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How To Find The Best Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaner For Home | 2024 Reviews

Updated on January 3, 2023 by Joseph D. Nielson

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Best Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner

Best Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner for Home

This article is a detailed guide to understanding the most important things to consider when investing in the best Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner for your home. If you want to know what’s the Best Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaner, after hours of research, we can say that the BISSELL CrossWave Floor and Carpet Cleaner with Wet-Dry Vacuum is our #1 recommendation. This all in one carpet cleaner and vacuum consistently outshines most of its competitors in its range.

BISSELL CrossWave Floor and Carpet Cleaner with Wet-Dry Vacuum

crosswave-wet/dry vac floor cleaning

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Most Affordable Wet Dry Vac for your Home

Product Image for the Most Affordable Wet Dry Vac for your Home - Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner, Lightweight, FH50700, Blue

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BEST WORKSHOP WET-DRY VACUUM: Craftsman XSP Wet/Dry Vacuum

Best workshop wet-dry vacuum cleaner

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BIG DEAL ON AMAZON: HOOVER DELUXE CARPET WET-DRY VACUUM WASHER:

Vaccuum

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The best wet-dry vacuum cleaner performs the job of both a mop and a broom. It affords you the convenience of conducting your cleaning chores faster and with less effort. This kind of vacuum can easily deal with both dry and wet messes. It also has incredibly powerful suction. Wet vacuums are highly versatile. They make excellent choices for tile floors and carpets, cars, sofas and other furniture. If you need a vacuum cleaner for carpets and for hardwood floors, a wet vacuum will do the job admirably. For air con vents, be sure to make use of the different attachments such as the crevice and dusting tools for cleaning. If you are a pet lover, these vacs will definitely do a great job for any stains or pet hairs.

BEST WET/DRY VACUUMS FOR SALE IN AMAZON:

>>> Comparison Chart <<<

Best wet dry vacuum cleaner for home

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Vacuum

Most home owners don’t fully understand the diverse features and functionality of various brands of vacuum cleaners.

For this reason, many only look at their budget and then blindly purchase a vacuum without even considering how their cleaning needs will be affected.

We will look in detail here at the other things you should bear in mind. This should make it easy for you to get the best vacuum cleaner for your requirements.

#ProductWeight:Check
1Hoover FloorMate FH40010B31.8PRICE
2Rug Doctor Spot Cleaner20.5PRICE
3Hoover F5914900 SteamVac 32PRICE
4Hoover Deluxe FH40160PC21.6PRICE
5Hoover GUV Garage Utility19.6PRICE

Size Of The Place To Be Cleaned

Analyzing the size of the place you need cleaning is essential.

Larger areas usually call for wet-dry vacuums with a substantial capacity. This ensures that all the dirt is kept inside the vacuum and that you do not waste a lot of time emptying and refilling it.

A wider vacuum head is also important in ensuring quicker and more efficient cleaning.

Upright, drum and canister vacuums are great for larger areas.

Smaller areas can be cleaned using a stick or handheld vac.

Nature Of The Place To Be Cleaned

Are your floors carpeted throughout?

Do you need to clean a hard floor or area rugs?

By asking yourself these questions, you can focus on the best wet-dry vacuum cleaner that has the correct attachments, nozzle or brush roll. Certain vacuum cleaners designated especially for hard floors or carpets.

If your house has more than one floor and you need to clean upstairs, a canister or stick vacuum will work best as they are portable and have the best attachments for the job.

For large, single floors, an upright vacuum works well. For areas above the floor, use a stick vacuum or a handheld.

Budget

Good research is key. Work out how much you can afford to spend then concentrate on all models under this price point.

Read plenty of reviews and explore our site for guidance.

Don’t overspend but make sure you do not underestimate value for money and build quality rather than only looking at the bottom line.

Capacity

The vacuum cleaner’s capacity determines how much space you can clean before needing to empty or refill the tanks.

A larger capacity means you can clean for longer before emptying or refilling while a smaller capacity means frequently taking breaks to do so.

It should be noted that with an increase in capacity comes additional weight.

Accessories

Each vacuum cleaner is designed to clean a particular kind of surface but, with various accessories included, you’ll also enjoy the versatility of cleaning a wider variety of areas. You should carefully check the number of accessories included

You should carefully check the number of accessories included like the kind of beater bar, nozzles or brush rolls as this will help determine the vacuum’s effectiveness.

The attachments should also cater for your precise cleaning needs.

Kind Of Filtration System

A vacuum cleaner’s filtration system is usually responsible for ensuring that all the dirt that goes into the dirt container stays put and doesn’t find its way back into the atmosphere.

