Wet Dry Vacs: Reviews

Updated November 2010

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 for users.

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Best wet dry vacuum for most users

Ridgid WD1450

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

For general cleanup of dry debris and liquids, this is the most frequently recommended shop vacuum. 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. Ridgid offers a lifetime warranty once the wet dry vac is registered. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

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

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

HomeDepot.com: At the time of this report, the Ridgid WD1450 takes second place only to the 16-gallon Ridgid WD1665 and WD1851 shop vacuums.

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

SawmillCreek.org: This wet dry vac 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 $133.99
Shoplet.com for $199.83	Overstock.c- om for $151.03	UnbeatableS- ale, Inc. for $169.52

Best workshop vacuum

Bosch AirSweep 3931A

*Est. $550 Compare Prices

The Bosch AirSweep is a tool-triggered shop vacuum featuring a soft-start motor with bypass protection (and auto shut-off when vacuuming liquids). The twin filters automatically clean themselves, and HEPA filters are also… expandavailable. Dust bags make emptying the Bosh shop vacuum easier and cleaner. As with other pro-grade workshop vacs, the wand and nozzles cost extra (*Est. $40). The Bosch AirSweep offers more convenience features than basic wet dry vacuums do, 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:

Taunton 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 (summarized below). Readers agree with the editors, ranking Festool and Fein models above the Bosch 3931A.

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

Fine Woodworking: Contributing editor Roland Johnson tests the newest Bosch wet dry vac, the AirSweep 3931A, in his own workshop.

Fine Woodworking Tools & Shops 2007: 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 Bosch 3931 effectively collects wood chips without clogging.

American Woodworker: This review compares the Bosch 3931 with five other wet dry vacs, 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 workshop vacs.

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

Amazon.com: Just more than ten owners give the Bosch 3931A a high average rating here.

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Buy from Amazon for $521.99
Amazon for $521.99	Ohio Power Tool for $587.28	Home Depot for $589.00

Budget/portable shop vac

Shop-Vac AllAround 971-03-00

*Est. $60 Compare Prices

The 2-gallon Shop-Vac AllAround 971-03-00 takes dust bags, unlike many smaller shop vacuums. It has a 1.25-inch-diameter, 6-foot hose, and comes with a three-year warranty. The Shop-Vac AllAround is easy to carry up… expandstairs or a ladder. Although its hose is too small for vacuuming large debris, reviews say the Shop-Vac AllAround is fine for small jobs, and it doesn't cost a lot. One reviewer notes that its 60-inch suction pressure rating is good for a wet dry vac in this price range. Owners give it high ratings as well. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: More than 20 owners have posted ratings and reviews of the Shop-Vac AllAround 791-03-00 here.

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org includes the now-discontinued Shop-Vac AllAround 971-02-00, which is similar to the 971-03-00, in its review of 23 wet dry vacs.

Toologics.com: In this short article, reviewer Jude Herr discusses her quest to find a wet dry vac that is "small and portable, yet powerful and durable." One of those she considers is the Shop-Vac AllAround 971-03-00, which she likes.

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