Best Shop Vac
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When you need a vacuum cleaner for heavy-duty cleaning; such as one for construction or woodworking cleaning jobs, you need to look beyond regular vacuum cleaners.
There are special vacuum cleaners designed for these types of jobs, and they are called shop vacs. They feature very powerful motors and suction units that can suck dirt, debris and other chunks of materials from workshops and building sites.
Additionally, these vacuum cleaners feature large and tough hoses and a big canister to hold vast volumes of debris. Because of their design and performance, these vacuum cleaners do wonders when you need to clean dirty places.
Unless you use your home as some workshop, a shop vac won't be an ideal choice for regular home cleaning applications.
However, if you need to deal with vast amounts of dirt, debris and waste materials in places such as workshops and construction sites, then you need a shop vac to deliver an excellent cleaning performance.
The 6 Best Shop Vacs-2020 Edition
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Our exhaustive guide to shop vacs is an excellent starting point if you are in the market for a shop vac.
However, we have made things even easier for you by reviewing 6 of the best shop vacs that are guaranteed to give you an excellent cleaning performance when doing heavy duty cleaning. They include;
#Best
#Our Choice
- 12 gallon tank capacity that provides excellent holding capacity for huge amounts of dirt.
- The tank is made of durable and rust-free polypropylene.
- Integrated on-board storage which is convenient for accessing most cleaning tools.
- A flat top design that allows you to easily to store tools and have them handy while you work.
- A 20-foot power cord that provides extended reach to cover bigger ground without having to switch power outlets frequently.
- Powerful performing motor with 5.5 peak HP.
- A blower attachment that allows you to use this vacuum cleaner as a leaf cleaner making it versatile.
- 360 degrees swiveling castor wheels that provide improved mobility for all floor surfaces.
- Its 12-gallon dirt tank not only allows you to work without having to empty it frequently, but it is also made with polypropylene which is lightweight, durable and rust-free.
- This shop vac comes with on board storage for tools and other accessories and also features a flat top design that allows you to have tools handy when working.
- This vacuum also easily transforms into a blower. This not only makes it versatile, but it also makes it cost effective as you don't need to buy a separate leaf blower to take care of falling leaves on your yard.
This wet/dry vacuum cleaner not only offers excellent performance; it is also equipped with the right tools to get the job done.
It comes with both the foam filter to deal with wet debris as well as a fine dust cartridge filter for fine debris. It also has excellent suction power with a strong motor and features a 12-gallon capacity dirt tank.
#Budget Pick
- 5-gallon stainless steel container which is durable and easy to a cleaner.
- A rear blower port that allows this vacuum cleaner to easily transform into a blower making it versatile.
- The power cord if 10-foot long which provides sufficient reach for most cleaning jobs. It also features a built-in cord wrap that is convenient for safely handling and storing the power cord.
- This vacuum cleaner also features swiveling castors that allow for improved mobility.
- It also comes with a number of accessories that include 2 extension wands, a crevice nozzle gulper nozzle, foam filter, floor brush cloth bag, and dust bag.
- This vacuum cleaner is lightweight. It also comes with swiveling castors. These features make it easily portable and mobile and can, therefore, be easily used for a wide range of cleaning applications.
- It uses a 5-gallon stainless steel tank; this makes it ideal for handling small to medium jobs with the tank being easy to clean and also guaranteed to last longer.
- The number of attachments that come with this vacuum cleaner allows for both wet and dry vacuuming among a wide number of cleaning jobs. It also features a blower port that allows for easy transformation to a leaf blower making it a versatile vacuum cleaner.
The lightweight and compact design of this shop vac make it ideal for small to medium dirt and debris handling.
Its tank is made of stainless steel which makes it easy to clean and extremely durable. Moreover, this vacuum cleaner comes with a number of attachments and also features a rear blower port which allows for versatile use of this vacuum cleaner around the home.
#Best Attachments
- It features a secure latch system with the tank and lid being held together.
- A rear blower port allows this vacuum to easily transform into a leaf blower.
- Top and side carry handles make this vacuum cleaner easy to handle and also more portable.
