15 Best Wet Dry Vacuums: Reviews & Buying Guide

Last Updated on March 8, 2022

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A normal vacuum has no problem cleaning up dry messes, whether it’s at your job site, workshop, garage, or in your home.

But when your cleanups involve liquid spills, automotive debris, or heavier household waste, you need a wet/dry vac that can get the job done.

There are many wet/dry vacuum cleaners out there that may seem ideal at first glance. But it’s hard to tell if it is the best choice unless you do a little research.

So, our top 15 selections took into account all the important features you would want a wet/dry vacuum to have.

Quick Comparison

If you don’t have time to read the complete article, here are our top picks.

15 Best Wet Dry Vacuums of 2022

Ryobi One+ Wet Dry Cordless Vacuum – Best Overall

Introducing the overall best wet/dry vac, the Ryobi One+ wet/dry vacuums. This wet/dry vac is a cordless unit that is powered by a Ryobi 18-volt battery pack and is perfect for home improvement.

Key Features:

• 1Powered by 18-volt battery
• 6-gallon capacity
• Removable top
• 80 CFM air volume
• Cartridge style filter

Product Description:

This is a cordless vacuum that is powered by a Ryobi strong 18-volt battery that is easy to install and helps deliver a remarkable air volume of 80 CFM.

The heavy-duty construction of the wet/dry vacuums features two huge wheels on the sides, two casters, and a top handle for easy maneuverability and transport.

There is a cartridge style filter inside the six-gallon canister for trapping dust during dry vacuuming. You can easily remove the filter when doing wet vacuuming.

But the thing is, this wet/dry vac is sold without the battery pack. You have to secure your own battery, which increases the overall cost of these entire wet/dry vacuums.

Conclusion:

The Ryobi One+ wet/dry vac does not only offer you cordless performance, but also a convenient accessory pack for all your cleaning requirements.

Craftsman CMXEVBE17596 Wet Dry Vacuum – Largest Gallon Capacity

Are you looking for the best solution for tackling extra-large cleanups in your home, garage, or workshop? Look no further than the Craftsman CMXEVBE17596 wet/dry vac and is perfect for home improvement.

Key Features:

• Extra-large 20-gallon capacity
• 6.5 hp motor
• Built-in blower port
• Oversized built-in drain
• Durable casters and carry handle

Product Description:

This heavy-duty wet/dry vac is powered by a 6.5 hp motor, which is great because it generates a very powerful suction for all your cleaning requirements.

What will take your breath away as far as the design goes is the 20-gallon canister. You can do lots of vacuuming for an extended duration before you think of emptying the container.

These wet/dry vacuums also feature a built-in blowing port that adds versatility by directing high-speed exhaust air via the hose for blasting debris from your workshop or garage.

The only major issue with these wet/dry vacuums is that may possibly cause you headaches in the future is finding replacement parts, especially the cartridge style filter.

Conclusion:

The Craftsman CMXEVBE17596 wet/dry vacuums are the vacs to look for when you have some serious cleaning to do whether at home or at your job site. The 20-gallon capacity is more than enough.

Tacklife PVC01B Wet Dry vacuum – Best Multi-Functional Brush

Introducing the Tacklife PVC01B wet/dry vacuums, a high performing wet/dry vac that comes equipped with the best multi-functional brush for all your cleaning needs and is perfect for home improvement.

Key Features:

• These wet/dry vacuums are Powered by a 1200-watt motor multi-functional brush
• These wet/dry vacuums have a 4-gallon capacity
• Convenient wind speed adjustment settings
• 6.56-foot hose length
• Accessory pack included

Product Description:

These wet/dry vacuums have 3-in-1 functionality, which is great because you can use it for suctioning liquid messes, picking up dirt and debris, and even blow out the dust in tight spaces.

The heavy-duty 1200-watt motor with a peak horsepower of 4.5 generates superior power for effective cleaning of messes.

You will really appreciate the ingenious design of the multi-functional brush, considering how easy it is to switch from dry to wet vacuum by installing the appropriate attachment.

There are a few possible challenges to expect with this model. First, the hose may not be long enough for some users. Second, finding replacement filters might be a headache.

