I have the harbor freight Bauer one and it’s been great. I mostly have dewalt stuff and the dewalt one didn’t have great reviews on the vacuum wars YouTube channel. So I chanced it on the Bauer one. They did a review of cordless wet dry vacs I think the rigid was the top dog. The dewalt is the only one you can leave in the filter for wet stuff but it leads to having the worst suction. Answer from ApexCouchPotatoe on reddit.com
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TechGearLab
techgearlab.com › floor cleaning › vacuum cleaner reviews
Best Shop Vacs of 2026 | Lab Tested & Ranked
Craftsman 16-Gallon
If you're after something easier ... messes, cordless vacuums is better for inside the house. Editor's Note: On December 15, 2025, we updated this review to include the Stanley 6-Gallon as a budget-friendly option. ... Full results from testing 10 top products are in our Product Comparison Table and Analysis & Test Results sections. ... The Craftsman 16-Gallon is the most impressive shop vacuum we ... 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...
Rating: 4.8 ​
Discussions

Recommendation for best small portable shop vac - cordless OR corded
Hello folks, I need a new small portable wet dry vacuum. A few years ago (2018) I purchased a Dewalt DCV581H cordless/corded shop vac... More on garagejournal.com
🌐 garagejournal.com
21
September 27, 2025
Cordless Battery Powered Shop Vac: the Good, the Bad, the Ugly? - The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS
So I am shopping for a cordless/battery powered shop vac. One I can also use in the house. One I can easily carry around. DeWalt seems to have a nice one. But the batteries can cost as much or more than the vac. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1 There are others with brand ... More on bbs.homeshopmachinist.net
🌐 bbs.homeshopmachinist.net
September 19, 2024
I'm not sure why there doesn't seem to be an awesome cordless shop vac on the market. Am I missing something?
Battery powered lawn mowers. I have a 56volt EGO leaf blower that is an absolute killing machine with the amount of air it can move. What's so special about shop vacs that's preventing anybody from offering a cordless version that can hang with the best corded ones on suction power? More on garagejournal.com
🌐 garagejournal.com
38
August 11, 2023
Cordless shop vac?
The only cordless vacs I know of that get anywhere near corded are the Milwaukee dual battery dust extractor (not released yet) and Makita 80V dust extractor. Both are M-class dust extractors with auto-cleaning filters, so $$$$. The unreleased Milwaukee can also use batteries or AC power. The wet/dry dual battery Milwaukee and Makita are a bit cheaper, but still $$$ (plus new batteries for you). Here's some links if you're interested and then noping out at the price (note that this is AU dollars, so convert to your local currency, or look them up from your local stores) * https://www.totaltools.com.au/195670-makita-80v-max-aws-m-class-dust-extraction-vacuum-skin-vc006mz02 * https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/0888-22hd * https://www.totaltools.com.au/195206-milwaukee-18v-fuel-23l-wet-dry-vacuum-skin-m18fvc23l0 * https://www.totaltools.com.au/186190-makita-40v-max-brushless-wet-dry-dust-extraction-vacuum-skin-vc003glz02 Most cordless vacs are fine for pressure (around 6-18kPa for small ones, and 15-25kPa for bigger units), but they don't have much flow rate. Pressure is what you need to pull air through small fittings (so attaching to sanders, etc.) and flow rate is what you need to lift heavy debris. The problem with cordless vacs is runtime, so they dial the power down to make sure people get ~30-45min runtime. You'll get mixed opinions because people have different needs. Some vacs will prioritise runtime which is good for some, bad for others. They can also trade-off pressure and flow rate, so some will have low pressure but higher flow rate (good for heavy debris, bad for using small nozzles or sucking up water). If you're the tinkering kind, you could try running vacuums in parallel. So just buy whichever Bosch/Ryobi vacuum you like best. Then if you need more flow rate, buy another and make a manifold/coupler so you can combine their flow rates. You'd prob need 3-4 cordless vacs before you got flow rate equivalent to a corded vac. Overall, you're better off with corded, unless you really need to run cordless. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Tools
5
2
December 30, 2024
People also ask

