Top 5 Best Cordless Shop Vacs in 2023(Milwaukee vs Dewalt vs Makita Wet Dry Vac)

For through cleaning what fits the best other then any best cordless shop vacs? It goes across the crevices while going all-over the floor and effectively removes grimes, dirt or dust. More importantly, it turns out portable so that you may lug around anywhere, just place it and get the best out of it.

Keeping this in mind, today we will categorize the choices of wet dry vacuum machines. Therefore, you will get to know which comes great to your preference and investment both.

Well, let not stay here anymore and delve into our reviews

What is the Best Cordless Shop Vac for You?

There are a lot of cordless shop vacs on the market that are going to be perfect for your needs. What you should do is think about what it is you need out of a vacuum so that we can narrow down the list and find one that fits those needs. For example, if you have pets or allergies, there are certain features like HEPA filters and pet hair brushes that may be important to you. You also want to take into consideration how often you will use the vacuum and what size room your projects will cover when deciding which model will work best for you!

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: DEWALT 18/20V Max Vacuum
   “It is the best cordless vacuum for those who look for a long battery life, easy to use, and a vac that clean both wet & dry materials flawlessly years after years.”
2. Value for the Money: Makita 18V Lithium-Ion Dust Extractor
   “Makita cordless vacuum will be a perfect choice for those who are looking for a long battery life while ensuring the ultimate cleaning performance.”
3. Powerful Shop Vac: Milwaukee 18-Volt Cordless Vacuum
   “It will be the best choice for those who look for a convenient alternative to corded shop vac for easy to use and portable wet dry vacuum.”
4. Best Dust-Extractor: DEWALT DC515B 18-Volt Cordless
   “It is a perfect choice for those who look for a vacuum to suck up both wet and dry particles with ease and quick.”
5. Best Portable: Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ 6 Gal. Cordless Vacuum
   “Ryobi 18v One+ Cordless Vac would be a great choice for those looking for a super portable vac that lets you deal with small to medium cleaning jobs. As it’s not a powerhouse, this vac wouldn’t be ideal for heavy-duty cleaning workflow.”

Top Rated & Best Cordless Shop Vacs in 2023

1. Best Overall: DEWALT 18/20V Max Vacuum

Getting the best cordless vacuum that works both in wet and dry conditions is not a facile task. Our experts analyzed many tools, and finally, they got this best deal: DEWALT 1820V Max Vacuum.

The sweet part of this tool is it comes with a 20v battery to generate strong suction and airflow. Besides, the 2-gallon tank capacity offers sufficient storage for cleaning a clogged pipe or a toilet. Therefore, the onboard accessory storage lets you roll it around your space and clean the area where you need it.

Washable Filter

The key feature of Dewalt DCV580H we spot is its washable filter.

How efficiently a vacuum performs the cleaning workflow depends on how clean the filter is. A vac loses its suction power when the filter gets clogged with debris, dust, and dirt.

The less powerful suction means minimum cleaning efficiency of the vac. But it will not be going to happen with this vac as it comes with a washable filter. When the filter gets clogged with dirt, you can wash it and bring back the same efficiency when you bought it first

2. Value for the Money: Makita 18V Lithium-Ion Dust Extractor

Makita 18v Dust Extractor is another best cordless wet dry vacuum on this list. Comparing it with the top-pick, the only lack we found of this vac is the washable filter. Otherwise, it has got almost every feature to ensure the ultimate cleaning efficiency.

The great feature of it is coming with long battery life and 60 minutes of running time. Besides, the filter cleaning system of the vac ensures suction efficiency as well as continued filter life.

BL Brushless Motor

The standpoint of Makita XCV11Z is with BL Brushless Motor. With an 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery, this powerful motor delivers 57 CFM and 27″ water lift of suction.

It means you will get enough airflow and suction to clean almost every type of dust efficiently.

Remarkably, the 18 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 5.0 Ah battery offers 60 minutes of continuous running time.

Afterward, the BL Brushless Motor removes carbon brushes to keep the motor cool for ensuring the prolonged life of the vac.

Indeed, the beauty of this vacuum is it comes with long battery life as well as running time.

3. Powerful Shop Vac: Milwaukee 18-Volt Cordless Vacuum

Milwaukee 18-Volt Cordless Vacuum is another vacuum on this list we ranked as the best battery powered shop vac for its better suction efficiency and built-in blower port.

