Our best overall pick is the Vacmaster Wet/Dry Vacuum with Detachable Blower because it’s portable, has a detachable blower, and is quieter than other models. Here are the best shop vacs on the market. An all-purpose shop vac is an indispensable tool for a wide variety of household tasks and light-duty garage clean-up, and the Vacmaster Wet/Dry Vacuum with Detachable Blower is our top pick. This 12-gallon model with a 5HP motor offers enough capacity and suction to handle dry or wet messes. However, it’s so powerful, it might trip your breaker, so be sure to plug it into a 20 amp receptacle, if possible. Once it’s plugged in, this shop vac is easy to maneuver, thanks to the lightweight polypropylene tank and casters. For liquid clean-up, keep in mind that capacity will be more limited. An internal float will shut off suction once the canister reaches full capacity at 8.5 gallons. Some shop vacs can be rather noisy, but this Vacmaster includes an exhaust cover that keeps noise levels to 71 decibels, which is likely quieter than your regular household vacuum. It has a CFM rating of 133, which comes in handy if you use the detachable blower to clear leaves and small debris from your space quickly. The blower outputs air at speeds up to 210 MPH, so you can quickly and powerfully clean your garage, renovation area, or outdoor patio in no time. Price at time of publish: $163 Price at time of publish: $64 The 7-foot hose locks onto the canister and has a diameter of 2.5 inches for unhindered suction of larger objects. Attachments like a wet nozzle, car nozzle, or extension wands add to the Ridgid wet/dry vac’s adaptability. In addition, this heavy-duty shop vac has a detachable blower. While it’s useful for removing sawdust or light debris from your workbench or garage, don’t expect it to do major yard duty. Another big advantage of this portable shop vac is the onboard attachment storage. Instead of trying to corral the tools, hose, and vac separately, lock the hose into place on the canister and snap the crevice tool and utility nozzle onto the vacuum. While the included attachments are minimal, you can use other shop vac accessories with a 1.25 diameter to expand your cleaning kit. Price at time of publish: $54 This cordless wet/dry vac stands out for its 45 CFM, which is more suction power than many other models for the type and size. The 6-foot hose also gives you plenty of reach for tasks around the garage, underneath seats in the car, or quick clean-up at the job site. Price at time of publish: $200 Not all shop vacs include a foam filter, but using it helps to preserve the life of your machine. If that puddle you’re cleaning up has gravel, glass, or other debris, the foam filter can help capture these particles before they reach the motor of your vacuum. Price at time of publish: $227 An outstanding feature of the Fein Turbo I is the bypass motor system. This prevents dust exposure to the motor, which can cause premature motor burnout. In addition, several filters are available for the vacuum. It ships with a pleated filter cartridge, which catches particles as fine as 1 micron. When connected to power tools for dust capture, this shop vac will start automatically. Price at time of publish: $276
Air Power
Air power, or air watts, refers to the suction power of your shop vac. Higher air power is important if you plan to vacuum heavier objects like nuts and bolts.
Tank
In addition to size, you’ll be faced with another choice: plastic or stainless steel tank. Plastic tanks are lighter and less prone to dents, but stainless steel tanks are easier to clean and more durable in the long run.
Attachments
Expand cleaning capabilities by shopping for a wet/dry vac with attachments. The type and number of attachments may vary, but some of the most frequently used are a utility nozzle, wet nozzle, and crevice tool. Extension wand attachments might also be important to you if you want to extend the reach of your shop vac into tight spaces or overhead areas to clear cobwebs, dust, and more. You should also consider whether or not a shop vac has onboard attachment storage. Some models feature a toolbox-like top that stores attachments. Other models have snap-on storage for wands, nozzles, and more. Many models, however, lack attachment storage. Consider whether you want or need attachments within reach at all times when using your shop vac.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Erica Puisis, a freelance writer who has contributed to The Spruce since 2017. Her areas of expertise include small home appliances and vacuums. To find the best options for the list, she considered capacity, CFM, filter type, and attachments of the most popular shop vacs on the market. Additional reporting and research for this article was done by Timothy Dale, a long-time home improvement expert specializing in plumbing, construction, and product recommendations, among other topics.
