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What size shop vac do you need for the job?
Updated
Pick the job you will do most. The checker gives the tank class, hose diameter and filter setup that suit it, plus the picks on this site that match. Add gallons of water if you are planning a wet job and it will show the weight you are dealing with.
Shop vac job checker
General guidance built from maker FAQs and the listings we read. Your vac's manual wins where they differ.
All six jobs at a glance
| Job | Tank | Hose | Filter | Picks that fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car interior and small spills | 2.5 to 6 gallons | 1-1/4 in | The standard cartridge or cloth filter | Armor All 2.5 gal, Vacmaster 5 gal steel and Stanley 6 gal |
| Garage floor, general debris | 6 to 12 gallons | 1-7/8 or 2-1/2 in | The standard cartridge filter. A dust bag makes emptying cleaner | DEWALT 6 gal, Vacmaster Beast 5 gal, Vacmaster 12 gal and CRAFTSMAN 16 gal |
| Drywall dust or cold ashes | Any size | Any size | A fine dust or HEPA rated cartridge filter, plus a dust bag | Vacmaster Beast 5 gal, CRAFTSMAN 16 gal and Vacmaster 12 gal |
| Flooded basement or lots of water | 12 to 16 gallons with a drain port | 2-1/2 in | Foam sleeve only. Take out the dry filter and the bag first | CRAFTSMAN 16 gal and Vacmaster 12 gal |
| Sawdust and wood chips in the shop | 5 to 16 gallons | 2-1/2 in for chips, 1-7/8 in for fine sawdust | A cartridge filter plus a dust bag | Vacmaster 12 gal, CRAFTSMAN 16 gal and Vacmaster Beast 5 gal |
| Small wet spills around the house | 5 to 6 gallons | 1-1/4 or 1-7/8 in | Foam sleeve only. Take out the dry filter and the bag first | Vacmaster 5 gal steel, Stanley 6 gal and Armor All 2.5 gal |
Where the advice comes from
- Filters. The maker of Vacmaster says to use the foam filter for wet pickup only, to remove dry filters and bags before vacuuming liquids, and to use a HEPA or fine dust cartridge for fine material such as drywall dust. Shop-Vac's FAQ says the same: a foam sleeve for wet pickup, a fine filtration level for drywall dust and cold ashes.
- Airflow for light debris. Shop-Vac's FAQ says CFM is best for picking up lighter materials such as wood chips and dust.
- Water jobs. The CDC says you can use a wet/dry shop vacuum to remove standing water once an electrician has determined it is safe to turn the power on, and to wear rubber boots when running equipment in wet areas.
- Hose size for debris. That a wider hose clogs less on leaves and chips is a common rule of thumb, not a maker spec.
Two jobs a shop vac should not do
Lead paint dust, asbestos and job site silica cleanup call for a vacuum built as a HEPA vacuum, and hot ashes and flammable liquids do not belong in any of these. See what not to vacuum.
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.