When it comes to cordless shop vac reviews, every expert shares the same opinion: “They had come a long way since the days when they were merely a novelty to the market.”
A cordless wet-dry shop vacuum is undoubtedly the most easy-to-use and convenient shop vacuum in today’s market. It is highly beneficial equipment for workshops and other places that need heavy-duty vacuum service.
Apart from being lighter than the common shop vacuum, they won’t need any plugging into the wall socket for functioning.
Top Picks for Best Cordless Shop Vac:However, the best cordless shop vac models differ significantly in terms of practicality and quality. Thus, it becomes crucial to get insight into the various products available to make an informed buying decision. Let’s explore this review to find what’s best on the market now.
| Top 6 Best Cordless Shop Vacs of 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | MILWAUKEE 0880-20
| Read My Review |
Powerful | Makita XCV11Z
| Read My Review |
Great Value | DEWALT DCV580H
| Read My Review |
Portable | DEWALT DCV517B
| Read My Review |
Large Capacity | RYOBI 18V ONE+ Cordless Shop Vac
| Read My Review |
Heavy-Duty | Vacmaster DVTB204 0201
| Read My Review |
Top 6 Best Cordless Shop Vac Reviews
If you’re tired of searching “what is the best cordless shop vacuum” and finding no good result, then take no worries. We have made things simpler and easier for you. We have categorized the top cordless wet dry vacuums in the market based on power, durability, portability, capacity, and other factors.
So, take a look at these best cordless wet/dry vacuums for workshop and determine what’s best for you.
#1 - MILWAUKEE 0880-20 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
MILWAUKEE 0880-20 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
- The HEPA filter ensures fine dust collection with its CleanStream 1 filtration technology
- Enjoy convenience with its stackable accessory storage and too-poundsox design
- Its built-in blower port enables the vacuum to double as a blower
- It could have incorporated a better construction design
We have reviewed and ranked the Milwaukee 0880-20 as the best cordless shop vac in today’s market. This 18-volt cordless machine is ideal for users who want a shop vacuum with powerful suction force and a compact solution.
This Milwaukee cordless shop vac model comes with a wide range of accessories and attachments, which include a utility nozzle and a crevice tool, along with onboard storage to ensure they’re accessible when required. The powerful shop vac model is compatible with power source from the M18 RedLithium, Li-ion, and NiCd Battery Pack, which keeps it running for more than 30 minutes.
When we checked the length of the hose, we found it to be extendable easily. Moreover, the wet/dry vacuum comes with a sizable 2-gallon dust cup capacity. This will help you to do a lot of cleaning before emptying it.
What impressed us the most was its HEPA filter, which ensures efficient and seamless filtration. Also, its washable nature makes it easy to keep in a top-notch condition and reduces maintenance costs.
| Tank Capacity | 2 gallons |
| Air Flow | 45 CFM |
Blower Port | Yes |
| Filter Type | HEPA |
| Hose length | 6 Feet |
| Voltage (volts) | 18 V |
| Sound Level | 85 dB |
| Weight | 10.1 pounds |
| Warranty | 5 years |
This high-quality cordless wet dry vacuum Milwaukee 0880-20 is ideal for heavy-duty cleaning with its 2-gallon dust cup. Also, the powerful motor makes it highly effective and efficient.
#2 - Makita XCV11Z Brushless Cordless Shop Vacuum/Dust Extractor
Makita XCV11Z Brushless Cordless Shop Vacuum/Dust Extractor
- With 76 dB of noise output, users can enjoy very quiet cleaning operations
- Enjoy longer filter life and optimal suction efficiency with its HEPA filtration system
- It comes with two tools in one, which converts the vacuum into a blower, enabling increased versatility.
- Users have to buy the battery separately.
The XCV11Z model by Makita is undoubtedly one of the most powerful cordless shop vacs. The 18-volt shop vacuum comes with a compact yet portable design while ensuring a powerful suction force.
The machine allows users to hold up to 2-gallons of debris in its large capacity dust cups. When we looked into the noise factor, we experienced it to produce only 76 dB of noise output, which is good.
This Makita cordless shop vac model also comes with the HEPA filtration system, ensuring optimal filtration. When used with the 18-volt LXT Lithium-Ion 5Ah battery, this machine will keep running for 60 minutes.
