Best Small Shop Vac

Top 5 Best Small Shop Vac On The Market

When looking around at various cleaning blogs and retail sections, you will notice that many people are beginning to use small shop vacuums to ​expand their home and workplace cleaning capabilities.By using these amazing and affordable pieces of equipment, you can easily clean everything from hardwood floor to carpet, to vehicle interiors.

What is a Small Shop Vacuum?

Unlike traditional vacuum cleaners, shop vacuums use more intensive air and liquid based operations to perform both dry and wet cleaning tasks. If you have a workspace, carpet, or vehicle interior to clean up, a small shop vacuum may be your best investment option on the market today.For a simple investment under $100, you can get a small sized shop vacuum model that will revolutionize the way you clean. With many valuable accessories, compact model designs, a stylish exterior, shop vacuums are quickly taking over the home cleaning marketplace. Finally, these amazing products are so intuitive that anybody can use them.

Top 5 Best Small Shop Vac on the Market

Picture

Name

Rating

Price

ArmorAll AA255 Utility WetDry Vacuum

ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum

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Shop-Vac 2036000 Wet Dry Vacuum

Shop-Vac 2036000 Wet Dry Vacuum

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Ridgid 36138 3 Gallon Wet Dry Vacuum

Ridgid 36138 3 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum

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Vacmaster VF408 Wet Dry Floor Vacuum

Vacmaster VF408 Wet/Dry Floor Vacuum

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WORKSHOP Wet Dry Vacs WS0250VA

WORKSHOP Wet/Dry Vacs WS0250VA Shop Vacuum

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Things to Consider Before Buying a Shop Vac

Storage Capabilities

Depending on the shop vac model you invest in, it may be somewhat bulky, or incredibly sleek. Either way, you will want to be able to store your vacuum conveniently.To ensure you make the right investment, be sure to check in on the various storage features a model holds. Each model has different awesome storage features, so be sure to pick the one that best benefits your cleaning needs, and home/work environment.Finally, you want to ensure that the gallon size of your shop vac is appropriate for your cleaning spaces. For example, if you have a small home, you may only need a shop vac with a 2-gallon size.

Common Storage Features:

  • Wall Mounts
  • Automatic Cord Retraction
  • Top Handle
  • On-Board Accessory Storage

Noise Potential

As with most cleaning equipment, operating it can become obnoxious, loud, and headache inducing. To avoid frustrating your family, friends, co-workers, or yourself, check out the specs on your desired shop vac model to see if it has built-in features to minimize the amount of noise during operation.Not all models will have huge selling points in this area, but others will have features that will cut the noise down to half. Just because this is a vacuum, doesn’t mean it has to intimidate everything in its path with a deafening roar, after all.

Accessories

Every shop vac model comes with a variety of accessories that will help you get the deep clean you desire. To ensure your purchase is ideal for your work environment and personal needs, be sure to analyze the differences in accessories offered with the models you are considering.Additionally, be sure to buy a model with on-board accessory storage as possible, as some accessories can be quite small, and easy to misplace otherwise. Each accessory should ideally help you either wet or dry clean to maximum efficiency. Be aware of unneeded accessories that are present only to inflate the price tag.

Common Accessories:

  • Hoses
  • Utility Nozzles
  • Car Nozzles
  • Cord Holder
  • Automatic Dust Pans

Portability

When you begin using a shop vac for the first time, you will quickly realize that deep cleaning can be tiresome work. Be sure to avoid tiring yourself out further than necessary, and avoid buying models that are too bulky or heavy.If you struggle to find a model that can be easily transported between cleaning locations, you will wear yourself out much faster, and get less cleaning done.

Other Considerations

  • Filter Types
  • Hose Length
  • Battery or Power Operated Models
  • Cleaning Methods
  • Horsepower
  • Storage Size

The Best Small Shop Vacs Review

ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum

ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet Dry Vacuum

Editor Rating:

Specifically designed to clean the interior of your car, and other sensitive jobs, this ArmorAll model can handle both wet and dry pickup.

