The Best Wet Dry Vacuum for Cleaning Up After Dogs

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray
Published on
March 13th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the ASD (Advanced Structural Drying), AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician),
WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), and bio hazard cleanup, as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning dates all the way back to keeping his rugby gear tidy while a young lad. Ben holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a mountain of hands on experience at the school of hard knocks.

The Cleaning Institute

Wet dry vacuums are heavy duty and professional types of equipment designed to deep clean different types of surfaces. Whether you’re cleaning up chunks of mud and dirt or clumps of hair and fur, a wet dry vacuum can help you perform a thorough job of removing grime or debris. Every type of mess can be cleaned with the product through the use of different types of nozzles and attachments; these extra tools provide a high level of precision when cleaning hard-to-reach areas. We tested the best wet dry vacuums in the industry to determine which one was most convenient to use and efficient.

Our top pick is the Vacmaster Wet/Dry Vacuum with Detachable Blower, which includes a 12 polypropylene tank as a two-in-one tool that offers a 210 mph leaf blower. It has on-board accessory storage and can easily convert into a detachable blower in seconds for ease of use. Our honorable mention is the Armor All Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum for its impressive power with picking up both wet and dry debris for a quick and efficient cleaning process that is thorough. It also offers easy conversion to a blower function and can prevent overflow with the top handle to avoid messes. The Sun Joe Wet/Dry Vac took home our green pick because it optimizes for reusable components.

EXPERT INSIGHTS

From our team: Prior to putting your wet-dry vac away in storage we recommend you complete any required maintenance. These steps often only take a couple of minutes, and yet help the product last much longer. When storing be careful of the products that surround your wet/day vacuum. All to often we find consumers pack things into small areas, and end up damaging the hose which then decreases the capacity of the vacuum. Store with care and handle with care when taking in and out of the storage area.

Testing Categories

We have our years of experience testing different products in various industries and use specific categories to rate each item that we review to score its overall quality and value. Our testing categories with the wet dry vacuum products include power, efficiency, and durability.

Power: We evaluated the mph of the blower on each wet dry vac to determine its potential with its power when cleaning debris. The type of motor that is used in the product was also a consideration and influenced where it ranks on our list with both its suction and blowing power.

Efficiency: The efficiency and ease of use of each wet dry vac was a top consideration to determine how convenient the equipment is to use while performing different cleaning projects. The type of attachments and hoses that are included influence how the cleaning is performed and how much precision is offered to ensure that small pieces of debris aren’t left behind.

Durability: Durability is an additional category that allowed us to rate each product by examining its construction and the quality of materials that are used. The durability determines its value and potential lifespan, as well as if any parts need to be replaced with frequent use.

Top Pick

Vacmaster 12 Gallon,
5 Peak HP, Wet/Dry Vacuum with
Detachable Blower

The Vacmaster 12 Gallon, 5 Peak HP, Wet/Dry Vacuum with Detachable Blower includes a 12-inch cord with a cord wrapping locking hose and delivers significant power.

Price Check

Most notable upside: With a blowing speed of 240 mph, it’s capable of tackling different types of messes. The Vacmaster wet dry vac is a quick release detachable blower with a 5 peak HP motor. It’s outfitted with a 12-gallon propylene tank that has a large capacity. It’s also easy to empty, the filter blows out easily, and the motor is quieter compared to similar products on the market, which is great if your dog is easily startled. It’s convenient to use around on different types of surfaces. The two-inch hose that is included stays clear of clogs even when sucking up plenty of pet hair or leaves. The variety of attachments that are included make it versatile and capable to use for different projects and settings. Consumers can enjoy utilizing a hose that measures 2.5 inches in diameter and is seven feet long, two extension wands, an eight-inch utility nozzle, a cartridge filter and foam sleeve, a car nozzle and crevice tool, a blower nozzle, an adapter for a blow wand, and an air/noise diffuser. It’s ragged but is easy to maneuver and transport to the home or office. The on-board storage that is included allows all of the attachments to stay organized and easy to find. A two-year warranty is included with the VBV1210.

Biggest downsides: Some of the wheels are prone to falling off with frequent use or on different types of surfaces. The cord is also short and requires the use of an extension cord to have more mobility while cleaning, especially when removing debris from large surface areas. The wet vac may not collect as much dust and dirt compared to other types of products due to its CFMs.

Honorable Mention

Armor All 2.5 Gallon,
2 Peak HP, Utility
Wet/Dry Vacuum

The Armor All 2.5 Gallon, 2 Peak HP, Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum effectively picks up both wet and dry debris with a frequency of 60 Hz.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The product has the ability to clean both solids and liquids and delivers ample suction power to easily pick up after your dog's most recent adventure. The Armor wet dry vac features a 2.5-gallon storage tank and can easily convert into a blower function. It has a feature that detects when it’s becoming too full of debris, which causes it to automatically shut off to avoid issues and prevent overflow. Included with the equipment are a six-foot hose and a 10-foot cord with the hose built into the canister of the vacuum. With a weight of seven pounds, it’s easy to transport and move around while cleaning. No bag is needed for added convenience and ease of use when emptying it out. A wide assortment of attachments is provided to ensure that dirt is removed from every nook and cranny of the home or a car. The power cord is also long enough to offer sufficient mobility. Included in the box are a detail brush, a reusable cloth filter, a deluxe car nozzle, a blower nozzle, a reusable foam sleeve, a crevice tool, and a two-in-one utility nozzle. The attachments that are included also makes it ideal to use for cleaning car wheels and grilles. The quiet operation of the product makes it convenient to use and won't startle your dog as easily.

