Best Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner for Home, Car, & Workspace [Review & Buying guide]

A wet and dry vacuum cleaner cleans up both wet and dry messes, which makes it ideal for your home, car, and workspace. The machine is sometimes referred to as a “shop vac” since it can be used in workshop and construction settings.

Best Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner for Home Car & Workspace

In the home environment, the vacuum performs the way a traditional vacuum cleaner works, but it has the added ability to wash flooring and clean up liquid spills. These features make the  vacuum cleaner stand out from other vacuum models.

This article reviews the top models of wet and dry vacuum cleaners on the market. We hope the in-depth review will assist you in making an informed decision and that our top pick will be of interest to you.


4 Best Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner for Home, Car, & Workspace Comparison Table

VacuumVacuum TypePower SourceSurfaceWarranty
1. BISSELL CrossWave 2554AUpright wet & dry vacuum cleanerBattery-poweredMulti-surface cleaningTwo years limited warranty.
2. Stanley – SL18116PCanister wet & dry vacuumCorded electricMulti-surface cleaningOne-year limited warranty.
3. Vacmaster ProCanister wet & dry vacuumCorded electricMulti-surface cleaningOne-year warranty.
4. CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17590Canister wet & dry vacuumACDrain cleaningThree-year limited warranty.

Best Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner for Home, Car, & Workspace [Review & Buying guide]

1. BISSELL CrossWave 2554A (Editor’s Pick)

The Bissell vacuum is an upright cordless multi-surface unit. It is especially great at cleaning pet hair messes from hard flooring and indoor area rugs.

It can tackle wet spills, dry debris, and pet accidents.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace has multi-surface cleaning ability meaning it is safe to use on tiles, rubber floor mats, sealed wood floors, linoleum, rugs, and press wood floors, among others.

It eliminates 99 percent of bacteria from the surface being cleaned.

The vacuum for home, car, and workspace has improved edge cleaning that easily picks up pet hair that gathers in corners and along baseboards in your home.

The cleaning performance of the machine is maintained by its self-cleaning cycle.

The vacuum for home, car, and workspace is powered by a lithium-ion battery that provides you with a runtime of 30 minutes. It has two-tank technology that keeps the formula and clean water separate from debris and dirty water.

The cleaning solution of the Bissell vacuum is dispensed on the floor to wash and deodorize it. Then both liquids and solid debris are sucked up by the unit through a strainer screen. The cleaning path of the head floor is ten inches wide.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace has Wi-Fi connectivity capabilities through the Bissell connect application. The app provides you with useful alerts on maintenance and tips for usage.

Product Information

  • Brand: Bissell
  • Form Factor: Upright.
  • Surface: multi-surface cleaning.
  • Power type: battery powered.
  • Color: Black/pearl white with electric blue accents.
  • Weight: 11.5 pounds.

Pros

  • Safe multi-surface cleaning.
  • Advanced edge cleaning for corners and along baseboards.
  • A two-tank technology for separating the cleaning solution from dirty water and debris.
  • Cordless freedom when cleaning.
  • There is Wi-Fi connectivity through the Bissell Connect app.

Cons

  • The machine is a bit pricey.

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2. Stanley – SL18116P (Best Budget Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner)

The Stanley vacuum cleaner is a rugged 6 gallon, 4 horsepower machine that undertakes serious cleaning jobs, whether inside or outside the home.

It is easy to clean with the machine since you can hook up the included components for any mess you may come across.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace has a large capacity of 22 liters, which makes clean-up jobs easier for you because you will not have to frequently empty the bucket as you clean.

The attachments of the machine, such as a crevice nozzle and its hose, provide it with a 16-foot range that makes it easy to clean a spot even far from the unit itself.

The vacuum for home, car, and workspace has four wheels that enable you to move it around as you clean.

The vacuum for home, car, and workspace is powerful due to its 4 peak HP motor that provides the suction needed for cleaning up spaces in the house, basement, vehicle, garage, job site, workshop, and van.

The machine is a versatile vacuum cleaner since it has three functions in one. It can clean both wet liquid spills and dry dirt, debris, sawdust, and blown leaves.