- It also features convenient on-board tool storage keeping your most used tools and accessories easily accessible.
- A tank drain allows you to conveniently drain liquids without having to lift or move this vacuum cleaner.
- Metal carriage handle and castor wheels allow for improved maneuverability.
- This vacuum cleaner also comes with a number of tools and accessories that include 2 extension wands, 14-inch floor nozzle, crevice tool, foam sleeve, cartridge filter, and filter bag.
- With a number of tools and accessories including the rear blower port, this vacuum cleaner is versatile and can be used for a number of cleaning chores around the backyard.
- The use of on-board storage for the tools and accessories allows for faster and more convenient access which can help you finish your chores faster.
- This vacuum also features swiveling castor wheels with a metal carrying handle that not only allows for improved portability; but also its mobility and use.
- The tank drain also provides a convenient and easy way of draining water without having to lift the vacuum or take it outside.
With a tank capacity of 16 gallons, this vacuum is equipped to handle large volumes of dirt and debris more easily.
What is even more attractive about this vacuum cleaner is its tank drain, castor wheels, and rear blower port features. It also comes with a number of accessories and tools that allow for versatile cleaning.
#Best suction power
- Full circumference dolly that prevents the vacuum from tipping.
- Easy to reach and convenient on/off switch.
- On-board tool and accessory storage for easy access and reach.
- Top and side handles which allow for improved portability of this vacuum.
- A rear blower port that allows for this vacuum to easily transform into a leaf blower.
- 5-gallon stainless steel tank.
- A powerful motor with a peak of 4.5 hp.
- Accessories and tools that include 3 extension wands, a crevice tool, floor nozzle, gulper nozzle, foam sleeve, cartridge filter, and filter bag.
- Powerful suction with a resilient motor allows for this shop vac to pick up dirt and debris reliably and consistently cleaning around the yard much quickly.
- Its wide number of accessories and the rear blower port also make it suitable for versatile cleaning applications.
- This vacuum cleaner is easier and convenient to use; it features in-board storage for tools and accessories, features castor wheels for improved mobility and top and side handles for improved portability.
Although this vacuum cleaner only features a 5-gallon tank capacity, it makes an ideal choice when you are dealing with small to medium amounts of dirt and debris.
However, it is very efficient and offers one of the best performances you can get from a shop vac. It also has some excellent features such as on-board accessory storage, a rear blower port, and top and side handles.
#10 gallon
- 10-gallon capacity that allows for more dirt and debris handling without the need to empty the tank frequently.
- A quieter operation that make clean-up operations nuisance-free and with minimal disturbance.
- Durable and rubberized castor wheels that allow for smoother swiveling and improved mobility.
- 20-foot long power that allows for easy reach to clean up areas.
- A built-in blower port that allows for this vacuum to transform into a blower making it ideal for versatile cleaning applications.
- On-board tool and accessory storage.
- Built-in tank drain that allows you to empty liquids more conveniently.
- Its 10-gallon tank capacity allows you to clean and pick up more debris and dirt without having to empty the tank often. This helps save time and allows you to finish any cleanup much faster.
- It provides for quieter operation than most vacuums provide. You can use this vacuum more comfortably in high traffic areas without causing any nuisance to other people.
- It serves versatile cleaning applications owing to the number of accessories and rear blower port.
- The built-in tank drain also provides a convenient way to empty picked up liquids without having to lift the unit or move it outside.
This vacuum cleaner makes the list of our top choices because it has all the features and performance that you can expect from high quality and efficient vacuum cleaner.
The on-board tools and accessories, quiet operation, large tank capacity and a built-in blower port among other cool features ensure that this vacuum can handle any cleaning need much efficiently.
#Best versatile vac
- 6-gallon tank capacity that makes this shop vac ideal for small to medium jobs.
- A rear blower port that allows for this vacuum to easily transform into a blower making it versatile.
- 2-stage filtration not only allows for deep cleaning; it also helps extend the life of the filter.
- Comes with an auto tool kit that allows you to detail car interiors and other surfaces more efficiently.
