We did not stop the timer when we cleared out any hose blockages, but we ran the test with each vacuum at least twice. And because they’re powered with a battery, they embrace speed and portability. They don’t have the power of the larger models, but they do have enough for most smaller messes, and they’re just so easy to carry around. A rare, important advantage with this DeWalt is that it can be powered with a 20-volt battery or via the attached power cord.
A few brands, including DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee, sell battery mowers that run on 18- or 20-volt batteries that also power their hand tools, such as drills and circular saws. This means that it will be really easy to interface any other brand’s 18V/20V lithium ion battery pack with some Hyper Tough power tools. The diameter of the hose is also much smaller than that of the hoses on the larger wet/dry vacs.
Two of these cordless electric push mowers, both from Ryobi, receive higher Overall Scores than the top-rated gas push mower, a Honda. The adapter above is a do-it-yourself hyper tough battery adapter, so you will need to provide the circuitry to make it work. It has been reported that the Ridgid 18V batteries do have built-in over discharge protection.
For the cordless vacuums, we tested run time by installing a fully charged battery in each vac and using it until the battery drained completely. We made sure to run this test while the vac was in active use and not just sitting there running, in case the battery drain increased when the vac struggled with larger cleanups. At my house, I also have my own workshop, which I keep clean with a wet/dry vac. I’m also a serial renovator, so a wet/dry vac is always at my side while I’m installing bookshelves, replacing windows, relocating kitchen cabinets, and pulling up old floors.
We also have a recommendation for a more compact, cordless model for smaller messes. Every model’s Overall Score in CR’s ratings incorporates all of that performance data with predicted reliability hyper tough tools and owner satisfaction ratings. We compile those ratings from our latest member surveys, leveraging data on more than 36,500 lawn mowers and tractors that members purchased between 2013 and 2023.