Best Shop Vac Reviews and Ultimate Buying Guide 2020

Comprehensive Guide for Picking Up The Right Shop Vac for Your Needs!

There are a number of considerations you need to make as you choose the right vacuum cleaner. This guide aims at equipping you with all the necessary information you need to make the best choice. A range of carefully selected products have been reviewed according to the different categories, for example the best portable shop vac or the best wall mounted shop vac. Whatever your need, it is likely you will find perfect suggestions.

This guide is not just going to suggest products for your need, you can also use it to get to know more about shop vacs and probably become a pro when it comes to buying this product. For example do you know the important features to look out for when buying a shop vac? Or are you aware of the minor cons of some products that seem to receive rave reviews? All that information can be found in this ultimate buying guide.

What Is The Best Shop Vac For You?

Small Shop Vac

These are ideal for people who want a shop vac that will handle quick cleanups like broken glass, pins that have fallen on the floor and need to be picked up or a quick removal of pet hair from your car after you took the pet for a ride. They are easy to carry around and have small capacity of 1 to 2 gallons and usually not too loud.

Portable Shop Vac

These shop vacs are slightly bigger than the small ones and have a number of features that make them easier to move around. These are preferred by most people as they can perform any tasks around the home, workshop, car and even act as blowers for leaves. They have capacities between 2 and 5 gallons and if they are really heavy, they have wheels to move them around.

Wall Mounted Shop Vacs

There are 2 reasons people choose these shop vacs.

  • Wall mounted shop vacs are easy to store as you just need to find space on the wall and hang it there
  • If you do not want to walk around carrying the tank, a wall mounted shop vac with a long hose can come in handy

They are more preferred in the garage for the cars or in a workshop.

10 gallon or more Shop Vac

These are for big tasks. If you need a wet/dry vac that can clean the entire house or you need one for the construction site, these will come in handy. They are also good for taking care of flooded basements or melted snow that sipped into the garage or house. They can contain a lot more in the tank so the job can be done faster.

10 Best Shop Vac Comparison

A Guide To The Different Types Of Shop Vacs

Wet and Dry Shop Vac

Wet and dry shop vacs are just about the most practical vacuums you can have for garages and basements because the messes you will be dealing with are either going to be wet or dry and quite often you deal with wet messes. They come with special filters that can handle any mess and the containment system to is well designed for such work. When choosing the best wet and dry shop vac, it is best to consider how much cleaning you will be doing then you can choose one with a tank capacity to handle the amount of debris or liquid that you will be dealing with. Here are the best recommendations.

Shop-Vac 5896000
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If you are looking for an all around good and trusted wet dry shop vac, then this is the one you should look at. It comes with a powerful motor and strong suction suction to handle quick clean-ups around your workshop, car and around the home. The tank is stainless steel and can be used with or without a filter bag.  Fine particles are no match or the 598600 shop vac and can be used for picking up drywall dust as well as sawdust and larger pieces.  And the added blower capability will make short work of moving grass clippings and leaves off the driveway.

Key Features

  • Strong 4.5 Peak horsepower motor
  • 5-gallon tank
  • Solid top carry handle
  • Useful accessory tools and onboard storage for the tools
  • Stainless steel tank
  • Both wet and dry ability
  • 6-foot power cord
  • 7-foot hose plus extensions, 1.25" diameter
  • Can be used as a blower

Pros

  • The filter is easy to fit and clean
  • The 4.5 HP motor delivers strong suction
  • It can be used for blowing as well as suction
  • The tank is easy to clean
  • The extension wands come in handy when you are vacuuming the floor and you do not want to kneel down
  • It comes with a HEPA filter bag that keeps fine particles inside
  • Automatic shut off when the tank is full

Cons

  • The power cord is too short
  • The hose diameter does not work well with chunks of debris.
Shop-Vac 5951400
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This is a Shop Vac that you can use as your main vacuum cleaner for the entire house as well as outdoor cleaning. It is an improved wet and dry shop vac and it is not as noisy as many of the wet and dry vacuums that have the same suction power. It is easy to move around thanks to its large wheels and the handle that is designed for pulling and pushing. It addresses the common problem of clutter caused by the tools, there is a large onboard storage for all the tools it comes with and there is still space for more.

