Recommendation for Small Shop Vac

[John in OH]

My adult daughter (with 3 kids, dog and cat) is asking for a SMALL wet/dry shop vac for Christmas.

She wants one that she can use in the garage to clean out her SUV, but also small enough to easily carry to her basement to clean up cat litter that occasionally gets scattered on the floor, and for miscellaneous small clean-up tasks. Something lightweight in the 1 to 2 gal. size and NOT a rechargeable unit.

Can anyone offer any suggested product?

PS: In case you may be wondering, her husband is the type that would probably have difficulty figuring out how to plug in a shop vac!

 

[Minnesota Steve]

I have a 1 gallon model in the house, and I think it's a pain to use. Short cord, short hose. The hose is always falling out. The cord is too short, so you have to use an extension cord.

What I recommend is their contractor portable models... as the top latches nicely so when you pick it up the contents don't dump onto the floor. They come with a nice flexible hose which screws on and won't come off easily, and a really long cord. And they're easy to just pick up by the handle and carry around. I have a 10 gallon which is kind of big but after I bought it I started seeing this 5 gallon model...

https://www.shopvac.com/product/sho...ontractor-portable-wet-dry-vac-catnum:5870210

The 10 gallon comes with wheels, which aren't that important. It also has a 12 foot hose which is really nice. The 5 gallon has a 7 foot hose which is adequate. In both cases they have a 20 foot cord which wraps easily up on the unit. That would be my recommendation. If you look at other models, really look for that longer power cord as that's the key to making it useful I think.

It's available at Lowes or Menards for about $90, just different colors...
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Shop-Vac-5-Gallon-6-HP-Shop-Vacuum/1000351423
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...1-c-10092.htm?tid=-5430428503668693529&ipos=4


Oh and these come with filters and bags... Although tell the husband if he uses it for wet stuff to take the bag out.

 

[ScottsGT]

I have the Ridgid 16 gallon.
Not what she wants, but if their smaller vacs are as well built as the big ones, I say go that route. They have a nice small 4 gallon. Since she's going to be using it on her car, get her the smaller car detail hose and kit. It's a smaller diameter and really flexible. I use it on my 16 gal. unit when I do car cleaning. (It's the orange hose kit I'm talking about)

 

[Bretny]

I have an old shop vac brand 2gal one. It's very handy but I don't use it for any of the things your asking about.

 

[exmaxima1]

I recommend most anything made by Ridgid or Craftsman. Both made by the same manufacturer. They are much quieter than Shop Vac brand units that screech and drive you crazy.

Maybe something like this for $59:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...h-Premium-Auto-Detailing-Kit-WD4052/310195132

The detailing kit alone normally sells for $40, so this is a really good deal.

 

[ScottsGT]

I recommend most anything made by Ridgid or Craftsman. Both made by the same manufacturer. They are much quieter than Shop Vac brand units that screech and drive you crazy.

Maybe something like this for $59:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...h-Premium-Auto-Detailing-Kit-WD4052/310195132

The detailing kit alone normally sells for $40, so this is a really good deal.

BLAM!!! That's a killer deal!! Trying to think of someone that needs one for Christmas now.

 

[ItsNemo]

Ridgid by a long shot for full size plug in ones.


That said, I got the 2 gallon corded/cordless Dewalt one this year and it's been incredibly useful...even though it doesn't have the best suction in the world, it's great for quick cleanups.

 

[Minnesota Steve]

I recommend most anything made by Ridgid or Craftsman. Both made by the same manufacturer. They are much quieter than Shop Vac brand units that screech and drive you crazy.

Maybe something like this for $59:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...h-Premium-Auto-Detailing-Kit-WD4052/310195132

The detailing kit alone normally sells for $40, so this is a really good deal.

This is a really good... portable contractor model, and this comes with a really nice hose. Hell I think I'm going to go buy one.

 

[dacan23]

Thats about the best corded recommendation the OP is going to get and a great one. Cordless it would be the Rigid or Milwaukee but OP said corded.

They do have 1-2 gallon small ones but as others have said they are not really great. HD has one usually in the tool section.

I have had 2 small ones and hated them for reasons already stated. My last one is now the car coolant mess vac for cleaning out the drain pain or when something springs a leak.

I recommend most anything made by Ridgid or Craftsman. Both made by the same manufacturer. They are much quieter than Shop Vac brand units that screech and drive you crazy.

Maybe something like this for $59:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...h-Premium-Auto-Detailing-Kit-WD4052/310195132

The detailing kit alone normally sells for $40, so this is a really good deal.

 

[Ss95003]

I have one of these and it’s awesome. Small, light, all attachments, powerful, and pretty quite for what it is.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078YDCCFN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RKA]

I'm assuming whatever she uses around the house is too big which probably rules out the 4 gal ridgid. In a 1-2 gallon corded size, if she can drop the wet pick up requirements, I know Oreck makes a little compact unit. Metrovac has something and by now there are probably chinese copies available from common detailing sites, which should be under $100 (I haven't looked)

Why drop the wet requirement? Because in that size it's not that useful compared to a sponge/mop/towel and you have to remove the bag or clean the bucket first so you're not mixing wet and dry, then clean it again after you're done picking up the wet stuff and put the bag back into it. In practice I question how useful it will be, but maybe she has a use in mind and doesn't mind emptying the thing every 3 minutes and she actually needs to **** up 1-2 gallons of water?

