The best shop vacuums are great for tackling those bigger, more challenging cleaning tasks, as they offer more power than even the best vacuum cleaners. These models can handle various settings, including commercial, industrial, and residential, and are perfect for cleaning spillages and debris in places as wide-ranging as garages, driveways, offices, building sites, or—yes—shops.
Shop vacuums have long hoses, powerful suction, and a large tank. The larger the tank, the more debris and liquid it can hold. However, a large tank also requires more effort to push the vacuum around, though many models have 360-degree wheels and long cords to boost maneuverability. The cord lengths can be up to 20ft, allowing the vacuum to be used in spacious settings like warehouses and building sites.
Of course, a shop vacuum with an extension—such as a handheld blower—can help clean jobs with excess debris. This works the same way as it would for the best cordless vacuums, blasting dust, leaves, or debris out of the way. On the other hand, wet-dry shop vacuums are ideal for liquid spillages.
Keep reading to see which models we chose as the best shop vacuums, all tried and tested by our experts.
The quick list
The best shop vacuum overall
The Vacmaster VBV1210 is a versatile and powerful shop vac with a large tank, thick hose, and eight attachments for effective cleaning.
The best shop vacuum for big messes
The Ridgid WD1450 has a 14-gallon tank, 360-degree wheels, a 6 horsepower motor, and a dual-filter system for dry and wet cleaning. Users praise its value.
The best shop vacuum for those on a budget
The Stanley SL18129 shop vacuum is a budget-friendly option with good suction power, a sleek design, and attachments for car cleaning.
The best shop vacuum for cars
The ArmorAll vacuum is compact and lightweight, though it struggles with larger messes and wet suction. Users praise its portability and car-cleaning abilities.
The best shop vacuum for outdoor use
The Kärcher WD 6 PS Vacuum handles indoor and outdoor messes but struggles with sticky substances. Its sturdy design is better suited for outdoor use. Users praise its power and sturdiness.
The best portable shop vacuum
DeWalt cordless shop vacuum is portable but lacks power for heavy-duty cleaning. Suitable for minor tasks but not efficient for wet cleanups or large jobs.
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The best dust shop vacuum
The PowerSmith has a unique metal canister design for ash vacuuming but has a short hose, frequent cloth filter replacements, and is noisy.
This is a does-it-all shop vac for a reasonable price
The Shop-Vac 9653610 has mixed performance but offers good value and versatility with its six attachments, compact size, and sturdy build.
The best shop vacuums we recommend in 2024
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The best shop vacuum overall
✅ Powerful motor: The powerful motor makes it capable of handling heavy-duty cleaning tasks.
✅ Versatility: The model has different filters to clean both types of debris.
✅ Quality construction: The VBV1210 is well-built and made of high-quality materials.
❌ Bulky size: The VBV1210 is a little bulky to store.
❌ Difficult to maneuver: The model is not the easiest to move around despite the four 260-degree casters.
❌ Additional filters: Although it's great for fine dust, you would need to buy a separate filter.
🔎 The Vacmaster VBV1210 is a game-changer, perfect for regular cleaning but also capable of handling serious debris and garage messes with ease. It even doubles as a blower, and the various filter options ensure it will last for a long time. It's, in our opinion, the best shop vacuum out there ★★★★½
The Vacmaster VBV1210 is a heavy-duty shop vacuum that can handle anything from dust and debris to water and spills. With its 12-gallon tank and powerful motor, it's easy to maneuver and has eight useful attachments. It is a little bulky to store, however.
Design: The VBV1210 is a beast of a shop vac with a huge tank, super-powerful motor, and the ability to reach up to 5 horsepower. It can even convert into a handheld blower, clearing debris at 210mph. Although it's not the easiest to move around, the four 260-degree casters mean it's manageable. The hose is thick and long, meaning those hard-to-get-to places aren't an issue, and the drain port at the base makes for easy cleanup.
