Just last year, over 600 new garage vacuums were introduced into the US market. We all want the best value for our money, but with these hundreds of choices, how can you make sure you're not being ripped off?
No worries. I've gathered the best people on my team to test and review the most popular vacuum cleaners and came up with the best garage vacuum to date. We also have both wall-mounted and portable options for your convenience.
10 Best Garage Vacuums in 2020
VacuMaid GV50 PRO Vacuum
The GV50 PRO vacuum is made from top galvanized steel and has a powder-coating. According to the manufacturer, this product is designed to provide a lifetime of corrosion-free use.
The main selling point for many customers is the HEPA bag. The accessory bag makes it easy to empty the vacuum when it's time to clean rather than get the canister from the wall.
It's also useful if you need to filter particles out of the exhausted air of a car garage. It comes with a 50-ft long cord so you will have plenty of reaches.
Various attachments are also included, such as extension wands, a dusting brush, a great crevice tool, and an upholstery tool for easy cleaning time.
PROS
- Built from corrosion-resistant materials
- Attachments for detailed cleaning
- HEPA filter for best air quality
- Hose Length: 50 ft cord
- Less heavy for portability
- 7-gallon canister
CONS
- Not a wet/dry vac
Vacmaster VWM510 Armor All AA255
The Vacmaster is another simple yet powerful vacuum cleaner. It comes with a good vacuum blower and has enough functions that are equally strong.
Based on our reviews, many of the vacuums have strong suction but does not perform well when reversed. The Vacmaster is a wet/dry vacuum.
It has many extra top tools that you'll need. It has a great crevice tool, a 10-foot power cord, blower floor nozzle, dusting brush, hose storage, car nozzle, and a detail brush.
One thing that impressed us is that it isn't as heavy as many of the other vacuum cleaners we tested, weighing only 7lbs.
PROS
- 10-foot power cord with crevice tools
- Multiple extra cleaning attachments
- Lightweight for easier portability
- More affordable motion
- Blower nozzle & Hose Storage
CONS
- No storage bag and remote control
Bissell Garage Pro Wall Mounted
The Bissell Garage Wet/Dry vac is another one of the best garage cleaners. During tests, the 4-gallon dirt tank did a great job of holding large amounts of debris.
It has a two-stage filtration system that is good enough for trapping finer dust particles every time you clean. Many everyday users reported enjoying the powerful leaf blower tool.
The garage vacuum cleaner also comes with seven other great accessories, including extension wands, upholstery nozzle, crevice tool, a long hose, and more.
The included vacuum hose length is 32ft, allowing for greater range. Based on our reviews, this garage vacuum cleaner is easy to install, and the hose length and tools fit easily on the mount.
PROS
- Seven cleaning attachments
- Canister capacity: 4 gallons
- Leaf blower tool option with crevice tools
- LED tank level indicator
- Hose Length: 32 ft cord
CONS
- Less suction when the hose is extended
VacuMaid GV30
The VacuMaid GV30 is similar to the GV50. The main difference between the two is the shorter 30-foot hose.
Like the GV50, this vacuum cleaner has a great galvanized steel design with a corrosion-resistant powder coating.
The tank capacity for this one is at 7 gallons and uses a five-layer HEPA style bag.
The vacuum motor comes with some small helpful attachments such as the garage floor tool, blower, upholstery brush, a 30 ft long hose, and extension wands. These make cleaning jobs great such as car detailing, and it will get easier in the long run.
PROS
- Ametek Lamb Type Motor
- Easy and quick wall mount system
- 5-year residential use warranty
- With disposable bags and extension wands
- Hose Length: 30 ft cord
CONS
- Not a wet car vacuum
WORKSHOP WS1600SS
The Workshop WS is a wet/dry vacuum cleaner good with wet messes and dry debris.
We like the high rise handle with included attachment holder and hose storage. It's convenient for keeping everything in the same place.
This is a portable cleaner that's appropriate to use for cleaning both inside and outside of the garage.
