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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- Corded or cordless
- Low dust emissions
- Can be used as a blower
- Washable filter
- Battery, charger cost extra
- Short cord and hose
- Low power and suction
- Short runtime on battery
The 2-gallon DeWalt DC500 is a corded/cordless hybrid. In its cordless mode, it can be used with any DeWalt rechargeable 12-volt, 14.4-volt or 18-volt battery. It can vacuum liquids and can operate as a blower, and reviewers give it high marks for low dust emissions. The same washable filter is used for wet and dry pickup, meaning you don't have to change filters when you switch tasks. Reviews also say it is easy to clean. Users give it positive ratings, though a few complain about its limited battery life and its short cord and hose. It carries a three-year warranty. If it's not important to you to have a cordless shop vacuum, the 4.5-gallon Ridgid Pro Pack WD4522 (*Est. $95) is another portable option that receives good ratings from users.
We found no expert comparison reviews of the DeWalt DC500, although reviewers for Wood magazine and Toologics.com recommend it. User reviews at Amazon.com and Lowes.com provide a view of how this wet dry vac performs over time.
| DEWALT DC500 2-Gallon 12-to-18-Volt Cordless/Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum | |
(142 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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Our Sources
1. Amazon.com
About 135 owner ratings/reviews are posted here, giving the DeWalt DC500 an above average overall rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars. Most say that this small wet dry vac is perfect for quick cleaning situations in which they don't want to haul out a full-size shop vacuum. Some say it doesn't have enough suction when used in cordless mode. However, one person who has owned this vacuum for more than five years writes that "this unit will not replace a Shop vacuum nor is it meant to. When used within its scope of operations it is a more than welcome addition to my shop."
Review: DEWALT DC500 2-Gallon 12-to-18-Volt Cordless/Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum, Contributors to Amazon.com
About 30 owners give the DeWalt DC500 a respectable overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. While some owners complain about the short battery length, lack of suction and the hose length, most are satisfied with the cordless wet dry vac's performance.
Review: DEWALT 2 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac, Contributors to HomeDepot.com
3. Wood MagazineDetails/Subscribe
In this older buyer's guide, Robert J. Settich recommends a small shop vacuum over one with a huge tank, noting that a smaller model is easier to move and empty of liquids. He does not say whether he tested or used the models discussed here, but one of those he recommends is the DeWalt DC500.
Review: Dust and Debris Disappear Into a Vacuum, Robert J. Settich, 2006
This is another buyer's guide; author Jude Herr describes her search for a wet dry vac that would meet her needs, saying it needs to be "small and portable, yet powerful and durable." One of the models she considers is the DeWalt DC515, another DeWalt cordless model. She also mentions the DC500, noting that it has "a Gore wet/dry filter that traps 99.7% of drywall dust."
Review: How to Choose a Wet/Dry Vacuum, Jude Herr, Nov. 5, 2007
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