Performance: During testing, we were impressed with the model's versatility, with different filters to clean both dry and wet debris and easy switching between the cartridge filter and foam filter when we needed to clean up liquids. Although it's also great for fine dust, you would need to buy a separate filter for this. The vacuum has eight attachments in total, including extension wands, a car noddle, a crevice tool, and a blower. We loved that the heavy tank has a rack for these attachments, making them easy to store.
User reviews: The Vacmaster VBV1210 has received positive user reviews on Amazon, citing its power, ease of use, and quality construction. Reviewers praise its extra horsepower, saying it enhances vacuuming ability and means it can also double as an efficient blower. The suction power is also highlighted, including for car cleaning, and the clever design of the removable blower makes cleaning up without exhaust fumes possible.
Read more: Vacmaster VBV1210 review
The best shop vacuum for big messes
✅ Large tank capacity: With a 14-gallon tank, the Ridgid WD1450 can handle big messes without needing to be emptied frequently.
✅ Strong suction power: The 6-horsepower motor makes it easy to pick up large debris and fine dust particles.
✅ Versatile: The vacuum comes with five accessories and can be used for both wet and dry cleaning tasks.
❌ Heavy and bulky: The vacuum is relatively difficult to move around and store.
❌ Expensive: The Ridgid WD1450 is pricier than some other shop vacuums on the market.
❌ Limited blower function: The vacuum doesn't come with an extra blower nozzle.
🔎 The Ridgid WD1450 is super reliable and functional with a quiet motor and, though it doesn't have all of the attachments of some other models, it makes up for it with a large tank and fast suction. The reach is also top-notch ★★★★½
The Rigid WD1450 has the biggest tank at 14 gallons, and the dual-flex hose is ideal for cleaning up fine materials, large debris, or water messes. The different filters can be used for dry or wet cleaning, and the 260-degree wheels and blower switch make this our top choice for big messes.
Design: The WD1450 impressed us during testing with its 14-gallon tank, compact design, and ease of movement. The wheels move in a full 360-degree motion, and the dual-flex hose makes it super-easy to maneuver. The tank is built in two pieces, which makes it easier to clean, and it even has a large drain hold for liquid disposal. The accessory holder is great, too, with a quick-release mechanism for each of the five attachments. It's also much quieter than other shop vacuums, thanks to the manufacturer's noise-reduction technology.
Performance: The model's motor can reach a whopping 6 horsepower, making it perfect for picking up large debris like mulch in a single pass. Plus, the wet vacuum function is just as impressive and was able to suck up 2 gallons of water in just 3.8 seconds. The hose and power cord are also long enough for any cleaning task, and the dual-filter system means it can cope with both dry and wet materials. The vacuum also comes with five accessories, and the only downside is the lack of an extra blower nozzle.
User reviews: Users on Amazon rate the Ridgid WD1450 highly, praising its powerful suction, blower function, and compact design. The noise reduction technology is of particular note, and reviewers say the vacuum is great value. However, there are some who were dissatisfied with the included filter and dust collection bag.
Read more: Ridgid WD1450 review
The best shop vacuum for those on a budget
✅ Affordability: The Stanley SL18129 is one of the most reasonably priced shop vacuums available in the market.
✅ Versatility: Whether you want to clean your car, garage, or workshop, the Stanley SL18129 vacuum can do it all.
✅ Lightweight and portable: Its sturdy handle makes it convenient to carry it from one place to another.
❌ Loud: If you work in a quiet environment, it may not be the best option for you.
❌ Short hose: Although the vacuum comes with three extension wands, the hose length is only five feet.
❌ No drain port: The vacuum doesn't have a drain port, which means you have to tip the tank manually to empty it.
🔎 The Stanley SL18129 is lightweight and easy to use, and the powerful motor makes cleaning a breeze. Although it's a little loud, it's definitely worth the noise for the efficient cleaning it provides. The hose is also a little small, but it comes with a lot of different attachments ★★★★
The Stanley SL18129 shop vacuum is perfect for those on a budget. It's lightweight (only 8lbs!) and can vacuum liquid quickly with its four-horsepower motor. Although it's a bit loud and has no drain port, it's great for light cleaning and could even be used as a car vacuum.