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a 2 gallon dewalt. It can be powered by house current, 20 volt or 18 volt battery. I have used it in battery mode many times and the suction is more than adequate.
$97 or so on Amazon

Sent from my SM-J727V using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[OGJordan]

Another vote for a Rigid

 

[M6erfan]

I'm assuming whatever she uses around the house is too big which probably rules out the 4 gal ridgid. In a 1-2 gallon corded size, if she can drop the wet pick up requirements, I know Oreck makes a little compact unit. Metrovac has something and by now there are probably chinese copies available from common detailing sites, which should be under $100 (I haven't looked)

Why drop the wet requirement? Because in that size it's not that useful compared to a sponge/mop/towel and you have to remove the bag or clean the bucket first so you're not mixing wet and dry, then clean it again after you're done picking up the wet stuff and put the bag back into it. In practice I question how useful it will be, but maybe she has a use in mind and doesn't mind emptying the thing every 3 minutes and she actually needs to **** up 1-2 gallons of water?

Those are really good points

 

[pioneer1]

I just bought this 1 https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/4-gallon-pro-pack-wet-dry-vac
its the professional line , its available in the general line as well https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-4-5-Gal-5-0-Peak-HP-Pro-Pack-Wet-Dry-Vac-WD4522/100638389

I like that all the accessories are stored in it.

 

[darkzero]

I've had two Craftsman 2-gallon shop vacs, first one died from old age & abuse. Current one has been doing great for years now. 2 gal is a good size for the stuff you mentioned IMO. I got sick of fumbling with the cord on the 2 gal for quick tasks. This past BF I got the Milwaukee 2 gal cordless vac & couldn't be happier. So easy to use for something quick yet it lasts more than long enough to vacuum out my truck. I use my 12 gal shop vac for bigger tasks.

 

[dylanmitchell]

This is the current version of the ones I've used for years. Shop-Vac 5-Gallon 6-HP Shop Vacuum. https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=shop+vac+5+gallon

It's a small vac with great suction is easy to move around and store. No wheels but I've dragged it all over and haven't worn through the bottom yet. I actually have a newer one in the house and older beat up one full of drywall dust, bits of concrete, rocks, dirt, leaves, etc. in the garage.

I also have a Dyson V7 Car + Boat handheld vacuum cleaner in the house and ***** up like you wouldn't believe but it's fragile runs out of power after 20 minutes and is expensive only worth picking up if you find a really good sale.

 

[pop pop]

I recommend most anything made by Ridgid or Craftsman. Both made by the same manufacturer. They are much quieter than Shop Vac brand units that screech and drive you crazy.

Maybe something like this for $59:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...h-Premium-Auto-Detailing-Kit-WD4052/310195132

The detailing kit alone normally sells for $40, so this is a really good deal.

Just purchased this as my old reasonable size unit broke and I opted for the largest and now realize that mistake. Now if it ever gets here, that's another issue. I see it's another $10 less now. Yes, short cord and short hose, but still easier for small spaces than a 55 gallon drum size! This was the smallest I could find using the drum type filters.

 

[56Safari]

I bought the 4 gallon 5hp Rigid portable shop vac to use in tight crawl spaces, its the best shop vac I've ever owned.. Still my go to after 5 years

Rigid WET/DRY 4gallon 5HP

 

[senlow]

I'm assuming whatever she uses around the house is too big which probably rules out the 4 gal ridgid. In a 1-2 gallon corded size, if she can drop the wet pick up requirements, I know Oreck makes a little compact unit. Metrovac has something and by now there are probably chinese copies available from common detailing sites, which should be under $100 (I haven't looked)

Why drop the wet requirement? Because in that size it's not that useful compared to a sponge/mop/towel and you have to remove the bag or clean the bucket first so you're not mixing wet and dry, then clean it again after you're done picking up the wet stuff and put the bag back into it. In practice I question how useful it will be, but maybe she has a use in mind and doesn't mind emptying the thing every 3 minutes and she actually needs to **** up 1-2 gallons of water?

The baby Oreck is a *************. It doesn't ****. OK, that's a little too harsh. Actually, it doesn't **** very much. I'm not knocking Oreck products in general. I like their upright vacuum. Metrovac is good stuff. I had one and, being the ******* that I am, I gave it to a friend.

If it must be corded and pick up liquids, I think that the Ridgid is a good product. It is larger than your daughter wants, but it is a good compromise.

 

[LugNutTorquer]

Thanks for the link to the Ridgid at Home Depot. I went down after work today to get one, but I couldn't remember the model number and I didn't see anything on the shelves that looked right: no premium hose, no included car cleaning attachment.

I confirmed that it wasn't in front of me by taking out my cell phone and browsing to this thread. I reconnected to the Home Depot link and got the model number.

I then took a look around in the front of the store and it was there in a special display.

Thanks again.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Ridgid in whatever size variety she wants. If they can survive jobsites they can handle sucking up dropped cereal in her minivan

Edit: job job on the HD score

 

[Alex1990]

I have one of these and it’s awesome. Small, light, all attachments, powerful, and pretty quite for what it is.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078YDCCFN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Agree. Powersmith vacuum has a nice protective filter bag that covers the powerful 10 amp Motor.
It is very compact with a nice carry handle but has a very long cord and even a red full indicator!

 

[jmcf1949]

This little Ridgid is perfect for her. It's light and powerful. Only downside is it's capacity for liquids.