The best Shop Vacs are indeed worth chasing. These vacuum cleaners are powerful and ideal for light to heavy-duty cleaning jobs. Let me tell you that most of the units crafted by Shop-Vac are wet/dry vacuums. Hence, they are suitable for dealing with solid and liquid residues. They can also tackle large debris due to their high-powered suctions.
Table of Contents
Best Shop Vacs
| Product Link | Motor | Power Rating | Capacity |
| Shop-Vac 5989300 5-Gallon 4.5 Peak HP Stainless Steel Wet Dry Vacuum | 4.5 HP | 120 Volts | 5 Gallons |
| Shop-Vac 2021000 Micro Wet/Dry Vacuum | 1 HP | 120 Volts | 1 Gallon |
| Shop-Vac 5895200 2.5-Peak Horsepower All-around EZ Series Wet/Dry Vacuum | 2.5 HP | 120 Volts | 2.5 Gallons |
| Shop-Vac Contractor Canister Vacuum Cleaner | 5.5 HP | 120 Volts | 12 Gallons |
| Shop-Vac 9621210 Professional Commercial Duty Vacuum | 6.5 HP | 120 Volts | 12 Gallons |
1. Shop-Vac 5989300 5-Gallon 4.5 Peak HP Stainless Steel Wet Dry Vacuum
The first Shop-Vac that I want to introduce is the Shop-Vac 5989300. It is a portable but durable unit that features a 5-gallon stainless steel tank. It is a rugged machine that suits for home and light industrial use. It comes with a 4.5-HP peak horsepower motor that gives it the capability to have a stable suction power.
Moreover, the Shop-Vac 5989300 is portable and easy to move. The base is equipped with heavy-duty wheels, while its top has a handle that allows you to lift it comfortably. All the essential cleaning accessories, such as extension wands, gulper nozzle, and crevice tools, are already available on its package. Hence, you can never question its versatility.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty construction
- Strong suction power
- Complete with the essential cleaning attachments
- Dirt tank is durable and easy to maintain
- Comes with on-board storage for its accessories
Cons:
- Power cord is somewhat short
2. Shop-Vac 2021000 Micro Wet/Dry Vacuum
This small unit has a monstrous power that can deal with various cleaning needs in your home or workshop. It is one of the smallest Shop-Vac units out there, which enables you to use it comfortably. It has the maneuverability that is akin to portable handheld vacuum cleaners. The 1-HP motor of this unit gives it the suction power that it needs to deal with both solid and liquid residues.
The versatility of the Shop-Vac 2021000 is also impressive. It has various cleaning accessories so that you can work with any type of dirt and debris. Interestingly, this wet/dry vacuum cleaner is wall-mounted, thanks to its compact size. There are wall brackets included in its package that you can use for this purpose.
Pros:
- No parts are flimsy
- Features a decent suction power
- Comes with a collapsible handle
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Motor is durable
Cons:
- Slightly noisy for its size
3. Shop-Vac 5895200 2.5-Peak Horsepower All-around EZ Series Wet/Dry Vacuum
The quality of the Shop-Vac 5895200 is something that you can’t whittle. It is a compact unit but drives enough suction power, thanks to its 2.5-HP motor. In fact, it has the strength that is comparable to some full-sized vacuum cleaners. The device also comes with a 2.5-gallon tank so that it can store as much as dirt before you need to empty it.
This wet/dry vacuum features multiple cleaning attachments. It got a 7-foot hose, extension wands, dual surface nozzle, crevice tool, and gulper nozzle. Similar to the previous Shop-Vac unit, this one can be affixed to walls. It comes with durable and easy-to-install wall brackets. Durability-wise, I can guarantee that this unit can last long.
Pros:
- Portable and easy to carry
- Draws powerful suction for thorough cleaning results
- Features multiple cleaning accessories
- Dirt tank is pretty large
- Comes with a rear blower port
Cons:
- Some of its attachments are seemingly flimsy
4. Shop-Vac Contractor Canister Vacuum Cleaner
If you want a large capacity vacuum for heavy-duty industrial use, I recommend that you check out the Shop-Vac Contractor Canister Vacuum Cleaner. This unit works for both wet and dry debris. It can also deal with other surfaces such as carpets and rugs, thanks to its aggressive cleaning performance. Specifically, this unit is equipped with a 5.5-HP motor that ensures consistency and strength in its performance.
Furthermore, the machine boasts a 12-gallon tank that will prevent frequent disposal of its tank. But despite being a full-bodied unit, the Shop-Vac Contractor remains to be a portable unit. This is due to its large handle, and wheels allow you to take it anywhere. Its on-board storage optimizes the organization and accessibility of its cleaning tools.
Pros:
- Equipped with a large dirt tank
- Heavy-duty construction
- Strong and rugged motor
- Offers powerful suction power
- Features on-board storage
Cons:
- No noteworthy drawbacks
5. Shop-Vac 9621210 Professional Commercial Duty Vacuum
Similar to the Shop-Vac Contractor, the Shop-Vac 9621210 Professional Commercial Duty Vacuum also provides a 12-gallon dirt tank. Hence, it is also a preferable option for those who have extensive cleaning requirements. However, its motor is slightly more powerful than some of its counterparts. The 6.5-HP motor ensures that it can be used extensively without any drop on its suction strength.