Additionally, the model can convert to a blower that has the automatic shut off features to prevent any unwanted overflow.This shop vac model is versatile, and even has a built-in noise diffuser to keep your jobs quiet and relaxing.

Designed with accessories, a convenient cord wrap, and a sturdy polypropylene tank, you can keep your workspace clean and organized with ease when using this awesome shop vac model.The ArmorAll model also has the privilege of being the most affordable model on our list.

  • PROS
  • CONS
  • Cheapest Model on the Market
  • Automatic Shut Off Features
  • Midrange Capabilities

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Shop-Vac 2036000 Wet Dry Vacuum

Shop-Vac 2036000 Wet Dry Vacuum

Editor Rating:

Ready to give your home the cleaning it deserves? This model can do it.

With powerful cleanup features and a space-saving design, this awesome shop vac is one of the easiest to use models on the market.Take advantage of the wall mount to keep it far out of the way of your other projects when it is not in use, and move it to and fro with ease thanks to its lightweight design.

With its 2.5 HP motor, this shop vac model is perfect for both wet and dry cleaning.

  • PROS
  • CONS
  • Space Saving Design
  • Wall Mount
  • Design is Not as Sleek as Other Models

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Ridgid 36138 3 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum

Ridgid 36138 3 Gallon Wet Dry Vacuum

Editor Rating:

Another highly compact and simple to use shop vac model, the Ridgid brand name helps to ensure the consumer is getting a high-end piece of equipment.

With a powerful 2.5 HP motor, you can get more done with this model than the previous two.

This mid-range model is perfect for those who need to do some quick pick up in their shops, or in any place in the house that needs a deep clean. Able to do both dry and wet vacuum work, the Ridgid model has what it needs to get the job done.

  • PROS
  • CONS
  • Perfect for Dry and Wet Cleaning
  • Trusted Ridgid Brand
  • Midrange Capabilities

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Vacmaster VF408 Wet/Dry Floor Vacuum

Vacmaster VF408 Wet Dry Floor Vacuum

Editor Rating:

If you want a powerful shop vac model that can take on any job, this Vacmaster is your ideal choice.

With a whopping 5 peak HP motor, you will be able to clean your home and vehicles with ease, quickness, and precision.Additionally, the automatic cord rewind and top handle feature make it extremely versatile and easy to move around.

Despite being the largest model on this list, with its 4-gallon storage, the Vacmaster model may be the simplest to store. This model rocks a 72db output, making it the quietest model on our list as well.Finally, the model comes with a HEPA filter, which ensures even the smallest household particles are not left hanging during your cleaning sessions. However, the Vacmaster is also the most expensive model on this list.

  • PROS
  • CONS
  • Powerful, 5 Peak HP Motor
  • Extremely Compact and Portable
  • 72db Output for Quiet Operation
  • More Expensive than the Competing Models

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WORKSHOP Wet/Dry Vacs WS0250VA Shop Vacuum

WORKSHOP Wet Dry Vacs WS0250VA

Editor Rating:

For a more modern design, fit for more casual cleaning jobs, the WORKSHOP model has you covered.

This shop vac design may have less horsepower than the other models on our list, but its ultra-compact design, and many accessories more than make up for its shortcomings.

For a highly versatile model that is great for most wet and dry cleaning jobs, it is hard to do better than this affordable mid-range model. Additionally, the 5-year limited manufacturer warranty helps this WORKSHOP model to be a safe and sound investment.

  • PROS
  • CONS
  • Highly Versatile Design
  • Tons of Accessories
  • Less Powerful than the Competition

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Final Verdict

Given the general low price tag of most shop vac models, we highly recommend that you invest the extra money and go with the high-end, Vacmaster VF408 Wet/Dry Floor Vacuum ​model.This amazing shop vac is the most compact, powerful, and deep model available on our list. For homeowners looking to invest in equipment that will keep their vehicles, garages, homes, and more clean, this equipment is a must buy. Once you use the model to do a few jobs, you will begin to wonder how you ever lived without it.

Also, you may like to read our review on…

The 10 Best Shop Vacs On The Market Today!

About the Author Richard White

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