Key Features

  • 14-gallon tank that can take up debris from the whole house
  • 6.5 peak horsepower motor giving increased suction
  • Filter minder for better performance and maintenance of the filter
  • 6-foot power cord
  • Onboard tool storage at the back
  • Accessory tools and extensions
  • Pull/push handle as well as top handle for lifting the unit

Pros

  • The large tank lets you clean up much more before it needs to be emptied
  • The hose and extensions give good length for vacuuming floors even for tall people
  • The metallic carriage handle makes it easy to pull and push it around
  • Strong suction
  • Reduced noise despite powerful motor

Cons

  • The tank can get heavy when it is full with liquid
  • The power cord is short

Wall Mounted / Garage Shop Vac

Shop-Vac makes a number of different wall mounted shop vacs and they are quite popular especially because they solve the problem of storage space. There are different sizes to meet different needs and you can choose to use them while they are hanged on the wall or you can carry them off to attend to a spill in the kitchen, sawdust in the workshop or even to blow leaves around the house. Most people tend to use them for cars and workshops but they do a good job anywhere you may need the best wet dry vac. Here are the best recommendations.

Shop Vac 3942000
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The 3942000 has one of the longest hose of the different wet and dry vacuums you can find. The long hose helps you use the unit while it is mounted on the wall. You can reach any part of your car with the shop vac mounted on the wall and if your kitchen is near the garage you can deal with spills and filled drains very easily without having to carry the vac around.

Considering it has a long hose, the suction is amazingly constant to ensure the debris and water can get sucked up the entire length. It is perfect for the garage and workshop.

Key Features

  • 18-foot hose with a number of other accessory tools like 12-inch nozzle, three extension wands, and squeegee.
  • 5-gallon capacity tank
  • 4.5 peak horsepower suction
  • Foldable top handle with easy access to the on switch
  • On board cord wrap
  • Wall mount, but the unit can be detached from the wall

Pros

  • The long hose comes in handy and saves you the burden of carrying the vac around
  • It maintains its suction
  • The filter bag prevents the filter from getting clogged
  • It comes with a number of useful tools
  • It comes with a bag for the tools that can be mounted on the wall as well.

Cons

  • It is not easy dismounting the shop vac from the wall.
  • Considering the amount of space it takes up, you would expect it to have more than 5-gallon capacity.
Shop-Vac 3940100
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The wall mount feature on this shop vac is intended to be used either for storage or you can use it while the vac is mounted on the wall and have your hands free from the weight of the tank. The different tools that it comes with makes it versatile. Many car owners would be happy with this shop vac that they can use for the car and garage but you can also remove it from the mount to use for light cleaning in the house. It is also affordable.

Key Features

  • 3.5-gallon capacity tank
  • 3.0 peak horsepower motor
  • 8-foot hose for use while mounted
  • Easy portability with a top handle (weighs 14.6 pounds)
  • Storage bag for accessories that can be hang on the wall
  • Onboard cord wrap

Pros

  • It is portable which makes it easy to use in different places other than where it is mounted
  • Reasonably priced
  • The long hose gives ample reach
  • Many useful tools like the squeegee, floor tool, extension wand and crevice tool among others

Cons

  • It is quite noisy
  • You may need a extension cable when using it as a portable vac

Portable Shop Vac

If you want to be able to move around easily and not have to carry a heavy load, then a portable shop vac is what you need. Some people may prefer cordless ones but when you are talking of the best portable shop vac, it is not the cordless ones that are the best. You need to consider other factors and that is why the best are corded but still portable. These wet dry vacs may be small, but that does not compromise their performance.

Shop-Vac 5872410
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This is an easy to carry wet and dry vac with a long cord that gives you a wide radius to cover without having to switch sockets or use an extension. It is compact but powerful enough to get wet or dry messes sucked up. On the opposite side, you can use it as a blower as well. It is reasonably quiet for a machine with powerful suction. The filter is easy to take care of and there is a disposable bag which improves dust management.

Key Features

  • 20-foot power cord which allows mobility
  • Firm grip top handle with the on-off switch easily accessible with the thumb
  • Powerful 5.5 peak horsepower motor
  • Onboard storage for accessory tools
  • Blower port on the back
  • Onboard hose and cord wrap
  • Lightweight (7 pounds)
  • Wet and dry filter

Pros

  • The long power cord makes it easy to move around
  • The light weight contributes to portability
  • Strong suction despite its small size
  • The filter is easy to remove and fit
  • It is easy to store in small spaces
  • The positioning of the handle balances the weight even when it is fool
  • Onboard storage makes it easy to carry around to different cleaning sites.