Conclusion:

This is a multipurpose vacuum that you can use to clean your car, floors, garage, and even workshop. Not to mention that it offers a smooth transition from one function to another

Dewalt DXV06P 4HP Wet Dry Vacuum – Best Built-In Blower Function

Introducing the Dewalt DXV06P 4HP Wet Dry Vacuum, a heavy-duty cleaning machine for your home. It has a portable six-gallon capacity that’s suitable for all your small cleanups.

Key Features:

• Wet, dry, and blow functions
• 6-gallon capacity
• 4 peak hp motor
• 360-degree rotation casters
• 10-foot long cord

Product Description:

This model is powered by a heavy-duty motor, which is a great feature because it generates industry-leading suction power for effective cleaning and is perfect for home improvement.

The creative design of the vacuum features a lift-up lid connected to the motor, a washable cartridge style filter, and the canister. These parts are easy to disassemble for ease of use.

This is a highly flexible unit thanks to the durable rubberized casters, which swivel 360 degrees for smooth movement from one surface to the other.

But there is one specific design flaw that you should know about. The ring that you insert the hose into is made of plastic and it’s a little bit thinner; so, it can break easily.

Conclusion:

The Dewalt DXV06P is a great vacuum cleaner for cleaning your home and garage. And it comes with very resourceful attachments, such as a crevice utility nozzle.

Vacmaster Professional Portable Wet Dry Vacuum – Best Water-Lift Motor

Introducing the Vac Vacmaster Professional, a portable vacuum that is engineered to handle the toughest jobs on the go. It offers reliable maneuverability and versatility and is perfect for home improvement.

Key Features:

• Peak hp motor
• 1.5-foot cord length
• 5-gallon wet cleaning capacity
• Features a built-in blower port
• Tangle-free and flexible hose

Product Description:

The vacuum is powered by a high-performance motor (5.5 peak horsepower), which produces powerful suction with an impressive air volume for superior cleaning.

It comes with a rugged polypropylene canister that is impact and corrosion resistant as well as a large dust seal switch that ensures the top is secured properly. You can also find this at home depot.

The vacuum also comes with convenient features for easy use and maintenance, including integrated hose storage and quick release cord storage.

But this unit has a few significant downsides. For instance, the hose is likely to get loose during heavy use, and it doesn’t have casters or wheels for easy movement.

Conclusion:

The Vacmaster Professional delivers decent suction power for all your tough cleaning jobs. It also has convenient onboard storage for attachments and hose.

Dewalt DCV517B Portable Wet Dry Vacuum – Most Portable Design

Have you been looking for an extremely portable vacuum cleaner that comes with unique features? Look no further than the Dewalt DCV517B.

Key Features:

• Portable cordless design
• HEPA media filter
• 1/2 gallon capacity
• Dual cleaning modes
• Large on/off switch

Product Description:

The Dewalt DCV517B is a super lightweight vacuum that offers extreme portability and versatility for small, quick cleanups and is perfect for home improvement.

This handy vacuum is equipped with an ergonomically designed handle, which is great because it allows for consistent hand placement without straining.

Another great feature that comes with the Dewalt DCV517B is the wet/dry vac with HEPA filter that is creatively made for trapping up to 99.97 percent of the dust.

But beware, you can so easily receive a used vacuum, which might have a number of design issues such as a loose hose or a leaking collection bin.

Conclusion:

The Dewalt DCV517B offers you cordless convenience for all your small cleanup jobs. But make sure you confirm that the model you receive is a new one.

Dewalt DCV581H Wet Dry Cordless Vacuum – Best Corded/Cordless Design

Introducing the Dewalt DCV581H, a high performing cordless vacuum that is engineered for vacuum cleaning. This unit has on-board storage for easy and quick transport.

Key Features:

• Runs on 18/20 volt battery pack
• Can be used as corded or cordless
• HEPA media filter
• Two-gallon capacity
• On-board storage for hose and accessories

Product Description:

The Dewalt DCV581H is powered by an 18/20 volt Dewalt battery pack that generates more than enough suction for cleaning after small messes in your house, garage, or workshop.

What makes this model even better is the cordless design, which is good because you can go with it almost anywhere since it isn’t permanently tethered by a cord.

Even though the 20-volt battery pack offers a decent runtime of about 20 minutes, it is still nice to have the corded option on the same design for when you need extended runtime and is perfect for home improvement.

