Cordless Shop Vac

C leaning your garage might be a challenge if you don’t have the right equipment to do so. No matter if you need to clean up dry debris or wet debris, a shop vac can handle the job. There are plenty of models already on the market, so, you have several choices to decide. But it might be a bit confusing to decide which model works best for your garage and your needs. So, to help ease your decision, we offer you our best recommendations.

Top 9 Cordless Shop Vacs Comparison

Photo	Product Name	Dimension	CFM	Capacity	Battery Type	HEPA Filter	Warranty	Price
Best Overall	1. Dewalt DCV580H	13.1 x 17.2 x 12.3 inches	33.55	2 gallons	18V/20V		3 years, 1-year free service, and 90-day money-back guarantee	Check Price
	2. Milwaukee 0880-20	16.92 x 12.12 x 8.46 inches	45	2 gallons	18V		5 years	Check Price
Our Choice	3. DEWALT DCV517B	8.4 x 6.4 x 17.7 inches	35	0.5 gallons	20V		3 years, 1-year free service, and 90-day money-back guarantee	Check Price
Best for Heavy-duty	4. Ryobi P770	23.50 x 19.50 x 24.3 inches	80	6 gallons	18V		3 years	Check Price
	5. Makita XCV11Z	10 x 16 x 11 inches	57	2 gallons	MAK 18V		3 years	Check Price
Best Budget-friendly	6. PORTER-CABLE PCC795B	17 x 11.9 x 13.9 inches	34	2 gallons	20V		3 years, 1-year free service, and 90-day money-back guarantee	Check Price
	7. RYOBI P3240	19 x 12.8 x 10 inches	45	3 gallons	18V		3 years	Check Price
	8. CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCV002B	16.8 x 13.8 x 11.4 inches	35	2 gallons	20V		3 years	Check Price
	9. Dewalt DCV581HR	13.1” x 17.2” x 12.3”	31	2 gallons	18V/20V		3 years, 1-year free service, and 90-day money-back guarantee	Check Price

1. Dewalt DCV580H

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Design

It measures 13.1 inches in height, 17.2 inches in width and 12.3 inches in-depth, and it weighs 10.8 pounds, so it is lightweight enough to be easily carried on sight. It has a capacity of 2 gallons, and it can be used to clean up both dry and wet debris. It is compatible with any 18V or 20V batteries – they are not included – and it comes with a HEPA filter to provide you with clean, bacteria-free air.

Power and Warranty

A fully charged battery will provide you with 25 up to 30 minutes of use, so you can easily take care of the area you want to clean, and it comes with a power of 1.85HP. It can easily be converted into a blower, which has 33.55 CFM, so you’ll be able to blow away the leaves from your path. It comes with a limited 3-year warranty, a 1-year free service and a 90-day money-back guarantee from the moment of your purchase.

Accessories

It has a heavy-duty, crust-resistant, fully-integrated hose, which is stored on-board. It measures 5 feet in length and has a diameter of 1-1/4-inch, and will provide you with flexibility, durability and an easy way to use your vacuum. It also comes with a crevice tool, to provide you access in narrow places, and a wide nozzle tool to help you quickly clean up all debris.

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2. Milwaukee 0880-20

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It measures 16.92 inches in length, 12.12 inches in height, and 8.46 inches in width, and it weighs 10.1 pounds. It can be used with both wet and dry debris, as it has powerful suction, and it comes with a capacity of 2 gallons. It can work with any 18V slide-on battery, it’s not included, and it comes with onboard storage ability. It comes with a long 6-foot hose, which has a diameter of 1-1/4 inches, which will not only allow you to reach all areas but also connect the other accessories it comes with. It has a utility nozzle, to provide you with a quick vacuum, and a crevice tool for narrow spaces.

Additionally, it comes with a CleanStream filtration technology, which provides you with a washable and reusable filter, so it will save you money in the long run. Moreover, it also has a HEPA filter, which will make sure to keep all the allergens and dust particles away from you. It has a built-in blower port which will allow it to function as a blower when needed, with 45 CFM. It comes with a limited 5-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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3. DEWALT DCV517B

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While it is true that it is more compact and has a smaller size than other vacuums, it doesn’t mean its quality is less. On the contrary, it can be easily held in one hand, as it measures 8.4 inches by 6.4 inches by 17.7 inches and it has a weight of 4.5 pounds. It is very portable and extremely practical if you need to clean any areas above the floor. It can be used with both dry and wet debris, and it comes with a 0.5-gallon water tank, which makes it a great choice for any light task.

It is compatible with any 20V MAX battery, it is not included, and it is recommended to use it with at least 4.0 AH if you don’t want to have your work interrupted. It comes with two filters, a Gore HEPA filter, which will provide you with clean, bacteria-free air as you clean, while the other one is washable, thus reusable, so it will save you money in the long run. However, it is a tool-only, meaning that aside from the filters, you won’t get any other accessory. It comes with a limited 3-year warranty, a 1-year free service, and 90-day money-back guarantee from the moment of your purchase.