Also, this is an ideal compact cordless shop vac for cars as you can turn the machine into a blower for more effective and efficient operations. The LED battery indicator attached with this shop vac model is quite impressive as it helps users know how much juice is left in the machine before it requires recharging.
This cordless shop vacuum enables users to decide between two-speed modes depending on how much power they require. Additionally, it provides optional shoulder straps for easy transport.
| Tank Capacity | 2 gallons |
| Air Flow | 57 CFM |
Blower Port | Yes |
| Filter Type | HEPA |
| Hose length | 6.5 Feet |
| Voltage (volts) | 18 V |
| Sound Level | 76 dB |
| Weight | 10.1 pounds |
| Warranty | 3 years |
We recommend this Makita XCV11Z model as one of the best cordless shop vacuums for money and durability. It’s highly beneficial for people who need to clean a large area or space as it ensures 60 minutes of runtime when used with the right battery.
#2 - DEWALT DCV580H Cordless Wet-Dry Vacuum
DEWALT DCV580H Cordless Wet-Dry Vacuum
- Easy to transport/carry due to its onboard hose and accessory storage
- Crush-proof, heavy-duty, and fully-integrated hose
- 2-gallon tank capacity provides enough storage to empty a clogged pipe or a toilet
- The battery and charger for this shop vac model are sold separately.
When it comes to the best value cordless wet dry vacuum on today’s market, we can think of no better option than the DeWalt DCV580H. With 20-volt battery power, this machine ensures excellent performance. Its washable filter saves a lot of money on replacement costs. Also, the filter is very easy to access too.
This DeWalt cordless shop vac model has a 2-gallon tank capacity, which is highly convenient for heavy-duty cleaning. The excellent HEPA filter inside takes care of all the airborne and dust particles, even if they’re 0.3 microns small, by filtering them out.
Moreover, the sturdy and robust five-foot hose keeps the filter in good condition for a prolonged period. This heavy-duty wet dry vacuum weighs only 9.8 pounds, making it portable and maneuverable.
We liked the fact that this shop vac enables every user to reverse the machine’s suction and shift it into a blower to add on more convenience. When it comes to suction power, this cordless shop vacuum is excellent. Also, it’s pretty easy to empty due to its large capacity of dust cups.
However, every user needs to buy the charger and battery for the machine separately.
| Tank Capacity | 2 gallons |
| Air Flow | 31 CFM |
Blower Port | Yes |
| Filter Type | HEPA |
| Hose length | 5 Feet |
| Voltage (volts) | 20 V |
| Sound Level | 76 dB |
| Weight | 9.895 pounds |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
The DeWalt DCV580H is a top-quality cordless shop vac model that is ideal for individuals who also want to enjoy the benefits of blowing function. It’s also a great cordless wet dry vacuum for its lightweight design and portability.
#4 - DEWALT DCV517B 20V MAX Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
DEWALT DCV517B 20V MAX Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
- Enjoy optimal durability and flexibility with its heavy-duty rubber hose
- Its ergonomic body design enables easy transportation and easy holding
- It’s worth your money as you’ll get a 3-year warranty with this product
- It may be a bit costly for budget-friendly buyers
After thorough usage, we recommend the DeWalt DCV517B 20V Max as the best portable cordless shop vac in 2024. This is one of the smallest and most lightweight cordless shop vacuums you can find online. It has a dimension of 8.44 x 6.38 x 17 inches.
With an ergonomic design and high-performance 20V batteries, this shop vac model ensures optimal comfort, convenience, and performance.
This DeWalt cordless shop vac model comes with a HEPA-rated wet/dry filter, which ensures trapping around 99.97% of dust at 0.3 microns.
Moreover, the reusable and washable nature of the filter makes the shop vacuum way more resourceful. With ½ gallon tank capacity, this machine enables users to collect all the notable dirt at once while reducing their need to visit the dumpster to a minimum.
The cordless vacuum allows you to use the dual clean-up modes via an extended heavy-duty hose or a utility nozzle. With a compact design, great runtime, and a 3-year warranty, it is undoubtedly one of the best battery-powered shop vacs for cars. However, one drawback of this shop vac model is that users have to buy the battery separately.