But folks, the Dewalt DCV581H is not the most powerful choice in its price range. So, don’t expect it to deliver the most powerful suction for those thick messes.

Conclusion:

The Dewalt DCV581H delivers good vacuuming performance for small messes, and the corded/cordless design makes it a very versatile and reliable unit.

Workshop WS1600VA Wet Dry Vacuum – Best Design for Wet Vacuuming

Introducing the Workshop WS1600VA Wet Dry Vacuum, which has a remarkable 16 gallon capacity for the largest wet jobs.

Key Features:

• 6.5 peak hp
• 16-gallon capacity
• HEPA media cartridge-style filter
• Integrated blower and large drain port
• Onboard storage

Product Description:

The 265 air watts and 6.5 peak horsepower of the Workshop WS1600VA provide you with the powerful suction you need for your most demanding jobs.

This model is equipped with a convenient top handle and rugged casters, which are good features because they allow for superior mobility and maneuverability.

The lid quickly and effortlessly detaches from the barrel when you want to change the quick lock HEPA filter, which snaps in and out of place without the need for tools.

But the thing is, you can easily receive a used or defective Workshop WS1600VA that is incapable of sealing in the dust. Also, you can receive a model with a missing filter.

Conclusion:

This model has one of the longest-lasting motors in the industry. This means you should expect years of service from a brand new Workshop WS1600VA.

Milwaukee 0880-20 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum – Best Battery Life

Have you been looking for a vacuum that is engineered to tackle the tumble and rough conditions of your workshop or home? Look no further than the Milwaukee 0880-20.

Key Features:

• Powered by 18-volt battery
• Two-gallon capacity
• Functions as a vacuum/blower
• Comes with a HEPA media filter
• The stackable toolbox design

Product Description:

These wet/dry vacs feature a powerful motor that is powered by an 18-volt battery, which is good because it provides strong airflow and suction for superior cleaning.

The Milwaukee 0880-20 wet/dry vacs are compatible with the red lithium compact as well as the XC high capacity battery pack for increased productivity.

The toolbox design, convenient top handle, and onboard storage allow for easy storage and transport from one place to another.

There are only two disappointments as far as these wet/dry vacs are concerned. First, the design doesn’t have casters or wheels for added flexibility. Second, comes with few attachments.

Conclusion:

The Milwaukee 0880-20 wet/dry vacs are a high performing cordless vacuum that guarantees you decent runtime and power for all your cleaning jobs.

Stanley SL18115 Wet Dry Vacuum – Best Adjustable Vac Wand

Introducing the Stanley SL18115 Wet Dry Vacuum, a high performing model that delivers industry-leading performance in cleaning dry and wet messes.

Key Features:

• 5-gallon capacity
• 4 peak hp
• 3 extension wands
• 3-in-1 functionality
• 10-foot cord
• 5-foot hose length

Product Description:

The Stanley SL18115 wet/dry vacs are powered by a 4 peak hp, which is great because it produces superior airflow and power for cleaning debris and liquid spills.

These wet/dry vacs feature heavy-duty aluminum construction, an ergonomic top handle, and strong casters for durability, easy lifting, and superior maneuverability from one surface to another.

With a 10-foot cord, 5-foot hose, and 3 extension wands, it’s easier for you to clean hard to reach places. Furthermore, the provided crevice tool improves your reach to tight spaces.

These wet/dry vacs can be a better investment if it has a larger tank capacity. Also, there is a chance of receiving a model with defective parts, such as a hole on the hose. We feel this is best overall in terms of performance.

Conclusion:

These amazing wet/dry vacs are ideal for cleaning of small messes. It is also suitable for cars, garages, workshops, and outdoor cleaning.

Bissell Garage Pro Wet Dry Vacuum – Best Garage Vacuum

Introducing the Bissell Garage Pro Wet Dry Vacuum, one of the most equipped vacuum cleaners for dealing with all the messes in your garage.

Key Features:

• Powered by a 12-amp motor
• Wall-mountable design
• Integrated with a blower port
• 32-foot long hose
• Bagless vacuum design
• 4-gallon capacity

Product Description:

You can mount these wet/dry vacs to one of the walls of your garage, which offers convenient storage and no more dragging or pulling of the entire unit when cleaning.

It comes with a 32-foot long hose, which is great because you can easily access hard to reach places in your garage without removing the machine from the wall.

