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Table of Contents
- Best Shop Vacs in 2025
- 1. Shop-Vac 5989700 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
- 2. DeWalt 9-Gallon Pro Poly Shop Vac
- 3. VacMaster Professional 16-Gallon Beast
- 4. Ridgid 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
- 5. VacMaster Pro HEPA Certified Shop Vac
- 6. Craftsman 16-Gallon Shop Vac
- 7. Ridgid 4-Gallon Portable Tool Box Vac
- 8. Ridgid 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vac
- 9. Stanley 6-Gallon Shop Vac
- How to Choose the Best Shop-Vac – Buying Guide
- Best Shop Vacs – FAQs
- Summary – Best Shop Vac 2025
Best Shop Vac 2025 – Updated by Burbro Editors on April 14th, 2021
When you have larger piles of debris that need cleaning up, then you’ll need to use a vacuum that’s designed to handle larger messes. One of the best vacuums for cleaning up large piles of garbage is the shop vac. With a shop vac, you’ll be able to handle any cleanup job, and you can even use your shop-vac to clean up the water as long as your vacuum is a wet/dry vacuum. If you have a construction site, renovation or a garage that needs cleaning, then you may want to use a wet/dry vacuum as your ideal cleaning tool.
If you’ve been looking for a wet/dry vacuum, you’ll find that there are a lot of options that you can choose from as your go-to tool for cleaning your workspace. While there are many shop-vacs to choose from, they aren’t all worth your money. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best shop vacs for 2025 that you can use for your home or workplace. We’ll also show you how to choose the best shop vac so that you can find a vacuum that fits your needs and has the features that you can use.
Best Shop Vacs in 2025
If you’re looking for the best shop vac so that you can clean up your garage or construction site, then you’ve come to the right place. In this section, we’re going to take a look at some of the best wet/dry vacuum that you can use. While we’ll be taking a more in-depth look at the products on our list, we’ve compiled a shortlist of the best shop-vacs so that you can quickly find what you’re searching for and get back to your life.
1. Shop-Vac 5989700 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
The Best Wet/Dry Shop-Vac.
If you’re looking for one of the best shop-vacs, then you’ll want to take a look at the Shop-Vac 5989700 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum. The Shop-Vac 5989700 features a stainless steel tank that can hold up to 16-gallons of debris and garbage. It also comes with a carrying cart that comes with large rear-wheels, which makes the vacuum portable and easy to move around your worksite. This vacuum comes with an 8ft hose with a 2.5-inch diameter, which means that you’ll be able to clean up larger pieces of debris without the garbage getting caught in your hose and causing problems. It also comes with a combination of cleaning tools that you can use to clean up your job site. With this vacuum, you’ll be able to enjoy tools such as a solid extension wand, crevice cleaning head, cartridge filters, filter bags and on-board tool storage. One of the things that we love about the Shop-Vac 5989700 16-gallon wet/dry vacuum is that it comes with a 3-year warranty from Shop-Vac. This warranty will give you peace of mind while you’re buying this wet/dry vacuum because you’ll be protected from defects or any problems that you may have with your shop vac.
Features: Heavy-Duty, Wet/Dry Vac; 8ft. Hose with 2.5-Inch Diameter; 16-Gallon Stainless Steel Tank; Combination of Cleaning Tools; 3-Year Warranty by Shop-Vac; The Best Large Shop-Vac
Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 30.75 inches
Price: $400
2. DeWalt 9-Gallon Pro Poly Shop Vac
One of the Best Shop-Vacs for Saw Dust.
If you’re looking for the best shop-vac that’s affordable, then you’ll want to take a look at the DeWalt 9-Gallon Pro Poly Shop-Vac. This vacuum is durable and built to last while still being an affordable wet/dry vacuum that can be used on any worksite. The DeWalt 9-Gallon Pro Poly Shop-Vac features a sturdy poly container that can hold up to 9-gallons of debris. It also comes with 360-degree rotating wheels, which make it easier for you to move your vacuum around the workplace. The DeWalt Pro Poly Shop-Vac comes with a 7ft. Hose with a 1 7/8 inch diameter so that you can clean up larger objects without clogging up your hose. It also comes with a 10ft power cord that allows you to move around your workspace, and a power cord wraps so that you can clean up your vacuum once you’re finished cleaning. When you’re using a wet/dry vacuum, you’ll want to make sure that it comes with the cleaning tools that you need to clean up your workspace. With the DeWalt Pro Poly Shop-vac, you’ll be able to enjoy tools such as two extension wands, a cartridge filter, a dust bag for sawdust, a floor nozzle for cleaning floors, a utility nozzle and a crevice nozzle for tight spaces.
