Maintaining a regular workshop should be a target, but after checking out the long and distinguished list of messes are made, and the time and energy invested into always sweeping and clean are too tasking.
Part of the list can involve sawdust, wood-shavings, metal-shavings, shattered glass, and maybe occasionally flood from a broken pipe. However, no matter the state of the untidiness, what you need for these significant cleanup jobs is a wet vac.
Not only for workshop owners but also homeowners, renter, or builders, that will need to vacuum more occasionally – the wet-dry vac provides more power than the regular vacuum cleaners.
There are too many wet-dry vacs on the market at various prices offering different features. And basically, the only thing standing between you and a consistently clean environment is the tedious process of picking one.
Of course, your choice should satisfy your wants since you are buying, but on second thought, you do not have to spend a ton of money getting a wet-dry vac. We know this, and we want to gently guide you, which is why we have made our top five best budget wet-dry vacs. Any of these suggestions will do a great job.
Top 5 Best Budget Wet Dry Vac
OUR TOP PICK
The 6-gallon Vacmaster is small enough to be considered portable. But if you look beyond the size limits, you will see that it is convenient. It is good enough for taking care of small or medium messes, and the size is also an advantage considering the storage space.
With the price and size of the wet-dry vac, it is still a more durable and compatible option compared to other vacuums. The air is trapped from leaking with a heavy duty tank clip reinforcing the lid.
It has a weather-resistant stainless steel tank. The movement is made easy with a contoured control handle, and casters to move all direction.
Pros
- Portable and easy to move around
- Good suction at the nozzle end
- Relatively quiet
- A decent number of attachments
Cons
- You may need a model with more power (but at a higher cost).
EDITORS CHOICE
Shop-Vac 5989300 has a pleasing design, power, and ease of use. Whether your need for a wet-dry vac is to clean up messes from home projects or for everyday sweeping, this product has enough power to get the job done.
It also can be a capable blower. It might not be so much of a problem since your movement can be made convenient with an extension cord, but the only downside you might find with this unit is the power cord that is only six feet long.
Besides this, it comes with available accessories expected to tackle all kinds of small dirt to heavy-duty debris with ease.
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Compact design
- Simple to set up and use
- A wide variety of accessories are available
Cons
- Attachment caddy could be better
BEST VALUE
Stanley SL18115 5-Gallon wet-dry vac has a powerful motor to provide maximum suction power for cleaning functions, including heavy-duty tasks. It has a leading performance and a durable handle to easily carry the equipment.
The unit comes with all the attachments to function for both damp and dry pick-ups. Some of the kits include 5-foot hose, two extension wands, crevice nozzle, gulper nozzle, floor brush, foam filter, cloth bag with a clamp ring, and a dust bag.
The rear blower, built-in tank to ease vacuuming liquid, the accessory storage, and swiveling casters are other mentionable features.
Pros
- Portable and lightweight and steel tank
- Convenient handle
- Powerful suction
- Easy to dump out debris and clean after
Cons
- Small hose
- Small pieces of dirty inside the canister can clog the deflector.
RUNNER UP
Shop-Vac 5895200 has one of the smallest sizes, but the capabilities justify it to be one of the top best budget wet-dry vacs. The tough small size and lightweight of only 12 pounds mean the unit is easy to handle while cleaning or maintaining when not in use.
It can handle hard messes in laundry rooms, workshop, garages, household, and car interiors. The cleaning task is also made easy with wheels to move and clean from one location to the other.
It comes with multiple accessories including two extension wands, crevice tool, bare and carpeted floor nozzles, gulper nozzle, round brush, foam sleeve, filter bag, and a wall mounting bracket.
Pros
- Compact and easy to store
- Wide Variety of accessories are available.
- Long power cord
- Versatile equipment and can be converted to a blower
Cons
- Relatively small tank
RUNNER UP
The lightweight and portable Shop-Vac 2021000 micro vacuum are an all in one solution to a wide range of clean-ups. Everything from heavy-duty workshop messes to minor household cleaning is not difficult for this unit.
The equipment is easy to use and store with a fold-down top ergonomic carry handle, and wall brackets keep it out of the way or save space. It features a long list of accessories including filters, hoses, and attachment for car detailers, landscapers, homemakers, pet groomers, and more.
Also, the wide selection of adapters makes the tool versatile and suitable for any quick clean up task, in the home, garage, workshop, or cars.
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Wide Variety of accessories for versatility
- Wall brackets to keep it out of the way
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- Relatively small tank
- No wheels
Best Budget Wet Dry Vac Buying Guide
After reading our reviews on the top five budget wet-dry vacs, and you feel they are not quite what you are looking for. We want to assure you that we did not make up our mind on these suggestions by guessing, we followed some specific factors. Let’s discuss them
Weight
The weight of the wet-dry vac is essential; it determines the amount of work done. You need one with a lightweight if you plan to take care of minor messes, and a bigger size with wheels, if the job is more tasking.
Clean Tank Capacity
The tanks are measured in gallons. It has a strong influence on the weight and can entirely ease the job at hand. Practically, big tanks for heavy-duties, and smaller ones for lighter tasks.
Cord Length
Another concern is the length of the cord. Short cords will limit your mobility and convenience on the job. But gladly, extension cords are always helpful.
Hose
The length of the hose also significantly affects the mobility and convince. Longer ones will help you reach more areas in the room, but you have to be careful, they also reduce the suction.
Filter
The filters prevent dirt, debris, and other particles from leaving the vacuum cleaner. You should try out the ones with pleated filters that are easily replaceable and less prone to leaks. Some vacs also come with HEPA filters for allergy situations.
Power Source
The power is everything, because if the wet-dry vac cannot pick up anything, then it is useless. The power of the motor and level of suction is measured in Horsepower.
Included Components
Each model comes with a selection of cleaning tools to assist the process. The included components also increase the versatility, and the efficiency as well.
Floor Nozzle
The floor nozzles allow the tool to reach some difficult corners more conveniently.
Extension Wands
The extension wand is an extra attachment for reaching places with heights above the ground. All wet-dry vacs have extension wands, but some come with two or more.
Key Feature
Some key features like the hose lock, hose resistant, casters, or wheels should be considered if you have to enjoy the vacuum cleaner without issues.
Purpose
The purpose of your wet-dry vac totally influences every choice and condition for getting it. How often you want to use it, how far, the storage, absolutely everything!
Noise level
Some noises are expected, but the lower the sound, the better they are in sensitive environments like offices, even in the home, lesser noises are better.
Maintenance
Monitor and wash the filters (if you use reusable filters), empty the inner bucket after use and store properly – These are some of the compulsory maintenance processes.
Warranty
The warranty is practically the manufacture’s statement of trust for their products. Get one with a decent warranty – It is safer!
Conclusion and best pick!
Even while on a budget, every good wet-dry vac will be able to handle all cleaning jobs. With powerful suction and the capability to suck up both wet and dry messes, the wet-dry vac is what you need for a cleaner environment.
Our overall best pick is the Shop-Vac 5989300 5-Gallon. It is equipped with 4.5 peak Horsepower to get most jobs done. Also, the tank is stainless steel to fit appropriately in any environment. Buy on Amazon.com