best shop vac under $100 every household, garage and job site needs
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The list of messes on your job site, after your DIY projects in your garage or at your home is long: sawdust, drywall dust, wood chips, metal shavings, water spills, and even flooded basement from a leaked pipe.
In these kinds of situations, nothing is more convenient than having a shop vac at hand. You want a high-quality unit but have a tight budget to spend on a high-end one. Then you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve reviewed a list of 6 best shop vacs under 100 dollars that can simplify your cleaning jobs. For first-time buyers, we’ve included a handy buying guide at the end to help you know what to expect when buying a shop vac.
Best Corded Shop Vac Under 100
Shop-Vac 5895200Best Value For Small Household Jobs
Pros
- Good performance at a steal price
- Lightweight and compact
- Long power cord and hose
- Can be mounted on the wall
- Easy to carry and roll around
- Quiet
Cons
- The hose is made of very thin plastic and tends to kink
- The bag included is small
If you are sick of your regular vacuum cleaner that leaves dust and pet hair behind no matter how many times you pass it, it’s time to consider purchasing a shop vac. And Shop-Vac 5895200 will be a perfect choice for small household jobs and for occasional DIY hobbies.
The good thing with this 2.5-gallon wet dry vac is the portability it offers. It is lightweight enough to make carrying from room to room a breeze. But don’t be fooled by its small silhouette because it provides good suction to complete simple jobs like cleaning dog fur on the couch or sucking up water spills in the laundry room and even wood shavings in your little workshop.
This model has a pretty long cord (18 ft.) and hose (7 ft.), making it simple to use and maneuver without an extension cord. The cool thing is it is wall mountable so when not in use, it won’t take floor space which is absolutely valuable for those who live in a tiny home or apartment.
Shop-Vac 5895200 comes with a bunch of accessories, all at such a cheap price so you can consider it as a steal.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Container Capacity (Gallons) | 2.5 |
| Peak Motor Horsepower | 2.5 |
| Airflow (CFM) | 130 |
| Peak Air Watts (W) | 251.7 |
| Power Cord Length (ft.) | 18 |
| Hose Length (ft.) | 7 |
| Interior Hose Diameter (In.) | 1.25 |
| Highlight Features | Wall mountable, On-board tool storage, Lightweight & compact |
Shop-Vac 5895200 is small and portable but powerful enough for any small household job. Besides, it is a steal when coming with a set of accessories at such a small price.
Stanley 5 Gal. Stainless Steel Wet/Dry VacuumBest For Small Messes In Garage
Pros
- Great suction power for such a lightweight vac
- Simple to use
- Portable thanks to large handles and caster wheels
- Low noise level
- Attractive design
Cons
- Relatively short hose and power cord
If you are wondering which shop vac is straightforward to use and convenient for picking up small messes, look no further than this Stanley 5 gallon wet/dry vacuum. Everything about this shop vac is all about user-friendliness so if you are not a pro, you will appreciate it.
The first plus point of this shop vac is its industrial leading powerful motor for excellent performance and good suction power. It features a decent tank of 5 gallons, which is perfectly suitable for small jobs such as cleaning cars, picking up pet hair and even for quick clean-ups in your small workshop.
It is so lightweight that you can lift it near the ceiling or the top shelves to suck up some dirt. Compact and lightweight as it is, it has an airflow of 70 CFM that can suck any kind of dirt and debris that are left behind after your projects in your garage.
This unit comes with a strong handle and 4 swivel casters for easy transport and a large water-resistant on/off switch that ensures quick access and your safety.
Moreover, its power cord is 10 foot long, which can be stored on a convenient built-in cord wrap. A built-in tank drain simplifies the process of draining water if your jobs include vacuuming a lot of wet messes.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Container Capacity (Gallons) | 5 |
| Peak Motor Horsepower | 4 |
| Airflow (CFM) | 70 |
| Power Cord Length (ft.) | 10 |
| Hose Length (ft.) | 5 |
| Interior Hose Diameter (In.) | 1.25 |
| Highlight Features | Top handle for easy carrying, 4 swivel casters, Large on/off switch, Built-in tank drain |
Stanley 5 Gal. Stainless Steel Wet/Dry Vacuum surely has more than enough power to suck up small messes in your garage and workshop for good.
DeWALT DXV09PBest For Tough Jobs in Small Workshops
Pros
- Large capacity
- Good suction power
- Outstanding build quality
- 4 caster wheels make tight turns easy
- Good quality hose and cord
- Low noise operation
Cons
- There is no place for the big hose on the unit
- Short power cord
Shop owners out there, if you are baffled by hundreds of choices of shop vac in the market, we are here to help you to pick the best one under 100 dollars that can tackle all the tough jobs in your workshop. Meet DeWALT DXV09P.
It boasts a motor of up to 5 HP and peak air watt of up to 251.7 watts, which provides powerful suction for sawdust, woodchip, ash, wet drywall, sliver, gravel and any kind of construction debris.
I got one of these things because I always have some small projects going on around the house and I have 2 large dogs that shed like crazy. And this machine has done a wonderful job without a fail since I bought it.
