Best Reviewed
Wet Dry Vacs
- Best wet dry vac for home and garage Ridgid WD1450 *Est. $135
- Best workshop vacuum Bosch Airsweep 3931A *Est. $535
- Portable wet dry vac Ridgid Pro Pack WD4522 *Est. $95
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- Easy to store
- Good mobility
- Long 20-foot cord
- No automatic shutoff for liquids
- Not the best for wet pickup
- Only a one-year warranty
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 quite highly. If you don't mind spending more, the 14-gallon Ridgid WD1450 (*Est. $135) emits less dust in its exhaust than the Craftsman model does, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
The 12-gallon Craftsman 17765 is included in a ConsumerReports.org review, where it's compared with four other medium-size shop vacuums as well as with 18 other wet dry vacs 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.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org includes the Craftsman 17765 in its comprehensive review of 23 wet dry vacs, primarily comparing it against four other similar, medium-size vacs. Each shop vacuum is put through objective tests and then ranked according to its total score. Separate ratings are reported for ease of use, emissions, dry pickup and wet pickup. To read this report, you must be a ConsumerReports.org subscriber.
Review: Wet/Dry Vacuums, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, March 2007
2. Sears.com
About 60 owners review and rate the Craftsman 17765 wet dry vac at Sears.com, giving it near-perfect ratings. Despite its relatively small size, it's one of the top-rated wet dry vacuums there. One owner writes that it has such powerful suction it is "the BLACK HOLE of vacuums."
Review: Craftsman 12-gal 5.0 peak hp Wet/Dry Vac, Contributors to Sears.com
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