Craftsman 17776 Review

What the reviewers like:
The compact size and large rear wheels make it easy to pull around or transport. Owners say it's ideal for use as a canister vac to clean a house or car. Professionals like it because it's easy to take to jobsites. The 20-foot cord is ample.

What the reviewers don't like:
Although this shop vac can vacuum liquids, it lacks a drain for emptying the tank. Nor is there any automatic shut-off when liquid reaches its maximum level. The filter clogs fast, and the latch doesn't always fasten securely, making it possible to accidentally dump the contents of the tank when picking up the shop vac by the top handle.

Craftsman 17776 review highlights

Owners rate the wheeled Craftsman 17776 shop vac quite a bit higher than the wall-mounted 5-gallon Craftsman 17925 (*est. $90), though both use 5-hp motors. The Craftsman 17776 is only 17 inches high, and reviews say it's easy to tug around. According to comparison tests, none of the small portable wet-dry vacuums in this size range perform very well or exhaust clean air. The 5-gallon Ridgid WD5500 (*est. $100) is an exception; it also comes with a lifetime guarantee, while the Craftsman 17776 warranty is for just one year.

The 4-gallon Craftsman 17776 Clean n Carry shop vac is not included in the recent Consumer Reports review of shop vacs. However, Consumer Reports does test two other Craftsman Clean n Carry models, so it's possible to extrapolate some conclusions from this review. At Sears.com, more than 20 owners do review this exact model, where they rate it for value, durability, and performance.

Also see full report: Shop Vacs

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

1. Sears.com
Craftsman 17776 Reviews
Contributors to Sears.com

About two dozen owners have reviewed and rated the Craftsman 17776 shop vac at Sears.com so far, and they' have given it a high average rating. This may change, of course, as more owners add reviews. This is a relatively new model, too, so comments are based on short-term use.

2. Consumer Reports
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Wet/Dry Vacuums
Editors of Consumer Reports
Mar. 2007

Consumer Reports tests two similar portable Craftsman Clean n Carry shop vacs in this size range, comparing them with similar models by Shop-Vac and Ridgid. Each shop vac is put through objective tests, then assigned a total score as well as separate ratings for wet and dry pickup performance, emissions and ease of use.

Also see full report: Shop Vacs