The entire machine sits on four omnidirectional caster wheels. You can bring it anywhere without having to lift it entirely. Meanwhile, all the tools and cleaning accessories of this device are boarded on its body. You can access them whenever necessary. Of course, these attachments are sturdy and intuitive at the same time.
Pros:
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Built with sturdiness and durability
- Strong suction power
- Fitted with a large dirt tank
- Tank can be slotted with a collector bag
Cons:
- Assembly instructions are not that clear
How To Choose The Best Shop Vacs
When you encounter the term Shop-Vac, you have to know that it is not a type of vacuum. Instead, it is a brand.
Specifically, Shop-Vac is a popular manufacturer of wet/dry vacuums. Hence, this list is all about finding the best wet and dry vacuums created by this brand.
Of course, the popularity of Shop-Vac testifies that the quality of their products is not tainted with negative reputations. I have tried several Shop-Vac vacuums, and none of them seem to be disappointing.
But since we are talking about wet/dry vacuums, there’s a need for you to understand how to choose the right one for your needs and preferences. I am quite confident that not all vacuum cleaners would fit your desired preferences and qualifications.
Here are some of the guidelines that you can follow in choosing the right Shop-Vac wet/dry vacuum cleaners.
Performance
Most Shop-Vac units are capable of sucking a lot of debris and dirt that ordinary vacuum cleaners can’t. You can say that the latter is a workhorse because it deals with different mess and residues in your workshops and garages. It has the power to take up glass, nails, pebbles, and even liquid. Keep in mind that these are wet and dry vacuum cleaners. Hence, they should be capable of absorbing water and other fluid waste.
Size Of Dirt Tank
Most of these Shop-Vac vacuums are heavy-duty units. Therefore, they are no longer using cups or bins as their dirt storage. Instead, they are equipped with large tanks that can hold several gallons of residues.
When it comes to these vacuums, you can expect that the least that they can hold is around two gallons. But if you take a look at their other units, this number goes higher. If you are choosing a Shop-Vac vacuum, you have to be mindful of your regular errands. Do you deal with large volumes of dirt daily? Or do you clean only when there’s a job during the weekend at the garage?
Motor Durability
One of the striking features of Shop-Vac units is the quality of their motors. Specifically, they are either using a bypass motor system or flow-through.
Bypass motor systems utilize an independent cooling fan to take air and cool their motor. The air will then create a suction that bypasses all the electrical components of the motor, enabling the unit to pick wet and solid debris. The majority of Shop-Vac vacuums are using bypass motors.
Meanwhile, flow-through systems also absorb air directly to the tank so that it can cool the motor. But because the air flows directly to the motor, such a system is only usable for dry and solid residues. It cannot be used in liquid debris due to short-circuiting.
Aside from that, the motor of Shop-Vac vacuums is either single-stage or two-stage.
A single-stage motor has an impeller that creates the suction pressure with a fairly high volume. They are useful for cleaning jobs in homes, workshops, and garages. You can also use them for light industrial use.
Meanwhile, a two-stage motor has two impellers so that it can generate more suction pressure. Because of this capability, two-stage motors are ideal for heavy-duty applications. Most high-end Shop-Vac units are integrated with these two-stage motors.
Other Specifications
You can see multiple labels in a Shop-Vac vacuum. It is essential that you can familiarize yourself to ensure that you are what you are getting.
- Sealed pressure (SP) is a measurement of how far a motor can lift a column of water. This is commonly expressed as “inches of water column.” Maximum suction pressure can be attained in a zero airflow. This means that even without external airflow, the motor can still absorb the water column.
- Cubic feet per minute (CFM) is another measurement that refers to the volume of air that the vacuum can move in a specific load. This one typically indicates the suction power of vacuum cleaners. The higher the number, the stronger the suction that it can produce.
- Peak horsepower (HP) is the one that indicates the maximum horsepower output of a motor. However, keep in mind that this one is derived from a third-party test.
Filtration
Of course, you don’t choose a Shop-Vac that doesn’t come with a sufficient filtration system. Fortunately, Shop-Vac guaranteed that its units are equipped with these filters.
Wet/dry vacuum cleaners have a mechanical filter that deals with dry filtration. They are the ones that capture large debris such as dust and dirt and prevent them from escaping from the vacuum. The filter also prevents the residues from entering the motor of the vacuum, which, in turn, can cause damages.
Aside from the mechanical pre-filter, these Shop-Vac vacuums may include HEPA filters. The latter is the one responsible for trapping particles that are as small as 0.3 microns. Basically, the filter eliminates the possible triggers of asthma and allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Shop-Vac vacuums any good?
A: Absolutely. The brand itself is a recommended manufacturer of high-quality wet/dry vacuum cleaners. The vacuums are powerful and versatile, which enable them to tackle a myriad of applications.
Q: What are the uses of Shop-Vac vacuums?
A: It depends on the unit. If you have a high-end Shop-Vac vacuum, you can use it on industrial applications. At the same time, you can also bring them to your garages, workshops, and homes. After all, these vacuums are quite versatile.
Q: Can I use a Shop-Vac without its filters?
A: While it is technically possible, I suggest that you don’t do so. If you persist, there’s a chance that the motor will get damaged over time. Moreover, it will result in a bigger mess than you need to clean.
Conclusion
The best Shop Vacs are not necessarily your only option for heavy-duty wet/dry vacuum cleaners. But at the same time, you’ll never regret investing in any of them. From what you have seen, these units have impeccable construction and performance that fit well for various cleaning applications.
I hope that you learned from this guide. For other related questions, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.