Best Cordless Shop Vac 2021 Buying Guide and reviews

17 Best Cordless Shop Vacs in 2022 – Portable Shop Vac Buying Guide

A portable cordless shop vac is a small vacuum, much like their not-very-portable cousins. A wireless shop vacuum is no doubt must-have equipment for your heavy-duty cleaning tasks in your workshop.

Are you fed up with the wrapped-up cord of your vacuum? Or maybe you are stuck in a corner where your vacuum cable is not reachable? 

We know it’s sometimes hard to carry your full-size shop vac to clean your vehicle.

Have you just finished carpentry work in a far corner of your house or workshop? And there is no electric port nearby to use your full-size corded shop vac in that area? The battery-operated wireless shop vac is the smart solution in this case. Cordless Shop Vacs are the new game-changer in the house and workspace cleaning field now. They are portable, easy to carry anywhere, and there are no tangled wires around your furniture.

Shop Vacs has many different power sources, including battery power, extension cords, and motor power. The battery-operated shop vacs use 18- or 20-volt batteries. The cordless shop vacs are more comfortable to carry without the hurdle of wires or compromising productivity.

At the end of this article, our experts’ well-tested and reviewed buying guide will help you choose the best wet dry vac in 2021 for your workshop vacuuming purposes. 

Portable Shop Vacs Comparison Table

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We have the 17 best cordless battery-operated shop vacs reviewed below to let you choose the best equipment for your work area cleaning. Almost all of the shop vacs are designed to pick up most dry and wet materials. 

The Best Wireless/Cordless Battery Operated Shop Vacs.

The wet/dry cordless shop vacuum is the best for the working individual who does not want to carry the bulky machine. It is lightweight and simple to operate. If you buy a cordless handheld shop vacuum cleaner, you will find that its battery will last for about 15-45 minutes. While the corded vacuums can be used for an even longer time as compared to battery-operated shop vacs.

With exceptional abilities like lightweight and portability, the cordless shop vacs are not a 100% replacement for your full-size shop vac.

Cordless shop vacs provide a lot of versatility for a lot less money.

However, every model differs regarding suction power, battery duration, weight, dimensions, and voltage. It is vital to analyze all aspects of the shop vac you will purchase.

Below we have listed the aspects of all the cordless wet dry vacs available in the market to help you choose the best cordless shop vac.

1- DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Shop Vacuum, Tool Only

Best OverallBest Small Shop Vac

1-DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Shop Vacuum, Tool Only Review

Our best pick in portability and productivity DEWALT 20V MAX will be your love for your small jobs in different work sites. You can carry it with you just like a toolbox. It is super portable with a smaller ½ gallons of capacity. Its 20V batteries help you vacuum for about 15-20 minutes. The suction power is 31 CFM. Industry-approved HEPA tap rinse and washable filters are good at trapping 99.9% of dust to keep your workshop and environment clean.

Read here full review of this product.

This product’s weight is 4.5 pounds, and the package dimensions are 8.44 x 6.38 x 17.69 inches. This product is most flexible and durable with its heavy-duty rubber hose.

2- DEWALT DCV580H 20V MAX Cordless Wet-Dry Shop Vacuum

Best Dewalt

2- DEWALT DCV580H 20V MAX Cordless Wet-Dry Shop Vacuum Review

If you are looking for the best mini cordless shop vac in terms of portability, performance, and design, then DEWALT DCV580 is the perfect choice for you.

It works great with both 18V & 20V batteries. There is a cord also available for longer jobs. It comes with 2 gallons of tank capacity. The long-lasting crushproof 5 feet-long hose is one of its useful features that you would love. With its 31 CFM of suction power, DEWALT DCV580H is best for heavy-duty wet/dry vacuuming in your work area.

The package comes 17.25 x 12.31 x 13.12 inches in dimensions and weighs around 8 pounds. This shop vac uses HEPA-rated reusable, washable wet/dry filters, ensuring the best vacuuming experience.

Although it has many advantages over the competition, it is also the most expensive. Therefore, if saving money is a top priority, you might want to consider another option.

