Cory Gunther is a senior author and Newsletter Editor at Valnet, covering cutting-edge tech, Android, and more for How-To Geek. He’s covered Android, cars, and technology for over a decade. When he’s not reviewing the latest gadget, you can find him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing something outdoors with friends and family.
He’s covered CES, SEMA, and MWC and reviewed countless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and more. Before Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile. His writing has also appeared on SlashGear, InputMag, and AndroidCentral. He’s written over 9,000 articles.
Finding the perfect shop vac can be the difference between a quick cleanup and a time-consuming mess, and that’s before we even talk about cordless vs corded vacs from all your favorite tool brands. Whether you’re a professional contractor or a weekend DIYer, choosing the right one is tough. Here are some of the best-performing models from Milwaukee to RIDGID.
Choosing the right wet/dry shop vac is all about balance. You’ll want to pick between affordability and suction power, size, portability, cordless options, and more. Well, or get one from the tool brand you already own, so everything is color-matched.
Milwaukee M18 2.5-Gal Packout Wet/Dry Vacuum
A fan-favorite that electricians swear by
Milwaukee is one of the most trusted names in power tools, and for good reason. The company delivers great products for all sorts of tasks, from professionals to DIY warriors at home. And while not all tool brands make shop vacs, Milwaukee has a few excellent models that buyers absolutely love.
Perhaps the most popular choice is Milwaukee’s M18 battery-powered 2.5 Gallon Packout vacuum. It’s not too big or too small, has plenty of suction power, and the square design makes storage easy. It checks all the right boxes, even if it only holds 2.5 gallons. Better yet, Milwaukee claims it’s nearly 2.5x quieter than your average shop vac. Grab one, you’ll enjoy it.
Milwaukee Packout 2.5-Gallon Vacuum
- Color
-
Red
- Tool Type
-
Wet/dry vacuum
This Packout compatible 2.5-gallon wet/dry vac offers 60% more suction than 18V competitors. It’s small, efficient, and quiet.
RIDGID 4 Gallon 5HP Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum
With a locking hose and built-in accessory caddy
Wander through Home Depot’s aisles, and you’ll quickly notice that the most popular and prominent shop-vac brand is RIDGID. For whatever reason, it’s the tool brand that goes all-in for cleanup. And while RIDGID has a variety of models and sizes, a perfect middle ground is the 4 Gallon 5.0 HP model for $109.
This particular RIDGID wet/dry vac is Home Depot’s best-seller for a myriad of reasons. It’s the perfect size, portable with big rolling wheels, and has enough storage that you don’t need to empty it all that often. Buyers will also appreciate the locking hose, built-in storage caddy for extensions or carpet cleaner heads, and more. That said, it’s not cordless, but it does offer a 20ft cord and a 7ft pull-along hose.
When you compare the size, performance, and price of each RIDGID vacuum, it’s easy to see why so many people choose this model, myself included.
RIDGID 4 Gal. 5.0 Peak HP Portable Shop Vacuum
- Weight
-
18.32 lb
- Cordless?
-
No
The RIDGID 4-Gallon 5HP shop vac is perfect for around the house, at a job site, and more. With plenty of power, a 7ft pull-along hose, and plenty of storage, it’s a do-it-all vacuum.
- Warranty
-
Returnable in 90 days
Milwaukee M12 FUEL Cordless 1.6 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum
The most compact 12V vacuum around
If you just need a shop vac for around the house or in the garage, look elsewhere. But if you’re always on the go and want something ultraportable yet still capable, Milwaukee has you covered.
Milwaukee’s M12 FUEL 1.6 gal vacuum is the most compact 12V option on the market, all while delivering what the company claims is 40% more suction than 18V competitors. I haven’t tested this model to confirm that rating, but it’s wildly popular at Home Depot, Walmart, and other Milwaukee retailers. Buyers love this model not only for its size but also for the built-in storage on top for hoses and attachments, making it easy to take anywhere.
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1.6 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum
- Cordless?
-
Yes
- Warranty
-
Returnable in 90 days
Need a wet/dry vacuum that’s compact, portable, yet powerful? Look no further than the Milwaukee M12 1.6-gallon option anywhere Milwaukee tools are sold.
Ryobi 18V Bucket Top Wet/Dry Vacuum
Any 5-gallon bucket can be your shop vac
Earlier this year, I stumbled on the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 5-Gallon Bucket Top Wet/Dry Vacuum on sale for $40 and bought it on a whim. Turns out, it’s a pretty excellent and versatile vacuum that many of you will enjoy.
Instead of spending $100+ on a big, heavy, corded shop vac, just buy this bucket-top model and snap it onto any 5-gallon bucket you already own. If it gets too nasty, just throw it out and buy another bucket for a few dollars.
With this contraption, you can easily clean up anything, wet or dry, with cordless convenience and a Ryobi 18V ONE+ battery pack. It’s pretty nifty, and if you already own Ryobi tools, it’s a solid choice.
However, if you want a Ryobi shop vac with a little more power, consider the 3-gallon 18V model.
Ryobi 18V 5-Gallon Bucket-Top Vacuum
- What’s Included
-
Crevice tool, Filter, Hose
- Tool Type
-
Vacuum
Toss Ryobi’s wet/dry vacuum on top of any 5-gallon bucket, and you have a capable shop vac in seconds.
RIDGID 16 Gal. 6.5 Peak HP NXT Wet/Dry Vacuum
All the power and suction you need on a rolling cart
Big jobs require bigger solutions, and that’s where the excellent RIDGID 16 Gal. 6.5 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum comes to save the day. This thing is larger than anything else on our list, by a wide margin, which gets you 16 gallons of storage and nearly 7 horsepower of suction.
RIDGID’s NXT line is a top choice among professionals and enthusiasts for its price-to-performance ratio. This model is extremely powerful, and you’ll enjoy the built-in handle and easy-to-push rolling cart for getting around the shop or job site. Like every RIDGID vac, it comes with a lifetime warranty and a slew of attachments, hoses, and additional filters, so you’re ready to roll.
RIDGID 16 Gal 6.5 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum
- Cordless?
-
No
- Warranty
-
Returnable in 90 days
RIDGID’s large 16-gallon wet/dry shop vacuum does it all. Enjoy plenty of storage, 6.5HP of suction, and all the accessories you’ll ever need.
Cleanup made easy
Whether you’re cleaning up sawdust or a pipe bursts, and you have a big mess, these are the vacuums you’ll want to reach for.
At the end of the day, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to shop vacuums. If you are already deep into the M18 battery ecosystem, Milwaukee offers unmatched portability. However, for capacity and the best bang for your buck in the garage, it’s hard to beat RIDGID.
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