Cons

  • The hose is rather short and it comes with only 2 other tools
Shop-Vac 5890200
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If you are looking for a handy and trusted wet dry shop vac that you can store safely on the wall, then this is the one you should look at. It is easy to carry around thanks to its light weight but do not let its size fool you, this Shop vac has strong suction to handle quick clean-ups around your workshop, car and around the home. It may not be the ideal main vac, but if you just need one you can grab easily to get rid of a mess, then you will be happy with it and when you’re done, you can hang it on the wall.

Key Features

  • Strong 2.5 Peak horsepower motor
  • 2.5-gallon tank
  • Solid top carry handle
  • Useful accessory tools and onboard storage for the tools
  • Wall bracket to securely hand the vac on
  • Both wet and dry ability
  • 6-foot power cord
  • Light weight, 4.2 pounds
  • Can be used as a blower

Pros

  • This shop vac is very conveniently portable
  • The onboard storage saves you from having to find a place to keep the tools
  • The blower feature is useful when dust is stuck in a corner
  • The flat bottom keeps it stable
  • 3-year warranty

Cons

  • The hose is quite short you cannot use it while it is on the wall

Car Shop Vac

There are a number of things that go into designing the best shop vac for car and Shop Vac have put in a lot of time into coming up with wet and dry vacuums that will meet the needs of car owners. Your car is most likely exposed to different kinds of messes and you need a vacuum that can handle all these things. At the same time, the vac needs to be one that you can carry around easily as you vacuum without it becoming a burden. We have done the research for you to make it easier for you to choose the best.

Shop-Vac 5872510
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This is a heavy duty shop vac that you can carry around in your car and its tank size is adequate for an entire cleanup of the car. It handles just about any dry mess or debris and its single tool is able to get in between the chairs to find debris and food particles that may be hiding there. The long power cord is just what you need to be able to attend to every corner of the car without restriction. Most experts recommend it for dry messes because its bag collection system may not handle the wet ones well.

Key Features

  • Long 20-foot cord
  • Top handle for portability and balance
  • All purpose accessory tool
  • Powerful 6.5 peak horsepower motor
  • 5-gallon capacity tank with dust collection bag
  • Cord wrap
  • Onboard accessory storage
  • Double filtration for fine dust management

Pros

  • The cord is quite long, making it easy to access any part of the car
  • It has powerful suction that will handle any mess in the car
  • The webbed filter is easy to clean
  • It is compact and easy to carry around

Cons

  • It does not have many tools
Shop-Vac 2021000 Micro
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If this vac was any smaller it would probably be a pocket vac, but that does not affect its performance as a shop vac for car, its size is actually a plus because it is easy to carry around as opposed to living it outside the car as you vacuum. It is also quite easy to store since it comes with a wall brace or if you like you can carry it around in your car. It is quite easy to operate and many customers who have bought this will tell you it is indeed the best wet and dry vac for cars and you can also use it to clean up messes in the house and your workshop.

Key Features

  • Small and lightweight, making it easy to carry around
  • 1-gallon tank
  • 1.0 peak horsepower motor that delivers impressive suction
  • 6-foot cord
  • Wall bracket for easy storage
  • Tool bag to keep tools in one place

Pros

  • It is lightweight and portable
  • The filter system deals well with dust and wet messes
  • Easy to operate
  • It can be stored on the wall
  • It can work not just on the car but even in the house

Cons

  • The 6-foot cord means you have to use an extension cord
  • The hose is also short and you need to by a compatible extension wand

High Capacity Drum Shop Vac

Most shop vac reviews on the high capacity drum shop vac will tell you how great these machines are when it comes to dealing with liquid accidents. It could be a flooded basement, the laundry room overflowing or emptying the toilet, these shop vacs have the ability to effectively deal with them and it is not just wet messes. If for example you are working at a construction site and you need to clean up a lot of sawdust and other debris, this is what you should use because they have strong suction as well as big drums to contain a lot. Here are the recommended high capacity drum shop vacs.

Shop-Vac 9689400
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This is quite an amazing shop vac especially when it comes to dealing with floods. Its large capacity will take up a lot more water than the smaller wet and dry vacs and it has an internal pump that can pump out the water when full so you can have it constantly sucking and pumping out the water through a hose into the drainage. It is also easy to move around the site you are working and the filters do a great job for wet or dry vacuuming. It comes with a long cord and hose for a more comfortable reach.