You only have to organize the power cord and hose on top of the handle and side wraps conveniently after use.

The vacuum for home, car, and workspace comes with three extension wands, a hose that is super flexible, a floor nozzle, a gulper nozzle, a foam filler, a crevice nozzle, a reusable dry filter, and a dust bag.

Product Information

  • Brand: Stanley.
  • Form Factor: Canister.
  • Surface: multi-surface cleaning.
  • Power type: corded electric.
  • Color: Black.
  • Weight: 13.40 pounds.

Pros

  • The machine is powerful and versatile.
  • It has a large capacity.
  • Powerful suction.
  • Extended reach cleaning.
  • Various attachments for diversified cleaning.
  • Ideal for cleaning both indoors and outdoors.

Cons

  • It is a bit loud, and you may need to wear headgear or hearing protection if you are sensitive to noise.

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3. Vacmaster Pro (Best Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA)

The Vacmaster vacuum is a wet and dry unit equipped with two HEPA filters.

One is a cartridge filter, while the other is a microfiber pre-filter that facilitates maximum dirt control.

The HEPA filters are used in the dry mode to prevent microscopic particles of pollen and dust from escaping into the air.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace has been engineered to clean both dry and wet messes.

It has an 8-gallon collection capacity, a flexible hose that is 10 feet long for cleaning tough spots, and an extra-long power cord of 30 feet that extends the cleaning reach to 40 feet.

The machinefor home, car, and workspace can be fitted with a disposable collection bag that limits the re-entry of dust into the air when the bag is being dumped. However, the bag is purchased separately because it does not come with the vacuum cleaner.

The  vacuum for home, car, and workspace has four stages of filtration that eliminates and traps 99.97 percent of microscopic particles of up to 0.3 microns. It has a two-stage industrial motor for quieter operation, greater suction, and long life.

The Vacmaster comes with several attachments, which include a dust brush, a crevice tool, and two steel extension wands, among others.

Product Information

  • Brand: Vacmaster.
  • Form Factor: Canister.
  • Surface: multi-surface cleaning.
  • Power type: corded electric.
  • Color: Black.
  • Weight: 19.4 pounds.

Pros

  • The vacuum has a four-stage HEPA filtration system.
  • It captures and traps microscopic dust, dirt, and pollen particles.
  • A cord that is extra-long for greater reach
  • A two-stage industrial motor for quieter operation and greater suction.
  • A disposable collection bag that limits dust leakage.

Cons

  • The wheels on the rear are fixed and pulling the machine is a hassle.

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4. CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17590 (Best Medium-Duty Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner)

The Craftsman vacuum cleaner is a powerful unit with a 4.25 horsepower motor. It is great for general cleaning, basement and garage flooding, and removing water from clogged sinks.

It has a collection tank of 9-gallon capacity, suitable for medium-sized messes usually found in home garages and workshops.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace is 16.61 inches deep, 18.42 inches wide, and 24.28 inches tall, making it a bit more compact in size than its competing medium-duty counterparts.

The machine has a power cord that is 10 feet long and a seven-foot hose for extended reach. It also comes with additional attachments such as a crevice tool, a wet nozzle, and two extension wands.

The vacuum for home, car, and workspace is a versatile machine ideal for medium-sized jobs in your home, garage, job site, and renovations. It has a rear blow pot for blowing debris from your driveway, garage, and sidewalk.

The oversized built-in drain allows you to empty liquids from the unit.

The vacuum for home, car, and workspace has a Qwik lock filter fastening system that allows for easy and quick filter changes. Do not leave the machine running unattended as you may not notice essential indicators of abnormal operations.

The unit comes with two locking extension wands, a Qwik lock filter, a bag for collecting dust, a car nozzle, a utility nozzle, and a wet nozzle.

Product Information

  • Brand: Craftsman.
  • Form Factor: Canister.
  • Surface: Drain.
  • Power type: AC.
  • Color: red.
  • Weight: 15.5 pounds.

