If you’re looking for a vacuum cleaner that offers great versatility, you really can’t get much better than a combination wet dry vacuum cleaner. Also known as a shop vac, these units are your go-to device for nearly any and all of your hoovering needs.
Being just as adept at cleaning up spills, floods or mud and water from your boots as they are at sucking up dirt, pet hair and debris from floors, carpets, furniture, and anywhere else. There are a huge number of different models and styles of wet dry vacuum cleaners available, so it’s important to consider what you’ll primarily be using it for in order to decide which one is right for you.
If you want something that’s truly an all-in-one, make sure to look for a model that comes with plenty of tools and accessories to give you as many different cleaning options as possible.
Wet dry vacuums are excellent for cleaning both inside and around the home or in the garage and are constantly being used to vacuum out all that dirt and dust that accumulates inside your vehicle.
Best of all, switching from dry to wet mode is usually incredibly simple and can typically be done in a matter of seconds.
If you happen to do a lot of work around the home or are just looking for an all-around hoover, a high quality wet dry vacuums will be your new best friend—allowing you to tackle any cleaning project with ease.
See below our easy to follow table showing the Best Wet and Dry Vacuum cleaners on the UK market, rated by popularity, customer reviews and of course price.
Wet & Dry Vacuum Buyers Guide Video
What Key Features to Look For
We have put together this quick video that outlines what you should be looking for in a wet dry vacuum cleaner. All of which is stated briefly here:
Budget – determining what kind of wet dry vacuum you can get for your cash
Type – there are two to choose from, each of which is useful in multiple settings
Weight – a key consideration when looking after your wrists, hands, and back
capacity – ensuring there is more than enough space for the wet mess, dry mess, and even debris
Hose – the wider the better, especially when dealing with the chunky messes on building sites
Attachments – making cleaning easier, both in terms of wet and dry situations
All in all, you should always take your time and examine your options when purchasing the best vacuum cleaner.
By doing so, you will be able to make a more informed decision and will ultimately end up with a better vacuum.
Below, you will find a breakdown of some of the best wet and dry vacuum cleaners on the market.
Best Wet Dry Vacuum (In Order)
1. Numatic CVC370-2BL/BK
Our Pick For Classic Wet Dry Vacuum
There are many excellent wet dry vacuums out there, but none will put a smile on your face quicker than the Numatic CVC370-2BL/BK Charles.
Not only is the vacuum incredibly durable, but also it is capable of getting the job done! In fact, this is a multi-function vacuum, which doubles, as a wet dry vacuum.
It utilizes a tritex filtration system, which is purchased for dry use.
The shop vacs safety float valve system makes it more than capable of picking up wet debris.
The wet and dry vacuum cleaner uses aluminium tubes, which will never rust! Despite the low cost of the vacuum, this one is capable of delivering 1,200 watts of power.
This is more than enough to get the job done! It is capable of holding 15 litres of debris and only produces a noise level of 70 dB. More features can be found below.
Overall
All in all, the Numatic CVC370-2BL/BK Charles Wet and Dry Vacuum cleaner is truly a steal. It is powerful, yet lightweight and affordable.
For the money, this vacuum is undoubtedly one of the best from Numatic. Be sure to check it out for yourself today!
- 1,200 watts of power will surely get the job done
- Only produces 70 dB, so you won’t need ear plugs
- An enormous amount of operating radius at 26.8 metres!
- Capable of holding 15 litres of debris
- Only weighs 7kg, so you will have no difficulty moving it around
- Utilizes a HEPA filter, so you remain safe and your allergies don’t go into overdrive
- Lightweight and well worth the money
FAQ’s
Q: Is Charles a carpet cleaner?
A: Unfortunately this is a common mistake made, this is not a carpet cleaner it just sucks up liquid and dirt.
2. Draper 13785 shop vacuums
Our Pick For Ideal For Light Commercial Use
Keeping your place of business and home tidy is something that has to be done. Completing this task is going to require the use of a good light commercial vacuum cleaner.
Now, you may be thinking, “Why do I need such a powerful vacuum cleaner at home?” When it comes to keeping a clean home, the bigger you go the better off you are.
Below you will learn about some of the most notable specifications for this professional vacuum cleaner.
To us, the 13785 has got to make it onto the best wet and dry vacuum cleaner roundup lists, thanks to the price, performance, versatility, and attractive design.
Overall
The heavy-duty model comes equipped with a 20L stainless steel tank ensuring the users that this vacuum can take a beating.
It doesn’t matter the working conditions, this cleaner is capable of removing wet and dry materials. Upon purchasing this great vacuum cleaner you will also receive a variety of accessories.
One of these is a paper dust bag, which fits directly over the cloth filter. The paper bag is an optional accessory. The use of the paper bag will make cleaning the cloth filter much easier at the end of the day, and it is much more hygienic.
As you can see this is a great quality versatile vacuum cleaner. The cleaner is easy to put together and even easier to use.
- Very affordable
- Capable of suctioning up dry and wet particles
- 20 Litre debris tank
- Stainless steel tank, which will not rust or corrode, even after years of use
- Very lightweight and portable
FAQ’s
Q: Can you use this without the bags, and is the filter washable
A: Yes the wet dry vacuum cleaner can be used without bags and the filter can be machine washed. I think it works better without a bag but loses suction the more dust you suck up.
Q: Does it have a blow function?
A: Yes, it does. There are two connectors for the hose on opposite sides. One sucks while the other blows.
3. Karcher MV3 P shop vacs
Our Pick For Great Multi-Purpose Model
A vacuum cleaner should be able to clean the debris and dust out of the depths of your carpet. If it is not equipped with a powerful motor, then you definitely did not get your money’s worth.
