The Best Shop Vacs (Wet & Dry)
We have reviewed the best shop vacs available this year. Let’s have a look!
Our Top List
# | Image | Name | Our Rating | Shop Link |
1 |  | Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet & Dry Shop Vacuum | ||
2 |  | Vacmaster VQ607SFD Stainless Steel Wet & Dry Shop Vacuum | ||
3 |  | DeWalt DXV10P Pro Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum | ||
4 |  | Vacmaster Wall-Mountd Wet & Dry Shop Vacuum | ||
5 |  | Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Shop Vac | ||
6 |  | Stanley SL18116P 3 in 1 Shop Vac | ||
7 |  | Vacmaster Professional Wet and Dry Vacuum |
1. Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet & Dry Shop Vacuum
The first wet and dry shop vac on the list comes rated for medium-duty work, and it features durability that you’ve come to expect from Craftsman without driving up the purchase price. This is a good all-around machine for outdoor or indoor projects while packing in a decent amount of power, and the power cord will wrap around the top handle for easy storage while the hose attaches to the body. The accessories can be stored right on the vacuum between uses to keep them all neat and organized, and you can choose from three sizes when you order to suit your needs.
The 6.5 horsepower motor gives you enough power to take on larger projects in the shop, garage, or on the job site, and you get a blower port built-in that allows you to quickly gather up leaves or grass clippings. There is an oversized drain to make cleaning out wet messes quick and easy, and the hose comes with dual-flex technology that gives you 180-degree mobility to make it easier to reach tight areas. You get a three-year limited warranty and a host of accessories when you order to make it more versatile.
Key Features:
- Brand: Craftsman
- Portable: Casters
- Size: 16 gallon
Pros
- Comes with a range of accessories
- Has an integrated cord wrap
- Comes with a rear blower port
- Works on wet and dry messes
- Hose has dual-flex technology built in
Cons
- Can lose suction power on really big projects
2. Vacmaster VQ607SFD Stainless Steel Wet & Dry Shop Vacuum
This is a six-gallon stainless steel vacuum that is extremely lightweight and easy to transport from point A to point B without a problem, and you can easily use it at home, at the office, or out in your workshop or garage without it stalling out. The stainless steel design on the tank is extremely durable and resistant to rust and corrosion, and you get a much more professional look that will stand up to hard use without a problem. The peak three-horsepower motor will give you the necessary suction required to tackle all of your household projects, and it comes with a versatile multi-floor nozzle that can work well on bare flooring or carpet without having to swap it out.
There are molded cut-outs on the vacuum that make it easy to store your accessories between uses while ensuring that they’re all within easy reach when you need them, and you can use this product for wet or dry messes without leaving any debris behind. The top handle design on this vacuum makes it easy to pick up and take with you or move up flights of stairs, and you get a larger drain port that makes it a quick process to empty the canister of wet messes. You get a reputable brand that stands behind all of its products, and it has a dust-sealed switch that can help it last longer.
Key Features:
- Brand: Vacmaster
- Portable: Casters
- Size: 6 gallon
Pros
- Comes with a multi-floor nozzle
- Molded cut-outs for the accessories
- Larger drain port
- Stainless steel design
- Very portable
Cons
- Can rust
3. DeWalt DXV10P Pro Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
This 10-gallon wet and dry vac has a quiet dual-stage motor that gives you up to 50% quieter operator and a longer life, and you get a dust cartridge filter that will help screen out dry, small debris when you use it to leave your air cleaner. This product can also pick up wet debris and materials without worrying about it clogging, and you get a 10-gallon tank that is capable of holding a decent amount of debris to reduce the amount of time you have to spend emptying it. The 5.5-horsepower motor gives you the suction power you need to take on a host of jobs, and you get ultra-durable rubberized casters that make it easy to move this vacuum from one space to the other.
You get a 20-foot power cord with an integrated cord wrap that makes it easy to reach areas around your home without having to constantly plug and unplug it to move it, and you get a blower port built-in that can clean debris from your driveway or workshop. There is also a built-in accessory storage bag that attaches to the backside of the vac to keep everything organized, and you get a large drain in the tank that makes taking care of wet messes easy.
