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A reliable shop vac will help you suck up dust and make your air easier to breathe while making cleanup easy.
But with so many options available, how do you narrow down the best choice for the most effective dust control?
Buying the wrong one will leave you with a messy workshop, dust galore, and you’ll be out money.
Our short guide gives you suggestions on the best shop vac for dust on the market for any budget you may set.
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
Best Shop Vac for Dust Collection with Reviews
Here's a list of the best shop vacs for dust collection we found on the market:
1. CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 Shop Vac
- The 6.5 HP motor is strong enough to clean up huge messes and debris.
- The 20-gallon drum provides plenty of space to keep debris contained.
- An oversized drain makes emptying any water out quick and easy.
- Comes with a host of accessories included to make cleanup a breeze.
- Large, stable base ensures the shop vac won’t tip over and spill.
Pros
- Built-in blower port
- Cord wrap for convenient storage
- Hose coils around the top of the shop vac
Cons
- Has a 100% plastic design
- Latching mechanism is finicky
- Motor is very loud
Overview
The CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 is an excellent choice if you’re after a wet/dry shop-vac that can easily handle dust, water, and debris in varying sizes. It comes with several great accessories like dual extension wands, crevice tool, utility nozzle, wet nozzle, Qwik lock filter, and more that allows you to clean every area of your shop or job site.
There’s a powerful 6.5-HP motor with a large capacity 20 gallon drum that will pick up anything on the floor or workbench before storing it away to help keep your air clean. The oversized drain makes cleaning up wet messes and dumping them easy, and the large canisters provide excellent stability.
Professional woodworkers or contractors should consider adding the CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 to your arsenal to help clean up when you complete a job. Not only does it come from a well-known brand, but it gives you great performance for the price. If you have a messy project or two on the horizon, the filters and large collection bag will help you leave your job site in pristine condition.
2. Vacmaster VBV1210
- Comes with a quick release detachable blower.
- The 12-foot cord gives you excellent reach and maneuverability.
- The canisters double as storage spots for the shop vac’s accessories.
- Uses durable polypropylene construction to take on the toughest jobs.
- Has a 210 MPH maximum blowing speed.
Pros
- Crevice tool included
- Drain port is extra large
- Detach the blower with one hand
Cons
- Too large for small hands to operate comfortably
- Clogs with larger debris
- Plastic tabs lock the canister in place
Overview
The Vacmaster VBV1210 is a solid shop vac for anyone who wants to pack a lot of power and features in for a nice price point. This slightly smaller shop vac has a detachable blower motor to help you get rid of debris, and the 12 gallon tank locks dust away.
There is a 5 HP motor that will move a lot of air to increase the shop vac’s suction power, and the 12 foot cord gives you a broad range of movement all around your job or shop. The polypropylene construction adds durability to this tool to help it last from job to job.
Any part-time contractor or serious DIYer will want to add this shop vac to their lineup. It comes with a crevice tool to get the dust out of all of those small nooks and crannies, and you can clean up water as well as dry debris. The 210 MPH blowing speed and accessory storage can help your cleanup go smoother, so you can finish your project quicker.
3. Shop-Vac 5989300
- Uses a five gallon stainless steel tank for added durability and longevity.
- Comes with a seven foot hose and three extension wands to maximize your reach.
- Top and side carry handles make transporting this shop vac easy.
- The large base ensures the shop vac doesn’t tip over.
- It can handle wet and dry messes without clogging.
Pros
- 175 CFM airflow rating
- Onboard accessory storage
- Three year warranty
Cons
- Manual is confusing
- Assembling the shop vac is challenging
- Six foot cord
Overview
The Shop-Vac 5989300 is a great value buy if you’re looking for a powerful little shop vac that won’t break your bank. The stainless steel tank adds durability to this tool, and it has a CFM rating of 175 for powerful suction and air movement to contain the dust.
The full circumference dolly makes maneuvering this shop vac around easy, and it has top and side carry handles that makes taking it from job to job an easy process. It has several accessories to handle wet and dry messes like a crevice tool, gulper nozzle, extension wands, and more.
Any DIYer or person with a small workshop should take a look at the Shop-Vac 5989300. It comes from a reliable brand backed by a three-year warranty, and it offers excellent value in terms of the price. If you have several small weekend projects planned or your workshop needs a thorough cleaning, the 4.5 HP motor is strong enough to handle it without causing unnecessary fatigue due to the lightweight design.
4. DeWALT DXV09P Shop Vac
- The 10 foot long power cord lets you reach virtually anywhere.
