952-02-62 Wall Mounted wet/dry vac (*Est. $100) is shaped differently, with a tall thin design. It comes with a shorter 18-foot hose that's 1.25 inches in diameter, which owners say clogs easily. Reviews also say it's noisier than the Craftsman and Ridgid wall-mounted shop vacs. Both the Craftsman and Shop-Vac models come with only one-year warranties, so the Ridgid lifetime warranty gives it a further advantage.