When we scrutinize its features, we found it comes with a compact toolbox design with on-board storage. For that, it will be convenient for you to roll it around and clean every inch of your room or workspace. In terms of cleaning, this vac comes with an 18v battery that produces enough airflow and suction to wash out dirt, debris, and other small messes.

Built-in blower port & Reusable wet dry filter

The built-in blower port of this vac lets you use it as a blower to clean debris from small spaces. It means you insert a hose by emptying the tank.

Besides, the reusable wet dry filter is integrated with Cleanstream 1 filtration technology that offers excellent dust collection.

The best part is you don’t need to change it between wet & dry mode to clean wet and dry materials.

4. Best Dust-Extractor: DEWALT DC515B 18-Volt Cordless

In terms of extracting dust, finding a suitable cordless wet-dry vac is a little bit overwhelming. We looked for many options and, at last, pick this one: DEWALT DC515B 18-Volt Cordless Vac.

The Dewalt cordless vacuum comes with a 1-2 gallon tank with a heavy-duty latch to make it easy to vacant and tidy. Besides, the Gore HEPA filter ensures to clean 99.97% of dust (either wet or dry) at 0.3 microns.

Plus, the washable filter lets you clean it when it gets clogged with dirt to increase the cleaning efficiency. As a reward, you will get optimum cleaning performance.

Dual Clean-up Modes

The best feature of the Dewalt DC515B vacuum is its dual clean-up modes that help us to rank it as the best dust-extractor.

The dual-clean up modes let you extract or remove dust either between the front utility nozzle of the vac or an extendable rubber hose.

It doesn’t only help to tidy up the messes easily but also quickly.

Though this vac performs great both for wet and dry but the con is it makes loud.

So, it would not be a smart choice to perform the indoor cleaning workflow.

5. Best Portable: Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ 6 Gal. Cordless Vacuum

When portability becomes the standpoint over cleaning, consider the Ryobi 18v One+ 6 Gal. Cordless Vacuum might be your next go-to vac.

It doesn’t mean this vac sacrifices its cleaning ability. The Ryobi 18v One+ vac comes with a powerful 80 CFM and a removal top to emptying dust, debris, and dirt efficiently.

Multiple handles and no-tip wheel design ensure ultimate portability

We ranked this wet dry vacuum as the best portable vac on this list for its no-tip wheel design and multiple handles to carry it around.

You can suck off every inch of your home or workspace by lugging it around with the help of handles.

Moreover, the on-board accessory storage lets you keep the nozzles, crevice tool, and extension wands organized inside it. As a result, you can feel comfy to move it from here to there.

The only con we come across of this vac is its size. It will take a lot of space in your home or workstation. However, to keep it out of your way, you can hang it by rigging up with a hook.

Milwaukee vs Dewalt vs Makita Cordless Shop Vac

Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Makita are well-known brands that offer the best cordless vacuum on the market. But when it comes to choosing a vacuum from a particular brand, it becomes challenging. Each of the brands has come with unique features and specialty that makes the buying process complex.

However, you can easily pick the right vacuum by comparing each of them following the below criteria.

• Cleaning ability
• Portability
• Warranty

Cleaning Ability

Cleaning ability is the most crucial feature you should look upon when it comes to buying a vacuum.

As the intention of buying a vacuum is cleaning, you must consider this. The cleaning ability of a vacuum mostly depends on the suction and airflow of it. Both the suction and airflow directly relate to the power of the motor.

In the case of motor power, Dewalt is superior to its counterparts- Milwaukee and Makita. Dewalt is powered by a 20v battery that provides strong suction and airflow. When its counterparts- Milwaukee and Makita both come with an 18v of battery.

The cleaning efficiency of a vacuum also depends on the HEPA filter. The full meaning of the term ‘HEPA’ is High Efficiency Particulate Air (filter). This type of air filter can clean up 99.97% of dust, bacteria, pollen, and mold. All these three brands offer the HEPA air filter for ensuring optimum cleaning. However, the motor power of Dewalt keeps it ahead of its competitors.

Portability

Portability is the second criterion you need to take into account. A portable vacuum lets you move it around the home or your workspace to clean the floor properly.

Fortunately, these three brands (Dewalt, Makita, and Milwaukee) offer a movable vacuum that comes with an on-board hose & accessory storage, tethering hook, and a hand.

As a result, you can lug around them anywhere you want.

Warranty

Also, it is worthy of an expert’s recommendation to choose a vacuum that offers a warranty. It’s crucial as you can get a free replacement if any damage occurs to your vacuum.

