When the cleanup has to go beyond the limits of a regular vacuum, it is time to get a powerful wet dry vacuum to work. A wet/dry vac is amazing in more ways than one.
As it sucks up large and liquid wastes at the same time, it is great to clean up the mess at any professional site. In fact, a heavy duty shop vac with great filter also helps homeowners who are into a lot of DIYs around the house.
Regardless of the reason why you are looking for the most powerful shop vac, it’s important to choose the right product to get the maximum use out of it. And here’s helping you in that regard!
Now you have a basic idea about why you need powerful shop vacuums for cleanup projects. Then, let us introduce you to the top ten products in this category. The following are the top quality shop vacs in the market at present.
So, what are the most powerful wet dry vacs for your needs from this list? Let’s find out.
1 - CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 20-Gallon Heavy Duty Shop Vacuum
CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 20-Gallon Heavy Duty Shop Vacuum
You need the most powerful shop vac for commercial use when there is an unusually dirty or huge area to clean up. And Craftsman CMXEVBE17596 will serve the purpose in that regard. In fact, this one is also your go-to vac for flooding problems since it can easily vacuum large amounts of water.
The Craftsman 20-gallon shop vac will definitely capture your attention for the large size, but that’s not all. It is powered by a 6.5-horsepower (HP) motor and the suction power of 177 CFM makes cleaning a breeze.
Along with all that power and reliability, you get a bunch of nozzle attachments. So, you can reach any corner and perform your cleanup work.
There is even a rear blowing port that lets you do a quick clean-up of grass clippings and leaves in the outdoors and garage area. There is a three-year limited warranty on the product, which is an added advantage.
Tips: Replace the paper filter with wet foam filter for heavy-duty wet pickups. The original paper filter can only serve small quantities of liquid pickup.
Verdict
If you are looking for a heavy-duty vacuum for workshops and contractor sites, Craftsman 20-gallon heavy duty wet/dry vac is it. The shop vacuum has strong suction power and easy maneuverability to get the job done at ease.
When you are looking for a strong suction wet/dry vacuum without breaking the bank, Vacmaster 0201 is it for you. The 16-gallon shop vac capacity is sufficient for heavy-duty professional usage. In addition to that, there is 6.5 HP at such an affordable price.
This Vacmaster professional shop vac does twice the work as a blower. You will simply have to remove the powerhead from its canister and connect it to any one of the two extension wands that are included. Now, you also get a 20-foot power cord and a 7-foot hose. So, a cleaning reach of 27-foot, without unplugging the unit, is sufficient for larger spaces. Also, it surprisingly makes much less noise for all the work that it does.
One downside to this shop vac is the absence of a HEPA filter. But that’s something which can be ignored because many of the top models don’t have it.
Tips: This shop vacuum can clean wet surfaces and liquid wastes, but should not be submerged in water under any condition.
Verdict
The Vacmaster Beast Series is a powerful vacuum that ticks all the boxes. From regular cleaning around workshops to heavy-duty residential clean-up after a round of DIY, this professional shop vac will serve you well.
Superb maneuverability thanks to the long cord and suction hose
Cons
Takes a while to assemble and setup
If you want to clean up nice and easy after a DIY or any other household project, this Dewalt 10-gallon shop vac is your trusted choice. It comes with a medium-capacity 10-gallon collection tank and has a powerful 5.5 HP motor for stronger suction. The brilliant white canister is portable enough to store in your workshop or garage.
Similar to any top quality wet/dry vacuum, it comes with a 20-foot power cord and 7-foot suction hose. So, cleaning the nooks would not be a problem. At 18.74 pounds, it is comparatively lightweight than several other models in this range. Thus, you can easily load it in the truck or carry it up the staircase.
The DXV10S comes with a couple of accessories, such as a crevice tool and a utility nozzle for different cleanup jobs. You will also get a nice storage bag for accessories that attaches directly to the device. However, assembling and setup will need a bit of time.
Tips: For best results, avoid using plastic bags and go for Dewalt bags because they will work better. Also, you can change it to a HEPA filter if the need arises.
Verdict
If you are looking for a good suction shop vac with 5 HP that is of medium-size, Dewalt DXV10S is the one.
For the ultimate dust control, Vacmaster Pro 8-gallon shop vac comes with two quality HEPA filters, a HEPA cartridge filter and a HEPA microfiber prefilter. The model is made to thoroughly clean both dry and wet messes. Now, the HEPA filters (to be used just in the dry mode) will keep even the smallest pollen and dust particles from reentering your room through the air.
