What do you mean by max power? High static pressure, high cfm, high watts? No recommendations for you (because I don't think any shop vac, let alone a small one is adequate for collecting dust from a table saw), but in the absence of CFm ratings for the tools, you can check what size hose it uses. A 1.5inch hose will be able to pull about 50cfm max, 2.5 is max of about 100-120cfm, and a 4inch is about 400 cfm. Basic physics says you won't move more air than that without obscene amounts of pressure. Answer from Archer_37 on reddit.com
Cat 6 Tools
cat6tools.com › home › cat 6 tools blog › ridgid shop vac wd19560 comparison test
Ridgid Shop Vac WD19560 Comparison Test
October 25, 2024 - The 6.5 HP Ridgid is rated at 12 ... also wanted the highest air flow (CFM) available and the Ridgid is right up there with over 200 CFM....
Reddit
reddit.com › r/beginnerwoodworking › high power, small volume shop vac?
r/BeginnerWoodWorking on Reddit: High power, small volume shop vac?
March 8, 2023 -
Hi everyone, Crossposting from r/tools. I have a small workshop and am looking for a shop vac that maximizes power while minimizing footprint. I have a bucket dust separator, so I don’t need a lot of volume in the actual vacuum, and since I have limited space, would prefer as small a footprint as possible. I know a shop vac isn’t a replacement for a dedicated dust collector, but space and budget mean I am limited to a shop vac setup for the time being. I have a big 14 gallon, 5.5hp craftsman I got for cheap; but any small vacuum I look at (3 gal, for example) seem way too weak for effectively working on my contractor table saw. Any leads? Alternatively, can I get away with something less powerful? It’s hard to find CFM values online.
Extra points if it’s quiet but that’s a secondary concern.
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What do you mean by max power? High static pressure, high cfm, high watts? No recommendations for you (because I don't think any shop vac, let alone a small one is adequate for collecting dust from a table saw), but in the absence of CFm ratings for the tools, you can check what size hose it uses. A 1.5inch hose will be able to pull about 50cfm max, 2.5 is max of about 100-120cfm, and a 4inch is about 400 cfm. Basic physics says you won't move more air than that without obscene amounts of pressure.
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Ridgid has some 5ish HP vacs in slightly smaller sizes. I have a dust collector and 2 shop vacs, I will most likely add another higher CFM collector in the future and some more shop vacs. It's about having an entire system and figuring out how to use it effectively. I have a dedicated shop vac for my Ridgid oscillating sander and it's on an automatic switch. I use bags in all my shop vacs because I don't like cleaning out the filters. As far as your contractor saw, does it have a closed base and dust port built in? If not, I put a thin sheet of ply across the base of mine with a plumbing fitting. It wasn't perfect, but it helped contain the mess.
Videos
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Pro Tool Reviews
protoolreviews.com › home › best shop vac and wet-dry vacuums: expert picks
Best Shop Vac and Wet-Dry Vacuums: Expert Picks - Pro Tool Reviews
June 30, 2025 - High airflow and capacity are the key to the best performance when it comes to dust collection. Craftsman nails it with a 16-gallon shop vac that hits an impressive 190 CFM.
Suction Power Pros
suctionpowerpros.com › home › top 5 strongest shop vacs with highest cfm – (2025 guide)
Top 5 Strongest Shop Vacs with Highest CFM - (2025 Guide)
February 1, 2025 - Compared to the Craftsman above, you get more durable components that’ll stand the test of time, large rear wheels, a transport handle, more attachments, and nearly the same CFM at 172 CFM.
Vacuum Wars
vacuumwars.com › best-shop-vac-6-5-hp
Best Shop Vac: 6.5 HP Wet/Dry Models Tested | Vacuum Wars
July 2, 2024 - For this review, we bought five of the most popular and powerful (6.5 peak horsepower) wet-dry vacuums and put them through all kinds of tests to identify top picks in two categories: best overall and best value. Interestingly, when all the test scores were in, the wet/dry vac that won best shop vac overall took the best value position as well.
Cleaners Talk
cleanerstalk.com › home › vacuum cleaners › 5 most powerful shop vacs (strongest and highest cfm)
5 Most Powerful Shop Vacs (Strongest and Highest CFM) - Cleaners Talk
January 25, 2024 - Whether it’s nails and sawdust, cat litter, or a basement flood, a shop vac can save you time and money in a pinch. ... Boasting the highest CFM of 190, the Craftsman 20 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum is by far, the strongest shop vacuum on the market.
Shop-Vac
shopvac.com › products › shop-vac®-16-gallon-6-5-peak-hp-wet-dry-vacuum-with-svx2-motor-technology
The Shop-Vac® 16 Gallon* 6.5 Peak HP** Wet/Dry Vacuum features the SVX2 Motor Technology
Airflow, Max: 150 CFM Sealed Pressure: 72-inches Electrical Ratings: 120V 60Hz 12 Amps Peak Air Watts: 345 ASTM tested with 2.5-inch diameter Shop-Vac® hose
Shop-Vac
shopvac.com › products › shop-vac®-4-gallon-5-5-peak-hp-wet-dry-vacuum-with-svx2-motor-technology
Shop-Vac® 4 Gallon 5.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum with SVX2 Motor | Shop-Vac Store
Airflow, Max: 105 CFM Sealed Pressure: 68 Inches Electrical Ratings: 120V 60Hz 11.6 Amps Peak Air Watts: 265 ASTM tested with 1.5-inch Shop-Vac® diameter hose
Agriculture.com
agriculture.com › machinery › farm-shop › equipment › buyers-guide-shop-vacuums_242-ar46866
Buyers' Guide: Shop Vacuums
January 10, 2025 - On the other hand, suction and ... An example of this is a lower-cost vacuum that boasts a high airflow of 120 cfm to 150 cfm....
