Shop vacs are handy tools often used in workshops—hence their name—but they can also be used around your home. The best shop vacs have an incredibly powerful engine and can clean up both wet and dry messes that standard vacuums struggle with. The Rigid 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum is an excellent choice for most people, as it’s versatile, reasonably priced and comes with several useful attachments.
The best shop vacs have a wide nozzle and strong engine, and they can clean up wet and dry messes … [+] around your home.
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If you plan to use your vacuum in a workshop or garage, look for a high CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating, which equates to higher suction power. “Shop vacs excel in environments where larger debris, such as wood chips, metal shavings or sawdust, is more common,” says Parham Koukia, operations manager and car detailing specialist at Panda Hub. “They’re also ideal for removing water after leaks or floods due to their ability to handle wet conditions.” These vacuums come in both portable and full-size models, and their capacity ranges from one gallon to 15 gallons or more. If you’re in the market for a powerful new vacuum, these are the best shop vacs to tackle all sorts of messes around your home.
Includes several useful accessories that store on the drum
Backed by lifetime warranty
Cons:
Power cord is fairly short
You can’t go wrong with the Rigid Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum for everyday use around your home. This 12-gallon model is designed to handle both wet and dry debris, and it has a wide four-wheel base that prevents tipping as you work. The vacuum also has 5.0 peak horsepower and a higher CFM than many other options, allowing you to pick up even the heaviest debris in fewer passes. The ergonomic handle and built-in drain make it incredibly easy to use, and it comes with several useful tools including a locking hose, two extension wands, a utility nozzle, a wet nozzle and a car nozzle. Plus, the brand offers a lifetime warranty that protects against material or workmanship defects.
This portable Craftsman shop vac is much smaller and lighter than many other models for the occasional cleanup around the house. It weighs less than seven pounds and has a large handle on top that makes it easy to carry around. Despite its smaller size, it still can hold up to 2.5 gallons of debris, and it’s easy to operate thanks to its oversized on/off toggle switch.
In addition to the 5-foot nozzle, it has a crevice tool and utility nozzle. The accessories can be stored right on the vacuum for easy access, and the brand also sells compatible filter bags, in case you’re going to be cleaning up a lot of dust or other fine particles.
Best Cordless Shop Vac
A Well-Designed Unit That Runs On Rechargeable Batteries
The Milwaukee M18 Wet/Dry Vacuum doesn’t require a power outlet—it runs on the brand’s rechargeable batteries, so you can use it virtually anywhere. Milwaukee claims that with a High Demand 9.0 Ah Battery Pack (sold separately), you’ll get more than 30 minutes of vacuuming time per charge. This portable option has a 2-gallon capacity, and its unique toolbox-style design is stackable, making it much easier to store and transport. It comes with a 6-foot hose, crevice tool, utility nozzle and HEPA filter which can all be stored inside the vacuum’s lid.
If you’re willing to spend more for a heavy-duty shop vac, the Fein Turbo II AC HEPA is a powerful professional-grade option with an impressive 151 CFM flow rate and 98.4 inches of water lift. Thanks to its built-in HEPA filter, it can handle virtually any type of wet or dry debris, and it can also be hooked up to other power tools and used as a dust collection system.
The Fein Turbo II is equipped with a large handle and rotating wheels that make it easy to maneuver. Unlike many shop vacs, it offers variable suction that you can adjust to suit the task at hand. It also comes with various useful attachments, including extension tubes and an elbow, a combination nozzle, a dusting brush and a crevice tool, all of which can be stored on the back of the vacuum.
Shop vacs are handy for cleaning out dirty cars, and the Shark MessMaster is a top choice for this task. The portable design has a 1-gallon capacity, and its large handle makes it easy to move around your car as needed. It has a self-cleaning feature, and you can line the dust cup with any disposable plastic bag for mess-free disposal.
This vacuum comes with several accessories for use in your car, including three extension wands, a crevice tool, a carpet tool and a squeegee. The dust cup can also be cleaned in your dishwasher, making it easy to keep this vacuum in top shape.
If you’re looking for a shop vac to clean up wet messes, this model from DeWalt has a large 10-gallon capacity and a handy floor tool that sucks up liquid quickly. It has a 5.5-peak horsepower motor, and there’s a drain at the bottom of the vacuum that lets you empty out the liquid you’ve sucked up.
This tool is mounted on rotating caster wheels for easy movement and has a 20-foot power cord and 7-foot hose, offering better reach than many other options. It also comes with with several handy attachments, including two extension wands, a washable filter, a crevice tool and more that can be stored in the accessory bag on the back of the vacuum.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best home products on the market. We’ve published scores of expert-backed roundups on tools, including the best cordless leaf blowers, best wheelbarrows and more.
Author of this piece Camryn Rabideau is a regular contributor with extensive experience covering home and lifestyle topics.
Rabideau also gathered key insight and guidance from Parham Koukia, the operations manager and car detailing specialist at Panda Hub, who explained the benefits of shop vacs and what to look for when comparing models.
How We Chose The Best Shop Vacs
To find the best shop vacs, we researched best-selling models, compared features and asked an industry expert—as well as our team of experienced staffers—for product recommendations and insights on what to look for.
Our home and kitchen editorial team focused on top-rated models from trusted brands such as Craftsman, Milwaukee, Dewalt and more.
We analyzed features such as capacity, power, weight, portability, and design to assess the overall value and help readers pinpoint the best option for their home.
We consulted Parham Koukia, the operations manager and car detailing specialist at Panda Hub, to determine what specific features to look for in a good shop vac. Then, our editors reviewed each model’s capacity, power, weight, portability, ease of use and included accessories.
We took customer reviews and average star ratings into careful account, sticking to models that have garnered at least an average rating of 4 stars and only a negligible amount of concerning reviews, if any.
The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.
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