Cleaning regularly without the correct tools and products may be quite tough, especially if you have a big mess on your hands.
When you’re in a pinch, there is no better ally than a cordless shop vac. These are only portable but also extremely powerful, capable of collecting dirt from every corner and cranny of your room.
Due to the portability of these appliances and their flexible hose, you can expand their reach so everywhere in a room can be thoroughly cleaned.
The key advantage of a wet/dry vac is that they are more powerful than standard vacuum cleaners and are capable of collecting both wet and dry dirt.
In this article, we will be reviewing the best cordless shop vac’s that you can buy. We have also included a buyers guide at the end, so you can see all the essential features that you need to look out for when buying these products.
Let’s get into the reviews!
OUR TOP PICK
EDITORS CHOICE
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
Ridgid WD0319-VT1708
In addition to having the highest maximum suction force available for vacuums like this (66 CFM), the WD0319 is the most powerful overall device on the market.
A set of 18V batteries powers the device, which is extremely strong and capable of providing suction for up to 30 minutes at a time at a constant power level that can be adjusted if needs be.
In comparison to many other wet dry vacuum products, this one has an extra-large bag capacity, which is three gallons in this case. This potentially lets you vacuum for hours without having to change or empty the bag.
This product’s extendable hose, which can be adjusted in length from 2 to 7 feet, allows you to be more creative with how you use it, and lets you reach those far away or hard to reach areas that you may normally miss when cleaning.
As a dry wet vacuum, the WD0319 is equipped with a storage compartment for all of the attachments within the machine itself, allowing it to be the most efficient possible.
Now you won’t have to worry about losing all of the accessories in the dark cupboard or wherever you keep the vacuum.
No model on the market can match the performance of this one, and you can use it to clean any surface in your home or even your car.
The only thing that is missing is a warranty on the product, which may make you question how well it works. Still, there have been very few customer complaints about this vacuum, so it can’t be that bad.
Pros
- Super powerful – this vacuum has incredible suction power, and will pull all the dirt and grime out of any surface including carpets, couch cushions, and all other fabrics
- Internal storage space – having all the accessories within the vacuum itself makes it super easy to access everything you need
- Long and flexible hose – the hose can extend to 7 feet long, so you can easily reach all of the tricky areas
Cons
- There is no warranty – oddly, this vacuum has no warranty, considering that basically, every other similar product does. This means that if it breaks done, you will not be able to get a refund or replacement
EDITORS CHOICE
DeWalt DCV517B
Given its compact dimensions (8.544 x 6.38 x 17 inches), the DeWalt DCV517B is one of the smallest cordless shop vacuums available for purchase. Included with the purchase is a pair of high-capacity 20V batteries.
When cleaning for a long time, you probably notice that your hands start to ache. This will not happen when using this product though as it is has a specialized ergonomic design that has been made to fit comfortably in your hands.
A HEPA wet dry filter can catch and eliminate 99.97 percent of dust with 0.3-millimeter particle size or less, no not a single piece of dirt will be able to escape when you are cleaning.
Because the filter can be washed and reused, this device is more ecologically friendly than other similar products, which is a benefit to the eco-conscious among us.
With the 1/2-gallon tank, you can collect all of the dirt in a single pass, allowing you to not only clean an area faster but also decrease the number of times you have to empty the bin when doing a big clean.
Two distinct clean-up solutions can be employed to clean a spill. You can either use the front utility nozzle for smaller messes or break out the big guns and use the extended heavy-duty rubber hose for those larger spills.
With outstanding battery life and a three-year warranty, this cordless shop vac is one of the most compelling options in our cordless wet dry vac list.
Possibly the only thing that will disappoint some buyers about this product is that they will have to purchase the battery separately, but this can easily be done at the same time as the vacuum purchase.
