8 best shop vacs for heavy-duty messes
Whether you're dealing with a flooded basement, post-reno dust, or just your average garage chaos, a good shop vac is a game-changer. Built for heavy-duty messes that would destroy your regular vacuum, these powerful machines don't mess around. But not all shop vacs are created equal—some are built for power, others for portability, and a few manage to do it all. Not sure where to start? From wet/dry vacs to compact clean-up kings, we've rounded up the best shop vacs to get the job done fast.
DEWALT 9-Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac
With serious suction power and a 9-gallon tank, this beast can tackle everything from drywall dust to dirty water. Bonus: it comes with a built-in blower and ultra-durable hose. $151.16 on Amazon
Story continues below advertisement
Shop-Vac 5-Gallon Stainless Steel Wet/Dry Vacuum
Classic, compact, and ready for anything. This 5-gallon stainless steel pick is perfect for everyday jobs around the house, garage, or workshop. $196.64 on Amazon
RIDGID 12-Gallon NXT Wet/Dry Vac
Big jobs? No problem. This heavy-duty model boasts a powerful 5.0 peak HP motor and includes a full set of pro-grade accessories. It even doubles as a leaf blower. $262.65 on Amazon
CRAFTSMAN 2.5-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
Small but mighty! This portable shop vac is great for quick cleanups in the car, tight spaces, or anywhere you don't want to lug a tank around. Don't underestimate it. $118.34 on Amazon
Story continues below advertisement
Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum
Specifically made for vehicle detailing, this compact vac has all the right attachments to clean every crevice of your car. Wet spills, dry dirt, floor mats—it's got you. $59.99 on Amazon
More Recommendations
8 best giant versions of classic games to level up your summer
BISSELL Garage Pro Wall-Mounted Wet/Dry Vac
Running out of floor space? This wall-mounted model keeps things off the ground while offering strong suction and a 32-foot hose. Ideal for garages or dedicated workspaces. $279 on Amazon
Stanley 10-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
A fan-favourite for a reason, this versatile vac handles big cleanups with ease, and the rear blower port adds to its functionality. It's your workshop's new MVP. $188.99 on Amazon (was $198)
Story continues below advertisement
Vacmaster Professional Beast Series 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
If you want raw power, look no further. This monster can handle the nastiest shop messes with ease—and the included accessories make it surprisingly user-friendly. $351 on Amazon
You may also like:
3M WorkTunes Hearing Protection with Bluetooth – $78.96
For Milwaukee 48-22-8427 Fits PACKOUT Rolling Tool Box – $287.31
Kobalt XTR 24-Volt Max 1/2-in Brushless Cordless Drill – $92.00
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Globe and Mail
Time to buy a shiny new car? Used vehicle prices are rising
Canadians shopping for a brand new car may be surprised that prices have dropped compared with a year ago, while those looking for used vehicles could pay thousands of dollars more than last summer, according to a new report. That said, prices are expected to jump for both vehicle types in the second half of the year, says the AutoTrader report released last week. Used vehicle prices jumped 3.6 per cent year-over-year in June, hovering at an average of $37,664, the report shows. That's compared with a 12-per-cent dip in the used car market throughout 2024. On the other hand, new vehicle prices dipped about 3.5 per cent year-over-year in June, to $64,445. Amazon wants to sell you cars online. Here's what it could mean for shoppers and auto sellers in Canada 'It's not what we expected to see,' said Baris Akyurek, vice-president of insights and intelligence at AutoTrader, about both used and new cars. 'Usually, [used car] prices start on the higher side, and come down throughout the year,' he added, while new car prices usually go up slightly, commensurate with inflation. But that trend reversed in March as a result of fears of American tariff igniting Canadian demand and exacerbating inventory shortages in used vehicles, though demand is catching up in the new car market as well. The inventory of used cars has slumped 16.8 per cent year-over-year because of surging demand and a persisting supply gap created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2020 and 2023, approximately 1.5 million fewer new cars were sold in Canada owing to production disruptions, Mr. Akyurek said. The decline in new car sales meant that fewer vehicles trickled down into the used car supply, and that is now showing up as a lingering inventory shortage. In contrast, new car inventory was high at the start of 2025, with about 87 days of supply available, significantly above the industry norm of 60, Mr. Akyurek said. This surplus was the result of production finally catching up post-COVID, combined with slightly softer demand earlier in the winter. 'Then obviously Trump comes to power, and these tariff conversations come about,' he said. 