Wet Dry Vacs: Reviews

Updated March 2012

If your canister vacuum isn't cutting it, you're probably ready to graduate to a wet dry vacuum. The simplest of these are great for simple cleanup in the garage and workshop, while more sophisticated wet dry vacuums can be attached directly to woodworking tools to suck up dust as you work. Woodworking magazines are great at testing lots of models together, so you can really get a sense of which wet dry vacs are best for which tasks. We compared the results of those expert tests to user reviews of reliability and ease of use -- and for noise level, a particular concern.

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Best wet dry vac for home and garage

Ridgid WD1450

*Est. $135 Compare Prices

For general cleanup of dry debris and liquids, this is the most frequently recommended wet dry vac. Reviews say the 14-gallon size hits the sweet spot -- it's large enough for big jobs, yet small enough to store easily.… expandThe hose locks on, making it easy to tug around, and the filter is washable. Ridgid sells dust bags too, and a drain makes emptying liquids easy. Although there are several well reviewed, and cheaper, Shop-Vac and Craftsman wet dry vacs in this size class, only Ridgid offers a lifetime warranty. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org includes the Ridgid WD1450 shop vacuum in its review of 23 consumer-brand wet dry vacuums, comparing it primarily with four other consumer models of similar size.

PopularMechanics.com: This review compares the Ridgid WD1450 shop vacuum with five other models ranging from 4.5 to 16 gallons.

Bestcovery.com: In this relatively recent review, home improvement writer L.D. Ray offers her five picks for best wet dry vacuums.

HomeDepot.com: About 125 owners weigh in on the Ridgid WD1450, bestowing an impressive overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com selects the Ridgid WD1450 as a best buy.

Squidoo.com: This review discusses attributes of the "best wet/dry vacuums on the market today," including the Ridgid WD1450.

SawmillCreek.org: This shop vacuum comparison at a woodworking forum focuses more on the Fein Turbo II and the Festool CT 22 and CT 33 shop vacuums, but several contributors compare both with the Ridgid WD1450.

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Buy from Amazon for $136.99
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Best workshop vacuum

Bosch Airsweep 3931A

*Est. $535 Compare Prices

The Bosch Airsweep 3931A is a pro-level tool-triggered shop vacuum, so it's ideal for woodworkers who need to control dust. Features include a soft-start motor with bypass protection and auto shut-off when vacuuming… expandliquids; the twin filters automatically clean themselves, and HEPA filters are also available. Dust bags make emptying the Bosch Airsweep wet dry vac easier and cleaner. As with other pro-grade shop vacuums, the Airsweep's attachment wands and nozzles cost extra (*Est. $40). The Bosch Airsweep 3931A offers more convenience features than basic models, but it's probably overkill for those who have no intention of using it with power tools. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Fine Woodworking: Asa Christiana and Fine Woodworking shop manager Bill Peck compare six HEPA-equipped tool-triggered shop vacuums, including the Bosch Airsweep 3931A. The Bosch 3931A wins the Best Overall title for its automatic self-cleaning function and speedy airflow restoration, in spite of being the loudest model tested.

Taunton's 2009 Tool Guide: This review of five tool-triggered wet dry vacs, including the Bosch Airsweep 3931A, presents basically the same information as Fine Woodworking's June 2007 review.

Fine Homebuilding: Carpenter Rob Wotzak and his crew head to a jobsite to review the Bosch 3931A shop vacuum along with four other wet dry vacuums.

Fine Woodworking: Contributing editor Roland Johnson tests the newest Bosch shop vacuum, the Airsweep 3931A, in his own workshop.

Fine Woodworking: This article previews new tools that were displayed at the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair in August 2006.

Taunton's 2005 Tool Guide: Editors say the older Bosch 3931 effectively collects wood chips without clogging.

American Woodworker: This review compares the Bosch 3931 with five other shop vacuums, testing each for power and air flow.

Journal of Light Construction: Professional contractor David Grubb tests the earlier Bosch 3931 along with six other tool-activated shop vacuums.

Tools of the Trade: After putting nine pro-grade wet dry shop vacuums through a set of torture tests, Chris Kulczycki ranks the Bosch 3931 at the top.

Amazon.com: About 10 owners give the Bosch 3931A a high average rating here.

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com editors pick the Bosch Airsweep 3931A as a Consumer Guide Best Buy.

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Buy from Amazon for $549.00
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Portable wet dry vac

Ridgid Pro Pack WD4522

*Est. $95 Compare Prices

Experts and consumers say they appreciate the 4.5-gallon Ridgid Pro Pack WD4522. The wet dry vac's toolbox design allows for easy transport and under-bench storage, and its lid opens to reveal onboard housing for the… expandhose, cord and three cleaning tools. Two extension wands also come with the Pro Pack for cleaning high and hard-to-reach spots. The Pro Pack does not accommodate dust bags, but most reviewers overlook this inconvenience in light of the Ridgid wet dry vac's suction power and lifetime warranty. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org includes the Ridgid Pro Pack WD4550 (now the WD4522) in its roundup of 23 consumer-brand wet dry vacs, comparing it primarily with five other small models.

PopularMechanics.com: This review compares the Ridgid WD4550 (replaced by the Pro Pack WD4522) with five larger wet dry vacs.

This Old House magazine: Contractor Dave Andrews tests four compact wet dry vacs during a gut renovation of his own home.

HomeDepot.com: More than 40 Home Depot users review the Ridgid Pro Pack WD4522 shop vacuum, rating it a sparkling 4.9 out of 5 stars overall.

Amazon.com: About 10 Amazon.com users review the Ridgid Pro Pack WD4522, but most of them view the portable shop vacuum favorably, rating it 4.5 out of 5 stars overall.

RidgidForum.com: Although most participants in this discussion about the Ridgid Pro Pack WD4550, since replaced by the WD4522, wet dry vac praise it, there are some complaints about customer service -- mainly the difficulty of getting filters and replacement parts.

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