Tool Test Compact Utility Vacs

Dave Andrews, owner of Andrews Custom Building, in Fairfield, Connecticut, has 25 years’ experience as a carpenter.

Ridgid Pro Pack WD4522

Price: $100 Highlight: Includes two 20-inch extension wands for hard-to- reach areas. My two cents: “The boxy design allows for convenient storage of all accessories. The extension wands allow you to vacuum standing up.” Tool stats: 15½ pounds, 4½-gallon capacity; 5-horsepower motor generates 187 air-watts* (the measure of a vac’s sucking power) and 90 dB. Includes 20-foot cord, filter, 7-foot hose, five attachments, lifetime warranty; ridgid.com

*Measured at the end of the hose; air watts of the other three vacs are measured at the motor

Vacmaster VWM510

Price: $130 Highlight: Power switch is located on the business end of the hose; has the quietest motor. My two cents: “While the wall-mount held securely, it was tricky to remove the vacuum.” Tool stats: 23½ pounds, 5-gallon capacity; 5-horsepower motor generates 320 air-watts and 78 dB. Includes 20-foot cord, wall bracket, 21-foot hose, noise diffuser, eight attachments, two-year warranty; vacmaster.com

Snap-On 93052

Price: $99 Highlight: Includes a HEPA filter to capture fine particles of dust. My two cents: “Great suction; the best at picking up dust and chunkier stuff like nails, but its small-diameter hose clogged the most often.” Tool stats: 18 pounds, 4-gallon capacity; 5-horsepower motor generates 220 air-watts and 86 dB. Includes 20-foot cord, 7-foot hose, noise diffuser, three attachments, five-year warranty; jcwhitney.com

Shop-Vac Heavy-Duty Portable 5872462

Price: $80 Highlight: Disposable vacuum bag keeps the dust contained when emptying the unit. My two cents: “Solid performer with a hose that locks onto the tank.” Tool stats: 20 pounds, 5-gallon capacity; 5½-horsepower motor generates 345 air-watts and 82 dB. Includes 20-foot cord, wall bracket, filter and filter bag, 7-foot hose, two attachments, five-year warranty; shopvac.com