Working with wood, chances are you are inhaling sawdust, or carcinogen. If you tried using a home-used vacuum to clean that mess, you probably knew that it didn’t work effectively.
That’s why people invented shop vac.
So, besides a powerful saw for the projects, you need a clean-up tool to make your wife happy. Would you want to come back to an untidy job site? Not to mention, the dust is toxic for your health.
The best shop vac for dust collection will be an antidote to that curse.
With that in mind, we brought several shop vacs into the test and yielded a few names of the best:
- Best overall – Vacmaster 5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
- Runner up – DeWALT 9 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac
- Best for small messes from drywall repairs – DEWALT DCV581H Wet-Dry Vacuum
- Best for big messes – CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 Shop Vacuum
- Best for drywall dust – Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Vac
- Best for larger pieces – WORKSHOP Wet/Dry Vacs WS1600SS Vacuum Cleaner
The best shop vacs for dust collection – 2020 reviews
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Best overall Vacmaster 5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum |
| View on Amazon |
 | Runner-up DeWALT 9 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac |
| View on Amazon |
 | Best for small messes from drywall repairs DEWALT DCV581H Wet-Dry Vacuum |
| View on Amazon |
 | Best for big messes CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 Shop Vacuum |
| View on Amazon |
 | Best for drywall dust Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Vac |
| View on Amazon |
 | Best for larger pieces WORKSHOP Wet/Dry Vacs WS1600SS Vacuum Cleaner |
| View on Amazon |
Vacmaster 5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum – Best overall
- Plenty of suction
- Quick detachable blower
- Versatile in various uses
- Long cord
- Large tank
- Wheels may fall off
It has an extra filter to vacuum water. You will have all the leak taken of real quick.
The coolest thing on this vacuum is the quick detachable blower that comes out in a flick of fingers. You’ll get an extension to work on other function.
Not only will this VBV1210 vacuums saw dust, but it will also clean leaves, hair, debris as well as working as a wet vac.
In many cases, you don’t have a nearby outlet where you need to vacuum, the 12 ft. Cord with cord wrap is long enough.
| Tank | 12 gallons |
| Peak Horsepower | 5 HP |
| Hose Length | 7 ft |
| Max Airflow | 240 mph |
| Power Cord Length | 12 ft |
| Accessory Diameter | 2-1/2 In. |
| Included Filtration | Cartridge Filter and Foam Wet Filter |
| Accessories Included | 2 Extension Wands |
| Highlight Features | 210 MPH Detachable Blower with Quick Release mechanism, long cord, and Extra Large Drain Port |
The Vacmaster masters at cleaning every mess in your house efficiently in every way.
DeWALT 9 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac – Runner up
- Easy to move
- Simple assembly
- Powerful motor
- Lightweight
- Heavy-duty wheels
- No place to wrap the hose
- Short power cord
This machine comes as advertised with a lot of goodies. We have to say that the assembly process was fun and mess-free. You will need a drill to screw in the hardware.
We liked the motor. It’s heavy, and that’s a good sign because it’s got some power in it. You can expect it to have a nice suction for the cleanup.
The caster feels sturdy, which made from an ultra-durable rubberized material. It does allow smooth swiveling when you move around the place.
With the built-in accessory storage bag, you can hold all the mess inside. In our test, we threw all the dust and wood chips in there, and the bag just winded up everything snugly.
Not only that, you get a built-in blower port for blowing those dust off your workshop fast and neatly. It’s truly ideal for large pick-up applications in case you are an avid hobbyist.
| Tank | 9 gallon |
| Peak Horsepower | 5 HP |
| Hose Length | 7 ft |
| Max Airflow | N/A |
| Power Cord Length (Inches) | 10 ft |
| Accessory Diameter | 1-7/8 In. |
| Included Filtration | Washable/reusable cartridge filter |
| Accessories Included | Storage bag, utility nozzle, crevice nozzle, floor nozzle |
| Highlight Features | Built-in storage bag keeping dust in one place. Heavy-duty wheels are easy to maneuver |
The model from DEWALT can slurp in any mess deserves to be the second pick if you’re not pleased with the first one.
DEWALT DCV581H Wet-Dry Vacuum – Best for small messes from drywall repairs
- Convenient
- Versatile with the ability to run on both battery and AC outlet
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Functional HEPA filter
- No charger included
- The battery doesn’t last long
The little guy is compact in size designed to be light in weight.