Features: Affordable, Durable Vacuum; 3-in-1 Shop-Vac – Wet / Dry / Blow; 7ft Hose with 1 ⅞ Inch Hose Diameter; Washable Cartridge Filter System; Combination of Extra Cleaning Tools; One of the Best Shop Vacs for Industrial Use
Dimensions: 18 x 22 x 17.5 inches
Price: $123
3. VacMaster Professional 16-Gallon Beast
The Best Shop Vac for Construction.
One of the best shop vacs that you can find with a high-capacity container is the VacMaster Professional Beast Shop-Vac. This vacuum is built with durability in mind and is backed by a 5-year warranty from VacMaster. The VacMaster Professional Beast Shop-Vac features a high-performance motor that provides a high level of suction and cleaning power. It also comes with a 16-gallon poly container that is designed to resist corrosion or damage from impact. This vacuum also comes with a large drain port, which makes it easier to empty your vacuum when you’ve used your shop vac to clean up wet messes. The VacMaster Beast Shop-Vac comes with a 7ft hose that has a 2 ½ Inch hose diameter, which makes it easier to clean up large objects. This shop-vac also comes with extra cleaning tools such as two extension wands, floor nozzles w/ squeegee brushes, fine dust filter cartridge, air and noise diffuser for quieter use. One of the things that we like about the VacMaster Professional Beast Shop-Vac is that it comes with a flat-top design. This design makes it easier for you to use the top of your vacuum as a resting place for the tools that you’re using for your project so that they can be quickly accessed when you need them.
Features: High-Capacity, Durable Shop-Vac; 7ft Hose with 2 ½ Inch Hose Diameter; Combination of Extra Cleaning Tools; Fine Dust Filter Switch and Filter; 5-Year Warranty from VacMaster; One of the Best Shop Vacs for Woodworking
Dimensions: 19.8 x 19.8 x 23.8 inches
Price: $124
4. Ridgid 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
One of the Best Shop Vacs for Car Cleaning
If you’re looking for an industrial-grade wet/dry vacuum to help clean up your workplace, then you’ll want to take a look at the Ridgid 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum. This vacuum is rugged and durable while being easy to use while cleaning. The Ridgid 16-Gallon Wet/Dry vacuum features a two-stage motor that provides a high level of suction while ensuring that there’s efficient airflow. It also comes with a sturdy pushcart with large rear wheels so that it can be pushed through debris. The Ridgid 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum comes with an 8ft hose that has a diameter of 2.5 inches so that you can clean up larger objects. It’s also compatible with the Ridgid Dust Bags and HEPA filters, which can be used to collect fine dust and other allergens. One of the things that we like about the Ridgid 16-Gallon wet/dry vacuum is that it comes with Scroll Noise Reduction Technology. This feature is designed to make the vacuum quieter while you’re operating it so that there’s less noise around the workplace.
Features: Industrial Grade Vacuum; 8ft Hose with 2.5 Inch Diameter; Includes Tools and Accessories; Noise Reduction Technology; Lifetime Warranty by Ridgid; One of the Best Shop Vacs under $200
Dimensions: 20.00 x 20.00 x 25.00 inches
Price: $294
5. VacMaster Pro HEPA Certified Shop Vac
The Best HEPA Shop Vac
When you’re cleaning up fine dust, then you’ll want a vacuum cleaner that has multiple filters so that you can collect the fine dust. One of the best shop vacs for removing fine dust is the VacMaster Pro HEPA Certified Shop-Vac. The VacMaster Pro HEPA Shop-Vac features an industrial two-stage motor that provides better suction and lowers noise while prolonging the life of the vacuum. It also comes with a poly container that’s resistant to damage and corrosion while being able to hold up to 8-gallons of debris or garbage. The VacMaster Pro Shop-Vac comes with a certified HEPA filter system that’s able to remove up to 99% of the dust and allergens that are in the air. This means that if you’re cleaning up fine dust in your workplace, then you’ll want to use this shop vac. One of the things that we like about the VacMaster Pro Shop-Vac is that it comes with a 10ft hose that’s crushproof, which makes it easier for you to clean areas that are above your head without having to pull around your vacuum because your hose is too short.