Pros
- Small and lightweight – if you are cleaning the whole house, you won’t get worn out by carrying this vacuum around
- Washable filter – this not only helps the environment as you are not throwing the filters in the garbage, but it also saves you money as you don’t need to replace them
- Ergonomic design – this vacuum has been designed to be as comfortable to hold and use as possible
Cons
- Battery not included – some buyers may not be aware that they have to buy this separately
BEST VALUE
Makita XLC02R1B
The fact that the XLC02R1B vacuum is completely portable and does not require the use of a hose distinguishes it as one of the best cordless shop vacs among those on the list.
Cleaning any surface using the whole equipment, which includes a newly designed floor nozzle that gives the finest possible cleaning, makes cleaning your floors less of a chore.
The performance of this vacuum cleaner is ensured by an 18V battery and a 46 CFM air volume, which unapologetically sweeps away and sucks up any dirt that it touches.
Cleanup and maintenance are a breeze with this machine, which has a maximum operating time of 15 minutes and a bagless 2-stage cloth filtering system.
The total weight of this vacuum is just 2.7 pounds, which is super lightweight and will make carrying it around very easy to do.
With a manufacturer’s warranty of three years included with the purchase, you know you will be covered if anything goes wrong.
Perhaps the biggest downsides to this product are its short run time and its expensive cost. The XLC02R1B vacuum is one of the more costly models that you will see on this list, and cost far more than other vacuums of a similar design.
Pros
- Two filtration levels – not a speck of dirt or grime will be able to avoid or escape these powerful filters
- Highly efficient and high-quality – this is a very well-made vacuum cleaner. You will love how effective it is at picking up dirt
- 3-year warranty – though this is very well-built so it will probably not break down if it does you know that you are covered for a long time
Cons
- Short battery life – with only 15 minutes of cleaning time on a full charge, you may find that this is not enough time to clean everywhere you want to
- Expensive – this costs a lot more than other vacuums on this list
This product is also available at:
https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XLC02R1B
RUNNER UP
Ryobi P3240
This shop vac from Ryobi is a standard model with an 18V battery that delivers outstanding performance in a variety of situations.
This device has a suction power or air volume of 45 CFM, making it suitable for gathering both wet and dry dirt and debris, depending on the application.
The vacuum is equipped with a 6-foot-long hose, which allows it to reach greater distances than many other vacuums.
Aside from that, the vacuum has been designed to have a large amount of storage within the appliance, so you have plenty of room to keep all of the attachments.
As a whole, this model weighs only 10.9 pounds, making it both portable and very easy for you to carry around your home without you getting worn out.
This vacuum has a 3-gallon tank, which improves the quantity of dirt it can gather and hold on to over the other models made by the same brand.
The integrated blower may also be used to clear the yard and garden area, blowing away leaves and other trash as they gather in the yard and garden.
Although you will need to purchase a battery and a charger separately, this is an excellent device in every other respect and will make any clean-up job super easy to do.
Pros
- 18V batteries – these are the best batties to use for optimal vacuum performance
- Large tank – a 3-gallon tank is one of the largest that you can get in a vacuum cleaner, which means that you will be able to pick up a huge amount of dirt and debris
- Blower included – this vacuum is also perfect at cleaning away garden waste like leaves thanks to this attachment
Cons
- Charger and battery bought separately – this can be frustrating for buyers who are unaware of this and get straight to cleaning after purchase
This product is also available at:
https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/33287173334
RUNNER UP
Milwaukee 0880-20
The Milwaukee 0880-20 is an all-around excellent vacuum, with its standout feature being its incredible lightweight.
Total weight of 2.2 pounds makes this the lightest portable cordless shop vac available on the market today, making it perfect for people who struggle with cleaning with heavier appliances.
To achieve optimal performance, 18V batteries are used. These batteries have a suction power of 45 CFM and are rechargeable. When fully charged, the appliance will let you continuously clean for 30 minutes.
Another feature is the integrated blower port, which can be used to clean the garden and yard, which distinguishes this model from others on the market.
The HEPA filter, which is incredibly effective and washable, may also be used over and over again, which not only saves you from having to buy new ones but also helps the environment as fewer are ending up in landfills.
Along with offering a large amount of storage space for the extra parts, the toolbox design makes it exceptionally lightweight and portable.
