Shop vacs have gotten complicated with all the marketing hype and spec sheets flying around. As someone who’s used these things for fifteen years across three different workshops, I learned everything there is to know about what actually matters versus what’s just noise. Today, I will share it all with you.
What Actually Matters in a Shop Vac
Forget the peak horsepower numbers for a second. That’s marketing math. What you care about is CFM—cubic feet per minute of airflow. A shop vac that moves 150 CFM will outperform one with a flashy “6.5 peak HP!” label but only 100 CFM.
Tank size is the other number that matters in practice. I started with a 6-gallon unit and spent half my time emptying it during projects. Moved to 12 gallons and the interruptions dropped noticeably. Now I run a 16-gallon for most work, and it’s the right balance between capacity and not being a huge pain to drag around.
HEPA filters sound great until you realize they clog fast with sawdust and kill your suction. For woodworking, a good cartridge filter you can knock clean works better than HEPA for everyday use. Save HEPA for drywall dust or other fine particulates that really need that level of filtration.
The Shop Vacs I Actually Recommend
DeWALT 16 Gallon – The Workshop Workhorse
This is the one I use most days. The 16-gallon capacity means I can run it through an entire furniture project without stopping to empty. The motor has enough pull to handle router dust and table saw cleanup without bogging down.
The blower function is more useful than I expected. I use it to clear sawdust from joinery and blast out the truck bed after hauling lumber. The casters roll smoothly even when the tank is full, which matters more than you’d think when you’re dragging it around a 400-square-foot shop all day.
RIDGID 12 Gallon – The Compact Winner
My friend runs one of these in his garage shop, and it’s the right size for tighter spaces. The 12-gallon tank strikes a good balance—not too heavy when full, but enough capacity that you’re not constantly emptying it.
The drain port is genuinely useful if you ever vacuum up spills. I’ve seen him use it for cleaning up after finish work when mineral spirits end up on the floor. Beats trying to pour liquid out of a vacuum tank upside down.
Shop-Vac 10 Gallon Stainless – The Budget Pick
This was my first shop vac. Still works after eight years, which says something about stainless construction. The motor is adequate but not impressive. It struggles with heavy debris but handles normal dust fine.
Quieter than most shop vacs, which matters if you work early mornings or late nights and don’t want to wake the household. The dolly design makes it easy to move around, though the casters aren’t as robust as the DeWALT’s.
Craftsman 16 Gallon – The Alternative
I tested one of these at a friend’s cabinet shop. Similar capacity and power to the DeWALT, but the hose kinked less, which is a real advantage when you’re dragging it between machines. The blower port works well for clearing out tool dust collectors.
The accessory kit that comes with it is more complete than most. You get crevice tools, brush heads, and extension wands that you’d otherwise buy separately. That’s probably fifty dollars of accessories included.
Stanley 6 Gallon – For Limited Spaces
If you’re working in a small shed or apartment balcony setup, this size makes sense. The 6-gallon tank empties fast, but the whole unit stores in a corner without dominating the space.
The motor has enough power for hand tool dust and small cleanup jobs. Don’t expect it to keep up with a table saw running full sheets, but for weekend hobbyist work it does fine. The price is usually low enough that it’s a reasonable starter option.
Keeping Your Shop Vac Working
Empty the tank before it hits three-quarters full. Beyond that point, suction drops noticeably, and you’re just making the motor work harder for less result.
Clean or replace the filter when you start losing suction. I bang mine out against the side of the trash can every few uses. Takes ten seconds and keeps performance consistent. Filters are cheap—don’t run a clogged one for months trying to save twelve dollars.
Check the hose for cracks or holes periodically. A small split kills suction and you’ll spend an hour troubleshooting before you find it. Ask me how I know.
Features That Actually Matter
Variable speed sounds useful but I never use it. The vac runs at full power or it doesn’t run. Maybe it matters for auto detailing or carpet cleaning, but in a woodshop you want maximum suction all the time.
On-board tool storage is genuinely convenient. Having the crevice tool and brush head clipped to the body means they’re there when you need them instead of lost in a drawer somewhere. That’s what makes accessory storage endearing to us workshop folks—it’s simple organization that works.
Automatic shut-off for wet pickup prevents you from destroying the motor when the tank fills with liquid. If you ever use the wet function, this feature pays for itself the first time it saves you from overflow.
The Bottom Line
For most woodworkers, a 12-16 gallon shop vac with decent CFM and a cleanable filter covers everything you need. Don’t overthink it. The DeWALT 16 gallon or RIDGID 12 gallon will serve you well for years. Buy one, use it hard, and move on to actually building things.
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. But the point stands—shop vacs are tools, not investments. Get something that works, maintain it minimally, and focus your energy on the projects that matter.
