Dewalt recently came out with a new DCV517 20V Max cordless hand vacuum, and we’ve been using it for about 6 weeks of casual cleanup tasks.
This model is quite a bit different, and smaller, than the Dewalt DCV581H 20V Max vacuum that I previously reviewed. That vacuum earned a 20 out of 20 rating for its power, runtime, portability, and build quality.
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The Dewalt DCV517 is a HEPA-filtered vac with around 1/2 gallon capacity. I have a purchased copy of their 18V vac, but it’s been collecting dust in recent years – and not in the way it’s intended to – because of my strong preference for Li-ion battery platforms.
As mentioned in the preview post, here’s a quick list of the DCV517’s features:
- 1/2 gallon capacity
- Gore HEPA filter is rinsable, reusable
- Flexible hose attachment, 2.5′ extendable to 5′
- Membrane filter allows for wet or dry pickup
- Gripped handle for comfort
- Built-in “gulper” nozzle
The main standouts are its built-in gulper nozzle and the extendable hose.
The DCV517 is compact and reasonably lightweight, making it a quick companion for taking from place to place. It’s more compact than larger vacs, and has a more versatile design compared to some of the other handheld vacs on the market.
It can be used with standard vacuum attachments, but you’ll need to pick up with a DWV9000 adapter separately.
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The vacuum has decent suction power for picking up everything from drywall dust to wood chips. It’s not going to pick up large chunks of wood, obviously.
The built-in nozzle is a great convenience, but there are some limitations. You lose some of the efficiency you get with a separate hose, wand, and nozzle assembly. But that’s part of this vacuum’s appeal – it’s a one-piece system without loose attachments to keep track of.
There are times when the nozzle can’t reach the debris I need to pickup, or when it’s awkward for me to reach with the entire vacuum, and that’s when the flexible hose comes in handy.
The vac is loud, but I don’t often wear hearing protection for quick cleanup tasks. It’s about as loud as a household DustBuster, and a little quieter than my standup vac.
I would say I favor the larger Dewalt vacuum a bit more, due to its greater capacity, its easier reach with the nozzle and crevice attachments, and the flexibility of being able to plug it into the wall outlet when the battery is ready for a charge and there’s still cleaning to be done.
But with both being available to me, I have found myself toting around the smaller vac a bit more often, saving the larger one for larger or messier cleanup tasks. A full-size corded vac gets pulled into action for the largest or widest-area messes.
I mainly use this vac for cleaning as I go. That way it helps keep the mess down along the way. I could do the same with the larger cordless vac, or a full-size shop vac or dust extractor, but doing so tends to be more of an interruption.
Do you want a compact and highly portable cordless vacuum with HEPA level filtration, wet/dry pickup capabilities, a built-in nozzle, and extending hose? It’s got good suction power, decent runtime, and its dust container is easy to empty and clean.
Price: $79 for the bare vac, $179 as a kit
Buy Now(Kit via Amazon)
Compare(Larger Vac via Amazon)
Compare(Larger Vac w/ AC via Amazon)
Thank you to Dewalt for providing the test sample unconditionally.
Travis
You did not mention anything comparing this compact vac to the previous model. Has anything changed? Is suction the same or improved?
Personally, I sold my 18v version with some other tools I sold last summer. I have since been using the Makita compact dust buster style vacuum. All I can say is that it is amazing and works fantastic for what it is.
Stuart
According to Dewalt, the new model offers “significantly longer runtime, as well airflow and seal pressure, leading to ideal vacuum performance through high power and strong suction.”
I think I know where my 18V vac is, and I know it’s loaded with an 18V NiCd batter. But where’s my Dewalt 18V charger?
Based on Dewalt’s claims, I’d think that suction and vacuum performance was improved.
I never had a problem with my 18V vac, aside from growing to dislike its NiCd battery tech when Li-ion is so much better.
With this one, there’s nothing for me to complain about. There hasn’t been any “uch, I wish it had more power” moments. There was one time when it couldn’t get drywall dust where the wall trim touched the floor and wall, but I don’t think any of my vacs could have reached it. The vac got me 98% of the way there, and a damp cloth finished things up.
Adam
I just noticed a Lowe’s endcap that features the adapter for new batteries on older tools. I suppose the proper compariosn would involve using the same battery in each now. Might be a good test just too how much of an advantage over older batteries, one would run that test in the same tool
MtnRanch
“The vac is loud” is really an understatement. This is far louder than either of my shop vacs and has a really irritating high pitched whine that neither shop vac has. The only thing noisier in my shop was a DeWalt DW735 planer and I sold that off. Even though it was a very good planer it was just unbearably loud.
Using my DeWalt (18v) vac is a last resort.
Does anyone make a quiet or reasonably quiet battery operated shop vac?
Jim Felt
Bosch has a pretty decent DustBuster sized 2 speed 18v unit. Certainly not particularly noisy either.
I had to order it from overseas last year. Not sure if it’s still not “here” or not.
Travis C.
The Makita LXT 18v vac is very quiet compared to this DeWalt vac. It is excellent at what it does! Not to mention the attachments that allow for stand up vacuuming of the floor with a roller head that comes with the vac.
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-XLC02ZW-Compact-Vacuum-Bare/dp/B00LIV0QJU/
Looking on Amazon I see the new Bosch which looks nearly identical to the Makita. Great design.
Pete
My favorite line out of your write up- “It’s more compact than larger vacs”
Lol not hating just think its funny because its so obvious but how do you say that with out having to actually say that? Lol
I’m not a huge fan of ryobi’s 18v hand vac but it does work. I also wasnt impressed with milwaukees m12 vac either, so much so i passed on buying it.
Stuart
haha, it does sound a bit silly when I read it out loud.
I kept comparing it to Dewalt’s larger vac in my mind, and there is a substantial size difference.
On paper, I would go with the larger vac, but in practice the smaller one works out better.
Jason
Ryobi had a canister style wet dry vacuum but they discontinued it a few years ago. I was luckily able to get one before they ran out of of them at Home Depot. It’s one of my most used tools and they command a premium if you can find one on Ebay.
William Butler
Do you really need HEPA level filtration on a cordless handheld vac? I don’t now a ton about HEPA filtration but gather you don’t need it for the big dust. I thought it was mainly used for sanding. In applications that you would use this vacuum the dust has already been made and is on the ground.
I use the larger cordless vac frequently and love it. It sure beats hauling out even a small shop vac and cords. I use it to clean up drill shavings and other small debris. Occasionally for demo cleanup.
Steve Garvin
For general use around the garage and mainly for car and boat vaccuming which would be better? The DCV517 or the DCV581H? It seems like the form factor would be the major difference?
Thanks, Steve.
Stuart
The DCV517 is more compact, the DCV581H is larger, has a longer hose, and can be plugged in for longer runtime or if the battery depletes without a charger or sparae battery in sight.
Form factor and user preferences is the biggest difference.
Do you want a one-piece vacuum that can be used quicker and is easier to transport? Go for the DCV517. For bigger cleanup tasks, the DCV581H will be better. But it’s slower as you cannot just press the power button and go.