Key Features

  • 14-gallon capacity tank
  • Auto shut off when tank is full
  • Inbuilt pump to pump out water and other liquids
  • Long power cord of 18 feet
  • Top and side carry handles as well as wheels for easy mobility
  • 8-foot hose with long extension wand (22inch)
  • Onboard cord storage
  • Easy to reach on/off switch

Pros

  • The inbuilt pump saves you from having to carry around a heavy tank
  • It has a large capacity so you can suck up much more
  • Very effective with wet messes as well as dry ones
  • It is easy to move around on the site
  • It has ample reach from the long cord and hose
  • Has a 4-year warranty and is fairly priced

Cons

  • A big tank means more storage space
  • You have to change the filter when changing from dry to wet or wet to dry
Shop-Vac 9254310
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If it is a big job, then you need a big shop vac and the 9254310 Right Stuff is the perfect wet and dry shop vac for big jobs. Its powerful suction will get the job done quickly and the tank can store much more than the average shop vacs. Like the 9689400, this one can drain itself so if you are dealing with water, you can use a hose to drain the water instead of carrying around a heavy tank. It comes with onboard storage for the accessories and wheels for easier mobility.

Key Features

  • Large 18-gallon storage tank
  • Powerful suction from the 6.5 horsepower motor
  • Onboard storage for accessory tools
  • 6-foot hose with accompanying accessories like want, brush, crevice tool, floor nozzle and filter bag among others
  • Drainage for the tank
  • Top handle for carrying as well as pulling or pushing.

Pros

  • Large storage capacity
  • Strong suction
  • Easy mobility thanks to the wheels
  • No need to carry a heavy tank, you can just drain it
  • It can be used for wet or dry vacuuming
  • The assortment of tools makes it versatile

Cons

  • When it is near dust or debris, the exhaust blows it scattering what you are supposed to be vacuuming.

Reference For Picking A Shop Vac By Size (In Gallons)

1.5 Gallon Shop Vac

Some jobs are a bit too small to bother getting out the big vacuum yet you want to get a mess cleaned up quickly that is when a 1.5-gallon shop vac comes in. These are small and handy and could be mistaken for a toy but according to a number of shop vac reviews, their performance is not child’s play. They still have sufficient suction and 1.5 gallons is a substantial amount of debris. These wet dry vacs are also affordable so if you do not have the budget for the bigger ones, a 1.5-gallon shop vac will do just fine. These are the recommended 1.5-gallon vacs.

Shop-Vac All In One
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As the name suggests, it is an all round vacuum which is why it is recommended among best wet dry shop vac. You can choose to pull or push it around using the wheels or carry it from the handle which is conveniently placed at the top. It has great suction and can be used for wet or dry cleaning in the house, the garage or the car, wherever you would like to clean, it is able to do so. When it comes to storage, it can slip into small storage space or you can hang it on the wall.

Key Features

  • 18-foot cord that lets you go far without switching sockets
  • 1.5-gallon tank
  • Powerful 2.0 peak horsepower motor
  • Variety of accessory tools including 2 wands, crevice tool, dual surface selector nozzle and filters
  • Onboard tool storage
  • Top carry handle with easy reach on/off switch
  • Quick wet and dry vacuuming

Pros

  • It has a long hose and cord which make mobility and reach easier
  • It can automatically shut off when the tank is full
  • High performance yet reasonably priced
  • It is quiet

Cons

  • Its good performance leaves you wishing it had a bigger tank
Shop-Vac 2030100
Editor Rating:

Like the ea, the 2030100 Hang On shop vac can be mounted on the wall for storage and it is pretty light and handy. It has strong suction considering its size and can be used for both wet and dry vacuuming. You cannot use it to clean a whole house or workshop, but for a quick cleanup of an area where you have been working, it is ideal. If you do not mind having to empty it regularly, then you can also use it for a complete cleanup.

