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ArmorAll AA255
- Powerful motor
- Durable design
- Can reach tight spaces
Makita XCV10ZX
- High-tech
- Long battery life
- Lightweight, easy to use
Stanley SL18129
- Powerful suction
- Large drain port
- Large tank capacity
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If you’re a woodworker, metalworker, auto fabricator, or simply have a dirty garage, then you need to get a shop vac dust collector.
These portable devices are a lot easier to use compared to their full-sized, central-system dust collector counterparts, making them great for homeowners, DIYers, and professional workers alike.
Today, we’ll show you what the best shop vac dust collector is out of the 35 different models we spent three months researching.
Best Shop Vac Dust Collector – ArmorAll AA255
The best shop vac dust collector that outclasses over 30 of its peers is the ArmorAll AA255. It may not be much of a looker, but this portable machine is housing a heavy-duty motor that delivers outstanding suction power to remove all sorts of debris instantly.
Here’s what the ArmorAll AA255’s key specifications look like—
- 2-HP Motor
- 53-CFM Suction Rate
- 2.5-Gallon Storage Compartment
- Blower Function
The ArmorAll AA255 is a compact, lightweight and portable vacuum dust cleaner that works great at cleaning the inside of vehicles.
It comes with a thinner hose that reaches tight spaces more easily than most standard vacuum cleaners.
The 2.5-gallon tank helps keep its weight down, though you will have to empty the tank out rather frequently.
Despite its size, the ArmorAll AA255 has a 2-HP motor that can produce a 53 CFM airflow, which should be enough to clean any debris inside of your vehicle or workshop.
On the other side of the shop vac is a blower port that can help dry wet spills or move copious amounts of dust from your shop with ease.
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Durable design
- Can reach tight spaces
- Compact, lightweight and portable
Cons
- Small tank capacity
Though compact, the ArmorAll AA255 is a super-powerful shop vac that excels at cleaning tight-spaces like auto interior and beneath woodworking tools.
Top Shop Vac Dust Collector in the Market Compared
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Best Overall - ArmorAll AA255 |
| Check Today's Price |
| | Best Premium - Makita XCV10ZX |
| Check Today's Price |
| | Best Budget - Stanley SL18129 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | DEWALT DCV581H |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Vacmaster VBV1210 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Shop-Vac 5989300 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Vacmaster VFB511B0201 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | DeWALT DXV09P |
| Check Today's Price |
 | DeWALT DXV06P |
| Check Today's Price |
Reviews of Shop Vac Dust Collector
Best Premium - Makita XCV10ZX
Key Specifications
- 10-amp Motor
- 64-CFM Suction Rate
- 0.5-Gallon Storage Compartment
- Backpack-Style Shop Vac
The Makita XCV10ZX is a mid-range shop vac that delivers an astounding 64 CFM of suction volume to pick up most small and tiny-sized debris in every sweep.
This tool is powered by two 5-Ah Li-Ion batteries that provide enough power to keep the shop vac running for over 60 minutes nonstop.
Makita XCV10ZX has a 0.5-gallon capacity with preinstalled HEPA filters.
This backpack shop vac also has Auto-start Wireless System (AWS) capability that allows it to communicate with other tools in the AWS platform.
Watch this video to see what this backpack-style shop vac can offer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q69ynHlEbGY
Pros
- High-tech
- Comes with HEPA filters
- Lightweight, easy to use
- Long battery life
Cons
- Charging times could be quicker
The Makita XCV10ZX is a battery-powered shop vac that offers as much convenience as it does high-suction performance.
Best Budget - Stanley SL18129
Key Specifications
- 4-HP Motor
- 70-CFM Suction Rate
- 4-Gallon Storage Compartment
- All-Around Vacuum Cleaner
The first thing you’ll notice about the Stanley SL18129 is that it’s a compact and lightweight dust collector.
Although SL18129 has a strong stainless-steel exterior, it weighs only 8 pounds, which is excellent news for those who want a portable wet-dry vac that’s easy on the back to move around.
Despite its compact size, the Stanley SL18129 is a mighty dust collector, equipped with a heavy-duty 4-HP motor it produces 85 CFM of airflow to pick up nuts and bolts.
The Stanley SL18129 has a 4-gallon tank capacity, so you can use it without having to frequently empty out the tank.
The tank has a large drain port that lets you dump out the wet contents easily and without lifting it off the ground.
