A wall mount shop vac is an important cleaning tool that every homeowner, hobbyist, and handyman should own.
A wall mounted shop vac can collect dust, debris, and dirt from the ground and from automobiles, and are essential tools for keeping places clean. But, not all vacuums accomplish the same goals.
Each type of vacuum has different functions that are helpful in some circumstances and not in others. In order to know which vacuum is going to be the most helpful for you, first you need to understand the different types of wall mount shop vac and what they can help you accomplish.
Wall Mount Shop Vac
A shop vac is the most powerful type of vacuum that you can use, including a wall mount shop vac. It has a high-powered motor for collecting debris and is often used in industrial settings, like automotive industries, but is often used by homeowners too.
It can pick up large chunks of material. While most shop vacs have floor canisters, there are wall mounted shop vac options as well. A wall mount shop vac takes up less space and makes it easier to store the vacuum after use. Some shop vacs are considered “wall mount wet dry vac” because they can also collect wet material.
Features: Tough hoses and large canisters for picking up heavier materials. Wall mount shop vacs can have powerful engines to pick up heavy materials without taking up too much space, and a wall mount wet dry vac can collect spilled liquid like oils or fluids from automobiles. They are able to clean large areas with ease.
Pros:
- High-powered motor for heavy-duty cleaning
- Useful for picking up materials like metal, wood, or debris
- Can be used in a large area
- Hard to clog and store a large amount of debris
Cons:
- Very loud
- Bulky and hard to maneuver (unless using a wall mount shop vac)
- Doesn’t come with attachments for cleaning different surfaces
- Not good for carpets
If you’re on a bit of a budget but still want a quality wall mounted shop vac, check out the Vacmaster VWM510 wall mount wet dry vac below.
If you are willing to spend a bit more than above to get a better vacuum, check out the BISSELL Garage Pro wall mount wet dry vac below.
Upright Vacuum
The upright vacuum is the most common type of vacuum you will see and is often referred to as a classic or traditional vacuum.
It consists of a single piece of equipment with an attached canister for holding collected debris, and sometimes a hose attachment that can be used to get into different areas that the main body of the vacuum can’t reach.
Features: Upright vacuums are easy to find and are commonly sold in stores (or online) for affordable prices. They are also built to be versatile and clean a wide variety of surfaces, from hardwood to carpets to fabric and upholstery. They are easy to move around and effectively clean an area.
Pros:
- Stores easily and stands on its own
- Cleans a wide variety of surfaces
- Single piece of equipment without detached canisters or parts
- Different attachments for cleaning
Cons:
- Can be heavy
- Loud and noisy
- Have a cord attachment which can get tangled or in the way
- Not able to reach corners or other hard-to-access places
If you’re on a bit of a budget, one of the best upright vacuums you can buy is the BISSELL 2252 CleanView below.
Handheld Vacuums
A handheld vacuum is a small vacuum that, as the name suggests, is held in the hand rather than having a large body on the floor. A handheld vacuum is a great tool for getting into hard-to-reach places, like under seats in a car or behind desks in an office. It can also be used to clean fabric surfaces like cushions or car seats.
Features: Best for cleaning debris like hair, crumbs, or dirt, easily maneuverable for corners and other places that are hard to reach with a larger piece of equipment. Quiet and discrete for quick cleaning.
Pros:
- Great for nooks and crannies that a large vacuum can’t reach
- Can be kept in a car or office
- Cordless for easy maneuverability
- Good for quick messes and fast cleanups
Cons:
- Not very powerful compared to other types of vacuums
- Can’t clean large areas efficiently
- Not a lot of storage area for collecting dirt
- Needs to be emptied frequently
- Not a good option for wet messes
Canister Vacuum
A canister vacuum, like a shop vac, comes with a separate canister holding area for the collected dirt and dust. This allows the vacuum to have stronger engines and more power than a traditional upright vacuum.
There is also less risk of the wand of the vacuum getting clogged from being overfull, which can help you get better suction and airflow while cleaning.
Features: Best for carpet, hard floors, and fabrics. It can pick up large particles for bigger messes and the canister will often have wheels to help move the vacuum around easily and collect more dirt. It will often have a detachable option as well for the canister for easier disposal.
Pros:
- One of the more powerful options
- Different tools and attachments for different types of cleaning
- Works on a wide variety of surfaces
- Wand is easy to move around and clean with
Cons:
- Canister can be bulky and hard to move
- Not pre-assembled, so it takes time to put together
- Canister can be heavy, making it hard to use for multi-floor cleaning or stairs
- Need a large amount of storage space for canister
Our favorite canister vacuum, if you are on a budget, is the eureka WhirldWind Bagless Canister Vacuum below.
If you’re willing to spend more money than the above vacuum, our top pick is the Kenmore BC3005 below.
Backpack Vacuums
Backpack vacuums have a canister attachment that straps to the back along with a hose that is held in the hand. These vacuums are great to use when you are cleaning large areas that require a lot of movement. They can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Features: The attachable back part of the vacuum makes it a great option for moving around and can be used in areas where it is hard to attach cords or move a large piece of equipment around on the floor.
Pros:
- Good options for people with back problems
- Can pick up dirt from indoors and outdoors
- Lightweight wand attachment
- Not as noisy as other vacuums
Cons:
- Straps can be hard to adjust to fit individuals
- Storage bags might not hold much debris
- Engines aren’t as powerful as floor vacuums
- Can be heavy to wear for long periods of time
For homeowners and non-commercial use, we like the Atrix Backpack Vacuum below.
If you’re looking for a more heavy-duty, commercial-level vacuum, our favorite is the Hoover model below.
If you’re also looking for a jump starter, read our in-depth review of the best jump starters.
