Hand-held vs. Upright vs. Canister Shop Vacs

If you are looking for a new shop vac, but aren’t sure which one is right for you, then you’re at the right place. In this buying guide, you are going to learn all about hand-held, upright, and canister shop vacs. That way, you can determine which one is right for your needs!

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What Is A Hand-Held Shop Vac?

A hand-held shop vac is a shop vac that can be held in your hand. If you compare a standard shop vac to that of a hand-held shop vac, the main thing you will notice is that the hand-held shop vac is significantly smaller.

While the small size can be advantageous – for one thing, it allows for greater mobility – it can also lead to a few notable disadvantages. One of the most notable disadvantages comes from the fact that hand-held shop vacs offer less power than a standard shop vac.

This makes it more difficult for you to remove especially large and difficult messes. The other disadvantage comes from the fact that hand-held shop vacs can’t hold as much material as larger shop vacs.

Handheld Shopvac Comparison

Workshop	WS0255VA	WS0301VA
Voltage	120V	120V
Air Watts	60 Watts	164 watts
Airflow Volume	22.7 CFM	60 CFM
Amperage	4 amps	7.0 amps
Blower	N/A	N/A
Capacity	2.5 gal	3 gal
Decibel Rating	N/A	79 dB
Filter Type	Standard Cartridge Filter	Standard Cartridge Filter
Price	Check Price	Check Price

Regardless of those two disadvantages, hand-held shop vacs also offer several distinct advantages. One of the most distinct advantages is that of being able to vacuum in tight spaces that other shop vacs can’t vacuum in. Another is the fact that hand-held shop vacs are extremely to use, allowing you to vacuum and clean with ease.

Hand-Held Shop Vac | Recommended

What Is An Upright Shop Vac

Just as an upright vacuum is a tall vacuum that stands upright, an upright shop vac is a tall vacuum that stands upright. But, the main difference between an upright shop vac and a standard upright vacuum is the fact that a standard upright vacuum can not remove wet material.

Making use of an upright shop vac is incredibly easy, since all you need to do is push it across your floors. By doing that, you will be able to remove the dirt, dust, and debris that’s in your path. If there is water and spills along that floor, then you can remove the liquid from those spills easily.

Upright Vacuum Comparison

Eureka	NEU182B	NEU181	NEU188A	NEU202
Weight	10 lbs	10 lbs	11.8 lbs	12.3 lbs
Dust Cup Capacity	4.1 L	4.1 L	4.1 L	3.8 L
Cord Length	25 ft.	25 ft.	25 ft.	25 ft.
Above Floor Cleaning Reach’	7 ft.	7 ft.	8 ft.	10 ft.
Cleaning Path	12.6”	12.6”	12.6”	12.6”
Pet Turbo Brush	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
LED Lights & Clear Brush roll Window	N/A	N/A	Yes	Yes
Automatic Cord Rewind	N/A	N/A	N/A	Yes
Accessories	Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool	Pet Turbo Brush, Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool	Telescopic Flexible Crevice Toolm, 2-in-1 Upholstery Tool, Pet Turbo Brush	Pet Turbo Brush, Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool
Why Buy	Lightweight, extra-large dust cup, quick release handle for above floor cleaning	Lightweight, extra-large dust cup, quick release handle for above floor cleaning, solid metal handle, pet tool	LED headlights for a better view under furniture, perfect for pet lovers.	Automatic cord rewind, pet tool, LED headlights, transparent brushroll view
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

For especially large messes – minor floods, for example – upright shop vacs can be a little more difficult to use. Most of this comes from the fact that the design of upright shop vacs makes it a challenge for them to gather up especially large amounts of material at one time.

But, with that being said, most upright shop vacs have a separate nozzle that you can use for that type of vacuuming. It is not as effective as that of a standard shop vac, though.

Upright Shop Vac | Recommended

What Is A Canister Shop Vac?

A canister shop vac is a canister vacuum that offers wet/dry vacuuming capabilities. If you go to a store, or online, you will find that most shop vacs appear to be canister shop vacs, due to their canister shape. The reason for this is quite simple: canister shop vacs offer mobility and efficiency for a very low price.

While you are using a canister shop vac, you can simply push the canister across the spaces that you are cleaning with your foot. These are relatively small and relatively light machines that are easy to navigate. Since each one is a canister, they can hold plenty of material. If you are removing especially large messes, this is extremely useful and makes it so much easier for you to get rid of large pools of water and other such things.

Canister ShopVac Comparison

Vacmaster	VF4081101	VOC507PF	VOC809PF
Peak Horse Power	5 Peak HP	3 Peak HP	4 Peak HP
Tank Size	4 Gallon	5 Gallon	8 Gallon
Cord Length	15 ft	8 ft	10 ft
Nozzle Width	1-1/4"	1-1/4"	1-1/2"
Box Contents	Caster Assemblies, Cartridge Filter, Foam Wet Filter,HEPA Filter,Hose Storage Brackets, 7 ft. x 1-1/4 in. Secure Fit Hose, Extension Wands, 2-in-1 Utility Nozzle, Car Nozzle,Turbo Nozzle,Floor Nozzle, Operator’s Manual	3*Extension wands,1*Floor nozzle, 1* Utility nozzle, 1*Resuable cloth filter, 1*Foam wet filter, 1*Hose(6 feet)	1*Vacuum Cleaner, 2*Extension wands,1*Floor nozzle, 1* Utility nozzle, 1*Standard filter, 1*Foam wet filter, 1*Hose(7 feet)
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Just about every canister shop vac is exceptionally powerful and offers a tremendous amount of suction power. By having access to this suction power, the vacuuming process is so much easier than it is with other shop vacs. Along with that, canister shop vacs are quite durable, so they can withstand plenty of wear-and-tear, while also being able to vacuum up things like screws, nuts, and bolts.

Since canister shop vacs are the most affordable and, generally speaking, most effective, most people buy them. But, they offer less mobility than hand-held shop vacs, and they aren’t nearly as good at cleaning regular floors and homes as an upright shop vac.

Canister Shop Vac | Recommended

Conclusion: Which One Should You Purchase?

In the end, each one of the shop vacs we’ve looked at is good in its own way. If you are looking for mobility, go with a hand-held shop vac. If you want to clean your home with ease, while also being able to remove wet material, go with an upright shop vac. If you just want a powerful and effective shop vac, then a canister shop vac is the best choice.

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Last update on 2023-06-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API