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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- Reviewers rate the sound level on the Ridgid WD1665 shop vac at 75 decibels, relatively quiet for a consumer-brand shop vac. The top detaches for use as a leaf blower, blowing at 265 mph. Reviews say the seven-foot hose locks securely to the tank, and its 2.5-inch diameter is less likely to clog than smaller hoses. It's also a standard size, so it's easy to find nozzles to fit it. The tank has a drain for liquids, and Ridgid provides a lifetime warranty.
- Some owners report problems with the switch, speculating that this may be a weak point on this particular Ridgid model. As with most consumer-level shop vacs, the filter takes up quite a bit of space in the tank, so it can clog faster than the better-designed filters on more expensive wet-dry vacuums from Festool and Bosch.
The Ridgid WD1665 wet-dry vacuum's top detaches for use as a separate leaf blower, making it a dual-purpose tool. Reviewers say it's relatively quiet, though like other consumer shop vacs it's louder than the best pro-brand wet-dry vacuums. It costs less and emits less dust than the Craftsman 17706 (*est. $120), which also has a detachable leaf-blower top. The Ridgid WD1665 also carries a lifetime warranty, compared with the one-year warranty on the Craftsman shop vac. All in all, reviews say the Ridgid WD1665 is one of the better budget shop vacs if you also want a blower feature.
Taunton's 2005 and 2004 Tool Guides compare the 16-gallon Ridgid WD1665 wet-dry vacuum with Craftsman and Shop-Vac models, as well as with professional wet/dry vacuums, basing the evaluations on objective tests as well as workshop use. The Ridgid WD1665 shop vac is also included in a larger (but less current) roundup in Fine Woodworking magazine, which is also based on objective tests.
Our Sources
1. Taunton's 2005 and 2004 Tool Guides
Editors at Taunton Press, publisher of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding magazines, compare the Ridgid WD1665 shop vac with Craftsman and Shop-Vac models as well as with more expensive shop vacs, based on thorough tests. Tests here rate the Ridgid WD1665 a bit quieter than the Craftsman shop vac tested here, but louder than the Shop-Vac Ultra Pro. Readers surveyed here rank the Ridgid WD1665 significantly higher than both the Shop-Vac and Craftsman shop vacs, but lower than three pro models.
Review: Shop Vacuums, Editors and readers of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding, Jan. 2005 and Jan. 2004
2. Fine WoodworkingDetails/Subscribe
Woodworker Roland Johnson compares 13 wet-dry vacuums for endurance, adaptability and ergonomics by using them in a variety of workshop tests. He calls the Ridgid WD1665 shop vac a good buy because the top can be detached for use as a leaf blower. The exhaust diffusion is judged adequate, though the Shop-Vac models diffuse the exhaust more. Neither brand gets top rating as a budget choice, however.
Review: Shop Vacuums, Roland Johnson, May/June 2003
At the time of this report, about two dozen owners review and rate the Ridgid WD1665 shop vac here, giving it a near-perfect average rating.
Review: Ridgid WD1665 Shop Vac Review, Contributors to HomeDepot.com
Here several owners report problems with the switch on the Ridgid WD1665. This is covered by Ridgid's lifetime guarantee, but after Home Depot's 90-day return period expires, repair at a Ridgid service center is the only option. Except for this problem, owners heap plenty of praise on this model.
Review: Ridgid WD1665 Problems, Contributors to Ridgid Forum.com
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