There are a wide variety of filters, each with different qualities for filtration functions such as household odor reduction and allergy prevention.

Some of these include HEPA, carbon, washable and paper filters.

You need to research these fully before deciding on which one is best for you.

Ease Of Maintenance

Cleaning your house is a hard task anyway. Buying a vacuum cleaner that is tough to maintain will simply bring you additional stress.

You need to find a vacuum that has a well-defined warranty, is easy to use, to clean and repair and has highly accessible spares.

This is where buying from a recognized brand can be a smart move.

Size Of The Vacuum

Depending on your physical capabilities and your particular cleaning needs, you should know whether you need a bigger, heavier and more powerful vacuum or a smaller, lighter and less potent model.

Bigger vacuums such as uprights and canisters are great for larger areas, awkward jobs, and bigger messes.

Compact cleaners work best for smaller areas, lighter cleaning tasks, and lesser messes.

Types Of Vacuum Cleaners

Upright Vacuums

Upright vacuum cleaners are large and often come with wheels or casters for mobility.

Best Upright Vacuum cleaner

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Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional with Dust-Away & 2 Microfiber Pads (NV356E). The shark navigator  is recommended to efficiently pick up lots of long hair.

They have nozzles attached to the bottom for the suction of dirt from the floors. These vacuum cleaners are mainly meant for cleaning floors, whether hard or carpeted.

They use a combination of sweeping with a brush roll or beater bar and vibration for the removal of dirt.

Some are bagged while others are bagless.

Uprights have exceptional cleaning power and a large dirt container capacity.

Some also come with onboard attachments including different nozzles, crevice tools and brushes for cleaning various areas above the floor.

They are larger, heavy and not as portable as the smaller vacuums.

You can find reviews and more info here: Best Upright Vacuums on Amazon.com

Canister Vacuums

The canister vacuum has the power of an upright coupled with more portability.

Kenmore Canister Vacuum

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As its name suggests, it stores dirt inside a canister that can be removed, emptied and cleaned.

The motor and dust collector are in a separate unit from the vacuum head. They are usually mounted on a set of wheels.

These are connected by a flexible hose that allows you to clean using the vacuum head while pulling the canister behind you.

Canister wet vacuums are portable so great for use on stairs and other hard-to-reach areas.

The connection of attachments and nozzles is straightforward with a canister vacuum.

If you want power but also need portability and convenience, consider a canister wet vacuum.

You can find reviews and more info here: Best Canister Vacuums on Amazon.com

Handheld Vacuums

Hand held vacuum

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Handheld wet vacuums are lightweight and are powered either from a mains power socket or by rechargeable batteries.

They are commonly used for cleaning up small messes and spills. These compact units have a single chassis for the motor, batteries and dirt cup.

Since the dirt cup is small, it should be removed and emptied frequently.

Handheld wet vacuums are very useful in the kitchen where messes and spills routinely occur.

Many people purchase handhelds to use for cleaning their cars, upholstery, and drapery. Stick vacuums are also placed in this category.

You can find reviews and more info here: Best Handheld Vacuums on Amazon.com

Bagged Cleaners

Bagged vacuum cleaners have all the dirt directed into a bag. Once these bags get full, simply dispose of them and replace them.

Though replacement costs can be high, these bags keep all the dirt secured so bagged vacuums are highly recommended for people with allergies or asthma.

You can find reviews and more info here: Best Bagged Vacuums on Amazon.com

Bagless Vacuums

Bagless vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, capture dirt and direct it to a dirt canister or container.

There are four main styles:

  • Handheld
  • Stick
  • Upright
  • Canister

A bagless vacuum does not require replacement elements as its dirt container can be removed, emptied and cleaned whenever it fills up.

Some of the dirt containers are transparent for simple monitoring.

You can find reviews and more info here: Best Bagless Vacuums on Amazon.com

Drum Vacuums

Drum vacuum cleaners are mostly designed for heavy-duty purposes such as cleaning garages, driveways and workshops.

Just like canister vacuums, they have their drum and vacuum head on separate units.

The drums have a large capacity with some of them having wheels for portability.

Some are stationary and can be mounted either on venting units or on the wall.

They have very long hoses for extended reach during cleaning.

You can find reviews and more info here: Best Wet-Dry Drum Vacuums on Amazon.com

Robotic Vacuums

 Best Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

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Robotic vacuums take all the sting out of cleaning. They do the work so you don’t have to.

Harnessing robotic technology, they move around independently. They detect dirt along with walls, stairs, and obstacles.

Robots come with motorized brushes and powerful motors.

These vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors following a particular schedule even when you’re away from home.

