Shop Vacuum Buying Tips

Typically bigger and a lot more powerful than an upright vacuum, a wet/dry vacuum can be used to keep your home or workshop clean and make quick work of bulky debris and liquid spills.

Before searching for your wet/dry vac, look at the following questions:

How frequently do you want to utilize it?
Just how much storage space do you have?
What sort of cleaning tasks will you need to complete?
What special features would be useful to you?


Size, Capacity and Power

Wet/dry vacs are classified by capacity (measured in gallons) and peak horsepower (hp). They are available in an array of types and sizes from portable and handheld units to large 18-gallon professional vacs.

Tip: Small units using a high horsepower and low capacity work efficiently in demanding environments with restrictive space requirements.

Small capacity (2 - 6 gallons):

1 - 4.5 hp
Available as corded or cordless
Could be handheld or caster mounted
Quiet operation
Well suited for smaller tasks around the home, car or boat

Medium capacity (6 – 14 gallons):

5 - 6 hp
Has blower conversion capability
Are prepared for anything from fine dust to large debris
Ideal for most indoor/outdoor cleaning tasks around the home or shop, including wet basement cleanup to standard home and garden tasks.

Large capacity (14 - 18 gallons):

6+ hp
Are designed for from fine dust to large debris
Ideal for heavy-duty and commercial use where maximum horsepower is required.


Ridgid WD4080


Filter

Use the wrong filter and you may have dust or water blowing back into the air. The filter you need is frequently in accordance with the sort of debris you happen to be obtaining.

Large debris - Invest in a filter having a general household filtration level or better

Medium debris - Buy a filter having a medium filtration level or better

Fine debris - Purchase a filter with a fine filtration level

Wet debris - We recommend investing in a foam sleeve for your filter

In the event you or someone you live with has allergies, we recommend by using a HEPA cartridge filter or HEPA collection bag, regardless of the kind of debris you anticipate taking care of normally.


Hoses

Hoses and nozzles with large, wide passageways greatly reduces the chance of clogs and blockages.


Cleanup Tools

Most models come with a utility nozzle, for bulky debris, plus a crevice nozzle for tight spots. Some also have a special nozzle for car interiors and an insert for any dusting brush. A squeegee attachment helps with spills. The one-piece version on some vacuums is much more convenient in comparison to the insert on others.

Extension Wands

Long ones reduce the requirement for stooping and kneeling.


Other Useful Features

Along with the variety of attachments offered, many models also provide additional features that add convenience and versatility. These functions include:

Dual-swivel hose fittings for extra mobility
Hose locks to install the hose more securely for the tank
Wall attachments that allow you to store your wet/dry vacuum in the wall rather than the floor
On-board tool storage for added convenience
A pump for emptying the tank without difficulty
A leaf blower feature to allow some medium-sized models to serve as a leaf blower along with a vacuum