The Best Wet and Dry Vacuums

If you’re in the market for an affordable wet and dry vacuum for use as a shop vac in your garage or other indoor/outdoor hard flooring areas, the Wessex 18L model may be just what you need. It is designed for vacuuming up wet spills, dust, and chunky debris without the need for cleaning solutions.

Available in three sizes – 18, 20, and 30 liters – we put the 18-liter model to the test on various types of debris and spills, including sawdust, dust, dirt, mud, and water leaks. With 18,000Pa of suction power, it proved to be powerful and efficient. The vacuum comes equipped with a main brush head, crevice tool, and hose adapter that can connect to the outlet of certain power tools. It also features a 1.5m hose and a 5m power cable.

While you can use it for both wet and dry spills, keep in mind that you may need to make adjustments such as adding or removing the bag, filter, and locking nut depending on the task at hand. This may make it slightly less user-friendly compared to more expensive models. Additionally, it can also be used as a blower, but this also requires some adjustments.

Given its price point, there are some compromises in terms of build quality. The vacuum is predominantly made of plastic, lacks angle adjustment on the floor brush, and uses paper bags that are not very durable. However, you can easily replace these with universal bags, or purchase specific ones for the vacuum from Toolstation for £4.98 for a three-pack.

While it may not be a long-term investment, the Wessex 18L Wet & Dry Vacuum is a solid choice if you are looking for a budget-friendly option.