Another great feature is the inclusion of seven resourceful attachments for cleaning inside your car, carpeting, and bare floors. You also get an accessory bag for storage.

But the thing is guys, the brand may fail to honor their warranty when you buy this product from a third-party. So, just keep that in mind in case the unit malfunctions.

Conclusion:

These 12-amp wet/dry vacs were engineered to make all your garage cleaning jobs easy. Not to mention that it comes with seven attachments that make the cleaning process even easier.

Shop-Vac 5895400 All-Around EZ Wet Dry Vacuum – Best Wall Mount

Get the convenience of a handheld wet/dry shop vacuum at a very budget-friendly price point with the best wet/ dry Shop-Vac 5895400 All-Around EZ Wet Dry Vacuum.

Key Features:

• This wet/dry shop vacuum comes with a 4.5 peak hp
• The shop vacuum comes with an 18-foot power cord length
• Shop vacuums Handheld design makes it easy to transport
• Wall mountable shop vacuum and features extension wands
• This shop vacuum features an Onboard tool storage

Product Description:

The Shop-Vac vacuum features a powerful 4.5 peak hp motor, which generates strong suction and airflow for quick as well as effective cleanup of your small messes.

The design weighs roughly thirteen pounds, making it lightweight and portable. So, you can carry the shop vac vacuum upstairs from room to room without straining.

This shop vac vacuum comes with important accessories, including a 7-foot long hose, extension wands, floor nozzles, crevice tool, gulper utility nozzle, round brush, foam sleeve, filter bag, and, wall mount bracket.

But the thing is, the provided filter bag of this shop vac vacuum is cheaply made and the shop vac vacuum can easily burst when slightly full, spreading dust all over the place. We feel this is the best wet/dry shop vac out there.

Conclusion:

This wall-mountable Shop-vac vacuum is packed with unique features and superior suction for cleaning small messes. But the manufacturer should produce more rugged filter bags.

Also Read: How to Use Shop-Vac for Water?

Tacklife PVC01A 5 Gallon Wet Dry Vacuum – Best Top Handle Design

Are you looking for a high-performance motor that produces strong suction for quick and effective cleanups? Look no further than the Tacklife PVC01A 5 Gallon Wet Dry Vacuum.

Key Features:

• 5.5 peak hp motor
• 5-gallon capacity
• 17-foot long power cord
• 360-degree swiveling casters
• Reusable filter

Product Description:

The Tacklife PVC01A is powered by a heavy-duty 100 watt and 5.5 peak hp that generates superior suction and air volume for reliable cleanups of dry and wet messes.

This vacuum comes equipped with a 17-foot power cord and four sets of casters that swivel 360 degrees for increased coverage and easy maneuverability.

The top lid snaps out easily to expose the multiple filtering systems made up of a special foam filter for wet messes and a washable cartridge filter for trapping dust.

But beware, folks, finding replacement filters for the Tacklife PVC01A may be almost too impossible. You might have to resort to other brand filters.

Conclusion:

This Tacklife vacuum does exactly what it is engineered to do. Its unique accessories make it reliable and convenient. But it doesn’t come with paper dust bags.

Porter Cable PCX18301-4B Wet Dry Vacuum – Best Value for the Money

Introducing the Porter Cable PCX18301-4B Wet Dry Vac, the complete system for your small cleaning needs in your home.

Key Features:

• 4 peak hp
• 4-gallon capacity
• Swiveling casters
• Wide stainless steel base
• 15-foot power cord

Product Description:

The unit features a 4 peak horsepower motor, which is good because it means it can generate strong suction and superior airflow for all your cleaning needs.

It has a large on/off switch at the top of the lid. The hose locks quickly into the vacuum port. The lid separates easily from the tank for easy access to the filters.

The Porter-Cable PCX18301-4B is fitted with four sets of casters, which swivel 360 degrees, allowing you to move the unit in any direction during cleaning.

But like most inexpensive wet/dry vac, this model has a considerably short hose length and extension hoses are ridiculously costly.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a wet/dry vacuum with a reasonable price point for cleaning your small messes. Look no further than the Porter-Cable PCX18301-4B.

Makita XCV11Z Wet Dry Cordless Vacuum – Best Brushless Motor

Have you been looking for a cordless unit that offers improved tool performance as well as extended battery life? Try out the Makita XCV11Z Wet Dry Cordless Vacuum.