3- Milwaukee M18 2 Gal. Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum

Best Industrial Shop VAC

3- Milwaukee M18 2 Gal. Cordless WetDry Vacuum Review

This item is from the M18 tools lineup to maximize compatibility with a variety of other tools. Milwaukee M18 uses an 18V battery to let you vacuum for about half an hour. This toolbox-style shop vac is easy to transport and store anywhere. 

Milwaukee M18 comes equipped with a powerful 2.8 Amp Motor. Its 18V powerful suction 15CFM enables you to clean the work area quickly with ease. It has a very well-organized crevice tool, utility nozzle, and hose, allowing you to store and carry the product anywhere easily.

One thing that you might not like is it does not come with a brush to clean upholstery. 

You can use it to vacuum your kitchen cabinets, clean your car or truck, and do other small jobs where you don’t want your regular corded vacuum to be engaged. 1.8-meter hose lets you reach every corner of the vacuuming area. It weighs about 12 pounds, and the product measures 18 x 13 x 9 inches in size. 

4- Milwaukee 0880-20 18-Volt Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum, Red

Best Portable

4- Milwaukee 0880-20 18-Volt Cordless WetDry Vacuum Review

Milwaukee 0880-20 stands apart from its competitors as it is very well designed for wet and dry vacuuming activities. Thanks to the box-shaped cabin storage design, it is easy to store in a cabinet or shelf. The rugged dry vacuum design allows very efficient suction, even at low speeds. The heavy-duty 45CFM suction helps you clean the wood debris, sand, metal bolts, washers, and screws. 

Its 18V battery will help you in a vacuum for about 30 minutes, which makes it the best handheld wet dry vacuum.

Milwaukee 0880-20 is best at handling sawdust and wet materials. For those looking for a shop vac to clean their vehicle, this product comes with a handy crevice tool letting you suck the dust and debris from every corner of the car.

Milwaukee 0880-20 is so powerful at vacuuming liquids that it takes 10 seconds to suck two gallons of liquid from a vessel. This shop vac uses HEPA-rated, high-quality reusable filters. One of the best shop vacs to deal with the dry mess.

This product has a capacity of 2 gallons and can be used for about 30 minutes non-stop.

5- Evereze Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Shop Vac

Best Shop VAC for Car Cleaning, Auto Detailing

5- Evereze Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Shop Vac Review

If you are looking for a multitasking portable shop vac, then Evereze Cordless wet/dry shop vac 2 is a product for you. Its powerful 38 CFM suction can lift water up to 80 inches. The Evereze Cordless Shop vac 2 comes with a detachable 2.0Ah Lithium-ion battery. It offers 20 minutes of runtime with wireless vacuuming comfort, which can be extended up to 40 minutes by adding additional battery power to the unit. 

The package size is 13.8 x 10 x 11 inches, and it is easy to carry with a carrying handle on top. 

 Evereze cordless shop vac two weights only 7.3 pounds. It is 3 in 1 shop vac ideal for your garage, vehicles, and shop vacuuming. It is very comfortable to carry around your work sites.

Its 2.6 gallons of wet-dry blowing capability helps clear debris and dust very comfortably. The brush tool is ideal for dashboard electronic devices and vents cleaning. The 4.25 feet hose lets you reach every contour of the surface. 

6- MOOSOO 4 in 1 Portable Cordless Wet Dry Shop Vacuum

Best Convertible Wet Dry

6- MOOSOO 4 in 1 Portable Cordless Wet Dry Shop Vacuum Review

If you are looking for a multi-purpose cordless wet dry shop vac cum blower, then MOOSOO 4 in 1 Portable Shop Vacuum is the product of your dreams.

MOOSOO 4 in 1 Portable Shop Vac is best for wet/dry vacuuming. The package is 15 x 12.8 x 11 inches and weighs about 6.61 pounds, including the wide nozzle and crevice. 

It comes with different kits for house cleaning and car vacuuming. MOOSOO L10 Plus wireless shop vac is ideal for dust cleaning. MOOSOO 4 in 1 is specially designed for your vehicles and home cleaning activities. It can easily switch between blow air-dry to blower vacuum. Read the full product review.

There is no need to occasionally run for battery replacement as it uses lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries, giving the machine a fantastic runtime for about 30 minutes. The batteries can be fully charged within 8 hours. 

