Now, shop vacuum machines have become a necessity for all workshops. However, they take up a lot of space at the shop and create a problem, especially for homeowners who don’t have ample workshop space. This is where the small, portable shop vac becomes highly beneficial.
Best Small Shop Vacuums:Although these small wet-dry shop vacuum models commonly come with less power, they are ideal for saving space and enabling easy transportation. However, it’s crucial to pick the best small shop vac that is substantially powerful, or else it may not be effective for all operations.
| Best Small Shop Vacs of 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | DEWALT DXV04T
| Read My Review |
Great Value | RIDGID 50313 4000RV
| Read My Review |
Portable | CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17250
| Read My Review |
Cordless | DEWALT DCV517B 20V MAX
| Read My Review |
Durable | Porter-Cable PCX18301-4B
| Read My Review |
Today, with the best small shop vac reviews, you’ll learn the best available options at the market that ensures peak horsepower to clean liquid spills and heavy tasks efficiently.
Top 10 Best Small Shop Vacuums of 2025
Every shop has been on a quest for knowledge, causing the internet to get flooded with the search for “what is the best small shop vacuum model?”
If so many responses and answers confuse you, take no worries. We have done this review for you to make things easily understandable and simple.
We explored the internet pages, picked the top mini wet dry vacuums, used them frequently, assessed them, and ranked them according to the market needs and demand. Whether you want the best overall, the most durable, cordless, or the best value small shop vac model, we’ve covered all.
So, take a look at all the top pick options and pick the ideal one for your shop.
1 - DEWALT DXV04T Portable Small Wet/Dry Vacuum
Onboard vac accessory storage for easy location for all your attachments
Powerful five-peak horsepower motor provides sufficient suction for any cleaning job
Ultra-flexible expandable hose (up to 7 feet)
It comes with only one disposable bag, and finding a replacement bag can be really challenging.
When it comes to the best small shop vac model, the winner is DEWALT DXV04T wet/dry vacuum. This portable wet dry vacuum can easily be taken anywhere with its easy-carry handle and convenient toolbox shape design.
It’s one of the best small powerful shop vacs with a heavy-duty motor for ensuring industry-leading performance.
This vacuum comes with a dust cartridge filter for cleaning wet materials and small, dry debris. The high-quality shop vac also comes with a large ON/OFF switch with a water-resistant design for quick and safe access to the machine.
Everything’s best about this shop vac model, except for the fact that it comes with only one hard-to-find disposable bag.
We highly recommend this small DEWALT shop vac to all workshops as it’s portable, compact, budget-friendly, and it ensures high-performance cleaning, including heavy-duty jobs.
2 - RIDGID 50313 4000RV Small Portable Wet Dry Vacuum
Powerful 5 HP motor
Long power cord for comfortable transportation
Hassle-free filter installation
The hose is not so durable and gets split within a week or two.
This Ridgid professional small shop vac model is the most affordable wet dry vac in today’s market. Also, this wet dry vac comes with a 1-⅞-inch by 8-foot professional locking hose that ensures optimized and consistent airflow while assuring not to pull loose when in use.
Thanks to its high-performance 5.0 peak horsepower motor, it’s considered one of the most powerful 4-gallon shop vacs in the category. Moreover, the hose comes with a smooth interior surface, which helps to avoid clogging.
Also, this wet dry vacuum comes with a large carry handle, which doubles as a cord wrap for convenient storage.
It has a patented Qwik Lock Filter Fastening System, enabling easy filter installation and removal without any tools.
If you need a small shop vac for car detailing, it’s good to go with this budget-friendly shop vac model. With a great range of features, you will enjoy an optimal user experience.
3 - CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17250 Small Wet/Dry Vac
Lightweight, compact and portable
Easy to store
It can be used as a blower for added versatility
The hose is too stiff and made up of more rigid plastic.
This Craftsman 2.5-gallon shop vac model is one of the most highly portable shop vacs we’ve ever seen. With a 1.75 Peak HP motor, this lightweight shop vac ensures excellent detailed cleaning at jobsites, garages, or homes.
Thanks to its carrying handle and the small size, you can use this vacuum wherever you require cleaning. It comes with a utility nozzle, which is excellent for a quick garage cleanup, whereas the crevice tool is great for cleaning hard-to-reach places. Moreover, it’s a great two-in-one tool as you can use it as a blower too.
