The Best Shop Vac Cleaners Of 2023

Is your workshop full of dust, crumbs, or sawdust? Do you need to clean out cars or boats? Or maybe you have large spills you need to clean up in your garage?

For large messes and wet/dry spills, a shop vacuum will make your cleaning easy! These wet dry vacuums can pick up large debris such as wood chips or shavings, staples, and even nails. If you’ve got a lot of dirt, this is the vacuum for you.

In this guide, we’ll tell you about the twelves best shop vacuums, so you can find the perfect appliance for your messes.

What Is a Shop Vacuum?

A shop vacuum works like a regular vacuum, but it can suck up both wet and dry messes.

Rather than using a dust bag like an upright or canister vacuum, a shop vac has a system made of two buckets. When you vacuum up a mess, the machine separates the liquid mess from the solid. These two compartments also protect the wet dry vac from damage and protect you from electric shocks.

Because there are two compartments, there are also two filters. Shop vacuums generally use a foam filter for the liquids and a paper cartridge for the solids. You’ll need to maintain both filters by washing or replacing them regularly, depending on the filter type.

Since you can use shop vacs for so many different types of messes, they are great tools for outdoor jobs and workshops.

Most medium and large shop vacuums will also have a blower function. This means you can clean out hard-to-reach corners or do yard work.

Is a Shop Vac Worth It?

Yes! Here are some reasons why shop vacs make great tools.

What to Look for in a Shop Vacuum

When choosing the best wet dry shop vacuum, here are some features to look for.

The Best Shop Vacuums of 2023

Now that you’re familiar with how shop vacs work and some of their special features, it’s time for our list of the 12 top shop vacs. To find you the best shop vac models, we’ve spent hours comparing different brands and models, as well as reading expert advice. With this list, you’ll find the right shop vac for your home or workshop!

1. DeWALT Poly Wet/Dry Vac

When you have a big mess, you need a quality machine to clean it up. A good wet dry vac will give you great suction, hold a large quantity of debris, and be easy to use.

This medium DeWALT shop vac holds 12 gallons, so you can pick up a lot of large debris without needing to constantly empty the tank. It also converts into a blower, so you get two tools in one.

The rubberized castors are extremely sturdy and smoothly swivel 360 degrees, so you can maneuver the shop vac wherever it needs to go. Other features also make this unit durable, such as the water-resistant on/off button design.

The powerful motor has a peak output of 5.5 horsepower, so you can pick up virtually any mess. And the built-in tank drain allows for easy removal of liquids once you’ve sucked them up.

The detachable accessories bag lets you take your attachments with you. But you can also remove it if it gets in your way. In addition, the cord wrap and hose strap features allow for easy storage.

2. Vacmaster VBV1210 Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

When buying a wet dry vacuum on a budget, you don’t have to sacrifice power or quality. This medium Vacmaster, for example, will get the job done without breaking the bank. It’s also our pick for the best shop vac for water cleanup!

This model holds 12 gallons, just like the best overall model above. It has almost the same peak horsepower, too, with a 5 horsepower motor.

You can also convert this wet dry shop vacuum into a handheld blower for added versatility. The top of the vacuum pops off so you can use the blower one-handed. It has a 210 MPH blowing speed.

The extra-large drain port on the bottom of the canister lets you drain liquid quickly. And the built-in storage ports on the castors and power head let you bring your attachments with you.

This shop vac is made of durable polypropylene, so it’s great for workshops and other tough settings.

3. Milwaukee M18 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum

For the most portable shop vac, choose a cordless model. With a wet dry vacuum like this, you can easily take it with you from room to room without worrying about finding an outlet. Just remember to keep the battery charged!

This Milwaukee cordless shop vac is extremely portable. It comes in the form of a toolbox, so you can easily carry it around wherever you need it. And it only weighs 10 pounds!

Because of its shape, you can keep all of your accessories inside the shop vac. It’s also stackable, so it’s easy to store.

This shop vacuum comes with a HEPA filter, so your air will stay sparkling clean as you work.

The lithium ion battery (sold separately) gives you 30 minutes of run-time before it needs to be recharged.

4. RIDGID 50313 Portable Wet Dry Vacuum

Big shop vacuums are powerful tools, but they can be bulky and awkward, too. If you need a shop vac for your car or motorhome, a portable one is a great investment!

Although this is a relatively small shop vac, it’s still very powerful. It has a 5 peak horsepower motor that allows it to clean up most messes.