Key Features

  • 1.5-gallon tank capacity
  • 2 peak horsepower motor
  • Wall bracket for easy storage
  • Can be used as a blower
  • Comes with reusable disc filter as well as foam sleeve
  • Top carry handle that can be folded
  • 6-foot power cable
  • 4-foot hose with other accessory tools including gulper nozzle, crevice tool, and floor tool

Pros

  • It is light and portable
  • Easy to store on the wall
  • Powerful suction despite small size
  • It is affordable and durable
  • The filters are easy to maintain
  • It can be used as a blower as well
  • Works well on both wet and dry debris

Cons

  • You need an extension cable if you want to go far from the main socket

5 Gallon Shop Vac

5-gallon shop vacs are preferred by many homeowners as well as people with workshops. The popularity of these wet-dry shop vacs is a result of their ability to clean up messes quickly as well as contain more debris in their tanks. While you cannot use them for deep cleaning, you can depend on them to get rid of dust from plane surfaces like boards, floors, and car seats and they are fairly portable in comparison to those with bigger capacity.

Shop-Vac 5872810
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The performance of this 5-gallon shop vac is impressive. It has a steady suction that ensures wet or dry debris will not be left behind. Many people like to use it for cleaning the car because of its long hose and the wall hanging feature. With these 2 features, you can use the 5872810 like a wall mounted shop vac. Its 5-gallon capacity provides enough collection capacity to clean an entire garage or workshop without having to frequently stop to empty the tank. It also comes with all the accessory tools you would need for wet or dry vacuuming.

Key Features

  • 7-foot long hose
  • Top handle for portability and balance
  • Versatile accessory tools
  • Powerful 6.0 peak horsepower motor
  • 5-gallon capacity tank with dust collection bag
  • 20-foot long cord with cord wrap
  • Onboard accessory storage
  • Double filtration for fine dust management
  • Wall mount
  • Can be reversed to use as a blower

Pros

  • The hose gives ample reach even when the unit is mounted
  • It has powerful suction that will handle any mess
  • The filters can be easily replaced
  • It is compact and easy to carry around

Cons

  • One customer review says You cannot attach tools from your old shop vac of a different model
Shop-Vac 3942300
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This is a versatile shop vac with very good performance. It can be mounted on the wall and used with its long hose and accessory tools, or it can be used like a portable wet and dry vac which you can carry around using the top foldable handle. Its height is convenient when you use it like a portable vac as you do not have to bend low to pick it up and with the long hose and wand you can keep it in one place as you vacuum a wide radius before you may need to move it again.

Key Features

  • Long 18-foot hose with 12’ wand and many other useful accessories
  • 4 peak horsepower motor for strong suction
  • 5-gallon tank
  • Top carry handle
  • Can be mounted on the wall for storage or to be used as a wall mounted shop vac
  • Comes with tool storage bag

Pros

  • The long hose gives a lot of reach
  • Being able to mount it on the wall saves storage space and saves you from having to carry it around
  • It can clean both wet and dry messes
  • It comes with a number of tools that makes it versatile

Cons

  • You may need to cover your ears when using it because it is very loud

10 Gallon Shop Vac

If you are looking for industrial grade shop vacs, then a 10-gallon shop vac would be something you should consider. The wide capacity means you can collect much more and the powerful suction ensures you are able to vacuum any kind of mess including flooding caused by leaking pipes or floors covered in a carpet of sawdust. While you may worry about the weight when the tanks are full, the shop vacs come with wheels so that you can push them around when full. The long hose also give you the ability to move far from the tank without having to carry it. These shop vacs are best for construction sites and other places that have a lot of debris.

Shop-Vac 5873410 Right Stuff
Editor Rating:

Shop-Vac recommends this model for drywall dust which means it has the ability to handle fine dust and it does not allow it to escape into the air. It is easy to move around with its top carry handle and when it feels too heavy you can place it down and drag it using the wheels. It has powerful suction and you can switch from dry to wet by simply removing the filter bag and filter. The long power cord plus the hose give you a maximum radius of over 30 feet. This is a real heavy duty shop vac.

Key Features

  • 10-gallon capacity tank
  • 20-foot power cord
  • 12-foot hose
  • Strong suction from a 6.5 horsepower motor
  • Top carry handle with easy to reach power button
  • Small wheels with swivel ability
  • Can be used as a blower
  • On board accessory storage

Pros

  • The long power cord gives you a wide radius to reach without the need of an extension cable
  • Powerful suction for both wet and dry vacuuming
  • It can be used for drywall dust
  • It is versatile so you can have it as the main vacuum in the home

Cons

  • The wheels can get annoying because all 4 of them swivel so they may not move in the direction you are pulling the vac.
Shop-Vac 9252310
Editor Rating:

This is a shop vac that you take to carry out the worst jobs and you will manage to do them with ease. The powerful motor will suck up all kinds of messes and the large tank will be able to store a lot before it needs to be emptied. It is built to last long so you get value for money for a long time. Unlike the 5873410, this one has 2 wheels that do not swivel so it is easier to direct it as you push or pull it. And if you want to carry it, it has a top handle that balances the weight.