Caution
The voltage and outlets for this product differ internationally. So, it becomes crucial to use a converter or an adapter in your location. Also, check the compatibility prior to making any purchase.
| Tank Capacity | 1/2 gallon |
| Air Flow | 39 CFM |
Blower Port | No |
| Filter Type | HEPA |
| Hose length | 3 Feet |
| Voltage (volts) | 20 V |
| Sound Level | 84 dB |
| Weight | 4.5 pounds |
| Warranty | 3 years |
When it comes down to portability, none of the other shop vacuums can compare with this DeWalt DCV517B shop vac model. Also, it comes with a 3-year warranty, which is excellent.
#5 - RYOBI 18V ONE+4.75 Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
RYOBI 18V ONE+ Cordless 4.75 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
- Enjoy balanced mobility and smooth rolling with its four 360° caster wheels
- The compact design and removable top ensure space-saving storage and easy emptying respectively
- The collapsible carrying handle ensures easy storage and transportation.
- The battery and charger are sold separately.
The Ryobi 18V ONE+ is among the best value cordless wet dry vacs in today’s market. The 18V battery ensures high performance for the users. Cordless convenience offers this shop vacuum air volume or suction power to be 40 CFM, making it ideal for carrying wet and dry dirt.
This Ryobi cordless shop vac model ensures easy storage and transportation with a collapsible carrying handle. We were impressed with its built-in onboard accessory storage, enabling users to keep the floor nozzle, crevice tool, and extension wand.
The shop vac machine comes with four 360° caster wheels to ensure balanced mobility and smooth rolling, even over any obstacle. Also, the design is executed in such a way that users will have complete convenience. For instance, the removable top ensures easy emptying, while the compact design allows space-saving storage.
The product comes with a 5 ft. x 1-/14” flexible hose which twists securely into place and increases its reach. The overall weight of this wet dry vacuum is 14.02 pounds, which enables easy carrying and portability.
| Tank Capacity | 4.75 gallons |
| Air Flow | 40 CFM |
Blower Port | No |
| Filter Type | Foam and Cartridge |
| Hose length | 4.9 Feet |
| Voltage (volts) | 18 V |
| Sound Level | n/a |
| Weight | 21.85 pounds |
| Warranty | 3 years |
The Ryobi 18V ONE+ cordless wet/dry vacuum is ideal for those who are looking for a budget-friendly option in the market. It’s also great for individuals who want easy storage and transportation.
#6 - Vacmaster DVTB204 0201 Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
Vacmaster DVTB204 0201 Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
- It enables you to quickly inflate mattresses and floats as you can turn them into a blower
- Powerful, cord-like suction performance and easy maneuverability
- Easy transportation with removable shoulder straps
- The canister doesn’t latch securely and sometimes falls off when carrying the model.
The Vacmaster wet/dry vacuum is one of the top-rated cordless shop vacs for heavy-duty tasks.
This product comes with cord-like power while alleviating the hassle of dealing with cords. The rugged toolbox design of the shop vacuum allows users to take it on the go inside the house, car, campground, or workplace.
This high suction shop vac is the ultimate cleaning solution with great portability. With a removable shoulder strap for convenient hands-free transport, floor to ceiling cleaning reach, and enclosed accessory storage, it is a highly effective and beneficial vacuum machine.
We were impressed with its top features, including hose storage, charger, high-performance battery, and a solid accessory assortment. Moreover, you can enjoy cooling off after a difficult task with its built-in bottle opener.
When we reviewed its technical aspects, we were happy with what we found out. The Vacmaster cordless shop vac comes with 20 volts of the maximum initial battery voltage, and the nominal voltage is 18. Also, the Air Watts, Water Lift, and CFM of this vacuum meet the ASTM standard.
| Tank Capacity | 4 gallons |
| Air Flow | 59 CFM |
Blower Port | Yes |
| Filter Type | HEPA |
| Hose length | 6 Feet |
| Voltage (volts) | 20 V |
| Sound Level | n/a |
| Weight | 15.15 pounds |
| Warranty | 5 years |
If you’re looking for a reliable cordless wet dry shop vacuum for heavy-duty operations, we recommend you buy this model from Vacmaster. It ensures cord-like suction and high performance.
