Our Guide To The Best Shop Vacuums In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them)

What We Think of the Dewalt DCV581H 20V MAX Wet/Dry Vacuum

The Dewalt DCV581H 20V MAX Wet/Dry Vacuum has a lot going for it. It’s perfect for use in the house since it’s no louder than a canister vacuum, and with an 8-foot power cord and 5-foot hose, you have a pretty good reach as well. This shop vacuum is also really durable, so it can hold up to falls down stairs and getting knocked around in a pickup bed.

There are two things that really stand out to us, though. The first is the fact that you can use it as a corded vacuum or on battery power — this thing is perfect for every occasion. Plus, with a compact design, flat bottom, and cord/hose wraps, it can travel with you anywhere without any hassle.

The main shortcoming you’ll see with this vacuum is the suction strength. It doesn’t offer as much power as other shop vacuums so won’t be as well suited to pet hair and heavy messes. Also, it only comes with one attachment, so if you want to use the vacuum while standing upright or get into crevices more easily, you’ll have to buy some attachments separately. Just some things to keep in mind.

Overall, the Dewalt DCV581H 20V MAX Wet/Dry Vacuum is a great cleaning companion for general home tasks. It’s not quite powerful enough for heavy-duty tasks, but for regular house cleaning, it’ll get the job done right. It’s super portable, too!

• Performance: 4/5

• Usability: 4.5/5

• Price: 4/5

• Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Dewalt DCV581H 20V MAX Wet/Dry Vacuum

Reviewers have a good opinion of the Dewalt DCV581H 20V MAX Wet/Dry Vacuum. They absolutely love that they can use it corded or cordless as the mood strikes, and it’s surprisingly quiet for a shop vacuum. It’s also really well made and they expect it to last for years. The one main concern is with the suction power — it isn’t as powerful as the average shop vac, but it’s still better than a canister vacuum.

Dewalt DCV581H 20V MAX Wet/Dry Vacuum Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• You want a shop vac that’s easy to carry around

• You’d like the option of using it corded or cordless

• Durability is really important to you

• Quiet operation is a must

Don’t Buy If…

Dewalt DCV581H 20V MAX Wet/Dry Vacuum Specifications

Our Cordless Pick

What We Think of the Greenworks 3-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

We really like the Greenworks 3-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum. Of course, a cordless design means way more freedom in the way you move with your vacuum. And it has a great battery life to charge time ratio…25 minutes of runtime for 30 minutes of charging! And the battery also has a USB port so you can plug in your phone or other small electronics while vacuuming.

You’ll get both a crevice tool and a multi-tool with your vacuum, plus an attached 7-foot hose to make it easier to get in all of the spaces that need some cleaning. This is a great option for vehicles because of that. Also, with a flat bottom, robust design, and onboard storage for the attachments, this thing is a dream to travel with. It’s super effective on wet and dry messes, too.

There are two main reasons why you might want to continue hunting down your perfect shop vacuum. First, this option is quite expensive, and if it’s not absolutely necessary that you vacuum on battery power, it might not feel worth it. Second, there’s no solid tube included with your attachments, so you won’t be able to use this vacuum while standing upright unless you buy an attachment.

Overall, the Greenworks 3-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum is a really great option if you’re looking to get rid of power cords for good. Since this option also comes with multiple tools and offers great suction power, there’s no mess that needs to be left uncleaned.

• Performance: 5/5

• Usability: 4.5/5

• Price: 3/5

• Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Greenworks 3-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

Reviewers have great things to say about the Greenworks 3-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum. They find it super convenient to use a vacuum without a power cord, and since the charger gives them full power in only 30 minutes, they don’t mind being limited by the battery life. Plus, the USB charging port is a big hit. The suction strength is great and the attachment tools help them clean everywhere.

Greenworks 3-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• You don’t want the hassle of cord management

• A high-quality charger is ideal

• Portability is important

• You’ll be cleaning in a variety of spaces

Don’t Buy If…

Greenworks 3-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum Specifications

Our Budget Pick

What We Think of the Amazon Basics 4-Gallon 3 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum

We like just about everything the Amazon Basics 4-Gallon 3 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum has to offer. With a 3 HP motor and great suction performance, this vacuum does exceptionally well on every type of wet and dry mess. Considering it also has one of the lowest price tags out there, you’re getting remarkable value for your money with this one.

Another thing we love is the attachment set. You get three extension wands that can be used singly, doubly, or all together, plus a crevice tool, floor brush, and a 2-in-1 utility nozzle. You’ll always have the right tool for the job ahead of you. Since this vacuum is supported by four wheels, it’ll move around your house easily, even in tight spaces. If you’ve ever had to fight a vacuum, you know just how much you should appreciate that.

One of the only issues you’ll run into with this vacuum is the short power cord. At only 8 feet in length, you won’t get very far before you need to find a new outlet. The long hose and extension tubes help with that, but it’s still not ideal. Also, since this vacuum moves around on wheels, it won’t be as travel-friendly as a more secure flat-bottomed vacuum.

Overall, the Amazon Basics 4-Gallon 3 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum was a no-brainer choice for our affordable pick this year. With an excellent price tag, versatile tool kit, and powerful suction, there’s nothing this vacuum can’t do.

• Performance: 5/5

• Usability: 5/5

• Price: 5/5

• Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Amazon Basics 4-Gallon 3 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum

Reviewers have nothing but positive things to say about the Amazon Basics 4-Gallon 3 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum. The attachment kit is very well-rounded and provides everything they need for efficient cleaning. They’re also really happy with the cleaning performance and tank capacity. They would prefer that the power cord be longer, but that’s easily solved with an extension cord.

