8 Best Shop Vac for Dust Collection- Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

If you are a woodworker, having dust particles flying all over your workshop can be a nuisance. Other than tiny dust particles getting into your eyes and inhibiting your smooth working, they are also carcinogenic, and it would help if you minimize the exposure. With that said, you need the best shop vac for dust collection to help keep your working environment clean.

It is a tall order for most people to acquire the right shop vac in the market because there are so many to choose from, which confuses the buyers. I’m here to make your work more comfortable, and I believe that by the time you shall have finished reading this article, you will have the right product for your quest.

In this review, I have listed the very best shop vacs for dust collection that you can find out there. Read on to find out more.

 

1. RIDGID 50313 4000RV Portable Wet Dry Vacuum

I had not used this tool before until I heard some of my colleagues in woodworking raving about it, so I decided to acquire one, and it’s just amazing. The Ridgid 50313 is up there as the best shop vac for dust collection. It is a smaller wet/dry vacuum that you can transport with one hand. 

When you buy this machine, you get yourself a 5 horsepower motor and as well as a range of attachments for dust sucking or blowing. It gives you the flexibility to use it as a leaf blower or a vacuum.

This unit comes with a massive 20-foot power cord that allows you room to be mobile with your work.

The power plus efficiency that you get with this tool makes it an excellent choice for professionals, especially those who are interested in a shop vac that you can move about carrying.

One drawback, though, is that this machine does not come with most of the extensions that you might need to get the best out of this shop VacVac. An example is the lack of long-nosed attachments that might be necessary for household messes.

You will have to buy such separately, which could beg for extra cash.

The Summary of Top Features

• It comes with a powerful 5.0 Peak Horsepower which makes it ideal for professionals and contractors who require high performance in a compact unit
• The tool has an ultra-flexible, 1-7/8-inch x 8-foot hose locks that are four times more durable than the standard hose, and can fit 1-7/8-inch accessories
• It has a 20-foot power cord that delivers an extended reach
• The unit has an ergonomic handle that provides comfortable transportation 
• It comes with a patented Qwik Lock Filter Fastening System that allows for easy filter installation, removal when cleaning or replacement 
• The blower capacity of this unit offers a versatile performance that enables you to switch to blowing leaves and other unwanted wastes around you

Pros

• It is a compact unit
• The shop vac comes with versatility
• It is a powerful tool

Cons

• It is a bit pricey

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2. WORKSHOP Wet/Dry Vacs WS1600SS Vacuum Cleaner

In case dust with large chips is your problem, then don’t think twice about acquiring this shop vac. It comes with a vast drum size that helps you suck in the most stubborn dust pieces around your workshop or home. Besides, it’s a durable product that will serve you for many years hence giving you great value for your money.

Additionally, it has an ergonomic handle plus large rear wheels that allow you to transport from one point to the next with a lot of ease. This machine has a cart like design with locking adapters that give you flexibility whenever you are using this shop vac.

Furthermore, you can choose to use this tool as a wet vacuum to pick up to 1 gallon of water in a blink. If you are looking to clean your garden, then the integrated blowing port will, in no time, turn your unit into a blower.

The Summary of Top Features

• This unit comes with a large 16-gallon tank plus a 7-foot long hose
• It has durable stainless steel 
• The tool comes with a powerful 6.5 HP motor
• Its rear wheel is large such that you can roll it over stairs or rough terrain

Pros

• It a powerful unit
• This tool has a massive 16 gallon 
• It’s portable
• It has an onboard storage

Cons

• It’s not easy to assemble this machine.

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3. CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 20 Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac

In case you are working on massive projects, you may have a lot of dust messes, and that’s where the CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 comes in; it will help you clear your working area in no time. Its large tank saves you the hassle of having to empty it almost every other minute. 

The CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 has a dual flex technology that helps you with cleaning up on a bigger scale.

Additionally, this beast has a rear blowing port that allows you to blow leaves in your backyard and outdoor grass spaces.

If you are looking to discard liquids in the canister, then this unit makes it more straightforward as you don’t need to open the entire engine cap. The oversized drain in this machine is wide enough to flush water out within seconds.

The Summary of Top Features

• It comes with 6.5 peak HP that provides heavy-duty cleanup for different tasks
• The machine comes with a large tank capacity of up to 20-gallon which saves you the hassle of frequent emptying
• It comes with a built-in blower port that allows you to clean your outdoor spaces
• The unit has an oversized drain that allows for convenient emptying of liquids

Pros

• It’s easy to operate this machine
• It is excellent for heavy-duty cleaning
• This unit comes with a large container
• You get it with a series of accessories upon purchase

Cons

• It’s heavy

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4. DeWALT DXV10P 10 gallon Quiet Poly Wet Dry Vacuum

We all know about DEWALT products; they are always a reliable brand, and so is there shop VacVac the DEWALT DXV10P Wet & Dry Vacuum. The unit comes with dust extraction, drain port, blower port, 2X run-time, and above all, it is quieter than other similar products that fall within the same price range. Additionally, this tool comes with a washable cartridge filter. 

