Floor Type
The wet-dry vacuums in our list were tested on a mix of hardwood floors (vinyl kitchen flooring, vintage bathroom tile, and wood plank landing) and carpet (low-pile living room rugs, specialty bedroom runners, and stair coverings). The robot vacuums were tested on both types of flooring as well as on throw rugs, while the wet-dry stick vacuums were mainly used on hard surfaces and some washable area rugs.
Suction Power
Suction power is measured in Pascals (Pa), a unit of pressure that designates just how much debris is pulled up from your surface and into the canister. Some of our top choices, like the Narwal S30 Pro wet dry vacuum cleaner have at least 20,000 Pa. Testing involved putting this suction power to the test on messes that ranged from dry cereal and spilled milk to coffee grounds, rice, and stuck-on spots of questionable origin (slime?). The suction quality was based on how efficiently the vacuum cleaners were able to remove these messes from the floor (one pass, two passes, or more) and how efficiently they removed stuck-on or embedded messes.
In the bathroom, the vacuum cleaners were rated on how well they remove water. The robot vacuums were also evaluated on how well they vacuum carpets and throw rugs, removing dust and debris.
Maneuverability
Both cordless stick and robot vacuums were tested on how well they maneuver around furniture, into corners, and up against baseboards. Machines with wide turning angles, tight edge clearance, and horizontal drop of the handle for low area (under the couch) earned extra points. We only included models that are lightweight enough to lift, as no one wants a wet mop dragged across carpeted areas.
User-Friendly Features
We look at ease of use on all facets of the wet-dry vacuum. This includes setup, directions, and visual and audio alerts. The Narwal even comes with text stickers that go over all the buttons and displays, and outline functions. The coveted self-cleaning functions went under special scrutiny to assess just how well they work and whether this mechanism was actually mess-free. For vacuums that did not have this feature, we gauged the difficulty level of cleaning the vacuum.
What to Look for
Deciding on the best wet-dry vacuum involves looking at what the vac can and can’t do, and whether the special features are worth the splurge or the best budget options are the way to go. Here are key factors to keep in mind.
Versatility
As a general rule, wet-dry cordless stick vacuums are most effective when vacuuming and mopping hard floors. On the other hand, the best regular cordless stick vacuums remove dry debris from both hard floors and carpet with equal vigor. Some of the few exceptions are the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, which has a swappable wet roller head that includes a clean water tank and a dirty water tank. The Tineco Floor ONE Switch S7 works by swapping the battery between separate vacuums (one for wet use and one for dry use). The Bissell CrossWave does well on both hard floors and rugs, but it is not designed to clean wall-to-wall carpet.
The robot vacuums on our list do a thorough job vacuuming carpets but do not slack off when it comes to switching to the vacuum and mop setting designed for hard floors.
Cleaning Ability
The primary benefit of wet-dry vacuums is convenience. These appliances offer high suction power that you won’t get from pushing a manual mop. Many of these models come with a charging base, so you will never get tangled in cords. Plus, they boast dual-cleaning power to pick up dirt and remove messes and stains. These brands often have their own floor cleaner formula that will leave your house smelling fresh.
Space and Weight
Before you purchase a wet-dry vacuum, consider where you plan to store it. The cordless models that stand upright are relatively narrow, but are pretty tall. Ideally, you’d want to have a cleaning closet with an outlet for charging. Note that the best robot vacuums may be small in size, but do have a larger docking station that is quite heavy, especially if they have clean and dirty water canisters. These are usually a bit wider than cordless models, but do have lower clearance.
In terms of weight, most of the models on this list weigh under 10 pounds, and many have a self-propelling for easy maneuvering.
Battery Life
All of the vacuums on our list are battery-operated. Depending on the size of your home, you may want to choose a model with a long-lasting battery, at least 45 minutes, so you won’t have to keep stopping to charge. With robot vacuums, the process is much easier, since the robot will automatically go back to the charging dock, recharge itself, and then pick up where it left off cleaning. Each vacuum on our list includes battery life run time in the specs section.
Self-Cleaning Feature
Not all self-cleaning features are created equally. Take a closer look at what this really means. Does your floor cleaning machine need specialty filters or cleaning supplies? Note drying functions are not always a given, either. One of the reasons the Narwal S30 Pro wet dry vacuum cleaner is our overall top pick is because the cleaning station has a special scissors function that cuts the hair off the brush roll before it starts cleaning, and the dirty water tank has a removable netting to separate solid debris from dirty water. The roller is then iron dried at 184 degrees Fahrenheit so you will never deal with dampness.
Self-cleaning does not mean you have zero involvement, however. You’ll still need to dispose of the dirty water tank, which may have physical dirty and dust particles that should be thrown into the trash (not the toilet bowl, as you don’t need unnecessary clogging). You may also have to give the brush roll some TLC, as not every model has a heated disinfectant cleaning step. Even if your model prides itself on tangle-free tech, hair can collect over time. Make it a habit to add a DIY cleaning routine every few months and remove the brush rolls for a more thorough cleaning with soap. For a wet-dry vac that does not have a drying cycle, this step is a must, otherwise you will have a mildew factory in your pricey machine. For robot vacuums, check that the dust bin is empty, and don’t forget to empty the dirty water tank, which can also use a quick rinse with soap and water.