Amazon Basics 4-Gallon 3 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• Maneuverability is important to you

• A versatile tool kit will be useful

• You want a vacuum that performs well on every type of mess

• Affordability is your main priority

Don’t Buy If…

Amazon Basics 4-Gallon 3 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum Specifications

Also Great

What We Think of the Vevor 3-in-1 Shop Vacuum

The Vevor 3-in-1 Shop Vacuum has so much to offer we almost can’t believe it. With a 5 HP motor and a maximum airflow of 65 CFM, it’s one of the most powerful and effective shop vacuums money can buy. And you don’t even have to spend a lot to make it yours! It’s also one of the most affordable options out there. What a bargain!

As if those things alone aren’t enough, this vacuum also comes with an incredible attachment kit that will help you clean up every type of mess quickly and with minimal effort on your part. Whether you’re cleaning out your car, vacuuming up a carpentry shop, or just keeping up with the weekly chores in the house, this vacuum has everything you need.

Thankfully, this vacuum doesn’t come with any flaws that need to be mentioned. It’s nearly flawless. There are a couple of things we want you to be aware of before you commit to it, though. Since it has a long hose, you’ll need a good amount of storage space for it to fit nicely. Also, since it’s a wheeled option instead of a flat-bottomed one, it doesn’t travel as securely in the car without some extra measures taken.

Overall, the Vevor 3-in-1 Shop Vacuum is a really great choice for every home or shop environment. It has the best reach, the best suction strength, and the best versatility you’ll be able to find. And you get all of it for a super reasonable price. This thing can’t be beat.

• Performance: 5/5

• Usability: 5/5

• Price: 5/5

• Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Vevor 3-in-1 Shop Vacuum

Reviewers are incredibly happy with their Vevor 3-in-1 Shop Vacuums. It’s a very quiet vacuum with a ton of suction power, and it moves around really easily on all surfaces. The hose stretches well, and combined with the extension wands and the long 15-foot power cord, the reach is exceptional. Most people take advantage of the adjustable airflow and use all of the attachments during their cleaning.

Vevor 3-in-1 Shop Vacuum Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• You’d like a shop vacuum with adjustable airflow and a long reach

• You want a tool included for every cleaning task

• Affordability is important

• You’re dealing with a lot of tough messes

Don’t Buy If…

Vevor 3-in-1 Shop Vacuum Specifications

What We Think of the Greenworks 4702502 9-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum

We are big fans of the Greenworks 4702502 9-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum, and we think you will be too. Its suction strength and max airflow are roughly twice as high as the average shop vacuum, so you’ll never have any problem getting through big/tough messes. It’s also got a massive 9-gallon capacity to make sure you aren’t emptying the tank every five minutes. Thank goodness.

We’re also really grateful for the attachment kit that’s included with this shop vacuum. You get seven different tools plus a removable hose to make sure you can work through every mess with ease. All of those pieces can be stored directly on the vacuum, too. You’ll always have them handy when you need them, and it’ll be a lot harder to misplace them!

There aren’t many things to critique with this one, folks. We would prefer that the price was a bit lower, but considering the power and versatility, it’s still reasonable. This is a larger and heavier shop vacuum because of its tank size, so it won’t be the easiest to store or travel with. But those are really the only potential issues! Not bad, huh?

Overall, the Greenworks 4702502 9-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum is a pretty great choice for everybody, but especially for people who will be sucking up a lot of liquid. The strong suction and large tank capacity are the reason for that. It’s also got a great attachment set and organized onboard storage. How useful!

• Performance: 5/5

• Usability: 5/5

• Price: 4/5

• Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Greenworks 4702502 9-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum

Reviewers are blown away by the quality of the Greenworks 4702502 9-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum. It’s one of the more powerful shop vacs they’ve used, and they’re very happy with the extra-large capacity, too. Even when they’re working with a lot of liquid messes they don’t have to empty the tank too often. The attachment kit is high-quality and versatile, and they expect the tools and vacuum to last for years.

Greenworks 4702502 9-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• You want a lot of power

• You need a full attachment kit

• Infrequent tank emptying is a priority

• You like to stay organized

Don’t Buy If…

• Affordability is a priority

• You don’t have a large storage space

• You want to travel with your shop vacuum

Greenworks 4702502 9-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum Specifications

How to Properly Choose Your Shop Vacuum

Price

Most shop vacuums will be priced somewhere between $100 and $200, but you can also find more affordable options (around $85) and more expensive ones ($400+). In general, more expensive shop vacuums will have a larger capacity, more inclusive attachment set, and better cleaning performance. The most expensive models will run on battery power instead of a power cord.

Airflow/Suction Strength

The airflow of a shop vacuum ties right into its suction strength — faster airflow is almost always associated with higher suction strengths. Generally, we recommend looking for at least 60 CFM for airflow to make sure the vacuum works well and so does the blower function.

Tank Capacity

Tank capacity is one of the most important things to look at for shop vacuums. At the lower end, you might only get 2 gallons of space, but others can go up to 9 gallons or even higher. If you’ll be dealing with a lot of debris on a daily basis or a lot of liquid messes, a higher tank capacity will be better.

Included Attachments

All shop vacuums will come with at least a hose and some sort of attachment head, but many models will offer a full kit of attachments for better versatility. You might see crevice tools, floor tools, and brush tools, among others. If you’ll be cleaning in a variety of spaces, a bigger attachment kit will be a valuable addition.

Wheeled Vs. Flat-Bottomed

Some shop vacuums have flat bottoms and others have wheels. If you’ll be travelling a lot or need something extra portable, a flat-bottomed vacuum will be better — they’re easier to carry and will be more secure in a vehicle. If you’re prioritizing convenience and maneuverability, you’ll love a wheeled version more.

Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.