- This shop vac is versatile; not only will you use for heavy-duty cleaning, but it can also be used to blow leaves and dust as well for detailing cars and upholstery.
- Its multi-surface and multi-use application make very cost effective and an economical choice when you need a tool that does more than just cleaning.
- This vacuum cleaner has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easily portable allowing for different types of use.
This shop vac also comes with some cool features and functionalities that make it use hassle-free.
Its 6-gallon tank capacity provides good enough capacity for average dirt and debris handling whether you are blowing leaves in the backyard or cleaning up dust in the workshop. Furthermore, this vacuum has dry and wet vacuuming capabilities making it highly efficient.
Best Shop Vacs- Buying Guide
Features to look for when choosing a shop vac
Choosing a shop vac can be a complicated process especially when you have huge amounts of dirt to deal with.
There are many features you need to consider to get a unit that can serve your needs efficiently and cost-effectively. Some of the features you need to look out for before making a purchasing decision include;
Capacity/size
Depending on the amount of mess you will have to deal with regularly, you need a vacuum with enough capacity to handle the amount of dirt and debris comfortably.
If the tank capacity of your vacuum cleaner is small, you may need to empty it frequently as you clean which can make your cleaning job a lot more hectic.
The tank capacity also affects the weight of the vacuum cleaner and its portability. Choose a tank capacity that not only suits your needs but also is easy to lift and move around.
Performance
The performance of your vacuum cleaner is determined according to its suction power and airflow. These factors are controlled by the motor size and rating as well as the airflow.
Since shop vacs are designed to handle larger and heavier dirt and debris, its suction power needs to be extremely powerful to clean more effectively and faster.
There are 3 readings that you need to check out for when trying to gauge the performance of a vacuum cleaner; Sealed Pressure, Cubic Feet Per Minute and Air Power. The bigger these readings are, the better the performance your vacuum cleaner will offer.
Filter
The type of filter you use with this type of vacuum cleaner significantly influence its performance. If you use the wrong filter, you risk dirt, dust and even water blowing back into the air. You need to use a filter that is designed for the type of debris you will be picking up.
- Use a filter designed for a general household filtration level when picking up large debris.
- Use a filter with medium filtration level for medium debris.
- Use a filter with fine filtration level for fine debris.
- Use a foam sleeve as your filter when picking up liquids and wet debris.
If you or someone you live with has allergies, we recommend that you use HEPA filtration regardless of the type of debris you intend to be using your vacuum cleaner for frequently.
HEPA filters are very efficient in trapping up to 99.97% of dust, pollen and other allergens from the air allowing for you to breathe more easily.
Hose size
The diameter of your hose also determines the size of debris you can pick up with your shop vac. Moreover, you need to consider hose length so that you are able to reach all the places you need to clean much easier.
However, you will need to balance hose length with suction because a longer hose leads to reduced suction strength.
- For large debris, use a hose which is 2.5 inches wide.
- For medium debris, use a hose which is 1.5 – 2.5 inches wide.
- For fine debris, use a hose which is 1.25 – 1.5 inches wide.
Detachable Blower
A detachable blower or blower port is an essential accessory to consider if you may need to clean hard-to-reach places from time to time.
Moreover, it becomes very handy if you do yard cleaning and eliminates the need to buy a separate leaf blower. Although this feature is not available on all shop vacs, it is an interesting and cost-saving feature to look out for.
Tank Drain
You will need a tank drain id you will be picking up a lot of water with your vacuum cleaner. It is an additional opening on the tank of your vacuum cleaner that allows you to drain water into a sink much easily making your life much easier.
If you need to move larger amounts of water with a garden hose maybe, then you may also consider getting a shop vac with pump functionality.
Tank material
With shop vacs, you can either go for a plastic tank or a stainless steel tank. There are benefits and drawbacks with each choice, so it is up to you to decide which model serves your needs best.
Plastic tanks have the advantage of making your vacuum lighter and they also don't dent. On the other hand, stainless steel tanks are easier to clean and more durable. Whichever option is perfect as long as it fits into your expectations.
