8 Best Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaners of 2024

When searching for a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, people are often drawn to Cleva’s award-winning product range. The Vacmaster Power 30 PTO Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner is one of the brand’s bestsellers, and it’s very easy to see why!

For starters, it boasts a number of clever design features. Besides the ability to tackle both wet and dry surfaces, this vacuum cleaner comes with a PTO socket, a blower function, and a handy drainage plug. Its 30-litre stainless steel tank makes it suitable for heavy-duty use and the variety of accessories/attachments that it comes with gives it a huge amount of versatility.

I put this versatility to the test as much as possible, using the vacuum cleaner for carpets, sawdust, larger bits of rubble, liquids, and even leaves. It handled it all like a pro – it’s not often that I review a product that performs as perfectly as it claims to, but I really couldn’t find any faults with this one! The PTO works brilliantly too, and the blower function outshines even some of the dedicated leaf blowers that I’ve used in the past.

This is largely due to its 1500W motor coupled with 230 AW of suction power – there was nothing that this vacuum cleaner couldn’t lift! In fact, with lighter material, such as sawdust, you can even hold the nozzle a few inches away and it still has an amazing pull.

At 8.2kg, it’s heavier than some of the other wet and dry vacuum cleaners out there, but its large casters mean that it’s still easy to manoeuvre, even over rough and uneven ground. Cleva has ensured that this product is as simple to use as possible- everything can be done quickly and effortlessly, from swapping filters to changing attachments to emptying the tank.

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 may be designed for workshop use, but the impressive versatility offered by the Vacmaster Power 30 PTO Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner makes it suitable for so many different situations. Its thoughtful design features and powerful suction set it above and beyond much of its competition. I’ve worked with several wet and dry vacuum cleaners over the years, both domestic and commercial models, but this one is, by far, the best I’ve ever used.

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.

This vacuum cleaner can do it all. You can shampoo carpets, wash hard floors, suck up liquids and even unblock a sink. One of the things I like the most about this kit is the number of accessories you get. Extension pipes, spray nozzles, different heads for upholstery and carpets makes this a seriously versatile vacuum to own.

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.

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.

This is a premium vacuum cleaner kit that’s capable of tackling any mess you can throw at it. It’s not a cheap solution, but it’s probably the last vacuum cleaner you’ll ever need.

Well regarded for their brilliant pressure washers, German cleaning experts Kärcher have been wiping the floor with the competition since 1935. The excellent WD5 is an industry standard wet and dry vacuum that can tackle the grimiest jobs without breaking a sweat.

Boasting a powerful 1,100 Watt motor that creates 240 Air Watts (AW) and spacious 25 litre tank capacity, this vacuum can suck up anything. From light dust to rubble as well as liquids and even sludge, it’s a formidable bit of kit. It’s ideal for using in the garage or workshop, or wherever you need to clean something up. It can even unblock sinks!

It uses a pleated filter, like one you’d find in a car, that can be easily cleaned and washed. Compared to some budget filters that need to be replaced, it’s a clever and economical system. You can use the vacuum itself to clean the filter with a press of a button. It’s a pleasant, hands-free way to clean.

The kit includes a 2.2m suction hose, 2 suction tubes, a wet/dry floor tool and a crevice tool. It’s great because you can use it with or without a bag. Although it doesn’t come with a carpet vacuuming attachment, if you get one you won’t need a separate indoor and outdoor vacuum.

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.

Looks-wise it’s not a million miles away from the Henry type of vacuum cleaner. There are four chunky castors, and they’re big enough to not get stuck on power cords or little steps. You get a few accessories to play around with, and a solid feeling floor attachment with stiff brushes and a rubber squeegee for liquids as well.

With a whopping 1,250 Watt motor that cranks out 200 AW, this compact vacuum cleaner feels like it’ll do the business. The 20 litre tank is easily stored under a workbench and can be used bagged or bagless, which is a nice touch. You can switch between a cartridge filter for dry dirt and a foam filter for wet sludge for extra hygiene if you need it.

