Price: $120
Capacity: 16 gal.
Weight: N/L
Noise level: N/L
EPA compliant: No
HEPA filter included: No
Filter cleaning: No

Features This vac has the largest capacity of the bunch, and its 2-1⁄2-in.-dia. hose just about eliminates any worry of clogs. When the machine was vacuuming up fine dust, its optional filter bags more than doubled its efficiency. A generous 20-ft. cord gives the vac a great working range, and the large amount of onboard storage includes room for the wands and accessories that come with the vacuum.

Flaws Unfortunately, this vac has more cons than pros. At the bottom of the heap in testing, it took a staggering 7 minutes to vacuum up a 60-lb. bag of concrete mix, and several minutes to suck up a bag of drywall mix. This doesn’t include the time it took to stop and shake the hose to unclog the dust and debris that built up inside during use. Even with a clean filter installed, this vac couldn’t pick up any of the nails directly into the tank; they had to be shaken down from where they had collected in the hose.

Bottom line Louder and bulkier than any of the other vacuums in the review, and with less suction power, the Shop-Vac might do in a pinch or where you wouldn’t want to bring another vacuum. For just a few dollars more, however, the Ridgid outperforms it by a wide margin.

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