Craftsman 17765

Objective comparison tests put the 12-gallon Craftsman 17765 wet dry vac in the middle of the pack for wet pickup, but they show that it has plenty of power and suction for vacuuming dry debris. It can be used with a dust bag for easier cleaning. It has a drain to empty liquids, and it features on-board storage of accessories. The 7-foot hose is 2.5 inches in diameter. Owners rate the Craftsman 17765 wet dry vac quite highly. If you don't mind spending an extra $20, the 14-gallon Ridgid WD1450 (*Est. $100) emits less dust in its exhaust than the Craftsman workshop vac does, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

The 12-gallon Craftsman 17765 is included in a fairly recent ConsumerReports.org review, where it's compared with four other medium-size wet dry vacs as well as with 18 other shop vacuums of various sizes. This review is extremely useful because of its objective testing and detailed ratings. We also found about 60 reviews from owners commenting on the Craftsman 17765 at Sears.com, where they rate it for value, durability and performance.