Key Features

  • Strong 6.5 horsepower motor that delivers strong suction
  • 10-gallon tank capacity
  • 18-foot power cord for wide movement
  • 8 foot hose and different accessory tools
  • Onboard storage basket for the tools
  • 2 large and 2 small wheels
  • Top handle, as well as side, handle for pulling or pushing
  • Stainless steel tank which increases durability
  • Disposable filter bags

Pros

  • The unit is easy to move around
  • The suction power is of industrial level so big messes are cleaned quickly
  • Long power cable and hose make it easy to reach different parts of the cleaning site
  • This shop vac can be used for so many different vacuuming needs
  • The tank is easy to clean and is durable

Cons

  • It gets heavy when full

12 Gallon Shop Vac

Most 12-gallon shop vacs do not deliver much more suction than a 10-gallon shop vac, the main reason you would choose a 12-gallon unit would be to have the extra capacity for a bigger job that will produce more debris. But just like 10-gallon shop vacs may have their minor differences that can sway you to choose one over the other, the best recommended 12-gallon shop vacs do differ from the 10 and it is not just about price.

Shop-Vac 5986200
Editor Rating:

For those who believe that size determines performance, they will be happy with this 12-gallon shop vac. It looks big and capable of big things. Its stainless steel tank makes it durable and easy to keep clean and the 4 swivel-enabled wheels are convenient for moving it around when it feels heavy. It also has a top handle with the power switch placed near the handle for easy access. The long power cord enables free movement around the work site without having to add an extension cable.

Key Features

  • 6.0 peak horsepower motor
  • 18-foot power cable
  • 12 gallon stainless steel tank
  • Top-carry handle
  • Swivel enabled wheels
  • Rear blower
  • Onboard tool storage
  • 7 foot hose with added attachment tools
  • Wet and dry capability

Pros

  • The 12-gallon capacity is ideal for vacuuming construction sites as well as entire house
  • The long power cord gives you freedom to move about without switching sockets
  • It comes with a number of useful tools
  • It is quite useful for sucking up water accidents
  • Considering its size and performance, it is fairly priced

Cons

  • It takes up storage space because of its size
Shop-Vac 9621310
Editor Rating:

This is slightly more superior to the Shop Vac 5986200 it has more horsepower and a longer power code. With its large tank and powerful suction, it is able to tackle work site cleanup jobs as well as professional cleanup. It sucks up fine dust and powder and ensures it will not escape thanks to its efficient filter bag system. It comes with a number of added tools to suit different vacuuming jobs.

Key features

  • 6.5 peak horsepower single stage motor
  • 20-foot power cable
  • Fine dust and powder collection filter bag
  • Accessory tools for different vacuuming tasks
  • Onboard storage for tools
  • 2 big wheels and 2 small swivel-enabled wheels for easy mobility
  • Top handle for easy carrying and back handle for pulling and pushing
  • Can be used as a blower

Pros

  • It has very strong suction
  • The long power cable allows more movement without the need to switch sockets
  • The filter collection bag keeps fine dust and powder from escaping
  • The wheels glide easily over the floor
  • It has a number of tools which makes no task impossible
  • Onboard storage for the tools keeps them handy and organized

Cons

  • The hose is not long enough considering the size of the tank

16 Gallon Shop Vac

If you are a professional handyman or live in an area prone to flooding or you do professional cleanups, then a 16-gallon shop vac would be a good investment. One of the features many of the best shop vac reviews highlight, is their ability to suck up water. If your basement is flooded, this is a vacuum that will have it dry in a short time. 16-gallon shop vacs combine huge capacity with strong suction to give professional level cleanups and they are not too expensive. You can even find some that are cheaper than their lower capacity vacuums but they do a great job like these recommended.