Though the 8-gallon capacity makes it medium-sized vacuum, this heavy duty wet dry vac with HEPA filter has some unique features, such as the Industrial 2-stage motor and rear storage caddy. It also comes with 4-stage of filtration, such as the exhaust filter, high-efficiency dust filter bag with flap closure, micro pre-filter and HEPA cartridge filter.
Also, this powerful shop vac comes with all the necessary accessories, such as two steel extension wands, a crevice tool, a dust brush, and so on. Thus, all in all, this product from Vacmaster is a complete package for all your cleaning needs.
Tips: You need to replace that HEPA filter when there is a constant loss of vacuum even after having no obstruction in the wand or hose. The manufacturer will directly provide you with a replacement filter.
Verdict
Vacmaster Pro is a good choice for the ones looking for a medium-sized vacuum with a good cleaning capacity. The HEPA filter is an added bonus.
Drainage port to make emptying sixteen gallons of liquid easy
Good price
Cons
Lack of a HEPA filter
With power, durability, excellent storage capacity, and a number of attachments, this wet/dry vac is ideal for mega cleanups. Apart from being one of the best affordable shop vacs, it has 6.5 HP motor and copolymer drums to resist the cracking of the plastic drum from constant wet and dry vacuuming.
This large capacity, powerful wet/dry vacuum also has an inbuilt auto-shutoff float. It senses as the liquid levels in the drum get too high. Subsequently, it shuts the vacuum off to stop any overflow accidents.
This shop vacuum can easily pick up 1 gallon of water within seconds. It also has an integrated blower along with a drain port to drain all the wet messes quickly. The inbuilt drainage plug will make draining out all that muddy water as easy as ever.
Apart from the blower connection, you also get a wet nozzle, a drainage spout, a car nozzle, two extension wands, and a utility nozzle.
Tips: The machine wattage is 1440 watts. So, if you want to power up this Workshop vacuum, it’s suggested that you opt for a power generator that has a higher wattage rating than the machine. Don’t use a 1000 watts power generator for the vacuum as it can cause issues.
Verdict
The Workshop WS1600VA wins in the fact that it is a compact model. It has all that you can ask for but at an affordable price point.
Excellent suction power for workshop and residential work
Additional dust collection features
Filters can pop on and off quite easily
Cons
Not the easiest device to assemble
This DeWalt wet/dry vac does not come with additional bells and whistles, but it has a powerful 5 HP motor. Along with that, there is a sufficient 9-gallon tank that is good enough to clean the medium-sizes debris and mess present in garages and home workshops.
What also works in favor of Dewalt 9-gallon shop vac is its compact size compared to other medium-duty options.
In addition to that, the lightweight 5 HP shop vac can be easily carried from one place to another. There is a 7-foot-long flexible hose and a 10-foot-long power cord. So, it can reach even the most difficult corners.
Admittedly, this is not the most powerful model from DeWalt, and it does not offer the greatest capacity. However, the shop-style vac will get the job done. It will remove dust and dirt just as easily as muddy water. Though assembling it needs work, it’s nothing to worry about.
Tips: You can remove and wash the filter. For that, you need to unlock and unscrew the filter and wash it with a power washer or a hose at low pressure.
Verdict
If you have a home workshop or are into a lot of DIYs, you need a compact model like this one. It has just the right capacity and features for such usage.
Comes with several function modes for added flexibility
Compact and small design
Great performance from 4 HP electric motors
Cons
A shorter warranty of one year only
This multifunctional shop vac might come at the seventh position on the list, but don’t let that make you doubt its functionality. It is truly multifunctional in its application. Stanley 5-gallon shop vac has a total of three function modes. So, as a user, you can use it for wet vacuum, dry vacuum, and blowing leaves and dirt.
As per its performance, it is one of the best powerful shop vacuums for home use. The 4 HP electric motor that powers this vacuum is sturdy and strong enough. In fact, it is sufficient for its 5-gallon capacity. Due to the smaller capacity, this vacuum is a good idea if you are looking for a compact model. The build quality is also pretty commendable with the product. It comes with all the necessary attachments.
The only drawback is that one-year warranty, though that does not mean the vac isn’t durable.
Tips: You can use it without the bag. But ensure that the foam filter is fitted in place before you lock the lid to that canister.
Verdict
If you are looking for heavy-duty cleaning around bigger workshops, choose other models. It functions sufficiently well for its capacity and features. So, you can get it for smaller workshops and residential use.
