Table of Contents
- Light-Duty Wet/Dry Vacuums
- Medium-Duty Wet/Dry Vacuums
- Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vacuums
- Cord vs. Cordless
- Power Rating
If you’ve ever found yourself cleaning up a hefty mess, you understand the importance of a wet/dry vacuum. If you haven’t, consider yourself lucky to have found this guide first.
From cleaning up oil spills in a mechanic’s shop to spilled water on your manufacturing facility’s floor, a wet/dry vac’s versatility makes it one of the most crucial pieces of equipment to have on hand.
You’re probably thinking, “How do I choose a wet/dry vac? There are so many models.” You’re not wrong, and the type of job you'll use it for will determine which one best suits your needs.
Below we’re breaking down the different types and features to look for when choosing a wet/dry vacuum.
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Light-Duty Wet/Dry Vacuums
A portable, light-duty wet/dry vacuum does the trick when it comes to quick cleanup jobs. They’re lightweight and compact—making them easy to move from mess to mess and store if you’re short on space—without sacrificing performance. The Milwaukee M18 wet/dry vacuum is light-duty and perfect for tidying up smaller messes around an office lobby, breakroom, or throughout your facility.
A light-duty wet/dry vac can hold anywhere between 5-9 gallons so that you don’t have to empty it after each cleanup. Plus, its lower horsepower motor means it’s quiet, too.
Medium-Duty Wet/Dry Vacuums
Adding more horsepower to your cleanup job makes suctioning up dirt, debris, and larger pieces of material even easier. Medium-duty wet/dry vacuums range in capacity from 10 to 14 gallons and are ideal for larger projects that require higher performance.
They’re sturdy and durable—making them perfect for construction jobsites—and are still compact enough for easy maneuvering. Some even contain built-in tank drains that make emptying liquid easier, like this one.
Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vacuums
Larger, more challenging cleanup jobs call for heavy-duty wet/dry vacuums. With higher performance and horsepower, they’re designed to handle the toughest messes and are ideal for warehouses, workshops, or machine shops where you need to suction up heftier pieces or debris scattered throughout the work area.
Their 15-20 gallon tanks mean you’ll have to empty the tank fewer times—which can help make the job faster and more efficient. For an even larger tank (55 gallons!) check out the Guardair drum vacuum.
Cord vs. Cordless
Cordless wet/dry vacuums run on batteries, making them ideal for smaller messes (as you’re less likely to run out of power on quicker cleanups). They’re also useful if there’s no power source nearby.
If portability is a requirement for the job, cordless vacs tend to be more lightweight, mobile, and less cumbersome because there’s no cord dragging across the ground or floor.
If you're looking to purchase a cordless vacuum, here are some things to consider:
- Battery Life: How long will the cleanup job take? Remember, with no power source, you’re more likely to run out of juice and may need to charge it halfway through the job.
- Power Consumption: Some vacuums may consume a lot of power, some may consume just a little. Remember to be mindful of how much electricity the vacuum needs to operate.
- Size and Weight: If portability and compactness are important, take size and weight into consideration. You’ll also want to be aware of tank size and whether it will be large enough to fit your job’s needs.
- Noise Level: For some jobs, you may not want a loud vacuum. Consider where you’ll be working and who will be within earshot.
Power Rating
When it comes to wet/dry vacuums, power rating trumps the number of watts. With more power, suctioning dirt and larger pieces of debris is easier because more pressure is applied to the surface. Keep power rating in mind when choosing the right vacuum for your job’s needs.
So many models and features exist, and not all are created equal. But are wet/dry vacs worth it? Will they make your job easier and more efficient? Absolutely!
And now that you’re aware of what to look for in a wet/dry vacuum, you can make an informed decision based on your job’s requirements. Why trust Zoro.com? Our experts have been in your shoes, and their combined experience has found the most effective solutions guaranteed to get the job done.
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Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.