They may not work so well as other professional wet vacuums due to their limited size, but for home use are a very good option.

Our choice for a Robotic Vacuum is the iRobot Roomba 980 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner:

**Below, you’ll find more detailed reviews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer’s reviews on Amazon.

Wet-dry vacuum cleaners come in many shapes and sizes.

Whatever your personal needs or budget, there is something here for you.

Read onto explore 5 great vacuums.

Top 5 Best Wet Vacuum Cleaner On The Market 2023

1. Hoover F5914900 SteamVac Carpet Cleaner all in one with Clean Surge

Hoover F5914900 SteamVac Carpet Cleaner all in one with Clean Surge

More information here: https://www.amazon.com/Hoover-F5914900-SteamVac-Carpet-Cleaner/dp/B00009R66F/

Running on a 12-amp motor, the Hoover SteamVac Cleaner comes with all the power required to give your carpets a thorough cleaning using carpet solution and hot tap water.

It is equipped with 5 spinning scrubbing brushes for cleaning upholstery, carpets, and bare floors. Its high quality brushes make it one of the best wet and dry vacuum cleaners to collect large amounts of hair.

This vacuum has an 8-inch stretch hose that extends your reach to areas above the floor.

It is beltless so there’s no need to buy replacement belts.

Its Clean Surge functionality releases an extra burst of cleaning solution whenever you need to clean spots and stains.

It also comes with 2 separate water tanks for clean and dirty water. These tanks are easily removable for emptying, washing, and refilling.

The Hoover has a 2-speed brush control that allows for normal or gentle cleaning depending on the type of surface and the amount of soil.

It features a Tool Mode that stops the brushes from spinning.

Use Hoover detergent for deep cleansing. Investing in it will add the finishing touch to your cleaning.

2. Hoover FloorMate Deluxe Hard Floor Cleaner, FH40160PC

Hoover FloorMate Deluxe Hard Floor Cleaner, FH40160PC

Image source: Amazon.com

More information here: https://www.amazon.com/Hoover-FloorMate-Deluxe-Cleaner-FH40160PC/dp/B00CM220CK/

The Hoover FloorMate Deluxe is designed expressly for cleaning hard floors.

It features SpinScrub brushes which counter-rotate, gently scrubbing and washing hard floors from all angles.

Dual Tank Technology ensures that clean and dirty water are kept separately so no dirty water finds its way back onto the floor. These tanks are independently removable.

Tank capacity is 1.5 quarts which are enough to clean larger surface areas before a refill.

The 11.5-inch nozzle is combined with a squeegee and super suction that clear all the water from the floor for quicker drying.

It comes with a 20-foot cord for a wider cleaning radius and less dependence on power outlets.

Wash/Dry Mode selection knob and the Clean Boost Control button are great for the application of detergent.

This vacuum measures 13 by 12 by 44 inches and weighs 13.8 pounds. This makes it compact enough for an upright vacuum.

3. Hoover GUV ProGrade Garage Utility Vacuum, L2310

Hoover GUV ProGrade Garage Utility Vacuum, L2310

Image source: Amazon.com

More information here: https://www.amazon.com/Hoover-ProGrade-Garage-Utility-L2310/dp/B000289920/

The Hoover GUV ProGrade is a heavy-duty, high-capacity vacuum cleaner designed to perform tough jobs like cleaning the garage.

This bagless vacuum is finished in steel making it durable and sturdy enough for rough handling.

For filtration purposes, this vacuum features a lifetime self-cleaning filter so there’s no need to invest in replacement bags or filters. Its 10-amp motor is very powerful, yet really quiet.

It also comes equipped with a 5-inch power cord and a 30-foot crush-proof hose with a suction regulator. This ensures a wider cleaning radius so you can stretch it across the garage and into autos with ease.

This vacuum cleaner’s tank has a capacity of 5 gallons yet it’s still space-saving.

The wall-mounted unit is a breeze to install with no need for venting, piping or wiring.

The Hoover GUV won’t clutter your garage and neither does it force you to drag along its heavy canister.

Some of the attachments included are:

  • 2 extension wands
  • Upholstery nozzle
  • 2 crevice tools
  • Dusting brush
  • Floor nozzle

These ensure that even the areas above the floor are left spotless and they can be stored together with the hose in a convenient wall-mounted pouch.

This Hoover Garage Utility Vacuum measures 39 by 16 by 16 inches and weighs 31.8 pounds.

It’s highly affordable considering its top-notch functionality.

4. Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub with Bonus Hard Floor Wipes, FH40010B

Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub with Bonus Hard Floor Wipes, FH40010B

Image source: Amazon.com

Find more information here: https://www.amazon.com/Hoover-FloorMate-SpinScrub-Upright-FH40010B/dp/B003A2IDMC/

Have you always wanted a vacuum cleaner that will solve all your cleaning needs?

If so, the Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub could be just what you’ve been looking for.

This 3-in-1 cleaner has the ability to vacuum, wash and dry your hard floors to perfection.

SpinScrub technology with counter-rotating brushes gently scrubs and washes the floor from all angles.

It’s 27-foot long power cord with a quick release feature ensures that you don’t need to frequently unplug the device. It has a 13-inch wide cleaning path so less time is taken cleaning larger areas.

It features a beltless design and a set of rubber wheels that glide gently over your floor without causing scratches and dents. This increases portability and maneuverability as you clean.

It has a deluxe handle with a trigger control located at the reach of your fingertips for easier control and adjustment of settings. Its folding handle is great for cleaning awkward areas and convenient for storage.

Also included are 30 hard-surface wipes and a bottle of detergent.

The Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub Cleaner measures 15.2 by 12.2 by 31 inches and weighs 16.5 pounds.

This vacuum will give your sealed hardwood, vinyl, and tiled floors the special treatment usually reserved for carpets.

5. Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner

Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner

Image source: Amazon.com

Find more information here: https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Portable-Spot-Cleaner-Machine/dp/B00T31O22Y/

Just as its name suggests, the Rug Doctor Portable cleaner offers the best deep cleaning for area rugs and carpets.

It comes equipped with double the suction of most leading brands and cleans deep down in the area rug or carpet using only 12 amps of power.

This vacuum features a powerful, handheld oscillating brush.

It measures 12.5 by 17.6 by 17.4 inches and weighs 20.2 pounds so it’s easily stored and very portable.

It also features a retractable handle for easier control and better storage.

The set of carpet-friendly wheels make for easier maneuverability and portability as you clean your carpeted floors and area rugs.

It has a wider cleaning path measuring 4.5 inches for swift effective cleaning.

This Rug Doctor Vacuum Cleaner features a clean water tank which harbors clean water used for spot cleaning your carpets and a dirty water tank which holds all the dirty water absorbed from the floor. Both tanks are removable.

This machine is wonderful for spot and stain removal. It is also designed with features optimized for deep cleaning of carpets, upholstery, area rugs, autos, and stairs.

Heavy Duty Workshop Wet/Dry vacuum Cleaners

f you need a heavy duty vacuum cleaner for home, you will need a specialized vacuum cleaner that can also serve as commercial wet/dry vacuum cleaner.

You will pick the size and HP of your Wet/Dry Vac. depending on the project you are working on.

If your project has enough room, in order to maneuver this tool to get rid of the dust and the different debris, according to my experience, I recommend you the best 3 heavy duty vacuum cleaners for difficult and commercial projects:

#1 WORKSHOP Wet/Dry Vac 

commercial vacuum cleaner

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  • 16 GAL
  • 6.5 HP
  • Stainless Steel
  • Extremely powerful Wet/Dry Vac
  • Has a 2 1/2″ hose, very flexible and strong at the same time
  • Front and back wheels extremely easy to maneuver
  • Has a lot of different nozzles that gives you versatility to use it depending what you need it for.
  • Also this Vac can be converted into a  blower

#2 RIDGID Wet/Dry Vac 

Commercial wet/dry vacuum

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  • 14 GAL
  • 6.0 HP
  • Has a 2 1/2″ Hose in order to pick up larger debris.
  • Can be converted into a blower
  • This Vac is powerful, affordable and has a Limited Lifetime warranty.

#3 Craftsman XSP Wet/Dry Vacuum & Blower 

Best workshop wet-dry vacuum cleaner

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  • 14 GAL
  • 6.0 HP
  • Has a 2 1/2″ Hose in order to pick up larger debris.
  • Can be converted into a blower
  • This Vac is powerful, affordable and has a Limited Lifetime warranty.

Conclusion

Unlike normal vacuum cleaners, wet/dry vacuum cleaners have the ability to clear both dry messes such as dust and debris and also wet messes like liquid spills.

They are also excellent for deep cleaning.

With such a unit, you don’t need to purchase separate cleaners for washing and vacuuming the house.

By putting the above tips and reviews into careful consideration, you can confidently choose the best wet dry vac for all your cleaning needs.

Joseph and Family
About Joseph D. Nielson

Former journalist and editor for various press groups, I now dedicate my time to reviewing products for the home and family life. When I get time to myself, I enjoy rock climbing, taking my dirt bike for a rip, and most importantly providing my family with the best home possible!