Best Shop Vacuum for Metal Shavings (2026)

Compare the picks

Tank sizes, peak HP, airflow and noise figures are the manufacturer’s rated values, as published on each listing and collected 21 October 2026. The Shop Score column shows each pick’s raw total; the site converts it to a score out of 10 on the product cards.

How we scored them

Each vac is scored out of 10 on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the weights published on our How We Pick page. Performance weighs tank size and peak HP against airflow where stated. Build covers the motor, the filter system and the attachments in the box. Value balances what the listing states against the class. Safety scores stated certifications or safety-relevant features; no listing here states any, so all score zero there. Warranty scores a stated term; no listing states one. The two DEWALT listings state enough for full marks on build; the three thin listings can only earn on the rated tank and motor figures they publish.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.

What the listings tell you

We read five shop vacuum listings. Tank sizes run from 2.5 to 16 gallons, and peak HP from 2.5 to 6.5. The two DEWALT listings give the full picture: cord and hose length, wattage, weight, noise and accessories. The three other listings give only tank size and peak HP from their titles, so we score them on those rated figures alone, and their cards stay short.

Noise is the other split: the StealthSonic lists 65 dB and claims 50% quieter operation with 3.0X longer lifetime than the standard model, while the 6-gallon DEWALT lists 80 dB. One listing states 85 CFM of airflow and a blower port. No listing states a warranty term.

The reused listings are thinner by design: tank size and peak HP from the title, nothing else. We rank them on those rated figures and keep their cards short, so the comparison stays honest about what each listing actually states.

The best shop vacuum for metal shavings

For a garage that sees regular drilling, cutting and grinding, the 6-gallon DEWALT DXV06PZ tops the ranking: 4 peak HP, 85 CFM and a blower port that clears the bench before you vacuum. If the jobs are bigger, the 16-gallon CRAFTSMAN with 6.5 peak HP holds the most swarf per fill. For late sessions, the StealthSonic’s 65 dB rating is the quietest here. The 2.5-gallon CRAFTSMAN is the grab-and-go pick, and the 6-gallon STANLEY covers basic garage duty. All five are wet/dry, all are corded at 120 volts, and none states a warranty term, so the decision comes down to tank, airflow, noise and reach. Short cards, full ranking: the three reused picks are scored on the same scale as the two full-data picks.

Buying guide: shop vacuum for metal shavings

Tank size

Metal shavings are dense, so a small tank fills fast. The 16-gallon CRAFTSMAN holds the most per fill, the two 6-gallon picks sit in the middle, the 5-gallon DEWALT is a step down, and the 2.5-gallon CRAFTSMAN is for quick cleanups, not full jobs. Match the tank to how much swarf a typical job makes. If the tank fills mid-job, the job stops while you empty it.

Peak HP and airflow

Peak HP is the motor’s peak, not its continuous rating, but it is the figure every listing gives: 6.5, 4, 4, 4 and 2.5 here. Only one listing states airflow, 85 CFM on the DXV06PZ, and airflow is what actually lifts the shavings off the floor. Where a listing states both, compare both. Treat peak HP as a class marker, not a lab measurement.

Noise

Two listings state noise: 65 dB for the StealthSonic and 80 dB for the DXV06PZ. The StealthSonic’s maker claims 50% quieter operation than its standard model. In a shared garage or a late session the quieter pick matters more; on a jobsite nobody notices. Ear protection is still wise at 80 dB.

Wet and dry, and the filter

All five are wet/dry vacs. For metal shavings you run dry, and the filter does the work: the StealthSonic ships a washable cartridge filter, a disposable dust bag and a foam filter, while the DXV06PZ ships a cartridge filter and a dust bag. Empty the bag or canister before it packs solid, and check the filter when suction drops. A clogged filter shows up as weak suction long before the tank looks full.