When tidy things up with this vac, we were surprised with the machine’s ability to trap dust. The specs say it features the HEPA Rated filter traps up to 99.97% efficiency at one micron. Better than that, that filter is washable with tap water.
It’s a heavy-duty machine that can stand crushing. The fully-integrated 5’ hose won’t be pressed down in case a heavy object is on it.
We recommend using this vac for small scale DIY due to its limited tank. But you can trust its power for fast cleanup.
| Tank | 2 gallon |
| Peak Horsepower | 1.85 HP |
| Hose Length | 5 ft |
| Max Airflow | 33.55 CFM |
| Power Cord Length | 5 ft |
| Accessory Diameter | 1-1/4 In. |
| Included Filtration | HEPA filter |
| Accessories Included | Crevice Tool Attachment, Wide Nozzle Tool Attachment |
| Highlight Features | Can run on both battery and AC outlet. Washable HEPA filter traps dust effective and can reuse after cleaning up |
It’s worthwhile to have the DEWALT DCV581H to a small project that needs minimal dust cleaning.
CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 Shop Vacuum – Best for big messes
- Quick and easy operation
- Capable of heavy-duty cleaning
- Large container
- Include a series of accessories
- Big size is heavy
Also, you need more horsepowers to suck in all the chips and leftover of your DIY.
The CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 comes with dual flex technology to tackle with cleaning up on a grander scale.
Besides, the bad boy equips a rear blowing port allows blowing leaves in your backyard and outdoor grass clippings.
How about discarding liquids in the canister?
You don’t need to open the whole engine cap. The oversized drain is wide enough to flush water out quickly.
| Tank | 20 gallon |
| Peak Horsepower | 6.5 HP |
| Hose Length | 7 ft |
| Max Airflow | |
| Power Cord Length | 20 ft |
| Accessory Diameter | 2-1/2-in |
| Included Filtration | Cartridge Filter and Dust Bag |
| Accessories Included | Hose, Two Extension Wands, Car Nozzle, Wet Nozzle, Utility Nozzle, Crevice Tool, Muffler/Diffuser |
| Highlight Features | Large tank and powerful motor give a lot of space and suction for a big workshop |
Using this shop vac for cleaning the job site with big-dream projects is a blessing.
Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Vac – Best for drywall dust
- Beasty suction power
- Extremely long cord
- Easy assembly
- Quick to switch to a blower
- Weak connection in the hose and wand
- Hard to attach the bag to the inlet hole
The Vacmaster Professional in the Beast series gives an amazing performance from the 5.5 Peak HP engine that will eat those drywall joint compounds.
Right out of the box, you get a 12-gallon tank with an Integrated Hose Storage. The power cord is super long at 20 feet with Cord Wrap.
If you need a blower for your backyard right out of the garage, simply pull this vac out and convert it into a blower in a snap of a finger.
| Tank | 12 gallon |
| Peak Horsepower | 5.5 HP |
| Hose Length | 7 ft |
| Max Airflow | 143 CFM |
| Power Cord Length | 20 ft |
| Accessory Diameter | 2-1/2″ |
| Included Filtration | Fine Dust Cartridge Filter, Foam Wet Filter |
| Accessories Included | Kink Resistant EVA Hose, Utility Nozzle, Floor Nozzle, Crevice Tool, (2) Extension Wands, High Efficiency Dust Bag, Noise Diffuser |
| Highlight Features | Incredibly powerful suction for drywall and on-board storage keeps accessories neatly |
You will get that crazy suction to wipe off drywall completely in no time on this Vacmaster Professional.
WORKSHOP Wet/Dry Vacs WS1600SS Vacuum Cleaner – Best for larger pieces
- Designed to roll easily
- Durable drum
- On-board storage
- Maximum suction
- Not easy to assemble
- Attachments are not quality
Is that all?
Of course, no. The ergonomic handle and large rear wheels make your life easier with transporting the unit. It yet comes in cart design and locking adapters; all are serving the flexibility when using a shop vac.
You can use this guy as a wet vacuum that can pick 1 gallon of water in a blink. For garden clean up, the integrated blowing port will turn your thing into a blower.
| Tank | 16 gallon |
| Peak Horsepower | 6.5 HP |
| Hose Length | 7 ft |
| Max Airflow | 167 CFM |
| Power Cord Length (Inches) | 20 ft |
| Accessory Diameter | 2-1/2-inch |
| Included Filtration | Fine dust Qwik Lock filter |
| Accessories Included | Hose, dust bag, utility nozzle, wet nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle, 2 ext. wands |
| Highlight Features | The powerful engine provides great suction while the hose with durable material can withstand large pieces |
No more worries about pieces of chips leftover after your intensive tidy-up with WORKSHOP WS1600SS vac.