Design: The Stanley SL18129 is impressive and sleek, with a stainless steel exterior and sturdy handle for easy transportation. Although the tank doesn't have a drain port, it can hold up to a gallon of water and can be filled in less than 20 seconds of suction. The hose is a bit on the shorter side, however, measuring only 5 feet, but the vacuum comes with three extension wands that can be combined into one long tube, making up for the shortfall. The attachment rack also includes a floor nozzle, crevice tool, and car nozzle, making it a good option for cleaning cars.
Performance: This shop vacuum has a notable drawback: its high noise level. The 4-horsepower motor reaches a maximum volume of 97 dB, which is the loudest among the shop vacuums we tested. In terms of its cleaning ability, however, the vacuum is effective in picking up loose screws, though it took some time to collect all the mulch. Its ability to vacuum a gallon of water in under five seconds is impressive, but users should remember that the tank needs manual tipping and dumping since it doesn't feature a drain port.
User reviews: The Stanley SL18129 vacuum has a good reputation for its power and versatility, performing well in both dry and wet conditions. However, users on Amazon have reported challenges with bag compatibility, loudness, and frequent filter cleaning. Despite these issues, it is still considered a reasonably priced option.
Read more: Stanley SL18129 review
The best shop vacuum for cars
✅ Compact and lightweight: The ArmorAll shop vacuum is a portable and compact option for car use.
✅ Good for dry debris: The vacuum can easily pick up dry debris and comes with several attachments.
❌ Limited wet suction: The vacuum struggles with larger volumes of liquid due to its low capacity.
❌ No extension wand: The vacuum lacks an extension wand for carpets and high places.
❌ Less powerful than other options: The ArmorAll shop vacuum may not be the best choice for tougher cleaning jobs.
🔎 The ArmorAll AA255 shop vac is perfect for cleaning the car, with a compact design that's easy to carry around. However, it's not great for big messes or wet suction, and it's just okay for simple cleaning jobs ★★★★
The ArmorAll AA255 is a lightweight and compact vacuum suitable for car use, with a 2.5-gallon capacity. It comes with lots of attachments but struggles with larger messes and wet suction. It also lacks an extension wand for carpets and high places.
Design: The ArmorAll shop vacuum is designed specifically for cleaning cars, making it more portable and compact than larger shop vacuums. It has a lightweight construction, weighing just over 8lbs, and comes with a plastic handle on top, making it easy to carry around. The vacuum also features a 10-foot power cord and a 6-foot hose, which should be sufficient for cleaning your entire car. It includes several attachments, such as a floor nozzle, crevice tool, concentration tool, and car nozzle, and also offers onboard hose and accessory storage.
Performance: Although it may not be the most powerful option available, the ArmorAll shop vacuum is still effective for its intended purpose. It can easily pick up dry debris like screws and mulch, but larger debris may be more difficult to remove and could leave behind some pieces. When it comes to wet suction, its low capacity limits its effectiveness, particularly for larger volumes of liquid, but it does have a quick water suction capability. If you're looking for a more powerful option, the Ridgid WD1450 may be a better choice for you, as this portable shop vacuum is more powerful than the ArmorAll and can handle tougher cleaning jobs.
User reviews: The ArmorAll Shop Vacuum has received positive reviews on Amazon for its powerful suction, compact size, and ability to handle both wet and dry cleaning tasks. Users have said it is good for cleaning car interiors and garage messes, though some have had minor issues, such as the vacuum's power cord being a little short and the filter needing to be replaced frequently.
Read more: ArmorAll AA255 review
The best shop vacuum for outdoor use
✅ Powerful performance: It effectively cleans up various liquid and solid messes indoors and excels at outdoor cleaning.
✅ Durable and sturdy: Users have praised its sturdiness
✅ Multi-functional: It offers the dual function of a vacuum cleaner and a leaf blower
❌ Bulky design: Its large dimensions make it more suitable for outdoor use, possibly in a garage or shed.
❌ Noise level: It is quite loud when in use, measuring around 75 decibels
❌ Hose limitations: The fairly narrow hose may occasionally become blocked and may encounter difficulty when dealing with sticky substances.