Features: Industrial Grade Wet/Dry Vacuum; 10ft Hose with 1.5 Inch Hose Diameter; 4 Stages of Dust Filtration; Includes Tools and Accessories; 1-Year Warranty from VacMaster; Great Shop Vac for Dust Collection
Dimensions: 12.00 x 19.00 x 12.00 inches
Price: $188
6. Craftsman 16-Gallon Shop Vac
The Best Shop Vac for Home Use
If you’re looking for a wet/dry vacuum that’s ideal for general purpose cleaning, then you’ll want to take a look at the Craftsman 16-Gallon wet/dry vacuum. This is one of the best shop vacs for general cleaning and can be relied upon whenever you need to clean your workplace. The Craftsman 16-Gallon wet/dry vacuum features a 6.5 HP motor that’s able to provide strong suction and cleaning power. It also comes with a poly container that’s able to hold up to 16-gallons of garbage and debris. This Craftsman Vacuum comes with a 7ft hose with a 2.5-inch hose diameter so that you’re able to clean up large piles of debris. The hose is also designed to be kink-resistant so that your hose doesn’t get ruined while cleaning. One of the things that we love about the Craftsman 16-gallon wet/dry vacuum is that it comes with a combination of cleaning tools such as two extension hoses, car cleaning nozzle, wet nozzle, and a utility nozzle which allows you to clean any workplace with ease.
Features: General Purpose Vacuum; 7ft Hose with 2.5 Inch Diameter; Includes Tools and Accessories; Kink-Resistant Hoses; Built-In Drain for Liquid Clean-up; Great Shop-Vac for Water Extraction
Dimensions: 21.03 x 23.80 x 26.70 inches
Price: $150
7. Ridgid 4-Gallon Portable Tool Box Vac
The Best Portable Shop Vac
When you’re working in a smaller area, you’ll want a smaller wet/dry vacuum so that you can clean up smaller messes and keep your workspace clean. One of the best small shop vacs is the Ridgid 4-Gallon Portable Shop-Vac. The Ridgid Portable Tool Box Shop-Vac features a 5 HP Engine that provides enough suction and cleaning power for many workplaces. It also comes with a poly box that can resist damage while holding up to 4-gallons of debris and garbage. The Ridgid Tool Box Shop-Vac comes with a rugged body that’s compact and measures around 15 inches from off the ground. It also comes with an ergonomic handle, which makes it easier for you to carry the vacuum around your workplace. One of the things that we love about this wet/dry vacuum is that it comes with a lifetime warranty that’s backed by Ridgid. With this warranty, you’ll be protected from manufacturer defects or any issues that you may have with your machine.
Features: Durable, Smaller Vacuum; 8ft Hose with 1 ⅞ Inch Diameter; Ergonomic Handle for Easy Carry; Includes Tools for Cleaning; Lifetime Warranty by Ridgid; Great Shop-Vac for Car Detailing
Dimensions: 19.00 x 15.00 x 16.50 inches
Price: $190
8. Ridgid 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vac
The Best Industrial Shop Vac
Another shop vac by Ridgid is their 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vac, which is built to last and remains affordable for many job sites. If you need a wet/dry vacuum that you can depend on then, you’ll want to use the Ridgid 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop-Vac. The Ridgid 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vac features a 5 HP motor that’s able to provide more than enough suction for you to clean up your job site. It also comes with a heavy-duty poly container that’s resistant to damage and can hold up to 12-gallons of garbage and debris. The Ridgid 12-gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vac comes with an 8ft hose that has a diameter of 2.5 inches, which means that you’ll be able to pick up large piles of debris. This wet/dry vacuum also comes with 360-degree rotating wheels, which makes it easier for you to roll your vacuum around your workplace. When you’re cleaning up your worksite, you’ll want to make sure that your shop vac comes with a filter system. With this wet/dry vacuum, you’ll be able to use the Ridgid Dust Bag and Filter System, which means that you’ll be able to collect fine dust.
