Shop-Vac, long-known for their wet/dry and shop vacuums, recently launched a new line of cordless vacuums that are all powered by a removable 20V Max battery.
The new Shop-Vac 20V Max battery has a cordless power tool-style form factor.
Shop-Vac also has a line of cordless vacuums with built-in batteries. In this post, we’re only going to look at the new 20V Max offerings.
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There are 6 vacuums in the new Shop-Vac cordless series:
- Handheld (Dry Pickup)
- 2-Gallon Wet/Dry
- 2-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum with Blower
- 5-Gallon Metal Container for Ash (Dry Pickup)
- 6-Gallon Wet/Dry
- 10-Gallon Wet/Dry
Shop-Vac Cordless Handheld Vacuum (Dry Pickup)
- 180W
- 40 CFM
- Includes 2 nozzles, extension wands, filter
- Runtime: 15 mins (2Ah), 28 minutes (4Ah)
- Kit includes 2Ah battery and charger
- Price: $79
- Available at Amazon
Shop-Vac Cordless 2-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
- 5′ x 1-1/2″ lock-on hose
- Includes gulper nozzle, crevice tool
- Runtime: 15 minutes (2Ah)
- Kit includes 2Ah battery and charger
- Price: $130
- Available at Amazon
Shop-Vac Cordless 2-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum with Blower
- Detachable blower
- 5′ x 1-1/2″ heavy duty locking hose
- Includes gulper nozzle, crevice tool
- On-board accessory storage
- Runtime: 16 minutes (2Ah)
- Kit includes 2Ah battery and charger
- Price: $140
- Available at Amazon
Shop-Vac Cordless 5-Gallon Ash Vacuum (Dry Pickup)
- Designed for cold and warm ash pickup (below 100°F)
- 4ft x 1-1/2″ hose
- Heat-resistant metal nozzle and crevice tool
- Metal collection tank
- Blower function
- Kit includes 2Ah battery and charger
- Price: $150
- Available at Amazon
Shop-Vac Cordless 6-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
- 7′ x 1-1/2″ lock-on hose
- Includes nozzle, 2 extension wands, cartridge filter, foam sleeve, collection bag
- Runtime: 16-18 minutes
- Blower function
- Kit includes (2) 2Ah batteries, dual port charger
- Price: $220
- Available at Amazon
Shop-Vac Cordless 10-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
- 300W, 8.0 peak kpa
- 70 CFM max
- Operates on (1) or (2) batteries
- 7′ x 1-1/2″ lock-on hose
- Includes nozzle, 2 extension wands, cartridge filter, foam sleeve, collection bag
- Built-in drain port
- Blower function
- Runtime: 16-18 minutes (2x 2Ah), 30-35 minutes (2x 4Ah)
- Kit includes (2) 2Ah batteries, dual port charger
- Price: $280
- Available at Amazon
Amazon has active coupon codes for most of these models, ranging from $12 to $50 off.
Additional 2Ah batteries are $30 each. 4Ah batteries will also be available.
Discussion
This is an interesting and extremely logical direction for the Shop-Vac brand. They have some catching up to do, but this looks to be a good start.
Jason
I could have sworn shop vac went out of business.
If they would have partnered with a company maybe these would be of interest, but hard to have any interest in a new battery platform in 2024 when there’s other options out there.
Stuart
I agree, but at the same time working with other brands can involve greater risks and compromises.
I think this could be a stepping stone.
Rothenberger, for example, has tools for both Metabo’s CAS battery alliance system, and Bosch’s AmpShare.
I don’t think the new series of cordless vacuums precludes future partnerships or compatibility arrangements.
fred
They sort of did – but were acquired by Hangzhou GreatStar
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201228005273/en/GreatStar-Tools-USA-Acquires-Shop-Vac-Corporation-Solidifies-Position-as-Emerging-Leader-in-Tool-Category
Stuart had posted about their financial problems:
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/shop-vac-financial-problems-2020/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Stuart
Yes – the brand was acquired by GreatStar shortly after that – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/shop-vac-greatstar-tools-acquisition/%3C/a%3E .
The company advertised with us last year, and I spoke to them a couple of times about the direction of the brand. That was the first time I can recall that I’ve ever been excited about the Shop-Vac brand.
They hinted that they were working on cordless options.
I think there’s huge potential for the brand to grab market share in the cordless space, but it’ll take more time, strategy, and investment.
fred
It would be nice if the brand (almost synonymous with the class of tools it helped create) were able to somehow come back into the market in a bigger way. IMO – they need to work to repair a tarnished image stemming from vacuums that seemed to produce more noise than suction – and were no longer competitive with others in the market.
Stuart
It’s definitely possible, I just think that it will take a growth and transitional period to get there.