🔎 The Kärcher WD 6 PS is ideal for outdoor use but bulky for indoor use. It can be easily switched between wet and dry mode. It is reliable and sturdy, aligning with Kärcher's reputation. However, it is unsuitable for carpets, cordless operation, or quiet settings. At 75dB, it is not suitable for noise-sensitive households. ★★★½
The Kärcher Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner WD 6 PS is capable of handling almost any mess, both indoors and outdoors, including dirt, debris, and liquid spills. However, its fairly narrow hose may occasionally become blocked, and it may encounter difficulty when dealing with sticky sauces.
Design: The Kärcher Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner WD 6 PS features signature black and yellow colors, with an 8-gallon stainless steel container and a convenient drain screw for liquid disposal. A yellow plastic base protects against scratches and supports the accessory storage unit. Easy-to-use features include a pop-out filter case, robust switches, and a storage unit for attachments.
However, the bulky 16.5 x 15 x 27.3-inch design seems more suitable for outdoor use, possibly in a garage or shed, rather than indoors. The industrial design suggests it's better for outdoor use, indicating that Kärcher targets customers who need outdoor-capable vacuums.
Performance: The shop vacuum effectively cleaned up various liquid and solid messes indoors, but it's worth noting that it's more suited for outdoor use. The vacuum readily tackled flour and oats but struggled with sticky sauces. However, it excelled at cleaning outdoor surfaces, effortlessly handling soapy water on the patio, spilled soil, and small debris in the garden shed.
The leaf blower function efficiently cleared dead leaves from gutters and flower beds, though I wished it had a wider hose and nozzle attachment. It also offers the convenient feature of attaching a power tool to instantly vacuum up fine debris. On the downside, it is quite loud, measuring around 75 decibels.
User reviews: The Kärcher Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner WD 6 has received high ratings on both the Kärcher website and Amazon. Users praise its powerful performance and sturdiness. However, some have reported potential stability issues if tugged too hard and challenges with storage due to its size.
Read more: Kärcher Multi-Purpose Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner WD 6 PS review
The best portable shop vacuum
✅ Portable and rechargeable: The vacuum comes with a rechargeable battery.
✅ Compact design: Its small size allows for easy storage and transportation.
✅ Great for small tasks: The DeWalt shop vacuum is excellent at picking up small debris like screws and comes with basic attachments, a 5-foot hose, and a cord.
❌ Not suitable for heavy-duty tasks: Due to its size and design, the DeWalt shop vacuum lacks the power and capacity needed for heavy-duty tasks.
❌ Not efficient for wet cleanups: The vacuum is not efficient at cleaning up wet messes and takes a long time to suction water.
❌ Filter requires frequent cleaning: The vacuum filter requires frequent cleaning.
🔎 The DeWalt DCV581H is a portable shop vacuum designed to clean hard-to-reach areas, though it lacks power and attachments compared to other models. While convenient for use without a power source, it's not the most ideal for cleaning large wet or dry messes ★★★½
The DeWalt cordless shop vacuum is portable and rechargeable, even if it lacks heavy-duty cleaning power. The model comes with basic attachments, a 5-foot hose, and a cord, but note that it's not efficient for wet cleanups, and the filter requires frequent cleaning.
Design: The DeWalt shop vacuum cleaner has an attractive, streamlined design that's perfect for easy storage and transportation. Its small size allows it to fit snugly in your trunk or toolbox, making it a convenient choice for on-the-go cleaning tasks. However, its design does come with limitations, as the cleaner lacks the power and capacity needed for heavy-duty tasks. Despite this drawback, it excels in picking up small debris, such as screws.
Performance: The rechargeable option provides convenience, and although it may sacrifice some power, many will find it to be a worthwhile trade-off. During testing, it took more than 12 seconds to suction 2 gallons of water, which is not the fastest in wet cleanup, and therefore, users may want to consider a larger tank or a faster shop vacuum for larger tasks like basement floods like the Stanley SL18129. This is, however, an excellent choice for minor tasks because of its portability and rechargeable battery feature. The vacuum comes with a 5-foot hose and power cord and includes crevice and car tools.