'Everybody was talking about doom and gloom scenarios, like 'Oh, within a week, there won't be any cars produced … that scared consumers off.' In a February AutoTrader survey, 47 per cent of respondents said tariffs would impact their purchases, and 31 per cent said they would switch from new to used vehicles. With shoppers fearing higher prices for any cars, many rushed toward the used market, where prices were generally cheaper but inventory was already constrained. 'New vehicles prices are decreasing as older inventory is being sold first in expectation that newer inventory will be impacted by tariffs,' said Daniel Ross, senior manager of industry insights and residual value strategy at Canadian Black Book. Buying a used car is harder than it used to be and it's likely to get worse At the same time, demand for both types of vehicles has been steadily eroding the higher inventory cushion in the new vehicle market. New vehicle inventory has now fallen 12 per cent year-over-year in June, according to AutoTrader. Regionally, Ontario stands out as the only province where used car prices declined slightly in June. 'That might be related to the inventory composition, might be related to where the demand is and the cars that are available in Ontario,' Mr. Akyurek said. Used vehicle prices in Canada have already risen for four consecutive months and now sit above 2024 levels, setting the stage for continued price increases through the second half of 2025 if demand continues. AutoTrader data also showed that prices for both new and used electric vehicles have been falling across the board, with demand slumping as governments cut incentives for zero-emission vehicles. ZEV sales dipped 45 per cent in March and close to 30 per cent in April. For car shoppers, Mr. Ross said it's a better time to buy a new vehicle, as financing incentives are attractive and certain brands are eager to reduce inventory. Average new car interest rates now hover around 5.4 per cent, down from 6.6 per cent in June, 2024, Mr. Akyurek said. However, it's not a great time for a used car purchase, Mr. Ross said: 'Prices have already gone up, and we could see them start to fall in the last quarter of the year.'
Globe and Mail
06-08-2025
- Globe and Mail
Amazon wants to sell you cars online. Here's what it could mean for shoppers and auto sellers in Canada
Shoppers might soon be able to buy their next set of wheels from the same place they shop for toasters, toys and soap refills as 'the everything store' expands its auto marketplace – a move that could benefit consumers and threaten the existing auto marketplace. Amazon Autos, which launched last December allowing U.S. customers in select regions to purchase new Hyundai HYMTF vehicles, announced Monday it is expanding to include a variety of used and certified preowned vehicles, starting in Los Angeles and then rolling out across the United States within months. Inc. AMZN-Q told The Globe and Mail the company plans to roll out the program internationally in the future, but it declined to provide a timeline. Should Amazon Autos expand into the Canadian market, the move could be a boon for consumers, at least in the short term, by encouraging more competitive pricing and increased transparency while making it harder to sell at exorbitant prices, said Daniel Ross, senior manager of industry insights and residual value strategy at Canadian Black Book. But it would also have disruptive effects in the online vehicle marketplace, benefiting sellers that are willing to work with the retail giant while posing a threat to competing online auto marketplace platforms as well as resellers, and potentially wielding significant influence over consumer behaviour. 'As with any other product Amazon would sell, you would have the capacity [for] just the right size and the volume to probably add a lot of risk to those marketplaces that exist today, whether that's Kijiji in the U.S. or in Canada or AutoTrader in Canada,' said Mr. Ross. 'I think it really makes for a very competitive environment.' Amazon's cloud computing results fail to impress, shares drop in after-market trading AutoTrader and Kijiji did not respond to a request for comment by the deadline. Dan Park, chief executive officer of Clutch Technologies Inc., a major Canadian online car reseller, said he sees Amazon's entry into the space as validation of the shift in consumer expectations. 'Amazon's move into car retail reinforces what we've believed at Clutch since day one: The future of car buying is online,' he said. But he noted a key difference between Clutch and Amazon Autos: While the tech giant still relies on traditional dealerships, Clutch isn't a marketplace. 