- Built in blower port will blow dust out of your workshop.
- Comes with rubberized casters for great ease of movement.
- Includes several storage areas for the vac’s accessories.
- Large tank drain makes it easy to empty out liquids you suck up.
Pros
- Washable cartridge filter
- Waterproof on/off switch
- Wheels have 360° rotation
Cons
- Brush attachment is awkward to use
- Wheels are difficult to attach
- Handle is very low to the ground
Overview
The DeWALT DXV09P is a more high-end shop vac that comes with a bright yellow coating, durable build, and a slightly longer power cord at 10 feet that allows you to reach almost anywhere. The 5 HP motor is powerful enough to clean up piles of dust without stirring them into the air.
There’s a waterproof on-off switch with a washable cartridge filter that will save you money over the shop vac’s life. You wrap the cord around the top for easy storage, and there is an accessory bag to keep all of the pieces together and ready to use.
If you’re a professional who doesn’t have a shop vac to control dust, consider purchasing the DeWALT DXV09P. Not only is it part of an impressive brand family, but it offers 251.7 peak air watts for excellent airflow and suction power. It’s large enough to take on those big and dusty projects, yet it stores compact and out of the way when you don’t need to use it.
5. RIDGID 50313 4000RV Shop Vacuum
- Has an ultra-flexible eight foot hose that locks into place.
- Comes with a one-handed release blower motor.
- The Qwik Lock Filter Fastening System makes cleaning the filter hassle-free.
- Features a very lightweight and portable design.
- Comes with attachments to help you get into tight spaces.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- 20 foot power cord
- Hose is up to four times more durable
Cons
- No wheels
- Filter takes a while to dry
- No extension wands included
Overview
The RIDGID 50313 4000RV balances portability and power with a decent price. It’s slightly more expensive, but it makes up for it with the powerful 5 HP motor and the 20 foot cord that wraps up neatly when you finish with it. The top handle makes it easy to carry too.
The durable eight foot hose locks securely into place to form a tight seal that won’t allow dust to escape back into your workshop or job site. The blower capacity makes it easy to get rid of dust, dirt, wood shavings, and other debris that may clutter up your space.
Industry professionals, woodworkers, and cleaning companies should consider adding the RIDGID 50313 4000RV to their tool lineup. It has a reputable brand and a nice warrany backing it without being outrageously expensive. If you have a tough job ahead of you or you do a lot of general cleanup around your home or workshop, the washable filter will save you money while the lightweight design reduces user fatigue.
Buying Guide
Anyone who works with wood will tell you they need a quality shop vac on hand to help with cleanup as their project progresses. But, what makes a good shop vac for dust collection? Aren’t they all the same?
The short answer is no. There are a few important things your shop vac has to have to make an excellent for dust collection, and you’ll find them below.
How much CFM do I need for dust collection?
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, and it’s a rating on how much air flows through your shop vac at any given time. This airflow rating will vary from shop vac to shop vac, but it should have a CFM rating of at least 150 or higher.
Power
Power is going to be one of the biggest factors that influences your shop vac’s ability to pick up dust. Ideally, any shop vac you pick should have at least a 5 HP motor with good airflow. This motor size ensures the shop vac will be able to pick up piles of dust and move it to the tank without clogging.
Versatility
You want your shop vac to pick up dust, but it should also be able to handle common debris you find around your shop. Wood shavings, dust, and even water shouldn’t present any problems for your shop vac to clean up. The hose diameter and power will play a role in how versatile your shop vac is.
Tank Size
If you have a large workshop, it makes sense that you’d generate a lot of dust throughout the day or a project. Your tank size will dictate how long you can go between cleaning it, and it’ll impact how effective your shop vac is overall. Generally, larger shops need large shop vacs while smaller shops need small shop vacs.
Brand
The brand will be another big factor when it comes to picking out the best shop vac for dust collection. A reputable brand will be more likely to have strict quality control measures in place for their shop vacs. It’s also easier to compare reviews and get in touch with customer service in you have a problem with the shop vac you buy.
Wrapping it up
Our shop vac reviews are done, and now it’s time to make your choice. For us, the CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17596 is the best shop vac for dust collection out of all of our reviews. It has a large drum to store all the dust and debris you pick up, and the shop vac has enough horsepower to handle the dirtiest job without clogging up.
The accessories make getting the dust out of all those small areas simple, and you can clean up wet messes as well as dry. All of these small features combine to make a powerful and versatile shop vac that’s excellent for professional use.
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