Key Features:
- Brand: DeWalt
- Portable: Casters
- Size: 10 gallon
Pros
- Has a longer power cord
- Built-in blower port
- 5.5-horsepower motor
- Quiet operation
- Large rubberized casters
Cons
- Tubing is plastic
4. Vacmaster Wall-Mounted Wet & Dry Shop Vacuum
This wet and dry vacuum comes equipped with a 2.5 peak horsepower motor that can clean up liquid spills or dust without clogging, and it’s a 3.2 gallon model that you can convert to use as a blower quickly and easily to take care of leaves or dust in difficult areas. You get a wall-mounted design that frees up floor space, and this means that you won’t have to work to maneuver around every time you use it and risk tripping over cords or hoses. You can easily pull it from the wall to use as a portable model on thicker casters, and this increases your range of movement to ensure that you can vacuum anywhere you need to without an issue.
You get powerful suction that is suitable to use in your house, car, workshop, garage, and much more, and it works on both hard floors and carpet. You get three types of floor nozzles to meet your various cleaning needs, and the caster design on the bottom of the vacuum makes it very easy and convenient to move. It’s easy to pick up due to the lighter design and move around your home, and you get priority shipping with responsive customer service when you order this product.
Key Features:
- Brand: Vacmaster
- Portable: Casters
- Size: 3.2 gallon
Pros
- Has a wall-mounted design
- Powerful suction with longer hoses
- Comes with three nozzles
- Comes with priority shipping
- Lightweight and portable design
Cons
- Doesn’t work as well on wet surfaces
5. Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Shop Vac
This is a bigger 16 gallon wet and dry vacuum that offers 6.5 peak horsepower to make it a high-performance machine that can take on the biggest cleanup projects, including ones around the shop, at a job site, or in your garage. You get an on-board hose, power cord storage to prevent it from coiling up when you store it, and accessories that allow you to quickly and easily take on a range of projects. There is also a unique flat power head design that lets you store all of your tools while minimizing the space it takes up, and it keeps everything easily accessible for when you need to swap them out.
You get over 28-feet of cleaning reach with an 18-foot power cord, 7-foot hose, and two 18-inch extension wands that allow you to reach up near the ceiling or into deeper corners or crevices without a problem. There is a larger on and off switch with dust sealant that allows you to control the power without worrying about dust building up and blocking it, and you get heavy-duty 360-degree swivel casters that improve the vacuum’s mobility on almost any surface. There are nine accessories included in the purchase to make it more versatile, including a utility nozzle, kink-resistant premium hose, crevice tool, floor nozzle, two extension wands, brush, squeegee, wet foam filter, fine dust cartridge filter, and a noise and air diffuser.
Key Features:
- Brand: Vacmaster
- Portable: Casters
- Size: 16 gallon
Pros
- Comes with a host of accessories
- Bigger 16 gallon container
- Over 28-feet of reach
- 360-degree swivel casters
- Very easy and convenient to use
Cons
-
Handles are thinner plastic
6. Stanley SL18116P 3 in 1 Shop Vac
Stanley’s wet and dry vacuum offers 4.0 peak horsepower with a slightly smaller debris holder, and it has a heavy-duty motor equipped that gives you fantastic suction on small or large messes throughout your home. You also get a nice rear blower port that instantly converts your vacuum into a power blower to help you take on more tasks, and you get swiveling casters that make it very easy to move in virtually any direction. You get a strong handle that makes this machine very easy to pick up and move around as needed, and there is a larger on and off switch with a waterproof design that is easy to reach.
The 10-foot power cord gives you excellent reach when you need it and wraps securely around the vacuum when you don’t, and you get an accessory holder to keep all of your pieces organized as you work. You get a dust bag, cartridge filter, 10-inch floor nozzle, crevice nozzle, dual extension wands, and a six-foot-long hose when you order, and you can use it on wet or dry messes without a problem. This product also comes with a 12-month warranty from the date of purchase to protect you from manufacturer defects, and it has a sharp black and yellow color scheme.
Key Features:
- Brand: Stanley
- Portable: Casters
- Size: 6 gallon
Pros
- Power switch is waterproof
- Has a 12-month warranty attached
- Comes with a variety of accessories
- 4.0 peak horsepower motor
- Easy to convert to a power blower
Cons
- Body is thinner plastic
7. Vacmaster Professional Wet and Dry Vacuum
The final wet and dry vacuum on the list is another from Vacmaster, and it comes with a high water-lift motor on it that allows you to take on a huge range of difficult cleanup projects around the house without a problem. You get on-board power cord and accessory storage that make it easy to keep the cord neatly wrapped between uses and the accessories in easy reach should you need them, and you get a longer 18-foot cord with a 7-foot hose that gives you a huge range of cleaning space. The on and off switch is dust-sealed to allow it to last longer and work flawlessly, and you get a rugged polypropylene tank that is both impact-resistant and corrosion resistant.
