Owen PalmerBy Owen Palmer

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A wet dry vacuum can handle liquid spills and dry debris that a regular vacuum cannot. The category splits into two main styles: traditional shop vacs with large tanks and powerful corded motors, and cordless wet-dry floor cleaners that combine vacuuming and mopping for sealed hard floors and area rugs. Your choice depends on where you clean, the type of mess, and how much mobility you need.

Shop vacs excel at heavy pickup in garages, workshops, and job sites, while cordless models like those from Tineco and Shark are built for everyday kitchen and living-area spills. Below we compare six wet dry vacuums across key specs so you can find one that fits your space and tasks.

Every specification on this page comes from each product’s Amazon listing (item data from Amazon’s Creators API), checked on 29 October 2026. We have not used these products ourselves, so the picks are based on published specifications only.

If you mainly clean hard floors, see our wet-dry floor cleaner guide; for general vacuum advice, read how to choose a vacuum.

How we chose these

  • Type: Shop vacs are open-tank machines for heavy debris and large liquid volumes; cordless wet-dry floor cleaners are upright units that mop and vacuum sealed floors and low-pile rugs.
  • Tank capacity: A larger tank means fewer trips to empty, but adds weight. Cordless models have separate clean and dirty water tanks whose capacities are not always listed.
  • Suction power: Shop vacs often state peak horsepower (PHP); cordless models may list kPa. Higher numbers suggest stronger pickup, but real-world performance varies.
  • Runtime and corded use: Cordless models offer freedom of movement but run on a battery; corded shop vacs provide unlimited runtime for long jobs.

Shop vac brands list motor output as peak horsepower, while Tineco lists suction in kPa, so the two numbers cannot be compared directly.

Comparison table

Product Type Tank Capacity Suction Power Weight Corded/Cordless Notable Feature
Tineco i5 Stretch Cordless floor cleaner Not stated 20 kPa 9.92 lbs Cordless 180° lay-flat to 5.1 in.
Shark HydroVac Reveal Cordless floor cleaner Not stated Not stated 8.7 lbs Cordless Self-cleaning cycle
Tineco Stretch S6 Cordless floor cleaner Not stated Not stated 9.92 lbs Cordless 158°F Flashdry self-cleaning
Stanley SL18116P Shop vac 6 gallons 4 peak HP 13.4 lbs Corded 3-in-1: vac wet, dry, blow
Craftsman CMXEVBE17250 Shop vac 2.5 gallons 2.5 peak HP 6.7 lbs Corded Compact, blower function
Amazon Basics VO407S Shop vac 4 gallons 3 HP 10.05 lbs Corded Stainless steel tank

Tank sizes, weights and power figures are the ones given in each product’s Amazon listing. The cordless floor cleaners use separate clean and dirty water tanks whose capacities their listings do not state.

1. Tineco Floor ONE i5 Stretch: for hard floors and under furniture

Tineco says this cordless model vacuums and mops in one step with 20 kPa suction. It continuously sprays clean water onto the roller and scrapes off dirt in real time. The body reclines fully flat to 5.1 inches for reaching under low furniture, and dual-sided edge cleaning works along baseboards on both sides. An anti-tangle design sends hair straight to the dirty water tank.

  • 20 kPa suction power (Tineco)
  • Lays flat to 5.1 inches (Tineco)
  • Up to 30 minutes runtime (Tineco)

Pros: 20 kPa suction stated by Tineco; lay-flat design reaches under beds and sofas; edge cleaning on both sides
Cons: Runtime limited to 30 minutes; water tank capacity not stated; weighs 9.92 lbs

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2. Shark HydroVac Reveal WD321: for sealed hard floors and area rugs

Shark describes this as a 3-in-1 cordless cleaner that vacuums, mops, and self-cleans at the same time. It has angled LED lights to reveal hidden dust and debris, and enhanced edge cleaning for corners and baseboards. A stain boost mode delivers twice the cleaning solution for stubborn spots. After use, the dock runs a rinse cycle that flushes the brushroll and system.

  • Self-cleaning cycle after each use (Shark)
  • LED lights for hidden dust (Shark)
  • Stain boost mode (Shark)

Pros: Self-cleaning brushroll and system; LED lights help spot debris; works on area rugs
Cons: Suction power not stated; runtime not stated; water tank capacity not listed

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3. Tineco Floor ONE Stretch S6: for extended cordless cleaning under furniture

Tineco says the Stretch S6 lays flat to 5.1 inches with a 3-chamber dirty water separation that keeps suction strong even when horizontal. Its Flashdry system uses 158°F fresh water to dissolve stains and then dries the brush roller with heated air, rotating the brush in both directions to reduce odors. The battery provides up to 40 minutes of runtime, and mini assistive wheels improve maneuverability.