What is a shop vac used for?
Shop vacuums are often found in construction and workshop settings to keep the work area dust and particle-free. Shop vacuums are used in households, especially in garages and basements. They assist in keeping job sites clean by vacuuming sawdust, drywall dust and other debris. Check out the product with the highest review count, the M12 FUEL 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 1.6 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum with 2 XC Extended Capacity 3.0 Ah Batteries.
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homedepot.com
homedepot.com › garage › shop vacuums
Cordless - Shop Vacuums - The Home Depot
What are the shipping options for Shop Vacuums?
All Shop Vacuums can be shipped to you at home.
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homedepot.com
homedepot.com › garage › shop vacuums
Cordless - Shop Vacuums - The Home Depot
Which brand has the largest assortment of Shop Vacuums at The Home Depot?
Milwaukee has the largest assortment of Shop Vacuums.
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homedepot.com
homedepot.com › garage › shop vacuums
Cordless - Shop Vacuums - The Home Depot
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Plumb and Lined
plumbandlined.com › home › the best cordless shop vac – review
The Best Cordless Shop Vac - Review
May 24, 2021 - If you’re looking for the best cordless shop vac when it comes to performance, design, and price, the 0880-20 might be the one for you. Its 18-volt battery (sold separately) generates 45 CFM of suction through its 1 ¼” hose to clean up ...
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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 - While many brands did good work converting wet-dry vacuums to battery power but traded off performance, EGO’s team seemed to ask… what can we do because it’s cordless? The answer is the most powerful shop vac we’ve tested, corded or cordless. With EGO’s 56V battery as a power source, it can deliver high airflow and water lift, making it a good fit for nearly every need.
Find elsewhere
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Shop-Vac
shopvac.com › collections › rechargeable-vacs-and-accessories
Cordless Vacs and Accessories | Shop-Vac Store
Shop-Vac® Cordless Stick Vac · $159.00 $129.00 · Shop-Vac® 20V 2.5 Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum · $139.99 · Shop-Vac® Cordless Spin Scrubber · $32.99 · 1 of 2 · Shop-Vac® has a Limited Lifetime Home Use Warranty that applies to ...
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Shop-Vac
shopvac.com
Shop-Vac Store - Genuine Shop-Vac Products
Shop-Vac® 2-in-1 Cordless Car Vacuum · $38.99 · Out of stock · Shop-Vac® 6 Gallon 5.0 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum · $116.99 · View Collection · Cartridge Filters · Foam Sleeve · Collection Bags · Shop All Filters · Warmer weather is here, ...
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The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com › forums › the tools › general tool discussion
Recommendation for best small portable shop vac - cordless OR corded | The Garage Journal
September 27, 2025 - The Milwaukee M18 has sparked my interest - I've heard & read many good reviews, plus back in my working days I used an old corded Milwaukee portable with great suction that was the cat's ***. Are you guys referring to the box-shaped unit? ...
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Amazon
amazon.com › Battery-Powered-Shop-Vac › s
Amazon.com: Battery Powered Shop Vac
Check each product page for other buying options. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color · DEWALT 20V MAX Shop Vacuum Wet and Dry, Shop Vac 2 Gallon, Cordless and Corded Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner, Wide Nozzle, Hepa Filter, Tool Only (DCV581H) · CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless ...
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Tineco
store.tineco.com
Shop Tineco Wet Dry Vacuum & Tineco Vacuum - Tineco US Official Store
Tineco US store, Best Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner, Cordless Vacuum Cleaners, Carpet Cleaners, etc. Beautiful design, Prioritize user experience and cleaning effect.
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The Home Shop Machinist
bbs.homeshopmachinist.net › forum › general
Cordless Battery Powered Shop Vac: the Good, the Bad, the Ugly? - The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS
September 19, 2024 - So I am shopping for a cordless/battery powered shop vac. One I can also use in the house. One I can easily carry around. DeWalt seems to have a nice one. But the batteries can cost as much or more than the vac. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1 There are others with brand ...
🌐
Amazon
amazon.com › Dewalt-DCV580H-Cordless-Wet-Dry-Vacuum › dp › B00CP8DF3O
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Shop Vac, Shop Vacuum Wet ...
Best Sellerin Commercial Wet-Dry Vacuums · 2K+ bought in past month · Limited time deal · 5K+ bought in past month · Limited time deal · 1K+ bought in past month · 1K+ bought in past month · 4K+ bought in past month · 800+ bought in past month · Limited time deal ·
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TechGearLab
techgearlab.com › floor cleaning › vacuum cleaner reviews
6 Best Cordless Shop Vacs of 2025 - Tech Gear Lab
Craftsman 16-Gallon
We tested the highest performing shop vacs from popular brands like Craftsman, Ridgid, Dewalt, Vacmaster, and more to bring you the best products for your... 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...
Rating: 4.8 ​
🌐
The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com › forums › the tools › general tool discussion
I'm not sure why there doesn't seem to be an awesome cordless shop vac on the market. Am I missing something? | The Garage Journal
August 11, 2023 - Make emptying dust, debris and liquids quick and mess-free with RYOBI ONE+ Cordless Wet or Dry Vacuum with Hose, Crevice Tool, Floor Nozzle and Extension Wand. ... Click to expand... Look at the CFM rating on those. 3 gallon would be best. ... Love his videos or hate his videos, I’ll just ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/tools › cordless shop vac?
r/Tools on Reddit: Cordless shop vac?
December 30, 2024 -

