Make Cleaning a Breeze Using the Best Shop Vacuum

Workshops are the workhouses for all things construction or fabrication. And whether you own a DIY workshop in your backward or work in a professional full-sized workshop, you will quickly realize the essence of a shop vacuum or shop vac. Between the different operations – cutting, drilling, sanding, and occasional spills, dust, and debris are sure to gather quickly.

Initially, we gave you an outline of the best vacuums for shops that stand out from the rest with exceptional functionality. But you may still be stuck on which to choose that will be the best for your needs.

In the rest of this buying guide, we help you zero in on the best vacuum cleaner for your shop, by outlining the different deciding factors and qualities that separate one vacuum from another.

What are the Different Types of Shop Vacuums?

The first factor you want to get out of the way is the shop vacuum you want to get. Shop vacuums can be classified into different categories but mainly based on their power source.

Based on Power Source

Based on its power source, a shop vacuum will be classified as a corded or cordless vacuum cleaner.

Corded Shop Vacuums

Corded shop vacuums connect to your mains supply for power. They are the most popular type of vacuums used in shops. They also boast of the most power as they draw and are typically the largest vacuums you will find today.

Cordless Shop Vacuums

Cordless shop vacuums run on batteries that are typically rechargeable. They are the ideal eco-friendly vacuum cleaners. They eliminate the need or clutter that comes with wires and allow for nearly unlimited cleaning range. They are also more reliable than corded shop vacuums if there is no mains supply in sight.

The only downside to cordless shop vacuums is that they don’t come with power ratings as high as those on a typical corded shop vacuum of the same size and capacity, and the batteries tend to run out quickly. They are also generally more expensive.

What Factors Should I Consider Before Buying a Shop Vac?

Power Rating

The power rating on the shop vacuum in consideration is one of the most important factors to consider. Specified in Watts or Kilowatts and horsepower, the higher the power rating, the more suction the shop vacuum can generate and the faster it cleans. A more powerful shop vacuum will also be able to pick up larger debris than a less powerful one.

Do note, however, that higher power shop vacuums means more power will be drawn from the mains (for corded units) and in turn, higher electricity bills. A more powerful shop vacuum, will however, likely make up for its running costs in its quick cleaning speed.

Cleaning Versatility;

The best shop vacuums should be able to handle different dirt and debris profiles as they come.

Wet-dry Shop Vacs

Wet-dry shop vacuums are very popular today. They are designed to handle both dry and wet cleaning conditions by sucking up a good range of liquids and solids.

The only exception to this may be high-viscosity liquids like oil or toxic liquids that can damage the vacuum components. However, it is always a good choice to buy a wet-dry vacuum cleaner. They are also great to dry out wet surfaces quickly.

Included Accessories

The included accessories that come with the shop vacuum in question are also very important as they will determine its cleaning versatility and performance. The ideal shop vacuum should come with a wide brush head for general cleaning, a spot cleaner for cleaning out tight corners, a scrubber, etc.

Portability

Debris in your shop is likely to fly around and get scattered. Any shop vacuum you are getting should obviously be very portable and easy to move around as you navigate to the different spots. It should come with wheels for larger models and flexible hoses, or ergonomic carrying handles for smaller vacuums.

Capacity and Size

Shop vacuums come in different sizes or capacities. This will usually be stated as a unit of volume in gallons, cubic-inches, or cubic-feet. The larger the capacity, the more dirt the vacuum cleaner can hold before the bin will have to be emptied. This is especially important for large shops that get dirty often.

Note, however, that a large capacity will translate into a bulkier unit that may sacrifice storability and compactness.

Noise Levels

Shop vacuum and just about every vacuum cleaner, can get very noisy. The powerful motor moving at high speed and the air rushing through the hoses all contribute to this.

The ideal shop vacuum should come with the lowest noise possible. This will typically be stated in decibels shortened as dB.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between a dust extractor and a shop vacuum?

Dust extractors and shop vacuums should not be confused for each other. A dust extractor is a machine designed exclusively to suck up dust-sized micro particles. Shop vacuums, on the other hand, are versatile and can suck up both micro and fairly large debris, and also liquids.

Q: Are there robotic shop vacuums?

They are very unusual. Robotic vacuum cleaners or robot vacuums are almost exclusively designed for home use. First they are very compact and lightweight, and pick up small debris or spills on the floor. Dirt and debris in the workshop will likely be found everywhere – on the floor, on the workbenches, in and around tools, etc. A robot vacuum can’t climb shelves to clean.

Also, the amount of dirt in a workshop will easily overwhelm a conventional robot vacuum, hence they are not typically used.

Q: How do use a wet-dry shop vacuum?

While most shop vacuums are wet-dry, they need some input on your part. Except stated otherwise by the manufacturer, you may need to change the filter between wet and dry cleaning cycles. Some wet-dry shop vacuums, however, come with versatile filters that work great for both wet and dry debris.