Key Features:

• Powered by Makita 18V Li-ion battery
• Features a brushless motor
• Comes with a HEPA media filter
• Onboard storage
• Two-speed push button

Product Description:

The Makita XCV11Z wet/dry vac is powered by an 18-volt LXT Li-ion battery, which is great because it can offer you a good runtime of up to one hour.

You will really appreciate the use of a brushless motor, given the fact that it doesn’t use carbon brushes. So, the motor is capable of running cooler as well as more efficiently.

This wet/dry vac also comes with a HEPA media filter for trapping all dust particles in order to improve air quality during cleaning, especially for allergy sufferers.

But the thing is guys, the suction and airflow produced by the Makita XCV11Z wet/dry vac isn’t for cleaning big messes, just the small ones.

Conclusion:

The Makita XCV11Z wet/dry vac is an incredible portable cordless wet and dry vacuum that is best suited for cleanups of small messes.

Buying Guide

Most of us wouldn’t know how to get along without a vacuum cleaner. There is a model for every purpose ranging from small to big units.

There are some cleanup jobs; however, that even the most powerful household vacuums can’t handle.

Picking up liquid messes and heavy debris can easily damage an ordinary vacuum.

For those jobs, you need a dedicated, high capacity machine. By far, the most versatile type of machine is a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.

Here are the various factors we considered when selecting the best wet/dry vacuums:

Type of Cleanup Job

The larger the cleanup job the bigger and more powerful the wet/dry vacuum you will need in terms of peak horsepower and gallon capacity.

If you are planning to use this wet/dry vac at a job site, you will need a wet-dry vacuum with a lot of power. Basically, you will need a machine with at least a 4 horsepower motor.

Small household wet and dry cleanups would be easy with a machine with 1 to 2 horsepower or more, depending on your budget.

But there is a problem with the word “horsepower” because some manufacturers tend to mislead consumers with some unrealistic horsepower ratings.

There are some household wet/dry vacuums that are advertised with 4 peak horsepower motors. But it’s impossible to get 4HP out of a 120-volt 15-amp residential circuit.

With a residential setup, you have a theoretical 1800 watts to work with. 1 horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts. So, the most you can expect is around 2.4 horsepower.

Style of Vacuum

There are two main styles of wet/dry vacuums: upright and canister. Upright styles are not that popular, and only a few brands manufacture them, such as Bissell and shark.

The upright wet/dry vacuums design is more comfortable to use in the sense that there are no hoses to carry around when cleaning. Just pass these wet/dry vacuums on top of the mess and it will do the rest.

But upright wet/dry vacuums will not do you any good when cleaning large wet messes. Simply because they have limited capacity.

Canister vacuums are the best for everything wet and dry vacuuming. The first thing that makes a wet-dry canister vacuum important is the larger capacity.

Most small models have a capacity of 2 to 5 gallons, while the biggest and most robust units may have a capacity of up to 20 gallons.

A larger gallon capacity is always better, but it’s also wise to choose what you exactly need for your cleanup job.

Versatile Attachments

Folks! A wet/dry vacuum cleaner is no good without versatile attachments.

You must always choose those wet/dry vacuums that comes fully equipped with all the accessories you need, including:

• Hose attachment and extension wands
• Crevice nozzle
• Bristle tool
• Gulper nozzle
• Squeegee tool
• Upholstery tool and brush
• Carpet tool
• Dusting

These accessories will ensure the effective cleaning of both dry and wet messes. Also, consider wet/dry vacuums with onboard storage for neat organization of accessories and easy transportation.

Conclusion

Our winner for this roundup is the Ryobi One+ Wet Dry Vacuum cleaner. This cordless machine does exactly what it is engineered to do.

Its cordless design and 6 gallons capacity make it the perfect choice for household chores, especially when cleaning small dry and wet messes, and is perfect to clean around the house.

If you have a larger cleanup job, such as a job site or a bigger workshop. You should consider our runners up, the Craftsman CMXEVBE17596 Wet Dry Vacuum.

These wet/dry vacuums have one of the largest capacities of 20 gallons, which is more than enough for the largest cleanup jobs. It is also fitted with an oversized drain for emptying wet messes.