Saulac
Look like they may be able to take Dewalt/Milwaukee batteries?
D3t
Those appear to be Dewalt.
MM
Yeah, that’s what I was wondering: those batteries look an awful lot like a Dewalt 20V max pack. Are they perhaps compatible?
D3t
They are Dewalt batteries with different stickers.
JR Ramos
Any word on whether some parts are made in US, or assembled here? I know the PA plant was to have become mostly warehousing but it seemed there was question as to whether or not they might resume some factory functions.
Good to see a metal ash model although 10gal is on the small side for those. 2Ah batteries, even 4Ah, seems really dubious even if they’re good quality. Judging by experience with Milwaukee and Dewalt models anyway. Units like these are ripe for a larger 8Ah+ battery.
Stuart
They still make at least one heavy duty shop vacuum in the USA. I don’t believe any of these are made here.
It’s my understanding that former Shop-Vac facilities are also being used for production of select SK tools.
Mike
According to PennLive, Feb 2023 – WILLIAMSPORT – A U.S. subsidiary of a Chinese company has confirmed it is moving core production of Shop-Vac vacuums overseas beginning at the end of April.
The move by Shop-Vac USA is part of a reorganization of its American operations that will impact approximately 80 employees in Williamsport, its president Gary DuBoff said Monday.”
The Shop vac website, still shows the Williamsport address – this is consistent with the PennLive article that the company planned to keep its U.S. distribution and headquarters functions in Williamsport along with production of SK tools
Jronman
This doesn’t really excite me to be honest. I wasn’t into tools when Shop Vac was in its. Prime but it seems like they are going in a direction they shouldn’t in the last number of years. It is no surprise they almost went under. Festool was the first vac brand I was impressed by because it was feature packed and quiet for how powerful it was. Shop Vac needs to innovate. A one off battery to me doesn’t seem like innovating.
TonyT
The only stand out product is the ash vac.
I’m mentally comparing to Ryobi, and I don’t see any big reasons to go with Shop Vac, especially since Ryobi has 8, 9, and 12 Ahr 18V batteries, and, for the bigger models, 40V vacuums.
IF their ultimate goal is to replace corded vacs, I think they should’ve started with a higher voltage battery, such as 40V. This is one place where an XGT or M-HPT Multi-Volt style 40V battery pack (vs an OPE-style one such as Ryobi’s 40V) would be a good fit: you could make it small enough to be OK on a handheld vac, but with enough power and run time for a full size vacuum.
Stuart
I highly doubt it’s their goal; this seems like an expansion into cordless.
From what I have seen, corded/AC power continue to be predominant in the wet/dry and shop vacuum industry.
SEBTECHDIY
Meh :/ New battery platform ( another one .. ). 2ah battery with very limited runtime. I hope new adapter will be available one amazon for shopvac to dewalt/milwaukee etc batteries. 😉
frobo
This looks like a good place for the battery adapter people to make some money. As the owner of five different battery platforms, I could see buying one of these vacuums if I could adapt it to one of my existing batteries. But at this point, I don’t have any desire to keep a sixth battery platform around.
kri
selling a vacuum with 2. 2 amp batterys A broom would get more done
Ry
So these are Workpro batteries, which makes sense given the shared parentage. But interestingly not the green and gray ones . they match with a pretty wide looking range of blue and red ones (https://www.workprotool.com/uploads/202336532/ImgScroll/bac3dfd8c9-f1fd-4494-b80b-2ad5e845ccca.jpg) that you can buy in China, I guess?
Interesting choice to not sell these compatible the existing US Workpro line but who knows, maybe GreatStar is going to start selling some of that line under another brand name in the US. SK power tools, I guess. Why not.
BigTimeTommy
Can’t imagine buying into a zombie brand like Shop Vac at this point.
Florbo
Unless it’s a hybrid cordless & corded model, and even then, I’m not even remotely interested.
Jim Felt
Not knowing their distribution plans but pretty much knowing that Toolguyd followers aren’t likely to be their targeted buyers this makes as much sense as anything else, say, Lowe’s might try to market.
“Lowe’s” where others don’t particularly want to go. Just sayin’…
Chip
Ridgid has discontinued their dual battery cordless shopvac unfortunately.
I’ve used 1 on the mitersaw for the last 4 years.
Had to order a Makita adapter from AUS since I didn’t want Ridgid batteries.
I’ve since added the side grinder
Single use cordless tools face an uphill battle, unless they are stellar in their field ..Fein omt,and Paslode.
Festool having at least 4 battery types,Fein,Skill,Dremel all being different for me.
Ryobi adapters from surebonder are well made in a factory, (not 3d) and because it is simple to use…I’ve added 5 specialty tools.
Cordless is convenience, having a charger and multiple batteries doesn’t fit that criteria.