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Compact and lightweight
- Large tank capacity
- Large drain port
Cons
- Hose could be longer
The Stanley SL18129 is an average size, lightweight vacuum dust cleaner that delivers astounding cleaning performance.
DEWALT DCV581H
Key Specifications
- 5-amp Motor
- 31-CFM Suction Rate
- 2-Gallon Storage Compartment
- Corded and Cordless
The DEWALT DCV581H is a unique shop vac that uses either AC power or batteries.
It’s compatible with 18V or 20V MAX batteries and can deliver maximum airflow of 31 CFM to pick up ordinary dust and some medium-sized debris.
It has a HEPA-rated filter that captures and retains 1-micron particles with at 99.97 percent efficiency.
The DEWALT DCV581H has a 2-gallon tank that should be enough for regular cleaning sessions.
The hose is made of a crush-resistant material, so accidentally stepping or rolling the casters onto the hose will not cause rips or tears.
Pros
- Durable hose
- Easy to carry and use
- Washable HEPA-rated filter
- Can use batteries for max portability
Cons
- Hose could be longer
The DeWalt DCV581H is a shop vac that’s made for the toughest, most challenging jobs you can imagine.
Vacmaster VBV1210
Key Specifications
- 5-HP Motor
- 106-CFM Suction Rate
- 12-Gallon Storage Capacity
- Includes 11 Cleaning Tools
The Vacmaster VBV1210 can work as a leaf blower and a vacuum cleaner.
The massive peak 5-HP motor delivers up to 106 CFM suction and 210 CFM blowing power to move tiny and large debris from several feet away.
Equipped with an enormous 12-gallon tank, the VBV1210 can handle heavy-duty cleaning with fewer interruptions.
To dump out the wet contents, simply unplug the drain port and tip the unit over slightly.
The VBV1210 also offers different filter cartridge options to further protect its motor from dust-related damage.
Make sure you clean the filter periodically, as some users found that failing to do so has led to foul smells.
Pros
- Super-powerful motor
- Extra-large drain port
- Pro 3Suction and blower tool
- Various filter options
Cons
- Could be lighter
The Vacmaster VBV1210 is a heavy-duty shop vac dust collector that makes cleaning a breeze, whether you’re vacuuming or blowing dust out of your workshop.
CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595
Key Specifications
- 6.5-HP Motor
- 190-CFM Suction Rate
- 16-Gallon Storage Compartment
- Dual-Flex Hose Technology
This CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 shop vac dust collector comes equipped with a 16-gallon tank and 6.5 peak HP motor to make cleaning after big projects a lot easier to do.
The CMXEVBE17595 can produce as much as 190 CFM airflow, making it strong enough to lift all sorts of debris—wet or dry, big or small—into the waiting tank for later disposal.
The hose uses Dual-Flex Technology that offers 180-degree mobility at each end to resist kinking and crunching, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally destroying the hose after stepping on it.
The CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 is also one of the quieter shop vacs available, but in confined spaces, it’ll still sing the song of its people.
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Long power cord
- Crush-resistant hose
- Great for all sorts of cleaning jobs
Cons
- Could be more compact
The CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595’s beefy specs make it the perfect tool for cleaning up after large, messy projects.
Shop-Vac 5989300
Key Specifications
- 4.5-HP Motor
- 175-CFM Suction Rate
- 5-Gallon Storage Compartment
- Rear Blower Port
The Shop-Vac 5989300 is a powerful shop vac that sports a 4.5-HP motor that delivers a whopping 175 CFM of airflow, which you’ll find to be much stronger than most dust shop vacs of its class.
With that much airflow, users have found that the 5989300 is more than capable of lifting heavy debris off of messy grounds for quicker cleanup.
The 5989300 has a 7-foot-long, durable suction hose that should withstand everyday usage without excessive.
The cartridge filter keeps most of the debris inside of the 5-gallon tank, but super-small dust particles may find their way out of the exhaust.
Pros
- Strong airflow
- Long and durable hose.
- Attachable cartridge filter.
- Equipped with a unique motor.
Cons
- Filter could be finer
A unique tool to say the least, the Shop-Vac 5989300 is a definite must-have for construction and metalworking dust management.
Vacmaster VFB511B0201
Key Specifications
- 5.5-HP Motor
- 102-CFM Suction Rate
- 5-Gallon Storage Compartment
- Blower Function
The Vacmaster VFB511B0201 is an incredibly portable shop vac dust collector that comes with its own storage compartment for the various included attachments.