How to choose the best shop vac for dust collection (buying guide)
It can be hard to shop with the list of the best shop vac for dust collection. You need to arm yourself this buyer’s guide, too.
Keep reading for the factors before deciding anything.
Power
Regarding the motor, you don’t have to go as high as you can. Just pick the one that fits the scale of your workshop.
For example, you don’t need a 6.5 peak HP engine for crafting small item; a cordless vac can handle it well enough.
But if you need to clean a big mess afterward, consider a vac with a bigger power level.
Noise
A workshop can’t be a quiet place. But you want to reduce the noise as low as possible.
Power tools are loud equipment in their own right. But the noise proves how powerful the engine is. However, there are high-end units rigged with low-level of sound you can find; just pay a bit extra.
With that said, you have a wide range of options available; only consider your preference on how can you handle the sound.
Tank size
A big tank reduces the times of discard, but you will exchange it with portability. It also costs a little more.
For ample workshops with high volume job, a 12 to 20-gallon tank should be sufficient.
Accessories
There will be times you need more than the hose alone. You may use the vac for cleaning up your backyard. Sometimes, there is debris in some crevices that need to be removed.
So, check if the vac comes with different types of nozzles and other goodies. It will be a plus if you have multiple tools ready at hand.
Cord length
Many woodworkers growled for not being able to pull the shop vac to where they need to clean distant from the outlet. And it would consume your time to find and connect to an extensive outlet.
In that case, you should look for a long cord in the vac. The ideal length for us is from 12 to 20 ft.
Who makes the best shop vac for dust collection?
DEWALT
DEWALT always takes the top rank in most of our list of power tools. Not only the quality of their products is beyond acceptable, but the designs are also distinctive.
Equipment from DEWALT has gained many trusts. No doubt that the brand is among the best.
Vacmaster
Vacmaster defines their name in the industry with a series of vacuums of many lines. The company provides specific vacs in high quality and exceptional performance.
With the impressive products, Vacmaster is one of the top choices when it comes to buying a shop vac.
CRAFTSMAN
Being the old guy in the game, CRAFTSMAN competes with superior-quality products in handsome price tags. The brand aims to deliver their long-established legacy in each product. And that’s how they make the brand live for nearly a century.
FAQs
What is the difference between a dust extractor and a shop vac?
A: The difference lies in the larger scale of the ground the dust extractor can handle. Dust collectors separate dust and debris with two kinds of filtration while this is united on the shop vac.
Is a shop vac better than a regular vacuum?
A: Shop vacuum is more durable than a regular one because it works in a heavy-duty environment.
It’s hard to say if the shop vac is better, but it has a plus of powerful suction. While you can’t use the home vac for the job site, but it’s possible to use a shop vac for your home.
So, we guess the shop vac has more point over a regular vacuum.
Will drywall dust ruin my vacuum?
A: It is the filter drywall dust will clog or rip. From here, it can wreck your motor, putting an end to the vac.
The simplest to get rid of that dust is to get a HEPA filter will be a solution to keep your vac alive if you can afford it.
Can you run a shop vac without a filter?
A: Yes, it’s possible. But only for sucking water. When clearing the flood from leaking, you can take off the filter and make it run. That’s why many vacs come with a drain hole at the bottom.
**Warning when using the vac without a filter for dry cleaning: We don’t recommend this. But in case you don’t have a replacement around the home, do clean in an open area. Without a filter, dust will blow back out, and it makes no sense polluting your home again.
How do I stop my shop vac from blowing dust?
A: The problem probably comes from improper installation of the filter or dust gets exhausted out of the blower port.
To solve this, you need to shake off all dust from the previous clean. It not only prevents your filter from clogging but also leaves an empty bin to trap dust.
Final lines
Having a good shop vac for dust collection will save you a lot of time cleaning your workshop.
Remember to stick with our tips and recommendation; you will get the right vac in no time.
In case you’re still confused, send us a comment right below. We’ll be more than happy to help.
And don’t forget to share this post to spread the good, please.
Happy vacuum! We’ll see you soon in future posts.
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I’m James J. Decker, a hobbyist and DIYs and also a big of home improvement and gardening tools. I immensely enjoy how these amazing products improve productivity and efficiency, and allow me to do jobs for which I would’ve otherwise needed professional help.
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