Best Shop Vacs (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

For this review, we researched more than 40 different shop vacs. Each shop vac was evaluated based on several criteria, including size, power, capacity, and the number and variety of nozzles for different cleaning projects. All of our picks are classified as dry, wet, or combination (wet, dry, blower) vacuums with a minimum of 4 horsepower and a capacity anywhere from 2 to 18 gallons. These are specs we feel comfortable using for even the most high-volume messes. To learn more about our methodology, visit About Guides & Gear, And The Drive’s Product Reviews Department

Our pick for the best shop vac goes to the CRAFTSMAN Heavy Duty Shop Vac. It is one of the most powerful units on our list, featuring a 6.5-horsepower motor and 16-gallon tank with a 2.5-inch vacuum hose to suck up debris with ease. It also comes with multiple nozzles (utility, car, and wet) to handle all types of messes.

Shop vacs combine the best in wet/dry and/or blowing. They work using a single or two-stage motor to create high airflow and high-pressure suction, good for light duty to heavy duty cleaning assignments. Power is determined based on suction pressure (expresses in inches), airflow (cubic feet per minute), and peak horsepower, or the motor's maximum output.

Many of the best shop vacs also come with 2-inch diameter hoses, which are large enough to pick up leaves and larger debris. Do not forget all of the appropriate extension wands and nozzles to hit hard-to-reach areas.

Our recommendation is for a non-handheld shop vac to 3-in-1- functionality (wet, dry, and blower), plus a combination of one or more of a suction pressure rating of 75 or better, airflow rating of 100 CFM or greater, and a minimum of 4 peak horsepower. All of these specs offer enough power to pick up virtually any type of particle from fine sawdust to heavy, wet leaves without breaking a sweat.

Handheld vacuums are miniature versions of shop vacs with diminished power across the board, good for light-duty clean-up such as bread crumbs of a sofa or small, loose sediment off your car seats. If it offers a max 2 peak horsepower and a 2 to 2.5-gallon capacity, then you are good to go.

When comparing shop vacs, consider the overall size of the vacuum unit. Smaller units are easier to move around. Some are small enough to be handheld and portable. Other units are larger and are too heavy to lift. These units will be on casters to help you move them around.

A larger unit will have more capacity and power. This makes them better for consistent use and the cleaning of larger messes. So while it will be harder to move a larger unit around, you’ll also get several benefits that make the larger unit better.

You can buy a shop vac with a capacity of 2 to 18 gallons. This capacity is the wet or dry mess that the vacuum can hold before you’ll need to empty it. A larger capacity can clean an increased number of smaller messes or larger single messes between cleanings.

When a shop vac has a larger capacity, the whole unit is larger because it needs to house the larger tank. Larger-capacity units have features to make them easier to use. This includes things like built-in spouts or drains. This will make emptying the larger tank easier and cleaner.

The power is the size of the motor and the suction power of the shop vac. The larger the motor, the larger the debris it can suck up. If you’re only cleaning light dust and dander, then you don’t need a very powerful shop vac. If you’re cleaning a lot of water or wood chips and shavings, then you’ll need a larger and more powerful motor.

Owned by Cleva North America, Inc., the Vacmaster brand specializes in cleanup products for home and commercial such as wet/dry vacuums, cordless vacuums, and air movers for heavy-duty blowing. One of its most popular products is its 2.5 gallon, portable wet/dry vac and two-stage motor, 16-gallon stainless steel wet/dry vac.

Porter-Cable is a top power tools manufacturer producing everything from orbital sanders to circular saws. Founded in 1906 as a jobbing machine and tool shop, its humble beginnings saw the production of small-time products such as pencil sharpeners and automatic tire pumps. In the late 1920s, it began to differentiate itself from industry competitors with the introduction of the first portable belt sander and helical gear drive saw. Further innovations throughout the 1950s and 60s also saw magic happen with the first portable Band Saw and the first high speed, small-orbit finishing sander.

Today, Porter-Cable continues to design and manufacture high-quality power tools.

Formerly a house brand managed by struggling hardware store Sears and later sold to Stanley Black and Decker, Craftsman is a well-known line of tool and hardware products, as well as an outdoor tools and equipment line.

Founded in 1843, Stanley is a designer and manufacturer of home, industrial, and commercial-grade tools, especially known for hand, automotive, and home improvement tools and accessories.

DeWalt is one of the most popular tool manufacturers in the world. Founded by Raymond DeWalt, its first claim to fame was the first electric universal woodworking machine, the "Wonder-Worker," a radial arm saw that could be configured in nine ways. The early 1940s also saw DeWalt play an integral role with national defense and wartime machinery as one of the nation's leading defense building contractors. Today, it sells everything from power tools to vacuums, widely considered a trusted brand.

Ridgid focuses heavily on industrial and commercial grade tools spanning threading, pipe fabrication, pressing tools, power tools, and of course, dry/wet vacs. In 1923, it introduced the first pipe wrench and met a key niche exporting products post World War II to help rebuild Europe. Key inventions include the first aluminum handle wrench and key improvements to speed chucks and threading machines throughout the 1950s.

Founded by Melville and Anna Bissell and in business for over 140 years, Bissell is a popular manufacturer of cleaning tools and home accessories such as vacuums, sweepers, and portable fans. Its early days saw heavy sweeper production, quickly gaining the endorsement of Queen Victoria in the late 1890s. Other innovations in the space saw the introduction of the first vac/floor scrubber and two-brush sweeper. Today, many of its products come with a lifetime warranty on the backing of a solid reputation.

When it comes to pricing, the pricier, the better. Shop vacs under $75 usually have less powerful motors and basic filters. Shop vacs priced between $75 to $125 fall in the medium-sized range for gallon capacity and motor horsepower. You’ll also find they have some nice features like castor wheels, an extended hose length, or a high-end HEPA filter. Shop vacs priced at $125 or higher are the largest or high-quality shop vacs. You’ll find they are the ones with the largest gallon capacity and commercial-quality motors. They also come with extra features and tools to make them the most versatile on the market.

As with something you do for decades upon decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product, and/or using it. That’s the case with us and shop vacs. To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!

Yes, you can use it to clean dirt from your floor mats, seat covers, and your truck’s bed. Most shop vacs can also get rid of pet fur and tiny hair stuck on your seats. A standard shop vac can also fit in a recreational vehicle and be used for clean up.

Without the collection bag, you may have a hard time draining the fine dust from your vacuum. You may struggle to keep the dust particles from flying around your trash can. Also, all the fine dirt may blow back into the room the next time you switch on the vacuum. If your shop vac doesn't have a collection bag, consider purchasing a reusable cartridge filter that will pick up most of the fine dust.

How much suction a shop vac has depends on its airflow and pressure rating. Airflow is expressed in cubic feet per minute and suction is expressed in inches. The higher the cubic feet and inches, the greater the suction. Some top-shelf vacuums carry as high as 100 CFM of airflow and 80 inches of suction.