When you are looking for the best shop vacuum options, you need to consider what your use for the device will be. Will you be utilizing it on a professional scale where heavy-duty horsepower and a larger capacity for dirt and debris are necessary?
What Should I Look For When Buying A Shop Vacuum?
Or is your use more on a smaller level? These requirements, along with your budget will be the main deciding factors that will let you know what you should look for when buying a shop vacuum. However, to provide you with a better idea and general understanding of the kind of features you should be on the lookout for, we have compiled a detailed list of features!
Tank Capacity:
The size and capacity of your shop vacuum tank should be your number one priority. This is because no matter how much suction it provides, at the end of the day you need to pick up a good amount of dirt, debris, and liquid.
When it comes to smaller-sized shop vacuums, they usually come with tanks that can store anywhere from 2 to 8 gallons in one go. These aren’t the largest ones but should be perfect for smaller jobs.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a professional and industrial use vacuum cleaner, then the same rules don’t apply. For a professional setting such as construction sites and workspaces, you might want to go up to a 14 or 16-gallon capacity.
Peak Horsepower:
When it comes to the horsepower or the power its motor can provide, a shop vacuum usually is stronger than normal vacuums. This is because Vacuum Cleaner is meant for heavy-duty use therefore, there is more need for stronger suction power.
Of course, this will depend on the kind of job you are looking to accomplish but most will have a horsepower rating that ranges between 1 and 6.5 HP. Your line of work and requirements will decide what your choice should be.
The Material of Construction:
In terms of the overall body and construction, most shop–vacuums will be created out of some form of plastic. However, this plastic will be both insanely durable and quite lightweight. You need a compact vacuum for easy mobility around the workplace and that is exactly what you will get with most.
The real important question to ask is what your tank is made from? This is the part that will be in close contact with messes and liquid ones at that. Metal tanks are always a good choice. Stainless steel and copolymer materials are also quite popular.
Additional Accessories:
Finally, for most shop vacuums, you will not have any additional accessories included. However many will go the extra mile and will include the following accessories:
- Foam wet filter
- Car nozzle
- Power adapter
- Accessory caddy
- Air and noise diffuser
- Filter for the cartridge
- Crevice tool
- Utility nozzle
- Extension wand and many more!