Ridgid WD1450

*Est. $100

Best shop vac for most users

Excellent suction
Quiet performance
28-inch height allows storage under most work benches
Lifetime warranty

Unusual diameter of hose makes it hard to attach to power tool dust outlets
Wet pickup tops out at 10.5 gallons
Can take a long time to get parts

Where to Buy

for $161.51
for $115.00

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Our Analysis

The 14-gallon Ridgid WD1450 wet/dry vacuum is the top-rated consumer-brand shop vac in its size range, which experts say is large enough for most general uses around the house and garage. It scores well for low emissions, excellent suction and quiet performance. A drain makes it easy to empty liquids, and Ridgid offers a lifetime warranty once you register the shop vac. This consumer-brand shop vac isn't especially convenient for collecting dust from power tools because it lacks the auto-start feature, but reviews recommend it for both wet and dry pickup around a workshop or home. If you need a tool-triggered shop vac for power tool use, reviews recommend the Bosch AirSweep 3931A (*est. $400).

Consumer Reports tests the Ridgid WD1450 shop vac along with 22 other models, running them through objective tests before rating and ranking their performance. The more recent comparison tests at Popular Mechanics also include the Ridgid WD1450. For a longer-term perspective, we found useful owner-written ratings and reviews of the Ridgid WD1450 shop vacuum at HomeDepot.com.

Where To Buy

Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
169 store reviews	In Stock. Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com!	$161.51	See It
4515 store reviews	In Stock. Free Shipping on orders $49 or more! Online Only at homedepot.com.	$115.00	See It
		See All Stores

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports includes the Ridgid WD1450 shop vac in its review of 23 consumer-brand wet/dry vacuums, comparing it primarily with four other consumer models of similar size. Each shop vac is put through objective tests and assigned ratings for wet and dry pickup, emissions, and ease of use.

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

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports includes the Ridgid WD1450 shop vac in its review of 23 consumer-brand wet/dry vacuums, comparing it primarily with four other consumer models of similar size. Each shop vac is put through objective tests and assigned a total score, as well as separate ratings for wet and dry pickup, emissions and ease of use.

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

This review compares the Ridgid WD1450 shop vac with five other models ranging from 4.5 to 16 gallons, testing their speed and capacity in vacuuming water and picking up a variety of dry debris. The Ridgid WD1450 is the editor's favorite.

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

This review compares the Ridgid WD1450 shop vac with five other models ranging from 4.5 to 16 gallons. Although the Ridgid WD1450 isn't the biggest or fastest shop vac tested here, it's the editors' favorite because it's so easy to use, with no drawbacks at all.

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

5. HomeDepot.com

At the time of this report, the Ridgid WD1450 takes second place only to the WD1665 shop vac according to these owner-written reviews. We found a few complaints that it's hard to connect attachments, and some owners say it can leak dust, but overall owners love this model.

Review: Ridgid 14 Gallon Pro Vac WD1450 Reviews, Contributors to HomeDepot.com

6. HomeDepot.com

At the time of this report, the Ridgid WD1450 takes second place only to the WD1665 shop vac according to twenty owner-written reviews, with most of them giving this shop vac a perfect five-star rating. A few owners say it's hard to attach the hose to power tool dust outlets, since the Ridgid hose is an unusual size.

Review: Ridgid WD1450 Shop Vac Review, Contributors to HomeDepot.com

7. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com selects the Ridgid WD1450 as a best buy, reviewing this shop vac in the context of seven 2007 single-product reviews of consumer-level wet/dry vacuums.

Review: Expert Review: RIDGID 1450 Wet/Dry Vacuum, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, June 7, 2007

8. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com selects the Ridgid WD1450 as a best buy. The only criticism noted is that it's relatively heavy. The site reviews this shop vac in the context of seven 2007 single-product reviews of consumer-level wet/dry vacuums.

Review: Wet/Dry Vacuums: Reviews and Prices, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

9. Epinions.com

Though only two owners review the Ridgid WD1450 here (Ridgid is a subsidiary of Emerson Electric Co.), they both criticize Ridgid's customer service, saying it's difficult to get parts and accessories within a reasonable time. Otherwise, they love this shop vac.

Review: Emerson WD1450 Canister Wet/Dry Vacuum Reviews, Contributors to Epinions.com

10. Epinions.com

Though only two owners review the Ridgid WD1450 here, they both criticize Ridgid customer service, saying it's difficult to get parts and accessories within a reasonable time. Otherwise, they love this shop vac.

Review: Ridgid WD1450 Reviews, Contributors to Epinions.com

11. SawmillCreek.org

This shop-vac comparison at a woodworking forum focuses more on the Fein and Festool shop vacs, but a few contributors suggest that the Ridgid WD1450 is a better choice.

Review: Fein vs. Festool, Contributors to SawmillCreek.org

12. SawmillCreek.org

This shop vac comparison at a woodworking forum focuses more on the Fein Turbo II and the Festool CT 22 and CT 33 shop vacs, but several contributors compare both with the Ridgid WD1450. Readers say the Ridgid has more power, and that filters and accessories cost less.

Review: Fein vs. Festool, Contributors to SawmillCreek.org