If I have to choose the best out of the entire DXV cleaners series, I will go for the DXV10P as it has the best value for money. This unit comes with excellent suction power; besides, it is durable.

Its 10-gallon is an excellent medium size container that works effectively for different cleaning tasks within your homestead. The design of this shop vac allows you to work comfortably even in tight spaces, which is a plus.

Furthermore, the DXV10P comes with a large dust bag that can hold the wands, nozzles, and other accessories of this unit. The bag has a unique that allows store the vacuum, nozzle, 20′ power cord, and hose as a unit.

This machine’s motor is a powerful one with a 5.5 peak horsepower that provides the much-needed suction for any cleanup job. It has a long cord, which makes it easy to use it in almost any area.

The Summary of Top Features

• It has a sturdy 10-gallon dual-stage wet/dry vac 
• The unit comes with a powerful 5.5 peak horsepower
• It has ultra-durable rubberized casters allow smooth movement
• The cord is extra-long, 10 feet, for a wide reach
• It comes with a built-in accessory storage bag

Pros

• Effective suction and blower power.
• Quieter than the average vacuum.
• It comes with good casters for navigating around tight spaces.
• The tool has a built-in storage bag.

Cons

• A bit pricey compared to other models

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5. DEWALT 18/20V Max Vacuum, Wet/Dry (DCV581H)

DeWalt 18/20V Max vacuum is another product from DEWALT that is worth every cent if you are looking for the best shop vac for dust collection for your woodworking store. This unit always wins when it comes to dealing with dust particles; it is an excellent combination of wet and dry cleaning. 

This tank of this Vac comes with a capacity of 2 gallons and an exemplary operation, cordless and corded. One outstanding feature that you will find on this shop vac is the HEPA rated filter; they effectively suck up dust at the rate of up to 99.97 in a single motion.

These filters are handy, and more so, they are easy to set up, and you can even choose to reuse them.

Note: This shop vac does not have an onboard hose and accessory storage; it, therefore, makes it easy to carry and take it from place to place. Setting up of this unit is simple, thanks to the comprehensive manual. 

The Summary of Top Features

• The machine can operate corded through an AC outlet; alternatively, it can do cordless by an 18v or 20v MAX battery
• It comes with a HEPA Rated filter with up to 99.97% trap efficiency
• You can wash and reuse the filter
• It has a 2-gallon tank capacity
• It’s heavy-duty, crush-resistant with a fully integrated 5′ hose 
• The machine comes with onboard storage for easy transport.

Pros

• The unit comes with highly effective filters
• It’s durable

Cons

• It can reject the battery and stop working unless plugged.

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6. Shop-Vac 5989300 5-Gallon 4.5 Peak HP Stainless Steel Wet Dry Vacuum

It’s one of the readily available shop vac for dust collection with great reviews from the users. Let’s dive into some of the best features of this fantastic unit.

This machine comes with a durable stainless steel 5-gallon storage tank plus a 6.5 horsepower motor that does an excellent job of lifting dirt, dust, and almost any other waste that comes its way.

Also, it won’t cost you so much to have your hand on this amazing machine.

Furthermore, this shop VacVac has an overflow very, which let you known when to offload. You will find that most of the small vacs stop running when they fill up, this won’t pause thanks to the overflow.

The Summary of Top Features

• This tool comes with a power of up to 4.5 PHP making it great for multiple usages
• If you purchase one, it comes with accessories such as 3 extension wands, plus cartridge filter, crevice tool, gulper nozzle, 7-foot hose, foam sleeve, floor nozzle, plus filter bag.
• It has an overflow and does not stop running even when full.

Pros

• It is affordable.
• This shop vac has a 5 gallons stainless steel tank.
• It comes with a Hose diameter of 1.25 inch that is compatible with a wide range of extensible wands.
• The unit comes with a base roller for portability.

Cons

• The power cord is short.

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7. Bissell Garage Pro Wall-Mounted Wet Dry Car Vacuum/Blower

The Bissell Garage Pro is up there as the best shop vac for dust collection thanks to its amazing features when it comes to the cleaning of your workshop spaces. It does not matter what kind of waste you want to do away with, from oil spills, wood chips, fluids, or any other type of dirt, it can deal literally with all kinds of mess. 

You can mount this unit safely on the wall. It has a hose holder that holds its extra-long hose.

It should take you a few simple steps to clean the dust bucket. All you should do is unlocking the clamps on both sides, and the bucket will come off. Additionally, it comes with a sensor that alerts you when the bin is full of water and needs emptying.

You don’t necessarily have to wait for the sensor; this unit has a semi-transparent canister at the holding area that allows you to see what’s inside and decide whether or not it is time to clean.

Note: it has one of the longest hoses that you can find in a consumer-level vac.

Furthermore, this device comes with all the necessary accessories that you might need during your operation. Its 12-amp powered motor also doubles as a blower that you can use to clear leaves off your back yard. Its semi-transparent tank has a capacity of 4-gallons.