Cordless vs. Corded Shop Vac
One of the most significant differences between battery-powered cordless shop vacs and corded shop vac is their versatility. When compared, we found that cordless shop vacuums are more portable than corded models.
Now, let’s check the table below to explore the differences between these two types of shop vacuums on the basis of different parameters.
Category | Cordless Shop Vac | Corded Shop Vac |
Battery Life | High | Low |
Flexibility | High | Low |
Suction Power | Comparatively Low | High |
Filter | Filtration on cheaper cordless vac models is not so good | Best quality filtration for premium models |
How to Choose the Best Cordless Wet Dry Shop Vacuum
When shopping for the best cordless shop vacuum, you must consider a few most crucial factors. We have mentioned all the significant factors you need to consider to make an informed buying decision. So, check them all.
Battery Life
One of the prominent reasons why individuals opt for a cordless shop vac model is its independent operating ability. Considering this factor in mind, you must look for the runtime of the shop vac’s battery before buying one.
Thanks to the large capacity, wet-dry cordless vacuum for cars with 18-volt and 20-volt batteries ensures the most prolonged runtime. For instance, the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum comes with a 20V battery that provides a runtime of up to 60 minutes.
Moreover, you should also consider the time taken by the battery to recharge. For example, most cordless shop vac batteries are designed in a way that they take up to four hours to recharge completely.
Power
When it comes to power in the cordless shop vac machine, we typically mean the machine’s suction pressure. To measure the power of the shop vac model, the standard unit of cubic feet per minute (CFM) is used.
CFM refers to the percentage or amount of airflow going through the vacuum machine’s nozzle every minute. The higher the CFM of the shop vac, the more will be its suction pressure, and the faster it will pick up materials.
Another metric used to measure the power in cordless shop vacs is the suction power or the water lift. The higher the water lift, the heavier item the vac can pick. The Makita XCV11Z Brushless Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum is the most powerful shop vac in our recommendations.
Filter
A filter is a crucial part of the cordless shop vac unit, especially if the user is prone to allergies or sensitive to dust. We highly recommend buying a shop vac with HEPA filter as these filters are the most effective on the market.
For instance, the MILWAUKEE 0880-20 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum comes with a HEPA filtration system, which is the best.
Tank Capacity
The ideal size and capacity of the tank for your cordless shop vac model depends on where you need to use the machine.
For instance, if you fail to use the workshop on a regular basis or do not spend time on heavy-duty projects, then you should go with a cordless shop vac model that comes with a small to medium-sized tank as it will fulfill your needs adequately.
However, if you have a busy workshop, then you’ll need a vacuum machine with a large capacity tank like the RYOBI 18V ONE+ Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum model.
Noise
One of the most noticeable things about a shop vac machine is that they tend to be much louder than an average vacuum cleaner. This is not some sort of a surprise as we all know that they are powerful.
Nevertheless, a noisy shop vac machine can soon become an irritating thing going around the place, especially if you plan to use the vac regularly.
Luckily, some cordless shop vac models like the Makita XCV11Z dampen the noise. So, you must check the loudness of the shop vac and buy a quiet shop vacuum to clean peacefully.
Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum - FAQs
How long does the battery on a cordless shop vacuum last?
Why did my wet dry vacuum lose suction?
Which filter should I use for wet/dry shop vacuums?
How to clean shop vac filters?
Which is The Best Cordless Shop Vacuum
Cordless wet dry vacuums help you to get rid of the mess quickly. This convenient tool enables you to deal with dirt, debris, and even the smallest particle in the workshop and garage. To ensure that you buy the perfect cordless shop vac model for your specific needs, it’s crucial to do the homework well.
After comparing, assessing, and reviewing plenty of cordless shop vac models in the market, we recommend the MILWAUKEE 0880-20 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum as the best cordless shop vac for dust collection. This battery-powered shop vacuum is reliable, powerful, durable, and robust at a reasonable price.
However, the bottom line is that your needs will guide you to the right cordless wet/dry vacuum. So, we hope that we have helped you make an informed buying decision. Until then, Happy Shopping!
Bruce Rivers
