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.
CFM for Dust collection Systems..... - In The Shop - Power Tool Forum – Tools in Action
well I figured I would post some info about CFM's needed in a typical shop and some of the basic tools that go with a dust collection system. there are many options out there from just a bag that your tool comes with some times right up to very expensive dust collection systems. The most common f... More on forum.toolsinaction.com
Dust Collector vs, high hp shop vacuum - FineWoodworking
For machines that produce lots ... and12″ cut off saw is one of these high power shop vaccum adeqate? ... It's not the power rating that is relevant here, it is the flow capacity in cubic feet per minute (CFM).... More on finewoodworking.com
High power, small volume shop vac?
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. More on reddit.com
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March 8, 2023shop vac specs question: size vs HP and CFM
Ignore the HP ratings they're always bullshit on these. CFM is helpful though, but one thing they don't mention that would also be helpful is the suction as well. Mi-T-M does provide an inches water lift rating (as well as providing real actual HP values) but they cap out a little over 100CFM. I feel like it's just a general practice to put bigger better motors and impellers on bigger units just because. Kind of sweetening the pot to make the model stand out more against others beyond size of the can it's on, and justify pricing models. Though Ridgid has a 10-gal with 160 CFM using a 6.0 "peak" motor while having 12 and 14 gallon models with the same peak that actually has a little less CFM. If you're looking for more power in a smaller package their 10 gallon steel drum one might be an option to look at. Pulse-Bac has the model 576, 8 gallon steel drum, 176 CFM and 97" lift. More on reddit.com
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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.
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
Amazon
amazon.com › highest-cfm-shop-vac › s
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 ·
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.
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
Sawmill Creek
sawmillcreek.org › forums › woodworking topics › workshops
Best shop vac | Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community
September 17, 2018 - I use an Oneida dust deputy ahead of the shop vac and the 14 vs 16 is not an issue since I never have any accumulation in the shop vac except a little finer dust. Strongly recommend the dust deputy and the Ridgid 14 has worked well for me. ... I have a Ridgid, also, and have been very satisfied.
RIDGID
ridgid.com › us › en › 16-gallon-5-peak-hp-nxt-wet-dry-shop-vacuum-with-filter-hose-accessories
16 Gallon 5.0-Peak HP NXT Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter, Hose and Accessories | RIDGID Tools
The RIDGID 16 Gallon 5.0 Peak Horsepower NXT Wet Dry Shop Vacuum was built for pros to tackle large-volume messes and heavy-duty cleanups.
Car and Driver
caranddriver.com › home › parts, gear, tools, and accessories › tested: the best shop vacs you can buy
Shop Vac or Bust: The Wet/Dry Vacs That Actually Earn Garage Space
March 27, 2024 - Typical mid-size wet/dry vacs are rated between 75 and 100 CFM. The higher the number, the more air it can move. You can buy a bag that sits on the inside of your vacuum's drum that collects all of the yuck that gets sucked up.
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.
Auto Geek Online
autogeekonline.net › forums › detailing forums › auto detailing 101
CFM VS. WATER LIFT VS. AIR WATTS! What determines the best vac? | Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum
March 2, 2024 - So some of you may know I went ahead and got the new made in US Adam's vacuum today on there 24% off sale. When I discovered my Rigid 5 hp has almost double the CFM I wanted to just call them and cancel my order! But I just have been doing allot of research on all the different variables that...
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 Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › RIDGID-16-Gal-6-5-Peak-HP-NXT-Shop-Vacuum-Wet-Dry-Vac-with-Cart-Fine-Dust-Filter-Hose-and-Accessory-Attachments-HD1800-HD1800 › 304795088
RIDGID 16 Gal. 6.5 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with Cart, Fine Dust Filter, Hose and Accessory Attachments HD1800 HD1800 - The Home Depot
RIDGID 16 Gal. 6.5 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with Cart, Fine Dust Filter, Hose and Accessory Attachments HD1800 HD1800
The RIDGID 16 Gallon 6.5 Peak Horsepower NXT Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with cart was built for pros with the toughest cleanups. This vac comes with a 7 ft. hose, fine dust filter, NXT Max floor tool with wet shoe, NXT Max car nozzle, NXT Max crevice tool, muffler/diffuser and 2 extension wands. With more power, enhanced durability, and an advanced 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. The 16 Gal. NXT vac includ
Price $165.00
Harbor Freight
harborfreight.com › home › power tools › vacuums & blowers › wet/dry vacuums › wet/dry vacuums
6 Gallon, 4 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum
6 Gallon, 4 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum
The BAUER™ 6 Gallon* Wet/Dry Vacuum delivers 4 peak horsepower** of powerful suction for cleaning up liquids and spills. This wet/dry vac is designed with an ergonomic top carrying handle for maximum comfort; a convenient cord wrap for storing the 10 ft. power cord; an ultraflexible, kink-resistant 7 ft. hose for uninterrupted use; and a portable, lightweight design ideal for shop and home use. Includes convenient onboard storage for keeping accessories organized and easy access all in a compact design that's easy to store.
Price $54.99
Tools in Action
forum.toolsinaction.com › workplace › in the shop
CFM for Dust collection Systems..... - In The Shop - Power Tool Forum – Tools in Action
February 8, 2017 - well I figured I would post some info about CFM's needed in a typical shop and some of the basic tools that go with a dust collection system. there are many options out there from just a bag that your tool comes with some times right up to very expensive dust collection systems. The most common f...
RIDGID
ridgid.com › us › en › 14-gallon-2-stage-wet-dry-vac
14 Gallon 2-Stage Wet/Dry Shop Vac | RIDGID Tools
The RIDGID® Model RV2400A professional wet dry shop vac is a 14-gallon, 2-stage industrial wet dry vac delivering high-lift suction, large capacity, rugged construction, and excellent mobility for pro, contractor, and industrial use.
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
FineWoodworking
finewoodworking.com › home › forum › dust collector vs, high hp shop vacuum
Dust Collector vs, high hp shop vacuum - FineWoodworking
December 10, 2002 - Help! I was visiting recently a Home Center and saw a good number of shop-type vacuums rated as high as 6 Hp at a cost of $100, more or less. […]
Shop-Vac
shopvac.com › products › shop-vac®-12-gallon-5-5-peak-hp-wet-dry-utility-vacuum-with-svx2-motor-technology
Shop-Vac® 12 Gallon 5.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Utility Vacuum with SVX2 Motor Technology
Airflow, Max: 140 CFM Sealed Pressure: 70 Inches Electrical Ratings: 120V 60Hz 11.6 Amps Peak Air Watts: 370 ASTM tested with 2.5-inch diameter Shop-Vac® hose