The top handle helps convenient transportation. This shop vac offers 99.99% ash traps with high-density HEPA filters.

7- CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Shop Vac

Best Crafstman Light-weight, Super Portable

7- CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Shop Vac Review

Craftsman V20’s portable 2-Gallon tank is best for wet and dry debris vacuuming. Suck up any material with 35 CFM suction power to pick up debris. This product ensures the best dust collection and environment purification with HEPA-rated filters.

It is compatible with most of the 20V battery-operated Craftsman tools. Overall this is an excellent shop vac for light-duty activities.

The 7.8 feet hose ensures cleaning around every corner of the work area, house or car.

The Craftsman V20 cordless shop vac has a capacity of 2 gallons and weighs about 7.22 Lbs. This nice little shop vac’s 20 Volts rechargeable battery allows the powerful suction of 35 CFM power. 

8- Vacmaster DVTB201 0201 4-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vac

Best Wet/Dry Shop Vac

8- Vacmaster DVTB201 0201 4-Gallon Cordless WetDry Shop Vac Review

Here is one of the most powerful and easy-to-use cordless wet dry vacs on our list. Vacmaster DVTB201 0201 is easy to carry and store around your workshop. Easily store and organize all the parts of this product with its rugged box shape design. Every crevice has an attachment space in the package. The removable shoulder strap and top handle make it comfortable in transporting with ease of portability. 

The portable shop vacuum’s suction power is excellent, making it a top choice for cleaning tough dirt and debris. This portable shop vac has the most potent 59 CFM suction ability.

Its 6 feet long flexible hose and two extension wands let you clean every part of the garage or workshop from ceiling to floor.

The 4Ah Lithium-Ion high-capacity battery and quick charger will let you vacuum the area quickly within 30 minutes. The product has a measurement of 21.18 x 10.31 x 12.44 inches and weighs about 15.15 lbs. 

9- Evereze Cordless Wet Dry 3 in 1 Shop Vacuum Blower

Best Portable/Handheld

9- Evereze Cordless Wet Dry 3 in 1 Shop Vacuum Blower Review

Evereze Cordless Wet Dry 3 in 1 Shop Vac is equipped with a powerful and durable brushless motor that can deliver 38 CFM and 80 inches of water lift suction. It can clean wet and dry dust and also can be used as a blower for added versatility.

The product comes with a 2.0 amp detachable battery. Enjoy your vacuuming task with 20 minutes of runtime without the limitation of cord length. Separately sold 4.0 amp batteries are also available for extended 40 minutes runtime.

Equipped with the HEPA efficient filter, it captures 99.99% of particles of 0.3 microns and larger, effectively avoiding secondary pollution.

The cordless built-in battery design lightweight 2.6-gallon wet dry blow 3 in 1 shop vac is perfect for the home, garage, trucks, and vans. It is easy to carry, transport and store.

10- DEWALT DCV581H Cordless/Corded Wet-Dry Shop Vac

Best Corded/Cordless

10- DEWALT DCV581H Cordless Corded Wet-Dry Shop Vac Review

DEWALT DCV581H cordless wet dry vacuum is one of the best micro shop vacs for commercial and residential use. The DeWalt DCV581H is equipped with electronic speed control. With the 2-gallon capacity, It is ideal for small applications as a surface cleaner for cars, boats, and even furniture.

This super-compact, small to carry 1.42 lbs shop vac is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which gives it a useful power boost for larger jobs.

DEWALT 20V is compatible with the entire Line of DEWALT 20V MAX Tools. Its 5 ft. flexible hose allows you to reach tight spaces, including those that are difficult to get or even impossible to clean by hand. The crevice tool is designed to be used in congested areas, including around desks and computers, where a regular vacuum cleaner is hard to manage.

One feature that you may find on some cordless wet dry shop vacs is a cord hook-up. This feature allows you to a plug-in power cord.

Overall this shop vac is ideal with one drawback that it possesses low suction power of 31 CFM. It has the same features as the other battery-powered industrial vacuum cleaners, including the wet-dry-dry capabilities. It is a cordless shop vac with a battery and charger.