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4. Ryobi P770

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It measures 23.50 inches in depth, 19.50 inches in height, 17.25 inches in width and it weighs 24.3 pounds. It comes with a long 7-feet hose, to provide you with the ability to reach all places, as well as a floor nozzle, a crevice tool, and 2 extension wands. It has a built-in port, which allows it to be converted into a blower with 80 CFM, and it comes with a capacity of 6 gallons. It can be used for both dry and wet debris, therefore allowing you versatility, and it works with any 18V battery. The charger and battery are not included, so you’ll have to buy them separately.

The cartridge filter it has is not a HEPA one, but it can be washed, so it will help you save money in the long run. For increased mobility, it comes with two 8” wheels, to allow you to easily move it around, while thanks to the back wheel, which is smaller and can rotate 360-degrees, it can easily swivel around. Thus, you’ll be able to move it freely around the objects. It comes with a limited 3-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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5. Makita XCV11Z

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It measures 10 inches in width, 16 inches in length, and 11 inches in height and it has a 2-gallon capacity. It has a built-in blower hose, which allows it to easily transform into a blower, with 57 CFM, and it provides you with around 60 minutes of continuous use. Once equipped with any MAK 18V battery, which is not included, it will weigh 10.1 pounds, therefore allowing you to easily move it around. Additionally, it comes with a LED battery indicator, which will show you the charging levels for your battery, so you’ll know when it’s time to change it.

It comes with a silent operation, 76 dB, and it comes with a HEPA filter, which will not only help keep bacteria and allergens away from you but since it’s washable, it will save you money in the long run. It comes with 2 speeds, easily accessible by a push of a button, and it comes with integrated tethering hooks which will allow you to attach a shoulder strap for even easier transportation. It also has a large top handle, for a quick lift, while the on-board storage ability will keep all your accessories in one place. It comes with a limited 3-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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6. PORTER-CABLE PCC795B

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It can be used to clean up dry and wet debris; therefore it provides you with versatility. It has a large, 2-gallon capacity, so you won’t have to interrupt your cleaning to throw out the waste. It has a long 7.67-foot hose, to provide you access to all areas. The wide nozzle tool, as well as the crevice tool, will allow you easy reach to every nook and cranny. Moreover, it measures 17 inches in width, 11.9 inches in height and 13.9 inches in-depth, and it weighs 9.2 pounds.

It can store the accessories on board, for a more compact design, and it has a built-in blower port so you can use it as a blower, with the capacity of 34 CFM. It can support any 20V MAX battery, however, it’s not included so you’ll have to buy it separately. While it doesn’t come with a HEPA filter, the cartridge filter it has is washable, so you won’t have to change it up every time. It comes with a limited 3-year warranty, 1 year of free service and 90-day money-back guarantee from the moment of your purchase.

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7. RYOBI P3240

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It features a flat-top design for easy, hassle-free stacking, and it measures 19 inches in width, 12.8 inches in depth and 10 inches in height. It weighs 10.9 pounds, so it is easy to move around, and it has a capacity of 3 gallons. It can be used for both wet and dry debris, therefore providing you versatility, and it is compatible with any 18V battery, but you will have to buy it separately.

It comes with a built-in port, which allows it to be used as a blower with 45 CFM and it comes with a 6ft x 1-1/4 hose. It is extendable, so you’ll easily be able to reach all areas, while thanks to the large nozzle and crevice tool, there will be no area left unattended. While it doesn’t come with a HEPA filter, the standard one it comes with it is washable, so you’ll be able to save money in the long run. It comes with a limited 3-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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8. CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCV002B

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It measures 16.8 inches in height, 13.8 inches in width and 11.4 inches in-depth, and it weighs 9.48 pounds, therefore you can easily move it around to any location you might need it. It comes with a large 2-gallon plastic tank, to allow you to clean up without a hassle both wet and dry debris from your garage or working site. It can support any 20V battery – the battery is not included – offering you a powerful suction of 35 CFM, therefore allowing you to finish the cleaning in no time.

Additionally, it comes with a large 7.8-foot hose, which allows you to reach all nooks and crannies for a thorough cleaning, while thanks to its large-diameter 1.25-inch, you don’t have to worry about it getting clogged up. For hassle-free storage, it can be wrapped around, thus it won’t take to much space. Moreover, it comes with two accessories – a crevice tool and a wide nozzle, so there won’t be a place where you can’t clean, and they can be stored onboard, for easier transportation and storage.

Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about fumes or dust as you vacuum, as it comes with a HEPA filter. Thus, it will trap 99.7% of the dust and allergens in the room, providing growth with a clean and safe, breathable air. Besides, it also has a foam filter, which is washable, thus helping you save money in the long run. It comes with a limited 3-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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9. Dewalt DCV581HR

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It measures 17.2” in width, 12.3 “ in depth and 13/1 “ in height, therefore it is compact and easy to maneuver, while its light weighs 12 pounds making it easy to carry. It has a sturdy and durable plastic canister, which offers you up to 2 gallons capacity, ensuring you won’t have to interrupt your cleaning to throw out the debris. It features a double use, as it provides you with the ability to choose how you want to use it, as a cordless vacuum or as a corded one. It is compatible with an 18V or 20V lithium-ion MAX battery, which you have to keep in mind that it should be charged only with its original charger, and it provides several accessories to help you easily clean all nooks and crannies.

It has a fully integrated crush-resistant 5ft hose, which comes with a 1 1-4” diameter, therefore, offering versatile use and it also provides you with 31 CFM for thorough vacuuming. It has a crevice tool attachment, as a wide nozzle tool and a tool, and it comes with a HEPA filter to keep you safe from allergies, dust, and airborne particles. It comes with a limited 3-year warranty, a 1-year free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee return policy.

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How To Clean The Filter

You might think that a shop vacuum is pretty similar to a regular type one, or at least have some aspects in common. While it is true that both types share the same common goal, to aid you in cleaning, their maintenance is different, especially when filters are involved.

When your vacuum starts to lose power, it’s time to check the filter’s condition, as it is a major key player when your appliance’s performance is affected. Depending on what type of filter you have, it requires a different cleaning method. Usually, there are two main types: dry filters and wet filters.

Dry Filters

They are reusable, therefore, once you’ve completely cleaned them up, you can use them again. They will help you save money in the long run. To thoroughly clean them, there are several methods you can choose from:

• Tap – it doesn’t require the filter to be removed from the unit. Slap the handle, and let the dust and debris fall into the dust drum. However, this will work only if your filter is not heavily weighed down by debris.
• Remove and tap – similar to the previous method, this requires to take the filter out. Once removed from the unit, tap on all its sides – or use a soft brush – and get rid of all the debris stuck in there.
• Air – use the force of compressed air and blow the debris away from the filter. However, make sure the air pressure is not strong enough to damage the filter in the process.
• Wash – rinse the filter thoroughly, until the water is completely clean. Then, let it air dry completely. Once it is fully dried, you can reassemble the vacuum.

Wet Filters

They are used whenever you plan on vacuuming wet debris, like paint or water. Make sure to unplug the power cord, and remove the filter from the vacuum. Run water through the filter and tap it lightly to help remove any stuck debris. When it’s completely clean, allow it to air dry completely, then reassemble it.

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Conclusion

For you to be able to efficiently clean your garage, you’ll need the right equipment for the job. A shop vac will help you get rid of any type of debris, no matter its type. Surely, by now, you’ve decided on which unit to take home, but if you’re still thinking about it, let’s review them quickly:

Best Overall : Dewalt DCV580H
Dewalt DCV580H is a medium-sized unit, which provides you with a capacity of 2 gallons, so you can easily pick up all debris. It comes with a hose, a floor nozzle, and a crevice tool, so you’ll have access to every nook and cranny. Moreover, it is compatible with any 18V or 20V battery, so you can easily adapt it to your cleaning needs. Compact and lightweight, you won’t have a hard time maneuvering it around.

Our Choice : DEWALT DCV517B
If you’re looking for a compact unit, which can be easily used with only one hand, then DEWALT DCV517B is the one for you. Smaller than other vacuums, it provides you with the ability to easily picking up any above-floor debris. It can work with any 20V battery, and it comes with a power of 35 CFM. Additionally, you’ll benefit from its HEPA filter, so there will be no dust, allergens or dust particles in the air when you use it.

Best for Heavy-duty : Ryobi P770
However, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty vacuum, with a large capacity, then you should consider Ryobi P770. It can store up to 8 gallons of debris, be it wet or dry, and it has a strong power of 80CFM. It comes with 3 wheels, for increased maneuverability and transportability, and it also has a swivel feature. In this way, you can easily evade all objects in your way, while cleaning. Furthermore, it can convert into a blower, when needed.

Best Budget-friendly Cordless Shop Vac : PORTER-CABLE PCC795B
If you’re on a budget and don’t want to make a financial effort and spend hundreds of dollars on a vacuum, then you should consider PORTER-CABLE PCC795B. It combines the low asking price with high-quality service, ensuring you’ll benefit from a 2-gallon capacity, several accessories to reach all nooks and crannies, as well as a washable cartridge filter. Even more, it can support any 20V MAX battery, therefore it will provide you with up to 34 CFM.