According to the manufacturer, the strength allows this vacuum to pick up 1 gallon of liquid per second.
PROS
- Five-year limited warranty
- Accessory bags and hose storage
- 20-foot power cord
- Easy to clean drainage port
CONS
- Small metal canister may dent
Craftsman 5 PEAK HP
The five peak horsepower motor makes this one of the best wall mounted vacuums we tried in terms of power.
It's capable of sucking up large and small objects as well as major liquid spills.
During our research, we found it to be particularly useful at cleaning small debris such as sawdust. The vacuum comes equipped with all of the extras and a storage bag that you'll need for cleaning hard to reach spaces.
We particularly liked that this came with two interlocking 7 ft and 14 ft hose to make using it easier.
PROS
- Two interlocking hose plus accessories
- 5 Peak HP motor
- Muffler for quieter vacuuming
- Onboard accessory storage bag
- Easy to clean and install
CONS
- Bulky design
Prolux Wet-Dry
This vacuum has powerful suction abilities and a canister that holds a lot of debris.
It also has plenty of extras for cleaning different surfaces and tight crevices. Several users also mentioned that this one doesn't take up too much space.
The Prolux Wet/Dry vacuum has everything you need from car detailing tools to floor cleaning brushes and a dusting brush. The vacuum comes with a 3-year warranty.
PROS
- Fourteen different tools plus tool pouch
- HEPA filtration system
- Slim profile
- Quiet compared to some car vacuum
CONS
- Hose kinks easily
GarageVac Cleaner
If you lack floor space, this could be the right choice. It fits more flush against the wall compared to canister vacuums with large cylindrical bodies.
Another thing to note, the flat body is also a downside we found. Because it fits flush, this wall-mounted vacuum model only holds 1 gallon of dry debris.
The sucking ability was consistent, as noted by other users. If you only need a vacuum for occasional dust cleaning or tidying up your vehicle, this could be one good option.
PROS
- Slim profile and saves floor space
- 8 ft hose stretches to 40 ft cord
- 6-year manufacturers warranty
- Accessories stored inside the unit
CONS
- Only one-gallon capacity or size
- Not a wet vac
Vacmaster VBV1210
This is the most affordable garage vacuum we reviewed. It's a rolling, shop vac type of garage vacuum, similar to the WORKSHOP WS1600SS, but for half the price.
The powerful motor runs at five peak horsepower with one canister that may handle up to 12 gallons of debris. Plus, it doesn't take up too much floor space.
Since it's a wet and dry vacuum cleaner combination, it comes with a standard cartridge, a foam filter, and a blower tool.
PROS
- Extra-large drain port for liquid cleanup
- Integrated accessory storage and floor tool
- 210mph handheld blower
- 19ft long hose
CONS
- High noise level
Karcher WD5
The Karcher is another rolling garage vacuum. It's a wet/dry vac, and what we liked the most after testing is that you don't have to change the filters when you clean liquids.
It comes with an onboard tool outlet for connecting saws and other tools. You don't need a lot of space to store this motor.
It's a practical choice if you regularly work with tools that produce fine particle debris and dust.
It's a semi-automatic filtration cleaning system that also makes maintenance easier than similar vacuums.
PROS
- Power tool plugin and blower function
- 1800-watt motor
- Smooth interior long hose prevents clogs
- Saves floor space
CONS
- Onboard power outlet lacks replaceable fuse
Important Buyers Guide
Vacuum Type
There are two main types of garage vacuum units commonly used. The first is mounted cleaners, and the second is rolling garage vacs.
Vacuums for the garage that could be braced on the wall generally provide more power, but the tradeoff is they are less mobile. They usually come with longer hoses but can lose sucking strength when the tube stretches out fully.
The rolling type vacs give you more mobility, which means you can use them to clean your patio and other outside areas. They are usually bulkier and take up more space than a mounted vac.
Suction Power of Vacuums
Perhaps the most crucial factor when looking for the best vacuum is suction property. This will determine what types of messes you can clean up.
