The best shop vac is a must on construction and work sites, but it can also be useful for many other messy jobs. Whether you're an artist, a gardener, or just remodeling your home, a big mess requires a big vacuum cleaner. These cleaning machines are great because they can handle both wet and dry messes and are powerful enough to collect larger objects like bent nails and wood chips.
Armor All 2.5-gallon wet/dry utility shop vacuum
Best compact model
You don't have to sacrifice power for size. If a compact shop vac fits your needs, this model comes with a 2-horsepower motor and a ten-foot power cord.
Pros:
- Easy-to-handle, compact size
- 2-horsepower motor
- Ten-foot power cord
Cons:
- Doesn't hold a lot of liquid for wet messes
For everyday vacuuming jobs, this unit packs more than enough power. The compact size doesn't take up too much space, and it's easy to carry from place to place. Between the 10-foot cord and the 6-foot hose, you have plenty of reach and versatility. The only thing that may limit this machine's capabilities is its limited storage capacity, mantaining just over 2 gallons of material. So, it may not be ideal for big plumbing jobs or super wet accidents.
Stanley 6-gallon wet/dry vacuum
Best bang for your buck
Stanley offers this vacuum in several diverse sizes and capacities, so you can choose which one best fits your needs.
Pros:
- Several size capacities available
- Good price
- Blower port included
Cons:
- 4-horsepower motor may not support 12-gallon size
Here's a good mid-line shop vac that offers several size capacities, different accessory packages, and a reasonable price tag. You can choose between 5, 6, 10, and 12-gallon sizes, although the 4-horsepower motor might be a tad bit small to handle 12 gallons worth of suction. The unit comes with several extension wands, four different nozzles, and several filters.
CRAFTSMAN 16-gallon wet/dry vac
Best large-capacity shop vac
For big jobs, you need a big shop vac. This 16-gallon unit can handle a heavy workload.
Pros:
- 16-gallon capacity
- 6.5 horsepower motor
- Offers larger 20-gallon capacity
Cons:
- Large size can be cumbersome
For construction sites and substantial remodeling projects, only a large-capacity shop vac will do. This serious wet/dry vac from Craftsman comes in both 16 and 20-gallon capacities. The package includes a 7-foot hose and several nozzles for both wet and dry jobs, as well as a large blower port. It features a built-in drain for emptying the tank of liquids.
Stanley 5-gallon wet/dry vacuum
Best versatility
Another Stanley machine, this three-in-one unit is made for a wide range of tasks, including vacuuming, liquid suction, and blowing.
Pros:
- Works for a wide range of tasks
- Good size for most jobs
- Comes with a lot of accessories
Cons:
- It's heavy
You'll be surprised at how many household tasks you can complete with this shop vac. Vacuuming messes is just the beginning. It comes with a gulper nozzle for wet jobs and several extenders that can be used for blowing leaves, blow-drying the dog, or cleaning the car. Although the stainless steel tank is heavier than some others, the quality construction promises durability.
DeWalt portable 4-gallon wet/dry vacuum
Best portable design
This DeWalt vacuum is made to travel. The compact design comes with an easy-to-pack design and a carry handle for portability.
Pros:
- Portable design
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Easy storage of accessories
Cons:
- Doesn't include dust bag
Lugging a large shop vac to different work sites can be exhausting. If you need something more portable, this compact and easy-to-carry unit from DeWalt will be just the thing. The vacuum is made to organize the tools and accessories inside so that they can all be easily carried using a built-in carry handle. When it's all packed up, it looks more like a toolbox than a vacuum. Despite its small size, the portable machine has a 4-gallon capacity and a 5-horsepower motor.
Workshop 2.5-gallon wet/dry vacuum
Best value
Another compact shop vac, this one from Workshop comes in at the lowest price on our list.
Pros:
- Low price
- Compact size
- Easily portable
Cons:
- Very small motor
Workshop has quality products at reasonable prices, which is why this compact shop vac is the most affordable of the bunch. This machine has over a 2-gallon capacity and a motor with over a horsepower of kick, so it might be better suited to everyday cleaning tasks around the house. With accessories for wet and dry messes, the Workshop vacuum works for a wide variety of household jobs. Since it's built with a carry handle and easy-to-organize accessories, this choice is also quite portable.
Vacmaster Pro 8-gallon HEPA filtration wet/dry vac
Best model with HEPA filter
When you're doing heavy-duty construction or industrial cleaning work, the air can become contaminated. Clean your job site and the air at the same time with the Vacmaster wet/dry vac.
Pros:
- Cleans air with HEPA filter
- 8-gallon capacity
- 10-foot hose
Cons:
- It's expensive
If you're afraid that there might be air contamination on your job sites, a vacuum with a HEPA filter is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. As you clean the floor, the vacuum also filters the air around you. This one has an 8-gallon capacity and a 10-foot hose, which makes it a lot more practical for larger spaces. It comes with several extenders and nozzles for diverse tasks as well.
Shop-Vac 10-gallon classic wet dry vacuum
The OG
Shop-Vac is the brand that coined the name in the first place. This classic 10-gallon wet/dry vac is for heavy-duty cleaning jobs.
Pros:
- Classic design
- Large capacity
- Comes with all the necessary accessories
Cons:
- Large size can be cumbersome
The original maker of wet-dry vacuums, Shop-Vac has the largest selection of shop vacs and accessories in the world. This essential design has a 10-gallon capacity and a 4-horsepower motor. It comes with a seven-foot hose along with several extenders and nozzles. The good thing about the Shop-Vac brand is that it sells many accessories in addition to the standard set, in case you need anything more specific.
Bottom line
Within this list, you'll find the best shop vac options for a variety of tasks. If you need something small yet powerful, the Armor All shop vacuum packs a lot of horsepower into a compact size. This one is great for heavy-duty cleaning around a house or farm.
If you need something for bigger jobs, a full-size shop vac like the Craftsman 16-gallon wet/dry vac can handle a lot of hard work. This one is also available in a 20-gallon size for extra-large cleaning jobs. Take a look at each choice and decide which model works best for the job at hand.
Why trust us?
At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.
