3 Gallon 5.0-Peak HP NXT Wet/Dry Vac

I've been using a shop vac for several years, without issue.  https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-3-Gal-5-0-Peak-HP-NXT-Shop-Vacuum-Wet-Dry-Vac-with-Fine-Dust-Filter-Expandable-Hose-and-Accessory-Attachments-HD0300-HD0300/320181466

I use the Ridgid 3 gallon (5 HP) portable vacuum. It's corded but delivers good suction power and is small enough to fit in the car

DeWalt’s cordless vacs aren’t good. Get either the Metabo HPT 1.6 gallon, or Ridgid 3 gallon. Use an adapter if you don’t want to get batteries. Both are about triple the power of the 2 gallon DeWalt. The Metabo even comes with on-board storage for extension tubes. The only other cordless brand that has that feature is the Bosch 2.6 gallon. I really wish DeWalt would update theirs. I was hoping something was coming after they started releasing the stealth sonic models. Imagine a cordless stealth sonic! All that being said, the DCV585 is the absolute best cordless vac on the market, but it’s $450…. I already have the flexvolt batteries, but that’s still too much for a vacuum.

Ridgid makes a powerful vacuum in toolbox form and size that is just right for carrying to jobs and hanging it in the van. It’s a fantastic vacuum. Though lately I’ve been using the less powerful pack out vac because cordless.

Miele. But if I had the room for it, I’d love to have a vintage Electrolux or a Hoover just for show. Edit: of course a RIGiD NXT shop vac as well. This is one case where the Home Depot house brand gets really good reviews. I also a VersaMatic left over from a previous place, which I don’t use. Not sure if they’re still made? Or maybe no longer imported into US? They’re great if you have wall-to-wall carpeting, which I don’t anymore. It’s a “hotel vacuum”. A skinny upright that can slide under furniture.

I have a whole house, a Miele, and a shop vac. FWIW, here's how I use them: 1. Whole house, I just stopped using - the Miele is just easier 2. The Miele is fantastic for a few reasons: (1.) for bare floors the extra wide, maneuverable head is awesome - it literally takes me 50% of the time any other vacuum ever has. (2.) For carpets the motorized brush that can flatten to easily get under couches & beds is, again, fantastic. Saves another 50%. (3.) And it's got some funky attachments like a super long crevice tool (like 4 feet!) that's bendy, so you can easily get behind stuff. (4.) Plus it's VERY quiet and has HEPA filters with easy to swap bags. If you value time & ease, the Mieles are WAY worth it. 3. The shop vac is a Rigid 5hp that I put HEPA filters in and removed the wheels, so, yes, I have to carry it around but for the jobs I use it for, that's ok. It's for the dryer, ceiling fans, above curtains, ceilings, window sills, doorways, ceiling lights, big dry spills, etc. I have another tool-box size Rigid that's permanently set up as a wet vac, but because it's toolbox size it's easy to clean up after spills. Two examples are I recently spilled powdered psyllium husk - what a mess! But my dry-setup Rigid took care of it in all in <5 min. This next example is ... horrid. I was making cold brew on our center island countertop in a large Kerr pickling jar as I've done for years. Well, I guess the jar decided it was time and suddenly just ... broke. Coffee & grounds immediately went all over; and yes we have cabinets in our center island so coffee went in all of them, the drawers, everything inside of the drawers, all over chairs, floor, etc. Total and instant disaster! Luckily I have that small toolbox Rigid wet vac always ready to go so was able to quickly vacuum up the water part before it seeped too far into anything. Next I used the dry vac to get all the wet grounds up including in all the drawers & doors, floor, walls, etc. Of course I had to toss & replace the hepa filters and wash out the hose and attachments but it was worth it. TLDR: I recommend a good high quality indoor vac in combo with the shop-vac(s).

I currently have several but my Milwaukee m18 pack out vac gets the most use. It’s pricey but awesome. After that, ridgid makes really nice ones. Go for about 5hp and the smaller hose for general house cleaning.