Nonetheless, it is still light enough for you to carry up and down steps. The large rear wheels allow itself to maneuver easily on rough terrains and around obstacles. It is quiet enough not to scare my dogs and disturb my wife and children.
Regarding wet messes, this thing will suck up 5 gallons in a few seconds while there is a built-in tank drain that makes draining easy.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Container Capacity (Gallons) | 9 |
| Peak Motor Horsepower | 5 |
| Airflow (CFM) | 90 |
| Peak Air Watts (W) | 251.7 |
| Power Cord Length (ft.) | 10 |
| Hose Length (ft.) | 7 |
| Interior Hose Diameter (In.) | 1-7/8 |
| Highlight Features | Large rear wheels, Large on/off switch, Swiveling casters, Dust cartridge filter |
DeWALT DXV09P is a beast that can suck up the toughest debris in your workshop without any hassle.
Vacmaster VBV1210Best For Bigger Messes & Larger Debris
Pros
- Plenty of suction
- High quality construction
- Larger hose diameter for larger debris
- Powerful detachable blower
- Quiet with included noise muffler
- Straightforward to assemble and use
Cons
- Power cord can be longer
- On-board storage can be made better
After days of sanding, sawing, cutting and drilling for your DIY projects, you almost faint when realizing that your garage is flooded with dust, wood chips and everything you could possibly think of. Using a normal vacuum won’t be an ultimate solution since the debris may clog and ruin your vacuum.
This is when you should rely on Vacmaster VBV1210 shop vac vacuum with its outstanding air watt of 270 watts that can suck up the largest pieces of debris in your garage. Wider hose of 2.5 in. in diameter allows picking up larger, heavier debris for the tougher vacuuming jobs.
The unique point of this machine is that it comes with a detachable blower function with a 210 MPH blowing speed. While other shop vacs has a blower port that needs to be connected with a hose to function and you need to carry the whole vacuum to blow the leaves on your porch, Vacmaster VBV1210 allows users to switch between a shop vacuum and a powerful handheld blower with the push of a button.
This unit also comes with a noise diffuser that makes the vacuum quite without losing much suction. Heavy-duty casters help pulling and maneuvering this shop vac through rugged terrain simple as ABC.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Container Capacity (Gallons) | 12 |
| Peak Motor Horsepower | 5 |
| Airflow (CFM) | 106 |
| Peak Air Watts (W) | 270 |
| Power Cord Length (ft.) | 12 |
| Hose Length (ft.) | 7 |
| Interior Hose Diameter (In.) | 2.5 |
| Highlight Features | Detachable blower function, Extra large drain port, Heavy-duty casters, Air/noise diffuser |
The Vacmaster VBV1210 is a unique 2-in-1 unit that is designed to pick up large and heavy pieces of debris without a hitch.
Best Cordless Shop Vac Under 100
Milwaukee 0880-20Best For Allergies & Asthma
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Convenient interior storage for hose and accessories
- Quiet operation
- Flat top square toolbox design convenient for storage
- Reusable filter
- Good battery line, fit 9.0 and 12.0 batteries
Cons
- Small capacity
- Hose hanger doesn’t hold the hose well enough
Pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and pet hair may reduce the indoor air quality if one of your family members has allergies or asthma. This Milwaukee 0880-20 cordless shop vac with HEPA filter can catch these pollutants and help relieve allergy while letting you enjoy your DIY hobbies.
The fact that it doesn’t go with a cord makes quick clean-ups much easier. I do a lot of handyman/DIY stuff around my home, and I’m too lazy to bring out the big 16-gallon shop vac to clean half-way and hence leave a big mess until the end.
Now with Milwaukee 0880-20, I can just leave it just by my tools and vacuum as I go along. If you are late for a romantic date and your car is a mess, just take this little guy out and your problem is solved.
It offers a high performance motor with strong suction for both wet and dry applications. It offers up to 169 air watts that provides enough power to suck up small wood particles, chips and any small debris left behind DIY projects.
Its stackable too-poundsox design and on-board storage facilitates convenient transport and storage by keeping its attachments inside the unit.
If you use an M18 5Ah battery, it will last for a solid 15 minutes, which is perfect for mid-project cleaning or home emergency clean-ups. If extended spot and area clean up are your purposes, get yourself a M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH DEMAND 9.0 Battery Pack.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Container Capacity (Gallons) | 2 |
| Peak Motor Horsepower | 5 |
| Airflow (CFM) | 45 |
| Peak Air Watts (W) | 169 |
| Voltage (volts) | 18 |
| Hose Length (ft.) | 6 |
| Interior Hose Diameter (In.) | 1.25 |
| Highlight Features | HEPA rated high efficient filter, On-board storage, Stackable too-poundsox design |
Folks who suffer from allergies and asthma can count on this little gem called Milwaukee 0880-20 to ease your pain.
