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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- Variable suction
- Soft-start motor
- Comes with tools and attachments
- Filter captures very fine dust
- Expensive
- Draws a lot of power, limiting use to light-duty tools
The high-end Nilfisk-Alto Attix 8 AS/E wet dry vac has variable suction and an anti-static hose that provides extra protection from shocks. Other top-rated features include an internal filter-cleaner and soft-start motor. Overall, reviewers say the 8-gallon Alto Attix 8 AS/E is an excellent workshop vac, especially for use with extra-fine dust, but it is costly. For a workshop wet dry vacuum that doesn't need to be very portable, reviews recommend the Bosch AirSweep 3931A (*Est. $535) because of its power and efficient filter-cleaner.
We found the most credible review of the Nilfisk-Alto Attix 8 AS/E wet dry vac in Taunton Press' 2005 tool guide, where editors compare it with nine other models. A shop vac review in Fine Woodworking tests 13 models, including the similar but discontinued Alto Wap SQ. For more detailed information on the Attix 8 wet dry vac, we turned to an in-depth review by design consultant Steve D'Gerolamo at UndergroundGarage.com, where ratings are based on tests with precision instruments as well as long-term use.
Our Sources
1. Taunton's 2005 Tool Guide
This detailed review compares 10 wet dry vacs, including the Nilfisk Alto Attix 8 AS/E. Reviews are based on hands-on tests for cleaning ability and sound level. Tests show that the Alto Attix 8 is about 10 decibels louder than the manufacturer says, but it gets top marks for cleaning up sheetrock dust.
Review: Shop Vacuums, Roland Johnson and the editors at Taunton Press, Jan. 2005
Written by a garage designer, this review compares several high-end shop vacuums. The review reports that the Alto Attix 8 performs better than the Fein Turbo II 9-55-13 (since replaced by the Fein Turbo II 9-20-25), but the author concludes that the shop vacuum draws so much power that it's not possible to use the auto-start with most power tools.
Review: Testing the Alto/Wap Vacuums, Steve D'Gerolamo, Feb. 2005
3. Journal of Light Construction
Professional contractor David Grubb compares the Attix 8 AS/E with six other tool-activated shop vacs. The Attix is the top choice if you need to vacuum fine dust, because its standard filter captures even 1-micron particles.
Review: Tool Test: Tool-Activated Vacuums, David Grubb, Dec. 2004
4. Fine WoodworkingDetails/Subscribe
This older review tests 13 wet dry vacs for endurance, adaptability and ergonomics, including the Alto Wap SQ, an older version of the Nilfisk Alto Attix 8. The review praises the Alto Wap SQ for quality, quietness, variable speed and auto-start, but it loses points for its small hose and capacity.
Review: Shop Vacuums, Roland Johnson, May/June 2003
Editor Chuck Cage recommends pairing an inexpensive consumer shop vacuum with Craftsman's Auto Switch as a low-budget alternative to buying a pricey tool-triggered model such as the Nilfisk/Alto. Two readers prefer the Nilfisk/Alto wet dry vacs, saying they're even better than Festool models for vacuuming fine dust.
Review: $20 Auto Switch + $50 Shop Vacuum = $400 Festool Dust Collection Vac, Chuck Cage and Contributors to Toolmonger.com, April 2007
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