I buy the brand on sale or available. I look for power; 5-6 gal size, I would like 4-5 HP. I also look at the filters and cost or replacement and filtering ability. I have Rigid, Crafstman, Shop Vac and maybe a couple of others, brand doesn’t matter. Power for the size and filter media, both cost and effectiveness, all based on your needs.

I Expect to pay $50 to $80.

Have had/used several brands---Rigid(at Home Depot) is the best so far. I have two of the Rigid 19 gallon models, one is 10 years old, still works fine. I just now have an upstairs vac and a downstairs woodshop vac so I don't have to carry them up/down.

19 gallon is WAY WAY WAY too big--I'm interested in something mini. Like, 5 gallons, or maybe smaller. (Shop-Vac makes a 2 gallon one; it's peak horsepower is much less, 2.5hp, I think. But that does answer a question about that line of mini vacs, that I should go for higher hp)

I'm thinking smaller than 5 gallons in capacity. I'll have to look at some 5-gallon ones to see how their size fits in.

Interesting to hear that you think the brand isn't that important, Jim Mat.

HandyMac, that 2-vac setup is a smart idea! I live in an apartment, so I only need one. But I want something that I can carry to the workspace easily, and that doesn't take up a ton of space. I won't use it that often.

Brand doesn’t matter because, the companies that make these, as well as many things, or under contract for the business that owns the brand, e.g., Sears.

Look at filters, I prefer bonnets over foam vs pleated paper.

Anyone tried one of the little Milwaukee battery powered vacs? Seems like a great idea for small jobs if it works.

I wondered about a battery-powered vac as well, since I have a bunch of Ryobi One+ tools, but I worried that it wouldn't be that strong. I have their hand vac, and it's fine, but it's loud.

Plus, I don't have that many batteries, and I think a vacuum would:
1) have a long enough cord to reach pretty much where I'd need to; and

2) not be too annoying to struggle with the cord, the way I feel with my drill, saw, and sander.

lazy_gardens, that's sort of what I was thinking as well, especially now that I spent a ton on a Miele house vacuum. Plus, the "wet" aspect would be useful. (Shop-Vac's dinky vacuums are red--maybe that was it)

My small shop vac is grey, my small craftsmen is red. They are 7 amps, 2 gal, 3 hp, and do not have enough power to be a shop vac.

what sorts of things can they do? I don't need a full shop vac (in fact, I don't have room or patience for one). I just want to be able to:

• vacuum up small amounts of sawdust after I've swept the worst of it up

• have someone hold it to vacuum up sawdust as I cut through a board or use the pocket-hole jig, to control dust as I'm working (I work in a finished basement or the living room, bcs I live in an apartment bldg)

• maybe vacuum up spills too annoying to mop up with a rag

Would it be able to do those things OK, even if not great?

The small low power shop vacs have about one half of the power of a house vacuum.

They are not expensive, you may be satisfied with the performance. The small ones are 2-3 gal, with low power, above that is 5 gal with med power, above that is 16 gal with high power. I own multiple brands of each size.

how do the small ones compare with a hand vac (I have a Ryobi hand vac, and it's a little more powerful than the basic Dust Buster)?

I have a current model rechargeable dust buster, $30 Amazon special. The filter is not adequate for sawdust.

I bought this vacuum recently, had no problem handling lots of drywall dust and other debris from recent house remodeling demo work. I just spent the weekend vacuuming my Airstream camper, which had an unfortunate red squirrel invasion. Imagine drawers full of walnut shells- again, it was up to the task. I also really like the shape, easy to tote around the very narrow doors of a camper!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-4-Gal-5-0-Peak-HP-Portable-Wet-Dry-Vac-WD4070/202077241?MERCH=REC--irg_aic-1--202078667--202077241--N

"how do the small ones compare with a hand vac"

More powerful than the basic hand vac, unless you get a battery-powered one. And they hold more and clog less.

I have one of these 6.5 hp 10 gal vacs - small enough to tote around, but still very powerful: https://www.shopvac.com/product/shop-vac-10-gallon-6-5-peak-hp-professional-wet-dry-vac-catnum:5873510

They also come in a 5 gal size which may be more what you have in mind - still powerful, just smaller. I was going to get a 5, but then thought there are times like when cleaning the basement when theres a lot of crud to pick up.