11- Makita LC09Z 12V max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum

Best Budget – Best Shop VAC for Dust Collection

11- Makita LC09Z 12V max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum Review

There are several different kinds of cordless vacuum cleaners on the market, but the Makita LC09Z is arguably one of the best models available. This model has both a power brush and a suction ring, making it easier to clean hardwood floors. 13″ Rubber Crevice Nozzle gives you the flexibility to every corner of the area with a robust battery timing of 33 minutes.

The only drawback is the fact that it is not compatible with 18V batteries. It is operated with 12-volt batteries. It cleans most of the materials with the Makita-built motor that delivers 46 CFM suction ability to this shop vac. 

Makita LC099Z Weighs only 3.7 lbs. A lightweight cordless shop vac provides greater flexibility because it can be moved around with greater ease. With the wide variety of attachments available, you can do almost anything you’d want to.

12- RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ 3 Gal Wet/Dry Shop Vac & Blower

Best Wet/Dry Vacuum and Blower

12- RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ 3 Gal WetDry Shop Vac & Blower Review

The best-price mini shop vac that works great on both dry and wet surfaces, RYOBI 18V is a powerful, lightweight, and noise-free shop vac. The 6 feet long transparent hose gives your visibility of the debris as it is vacuumed. The box-shaped product is 18 x 10.9 x 8.5 inches and is easy to transport and store on your workshop or home shelf. 

This 3-gallon cordless wet dry vac is the biggest on our list. The minimum runtime for this shop vac with 2 amp batteries is 15 minutes; with 3amp batteries, it can be longer. The best part is that it comes with both wet/dry suction capabilities.

The hose and utility nozzle converts the exhaust into a powerful blower. With other outstanding features, this shop vac uses a washable, reusable filter.

Check this detailed review of RYOBI 18v ONE+ 3 Gal shop vac.

It Is small, noiseless, and works great. Ryobi cordless shop vacuum is best for concrete, floor, ceiling, carpet, and interior vacuuming.

13- RIDGID 3 Gal. 18V Cordless Handheld Wet Dry Vac

Best Shop VAC Under 100

13- RIDGID 3 Gal. 18V Cordless Handheld Wet Dry Vac Review

RIDGID 3 gallon is one of the best handheld wet/dry mini shop vacs on our list. It is far better than competitor shop vacs in terms of suction and design. There is a long list of features, including brushes that sweep up dirt and debris, a multi-function control, an ergonomic handle, a lightweight design, and dust collection bags.

It has the most powerful suction power of 60 CFM. It has built-in storage for multi-purpose nozzles and an expandable flexible hose. 

The On/Off switch is located below the handle to avoid accidental activation.

Overall, the RIDGID 3 Gal. Commercial Wet-Dry Vacuum is a great lightweight cleaning device with all of the features you would expect from a portable vacuum. Overall, the RIDGID 3 Gal. Commercial Wet-Dry Vacuum is a great lightweight cleaning device with all of the features you would expect from a portable vacuum.

14- Bosch GAS18V-3N 18V 1.6 gallon Vacuum

Shop VAC with Best Suction

14- Bosch GAS18V-3N 18V 1.6 gallon Vacuum Review

This machine is lightweight and easy to store because it’s a small unit. The overall design is excellent, and it’s good at removing debris from a job site. Lastly, it is compact and lightweight. It has accessories carrier clips, so they don’t get lost. This shop vac uses 18-volt batteries. In my opinion, it is one of the must-have power tools for every house.

The cylindrical design of this product measures about 14.6 x 16 x 13.15 inches. 

This shop vac is quite powerful. It has a 1.6-gallon capacity that is sufficient for most sites.

Bosch GAS18V-3N uses a washable, reusable HEPA filter, which perfectly catches most dust particles. This machine’s airflow is 51 CFM, above average in the same category of shop vacs. It weighs 10.2 Pounds.

The battery timing of this shop vac is about 24 minutes, which can be doubled by adding extra batteries.