User reviews: The DeWalt shop vac is considered by users on Amazon as a good option for cleaning areas without a power source and for smaller tasks. However, some users have criticized the vacuum for its low suction power and slow water suction speed, which makes it less suitable for larger jobs.
Read more: DeWalt DCV581H review
The best dust shop vacuum
✅ Efficient ash vacuuming: The PowerSmith vacuum is perfect for those with fireplaces or wood stoves.
✅ Strong suction power: The PowerSmith vacuum can effectively clean up debris like screws, dust, and mulch.
✅ Easy to clean: The vacuum has a cloth filter that effectively traps dust and ash, and it's easy to clean.
❌ Short hose: The hose that comes with the PowerSmith vacuum is the shortest among the vacuums tested.
❌ Noisy: Although the vacuum comes with a noise diffuser, it can still be quite loud, reaching up to 96 dB.
❌ Regular filter replacement: The cloth filter that comes with the PowerSmith vacuum requires more frequent replacement compared to other filter types.
🔎 The PowerSmith PAVC101 excels at cleaning ash and sawdust but struggles with other debris. Being a specialized shop vacuum, you would be able to find a more multifunctional option for a similar price ★★★½
The PowerSmith is designed to pick up ash, making it perfect for fireplaces, but it has a short hose and a cloth filter that requires regular replacement. The thin metal canister also makes it lightweight but noisy.
Design: The PowerSmith vacuum has a distinctive design that sets it apart from other shop vacuums. Unlike models that use strong polypropylene tanks, the PowerSmith features a thin metal canister that is optimized for ash vacuuming. This design helps to minimize the risk of fire hazards associated with hot ash, but the hose that comes with the PowerSmith vacuum is the shortest among the vacuums tested. To make up for it, the vacuum has a long power cord that can stretch up to 16 feet. While the wheels on the vacuum can be a bit tricky to maneuver, they do provide mobility, and the vacuum has a cloth filter that effectively traps dust but requires more frequent replacement than other filter types.
Performance: While the PAVC101 did a great job of vacuuming up screws during our test, it struggled with mulch and didn't have the same level of suction. Although the vacuum comes with a noise diffuser, it can reach up to 96 dB. The PowerSmith PAVC101 did, however, pass our dust containment test with flying colors, thanks to its efficient cloth filter. We would also note that it's not suitable for wet cleanup, as it lacks a foam filter for separating liquids from dirt. If you're looking for a more versatile option, we suggest considering the Ridgid WD1450.
User reviews: The PowerSmith shop vacuum has received high praise from Amazon users for its strong suction power and functionality. However, some have raised concerns about the short lifespan of its motor. While users appreciate its compact design and easy-to-clean ash filter, a few find the hose length to be insufficient.
Read more: PowerSmith PAVC101 review
This is a does-it-all shop vac for a reasonable price
✅ Affordable: The Shop-Vac 9653610 is a budget-friendly option for those who need a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
✅ Versatile: With six attachments, including a floor nozzle, crevice tool, and gulper nozzle, this vacuum is suitable for various cleaning tasks.
✅ Compact and portable: The vacuum has locking wheels that make it easy to move around obstacles.
❌ Limited capacity: The six-gallon tank may not be sufficient for larger cleaning tasks.
❌ Mixed performance: The Shop-Vac 9653610 had mixed results in terms of performance, struggling with larger debris.
❌ Noisy: Some users have reported noisy operation and flimsy attachments.
🔎 The Shop-Vac 9653610 is a well-made option for its price point, even if it's not the most powerful choice among the models we tested. While it didn't perform quite as well as some competitors, it does come with six attachments and a long cord, making it a great option for both wet and dry cleaning ★★★½
The Shop-Vac 9653610 is an affordable option for wet and dry use. It has a smaller six-gallon tank and may struggle with larger messes, but its attachments make it a good all-round choice for various cleaning tasks.