Pros

  • Versatile for medium-sized jobs.
  • Easy filter replacement.
  • Oversized drain for emptying liquids.
  • Rear exhaust port for blowing debris.
  • Extra-long cord and hose for extended reach.

Cons

  • It is not suitable for heavy-duty cleaning jobs.

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5. Tineco Floor One S3 (Best Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner for Hard Floors)

The Tineco unit is a cordless wet and dry vacuum and is the ultimate cleaning tool for apartments and small homes.

It provides you with the option of vacuuming and mopping at the same time. It is battery-powered with a runtime of 35 minutes.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace glides on almost all hard surfaces.

Its iLoop smart sensor automatically detects both dry and wet messes and adjusts accordingly to clean them up.

The sensor monitors the mess until it is all cleaned up.

The machine consists of a digital LED control panel that provides you with real-time information on power levels and the battery. It has a dual tank system that keeps the solution and clean water separate from the dirty soup that is sucked up.

The unit has a powerful quiet operation, a noise reduction feature, precise air channeling, and automatic power adjustments. The features make the unit suitable for use around children and pets.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace has a five-in-one self-cleaning system that keeps your home odor-free, the system fresh, and your hands clean. It has a built-in connectivity app and a voice assistant for monitoring cleaning performance.

The vacuum for home, car, and workspace must use the Tineco solution to ensure a longer lifespan. Non-Tineco solutions will cause damage and erosion to the vacuum.

Product Information

  • Brand: Tineco.
  • Form Factor: Upright.
  • Surface: Hard floors, bare floors, and sealed wood floors.
  • Power type: battery powered.
  • Color: Floor One S3.
  • Weight: 17.64 pounds.

Pros

  • The vacuum is cordless and portable.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity and Tineco app support.
  • It has a quiet and powerful operation.
  • Hands-free, one-touch self-cleaning system.
  • It uses a dual tank technology that separates clean water and solution from dirty water and debris.
  • Advanced LED display with real-time reports and reminders.
  • Infrared sensors for detecting spills and debris.
  • It offers cordless freedom.

Cons

  • The vacuum is a bit pricey.

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6. WORKSHOP Wet Dry Vac WS1600VA (Best Heavy-Duty Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner)

The workshop WS1600VA is a machine suitable for big cleaning jobs. It has a great storage capacity collection, various attachments, and it is durable.

The vacuum has a copolymer drum that is resistant to potential cracking or denting, a large horsepower motor, and a large drain for easy liquid disposal.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace consists of an in-built auto-shutoff float responsible for sensing when the drums’ liquid level gets too high.

When this happens, the float will shut off the machine to avoid overflow accidents.

The unit for home, car, and workspace has a dual-flex locking hose that provides 180 degrees of flexibility at both ends of the hose. The locking tab keeps the hose connected to the vacuum during usage.

The vacuum consists of a Qwik lock filter fastening system for easy and quick filter changes.

The vacuum for home, car, and workspace features an integrated blowing port that offers added versatility to the wet and dry vacuum cleaner. The port allows you to blow away unwanted debris from driveways, job sites, and garages.

The vacuum comes with several accessories, which include a drain sprout, a blower connection, a seven-foot hose, a utility nozzle, a wet nozzle, two extension wands, and a car nozzle.

The attachments are kept in accessory storage at the top and bottom of the machine. The vacuum for home, car, and workspace is covered by a five-year limited warranty.

Product Information

  • Brand: Workshop wet/dry vacs.
  • Form Factor: Canister.
  • Surface: Drain.
  • Power type: Corded electric.
  • Color: Gray.
  • Weight: 23.4 pounds.

Pros

  • The machine has a tough copolymer drum that is resistant to dents and cracks.
  • A Qwik lock filter system for easy and quick filter changes.
  • An integrated blowing port for added versatility.
  • A drain port for emptying wet messes easily.
  • It has a five-year limited warranty.

Cons

  • The vacuum is not compatible with dust collection bags.

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7. RIDGID 50313 4000RV (Best Portable Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner)

The Ridgid vacuum is a small portable wet and dry vacuum cleaner weighing 12 pounds.