'We own every car in our inventory,' Mr. Park said. Participating dealerships list new, used and certified preowned vehicles on the Amazon Autos storefront. Customers have the option to filter results while seeing full itemized costs, warranties and vehicle history reports, according to an Aug. 4 news release. The information is standardized and there's no negotiation – what you see is what you pay. Only Hyundai dealers are currently onboarded to the platform, but those dealers can now list used vehicles from any manufacturer – not just Hyundai Motor Co. – and Amazon plans to expand to non-Hyundai dealers soon. Buyers select and purchase their vehicle through Amazon, then pick it up from a dealership. Customers can test drive a car or return it within three days or 300 miles, according to the release. Amazon Autos is currently available in more than 130 U.S. cities for new vehicle sales, while used and certified preowned vehicles are available to customers in Los Angeles. The company plans to expand to cities from coast to coast by the end of the year. Amazon to buy Bee, a San Francisco-based startup focused on AI wearables In the long term, the consequences for other individual dealerships depend on their openness to digital adoption and desire to have their vehicles listed on Amazon, Mr. Ross said. 'Cost competitiveness might decrease some of their profit margin, but if they want to develop a more volume-oriented business, this will lend to that and benefit them.' For some dealers, Amazon could become another avenue for digital retailing. 'It opens the market that much more … it gives them a much larger pool,' said Mr. Ross. 'But it also adds the opportunity for that competitiveness to drop down certain vehicle prices that might be a little bit exorbitant.' While Amazon's service could offer a convenient experience for car shoppers, Mr. Ross warned that the responsibility to ensure that nothing goes wrong may shift more to the consumer rather than dealers and resellers. 'There's a process that's going to be attached to a much greater volume of vehicles,' he said. 'You might have more of an obligation to make sure you've read everything.' If Amazon continues to become a larger player in the auto space, its algorithms could also influence consumer behaviour, such as whether they drive a hybrid or electric vehicle. 'If Amazon says, 'We are proponents for zero-emission vehicles,' or 'We love smaller cars rather than bigger cars,' there could be opportunities to change the consumer buying habit just by what's available on an Amazon marketplace, and their pricing algorithms,' said Mr. Ross.
Global News
22-07-2025
- Global News
8 best shop vacs for heavy-duty messes
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Whether you're dealing with a flooded basement, post-reno dust, or just your average garage chaos, a good shop vac is a game-changer. Built for heavy-duty messes that would destroy your regular vacuum, these powerful machines don't mess around. But not all shop vacs are created equal—some are built for power, others for portability, and a few manage to do it all. Not sure where to start? From wet/dry vacs to compact clean-up kings, we've rounded up the best shop vacs to get the job done fast. DEWALT 9-Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac With serious suction power and a 9-gallon tank, this beast can tackle everything from drywall dust to dirty water. Bonus: it comes with a built-in blower and ultra-durable hose. $151.16 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Shop-Vac 5-Gallon Stainless Steel Wet/Dry Vacuum Classic, compact, and ready for anything. This 5-gallon stainless steel pick is perfect for everyday jobs around the house, garage, or workshop. $196.64 on Amazon RIDGID 12-Gallon NXT Wet/Dry Vac Big jobs? No problem. This heavy-duty model boasts a powerful 5.0 peak HP motor and includes a full set of pro-grade accessories. It even doubles as a leaf blower. $262.65 on Amazon CRAFTSMAN 2.5-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac Small but mighty! This portable shop vac is great for quick cleanups in the car, tight spaces, or anywhere you don't want to lug a tank around. Don't underestimate it. $118.34 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum Specifically made for vehicle detailing, this compact vac has all the right attachments to clean every crevice of your car. Wet spills, dry dirt, floor mats—it's got you. $59.99 on Amazon More Recommendations 8 best giant versions of classic games to level up your summer BISSELL Garage Pro Wall-Mounted Wet/Dry Vac Running out of floor space? This wall-mounted model keeps things off the ground while offering strong suction and a 32-foot hose. Ideal for garages or dedicated workspaces. $279 on Amazon Stanley 10-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac A fan-favourite for a reason, this versatile vac handles big cleanups with ease, and the rear blower port adds to its functionality. It's your workshop's new MVP. $188.99 on Amazon (was $198) Story continues below advertisement Vacmaster Professional Beast Series 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac If you want raw power, look no further. This monster can handle the nastiest shop messes with ease—and the included accessories make it surprisingly user-friendly. $351 on Amazon You may also like: 3M WorkTunes Hearing Protection with Bluetooth – $78.96 For Milwaukee 48-22-8427 Fits PACKOUT Rolling Tool Box – $287.31 Kobalt XTR 24-Volt Max 1/2-in Brushless Cordless Drill – $92.00