Features: High-Capacity Wet/Dry Vacuum; 8ft Hose with 2.5 Inch Diameter; Compatible with Ridgid HEPA Filters; Built-In Noise Reduction; Lifetime Warranty by Ridgid; Great for Industrial Cleaning
Dimensions: 17.75 x 17.75 x 24.13 inches
Price: $248
9. Stanley 6-Gallon Shop Vac
The Best Shop Vac for Drywall Dust
If you want one of the best shop vacs for cleaning your garage or home, then you’ll want to take a look at the Stanley 6-Gallon Shop-Vac. This vacuum is affordable and provides a lot of quality for the price that you’ll be paying. The Stanley 6-Gallon Shop-Vac features a poly container that can resist damage while being able to hold up to 6 gallons of debris and garbage. It also comes with roller wheels, which makes it easier for you to move your wet/dry vacuum while cleaning. This Stanley Shop Vac comes with a 6ft hose that has a diameter of 1.25 inches, which makes it ideal for home and renovations. It also comes with a 10ft power cord, which allows you to clean more areas without having to plug in your vacuum. One of the things that we love about the Stanley Shop Vac is that they include a lot of cleaning tools such as an extension wand, crevice nozzles for smaller spaces, reusable filtration system, floor nozzle and gulper nozzle.
Features: Durable Shop-Vac for Home; 6ft Hose with 1.25-Inch Hose Diameter; Great for Drywall Dust; Built-In Drain for Removing Water; 1-Year Warranty by Stanley; Easy to Use and Clean
Dimensions: 12.5 x 12.5 x 20 inches
Price: $70
How to Choose the Best Shop-Vac – Buying Guide
If you’re trying to decide which wet/dry vacuum to get for your home or worksite, then we’ll try to help you find the right one for your needs. While it’s difficult for us to tell you which product is the best shop vac for you because every reader has different needs, we can show you what to look for when you’re buying a shop vacuum.
In this section, we’re going to take a look at the features you’ll want to look for when you’re choosing a shop-vac. With this buying guide, we hope to help you make an educated buying decision and choose the best vacuum for your cleaning needs.
Here are some of the things to look for when choosing a wet/dry vacuum.
1. High-Capacity, Dirt Bowl
Before you choose a shop vac, you’ll want to take a look at the capacity of the dirt bowl to ensure that you have a vacuum cleaner that’s the right size for you. If you get a shop-vac that’s too small, then it can become frustrating for you because you’ll always need to empty your wet/dry vacuum.
If you’re trying to choose the best shop vac, you’ll want to make sure that you buy a vacuum that’s slightly larger than your needs so that you’ll always have more than enough room for cleaning up your mess.
We would recommend that you choose a vacuum that’s 2 gallons larger than you’ll need so that you have more than enough room. You’ll find that the extra capacity will make it easier for you to clean up your workplace without having to battle your tools.
2. Hose Dimensions
When you’re choosing the best shop vac, you’ll want to take a look at the dimensions of the hose so that you can ensure that you’re selecting the right vacuum cleaner. If the hose is too small, then it can cause a lot of problems when you’re cleaning.
You’ll want to take a look at the length of the hose to ensure that the hose isn’t too short for your cleanup jobs. If the hose is too short, then you’ll find that you need to carry around your shop vac so that you can clean your workspace.
If you’ve found a vacuum that has a long hose, you’ll want to take a look at the diameter of the hose to ensure that it’s wide enough for cleaning. If the hose is too narrow, then you’ll find that objects get stuck in the hose and can cause a blockage.
3. Portability
One of the things that you’ll want to look for when you’re picking a wet/dry vacuum is the portability of the shop-vac. If your shop vac isn’t portable, then you’ll find that it’s frustrating to use and can make it challenging to complete a simple cleanup task.
If you’re looking for the best shop vac, you’ll want to make sure that the vacuum comes with a good set of wheels so that you can roll your vacuum around the floor. When you’re working in rugged construction, then you’ll want a wet/dry vacuum with large rear wheels, which make it easier for your vacuum to get through piles of debris.
You’ll also want to make sure that your wet/dry vacuum can be carried around with ease and isn’t too bulky or heavy. If your shop-vac is challenging to carry around, then you’ll find that you won’t want to use it as often as you should, which makes it pointless to own a high-quality shop-vac.
4. Cleaning Power
Another feature that you’ll want in your wet/dry vacuum is the ability to clean up the piles of debris that you have around your workplace. After all, if your wet/dry vacuum isn’t able to clean up debris, then there’s little sense in owning a shop vac.
While it’s difficult to test out a wet/dry vacuum to ensure that it has good cleaning power, you can always take a look at the amount of HorsePower that the wet/dry vacuum has in the motor to ensure that there’s a lot of cleaning power under the hood of your vacuum.
