Want to buy only one wet-dry vacuum for your shop, one that will probably last as long as your shop? Consider your budget and then take a close look at the RIDGID WD1950. In the long run, this wet-dry vac may be a great deal.

Instead of polypropylene (plastic), the tank on the WD1950 is made of stainless steel. It's built to take more use -- and abuse -- than most other shop vacuums. The tank has a capacity of 16 gallons. Of course, because of the stainless-steel tank the WD1950 weighs more than most other wet-dry vacs, but the unit has two large 8-inch wheels in the rear to make it more portable. With these bigger wheels you can take it up or down stairs easier than you can smaller models.

The motor on the RIDGID WD1950 is an Emerson 12-amp electric (6.5 peak hp) with an extra-long 20-foot power cord. This model also features a patented noise reduction system to make operation quieter than much smaller units. You can run it for hours without worry of hearing loss.

The vacuum hose is 7-feet long and 2-1/2-inches wide, which is a standard size among most wet-dry vacs. It has two extension wands and comes with a utility nozzle, wet nozzle and crevice tool. Other nozzles and tools can be purchased separately. A nice feature is the tool storage bag attached to the handle that keeps the nozzles and other parts within reach.

One more feature worth mentioning is the WD1950's built-in filter sensor that lets you know when it is time to clean or replace the three-layer fine dust cartridge filter. If you also want to filter allergens, an optional upgrade filter is available.

Although more expensive than vacs of the same size, the RIDGID WD1950 should last you a long time -- at least twice as long as wet-dry vacs that cost half the price of this one. And if you like some of the features of this model, consider the WD1950 a good long-term investment that will keep your shop clean for years.


Pros: Stainless-steel tank, superior filter system with sensor, long power cord
Cons: More expensive than vacs of the same size

Warranty
lifetime