What makes this the best wet and dry vacuum for your workshop is the power throw off, or PTO system. If you’ve ever hooked up a dust collection system to a power tool, you know how annoying it can be. Switching it off and on to work with your tool is a pain, but not with this clever bit of kit. Simply plug your sander or saw into the onboard 1,740 Watt plug, and when you switch on, the vacuum does too! I love it.

If you’re looking for a wet and dry vacuum cleaner from one of the best names in the tool world, here’s the Bosch UniversalVac 15. It makes up part of Bosch’s “green” line of quality DIY tools, and the hose will fit almost any Bosch power tool you already have.

The 1,000 Watt motor might be smaller than the big 1,250 Watt beasts on my list, but it’s certainly powerful. With an incredible suction power of 250 AW it blows, or sucks, the competition out of the water. Not bad for a slimline and compact vacuum system.

The cannister capacity is 15 litres, which should be enough for most jobs. It’s not the biggest capacity but it’s not the smallest either! It comes with a few handy accessories that are of a decent quality plastic. They all stow away in their own place on the vacuum system as well, which is nice.

You can choose whether you want to use a bag or run the vacuum bagless. The only gripe I have is that Bosch make a big deal about connecting it to your power tools. However, this model doesn’t have a PTO function. You’re stuck switching it on and off all the time with your power tools.

Manchester-based VonHaus are one of the better budget tool brands out there. Their take on the best wet and dry vacuum is the enormous 30 litre bagless 3 in 1 system. It’s a serious bit of kit.

Making the use of a large 1,250 Watt motor, this vacuum cleaner creates up to 160 AW. It’s not quite as efficient as some of the vacuum systems on my list. The real advantage comes from the huge 30 litre tank capacity. That’s 50% larger than the Henry George! You won’t need to empty the cannister too often.

I’m always a fan of bagless vacuum systems for use in a workshop or garage. It doesn’t mean there’s no filtration though. It comes supplied with a large HEPA filter and sponge filter for wet or dry work.  There’s an excellent 6m power cable included, so it should reach most of the spots you need it to.

It’s not the most robust and heavy duty vacuum cleaner on my list, but for the price it’s got a whole lot of power.

Danish cleaning experts Nilfisk have more than 110 years of experience making the best wet and dry vacuum cleaners. I got hold of their 12 litre Buddy II vacuum cleaner and think it’s one of the best budget options available right now.

For the money you get a powerful but compact little wet and dry vacuum cleaner that seriously punches above its weight. The huge 1,200 Watt motor puts out a class leading 250 AW. That’s more than the premium Kärcher WD5 in a much smaller package.

It’s lightweight and easy to carry around thanks to the solid handle on the top. I like the big rear wheels as well; it makes it more capable at crossing obstacles than the all-castor machines. In fact, it’s the lightest corded vacuum cleaner on my list at just 4.4kg.

You don’t get many accessories, just a floor nozzle and crevice nozzle, and they don’t feel like the best quality. The only other thing that lets the Buddy II down is the small tank size. If you’re planning on doing a lot of wet vacuuming, then be prepared to empty the cannister often.

One of the most trusted names in tools, Makita, have an unbeatable range of handy vacuum cleaners too. Their DCV750LZ 18V cordless wet and dry vacuum cleaner is ideal for site use and “off grid” cleaning jobs.

This is a different beast altogether compared with the high capacity wet and dry vacuum cleaners on the rest of my list. This is much more suited to being thrown in a van and taken with you, or when you can’t rely on mains power. It takes one of Makita’s excellent LXT batteries for wet and dry vacuuming wherever you need it.

It’s compact and makes use of clever design to stow away all the accessories. The hose might look short, but it can stretch out to over 1 metre. I like the little battery charge display on the side of the unit, just press it and you can see how much juice is left.

It’s light enough to carry around with the dedicated handle on top, but there are no castors to help it roll. The included HEPA filter looks like it’s sturdy and made to last a long time. Just make sure to take it out before wet vacuuming jobs.

If you need to go off grid, and you already own some Makita LXT batteries, this is a hard machine to beat. It’s a bit expensive if you need to purchase batteries and a charger as well. This is a “naked” tool after all.