5. Extra Cleaning Tools
When you’re choosing a wet/dry vacuum, you’ll want to find a vacuum that comes with the cleaning tools that you need to clean up your workspace. If your wet/dry vacuum doesn’t come with the right cleaning tools, then you’ll find that it’s more challenging to clean your worksite, and it may even take more time to clean your workspace.
If you’re picking a shop vac, you’ll want to ensure that it comes with cleaning tools such as extension wands for better reach, crevice tools for corners, water cleaning head, a car cleaning nozzle and a utility nozzle. While there are many other tools that you can use, these are some of the essential tools that should be included in your shop vacuum.
6. Filtration System
One of the things that you’ll want in a shop vac is a reliable filter system so that you can get rid of the dust and allergens that are in your workspace. If you’re working in an area that has a lot of dust, then a filter system is an essential feature for your shop vac.
We would recommend that you find a vacuum that comes with a HEPA filter or is compatible with a HEPA filter system. This is because the HEPA filters are designed to remove over 99% of the fine dust and allergens that are in the air, which makes it ideal for clearing the air in your workspace.
7. Noise Reduction Technology
If you work in a busy construction site, then you’ll want a vacuum cleaner that comes with a noise reduction feature so that your cleanup crew isn’t adding unnecessary noise to the job site. With noise reduction technology, you’ll ensure that your workers stay safe because you’ll be helping them stay alert by reducing the noise around them.
When you’re using a wet/dry vacuum for your personal use, then you may want the noise reduction technology so that you don’t hurt your ears with the noise. By reducing the noise, you’ll also ensure that you can work in your garage without annoying your neighbours with the loud noise of your vacuum cleaner.
8. Warranty
Once you’ve found the perfect shop vac for your cleaning needs, you’ll want to ensure that the vacuum comes with a warranty. The warranty will protect you as a buyer and ensure that you’re covered if your vacuum has a defect or any issues.
We would recommend that your wet/dry vacuum comes with a warranty of over a year so that you can get a lot of use out of your vacuum. Also, if a company is willing to stand behind its product with a long-term warranty, then you can be sure that the product is built to last.
9. Price
If you’ve been looking for a wet/dry vacuum, you’ll notice that there’s a wide price range when it comes to the different models of wet/dry vacuums that you can use. Before you go shopping for a wet/dry vacuum, you’ll want to ensure that you set a budget for your purchase.
By setting a budget, you’ll ensure that you don’t spend outside of your price range while finding a vacuum that’s high-quality and well priced. When you set a budget, it’ll be easier for you to choose a vacuum cleaner because it’ll eliminate all of the vacuums that are outside of your price range.
Best Shop Vacs – FAQs
While we were writing this article, we found that there were a lot of questions that were being asked about wet/dry vacuums. In this section, we’re going to take a look at some of the frequently asked questions about wet/dry vacuums.
Here are some of the FAQs about Shop Vacuums.
Are All Shop Vacs Wet and Dry?
Yes. Unless a wet/dry vacuum states explicitly that it isn’t a wet/dry shop vac, then you can use it to clean up a wet mess or for dry cleanup tasks. You’ll find that almost all shop vacuums can be used to clean up wet/dry mess.
What is a Shop Vac Used for?
A shop vac is a special type of vacuum cleaner that can be used for rugged cleanup tasks. Many wet/dry vacuums are used on construction sites, renovations and cleaning up larger piles of debris in your car or garage.
How Much Horsepower does my Shop-Vac need?
The amount of horsepower that’s in a vac will vary between models. However, the higher amount of horsepower will mean that your vac has more power to clean up larger piles of debris.
Should I remove the filter before vacuuming water?
When you’re cleaning up dry surfaces, you’ll want your filter to ensure that you don’t have any dust. If you’re cleaning up water with your wet/dry vacuum, then you’ll want to remove the filter so that you don’t ruin it.
Can a Shop-Vac Clean Up Dirt?
If you have a wet/dry vacuum, then you can use it to clean up the dirt. A wet/dry vacuum is designed to clean up large piles of debris, and so dirt won’t hurt it at all.
Summary – Best Shop Vac 2025
We hope that this article has helped you find the right shop vac for your home or workplace. If you’re still unsure about which one is the best for you, then you’ll want to analyze your cleaning needs and then choose one that comes with the features that you can use.
Always remember to find a shop vacuum that comes with a warranty so that you can be protected from defects or issues. You’ll also want to set a budget before buying so that you can find the best shop vac within your price range.