In the case of warranty, Milwaukee is the best than Dewalt and Makita. It offers 5 years of warranty. However, the other two brands also offer a warranty. But the duration of it is 3 years which is not bad.

Overall, Dewalt is the best cordless vacuum on this list as it provides strong suction & airflow, comes with a HEPA air filter, easy to carry and offers a 3 years of warranty.

What To Consider Before Buying the Best Battery Powered Shop Vacs?

Before buying a cordless shop vac, take the below consideration into account.

Cleaning Efficiency

What’s the primary goal behind buying a vacuum?

• Cleaning every inch of your home or workstation is the ultimate aim of purchasing a vac.
• Look for a shop vac that comes with a strong suction, better airflow, and HEPA is always recommendable.

All these features ensure the optimum cleaning performance of a vacuum.  In this case, choosing the Dewalt cordless vac would be a smart choice as it aligned with those elements.

Battery Life

The battery life of a vac is another crucial thing you should consider. How long you can vacuum your floor without a break mostly depends on the running time of the vac. The best cordless vac on the market can run up to 30 minutes once you charge it fully.

For longer battery life, Makita would be your go-to shop vac as it provides 60 minutes of run time.

Motor Power

Motor Power is another feature you should consider. How strong the suction and airflow will depend on the power of the motor.

The more power the motor provides, the more suction will provide that ensures an efficient clean.

Floor Type

The Floor-type of your home or workspace also influences on choosing the vacuum cleaner. Every vac may not be compatible with the dual-floor type- hardwood and carpet. Pick a shop vac that is compatible with the floor of your home & garage.

Milwaukee and Dewalt might be a good option as both of them can use for hardwood & carpet floors.

Space

How large the home or workspace do you have? If you have a small apartment, then cordless vac will be your best selection. On the other hand, for cleaning up a big workstation or entire building you need to have a corded vacuum.

Besides these, you should also consider the portability and warranty of the vacuum before purchasing it. We described these two criteria in the previous step.

What is the Difference between Cordless Shop Vacs and Regular Vacuum Cleaners?

Cordless Shop Vacs vs Regular Vacuum Cleaner- what’s the distinction between them and which one is best?

The key difference between Shop-vac and Regular vac is the power and cleaning ability. The shop vac is more powerful and offers strong suction to clean up dust, debris, screws, nails, and other specks of dirt efficiently. Indeed, a shop vac lets you deal with all sorts of heavy dust that a regular vacuum cleaner would have a hard time to manage.

On the other hand, a regular vacuum cleaner comes with low motor power and suction. As a result, you can use them only for basic cleaning workflow.

Another dissimilarity between a cordless shop vac and a regular one is the size of the canister. A shop vac comes with a big size bag to accumulate dirt and a large hose to suck almost everything. In contrast, a traditional vac cleaner comes with a small size bag that is perfect to practice regular household cleaning chores.

On average, a shop vac is superior to a regular vacuum in terms of power & cleaning efficiency.

FAQs

How important is a filter on a wet-dry vacuum?

A filter to have on a wet-dry vacuum is crucial as it prevents dirt from blowing out of the top when you are cleaning with it. Also, a filter with a bag protects against anything to get through or bag failure.

However, it’s recommended to remove the filter if you vacuum on a wet surface.

Will a small shop-vac be as effective as a large one in sucking up nails?

It is recommendable not to use a small shop-vac as a large one in sucking up nails as it can damage the unit.

What’s not to love about wet-dry or shop-vacs?

The big no about wet-dry or shop-vacs is the weight. This type of vac is weightier than the regular vacuum that makes it difficult to roll around with ease.

Do canister drain plugs really remove the liquid inside?

It mostly depends on what you are draining. However, experts say that this will not last too long as it tends to clog.

Is a Blower Feature Just a Gimmick?

No, it has a beneficial side for those who clean regularly. This function lets the vac release and draw in air swiftly.

Do Wet/Dry Vac Materials Matter?

How long the vac will last depends on the material it uses to make it. Most of the wet-dry vacuum makes metal wrap up with plastic materials.

Final Words

After a day-long use, your car gets a lot of dirt, stains, and the floor gets messy. For next day use, what you need to do in the very morning is to tidy up the car interiors to make it suitable for the work.

And here, the best wet dry vacuum cleaner comes into play. It helps you to get rid of dirt, dust, debris, and mud from every inch of your car. Well, we have sorted out some of the amazing traits of cordless design in versatile features. If you get to see any of them are good to go without breaking the buck, then invest on it right away!