Top 8 Best Portable Shop Vacs

Best Shop Vac Reviews.

Shop-vacs are the ultimate cleaning solution for intensive jobs.

Buyers love them for everything – from cleaning your car interior to wet carpets.

To help you find the right option, here is our list of the best wet/dry vacs for home. 


#1.)  Shop Vac Wet/Dry Vacuum

Image of Yellow Shop Vac

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The Shop-Vac Peak is a wet and dry vacuum with 14 gallon capacity.

Stretches with a 12 ft. cord and 8 ft. hose which lets you to reach difficult spots. Buyers say the Shop-Vac Peak is great for cleaning staircases or cars.

Weight: 30.6 pounds

Capacity: 14 gallons

Shop-Vac Peak is powered by 120 volts and has increased suction for picking up heavier particles/liquids (i.e. shards of glass or standing water).

Even though it weighs 30.6 pounds, the Shop-Vac Peak comes w/ a metal carriage, making it very portable.

Also includes three attachable nozzles for different tasks.

It is a little expensive, but has many positive reviews from buyers.


#2.) Stanley 12-Gallon Wet Vacuum

Black Stanley Wet Dry Vac Image

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The Stanley 12-gallon wet/dry vacuum is the top seller online.

What separates it from others is that it can operate not only as a vacuum, but also a blower.

Weight: 20.4 pounds

Capacity: 12 gallons

You just need to switch between the modes, and the unit will convert the vacuum power to blowing power. This way, you can use it to clear the entire house – both inside and out.

Stanley portable shop vac has 12 gallon capacity, but what makes it stand out is its light weight – only 20.4 pounds!

Being lightweight makes it very easy to wheel outside to clean your car and move room-to-room in your house.


#3.) Craftsman XSP 12 Gallon

Red Craftsman Wet Dry Vac

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The Craftsman XSP is one fo the furthest reaching dry/wet vacuums.

The extension cord stretches 20 ft. and has hose length of 7 ft. — you can also add extension wands for further reaching.

Although it has lower 5.5 HP (horsepower) than other wet/dry vacs it’s compensated with radius length – has overall reach of 27 ft.

⭐⭐ Best Portable Shop Vac for Reach ⭐⭐

Craftsman 12 gallon XSP has just dozens of reviews with strong ratings.

What I learned by reading buyer reviews is that people are purchasing the XSP as a replacement to an old dry vac. They also mention how very quiet it is compared to their older one.

Highlights

  • Weight: 24.6 pounds
  • Power: 120 volts (5.5 horsepower)
  • Hose length: 7 ft.
  • Inside Capacity: 12 gallons
  • Cord length: 20 ft.
  • Noise control = more quiet than similar dry vacs
  • 2 extension wands
  • 3 nozzle accessories

Potential Flaws

  • More noise than other vacs

#4.) Shop-Vac 18 Gallon Review

Bright Yellow Shop Vac

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The Shop-Vac Ultra Pro comes with 6.5 HP — powerful for a wet vac.

With capacity of 12 gallons, it’s most suitable for middle-sized households. You will be able to clean the rooms efficiently without having to stop and clean the vacuum.

But what makes this vacuum so convenient is the detachable blower it comes with. You can attach the blowing tube and use the vacuum to blow out debris of hard surfaces

Highlights

  • Weight: 25.8 pounds
  • Power: 120 volts (5.5 horsepower)
  • Hose length: 8 ft.
  • Inside Capacity: 12 gallons
  • Cord length: 18 ft.
  • Detachable Blower
  • 2 extension wands + 2 nozzles

Potential Flaws

  • Some plastic parts

#5.) Shop-Vac Heavy Duty Wet/Dry Vacuum

12 Gallon Black Shop Vac Image

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The Shop Vac Professional is heavy duty and designed with 12 gallon capacity.

Equipped with multiple features, Shop Vac Professional doesn’t have a ton of reviews, but strong ratings — It’s also very affordable compared to similar hp vacs.

It comes w/ the full set of accessories:

crevice tool, nozzle w/ squeegee and brush insert + claw nozzle (for carpeting)

In the image above you’ll see that there’s a little bin in back of the vacuum to store everything.

Includes 2 cartridge filters to help collect dust and dirt. 

Highlights

  • Weight: 26 pounds
  • Power: 116 volts (6.5 horsepower)
  • Inside Capacity: 12 gallons
  • Cord length: 20 ft.
  • 2 nozzle accessories
  • 2 cartridge filters
  • Includes dust bag

Potential Flaws

  • Comes w/ only 1 cartridge filter

#6.) Shop Vac 20-Gallon Peak Wet Dry Vacuum

Yellow Vac for Best Portable Shop Vac Review

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The Shop Vac 20 gallon has the largest capacity on my list.

You can clean your entire house without having to switch it off and empty it like you would with other units.

Equipped w/ 120 volt engine, the Shop Vac Peak is powerful enough to suck liquid from a variety of surfaces.

⭐⭐ Best Portable Shop Vac for Floods/Leaks ⭐⭐

Features an upgraded, built-in pump system that lets you drain water and dispose of it faster — You can even attach it to your garden hose (so you won’t need to constantly empty)

Personally I think it’s the best portable shop vac for large amounts of liquid – flooded basements, driveway puddles, and home leaks.

Includes 4 nozzle accessories which allow you to switch between them to get the best cleaning results.

Highlights

  • Weight: 35.2 pounds
  • Power: 120 volts (6.5 horsepower)
  • Hose length: 8 ft.
  • Inside Capacity: 20 gallons
  • Cord length: 18 ft.
  • 2 extension wands
  • 4 nozzle accessories

Potential Flaws

  • Will shut off when full – can be annoying I guess

#7.) Shop-Vac 5987200 10 Gallon

20 Gallon Black Shop Vac Photo

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The Shop-Vac SCX2 motor technology is known to last longer making it very durable.

Capacity is a little lower than others at 20-gal, but the suction power is very strong for its price-range.

Another thing I like is that the top quick and easy to open — confirmed by reviews.

It is super lightweight so anyone in the house can use it – seniors and children included.

Highlights

  • Weight: 22 pounds
  • Power: 120 volts (6.5 horsepower)
  • Hose length: 8 ft.
  • Inside Capacity: 20 gallons
  • Cord length: 12 ft.
  • Rear blower
  • SVX2 motor technology
  • 2 extension wands

Potential Flaws

  • Comes with only one nozzle

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