15- Milwaukee 0882-20 M18 Cordless Hand Held Vacuum

Best Small Shop VAC 2021

15- Milwaukee 0882-20 M18 Cordless Hand Held Vacuum Review

This is only a 5 pounds machine, the lightest on our list—an ideal tool for small tasks related to woodworking and workshop owners. Milwaukee 0882-20 M18 is a truly wireless handheld mini shop vac to help you with your job site’s cleaning activities. It’s 6.5 feet long; two extension wands can be used by connecting directly to the unit or with a flexible hose to extend the operational area. Open the bottom cover and take the HEPA filter out to clean it. This shop vac is only for dry vacuuming tasks. Therefore the filter is not washable. You have to remove the filter and use a blower to clean it. 

This small shop vac is ideal for pet hair as well.

One drawback of this shop vac is its smaller capacity (36oz). Thanks to the clear transparent container, you can see when it is full. Its size and weight make it the best shop vac for dust collection.

Milwaukee 0882-20 M18 has a powerful motor with a suction power of 40 CFM, which is not bad compared to the other portable shop vacs. The size is 9 x 18 x 9 inches and can be handled and stored easily. This shop vac is best for dusting and small dry vacuuming tasks.

16- Makita XCV11Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 2 Gallon

Best Battery Timing

16- Makita XCV11Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 2 Gallon Review

Makita XCV11Z 2 gallon is the most compatible portable industrial wet dry shop vac. It runs on 18 Volt batteries and gives the most extended runtime of 60 minutes (on low) than the other shop vacs in this fleet. 

There are low-power and high-power adjustable settings available—the product measures about 10.67 x 16.93 x 12.32 inches. The top carry handle and shoulder strap make it easy to handle these 10.5 Pounds of the shop vac efficiently. 

A long-lasting HEPA filter and BL brushless motor make this machine a perfect vacuuming solution in your workshop and house. 

This shop vac has a mighty suction power of 57 CFM and can lift water up to 27″. The built-in battery indicator lets you monitor the charge.  

Read here a detailed review of this best-rated small portable shop vac.

Overall this is one of the best battery-powered shop vacs under 200$, with pro features to manage your cleaning activities. 

17- PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX Cordless Shop Vacuum, Wet/Dry

Best Portable Shop Vac

17- PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX Cordless Shop Vacuum, Wet Dry Review

PORTER-CABLE cordless shop vac has a 2-gallon portable tank versatility. It comes with 7 feet 8 inches long flexible hose to ensure cleaning from floor to ceiling. Its onboard accessories storage makes it easy to carry and store.

Read this to find out the best heavy-duty shop vacs for cars.

This Battery Powered shop vac is 17 x 11.95 x 13.9 inches in size and weighs about 9.20 pounds making it the best cordless wet dry vac for light industrial use.

One feature that you may find on some cordless wet dry shop vacs is a hose hook-up.

Overall it is an excellent tool for picking up sawdust, small wood chips, dirt, and debris. It is also good for toilet tank or water bowl suction and Offers fast cleanups with a powerful suction of 34 CFM. It uses a replaceable, washable cartridge filter. 

Best Cordless Shop VAC Buying Guide:

If you’re looking to buy a cordless shop vac, there’s no better time than right now. With all the new options available, you can find one that’s just right for your business.

Just remember, cordless vacs can be used for more than cleaning carpets. They are also suitable for cleaning cars, furniture, drapes, and upholstery. And they are a terrific option for dry cleaning, as well. Below are some features you need to consider before making a final decision.

Suction Power

The first thing you should think about is how powerful your vacuum cleaner should be. Suction power is measured as airflow in CFM (cubic feet per minute). So you’ll want to make sure you choose a cordless shop vac with good suction power. Remember, most models will have a maximum capacity for the amount of energy they draw from the battery.

Hose Length

You should also look for information on hose length. Shop vacs with longer hoses provide better mobility, flexibility, and ease of use. 

The hose and extension wands are essential accessories for every cordless shop vac. You need to be able to safely reach high places where a standard vacuum could quickly fail. Make sure the vacuum you’re buying has a long enough hose to reach the floor or ceiling as well.

Capacity

Shop VAC’s cabinet or tank capacity is vital, especially when cleaning large areas such as attics and basements. You won’t love to stop again and again to clean the tank. For this reason, it’s essential to keep this in mind when selecting your next vacuum. 