"...suction power is by far the most important factor influencing consumers' choice of vacuum cleaner."
- Richard Caines, Senior Household Analyst at Mintel [1]
A vacuum with less strength will have trouble with more substantial items such as large wood shavings. If you need a vac cleaner often for such cleanups, opt for a vacuum with higher wattage for more powerful suction [2].
On the other hand, if you are looking for a garage vac to pick up goldfish crackers from under your car seats occasionally, a lower wattage vacuum is suitable.
Garage Vacuum Hose Length
The hose length is especially vital with a mounted garage vacuum. Since the canister is immobile, you are reliant on the house to clean where it's needed.
There is a tradeoff here, though. A longer hose will decrease the sucking capabilities of a vacuum when stretched all the way. This was a common complaint we discovered when researching garage vacs. Sectioned tubes can be a good workaround for this problem.
Tank Capacity of Garage Cleaners
If you use a vacuum for regularly sucking up large amounts of debris for a car, bigger tank capacity is essential. This saves you from having to empty the canister frequently. Based on our testing, we recommend a tank capacity size of 7 gallons or more for substantial use. Though, a capacity or size of 5 gallons is not that bad for residential use.
HEPA Filtration
High-efficiency particulate air filters are handled tiny particles and dust from the air. That's why the best garage vacuum cleaner should come with HEPA filters.
This type is optimal as they do a better job of cleaning all of the dust and filters other fine particles present in garages. If you have severe allergies, this is the right choice and will kick up fewer allergens in the exhaust [3].
“A HEPA filter is standardized at a minimum 99.97% efficiency rating for removing particles greater than or equal to 0.3μm (1/83,000 of an inch) in diameter.”
- Vannan Kandi Vijayan, Advisor to Director General, ICMR Bhopal Memorial Hospital [4]
Wet Vac or Dry Vac?
A wet/dry vac combo will allow you to handle liquid spills. For garage vacs, this can be important for wet messes in garages because it mostly involves liquids such as water or vehicle-related spills. Take note that even the best-wet vacs usually require you to change the filter between a dry cartridge and a foam filter.
FAQs
You should expect mounted vacs to have powerful suction and large capacity tanks. They should have a long and sturdy hose yet are compact and don't take too much space when stored. Some units even have a remote control to switch on/off conveniently.
Yes, these vacuum cleaners are good for cars, boats, and other vehicles. Most of the best vacs can clean the interior areas, such as under the seats using specialized tools for detailing. Plus it's convenient to use them because it is braced on your garage's wall, and it doesn't take up too much space.
No, not all garage vacs pick up water. So when you choose the best vacuum, it must be designated with a wet/dry vac and come equipped with the correct filter for liquid spills.
Some vacuums, but not all, require you to remove and change the filter before cleaning up water. You must read the instructions for the vacuum before you use it to know which type it is.
Based on our research, the most powerful garage vacuum is the VacuMaid GV50PRO. According to the manufacturer, it has a 5.7inch Ametek Lamb motor, which delivers 75% more live than similar vacs.
Yes, you can store a vacuum cleaner in the garage, if it's insulated. Too much heat and prolonged exposure to cold may cause the motor not to work well. Also make sure to place it in a space free of liquid spills.
So, What's the Best Garage Vacuum?
After testing these vacuums and cleaning more than 10 garages, the VacuMaid GV50 came out on top as the best garage vacuum that's wall-mounted.
We were impressed with its galvanized steel canister construction that doesn't crack like plastic models. The corrosion-resistant powder coating and 5-year warranty also helped a lot in positioning it as the best vacuum.
We also like the bag, which makes cleaning more manageable as it helps remove smaller particles, especially dust. Overall, the GV50 can withstand the rougher treatment these vacuums often receive.
VacuMaid GV50 PRO Vacuum
Our #1 Recommendation
- Built from corrosion-resistant materials
- Attachments for detailed cleaning
- HEPA filter for best air quality
- Hose Length: 50 ft cord
- Less heavy for portability
- 7-gallon canister