Amazon
amazon.ca › Shop-Vac-3-Speed-Air-Mover-Fan › dp › B01L83U4QM
Shop Vac 1030211 Portable Air Mover: 1,800 Cfm High, 3 Speeds : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific
Shop Vac 1030211 Portable Air Mover: 1,800 Cfm High, 3 Speeds : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific
Shop-Vac
shopvac.com › products › shop-vac-6-gallon-5-0-peak-hp-wet-dry-vacuum
Shop-Vac® 6 Gallon 5.0 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum | Shop-Vac Store
Powerful 5.0 HP Motor: The 6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum with a peak 5.0 HP motor provides impressive suction power, efficiently handling tough cleaning tasks with a high airflow of 110 CFM for both wet and dry debris.
Cat 6 Tools
cat6tools.com › home › cat 6 tools blog › most powerful shop vac – 7 ways to improve
Most Powerful Shop Vac - 7 Ways To Improve - Cat 6 Tools
October 25, 2024 - This maximizes airflow rate. This little powerhouse was manufactured for dirt, sand and gravel. This is the only small vacuum with such capability. 140 CFM – Perfect cleaning out valve boxes and outdoors.
Real Simple
realsimple.com › best-shop-vacs-7151442
We Tested Dozens of Wet/Dry Vac—Here Are The Top 5 For Tackling Any Mess
March 4, 2025 - The dual locks push in rather than clip down; while we never pinched a finger, it’s a possibility. The price was also higher than other shop vacuums we’d tested, but the cordless convenience made up for the cost. Capacity: 10 gallons | Hose Length: 8 feet | Weight: 16 pounds | CFM: Up to 80
TechGearLab
techgearlab.com › floor cleaning › vacuum cleaner reviews
Best Shop Vacs of 2026 | Lab Tested & Ranked
Craftsman 16-Gallon
The Vacmaster Beast was one of the few machines that could pick up heavy debris like bolts and larger rocks. Credit: Miles Knotek · The Craftsman 16-Gallon, on the other hand, had the highest airflow at 274 CFM, which is almost triple the average. While it does not have the strongest suction ... Tired of your regular vacuum choking on sawdust, screws, or big messes? A shop vac gives you serious power and durability to tackle heavy-duty cleanups...
The Spruce
thespruce.com › best-shop-vacs-4151284
We Tested 25 Shop Vacs, and These Are the Best for Quick Cleanup
August 13, 2025 - If you enjoy woodworking or have a lot of dust and other fine particles to clean up, this is the best shop vac for the job. Tank Capacity: 5.8 gallon | Peak Horsepower: 1.5 HP | Air Volume: 150 CFM | Cord Length: 19 feet | Weight: 18 pounds ...
Woodworking Talk
woodworkingtalk.com › home › forums › tools, materials & safety › dust collection
Important Specs With Shop Vac? | Woodworking Talk
I have an older Fein Turbo III (9-77-25) in the shop which has a 2 1/2in hose and a new smaller Fein Turbo II (9-20-25) with 1 1/4in hose for the wife to use upstairs to use in the car, etc. I am not sure of the specs of my 9-77-25 without digging out the manual. The replacement of the 9-77-25 is 9-20-26 which is rated as the same CFM as the 9-20-25 but with 99in static pressure vs 90 in for the 9-20-25.
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › RIDGID-12-Gal-5-0-Peak-HP-NXT-Shop-Vacuum-HD1200AM-Wet-Dry-Vac-with-Filter-Accessories-and-1625-CFM-Blower-Fan-Air-Mover-HD1200AM › 312194996
RIDGID 12 Gal. 5.0 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum HD1200AM Wet Dry Vac with Filter, Accessories and 1625 CFM Blower Fan Air Mover HD1200AM - The Home Depot
RIDGID 12 Gal. 5.0 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum HD1200AM Wet Dry Vac with Filter, Accessories and 1625 CFM Blower Fan Air Mover HD1200AM
The RIDGID 12 Gal. 5.0 Peak Horsepower NXT Wet Dry Vacuum was built for pros ready to take their projects to the next level. This vac comes with a 7 ft. hose, general debris filter, NXT Max floor tool with wet shoe, NXT Max car nozzle, 2 extension wands and a 1625 CFM air mover blower fan for drying floors, walls and ceilings. With more power, enhanced durability and a design engineered for the pro user, this high-performance vacuum is part of the most powerful line of wet dry vacs RIDGID has ever made. Its redesigned scroll technology gives the shop vac an increase in power, suction, and lift
Price US$338.98
Amazon
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Amazon.com: Highest Cfm Shop Vac
shop vac · 400 cfm shop vac · ridgid shop vac · high power shop vac · shop vacuum · dewalt shop vac · Previous · 1 · 2 · 37 · Next · Visit the help section or contact us · Go back to filtering menu · Skip to main search results · Eligible for Free Shipping ·
Shop-Vac
shopvac.com › products › shop-vac®-12-gallon-5-5-peak-hp-contractor-series-wet-dry-vacuum-with-svx2-motor-technology
Shop-Vac® 12 Gallon* 5.5 Peak HP** Contractor Series Wet/Dry Vacuum with SVX2 Motor Technology
Airflow, Max: 105 CFM Sealed Pressure: 70 Inches Electrical Ratings: 120V 60Hz 11.6 Amps Peak Air Watts: 325 ASTM tested with 2.5-inch diameter Shop-Vac® hose
Wet-dry-vac
wet-dry-vac.com › search
Wet/Dry Shop Vacuums With Highest CFM (Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum Advanced Search)
Most complete Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum information on the Internet! Detailed search & comparison on models, brands, manufacturers, filters and more to review.