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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Best shop vac for most users
- Excellent suction
- Quiet
- Compact
- Lifetime warranty
- Wet pickup tops out at 10.5 gallons
- Can take a long time to get parts
The 14-gallon Ridgid WD1450 wet/dry vacuum is the top-rated consumer-grade shop vac in its size range. Experts say is large enough for most general uses around the house and garage, and 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-grade vac isn't especially convenient for collecting dust from power tools because it lacks the desired 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 much more expensive Bosch AirSweep 3931A (*Est. $525), which features dual self-cleaning filters
ConsumerReports.org 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.
Bosch 3931A Airsweep 120-Volt 13-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner with Power Broker
 from Amazon.com New: $1,001.00 $507.43 In Stock.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
ConsumerReports.org 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. Objective testing produces a total score for each vac, as well as separate ratings for wet and dry pickup, emissions and ease of use.
Review: Wet/Dry Vacuums, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Mar. 2007
2. PopularMechanics.comDetails/Subscribe
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
At the time of this report, the Ridgid WD1450 takes second place only to the 16-gallon Ridgid WD1665 and WD1851 shop vacs. Most of the nearly 30 owners reviewing the WD1450 give it a perfect five-star rating. A few owners say an unusual hose size makes it hard to connect to the dust ports on power tools, but the Ridgid specifications now say the hose is a standard 2.5 inches in diameter.
Review: Ridgid 14 Gallon Pro Vac WD1450, Contributors to HomeDepot.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-grade wet/dry vacuums.
Review: Expert Review RIDGID 1450 Wet-Dry Vacuum, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
5. 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: Emerson WD1450 Canister Wet/Dry Vacuum Reviews, Contributors to Epinions.com
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
Shop Vacs Runners Up:
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3 picks by top review sites.
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Festool 583366 CT 22 E 5.8-Gallon HEPA Mobile Dust Extractor
from Amazon.com New: $505.00 In Stock.
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Fein 9-20-25 Turbo-II 9-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum with Auto-Start
from Amazon.com New: $495.00 $388.99 In Stock.
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Festool CT 33 E 8.7 Gallon HEPA Mobile Dust Extractor 583368
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DEWALT DC500 2-Gallon 12-to-18-Volt Cordless/Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum
from Amazon.com New: $182.16 $99.00 In Stock.
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Milwaukee 0880-20 18-Volt Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
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Porter-Cable 7814 15 Gallon 1-1/2 Horsepower Tool-Start Wet/Dry Vacuum
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Ridgid WD4522 4.5 Gallon Pro Pack Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum
from Amazon.com New: $112.25
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