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1-1/4, 1-7/8 or 2-1/2 inch: which hose size do you want?
Updated
Hose diameter decides two things: what debris gets through, and which tools fit. The maker of Vacmaster says its vacs come with a 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 1-7/8 or 2-1/2 inch hose system. Small hoses suit cars and tight spots. Big hoses suit chips, leaves and water. Buy tools in the size your hose already is.
The picks by hose size
| Model | Hose | Length | Tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRAFTSMAN 16 gal | 2-1/2 in | 7 ft | 16 gal |
| Vacmaster 12 gal | 2-1/2 in | 7 ft | 12 gal |
| Vacmaster Beast 5 gal | 1-7/8 in | 7 ft | 5 gal |
| DEWALT 6 gal | 1-7/8 in | 7 ft | 6 gal |
| Stanley 6 gal | 1-1/4 in | 6 ft | 6 gal |
| Vacmaster 5 gal steel | 1-1/4 in | 6 ft | 5 gal |
| Armor All 2.5 gal | 1-1/4 in | 6 ft | 2.5 gal |
What each size suits
- 1-1/4 inch. Shop-Vac's FAQ says the opening is roughly the size of a golf ball. The tools are small, which is what you want between car seats. CRAFTSMAN's listing for its 2.5 gallon vac says its 1-1/4 inch accessories allow for maneuverability in tight areas. Picks: Stanley 6 gal, Vacmaster 5 gal steel and Armor All 2.5 gal.
- 1-7/8 inch. A middle size. Picks: Vacmaster Beast 5 gal and DEWALT 6 gal.
- 2-1/2 inch. Shop-Vac says the opening is roughly the size of a baseball. CRAFTSMAN's page for its 16 gallon vac describes a large 2-1/2 inch hose with a Dual-Flex design that resists kinks and crushing. Picks: CRAFTSMAN 16 gal and Vacmaster 12 gal.
That a wider hose clogs less on leaves, chips and wet debris is a common rule of thumb. We did not find a maker page that puts a number on it. It matches how the makers pair them: the big tanks get the big hoses.
How to find your size
Shop-Vac's FAQ says to measure the opening of the accessory end of the hose. The maker of Vacmaster says to check the carton contents section of your manual, or measure the outer diameter of the end of the hose. Those are two different measurements, so follow the instruction for your own brand.
Do tools swap between brands?
The maker of Vacmaster says yes: its accessories fit other brands of wet/dry vac with the same hose diameter. Shop-Vac's FAQ says adaptors are available to let you use different size tools with your hose. Two cautions from the listings:
- Hose ends differ. Some are friction fit and some lock. The CRAFTSMAN 16 gallon uses a locking hose at the tank end.
- A listing can rule out a kit in its own size family. CRAFTSMAN's 2.5 gallon vac listing names one CRAFTSMAN car cleaning kit as not compatible. Read the compatibility line before you add tools.
Hose size and power tools
Sanders and small saws often have small dust ports. We have not checked port sizes for any tool, so measure yours. An adaptor usually bridges the gap. For chips from a planer or a lot of sawdust, airflow matters more than suction. See CFM and water lift.
Run any listing through the peak HP calculator, match a vac to your job with the job checker, or compare all seven picks on the roundup page.