High-quality crush-resistant polypropylene material
A compact and sturdy device
Picks up even the smallest contaminants
Cons
Lacks the slim attachment necessary for smaller crevices
Here is another medium-sized powerful shop vac for you to consider. This one from Vacmaster is a handy device for messy or larger garages, garages with moderate flooding issues, basements, and even small building sites. Additionally, this is a pretty strong shop vac for home use.
The Vacmaster 8 gallon shop vac is made of high-quality crush-resistant polypropylene. So, you can be assured of longevity. The vacuum even comes with a HEPA filter. So, it will retain a majority of the contaminants, even the ones that are the smallest in size.
Though it is listed at number eight on this list, it offers the kind of suction that is more powerful than many other models in the market. For the compact size and medium capacity, it does a pretty thorough job of cleaning the required area. It would have been the perfect device if only it had the slim attachment for the nooks.
Tips: You can purchase noise/air diffusers separately to stop air coming from the exhaust port. It does not come with the product.
Verdict
A good model for residential and commercial use – Vacmaster VOC809PF offers great value for the price it comes at. It wins extra points for the compact design that’s easy to store.
Works smoothly for half an hour after a single charge
Cons
It is not suitable for larger spaces
Up until now, the list has only discussed the larger wet and dry vacs. It is time now to talk about the best portable shop vac for workshops. While the bigger models above use sturdy hoses to clean up and transfer the mess to the tank on the floor, this Milwaukee machine is a compact shop vac that comes with a capacity of two gallons. You can hold it easily in one hand while letting the other one control the nozzle.
As a compact battery-powered shop vac, the model is perfect for cars and many other small spaces that aren’t too messy. It is an 18-Volt Lithium-ion that will get the job done for smaller spaces. Charge it once and it will work smoothly for half an hour. Therefore, you can carry this powerful cordless wet dry vacuum with you on trips and outdoor parties.
Tips: The filter is washable, but make sure to handle it gently. It will last you for years with the right kind of cleaning and maintenance.
Verdict
Are you looking for a compact yet powerful shop vac for your home or small workshop? Go for Milwaukee 0880-20 instead of the bulkier models.
Whether you are looking for a durable shop vac for residential usage or a powerful machine for jobsite cleanups, there are certain things that make these products stand out. And here’s listing out the things to look for in the best quality shop vac.
You need to consider the horsepower of the shop vacuum because it runs on an electric motor. The strongest shop vacuums for big jobs have a higher HP compared to the medium-duty ones. HP determines how good and strong the device’s suction power is.
The tank capacity of any contractor/industrial shop vacuum helps you understand the frequency of disposing of the dust. Thus, the dimension of the tank is directly proportional to the number of times it has to be emptied. In general, tank capacity can be divided into three levels:
Low tank: 2 – 6 gallons capacity
Medium tank: 8 – 14 gallons capacity
Large tank: 14 – 20 gallons capacity
Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) is the unit generally used to measure the water lifting capacity or suction power of a device. It helps you understand the efficiency of the vac in sucking debris and wastes. For example, any standard 5 HP shop vac will offer the suction capacity of at least 60 CFM.
A shop vac with HEPA filter is great, but getting something with a high air-watt makes it perfect for professionals. If you have used a few shop vacs, you will know that all of them aren’t good at sucking in the big items. Thus, the airpower of the vac gets so much importance in the process of cleaning.
Whether you want a corded or cordless model is a personal preference. However, the bigger models are usually corded, and the cordless ones aren’t typically meant for heavy-duty usage.
Heavy Duty Shop Vac FAQs
How many CFM is a good shop vac?
Quality shop vacs that are strong enough to get all kinds of cleanup done have a CFM of at least 140 and higher. Anything below that will not be strong enough for commercial and even some of the residential work.
What's a good horsepower for a shop vac?
You need a higher horsepower to get commendable suction power. So, an HP of 3.5 is okay for general and regular cleanup around the house. The finest wet/dry vacuum for heavy-duty work has a motor of at least five to six HP.
Why is my shop vac blowing out dust?
The filter is not stopping the dust and it’s being exhausted from the blower and back in the air. It might be caused by improper installation of the filter, a hole present in the filter, or the dust being just too fine for the filters.
Which shop vacuum has the strongest suction?
If you are looking for a shop vacuum with the strongest suction, go for CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 Shop Vacuum with a high suction power of ~177 CFM. It has enough power to help you accomplish even the toughest cleanup jobs around any professional setup.
And now you have all the details necessary to bring home the most powerful shop vac. Such a wet dry vacuum with powerful motor can truly revolutionize the cleaning process for you.
So, use your newfound knowledge about shop vacs and make the right purchase today. Let cleaning no longer be a hassle!
