The only (very small) downside is how noisy this vacuum cleaner is. That said, it’s a tiny compromise for the immense power offered by the machine. When you take its price into consideration too, this vacuum cleaner is truly a bargain. Long-term costs would also be minimal – although it comes with a dustbag, this is optional and you would probably never need to use it if you keep the filter clean. It’s perfect for multi-surface cleaning, with hydro-mopping pulling in dirt, debris, and wet messes on everything from hardwood to tile while still utilizing Shark’s strong suction capability. You won’t have to worry about smells as you clean, either, since the antimicrobial brushroll helps prevent odors and bacteria on the brushroll, and a multi-surface concentrate neutralizes and prevents odors coming from whatever it slurps up. The maneuverability of this model was quite good, and the small related maintenance tasks, like emptying the water reservoir and cleaning the brush were simple, too. We did encounter some egg shell debris lodged behind the roller brush, but it was easy to wipe away with a rag. Speaking of the brush, we appreciated the drying feature.

The Henry brand of vacuum cleaners must be the most recognisable in the world. The friendly face of George, their wet and dry vacuum, hides a powerful motor and unbeatable working reach. Cleva are known for their range of quality vacuum cleaners and outdoor power equipment. They know a thing or two about making the best wet and dry vacuum as well. The Vacmaster Multi 20 is a capable vacuum system that is ideal for a workshop thanks to its PTO system. The Hoover HL5 Pet is a vacuum cleaner with anti-twist technology, making it ideal for cleaning up after your furry friend. Another feature we appreciated was the self-cleaning process. We utilized it in between each test, and it really seemed to make a difference, in a good way, for how the machine performed overall. The squeegee strip on the vacuum was still visibly messy after the self-cleaning mechanism, and a separate wipe with a wash cloth was necessary. This felt like a minor concession for an otherwise impressive machine though, and we still heartily recommend it. Real-world tests showed that this cleaner was excellent: perfect cleaning to the edges, clean sweeps on carpet and hard floors and pet hair removed with no issue.

The power cord is 6m long which is OK and the hose is 1.5m which is on the shorter side but still enough for a general room by room clean when used with the floor brush head. The filter needs to be removed before you do any wet vacuuming, otherwise, the filter will just clog, if it does get wet it’s easy to remove and you just soak it in warm water to clean it and leave it to dry. The Bissell CrossWave has been known to be one of the first mainstream wet-dry vacuums, and to date, it’s still one of the best available. The 3515 model, a recent release, topped the charts during our recent lab testing, impressing us with its performance, versatility, and overall ease of use—we even included it on our list of the best vacuum cleaners. Since pets come with dander, dust mites and bacteria, the washable HEPA filter is a welcome addition. It traps 99.7% of allergens in the cylinder and out of the air.

For the really excessively stubborn stuff, like bubblegum or dried glue, that’ll still require old-school elbow grease. But for the majority of messes, these wet/dry vacuum options really clean up. The dry capacity is a reliable 15 litres, and you get a respectable 9 litres wet capacity too. It’s all powered by a capable 1,060 Watt motor and kept clean with one of Henry’s HepaFlo filter bags. The suction hose is a generous 2.4m, so you can reach the ceiling when necessary. Clean filters after every use. The owner’s manual will give you specific directions for your model. Keeping your filters clean will keep fine dust away from the motor extending the life of your vacuum considerably. It probably comes as no surprise that Charles would get a top place in a “Best of” vacuum review, but how many expected it to be a wet-dry vacuum?As is the case with other wet and dry vacuums, to switch from wet to dry or vice versa means opening up the unit and switching the filters. Open the top of the bin and the central filter pulls out for easy cleaning. Plus, there’s a secondary filter on the underside of the bin that can be removed and washed. I found the Vacmaster Respira easy to manoeuvre, but the presence of the bin meant that often I couldn’t get the floor head underneath all furniture. The advantage of a rival cleaner, such as theShark NZ850UKT, is that its Lift-Away mode lets remove the main cylinder and push just the wand and floor head around. Weight

Shark is best known for its upright and cordless models, but with the Shark Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner CZ500UKT the company debuted its first cylinder cleaner. This model has many of the features that we’ve come to know and love from Shark cleaner, only in a different form factor. Its excellent cleaning on all surfaces and brilliant design make it our favourite cylinder cleaner. This vacuum cleaner has Lift-Away mode, where the central cylinder lifts out. This makes it easier to get the wand and floor head under sofas and the like, plus it makes this a more nimble vacuum cleaner, whether you’re cleaning your car or just getting into a hard-to-reach place in your home.

H12

What makes this one of the best vacuum cleaners for the workshop is the working reach. When you stretch out the power cable, hose, and extension tubes, you can reach a massive 26.8m! You won’t need to drag out an extension cord any time soon. Hard floor cleaners are a brilliant way to keep hard floors looking their best, and now Dyson has joined the party with the Dyson V15S Detect Submarine. Based on the Dyson V15 Detect, rather than the brand-new Gen5Detect, this new vacuum cleaner has the new Submarine wet roller head. We report on all our specs and test data at the bottom of this list. This is to supplement our advice and to help you make an informed decision. Here are some key points to consider: For accessories, it is very basic. A floor head, a crevice tool and the hose. You may want to add a brush tool or another floor head for use on a carpet. Though the extension tubes are longer than most so you have a large cleaning radius.

You can use it as bagged or unbagged when you’re dealing with dry dust, I prefer using a bag as it stops any leftover liquid from the wet vacuuming from turning it all into a paste that’s hard to clean up. Plus it’s hard to turn upside down over the bin. A great feature of many wet and dry vacuums is their ability to be used in conjunction with power tools. This lets you maintain a dust-free workshop and protects your workspace and lungs from the dust. Bagged or BaglessYou couldn’t ask for better functionality from a wet and dry vacuum cleaner than what you get from the Karcher WD5. At only 7.1 kg, this Henry hoover is lighter than most upright vacuums and even some cylinder vacuums. It is very manoeuvrable, as most dry vacs are, by way of castor wheels. Unless you are seriously deep pile rug, then the Charles glides over most surfaces. Air that flows through the filter and out of the vacuum is usually cleaner than many domestic vacuums permit since the dirt and dust get absorbed by the water. After a thorough cleaning of a workshop, the air may actually be cleaner than in your home! The difficulty pushing this cleaner on everyday surfaces mean that it’s not the ideal everyday cleaner: instead, this level of power is best directed at DIY debris, from sawdust to wet plaster mess. This is a great addition to any household, as a DIY or workshop vacuum cleaner, able to cope with those dirty jobs that a regular vacuum can’t touch. Weight We've tested over 200 vacuums in the lab and in home settings. Our recent round of wet-dry vacuum testing took the experience and expertise we've gained, and applied it to this specific category. We considered each vacuum's setup, its ease of use and overall effectiveness, its maneuverability, and the process required to empty and clean it after usage.