The Karcher MV3 P is a good all-rounder and capable of suctioning and blowing.
The Karcher MV3 P is equipped with a 1400 watt motor, so it will suction up the smallest debris.
With the blower feature, you will be able to blow the leaves off your driveway, dirt stuck in crevices away, and your HVAC ductwork.
The vacuum will suction up wet liquids and dry debris, so you can use it in your garage, home, or car.
The auto-start feature will connect and operate simultaneously with any sander or duster. This extraordinary feature will definitely help keep your garage clean when you are sanding or cutting wood.
You will receive two extension tubes with your purchase, so you will be able to reach underneath your vehicle or bed, without having to unplug the vacuum and moving it to the other side.
Overall, this high-quality vacuum from Karcher will offer durability, reliability, and extended service life. The price tag is very user-friendly and you will have difficulty beating it.
Read our Karcher Window Vac Reviews here
- Cartridge filter will capture and hold the smallest debris, so it does return to your home
- Includes a 2-Year manufacturer’s warranty
- Onboard storage, so every accessory will be at your disposal
- Includes several cleaning accessories including a crevice tool and floor cleaner
- Very affordable
FAQ’s
Q: Can the vacuum cleaner be used without the bag?
A: We would recommend keeping the bag in when using the WD3P as a dry vac to avoid having to clean the inside, but it can certainly be used without the bag. The bag must be removed if you plan on using the WD3P to suck up liquids.
4. Duronic Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner VC5010
Our Pick For Small and Portable Use
A vacuum cleaner should be able to clean the debris and dust out of the depths of your carpet.
If it is not equipped with a powerful motor, then you definitely did not get your money’s worth.
The Karcher MV3 P is a good all-rounder and capable of suctioning and blowing.
The Karcher MV3 P is equipped with a 1400 watt motor, so it will suction up the smallest debris. With the blower feature, you will be able to blow the leaves off your driveway, dirt stuck in crevices away, and your HVAC ductwork.
The vacuum will suction up wet liquids and dry debris, so you can use it in your garage, home, or car.
The auto-start feature will connect and operate simultaneously with any sander or duster. This extraordinary feature will definitely help keep your garage clean when you are sanding or cutting wood.
You will receive two extension tubes with your purchase, so you will be able to reach underneath your vehicle or bed, without having to unplug the vacuum and moving it to the other side.
Overall, this high-quality shop vacuums from Karcher will offer durability, reliability, and extended service life. The price tag is very user-friendly and you will have difficulty beating it.
- Cartridge filter will capture and hold the smallest debris, so it does return to your home
- Includes a 2-Year manufacturer’s warranty
- Onboard storage, so every accessory will be at your disposal
- Includes several cleaning accessories including a crevice tool and floor cleaner
- Very affordable
5. Vax 6131T 3-in-1 Multivax
Our Pick For Dry Vacuum and Carpet Washer
Keeping your home clean can be a tough job, especially if you have carpet and kids.
So many spilt drinks and kids are always forgetting to remove their shoes before entering the home.
You probably find yourself shampooing your carpet every few months, just to keep it looking clean.
What if there was a vacuum cleaner that could wash your carpet for you?
Well, that is exactly what the Vax 6131T can do and below you will learn about some of the most notable specifications for this model from UK based manufacturers Vax
This is truly a total all in one cleaning machine. With this cleaner, you can vacuum up dirt, crumbs, or pet hair and then easily switch to the washing mode to remove dirt that is stored deep down in your carpet.
This is great because the vacuum can be used for various purposes, which makes it very versatile.
This cleaner is very easy to manoeuvre around the home. The combination of floor heads gives you the option of cleaning carpets of hardwood flooring. It is definitely one of the best buy vacuums on the market.
This product includes accessories that will let you clean your upholstery, crevices, and stairs. The 10L dust capacity allows you to clean a bigger area without having to empty the cleaner every few minutes.
Not to mention that the dirt is hygienically captured in the bag so there is less of a mess when you do empty the vacuum bag.
- Very versatile
- Excellent value
- Great 2-year warranty
- Very lightweight and easy to move around
- Many accessories
FAQ’s
Q: Can I ask if this machine is heavy, as I have used a Karcher in the past, which was good but very heavy.
A: It’s as heavy as an upright but because it’s on wheels and compact it’s not too bad, I haven’t used it yet to wash with but I would imagine when it’s full of water it would be heavy. Very long plug cable which is a great and extra-long hose which again is useful all in all very pleased for the price.
Read Here: How to remove hair dye from your carpet
Final Thoughts
When you finally find something that makes cleaning your home easier for you, grab that chance and do not let it go.
More than just helping you out in the heavy task of household cleaning, a good cleaning tool will also do much in preventing rapid home deterioration.
And as we all know, dirt, whether dry or wet, will just eat up your home if left untouched.
Thankfully, this list of the best wet and dry vacuums is here to save your day. With the best products we’ve listed above, we’re pretty sure that you’ll find the best cleaning assistant available.
Depending on your budget and your requirements, we hope that the details we provided on this list have helped you narrow down your choices.
Send us a message by leaving a comment below this post if you want to ask anything that we haven’t covered yet or if you want to add details we missed out on.
Last Updated on February 3, 2022 by Gemma Tyler
Gemma Tyler is a freelance journalist with 15 years of experience writing for consumer publications. She has tested and reviewed a wide range of household items from vacuum cleaners to washing machines and dehumidifiers to steam irons. Her attention to detail and exhaustive testing certainly makes her an expert in her field.