Shop-Vac 9551600
Editor Rating:

This shop vac is quite compact that it is hard to believe it is actually 16 gallons. It is easy to move around as it as wheels and it also has the option of a handle if you need to carry it upstairs or to the storage area. It does everything any other vacuum can do but it also is able to suck up a lot more water and then drain it after. The power cord is reasonably long and it has tools that can be added to the hose so that you can use it without having to bend or kneel down. If you would like a main vacuum for your home with a big capacity, this would be a good option especially since it can be stored easily under the sink.

Key Features

  • 6.5 horsepower motor for strong suction
  • 18-foot power cord offering more reach
  • 16-gallon capacity tank with drain feature
  • Wet or dry pick up
  • Made from hard durable plastic

Pros

  • Offers huge tank capacity
  • Designed to be compact so it is easy to store
  • Strong suction
  • Long power cord for easy reach
  • Top and side handles make it easy to carry around
  • It is durable

Cons

  • The hose diameter affects its suction. It should have been smaller
Shop-Vac Professional 962-16-10
Editor Rating:

It may be shaped like an egg, but this professional shop vac is nowhere as delicate as one. It is designed to do a good job of the hardest tasks and it can suck up both wet and dry debris. When it comes to wet vacuuming, this vac will ensure the surface is free of puddles and it has a draining system so that you can handle more water that its 16-gallon capacity. It is compact and easy to move around. It also has a very long cord unlike many vacuums in this category.

Key Features

  • 36-foot power cord
  • 16-gallon tank capacity
  • Tank drain system
  • Impressively quiet while operating
  • Top carry handle and back handle for pushing and pulling
  • Onboard storage for tools and cord

Pros

  • This shop vac is quiet
  • The long power cord allows you to clean a basement even if there may be no socket down there
  • Its compact design makes it easy to store under the sink
  • It has powerful suction
  • 1-year warranty

Cons

  • It has a top handle but it is heavy so you may never use it.

Things To Consider Before Buying The Right Shop Vac

Suction

It is important that you find a Shop Vac that can deliver the kind of suction you require. In most cases you would look at the horsepower of the vacuum and believe that it has powerful suction but many times you need to go beyond that since there are other things that contribute to the suction of a vacuum, these include

  • Diameter of the hose, if it is too wide, it will lose suction
  • Airflow, there needs to be a corresponding airflow out of the vacuum to ensure the suction is constant
  • Power, this is not a big determining factor but the wattage and voltage of a vac can affect the strength of the motor

Mobility

It is rear that you will stand in just one place and vacuum so you need to take into consideration how mobile is the shop vac. If it is a big capacity tank, is it possible to carry it? Such questions will help you see how easy it will be to use the shop vac. Some of the things to be considered here are:

  • How heavy is the unit and will you be able to carry it
  • It is a big tank, it should have wheels and 4 wheels with at least 2 swivel wheel are the best
  • If it is stationary, the hose and the cord should be long enough to allow you to move around

Size

The size of the shop vac should correspond to the tasks you will be performing. For example, if you will just be dealing with spills and crumbs in the kitchen, a small tank of 1 gallon would be appropriate. If on the other hand, you will have to deal with flooded basements, or debris at a construction site, then you will need a bigger shop vac with more than 10-gallon capacity.

Durability

Naturally, when you spend your money on something, you want it to last. You should consider how long you will be able to use the shop vac you are paying for. One of the best ways to gauge the durability of the product is to see the manufacturer’s warranty, the longer the warranty, the more durable it is likely to be. You can also read customer reviews since many people will not hesitate to complain if a product is not durable.

Accessories

The accessories play a big part in determining how well the shop vac will do its work. The more the accessory tools, the more you can do with the vac. This does not mean you just go in for any accessories. The accessories need to be relevant to the tasks you will be performing. For example, you will need

  • floor tools
  • Extension wand
  • Crevice tool
  • Squeegee wand
  • Replacement filters

Price

Do not compromise quality just because you are trying to save money but at the same time do not spend more than you have to on a particular shop vac. After you have determined what you want, compare prices to see if you can get something that suits you but also fits into your budget.

Final Verdict

Like we said at the beginning, Shop Vac has made a name for itself as America’s top-selling wet and dry vacuum manufacturer and this is because of their quality. You can, therefore, be sure that any of the recommended models and types of best Shop vacs in this review are guaranteed to be of excellent quality. It does not hurt to have more than one shop vac for different tasks but if you must choose just one, then consider any of the more versatile ones that can handle anything. From a spill to cleaning up your workshop.

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