You can also convert this wet dry shop vac into a blower for more versatility. You simply lock the hose into the blower port, and you can remove leaves, dust, and other debris.

This is a commercial-quality machine, and it’s very durable. This includes the hose, which is ultra-flexible and 4 times more durable than the standard hose made by Ridgid. When in use, the hose clips onto the body of the vacuum, so it won’t fall off while you’re working.

You can easily store the 20-foot power cord by wrapping it around the handle of this wet dry vacuum.

It’s also quick and simple to replace the filter because this portable shop vac uses a patented Qwik-Lock Filter Fastening system.

5. WORKSHOP Wet/Dry Vacs Small Shop Vacuum Cleaner

Sometimes you need a powerful cleaning tool, but you don’t have a lot of storage space. A compact shop vac, like this WORKSHOP model, can pick up dry and wet and messes, and it will easily fit in a closet.

This small wet dry vacuum weighs only 7.24 pounds and measures 15 x 12 x 15.15 inches. It’s very useful for picking up small messes in apartments, dorm rooms, and condos, where you might not have a lot of storage space.

It holds 2.5 gallons and has a 1.75 peak horsepower motor. This means it can handle more difficult cleaning jobs than an upright vacuum, including picking up liquids, and it’s more portable.

For added versatility, you can use the blower port on the back of the wet dry vac for outdoor cleanups.

The cord wraps around the handle when you’re finished. And the onboard tool storage makes it easy to take the accessories with you and keep everything together when you put the wet dry vac away.

6. Vacmaster Pro Wet/Dry Vac with HEPA Filtration

Finding the right balance of power, capacity, and physical size is really important when looking for a shop vac. A medium-sized wet dry vac, such as this Vacmaster Pro, gives you an efficient tool that can handle wet or dry messes, and you won’t have to empty it too frequently.

The 8-gallon tank on this Vacmaster is made of durable polypropylene, and it’s crush-proof. That makes this model very useful for construction sites and other commercial applications.

The 2-stage motor is industrial-strength, so it will have a longer life and give you greater suction.

You can clean up to a 40-foot area with the extra-long power cord and 10-foot hose. The durable hose is crush-proof, so it won’t fall apart on you. And when you’re done working, the power cord conveniently attaches to a hook on the side of the shop vacuum.

This shop vac features 4-stage filtration, which includes a HEPA filter to keep small particles out of the air. There’s even an exhaust filter made of HEPA-like material.

The storage caddy on the back of the shop vac lets you bring your accessories with you.

Read Next The 8 Best HEPA Vacuums in 2023

7. CRAFTSMAN Heavy-Duty Shop Vacuum

When you make big messes, you need a heavy-duty wet dry vac to clean up after you. This is particularly true if you have mountains of big debris, piles of dirt, or inches of water to pick up. A large, heavy-duty shop vac like this Craftsman will take care of the hard work for you.

This wet dry vac has a powerful 6.5 peak horsepower motor, so it works well for large projects in a workshop, garage, or job site. It also holds 16 gallons, so you don’t have to stop and empty it frequently while you’re working.

You can convert this shop vac into a blower for grass clippings or leaves by using the port on the back.

If you suck up wet messes, draining is quick and easy with the built-in oversized drain.

The hose is designed with dual-flex technology so that it will bend 180 degrees at each end but won’t kink. When you’re done working, you can wrap the hose around the top to securely store it.

The castor feet allow you to easily roll this shop vac wherever you need it to go. There is also accessory storage built into the castors so you can take your tools with you.

8. Bosch VAC090A Dust Extractor with Auto Filter Clean

Many vacuums, including traditional uprights, have trouble picking up dust. Some scatter it across the floor, and others blow it around with the air from the exhaust. And if you’re working in construction or doing renovations, it’s imperative to keep dust levels down.

This Bosch is specifically designed to keep dust and small particles out of the air. You can activate the automatic filter cleaning system, which cleans the filter every 15 seconds. This means your suction power is never compromised. You can also attach a HEPA filter (sold separately), if you’d like even more dust protection.

This shop vacuum has a power tool activation feature, which lets you plug other power tools into the wet dry vac. The shop vac then acts as the on/off switch for that tool. In addition, the Power Broker system regulates the amount of power used so you won’t blow a circuit.

If you’re cleaning up liquids, the shop vac motor will automatically shut off when the water in the canister reaches the maximum level. That way, you won’t damage your motor.