Design: The Shop-Vac 9653610 features locking wheels that allow it to move around obstacles easily, making it simple to transport from one location to another. Although its hose has a smaller diameter compared to other top-rated models, it makes up for its generous overall length, including a 10-foot power cord and an additional 10-foot hose. The storage rack also comes with three extension wands that can be combined to provide ample reach. With a total of six attachments, including a floor nozzle, crevice tool, and gulper nozzle, all securely locked onto the tank lid, this vacuum would be good in various scenarios.
Performance: During our testing, we found that the Shop-Vac 9653610 had mixed results in terms of performance. In the debris pickup test, it struggled with a mix of mulch and screws, but after a single pass, it managed to collect most of the screws and just over half of the mulch. It performed more impressively in the wet cleanup test, showing a remarkable suction speed of 4.68 gallons per second. The Shop-Vac has a noise level of 94 dB, which is within the average range for top shop vacuums.
User reviews: The Shop-Vac has received high praise on Amazon for its powerful suction, compact size, and sturdy build. Users appreciate its versatility, but some reported issues with noisy operation and flimsy attachments.
Read more: Shop-Vac 9653610 review
How we test the best shop vacuums
We've tested and reviewed all but one of the shop vacuums listed above, so you can be sure our recommendations are based on real-life testing.
We spent more than 40 hours running the shop vacuums we chose for testing through a series of trials to see how well each performed. We vacuumed up typical materials you'd run into in your home or garage for our tests. We measured two ounces of mulch and sawdust mixed with six small screws and spread it on a piece of carpeting.
After using each machine to clean up the mess, we measured how much debris the shop vacuums picked up after one pass. We deliberately included more significant pieces of mulch to see how well all the shop vacuums performed when handling heavier items.
To test suction, we measured two gallons of water, poured it into a bathtub with the drain stopper in, and then vacuumed up the water, noting how long each vacuum took to complete the task. We found the best vacuums were up to three times faster than those on the lower end of our product lineup. After the vacuuming tests, we conducted somewhat subjective testing by examining how clean each filter appeared.
We also conducted several general movement tests, such as moving the vacuums around by the hose or over an obstacle, to get a sense of how easy it was to maneuver each vacuum.
How to choose the best shop vacuum for you
We have been researching and testing shop vacuums since 2012 and have devoted hundreds of hours to reviewing and testing different products to find the best shop vacuum. We looked for a range of cleaning capabilities in the products we examined and made a concerted effort to find shop vacuums that could handle the different kinds of messes you may encounter at home, ranging from drywall dust scattered around on a floor to a flooded basement.
Among other things, we studied manufacturer websites and sought out expert opinions for advice on finding the best product. Paul Mayer is a Minnesota-based woodworker and tool reviewer that you can see in action on the Tool Metrix channel on YouTube. He has owned many shop vacs over the years and now uses a large dust collector more than any shop vac. However, he still uses a shop vac for anything left after he sweeps up the floors. He recommends doing specific research.
"Know what you need to use it for and read reviews, looking for your exact use case. If someone is happy with it but is using it for a different task, then it won't necessarily work for what you want," said Mayer. "Example: It doesn't matter if it will pick up a bowling ball. You will be disappointed if you want it to extract dust from a cabinetmaker's table saw."
Mayer said his favorite shop vac is quiet and has a built-in filter cleaning mechanism that works well. Those were common themes in many of the articles and reviews we read – concerns about the filter getting clogged and the extreme volume of some machines.
"Although several manufacturers list the decibel level of their vacuums, how and where the measurement is taken makes a difference, as does the frequency of the sound," reads part of a shop vac review in Woodworker's Journal.
We purposely designed our tests to allow for measuring the sound on the same machine, in the same room, in the same way for uniform results. We strive for that same uniformity in all our testing.
Shop vacuum FAQs
How much does the best shop vacuum cleaner cost?
As they’re so heavy-duty, you might be mistaken in thinking that one of the best shop vacuums will set you back too much to be a viable purchase. Surprisingly, shop vacuums are cheap, usually from $40 to $100. In a home setting, they’ll be a secondary purchase, saved for more unmanageable situations, which is why it’s great that they won’t cost too much to factor in alongside another model.
