Battery-powered wet/dry vacuums across DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Makita, Bosch and Craftsman — from compact project vacs to a full-size 6-gallon rolling unit. Pick the battery platform you already own, then size the tank to the mess.
Last updated: September 2026
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How we sized them up
This is a spec-led shortlist built from published specs and retailer listings. We compared tank capacity, battery platform, airflow (CFM), water lift, hose length, filter type, blower port, weight and typical retail price. Every pick here handles both wet and dry debris, and most are sold as bare tools — the battery and charger are extra unless stated otherwise.
The quick cut
Start with the battery platform you already own, then check the tank size and hose. Tap any pick to jump straight to the full breakdown.
Who it’s forThis is the safest first pick for anyone already invested in M18 batteries. The 2-gallon toolbox-style body carries like a lunchbox, stores neatly and has a 6-foot hose that reaches around a car interior or a workbench. With roughly 4.7 stars from more than 1,000 Amazon ratings and a street price around $148, it combines strong owner feedback with an affordable entry into cordless cleanup.
DeWalt 20V MAX Corded/Cordless Wet-Dry Vacuum (DCV581H)
Model DCV581H · ASIN B00DD1UQ3Y
Product image: DeWalt product media.
Who it’s forThe DCV581H is the one cordless shop vac that keeps working after the battery dies. It runs on a 20V MAX pack or a standard AC outlet, so a long cleanup session never gets cut short. The 2-gallon tank, washable HEPA filter and 5-foot crush-resistant hose cover garage spills, car interiors and drywall dust alike. Typical retail runs about $160 to $199 for the bare tool.
Who it’s forWhen the job calls for a real shop vac, this is the cordless answer. The 6-gallon tank holds enough water or sawdust for floor-scale cleanup, all-terrain wheels roll over cords and rough concrete, and the 7-foot 1-7/8-inch hose reaches without dragging the body everywhere. At about $159 for the tool-only version and roughly $223 with a battery and charger, it undercuts the pro-brand 2.5-gallon models while offering more than double the capacity.
Specifications
Tank
6 gal
Power
ONE+ 18V (battery sold separately)
Hose
7 ft. × 1-7/8 in.
Switch
High/low with blower port
Price
About $159 tool-only; $223 kit with battery
Pros
Largest tank of any cordless pick here
All-terrain wheels and sturdy latches
Strong value per gallon of capacity
Cons
Bulky to store and carry upstairs
Amazon buyer feedback is thin compared with older models
Who it’s forMilwaukee’s FUEL PACKOUT vac stacks directly onto a PACKOUT system, so it travels to the job and back without its own trip to the truck. The brushless motor delivers up to 53 CFM with a 47-inch water lift, a certified HEPA filter and a power-tool adapter for dust collection. Expect to pay roughly $199 to $270 for the bare tool, and note it is rated 4.5 stars from more than 1,500 reviews at Home Depot.
Specifications
Tank
2.5 gal
Power
M18 FUEL brushless (battery sold separately)
Airflow
53 CFM; 47-in. water lift
Hose
6 ft. with power-tool adapter
Price
About $199–$270 bare; 4.5/5 from 1,500+ reviews
Pros
Locks into the PACKOUT modular system
Strong suction and water lift for the size
Power-tool adapter helps with dust collection
Cons
Pricey for a bare tool
PACKOUT mounting matters most to existing system owners
Who it’s forThe XCV11Z behaves more like a portable dust extractor than a garage shop vac. It pairs a HEPA filter with a filter-cleaning system, anti-static hose and up to 60 minutes of runtime on a 5.0Ah battery. With 57 CFM and a 27-inch water lift, it handles fine dust well and still picks up liquids. Listings run about $179 to $249 for the tool-only version, and it carries a 4.6-star average from roughly 800 ratings.
Who it’s forThis is the first cordless wet/dry vacuum built around a 12V system, and it suits quick spot cleanups in a service van or apartment-size garage. The brushless motor puts out 45 CFM with a 42-inch water lift, plus a blower port and high/low switch. A wall-mount plate and stackable body keep it out of the way between uses. It lists at about $149 tool-only with a 4.5-star average at Home Depot.
Who it’s forThe Bosch GAS18V-3N is a straightforward, traditional-shaped shop vac that weighs about 10.2 pounds and pulls 51 CFM. It carries a HEPA filter and has earned a 4.6-star average from more than 550 Amazon reviews. Typical pricing lands between about $112 and $149 for the bare tool, making it one of the cheaper pro-brand options in the 2-plus-gallon class.
Who it’s forFor V20 battery owners who want cleanup power on a tight budget, the Craftsman CMCV002B is hard to beat at roughly $95 to $98. It holds 4.5 stars from about 1,200 Amazon ratings, offers 35 CFM of airflow, and the 7-foot 8-inch hose is longer than most in this price band. The 2-gallon tank covers garage spills, sawdust and car interiors.
Product image: Direct Tools Factory Outlet product media.
Who it’s forThe P3240 is sized for the workbench rather than the whole floor. Its flat-top 3-gallon body stacks, the blower port clears dust off a bench, and the hose can hook to the dust port on some Ryobi tools. It moves 45 CFM, carries a 4.6-star average from more than 2,500 Home Depot reviews, and typically costs about $99 as a bare tool.
Who it’s forIf the corded backup of the DCV581H holds no appeal, this cordless-only sibling is the same proven 2-gallon DeWalt vac without the AC plug — and it usually costs less, typically around $125 to $130. It has the same washable HEPA filter, 5-foot crush-resistant hose and on-board storage, and it carries a 4.5-star average from more than 6,000 Amazon reviews. It is a simple, well-reviewed pick for DeWalt battery owners.
Match the vacuum to the battery platform you own and the messes you expect.
Battery platform
These vacuums are mostly sold as bare tools, so owning the battery already changes the math. An M12 or M18, 20V MAX, ONE+, V20, LXT or 18V pack from your other tools drops straight in. Buying into a new platform for a vacuum alone adds real cost.
Tank size and suction
A 1.6- to 3-gallon tank covers workbench dust, car interiors and small spills. Water cleanups and floor-scale sawdust favor 4 gallons and up. Higher CFM moves more air, while water lift measures sealed suction — both appear in the spec tables above.
Filter and hose
HEPA filtration matters for fine dust, and a washable filter saves replacement cost. A 6- to 7-foot hose reaches around a vehicle or bench without dragging the vacuum along. A blower port adds value if you clear benches and tight corners often.
Specifications are based on published manufacturer and retailer information for the listed models. Check the current product listing for package contents and compatibility before ordering.