MOOSOO 4 in 1 Portable Cordless Wet Dry shop vac is the best option because of it’s bigger tank capacity of 2.64 gallons. Evereze 2.6 Gallon Cordless Wet Dry Shop Vac is also the right choice in this regard.

Battery runtime

There are two significant factors to consider here: suction power and battery power. Battery power is what keeps your vacuum running for a long time to make your cleaning task possible in one take. Depending on what you will be using your portable shop vac for, most likely, you will need a different power source than you would with a corded model.

Weight

Portability is the main aspect of cordless shop vacs. When choosing a Shop VAC, you’ll also want to consider the machine’s weight. You wouldn’t want to carry a heavy machine while you have 20 minutes of vacuuming in your garage. This will result in your arms aching. 

Milwaukee 0882-20 is the lightest heavy-duty shop vac you can consider buying if you are looking for a lightweight shop vac.

Frequently asked questions:

What is the best small portable shop vac?

When it comes to purchasing a cordless wet dry vac, you also have a few different options available to you. Considering the best performance of its motor, small design, and weightlessness DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Shop Vacuum is the best portable shop vac.

What is the best small wet dry vac?

There are few choices available for choosing between the best small wet dry vacuums. The Vacmaster DVTB201 0201 is a perfect solution for being mini shop vac and having all the pro features that a big full-sized vacuum offers.


Which shop vac has the best suction?

The suction power plays a great role in vacuum functioning. CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 has the best suction power, rated at 177 CFM.


How do I choose a good shop vac?

This depends on the tasks you will be doing with your shop vac. considering the frequency of use and workload, you can choose the best shop vac. Read our expert’s shop vac buying guide for further consideration.

How often do you change the filter?

The good quality filters are good friends, and they work longer. You can change the filter after almost 1000 times of use. 

What are the difference b/w 581H and 580 Dewalt vac?

The Dewalt vac 580 is cordless shop vac, while the 581H is the one that can be used both ways, with a cord and with batteries.

What is the best size battery for a cordless shop vac?

Every shop vac has its specification of accessories and attachments. You need to check the user’s manual for proper installation and requirements. Most battery-powered shop vac models use 12mah batteries.

Ryobi shop vac cordless, where can I find one?

You can find these shop vacs here or directly order from the manufacturer’s website.

Conclusion:

Shop Vacs are a valuable investment for anyone who is looking for a vacuum that is powerful, portable, and simple to use. It’s tough to choose the perfect shop vac that meets all the needs of our daily cleansing activities. While these vacuum cleaners are not nearly as powerful as cordless Shop Vacs, many consumers still find them useful. 

So if you need a vacuum for your workshop vacuuming that would require powerful suction, then go for RIDGID 3 gal. 18V Cordless Handheld Wet Dry Vac. If you are looking for a solution to your combined vacuuming and blowing jobs, go for Evereze Cordless Wet Dry Shop Vac. for your small house and garage cleaning, Milwaukee 0882-20 is the best handheld super transportable shop vac. 

If you are only using a small area of your home or office, a cordless portable shop vacuum might be your best option since it can cover a larger area than its corded counterparts.

Cordless shop vacs are an excellent choice for anyone who spends a lot of time working in and around the garage. It is suitable for anyone who has an average-sized room. Many people who use their Shop Vacs for woodworking projects are amazed at their power. Even small tasks can be accomplished with minimal effort using a good Shop-Vac.

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3 responses to “17 Best Cordless Shop Vacs in 2022 – Portable Shop Vac Buying Guide”

  1. […] Read this to check Best Cordless Shop Vacs. […]

  2. […] 17 Best Cordless Shop Vacs in 2021 – Portable Shop Vac Buying Guide […]

  3. […] Some of the pros and cons of the machine will help you make your final decision. Shop vac’s peak performance allows you to complete your cleaning job in no time. Some of the cons include: the cleaning power is not enough for tough dirt and the motor can get noisy when running. However, these are only minor issues that can be fixed with some simple repairs. Shop vac is definitely a great choice and you will certainly appreciate its powerful motor as well as the pros. choose from this list to select the Best Cordless Shop Vacs. […]