This item also comes with a 5-year guarantee, which is a wonderful feature in and of itself.
It is a rather solid and sturdy device, except for the fact that its plastic structure will not hold up if it accidentally dropped from a height.
This model has the potential to collapse before it has even begun, but if used with care then you will see that it is an excellent cleaning device.
Pros
- HEPA filter – this is an excellent filter in general, but it’s being reusable is a bonus
- 5-year warranty – this is longer than all the other warranty’s offered on this list, ensuring that if anything goes wrong with the product, you can quickly get it fixed
- Super lightweight – this vacuum is the lightest one you can buy- making cleaning with it even easier
- Built-in storage space – you won’t have to worry about misplacing the extra nozzles that this comes with as you can keep them inside the vacuum at all times
Cons
- Poor construction – the weak plastic casing is what lets this vacuum down. Though with the long warranty, if you do break it, getting a replacement or a refund should be easy
Also available at:
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Vacuums-and-Fans/Wet-Dry-Vacuums/0880-20
Buyer’s Guide
Here are all the essential features that you need t look out for when buying a wet try vacuum cleaner.
Suction Power
When it comes to the overall performance of a vacuum cleaner, the suction of the vacuum cleaner is quite important to consider. Specifically, it relates to the shop vac’s capacity to suck up dirt and debris at a specified power and volume level.
The better the suction power, the easier it will be to do a deep and thorough clean.
Many vacuums come with adjustable levels of suction, with each one made for a specific cleaning task. You can use a low suction setting to clean fragile things or surfaces, while then using a stringer setting to clean up those tough messes or deep stains.
The suction power of various vacuum cleaners is measured in a variety of ways, including amps, watts, or cubic feet per minute (CFM), which is how we have measured the power of the vacuums on this list.
Airflow from the bag’s surface to the bag’s inside is represented by the force of airflow. In essence, it refers to the amount of air that is sucked up by the vacuum in one minute of operation.
Increasing the CFM value of a shop vac results in an improvement in the overall performance of the machine.
The CFM range of a shop vacuum will range from 31 to 96 CFM, depending on the type you choose. Therefore, the most basic technique of determining the best battery-powered shop vac is to check its CFM rating.
Battery
These cordless vacuum cleaners are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, so you should always check the vacuum’s runtime when fully charged.
One of the most important characteristics of a good battery-operated shop vacuum is that it has the longest runtime while keeping constant performance.
The majority of high-performance vacuums are fitted with batteries that have a voltage of either 18V or 20V, depending on their specifications.
These batteries, in addition to having plenty of power, have a long duration, lasting somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes continuously.
In addition to batteries, the ones that contain batteries feature a cable that may be used to recharge the batteries, allowing them to be used on an ongoing basis. Most shop vacuums are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are extremely long-lasting.
If you’re looking for a shop vac, it’s vital to consider the battery’s capacity, its lifespan, how long it takes to recharge, and the general performance of the machine before making your purchase.
Weight
One of the most appealing features of cordless wet dry vacs is their relative portability and light weight. The majority of them will be less than 20 pounds in weight and will be small and light enough to be taken anywhere for cleaning purposes easily.
With wet dry vacs, their tank capacity and structural integrity are important factors in their overall strength.
Warranty
Wet dry vacuum cleaners are an appliance that always gets a lot of use. That is why you should always look at the warranty options, as if the machine breaks down on you, you will probably want to get out replaced or get a refund as soon as possible.
Try to get a vacuum that will be insured for at least three to five years. It will be possible to get your equipment fixed from the manufacturer if anything goes wrong with it within this time period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Cordless Vaccum?
A cordless vacuum is a smaller, lighter vacuum cleaner that is powered by a rechargeable battery rather than electricity. This makes it a great choice for cleaning stairs or your car as you are not constrained by available outlets or the length of the cable.
Why Should I Buy A Cordless Vaccum?
A cordless vacuum is a good option for those who want a high degree of adaptability and maneuverability. They are a great tool to reach far or difficult-to-reach areas, and on the whole, will make cleaning a lot easier.