  • 158°F Flashdry self-cleaning (Tineco)
  • Up to 40 minutes runtime (Tineco)
  • Lays flat to 5.1 inches (Tineco)

Pros: Longer 40-minute runtime; heated self-cleaning and drying; lay-flat design with maintained suction
Cons: Suction power not stated; water tank capacity not listed; weighs 9.92 lbs

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4. Stanley SL18116P: for garage, workshop, and large spills

Stanley states this 6-gallon wet/dry vac has a 4 peak HP motor for powerful suction on wet spills, dry debris, and sawdust. It can also be used as a blower to clear leaves. The cleaning reach extends over 16 feet with a 6-foot hose, 10-foot power cord, and three extension wands. Four swivel casters help move the unit around a workspace.

  • 6-gallon tank capacity (Stanley)
  • 4 peak HP motor (Stanley)
  • 16 ft cleaning reach (Stanley)

Pros: Large tank for big jobs; blower function included; long reach with hose and wands
Cons: Heavier at 13.4 lbs; corded only; no HEPA filter mentioned

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5. Craftsman CMXEVBE17250: for small messes in home and car

Craftsman calls this a lightweight 2.5-gallon wet/dry vac suited for small messes in the home, garage, or vehicles. It doubles as a blower, and its compact size with a carry handle and cord wrap makes storage simple. The included 1-1/4 inch accessories, a crevice tool and utility nozzle, help maneuver in tight spaces.

  • 2.5-gallon tank capacity (Craftsman)
  • 2.5 peak HP motor (Craftsman)
  • Weighs 6.7 lbs (Craftsman)

Pros: Very portable and lightweight; blower function; easy to store
Cons: Small tank capacity; corded; modest suction power

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6. Amazon Basics VO407S: for home, garage, and job site cleanup

Amazon Basics says this 4-gallon wet/dry vac has a stainless steel tank and a 3 HP motor for tackling messes in the home, garage, or job site. It comes with a reusable cloth filter, a foam wet filter, and a locking hose. Multiple nozzles and extension wands are included, and on-board storage keeps them organized. Sturdy wheels help move the unit across surfaces.

  • 4-gallon tank capacity (Amazon Basics)
  • 3 HP motor (Amazon Basics)
  • Stainless steel tank (Amazon Basics)

Pros: Durable stainless tank; includes both wet and dry filters; on-board accessory storage
Cons: Corded; weighs 10.05 lbs; no blower function mentioned

View on Amazon

Which one fits you

Your situation Look at Why
Daily hard floor and area rug cleaning Tineco i5 Stretch, Shark HydroVac Reveal, Tineco Stretch S6 Cordless models mop and vacuum in one pass, with features like edge cleaning and self-cleaning cycles.
Heavy debris, sawdust, and large liquid spills in a workshop Stanley SL18116P, Amazon Basics VO407S Larger tank capacities and higher peak horsepower handle big messes without frequent emptying.
Cleaning under low furniture and tight spaces Tineco i5 Stretch, Tineco Stretch S6 Both lay flat to 5.1 inches, reaching under beds and sofas where upright vacuums cannot go.
Portable spot cleaning in the car or small apartment Craftsman CMXEVBE17250 Lightweight at 6.7 lbs with a compact 2.5-gallon tank and blower function for quick cleanups.

Practical tips

  • Match the vacuum type to your main messes: shop vacs pick up chunky debris and standing water, while cordless wet-dry floor cleaners are designed for sealed hard floors and light wet spills on rugs.
  • Check the filter setup. Some models include a foam filter for wet pickup and a cloth or cartridge filter for dry debris. Tineco recommends cleaning its filter and HEPA once a month.
  • If you choose a cordless model, consider the runtime. The Tineco i5 Stretch runs up to 30 minutes, and the Stretch S6 up to 40 minutes, which may influence how much area you can cover on a single charge.

FAQ

Can I use a wet dry vacuum on carpets?

The cordless floor cleaners here are meant for sealed hard floors, and Shark also lists area rugs for the HydroVac Reveal. None of the listings describe them as carpet cleaners, so check the brand’s floor guidance before using one on wall-to-wall carpet.

Why do shop vacs list peak horsepower while floor cleaners list kPa?

The brands use different measures: shop vac listings give peak horsepower for the motor, and Tineco gives suction in kPa. Because they measure different things, use each figure only to compare models of the same type.

How do I maintain the filter on a wet dry vac?

For shop vacs, use the foam filter for wet pickup and the cloth or cartridge filter for dry debris; rinse and dry them as directed. Tineco advises cleaning its cordless model’s filter and HEPA once a month.

Sources

Specifications from each product’s Amazon listing, checked 29 October 2026: Tineco Floor ONE i5 Stretch, Shark HydroVac Reveal WD321, Tineco Floor ONE Stretch S6, Stanley SL18116P, Craftsman CMXEVBE17250, Amazon Basics VO407S. Makers can change specifications; check the product page before you buy.

Owen Palmer

About Owen Palmer

Owen Palmer is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our non-vacuum cleaning gear guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.