This is the best mini shop vac for small messes, which requires minimal storage space while ensuring top-notch performance.
4 - DEWALT DCV517B Small Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
Heavy-duty, durable rubber hose
Convenient, easy-to-carry cordless design
Dual cleanup modes
HEPA wet/dry filter
The on/off switch position below the handle is not good and hard to access.
This Dewalt small wet/dry vacuum is one of the best portable cordless shop vacs ever. With a 20V MAX battery, this shop vac machine packs for extended runtime. Equipped with HEPA wet/dry filter traps, this small machine can entrap 99.97% dust at 0.3 microns.
What’s most impressive about this cordless wet/dry vacuum is that it comes with dual cleanup modes. It removes debris with either the expandable rubber hose or the utility nozzle at the front.
This lightweight shop vac model is easy and convenient to use. It is also equipped with a heavy-duty tank latch for easy emptying and cleaning. However, it comes with a large on/switch, which is a bit hard to access and needs some working on.
Overall, it’s great for flexibility and durability, as it comes with a heavy-duty rubber hose.
If you’re looking for the best small battery-powered shop vac for cars, this Dewalt model is your answer. Apart from its on/off switch position, everything is great.
5 - Porter-Cable PCX18301-4B Small Wet/Dry Vacuum
Lightweight, sturdy handle for easy carrying
Strong suction and blowing power, quiet operation
Swiveling casters for easy movement
The electrical cord needs to be a little longer
The Porter-Cable wet-dry vacuum (PCX18301-4B) is a highly durable and compact machine. No worries about storage, as this mini shop vacuum can easily fit into any space. Moreover, the shop vac machine comes with a 4-gallon capacity, which is more than enough for most homeowners.
Also, it has a large on/off switch, which is water-resistant. So, you won’t have to worry about the shop vac getting wear and tear during and after hard and dirty work. Thanks to the high-performance motor, it’s considered one of the best high suction shop vacs for small workshops.
Although it’s not as powerful as other shop vac models, it’s more than enough for most uses. It’s also known as the mini stainless steel shop vac as its stainless-steel base helps prevent tipping when in use.
Also, the model is very easy to use due to the quick-lock hose. Lastly, casters enable the Porter-Cable PCX18301-4B shop vac to move efficiently and help it swivel in every direction when in use.
With its powerful 4 HP motor and 4-gallon capacity, the Porter-Cable PCX18301-4B is among the best small shop vacs for dust collection. Whether it’s used for cleaning cars or for pet cleanup, this shop vac model is great for all.
6 - Stanley SL18910P-3 Small Wet/Dry Vacuum For Cars
The 11-liter dust carrying capacity makes small cleaning tasks a breeze
The 3 HP motor gives you powerful suction for any car cleanup task
2-in-1 function, vacuum both dry debris and wet liquid spills
The customer service isn’t satisfactory, and the hose is too short and stiff.
Like every other shop vac model, the Stanley 3-gallon shop vac machine ensures a two-in-one function for added versatility. It can efficiently pick up both solid dust and liquid materials without causing any disruption. This top-rated mini shop vac machine comes with a hose with a broad diameter for industrial work. Moreover, it comes with a large dust canister.
Although it weighs a lot, there’s a carrying handle on its top, enabling easy transport. Moreover, its elegant-build quality provides premium comfort to the hands.
Also, this multi-surface wet dry vacuum comes with a foam filter, which stops the exhaust port from pouring out the sucked-in liquid. Moreover, it doesn’t bother the users with high maintenance costs.
This easy-to-use wet/dry vacuum features a potent motor that ensures incredible suction power consistently. In addition, its 3-gallon dust carrying capacity is highly beneficial for cleaning large areas as users won’t have to empty it regularly to prevent any overflow.
7 - Armor All, AA255 Mini Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum
The lightweight and portable design make it an excellent option for cars, trucks, and RVs
It comes with multi-use cleaning properties to ensure wet and dry pick-up convenience
Its deluxe car nozzle is designed to get into the tighter spaces of the car.
Not suitable for picking up thick messes around the cars and garages
This Armor All mini shop vac model is a perfect option for those who are tight on their budget and looking for a cheap yet powerful wet dry shop vacuum.
