RIDGID - 9 Gallon NXT Wet Dry Vac

I’ve been using the Rigid 9 gallon for exactly this job for about 7-8 straight years. Outlasts any ShopVac I’ve owned. Out sucks anything. I use the pleated paper filter but ALWAYS also use the filter bags. Easier to just throw away a bag full of cement dust. You have to keep an eye on them that they don’t get too full and tear. Yes, also by the more flexible (and longer) contractor hose at HD. And the better wand, and the wide brush head. We spend 2-3 hours every day vacuuming up floors, much of it sanded filler

I got it specifically for its size and portability. For big jobs, I use the big, corded Ridgid vac.

In my experience if you’re going corded, Rigid are probably the best shop vacs I’ve seen. I have a couple of the corded/cordless combo Dewalt vacs that are really handy for small stuff on the move but if you want a bit more power go Rigid

I have the Ridgid and its good

Gen 5 outsize but beware their customer service is horrible, one of the worst ive experienced to date. Its been outsourced to india and they use weaponized incompetence in order to make your life as hard as possible during any warranty issue. Ive been 1.5 months without a vacuum now because theyve approved replacement but the warehouse team cant seem to figure out ship it out and the supervisor CS person doesnt have a direct line to them.   7 hours wasted on the phone so far... My hourly rate is higher than price of the vaccum so id be better off just buying one but im gonna keep pestsring them till i get my warranty replacement out of principle. Im currently using a Ridgid shop vac as a hold me over. Coincidentally it works super well and is much cheaper while have superp customer service lol Dyson CS has gone so far down hill I remember having an issue 7 years ago and they still had US based cs. The phone call lasted 10 minutes and I got my replacement part in 3 days .... How far theyve fallen. If they were publicaly traded Id be shorting their stocks at this point.

Either one will need to be emptied and cleaned after each use, otherwise they'll stink. In terms of not leaving wet trails in your wake, you need to use a squeegee tool. The good ones use 1.25"-1.5" connectors, you'd need an adapter to use one with a consumer shop vac. Personally I would skip the Ego and buy a cheap Ridgid wet/dry vac for this sort of job.

Please consider a DeWalt Stealthsonic version for the reduced noise while running. Ridgid hasn't kept up with the latest shop vacuum accessories, but they are starting to offer some, and their vacuums take up considerable garage floor space. I no longer recommend them. General cleaning is their purpose. I vacuum out dryer lint, clean corners, and clean up wet messes.

I still have my Ridgid shop vac from the late 90’s. Can’t kill that thing.