The Summary of Top Features

• It comes with a semi-translucent tank plus a sensor that eliminates unpleasant surprises
• It has a long hose that measures up to 32 feet long for convenience in movement during work as well as manoeuvrability
• The tool comes with 7 different hose extension attachments
• This shop vac uses a 12 amp motor and has a 4-gallon tank that is great for wet/dry cleaning

Pros

• The device comes with a very long hose.
• It has a semi-transparent canister.
• The unit has a water level sensor.
• It’s powerful.

Cons

• Sometimes the nozzles can get clogged up.

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8. Vacmaster VBV1210, 12-Gallon 5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

The Vacmaster is a gift that keeps giving, and the VBV1210 is the best shop vac for dust collection in the market, especially if you compare the features against the price. This unit comes with a powerful 5 horsepower motor that does all the aggressive picking of dust and dirt particles present in your work store.

Its storage container is a massive one that stands at 12-gallon. Besides, it has a 12-foot long cord that allows you to put it anywhere within your working area.

What’s more about this machine is the presence of a fun twist. This shop vac has an easily detachable motor that doubles as a leaf blower once you attach it properly. If Functioning as a leaf blower, this unit can blow at a speed of up to 240 MPH.

It gives you so much versatility, making it an all-purpose cleaner. You can use this machine for your shop, home yard, as well as cleaning the messes in your house.

The Summary of Top Features

• You can easily convert it from Wet/Dry Vacuum to 210 MPH handheld leaf blower
• It comes with a 19-foot cleaning reach with hose and power cord
• The unit comes with an Integrated Accessory Storage
• It has an Extra Large Drain Port
• The machine comes with accessories included, such as the 7′ x 2-1/2″ Secure Fit Hose, Utility Nozzle, (2) Extension Wands, Crevice Tool, Blower Adapter, Car Nozzle, Concentrator Nozzle, Air/Noise Diffuser, Foam Wet Filter and Standard Cartridge Filter.

Pros

• It comes with plenty of suction
• The unit has a quick detachable blower
• It is versatile in various uses
• This shop vac has a long cord
• It has a large capacity tank

Cons

• It is noisy

Best Shop Vac for Dust Collection Buyer’s Guide

In the first part of this article, I have reviewed the very best shop vacs for dust collection that you can get out there with all the features included. Even so, you need more than just the review to get the right product.

Therefore, I have gone ahead to provide other factors and aspects of different shop vacs that you need to look out for before buying. They include:

Noise Levels

It is common for workshops to be noisy, which is attributed to the power tools in operation. Shop vacs can be loud too. Generally, we argue that noisy shop vacs are powerful. However, many shop vacs are powerful yet quieter, always try and acquire one with low noise levels.

Length of the Cord

In most cases, you will have your shop vac plugged into a power outlet in your shop. Considering that you might want to move it around, acquiring one with a long cord would greatly help. I would advise that you go for one with a cord length range of 12-20 feet, which is enough to cover your entire workshop.

The Versatility of the Device

It is prudent that you get a shop vac that can also double up as a blower, especially when you are looking to clean the leaves in your outdoor space. Such a device comes with a lot of benefits, among them financial.

The Power

The best shop vac for dust collection has to be powerful. Powerful shop vacs are very useful when you are looking to lift lots of dust, and other wastes in your working environment. They do alot for cleaning than the small and less powerful shop vacs.

A shop vac with a 3.5 horsepower is powerful enough to get your jobs done with so much ease.

The Storage Size

Size is another important feature of a shop vac that you need to consider, shop vacs with ample storage space saves you the need for frequent emptying of the tank. 

If you need so much convenience with your work, consider a device that gives you a storage of between 12-20 gallons; this will be an asset to most of the workshops.

Portability/storability

Well, the size will not always carry the day you are talking about shop vacs; the idea of a large-sized shop vac is great and might not necessarily be true. If you are looking to move from place to place, you will need a portable device.

Therefore, if you are looking to move from one job site to the next, consider going for a shop vac that you can move about whenever the need arises.

Price/Budget

The price decides everything if you are looking to acquire the best shop vac for dust collection. If you are looking for powerful devices, you will have to spend more. Sometimes, you don’t have to pay a lot of money on powerful shop vac, especially if you need it for casual jobs.

Also, don’t buy a shop vac that is way expensive than your budget. Budgeting is essential, and each time you go overboard, you may struggle financially, even if it is short-term. Therefore, ensure that you are getting the right product at the correct prices.

Conclusion

If dust is is an issue for your workshop, then you need to have a shop vac. As I stated at the beginning of this article, dust posses health risks, and you should try as much as you can to work in a dust-free environment.

My top pick for the best shop vac for dust collection is RIDGID 50313 4000RV Portable Wet Dry Vacuum. This device comes with some of the best features you would want for the dust collection in your shop.

I would like to let you know that I’ve only listed the very best shop vacs you can find on the market today, and any that you will choose will serve you in the best possible way.

Having read this article, I hope you found it helpful even as you look for information regarding shop vacs for dust collection. Kindly share your opinion in the comments section below. Meanwhile, happy shopping!