In your shop or at home, having a mess or clutter is inevitable. You need a reliable cleaning tool to help you make a quick zap of these clutters. To answer this need, we recommend a small shop-vac as part of your power tools.

There are several benefits of having this machine. First, it helps you quickly clean up the mess, wood shavings, and other debris. Second, it does not consume too much space. Third, you can easily store it because of its compact size.

Here, we have laid a quick and easy guide for you to choose the right cleaning tool that meets your requirements. Likewise, we included a comparison chart and an in-depth product review for the top 10 best small shop-vac for 2020.

More…

Best Small Shop-Vac (January 2022) – Top 10 Picks & Reviews

MODEL	PRICE	OVERALL
Armor AA255	check price
Vacmaster VP205	check price
Shop-Vac 2021000	check price
StanleySL18129	check price
Shop-Vac 5989300	check price
Shop-Vac 5895200	check price
Shop-Vac 2036000	check price
Dewalt DXV06P	check price
Craftsman	check price
Workshop WS0250VA	check price

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR The Best Small Shop-Vac

For you to properly choose the right vac, you need to understand the essential features it must have. Likewise, these features will give you a good insight about its performance.

1. Tank Capacity

The capacity of your vac is a good indicator of how long you can use it until it is full. For small vacs, it usually has a capacity between 1 to 3 gallons. However, some users would prefer capacities around 4 to 6 gallons to have a longer duration of usage until it reaches full load.

2. Size of Hose

Small vacs have a smaller radius for their hose to match their specs. However, having a longer hose is better so that you can reach and clean farther areas without the stress of constantly bringing the machine closer. A hose length of seven feet would be most suitable.

3. Portability

Portability of this machine is mainly attributed to its size, length of the power cord and hose. Likewise, a battery-operated unit is more portable compared to the electric corded types but has a limited power life.

Top 10 Best Small Shop-Vac reviews 2020

1. Armor All Wet/Dry Vac AA255

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: 6 Amp 2 HP

• Auto shut-off mode: yes

• Capacity: 2.5 gal

• Hose length: 6-ft

• Weight: 7 lbs

pros	cons
• Strong motor	• No wheels
• Viable as a blower	?
• Strong suction power	?
• Lightweight and easy to carry around	?

Best for Overall

In terms of overall feature and performance, we find this small vac hitting all our criteria and as our top pick. Aside from being a cleaning tool for your shop, this also performs best in cleaning the inside of your car. Its 6Amp motor is powerful enough to zap all debris and dirt in the floor and inside your car. The hose used for this is very flexible and the nozzle has a great width to clean a large area directly. Portability issue, this one is great for it is lightweight and easy to carry around.

Besides, this has no collection bag included, only the canister which you can easily take out and dump all the dirt in the bin.

2. Vacmaster Portable Wet/Dry Vac VP205

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: 2 HP

• Auto shut-off mode: —

• Capacity: 2.5 gal

• Hose length: 4-ft

• Weight: 8.4 lbs

pros	cons
• Effective suction power	• Short Hose
• Great portability	?
• Durable dust tank	?

Best for Quick Cleaning

This machine is great for quick cleaning action. it also does a great job for carpeted stairs and leaves outside your home. This one comes with wheels sliding in the bottom of the unit. A lot of customers have complained about falling wheels, that’s because they did not tightly secure the screws intended for it. Meanwhile, for those experiencing a tripped off, reason for that could be you have plugged it on a number 15 breaker. To avoid this, you need to plug the vac in a kitchen outlet. Overall suction power and ease of use are great for this unit.

If you find 4 feet hose to be short, you can replace it with a longer one, around 6 to 7 feet in the store.

3. Shop-Vac 2021000 Wet/Dry Vac

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: 1 HP

• Auto shut-off mode: —

• Capacity: 1 gal

• Hose length: 4 ft

• Weight: 5 lbs

pros	cons
• Great for light duty task	• Small capacity
• Total space saver	• Power is not suitable for heavier tasks
• Reliable suction power	?

Best for Budget

If you want an above standard vac with an economical price, then this one is right for you. Aside from that, it comes with a complete accessory that includes a crevice tool, gulper nozzle, 4 ft hose, tool holder, and a reusable disc filter bag.

This unit is small in size but power is never undermined. After cleaning, you can easily store this vac in a narrow storage area. Likewise, it works best as well in cleaning the inside of your car and closet.

For its intended purpose, the motor is great but not for heavy-duty use. Likewise, the capacity of 1 gallon is very easy to fill up.

4. Stanley Wet/Dry Vacuum

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: 4 HP

• Auto shut-off mode: —

• Capacity: 4 gal

• Hose length: 5 ft

• Weight: 8 lbs

pros	cons
• Powerful 4 HP motor	• Small diameter hose
• Larger tank capacity	?
• Tough and professional looking construction	?

Best for Motor Power

In our fourth spot, is Stanley wet/dry vac. This unit has a professional look, smooth finish and parts seem to be decently strong. In terms of portability, it is lightweight and it has four wheels at the bottom of the chassis. Compared to other units, this one has the most powerful motor that can generate sufficient suction for your cleaning needs.

Its 4 gal capacity is suitable for light to medium tasks and the smaller hose is great for cleaning narrow spaces. Likewise, the attachments have decent strength, easy to store and attach. Aside from its four casters, this comes with a 10 ft power cord. Thus, greater portability.