It features a 4-gallon compact tank and a powerful 5 horsepower motor that makes the machine highly effective for moving to different rooms or transporting it in a car trunk.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace has a power cord that is 20 feet long and a quick-release flexible hose that is eight feet long.

The cord provides extended reach and can wrap around the ergonomic handle for convenient storage and comfortable transportation.

The machine for home, car, and workspace also doubles as a blower when the powerhead is removed from the canister. It comes with a diffuser and a car nozzle for use with the blower option.

The blower capacity provides versatile performance such as blowing dirt, leaves, and debris from decks, walkways, and job sites.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace has a Qwik lock filer system that is patented, allowing for easy filter installation and removal. It comes with a full lifetime warranty against material and workmanship defects.

Product Information

  • Brand: Ridgid.
  • Form Factor: Canister.
  • Power type: Corded electric.
  • Color: Red.
  • Weight: 14.5 pounds.

Pros

  • The vacuum is powerful and rugged.
  • It is lightweight and compact.
  • The hose fits tightly and won’t pull loose.
  • It comes with a long power cord for greater reach.
  • It has a Qwik lock filter which is easy to install and remove.
  • It has a full lifetime warranty for material defects and workmanship.

Cons

  • The filter bag is sold separately from the vacuum.
  • There is not enough room in the collection dust for debris.

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Final Verdict

There are various models of wet and dry vacuum cleaners on the market, each one with features that make it stand out. However, you have to find one that meets your cleaning needs with the features you would want in a wet and dry vacuum cleaner.

The best wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace should be a multi-surface cleaning unit capable of cleaning a variety of surfaces without damaging them. It should be able to handle both dry and wet messes.

The machine should have two-tank technology for keeping clean water and formula separate from dirty water and debris. It should also have Wi-Fi connectivity and an app that enables you to monitor the machine through your phone.

Best Pick: BISSELL CrossWave 2554A

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Conclusion

The best wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace is the Bissell CrossWave 2554A. The vacuum cleaner is a multi-surface unit that cleans various surfaces without any damage.

The multi-surface cleaning ability makes it safe on tiles, rubber floor mats, sealed wood floors, linoleum, rugs, and press wood floors, among others.

The machine can tackle wet spills, dry debris, and even pet accidents. It removes 99.9% of bacteria from the surface being cleaned. The vacuum has improved edge cleaning for dirt in corners and along baseboards.

The wet & dry vacuum for home, car, and workspace has two-tank technology that keeps the formula and clean water separate from debris and dirty water.

It has Wi-Fi connectivity capabilities through the Bissell Connect application, which provides you with useful alerts on maintenance and tips for usage.


FAQs

How do I choose a wet and dry vacuum?

You will choose a wet and dry vacuum cleaner according to your cleaning needs. These are some of the things to consider:

Weight and size: there is a wide range of weights and sizes when it comes to wet and dry vacuums. The smallest weighs less than three pounds and is about one foot wide and high. The heaviest model may weigh more than 35 pounds and stand three feet tall or even taller.

Surfaces: make sure that the machine you are buying can handle the surfaces in your home. General surfaces such as marble, tile, and wood flooring will not leave marks, but it is best to have your surface type in mind when purchasing a wet and dry vacuum.

Filtration: the filters of a wet and dry vacuum vary even though they have a common purpose of trapping small pieces of debris and dirt and preventing recirculation back into the air.

Most of the machines have a corrugated paper filter that has rubber seals on both ends that prevent the blowing of dust around the filter itself and into the machine’s canister.

Some wet and dry vacuums may also have a foam pre-filter which is responsible for keeping large particles from reaching the corrugated filter. That extends the filter’s life and reduces clogging.

Special filtration comes with HEPA filters which trap 99.97 percent of microscopic particles up to 0.3 microns in size. HEPA filters are found in a few wet and dry filters and more so in residential units with mopping and vacuuming capabilities.

Performance and power: in a corded wet and dry vacuum, horsepower (hp) refers to motor output and not performance ability. In cordless models, power is indicated in volts.