DEWALT DCV517BBest For Handyman Jobs/ Job Sites
Pros
- Use the same 20v battery as other Dewalt tools
- Compact tool for jobsites
- Washable HEPA filter for cleaner and safer air
- Filter and dirt bucket are easy to remove, empty and clean
- Ergonomic hand for superior comfort
Cons
- A bit loud for a battery vac
- Hose is slightly difficult to disconnect and reconnect
- Bulky to some
If you are a handyman who wants a quicker-picker-upper at your customer’s home or at a jobsite, then DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Vacuum DCV517B is an awesome tool. It offers great suction for its size, perfect for general jobsite clean up.
It comes with a GORE HEPA wet/dry filter that not only eases the allergy and asthma but also allows fine dust pick up like drywall and masonry. The filter is rated at 0.3 microns and can trap 99.97 percent of dust particles, which helps to keep the air you breathe at your job sites cleaner and safer.The plus point is that the filter is washed clean with water.
This unit features dual clean-up modes which facilitates debris pick-ups with either the front utility nozzle or with an extendable heavy duty rubber hose for better flexibility and durability. The 1/2 gallon tank is not only lightweight and compact for on-the-go jobs but also easy to empty and clean.
It runs on 20V Max* DEWALT battery packs for 10 minutes of runtime, which is suitable for a quick clean-up at jobsite. You can always charge the battery between jobs or get a second battery for more convenience.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Container Capacity (Gallons) | 0.5 |
| Peak Motor Horsepower | 5 |
| Airflow (CFM) | 32 |
| Peak Air Watts (W) | N/A |
| Voltage (volts) | 20 |
| Hose Length (ft.) | 3 |
| Interior Hose Diameter (In.) | 1.25 |
| Highlight Features | HEPA wet/dry filter, Dual cleanup modes, Large on/off switch, Washable filter |
For most light duty, quick pickups on a jobsite for a handyman, DEWALT DCV517B is an awesome tool.
FAQs
Shop vacs have an average lifespan of eight years, although the number varies significantly by brand. It is always better to go with reliable brands such as Dewalt, Shop-Vac, Milwaukee, etc, if you don’t want to replace your vac within 1-2 years.
Here are some tips to make your wet/dry vacuum last longer:
- Don't wait until the bag or bin is full to the brim to empty it. This can clog the engine
- Clean or replace the filter when it’s dirty
- Check the hose for clogs every now and then
Shop vacs, or wet dry vacuums can suction up water without letting water enter the electrical wiring and fan. A regular unit is not able to do so and may cause a short circuit if it does. On the other hand, regular vacuums are more effective at filtering out allergens and dust, so they are used for more delicate, light-duty, carpet-based cleaning.
Shop vacs feature a more powerful motor than regular vacuums, which is suitable for more heavy-duty cleaning jobs. As a result of their hefty task, shop vacuums have a bigger unit to match its performance, so they are larger and bulkier compared to normal household vacuums.
Some shop vac models now come with HEPA filters which are able to trap 99.97% of particles for higher air quality.
Yes you can use a shop vac without a filter but it is not recommended. If you decide to go without one filter, you should only use your shop vac for sucking up wet debris and water.
If you vacuum dry debris without it, you will end up cleaning the mess made inside the canister. Even worse, the unit may get clogged and stop functioning.
A shop vac won’t be a useful machine for deep cleaning a carpet. A shop vac will vacuum debris, and spilled liquids. They won't shampoo the carpet. If you’ve recently been through a flood or your pet pees on the carpet, it’s better to rent a shampooer or hire someone to clean it for you.
No matter how quiet the manufacturers claim your shop vac to be, vacuums will always give off unpleasant noise, especially if you use it in closed space during an extended period of time. A louder shop vac doesn’t mean that it has more power.
There are shop vac models that are quiet but can do the job, so the final solution is getting a new one. Before turning to this solution, there are some cheaper ones to consider.
- Use your shop vac in an open area: If you use your unit in a closed, small space, an echo can be produced that makes the noise more intense than they actually are.
- Buy a longer hose: If your cleaning jobs are unfortunately inside your garage or your home and you can’t pull the previous trick, purchase a longer hose attachment so that you can stay far away from the shop vac while you’re cleaning up. This will not make the unit quieter, but it will definitely reduce the noise that you hear.
- Muffle the exhaust outlet: Noise almost comes from the air outlet so muffling it is a good solution to reduce the noise. Cut some rags according to the dimensions of the outlet. Stick them to the shop vac and don't forget to poke some holes to let some air come out, or else the engine will overheat and burn out.
Though there are vacuums specifically designed for cleaning pools, you can always clean them with a wet/dry vac. The drawback of it is the long time it takes because you will have to frequently empty the tank of the shop vac.
The very big plus is instead of draining the dirt and debris through the pool filter, the shop vac can send them directly into the grass.
Here is the proper way to clean pool with a standard wet/dry shop vacuum.
Conclusion
Shop vacs are great cleaning solutions to your mess in your home, garage, and job sites because they are powerful and cheap at the same time. If you don’t have a large budget but still want something of high-quality, I hope you’ve found your dream shop vac in this list of 6 best shop vacs under 100.
Thank you for reading to the end and see you in the next post.