5. Shop-Vac 5989300 Wet/Dry Vacuum

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: peak 4-4.5 HP

• Auto shut-off mode: —

• Capacity: 5 gal

• Hose length: 7 ft

• Weight: 14.95 lbs

pros	cons
• Large tank capacity	• Heavy unit weight
• Effective portability features	?
• Decent suction power	?

Best for Tank Capacity

This unit has a 5 gal tank capacity which is best for light to medium cleaning. It reduces your burden of constantly emptying the tank for it is all filled up. There are several things to admire from this vac.

All parts and accessories are well-built and good-looking. It also has four casters for easy maneuver considering this unit is slightly heavy. Other things to compensate for its weight is its 7 feet hose and 6 feet power cord.

It’s top and side carry handles are comfortable to hold when moving the vac around. Likewise, its tank and lid have a tight hold with each other. Overall, we find this vac great for the price.

Overall, the unit weight is slightly heavy but with its portability features, it is totally fine.

6. Shop-Vac 5895200 Wet/Dry Vacuum

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: 2.5 HP

• Auto shut-off mode: —

• Capacity: 2.5 gal

• Hose length: 7 ft

• Weight: 12 lbs

pros	cons
• Wide functionality	• Slightly heavy and pricey
• Can be used as a blower	?
• Tough accessories	?

This is another good model of Shop-Vac vacuums which hits the sixth spot in our list. It serves good cleaning purpose for indoor and outdoor purposes.

It has a motor power peaking at 2.5 hp, capable of doing great suction work for indoor and outdoor conditions. This small unit is also ideal for cleaning the inside of your vehicle and closet. Likewise, its capacity is enough to carry out light vacuum functions.

Its 7 feet hose provides excellent reach for cleaning farther areas. In addition, its 18 feet power cord adds more portability and seems tough for long hours of using.

Moreover, this unit comes with a wheeled pusher aside from being a wall mount type of vac.

7. Shop-Vac 2036000 Wet/Dry Vacuum

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: 2.5 HP

• Auto shut-off mode: —

• Capacity: 2.5 gal

• Hose length: 4 ft

• Weight: 5 lbs

pros	cons
• Excellent motor and suction	• Not many accessories included in the package
• Tough construction	?
• Viable as a blower	?
• Filter disc is reusable	?

From the various models from Shop-Vac, this unit placed number seven in our list. The great advantage of this model is its lightweight, easy to use, and compact.

This compact monster gives a magnificent cleaning power. Its 2.5 HP motor is just right to meet its claimed purpose. The 4 feet hose is slightly shorter but with its 8 feet power cord, you can easily reach and clean all four corners in your home. Likewise, the hose fits perfectly into the vac.

Before starting to clean, make sure to try pulling out the hose from the vac to check the security of its fit. Like any other vacs, the suction power of this model also decreases as the tank slowly fills up. Good thing its tank is easy to clean and empty.

8. Dewalt Wet/Dry Vac

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: 4 hp

• Auto shut-off mode: —

• Capacity: 6 gal

• Hose length: 4 ft

• Weight: 14.77 lbs

pros	cons
• Large capacity	• The orifices are thin
• Strong blower port function	?
• Strong power but the low noise level	?

Amazon’s Choice

From the Dewalt, this model placed number eight in our list. The capacity and motor spec of this unit are capable of doing heavy duty cleaning.

So far, we find the operation of this monster at a low noise level but still delivering amazing suction power. A critical thing to point out, the orifices of this unit is 1/32” thick only so be careful in inserting it so that it won’t break.

It lessens the burden of frequently emptying its canisters for it can accommodate up to 6 gallons of dirt and debris. In terms of portability, it has a 10 feet power cord and four easy-moving casters. This enables you to clean the whole area without transferring from one outlet to another.

Moreover, it has a strong built-in blower port which is great for blowing off sawdust and wood chips.

9. Craftsman Wet/Dry Vac

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: 2 HP

• Auto shut-off mode: —

• Capacity: 2.5 gal

• Hose length: 4 ft

• Weight: 7.35 lbs

pros	cons
• Lightweight and nice grip handle	• Weaker power for heavy-duty cleaning
• Effective suction power	?
• Tough construction	?

From Craftsman, here is a credible vac model which hits the ninth spot in our list. This vac model is a good wall mount compact vac which is easy to carry around.

The motor performance and overall features of this model are successful in living up to its claim as an excellent small vac for light duty works. It works great in cleaning up small spills in your carpet, the inside of your car and your closet.

This is not a heavy duty vac but for the price, it serves as a great trade-off. In addition, its parts and accessories are well-built and function as expected.

However, not enough power and capacity for heavy-duty cleaning.

10. Workshop Wet/Dry Vac

Check Price On Amazon

 

FEATURES

 

 

• Motor: 1.75 HP

• Auto shut-off mode: —

• Capacity: 2.5 gal

• Hose length: 4 ft

• Weight: 6.9 lbs

pros	cons
• Compact design and lightweight	• Limited suction strength
• Easy to use and store	?
• Perfect for light duty cleaning	?

Amazon’s Choice

Emerson Tool Company has never failed us to provide standard quality power tools. This vac model hits the criteria for stable and quiet performance, portability and space saving benefits.

This model is back with a 5-year warranty but its overall construction is a well-built and smooth finish. In terms of portability, it is lightweight and grip handle is soft to lessen the risk for getting hand fatigue.

Likewise, its hose and power cord length is ideal for light duty cleaning like the inside of your car, closet and small portions in your home.

Running this vac model is straightforward and storage is very easy because of its compact design and ergonomic design.

Else, suction power is not that strong for heavier tasks.