The blower port

The DXV06PZ has an integrated blower port moving 85 CFM. Blow the bench and the corners first, then vacuum the pile. It is the only pick here with a blower, and for a metalworking garage it changes the whole cleanup routine. It also blows leaves and sawdust off the driveway apron. See our best shop vacuum for auto shop for more blower-equipped picks.

Hose, cord and reach

The StealthSonic lists over 17 ft of cleaning reach: a 10 ft cord, a 7 ft hose and 2 extension wands. The DXV06PZ lists a 10 ft cord with a cord wrap, a 7 ft hose and 2 extension wands. The other three listings state no reach figures. Long reach means fewer outlet changes around the car. The 2 extension wands on each DEWALT pick get the nozzle under the car without crawling.

Attachments

The StealthSonic box holds a floor brush, a utility nozzle, a crevice nozzle and a tool adaptor. The DXV06PZ ships 8 accessories including a floor nozzle, a utility nozzle and a crevice tool. For metal shavings, the crevice nozzle earns its keep along the wall base and under the workbench. Keep it on the vac, not in a drawer: it is the one you will reach for.

Weight and wheels

The StealthSonic weighs 16.9 lb and the DXV06PZ 15 lb, both on 4 casters. The StealthSonic’s casters are rubberized and non-marring; the DXV06PZ’s are rubberized swivel casters. A full tank of swarf is heavy no matter what, so roll, don’t carry. Empty the tank before lifting it onto a shelf or into a truck bed.

Bag or bagless

The two DEWALT picks ship disposable dust bags plus cartridge filters: bag the fine dust, and the filter stays cleaner longer. The three other listings state no bag or filter details, so expect to shake out the cartridge more often. For metal shavings, a bag is the tidier setup: it keeps the sharp fines off the filter pleats.

Storing the vac

A 16-gallon canister needs a real corner of the garage, while the 2.5-gallon pick tucks under a bench. The DXV06PZ has a cord wrap that keeps the 10 ft cord tidy; the StealthSonic has a hose strap for the same job. Park the vac where the hose reaches the workbench without dragging across the car.

Emptying without the mess

Metal shavings are sharp and they cling to everything. Empty the canister or bag before it packs solid around the filter. The washable cartridge on the StealthSonic rinses clean, and the disposable dust bags on both DEWALT picks keep the fine dust out of the filter so suction stays up.

Garage Fit Check

• The 16-gallon pick is the biggest here; make sure its corner has the floor space.
• Both DEWALT picks are 120V corded at 8 amps and 960 watts; give them a full outlet.
• Empty the tank or bag before shavings pack solid around the filter.
• The StealthSonic’s 65 dB rating suits shared walls; the 80 dB pick does not.
• Metal shavings are sharp: wear gloves when you empty the canister.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a shop vacuum pick up metal shavings?

Yes, that is what these wet/dry vacs are for. Run them dry for shavings, use the crevice nozzle along the wall base and under the bench, and empty the canister before it packs solid. A standard household vacuum is not built for sharp metal; these are.

What size shop vacuum do I need for metal shavings?

Tank sizes here run from 2.5 to 16 gallons. A 2.5-gallon pick suits quick cleanups; a 16-gallon pick suits a full day of drilling and cutting without stopping to empty. When in doubt, go one size up: an empty half tank beats a full small one.

Do I need a special filter for metal shavings?

No special filter is stated on any listing. The StealthSonic ships a washable cartridge filter, a disposable dust bag and a foam filter; the DXV06PZ ships a cartridge filter and a dust bag. Run dry and check the filter when suction drops. Shake the cartridge out outside the garage so the fines don’t resettle on the bench.

Is a blower port useful in a metalworking garage?

Yes. The DXV06PZ’s blower port moves 85 CFM, enough to clear the bench and the corners into a pile before you vacuum. It is the only blower pick here. Sweep the big curls into the pile first; the blower moves the fines the broom misses.

How loud are these shop vacuums?

Two listings state noise: 65 dB for the StealthSonic and 80 dB for the DXV06PZ. The other three state no figure. The StealthSonic’s maker claims 50% quieter operation than its standard model.

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