I've been doing some reading and see some complaints about suction on cordless models. But those complaints are also mixed in with 5 star reviews that say it's the best shop vac ever. So it's hard to know what to believe.

I have Ryobi 18v, Bosch 18v and Milwaukee M12 batteries already. Yeah I know it's a lot of ecosystems but I'm okay with that.

Any feedback on any of those lines and if they have a shop vac that performs well?

Top answer
1 of 5
2
The only cordless vacs I know of that get anywhere near corded are the Milwaukee dual battery dust extractor (not released yet) and Makita 80V dust extractor. Both are M-class dust extractors with auto-cleaning filters, so $$$$. The unreleased Milwaukee can also use batteries or AC power. The wet/dry dual battery Milwaukee and Makita are a bit cheaper, but still $$$ (plus new batteries for you). Here's some links if you're interested and then noping out at the price (note that this is AU dollars, so convert to your local currency, or look them up from your local stores) * https://www.totaltools.com.au/195670-makita-80v-max-aws-m-class-dust-extraction-vacuum-skin-vc006mz02 * https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/0888-22hd * https://www.totaltools.com.au/195206-milwaukee-18v-fuel-23l-wet-dry-vacuum-skin-m18fvc23l0 * https://www.totaltools.com.au/186190-makita-40v-max-brushless-wet-dry-dust-extraction-vacuum-skin-vc003glz02 Most cordless vacs are fine for pressure (around 6-18kPa for small ones, and 15-25kPa for bigger units), but they don't have much flow rate. Pressure is what you need to pull air through small fittings (so attaching to sanders, etc.) and flow rate is what you need to lift heavy debris. The problem with cordless vacs is runtime, so they dial the power down to make sure people get ~30-45min runtime. You'll get mixed opinions because people have different needs. Some vacs will prioritise runtime which is good for some, bad for others. They can also trade-off pressure and flow rate, so some will have low pressure but higher flow rate (good for heavy debris, bad for using small nozzles or sucking up water). If you're the tinkering kind, you could try running vacuums in parallel. So just buy whichever Bosch/Ryobi vacuum you like best. Then if you need more flow rate, buy another and make a manifold/coupler so you can combine their flow rates. You'd prob need 3-4 cordless vacs before you got flow rate equivalent to a corded vac. Overall, you're better off with corded, unless you really need to run cordless.
2 of 5
1
3 battery systems is nothing, I own the m12 and it is good for little stuff like when the bag of rice spills or vacuuming the counter off after shaving my face but I only get about 12 minutes of run time on high using a 4.0 battery though the suction is pretty decent. The Ryobi rolling vacuum is pretty good my dad has one but it is rather high pitched annoying and quite loud. I have the m18 dual battery shop vac and it is a monster but it still that is king of loud but much better than the Ryobi in my opinion. I get about 25 minutes continuous run time on high with 2 8.0 batteries and the suction is pretty good but it still does not like to suck up heaps of sawdust fast with the 6” floor sucking attachment. I have not used the EGO but if you have OPE I might look into that vacuum as well but every cordless shop vac is going to chew through batteries really quickly. In my opinion cordless rolling shop vacuums are not quite as good as top of the line corded but they are pretty good and the Ryobi rolling vac is not bad but it does have a rather annoying loud high pitch sucking noise. I hope that this helps
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CPO Power Tools
cpopowertools.com › vacuums
Top Rated Vacuums | CPO Power Tools
Vacuums provide efficiency, helping you stay productive throughout the day. They have filters and suction motors to draw in dust and grime and can be categorized into hand-held, canister, vertical, and robot categories. To help you save time and energy, we curated the best corded and cordless vacuum cleaners at CPO Outlets.