You can grab a popular shop vacuum model from retailers such as Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s, with an average price of around $80. Our top pick for shop vacuums is the Vacmaster VBV1210, which will set you back $87, a reasonable price for a tool that can scoop up all types of waste.
What should you look for in the design of a shop vacuum?
If you want your shop vacuum useful, choose a long-hose model to get wherever you need it around the house. Be sure to also look for vacuums equipped with different extension tools to reach all the crevices you might need to use the vacuum. An extra-large tank allows you to vacuum for longer without emptying the machine.
Some top-rated shop vacuums have tanks as big as 14 gallons, allowing you to deal with severe messes in one cleaning session. However, you might not need something so large for the jobs you do and the storage space you have. In that case, you can get vacuums with tanks as small as two gallons.
What extras do you need with your shop vacuum?
This is one of the most common questions among people looking to purchase a shop vacuum. It all depends on what you will use it for.
You don't necessarily need a filter if you use the vacuum for larger objects, not fine particles. However, if you often vacuum fine materials like ash or sawdust, you should look for a dust filter that traps tiny particles. Without a filter, when you vacuum up sawdust or other fine particulates, you'll most likely end up blowing the particles out of the shop vac again, which ultimately defeats the purpose of vacuuming!
Shop vacuums come with different filters – some are cloth bags you must replace, and others are cartridges you can clean and reuse. Most models come with a pleated cartridge filter, which is easier to change and less likely to leak than a foam or cloth filter.
Are shop vacs better than vacuums?
Shop vacuums are designed differently from domestic vacuums. They're intended to handle tougher tasks and clean up messes that domestic vacuum cleaners just aren't able to deal with. There's a world of difference between cleaning up house dust and the odd bit of dog hair and cleaning up a workshop, not least because some of the things shop vacuums are designed to pick up would destroy even a top-of-the-range Dyson.
The key differences between shop and domestic vacuums are suction power and capacity. Shop vacuums are much more powerful than domestic ones, which means they can pick up bigger and heavier dust and debris; they also tend to be noisier than domestic ones. To go with that extra suction power, they usually have considerably larger tanks, so you don't have to empty them every two minutes.
That means they also get heavier than domestic vacuums, so most have very long power cords and strong, 360-degree wheels to move them around.
Will a shop vacuum pick up water?
If you want to pick up spillages, look for a wet/dry model. Many of our best buy shop vacuums are wet/dry models, which means they're as effective at cleaning up wet messes and spills as they are at dealing with dust and debris. You'll typically find that such models have different filters depending on whether you clean up fluids or dry debris. It's important to use the correct ones.
If you think you'll be cleaning up many wet messes, read the reviews and focus on how easy the vacs are to move around. Wet messes can be considerably heavier than dry ones, so a cleaner that's hard to move around will soon have you filling the air with expletives.
Can you vacuum leaves with a shop vacuum?
In most cases, yes, although you might find that larger leaves can clog the hose—and the narrower the hose, the more likely it is to get clogged. The main downside to vacuuming up dry leaves is that you'll need to empty your shop vac a lot more frequently than you would when cleaning up dust, pine needles, and other similar items. That's because leaves don't compact themselves at the bottom of the tank like smaller items do.
If your shop vac has a blower setting, it makes a pretty good leaf blower and sometimes even a snow blower; however, due to the relatively small hose size, we wouldn't recommend using it for anything but very small areas. It's not that the shop vac can't do it; it'll take you forever.
Can you vacuum glass with a shop vacuum?
Can you? Yes. Should you? No. Manufacturers strongly advise against vacuuming broken glass because the shards can get lodged in all kinds of places. They can damage the hose and, even worse, the motor.
Can you vacuum ash with a shop vacuum?
Yes, you can. If your shop vac has multiple filters, you should use the fine filter to vacuum up ashes. Make sure they're cold, though: that may sound obvious, but ash can remain warm for a very long time even when it looks cold, and while shop vacs can handle cold ash perfectly well, you don't want hot ash getting in there – at best it's likely to burn your filter, and at its worst, it could set your cleaner on fire and/or cause a dust explosion.
