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The best vacs for dust, spills, and more.
Photo:Real Simple / Ashley Craiger
Hose storage isnt as tight and compact as it could be.
The 9-gallon capacity was more than big enough, and it was easy to empty and to clean.
Still, we liked that the hose wrapped securely around the canister body for easy storage.
PHOTO: Amazon
The not-so-tight seal between the lid and the base feels a little unstable.
This budget vac stood out because it didnt feel or work like a budget buy.
After six months, were still returning to this shop vac for car detailing and other small jobs.
PHOTO: Amazon
It performed well with both wet and dry cleanup, and its small size proved useful in hard-to-reach spaces.
But the long hose, generous cord length, and extender attachment made it feel anything but small.
It also has a handy auto-shutoff feature that kicks in when its vacuuming liquids so the tank wont overfill.
PHOTO: Real Simple / Ashley Craiger
The unit also lacks a fine-dust filter, and we werent able to find one by the same manufacturer.
The double-lock top is sturdy but can pinch fingers.
After six months using thiscordless vacfrom Ryobi, we have no complaints.
The charger is small and doesnt take up much space, whether the battery is connected or not.
After wet cleanup, simply unscrew the cap to drain the water.
However, we werent fans of the locking mechanism on top of the canister.
It only comes with a basic nozzleyoull need to buy attachments.
For those who value portability, this small-yet-mighty unit is up for the challenge.
We found its lightweight, cordless design easy to maneuver and carry, and setup was very simple.
The 6-foot hose was one of the shortest we tested, but that’s typical of a portable unit.
We had successcleaning hard surfaces, includingwood floorsand bathroom tiles, laundry rooms, and more.
This model was also one of the quietest, which is a plus in any busy household.
PHOTO: The Home Depot
Setting up the app and connecting to Wi-Fi took time.
For a model that handles both wet and dry messes, we recommend the Roborock Dyad Pro.
It picked up almost every spill in one pass, excelling on grout,laminate, and hardwood.
Real Simple / Jodi Espinosa
Six months later, it works as well as it did on day one.
During testing, we found the vacuum highly maneuverable.
We did notice some streaks on the hardwood, but the floor was spotless otherwise.
PHOTO: Amazon
Plus, it has a handy LED indicator to highlight dirt and debris.
Just keep in mind that the handle isn’t adjustable.
However, when something was stuck in the rollers, we found them difficult to remove.
PHOTO: Real Simple / Erica Finamore
), ease of assembly, included attachments that come with a convenient storage bag, and overall effectiveness.
And the moderate price is fair for the oversized value it provides.
For a more budget-friendly option, we like theArmor All AA255 2.5 Gallon 2 Peak HP Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum.
Its a more petite model, but it proved to be as effective as it is affordable.
First, we clockedsetup timefor each vacuum, including battery charging time for cordless models.
Finally, we looked at the price to determine each vacsoverall value.
The size of the tank limits what will fit inside and how often youll have to empty it.
The tank size may also correlate to the size of the hose in some models.
If youve ever tried to move six gallons of water, its not that light," Lemke says.
A 12-gallon unit will hold about 8 gallons of water, and thats exceptionally heavy.
Low CFM is considered 60 and below, and should be fine for picking up light debris and dust.
Medium CFM ranges between 60 and 90 and works for most average users in most home and garage configs.
PHOTO: Roborock
CFM really comes into play when youre moving liquids, Morgan says.
While they’re pretty simple tools, Morgan says power and capacity are the main differences to watch for.
Before you buy, Lemke suggests thinking about what attachments will be helpful for you.
PHOTO: Real Simple
Questions You Might Ask
Whats the difference between a shop vac and a wet/dry vacuum?
They’re ideal for use in the garage, for spills, or in basements where you have water.
Who should get a shop vac?
What types of messes are shop vacs best for?
Morgan says they can be used for other tasks as well.
you might use this forced stream of air to move leaves or sawdust.
Real Simple / Jennifer Bonnichsen
Real Simple / Ashley Craiger