Biggest downsides: The wet-dry vac cannot plug into a car and will require the use of an extension cord. Overloading the vac can lead to it breaking down. The compact size of the vacuum may be too small for larger projects. Its low suction can also limit how much debris is cleaned at once.

Green Pick

Sun Joe SWD6600 6.6 Gal 4.0
Peak HP Industrial Motor
Wet/Dry Vac

The Sun Joe Wet/Dry Vac includes a carpet and floor brush with an all-purpose nozzle that offers thorough and efficient cleaning, no matter what your dog has been up to. It’s also built with a reusable, multi-cyclone foam filtration system.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Sun Joe Wet/Dry Vac is built with two 360-degree front caster wheels and an easy-carry handle that makes it simple to maneuver around for maximum mobility while cleaning. It’s constructed with an all-purpose nozzle to clean hard-to-reach places where dog mess accumulates, two metal extension tubes, a wet and dry floor brush, a dust brush, and a crevice nozzle. The 6.6-gallon tank is easy to remove for efficient emptying of liquids, debris, and dirt that is collected. The product also includes a two-year warranty. The wet vac makes it easy to tackle different messes both inside the home and on the exterior property because it’s not overly bulky or difficult to maneuver. It has a high level of suction with 52 CFM of air flow, which makes it powerful to use. The multi-cyclone filtration system is also advanced because it can trap dust and debris on different types of surfaces and includes a foam filter that is easy to wash.

Biggest downsides: The wet vac may not deep clean some surfaces as well as similar products. The plastic material used to construct the vacuum can also crack or wear down over time due to a lack of durability. The green design of the product may not appeal to some customers and looks less industrial or professional compared to other types of wet vacs.

All Our Picks

Green Pick

Sun Joe SWD6600 6.6 Gal 4.0
Peak HP Industrial Motor
Wet/Dry Vac

The Sun Joe Wet/Dry Vac includes a carpet and floor brush with an all-purpose nozzle that offers thorough and efficient cleaning, no matter what your dog has been up to. It’s also built with a reusable, multi-cyclone foam filtration system.

Price Check

Tips for Effective Wet Dry Vac Cleaning

When sucking up nails or cleaning up chunks of rocks, use the right setting to vacuum up debris in the home or on the exterior of the property with a wet vac. Specific attachments are available to ensure that you can remove dirt or grime from hard-to-reach areas in different types of environments. Use the handle on the product to maneuver it around instead of pulling it with the hose to keep the parts secure. Most debris can be removed from different types of settings with the use of the hose attachment, which is flexible and lightweight. Water damage, such as flood remains, can also be tackled with the hose of the wet dry vac.

Those who have drains clogged with pet fur can use the blow setting before placing it deep into the drain to remove the clog without having to call a professional, which can save time and money.

A Note About Safety and Storage

Wet dry vacuums can be stored in a shed or a garage due to their large size and durability when exposed to extreme temperatures or environmental elements. A cover can be used to protect the product from dirt or insects when it’s not in use and increase the lifespan of the parts. Before storing the product, remove stagnant water that is present in the hose. Put the hose in a bucket of water while turning on the vacuum cleaner setting. Place the machine in a dry location while emptying out the drum once it’s filled with water.

The product should be dried thoroughly before it’s stored away to prevent mold or mildew from forming in the parts over time. The filter should also be rinsed and dried with each use.

The Best Wet Dry Vacuum for Cleaning Up After Dogs

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray

The Cleaning Institute

EXPERT INSIGHTS

Testing Categories

Vacmaster 12 Gallon,
5 Peak HP, Wet/Dry Vacuum with
Detachable Blower

Armor All 2.5 Gallon,
2 Peak HP, Utility
Wet/Dry Vacuum

Sun Joe SWD6600 6.6 Gal 4.0
Peak HP Industrial Motor
Wet/Dry Vac

All Our Picks

Vacmaster 12 Gallon,
5 Peak HP, Wet/Dry Vacuum with
Detachable Blower

Armor All 2.5 Gallon,
2 Peak HP, Utility
Wet/Dry Vacuum

Sun Joe SWD6600 6.6 Gal 4.0
Peak HP Industrial Motor
Wet/Dry Vac

Tips for Effective Wet Dry Vac Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Wet Dry Vacuum for Cleaning Up After Dogs

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray

The Cleaning Institute

EXPERT INSIGHTS

Testing Categories

Vacmaster 12 Gallon,5 Peak HP, Wet/Dry Vacuum with Detachable Blower

Armor All 2.5 Gallon,2 Peak HP, UtilityWet/Dry Vacuum

Sun Joe SWD6600 6.6 Gal 4.0Peak HP Industrial MotorWet/Dry Vac

All Our Picks

Vacmaster 12 Gallon,5 Peak HP, Wet/Dry Vacuum with Detachable Blower

Armor All 2.5 Gallon,2 Peak HP, UtilityWet/Dry Vacuum

Sun Joe SWD6600 6.6 Gal 4.0Peak HP Industrial MotorWet/Dry Vac

Tips for Effective Wet Dry Vac Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Vacmaster 12 Gallon,
5 Peak HP, Wet/Dry Vacuum with
Detachable Blower

Armor All 2.5 Gallon,
2 Peak HP, Utility
Wet/Dry Vacuum

Sun Joe SWD6600 6.6 Gal 4.0
Peak HP Industrial Motor
Wet/Dry Vac

Vacmaster 12 Gallon,
5 Peak HP, Wet/Dry Vacuum with
Detachable Blower

Armor All 2.5 Gallon,
2 Peak HP, Utility
Wet/Dry Vacuum

Sun Joe SWD6600 6.6 Gal 4.0
Peak HP Industrial Motor
Wet/Dry Vac