For light-duty wet and dry vacuums, corded models have a horsepower of between 1 and 4.5 horsepower, and corded ones have a power of between 18 and 20 volts.

For medium-duty wet and dry vacuums, the corded models have a power of 5 to 6 horsepower, while the cordless ones have an average power of 20 to 24 volts.

For the heavy-duty versions, the horsepower is more than six in corded wet and dry vacuums, while the battery-operated heavy-duty versions are rare to find.

Hose length: depending on the model, the hose length of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner can range from 6 feet to 30 feet. A longer hose will allow you to mount the machine in a central location, allowing you to vacuum an entire room without having to move the unit.

Capacity: the capacity of a wet and dry vacuum refers to the size of its collection tank. Small units which hold 0.5 to 6 gallons of debris mostly include handheld versions and vacuum mops. These are suitable for crafters and DIYers.

Medium-sized capacity units hold between six and 14 gallons of debris. These are suitable for removing standing water or for large workshops.

Large capacity models hold between 14 and 18 gallons of debris, and they are mostly used to remove flooded water and from construction sites.

Liquid cleaning solution: generally, most brands have designed their own cleaning solutions compatible with the vacuums that they produce. However, some wet and dry vacuums work better with water and steam power.

Attachments: most wet and dry vacuums have some accessories that come with them, and while some may seem unnecessary, they come in handy when doing your cleaning.

The attachments are quite helpful in corners, tight spaces, and other areas that are difficult to reach.


What types of wet and dry vacuums are there on the market?

Vacuum mops: these types of wet and dry vacuum cleaners combine floor washing ability and traditional vacuuming ability into one tool. The vacuums have both a dirty water collection bin and a dust collection bin.

The vacuum mops may consist of additional features depending on the quality and brand. These may include floor lights, rotating brushes, collection bins that are easy to empty, and a reservoir for holding the cleaning solution.

Shop vacuums: these vacuums have heavy-duty suction power and high-powered motors for eliminating all sorts of dirt and small construction debris. The vacuums have canisters styled like buckets that can hold up to 14 gallons of debris or more.

The models have long, flexible hoses and various attachments for different cleaning tasks. Most of the machines can also clean up wet messes, help in draining out a clogged sump pump bucket, and reduce water in flooded carpets.

Handheld vacuums: wet and dry vacuum cleaners also have handheld versions for quick clean-ups. The vacuums include indoor style which is usually cordless and has a motor base that snaps onto the machine’s funnel to pick pet hair from carpet stairs or sofa.

The second is shop style, which resembles large shop vacs and features a canister-type collection but on a smaller scale. The third is the tool-style handheld wet and dry vacuum that uses lithium-ion batteries.


Can a wet and dry vacuum pick up water?

Yes, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner can pick up water. If you want to clean up liquid spills like water, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner is the best tool to use here. The vacuums are engineered to pick up liquid spills without any damage to the vacuum.

The vacuum utilizes its tolls and design to pick up water. Therefore, always use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner for all types of liquid spills instead of a traditional dry cleaner. That is because water will damage this type of vacuum when it gets into its internal system.


Should you remove the filter when using a wet and dry vacuum?

When you are cleaning fine debris such as ash and dust, you should use a filter with a fine filtration level in your wet and dry vacuum cleaner. The filter will prevent dust from blowing from the machine through its top when you are cleaning.

When you are cleaning surfaces that are wet, it is best to remove the filter completely from the vacuum cleaner. That is because liquids will damage the filter and even ruin your vacuum.

However, there are some wet and dry models that allow you to leave the filter intact while vacuuming small liquid amounts.


What are the disadvantages of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner?

Wet and dry vacuum cleaners have a lot of benefits, but also some drawbacks. These include:

A heavier weight: the machines are comparatively heavier in weight, and this is because they clean up both wet and dry messes. That makes them feel a little heavier, but it is not a big deal for large homes.

Weird smells: foul smells are common for all vacuum cleaner types, but when it comes to wet and dry vacuums, the smells go to another level because the vacuum cleans wet things too. However, that can only happen if you do not properly care for your machine.


Best Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner for Home, Car, & Workspace