Craftsman 17765 Review

What the reviewers like:
The 21.5-inch height makes it easy to store, while the low-slung design and onboard tool storage make it easy to tug around without tipping. Owners like the long 21-foot cord. A drain is built in, and it comes with a squeegee attachment for vacuuming liquids. It doubles as a blower, which owners say works quite well.

What the reviewers don't like:
Unlike Ridgid shop vacs, the motor of the Craftsman 17765 doesn't automatically shut off when vacuumed liquids reach their maximum level.

Craftsman 17765 review highlights

Objective comparison tests put the Craftsman 17765 shop vac in the middle of the pack for wet pickup, but show that it has plenty of power and suction for vacuuming dry debris. Owners rate it quite highly, but the 12-gallon Ridgid WD1246 (*est. $70) costs a bit less and performs slightly better. However, the more expensive 14-gallon Ridgid WD1450 (*est. $120) emits less dust in its exhaust than either of these two shop vacs. Also, both Ridgid shop vacs carry lifetime warranties, while the Craftsman 17765 is guaranteed for just one year.

The 12-gallon Craftsman 17765 is included in a fairly recent Consumer Reports review, where it's compared with four other medium-size shop vacs as well as with 18 other wet/dry vacs of various sizes. This review is outstanding because of its objective testing and detailing ratings. We also found more than 20 reviews from owners commenting on the Craftsman 17765 at Sears.com, where they rate it for value, durability and performance.

Also see full report: Shop Vacs

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
>> Details/Subscribe
Wet/Dry Vacuums
Editors of Consumer Reports
Mar. 2007

Consumer Reports includes the Craftsman 17765 in its review of 23 shop vacs, comparing it mostly with four other models of similar medium size. Each shop vac is put through objective tests, then ranked according to its total score. Separate ratings are reported for ease of use, emissions, dry pickup, and wet pickup.

2. Sears.com
Craftsman 17765 Reviews
Contributors to Sears.com

At the time of this report, about two dozen owners have reviewed and rated the Craftsman 17765 shop 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.

3. Ridgid Power Tools Forum
Comparing Craftsman 17765 with Ridgid shop vacs
Contributors to RidgidForum.com

Several users posting here recommend the larger Craftsman 17762 shop vac over competing Ridgid models, citing its 20-gallon capacity and the range of available accessories. It's notable that owners here say Ridgid shop vacs are quieter.

Also see full report: Shop Vacs