The shop vac is also designed for durability and ease of storage. The wheels are made of heavy-duty rubber, and they have locking capability. When you’ve finished working, the cord and hose wrap securely around the shop vacuum.

9. BISSELL Garage Wall-Mounted Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum

Sometimes you don’t want to drag a vacuum behind you as you work. Also, you may not have the floor space to store a standard wet dry vacuum.

A wall-mount shop vac gives you the power and versatility of a regular model to pick up different types of messes. However, it hangs on your wall, so you can use it as a centralized vacuum system, and you don’t have to worry about storing it.

This Bissell shop vac comes with a wall-mounting kit, and it has an extra-long hose that will reach 32 feet. That means you can clean your workshop without moving the unit.

This wet dry vac comes with 7 car detailing attachments, which you can use for your vehicle or to clean areas in your house, such as upholstery and stairs. For added versatility, you can also convert it into a blower.

You always know when to empty the canister, because the dust tank is semi-translucent. There is also an LED light to tell you if the water tank is full.

As an added bonus, Bissell donates money to support homeless pets with every purchase.

Read Next 8 Best Wall Mounted Garage Vacuums in 2023

10. Armor All Utility Shop Vacuum

Professional car detailing can be expensive. And driving to a car wash to vacuum out the interior is a pain. Having a shop vac means you can do detailing from the comfort of your own home whenever you want.

This Armor All model is the best shop vac for cleaning out your car. Because it’s only 7.4 pounds, it’s extremely lightweight and portable. It also includes a deluxe car nozzle and a detail brush to clean every inch of your vehicle.

For added versatility, you can also use this shop vac as a blower for your workshop or yard. You can use it to dry off your car wheels and grills, or for your motorcycle.

The body of this shop vac is built for functionality and durability. It has a dust-sealed switch, as well as a built-in air and noise diffuser.

To make storage easy, you can keep the tools on board, and the hose will wrap around the unit.

11. RIDGID 4 Gallon Wet Dry Vacuum (VAC4000)

Shop vacs aren’t just for workshops and job sites — they’re great household tools too! Because you can clean up dry and wet messes, they’re useful for cleaning up DIY project debris or a flooded basement.

With a 4-gallon capacity and weighing only 12 pounds, this Ridgid shop vac is both convenient and portable. However, it’s still a powerful tool with a 5 peak horsepower motor.

Because it’s so easy to transport, it’s a great tool for vehicle detailing. The claw nozzle and dusting brush will get the dust and debris out of your car interior efficiently.

The cord is 20 feet long, and the hose adds an extra 7 feet of distance. This means you can clean large areas without needing to find an extension cord or a new outlet.

Storage is simple because of the stable, flat bottom. It will conveniently fit on a shelf in your pantry or garage.

The patented Qwik-Lock filter makes maintenance easy, and you don’t need any extra tools to service your shop vac.

12. FEIN Turbo II Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner

While shop vacs are powerful tools, they’re also notoriously noisy. This can both hurt your ears and be a nuisance to those around you.

This Fein shop vac is a very quiet tool, and it works at 66 decibels. In general, an average regular vacuum works at around 75 decibels.

This is a versatile shop vac because you can plug power tools into the outlet on the canister. The Auto-Start feature means that when you turn on your tool, the wet dry vacuum will turn on as well. This can be especially useful for dust extraction.

It’s easy to maneuver this wet dry vac because the wheels rotate 360 degrees. You can also store your tools on the shop vac and hang the cord there as well.

The by-pass cooling system ensures that the dirty air you suck into the vacuum won’t come in contact with the motor. This means your shop vac will last longer because you won’t clog the motor.

How to Use a Shop Vacuum

It’s not hard to use a shop vacuum. It works just like a regular vacuum! There are a couple of differences, though, so make sure you keep these in mind.

• First, check that you’re using the right filter. If you’re vacuuming a dry mess, use the cartridge. And if you’re sucking up liquids, remove the cartridge and put the foam filter in place. In addition, when you’re vacuuming liquids, make sure you’ve removed the filter bag.
• Second, the way you empty the wet dry vacuum will depend on whether it is a bagged or bagless model. If it has a bag, you’ll remove the dust collection bag and either empty it or replace it with a new one. Some bags are reusable, while others need to be replaced.
• On the other hand, if you have a bagless model, you’ll open the canister of the vacuum and empty out the compartment. How you do this depends on the design of your shop vacuum.
• Finally, when you want to empty the liquid compartment, you either pour the liquid directly out of the canister, or you use the drain spout (if there is one).