The 6 Best Shop Vacs To Pick Up Heavy Debris And Wet Messes (2024)

Shop vacs are handy tools often used in workshops—hence their name—but they can also be used around your home. The best shop vacs have an incredibly powerful engine and can clean up both wet and dry messes that standard vacuums struggle with. The Rigid 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum is an excellent choice for most people, as it’s versatile, reasonably priced and comes with several useful attachments.

If you plan to use your vacuum in a workshop or garage, look for a high CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating, which equates to higher suction power. “Shop vacs excel in environments where larger debris, such as wood chips, metal shavings or sawdust, is more common,” says Parham Koukia, operations manager and car detailing specialist at Panda Hub. “They’re also ideal for removing water after leaks or floods due to their ability to handle wet conditions.” These vacuums come in both portable and full-size models, and their capacity ranges from one gallon to 15 gallons or more. If you’re in the market for a powerful new vacuum, these are the best shop vacs to tackle all sorts of messes around your home.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best home products on the market. We’ve published scores of expert-backed roundups on tools, including the best cordless leaf blowers, best wheelbarrows and more.

• The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team includes three expert editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
• Author of this piece Camryn Rabideau is a regular contributor with extensive experience covering home and lifestyle topics.
• Rabideau also gathered key insight and guidance from Parham Koukia, the operations manager and car detailing specialist at Panda Hub, who explained the benefits of shop vacs and what to look for when comparing models.

How We Chose The Best Shop Vacs

To find the best shop vacs, we researched best-selling models, compared features and asked an industry expert—as well as our team of experienced staffers—for product recommendations and insights on what to look for.

• Our home and kitchen editorial team focused on top-rated models from trusted brands such as Craftsman, Milwaukee, Dewalt and more.
• We analyzed features such as capacity, power, weight, portability, and design to assess the overall value and help readers pinpoint the best option for their home.
• We consulted Parham Koukia, the operations manager and car detailing specialist at Panda Hub, to determine what specific features to look for in a good shop vac. Then, our editors reviewed each model’s capacity, power, weight, portability, ease of use and included accessories.
• We took customer reviews and average star ratings into careful account, sticking to models that have garnered at least an average rating of 4 stars and only a negligible amount of concerning reviews, if any.
• The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.

What To Look For In The Best Shop Vacs

There are several factors to consider when searching for the best shop vacs. Here’s what to look for.

Capacity

Shop vacuums come in a wide range of sizes. Portable units like the Shark MessMaster generally lack wheels and can often hold one to two gallons of debris. On the other hand, full-size models are much larger and can collect anywhere from eight to 15 gallons before emptying. “Choose a tool based on the typical amount of debris you'll be collecting—larger tanks mean less frequent emptying but can also mean less portability,” says Koukia.

Power

Shop vacuums are typically more powerful than regular household vacuums, and several different metrics are used to measure their suction power. Some shop vacs list a horsepower rating: “Horsepower rating indicates the power of the vacuum,” says Koukia. “For domestic use, 3 or 4 horsepower would be sufficient. If you’re vacuuming water and using it professionally, you may want to consider 6+ horsepower.”

You’ll often see a cubic feet per minute or CFM rating on shop vacs. This indicates how much air the vacuum can suck up per minute—a higher number equates to higher suction power. It’s common for shop vacuums to have a CFM between 50 and 150. Our top-rated option, the Rigid 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum, has a high CFM rating of 144.

Some vacuums may also list “water lift” as another measure of vacuum strength. This metric indicates how far the vacuum can vertically lift a one-inch column of water. Again, a higher number means the vacuum has more suction power—for instance, the Fein Turbo II X AC has a high water lift rating of 98.4 inches, meaning its powerful suction is able to lift a lot of moisture and debris.

Portability

A shop vacuum’s portability is impacted by several factors. Many models are corded, meaning you must find a nearby power outlet to use them, but some cordless models, such as the Milwaukee M18 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum, can be used anywhere.

For larger shop vacuums, caster wheels or handles can also make the tool easier to move around your home, especially when the vacuum is full.

Accessories

Like regular vacuums, many shop vacs have multiple attachments for different cleaning applications. Common attachments include crevice tools, floor tools and extension wands for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. You may also want to look for a model with a filter or filter bags: “Look for a shop vac with a high-quality filter, especially if you'll be collecting fine particles like drywall dust or ashes,” says Koukia.

What Is The Most Powerful Shop Vac?

If you’re looking for a vacuum that offers powerful suction, you’ll want to consider factors like horsepower, CFM and water lift. The Fein Turbo II X AC is the most powerful option on our list, boasting a 151 CFM flow rate and 98.4 inches of water lift. It’s strong enough to pick up large debris and suck up large amounts of water, and it can even be attached to power tools for dust collection. However, if you’re looking for something more affordable, the Rigid 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum also has impressive stats. It has a 5 HP motor that delivers a 144 CFM flow rate, and it’s a fraction of the cost of the Fein Turbo II.