Despite its compact size and lightweight design, the VFB511B0201 delivers astounding suction and blowing performance to clear workshops of debris quicker and more effectively.
If you’re bothered by the noises of common shop vacs, you might be happy to learn that the VFB511B0201 has built-in sound dampeners to absorb most of the annoying vacuuming noises.
The 5-gallon tank is made of a super-resistant plastic composite that can handle bumps, brushes, and drops, while being incredibly lightweight.
Pros
- Durable tank
- Integrated storage for tools
- Amazing suction performance
- Built-in noise dampener
Cons
- Could offer more value for its price
The integrated storage compartment is a definite plus for those who are tired of fumbling between different cleaning attachments.
DeWALT DXV09P
Key Specifications
- 5-HP Motor
- 90-CFM Suction Rate
- 9-Gallon Storage Compartment
- Accessory Storage Bag
The wet/dry DeWALT DXV09P comes with a 9-gallon-capacity storage compartment to pick up more debris with fewer interruptions.
It features a 5-HP motor that can pull in up to 90 CFM max to pick up most small and medium-sized debris effortlessly.
A 7-foot hose gives you a wide range of movement for less tugging and strain on the suction hose.
The 10-foot power cord also lets you move around freely from every wall outlet, but we highly recommend getting an extension cord for added convenience.
Speaking of which, the DXC09P comes with a storage bag where all of the cleaning accessories go in.
Pros
- Far range of movement
- Ideal for large cleanup
- Great suction performance
- Portable
Cons
- Hose fitting could be tighter
The DeWalt DXV09P would feel most at home in small and medium workshops that deal with all kinds of material debris.
DeWALT DXV06P
Key Specifications
- 4-HP Motor
- 80-CMF Suction Rate
- 6-Gallon Storage Compartment
- Built-in Blower Port
The DeWALT DXV06P is yet another small-to-medium-sized shop vac dust collector that sports a 6-gallon wet and dry debris compartment.
The rubberized wheels rotate up to 360 degrees for better mobility and maneuverability across uneven terrains.
A cord and hose wrap keep the cables nice and snug to prevent dangling.
The DXC06P’s 4-HP motor is far from being the largest available. It products around 80 CFM at peak performance, which proves more than sufficient for most all-purpose cleaning jobs.
In the shop, you can expect this DeWALT shop vac to pick up fine particles and large nuts and bolts with relative ease.
Pros
- Decent tank size
- Easy to move around
- Can be used as a blower
- Can be carried with shoulder strap
Cons
- Could deliver greater airflow
- Con 2
Whether you need a vacuum cleaner at home or for your garage workshop, the DXC06P by DeWALT may be the exact shop vac you’re looking for.
FAQ’s
Let’s take a few moments to address FAQs about shop vac dust collectors.
If you have a dust collector in your workshop with a high CFM rating and proper ducts, then you might not need a shop vac at all. However, these relatively inexpensive tools make cleaning up concentrated floor messes easily, and you don’t have to redirect PVC pipes or ducts to the offending spot. The portability of a shop vac is its greatest selling point.
Yes, they can. In fact, construction workers use wet/dry shop vacs for that purpose—to pick up cement where they don’t want it. If there’s a concrete spill, a shop vac will remove the mess and make it easier to clean up afterward. Always check to see whether the tool is made for wet debris, otherwise you run the risk of either ruining the filter or, what’s infinitely worse, breaking the motor.
Generally speaking, the higher the CFM rating, the better. Shop vacs’ CFM ratings are nowhere near those of freestanding or even wall-mounted dust collectors. Even though they’re incredibly portable, which is their main selling point, they may not be as reliable as a single-stage dust collector for use in incredibly messy workshops and construction sites.
Many users use shop vacs not in a garage workshop or workplace but at home as a replacement for a stick or upright vacuum cleaner. These are extremely versatile tools that can deliver more suction power than standard vacuum cleaners. Just make sure you clean the filter when full or replace it after a couple of months; otherwise, you’re going to have a bad time cleaning up after the exhaust.
Summary
Shop vac dust collectors are super-user-friendly tools that work well in nearly any situation you can imagine.
Whether you need to pick up sawdust from your woodworking shop, metal shards from your garage, or wet cement while working on construction projects, the best shop vac dust collector is a must-have tool for the job.
If you don’t know which shop vac dust collector to get, we would be happy to assist in the comment section.