You’ll get a blower port in the back of this vacuum that allows you to easily and quickly turn it into a blower, and you get eight accessories when you order it, including a car nozzle, crevice tool, utility nozzle, kink-resistant hose, wet foam filter, dust cartridge filter, and a noise and air diffuser. Your extended cleaning reach will allow you to reach into tight corners or areas without a problem to get a more thorough clean, and it has a very stable design with a flat bottom and a larger carrying handle.
Key Features:
- Brand: Vacmaster
- Portable: None
- Size: 5.5 gallon
Pros
- Gives you an extended reach
- Integrated cord wrap
- Comes with eight accessories
- From a reputable brand
- Very user-friendly design
Cons
- Doesn’t have wheels
What is the best shop vac?
Craftsman Heavy-Duty Shop Vac
Pros
- Comes with a range of accessories
- Has an integrated cord wrap
- Comes with a rear blower port
- Works on wet and dry messes
- Hose has dual-flex technology built in
Cons
- Can lose suction power on really big projects
Our pick for the best wet and dry shop vac is the Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet & Dry Shop Vacuum because it comes with a very durable design without a huge price tag. It’s a solid all-around machine that comes with several accessories, a cord wrap, and a longer hose to help extend your reach. It also has a higher horsepower motor in it to help improve your suction power, and you can convert it into a blower to take on more projects around your home.
Wet and Dry Vacuum Buyer’s Guide
Since you want to do everything possible to ensure that you get a high-quality product when you shop, it’s a good idea to have a set of buying criteria that you use on every product you look at. We’ve highlighted a few great examples for you below. By the way, you might also be interested in vacuums for car detailing or long hair.
Accessories
Ideally, you’ll get a few different accessories when you order your shop vac that make it more versatile when it comes to cleaning. The accessories should also store nicely onto the vacuum to ensure that they’re in close reach when you need them, and this also helps to keep everything organized while reducing storage space. Look and see if one model comes with more accessories, and you also want to consider what accessories you’ll need to tackle your projects.
Portability
Most of the vacuums on the list came outfitted with casters with smooth-rolling wheels and handles that make it very easy to move from one area to the other. Since you’re most likely going to be using it for multiple rooms, you want something that is easily going to move with you.
Size
A larger collection canister will be one that you have to empty less as you use it, but it also makes the whole vacuum more bulky and difficult to store or move. The goal is to strike a balance between size and use. People who use it less won’t need such a large size, while people that use it a lot may want something bigger.
Brand
You want to shop from a reputable brand when you pick out your new vacuum because they dedicate themselves to using high-quality materials in their products. These brands are also more responsive in general to questions or concerns, and they usually come with better warranties attached to all of their products.
Shop Vac FAQ
This can be a very versatile machine to have in your garage or home, so it makes sense that you would want to get something that is easy to use and will last. The following questions can give you an idea of this machine’s capabilities, so you can figure out if it’s a good fit for your needs.
1. What’s the difference between a shop vac and a traditional one?
One of the biggest differences between the two machines is that the shop vac has a much stronger suction force than a standard vacuum. A standard machine comes designed to pick up general household dust, dirt, and smaller debris without clogging, while a shop vac will pick up the bigger pieces without having any issues.
2. Can a wet and dry shop vac clean carpets?
Wet and dry vacs can clean bare floors or carpeting, as long as you have it switched to the correct mode. You may also need to swap out the nozzles before you start cleaning the carpet to ensure that you get a tight seal to the floor to maximize your suction power.
3. Can you use a shop vac for water without a filter?
You can use the shop vac to clean up wet messes without using a filter, and this actually makes it easier to clean up when you finish with it. If you choose to use it with the filter inside it, you have to remember to take it out, rinse it, and dry it out between uses.
4. What does the ball do in this type of vacuum?
If you’ve ever used a shop vac and tipped it over when it was on, you most likely heard something go up into the tube to restrict suction and fall back down when you shut it off. This is a ball that floats to the top of the tub and turns the suction off to avoid any water getting into the motor or fan to help prevent shocks.
5. When is a good time to empty your shop vac?
You should make a point to clean out your shop vac when you notice debris sticking to the inside of your canister or hose. When it comes time to clean the shop vac, you’ll want to fill the canister basin with bleach and water, allow it to sit, and rinse it out with a hose and run water through it until the water comes out clean.