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The Best Wet/Dry Vacuums of 2017 Whether you're getting water out of a flooded basement or picking up spilled metal Screws in the garage, wet/dry vacs wash where other vacuums cannot. That's by Layout: Unlike the vacuum you use to clean your carpet, a wet/dry vac keeps its engine Separate, so it is practically impossible to damage. But choosing the ideal wet/dry vac is key. Myth (we'll get to that later), and a few vacuums are a lot easier to use than others. That is why we evaluated dozens of best selling wet/dry vacs and brought nine to our Test labs in Cambridge, MA. That's where we put them through two weeks of grueling Tests to measure power, usability, and flexibility. After analyzing the results, we've got the skinny on which wet/dry vacs are Perfect for you and which ones you should avoid. The Craftsman 12004 was our overall pick for the best wet/dry vacuum because it Offered the most well-balanced combination of power, usability, and versatility. While it was not the largest or most powerful vacuum in the lineup, it picked up 1.43 Gallons of water in only 10 seconds--more than any vacuum its dimensions. The side of the box is basically useless. Like many wet/dry vacs, this Craftsman's output Is measured in peak horsepower, which only rates how tough a motor works the minute it turns on. After that split second moves, a peak horsepower measurement is useless. After that split second moves, a peak horsepower Measurement is futile TWEET IT The six-gallon Craftsman additionally backed up its power with smooth operation. The hose Was easy to attach and remove, but still felt protected even when you used to to drag a This Craftsman also boasted the easiest to remove filter, With a screw cap that was more intuitive than the typical twist-and-pull dance we had to Deal with on other models. (Remember, you should not have the fiberglass filter on when You are doing wet pickup, so if you are switching between cleaning storm water and Sawdust, an easy-to-remove filter is crucial.) extension wands, a floor squeegee for wet pickup, and a utility nozzle. That covers wet And dry fairly well--but some of the rivalry came with more. This Craftsman retails for about $50, and is backed by a one-year warranty. The VacMaster is one of the most popular wet/dry vacs on Amazon, and is our pick for the best 12 gallon model. While it wasn't the most powerful vacuum, it was the most versatile. First off, this vacuum has a detachable motor, meaning it could instantly turn into a Corded leaf blower that is easy to tote around the yard or use for garage cleanup. It also Comes with eight attachments, including a crevice tool that makes it easier to clean out Your car when it is sitting in your garage. Of water in ten seconds, putting it at the middle of the bunch. Even so, it was still able to Handle our dirt and heavy debris test. For just $81, you are getting a great value that is Covered by a two-year guarantee. How We Tested Each of the vacuums we chose ranged in size from 6 to 12 gallons, and from 3 to 5 hp. We Tested them on three important standards: endurance, power, and versatility. Seconds, if it could pick up heavy large debris including big metal screws, and if Cleaning up wet sand posed a challenge. We tested usability by switching out filters, Putting on attachments, and lugging the unit around our offices and labs. Finally, our Comfort tests looked at how simple it was to save, how long the cord was, and if It worked as a blower. Overall winner for raw energy. Same amount of water. That's not a surprise, as both brands are made by a company called Emerson Electric. Ridgid is mostly sold at Home Depot, while Craftsman is mostly sold at Sears, KMart, and Ace Hardware. While it was a photo finish in the energy department, the Ridgid only came with two Extension wands and a utility nozzle, so there is no specific attachment for water pickup. We also discovered the filter tough to remove. Unlike the Craftsman's twist, the Ridgid has Rubber flaps you need to pull up on while pressing down on a hard plastic button. One Bit of good news: the Rigid WD0670 is covered by a limited lifetime warranty. The Gigantic 12-gallon WD1270 also comes with a car-cleaning nozzle, Together with the In real-world cleanup tests, the WD1270 had no issues. Of mess and discover it available for a lot less than the VacMaster, a limited lifetime warranty makes this Ridgid worth checking out. The Ridgid 9 gallon, 4.25 Peak HP wet/dry vac is like a value meal: For 20 percent more money, you get 33 percent more capacity, 21 percent more horsepower, and one But after analyzing this Ridgid for two weeks, we found that the increase in power Didn't translate into real-world operation. Remember, peak horsepower only lasts for a moment. If you need more capacity, we'd recommend stepping up to the 12 gallon WD1270. The Craftsman XSP 12006 was the strongest of the wet/dry vacuums that we It comes with two extension wands, a utility nozzle, a squeegee nozzle, and a crevice tool. If that sounds Overwhelming don't worry--there is an on-board tool caddy so you'll never lose them. That's a fairly good spread of features for an $80 vacuum. The significant downside is the bulk. With everything onboard, it weighs nearly 30 pounds And takes up plenty of space. If you're thinking about keeping it in the garage, that is fine. But for a crowded workshop or cramped basement, you need to select a less bulky version. Everyone knows the Shop-Vac brand, and the Provider's mid-priced 5920611 model Excelled at usability and versatility, with three extension wands and a wet-cleanup nozzle. They were all easy to slide on and off, as was the twist-off filter. Limited warranty and is even assembled in the U.S. However, on the power front, this Shop-Vac didn't clean as well as others we tested. According to our water suction test, this vacuum just got up 1.07 gallons of water in 10 seconds. It could still pick up wet sand, clear a clogged drain, and clean spilled screws. But, pound-for-pound, it is not as powerful as the Craftsman of comparable size. The Shop-Vac 5986000 includes a stainless steel tank, which gives it an industrial feel. It Also comes with six attachments: three extension wands, a utility nozzle, a wet-cleanup nozzle, and a crevice tool. Like its plastic stablemate, however, it just is not as powerful As some of its competitors. In fact, it was about half as strong as our top-rated Craftsman. This Stanley was the strangest of the wet/dry vacuums we tested--and not in a good way. Because it's taller than it is wide, it can be hard to move by its own hose--but a high-up handle makes it easier to carry. A bag filter that slips over the motor was simple To remove, but hard to affix. Additionally, it lacked in power, and isn't a wonderful value. We think you Should only buy this vacuum when you have serious space constraints.