If you’re looking for something smaller and more portable, we like the DeWalt DCV581H 20V 2-Gallon Cordless/Corded Wet/Dry Vac. This is a much smaller vacuum than the Ridgid models, and it doesn’t match their capabilities on larger messes. But it’s a real champ with cleaning up little projects around the garage, in the house, or in the basement. Because there’s also a cordless option and this vac is so light, you won’t have a problem using it in a crawl space, a tight attic, or an outbuilding that needs a little tidying, like a potting shed. While the 36-minute run time was impressive, the capabilities of the DeWalt are limited by the small motor and hose diameter. We had no problem sucking up wood shavings, drywall dust, and little bits of this and that, but this vac had problems with anything heavier, like a nail or a screw.
The HD1200 is a newer model, with an improved center-mounted handle for easy carrying and a larger, glove-friendly on/off switch. So far, this model has exhibited the same quality we’ve come to expect from similar Ridgid vacs over the years. For structured tests, we recorded the time it took each vacuum to suck up a pile of “workshop stew” that we created.
We cut 500,000 square feet of grass in three modes—mulching, side discharging, and bagging (collecting a total of 3,000 pounds of clippings). We cut both level turf and slopes to get a feel for the handling of each and every model. There are also high-end vacuums from Fein, Festool, hyper tough tool set Bosch, and others that focus on dust collection. But these are more of a workshop tool than a garage tool, and they are quite expensive. Throughout the summer and fall of 2023, the writer of this guide, Doug Mahoney, used the DeWalt extensively during a full kitchen renovation.
Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). We’re currently testing a selection of Milwaukee’s Air-Tip products, which are specialized vacuum tips for tight spaces and extended reach. Senior staff writer Signe Brewster has been using the vacuum for a year and a half. She said that aside from having to replace a ripped filter—which bit the dust (pun intended) while sucking up chunks of concrete and limestone—she continues to use the Ridgid HD1200 without issue. Last, we’ve placed vacuums in the hands of a number of Wirecutter staffers, and we continue to get their feedback. Also, debris needs to take a tight right turn as it exits the hose and enters the vac canister.
And this vac is similar to the one I’ve spent countless hours using at home and on lots of job sites during my construction career. I’ve never had any problems with it, and I’ve never found another wet/dry vac that was noticeably better. Failure to pick up within the given time or refusal of product will result in a 20% restock fee.
As you can see from the photo above, the charger is only connected to the the negative pin and the unmarked pin on the battery. We offer free in-store pickup, you can choose this option during the checkout process. After you place the order you will receive a confirmation email when your order is ready for pickup. If you’re running a script or application, please register or sign in with your developer credentials here.
They’re generally less expensive than self-propelled models, albeit with fewer features. Below, members can read on for ratings and reviews of this year’s very best battery-powered walk-behind mowers—both push and self-propelled—as hyper tough tools well as a couple of models that miss the mark. The DeWalt vac’s power is decent, but this model clearly doesn’t have the suction of the corded Ridgid vacs (or even the cordless Greenworks vac, which we’ll get to next).
As a result of our lengthy experience using wet/dry vacs and the testing we’ve done, we have found it’s tough to beat the Ridgid 12-Gallon NXT Wet/Dry Vac HD1200. It’s very powerful, offers good capacity, and it comes with all of the right nozzle ends (and there are spots to store them, so they stay out of the way). The Ridgid HD1200 vac is readily available on the shelves of Home Depot, where you can also get new filters, replacement hoses, and additional nozzle ends. This wet/dry vac was the one I most often saw during my construction career. I’ve been using one at my house for years, and I’ve never had any problems with it (other than the hose that I melted on a propane heater, but that was my own fault).
Additionally, through my construction work and at my own homes, I’ve dealt with at least a half-dozen flooded basements and have found wet/dry vacs to be instrumental in removing water and cleaning up. They’re more eco-friendly than gas machines because they don’t produce noxious fumes or use fossil fuels. The most energy-efficient battery mowers in our ratings earn CR’s Green Choice designation, signified by a simple green leaf. Not only is that efficiency good for the environment but it’s also to a small degree good for your wallet. There is possibility that there are other Hyper Tough power tools that utilizing the T terminal.