This shop vac machine is explicitly designed for garage and car cleaning purposes. It’s one of the best portable shop vacs as its compact design enables you to carry it or fit it inside the car easily. The lightweight design will help you carry out small cleaning jobs efficiently.
Thanks to its 2-peak HP motor, it ensures decent suction despite being of a smaller nature. This cheap wet dry vac comes with an auto shut-off function to protect the machine from any chances of damage and overflow.
Moreover, the bags that come with the machine are reusable and washable, making them more cost-effective.
If you’re looking for the best small wet/dry vacuum under $60, then this Armor All model is ideal. It’s the perfect choice for cleaning your garages and cars. This mini shop vac model works exceptionally fine and ensures quiet operations.
8 - Vacmaster VF408 Small Quiet Wet Dry Vacuum
Convenient onboard hose and accessory storage
Stable and safe transportation with non-marring rear wheels
Quiet operation
Efficient HEPA filter
The customer support service may not be too satisfactory
Looking for a small and high suction shop vac? With 4-gallon tank capacity and a 5-Peak horsepower motor, this Vacmaster shop vacuum is the right choice for you.
This small wet/dry vacuum is highly effective in carrying out multiple tasks at home. What’s more, is that its HEPA exhaust filter ensures dust and allergen-free air filtering back into the home.
With its 2-stage motor, you can enjoy quiet and easy cleanup operations. It provides safe and stable transportation due to non-marring rear wheels, durable casters, a 22-feet cleaning reach, and a balanced top handle design. Also, wrapping up has never been easier with its automatic cord rewind feature.
Considering getting all these features at a reasonable price, it’s apparent that it is the best small shop vacuum for the money.
The Vacmaster wet/dry vacuum is one of the best small quiet shop vac models in 2022. With accessory storage, safe and stable transportation, a 2-year warranty, and powerful motor performance at a reasonable price, it’s undoubtedly an excellent pick for this category.
9 - DEWALT DXV05P 5 Gallon Poly Small Wet/Dry Vacuum
Portable design, easy to transport
Durable metal wheels
3-year warranty
The blower retainer fails to keep the hose in place
The Dewalt DXV05P is one of the best small shop vacs with wheels. Its 5-gallon big capacity and sturdy bucket structure are ideal for small cleaning tasks at jobsites and commercial areas.
Its lightweight design and portable size ensure optimal convenience in hand-carry, storage, and transportation.
The heavy-duty shop vac model comes with 4 horsepower and strong wet/dry suction, along with a blowing function. Whether you need to clean the job site, wet sewage, dust, debris, or wood chippings, this wet/dry vacuum takes care of all.
With exceptional dust tank capacity and peak 4 horsepower motor performance, this is the best small shop vac for heavy-duty cleaning operations. With a 3-year warranty, it’s something worth the money.
10 - RYOBI 18V ONE+ Small Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
Lightweight, compact design
Collapsible carrying handle for easy transportation
Easy emptying feature ensures great convenience
The battery and charger are sold separately
The Ryobi cordless shop vac model has built-in onboard accessory storage for included floor nozzle, crevice tool, and extension wand.
The lightweight wet dry vacuum comes with a collapsible carrying handle, ensuring easy storage and transportation. Its four 360° caster wheels are impressive, which provide balanced mobility and smooth rolling.
Its compact design enables space-saving storage, and that’s how it got the reputation of being the best space-saving shop vac. Moreover, you’ll enjoy the convenience of emptying with its removable top. This small cordless shop vac is the ultimate deal as it offers an incredible 40 CFM.
When it comes to the best value small size vac for ultimate convenience, you can choose this Ryobi cordless shop vac as your reliable option. However, you may have to add a couple of bucks to your budget as the product comes without the battery and charger.
Conclusion
We hope the best small shop vac reviews will help you make an informed buying decision.
If you are still confused, we recommend the DEWALT DXV04T as the best small shop vac for dust collection. It’s the best overall in this product category with a portable 4-gallon toolbox design and a powerful 5 Peak horsepower motor.
For the best mini wet dry vacuums for home use, we recommend the CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17250 and the DEWALT DCV517B Cordless Vacuum. These small shop vac models are budget-friendly, lightweight, convenient, easy to use, and effortless to store.
