Best Shop Vacuum Under $100 (2026): 4 Picks

Compare the picks

Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 19 October 2026. “Not stated” means the listing does not give the figure.

How we scored them

Each vacuum is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. No listing here states a safety certification, so safety scores zero across the board; three of the four state a 1-year warranty. The weights are on our How We Pick page.

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.

Buying guide: best shop vacuum under $100

Tank size: 2.5 to 6 gallons

Tank size here runs from 2.5 to 6 gallons. The STANLEY is the biggest at 6 gallons, which its listing says holds over 22 liters so small jobs do not need frequent emptying. The Vacmaster holds 5 gallons, the Armor All 4 gallons in a stainless tank, and the Shop-Vac 2.5 gallons in a wall-mountable canister. Bigger tanks mean fewer trips to empty; smaller tanks mean easier carrying and wall storage. Note the Armor All spec table lists 1.5 gallons against its 4-gallon title and bullets; we trust the title and bullets.

Peak HP and suction: what the numbers mean

Peak HP runs 2.5 to 4 across the four. The STANLEY lists 4 peak HP with 85 inches of suction, the Vacmaster 3 peak HP with 65 CFM, the Armor All 3 peak HP at 900W, and the Shop-Vac 2.5 peak HP with 60 CFM and 53 inches of sealed pressure. The STANLEY listing carries an honest footnote: peak horsepower is an industry term for consumer comparison in a laboratory, not the operational horsepower in actual use. Compare peak HP only within this class, and treat suction inches and CFM as separate figures, since listings do not state both for every model.

Hose, cord and reach

Reach is hose plus cord, and the listings state both. The STANLEY claims over 16 ft of cleaning reach from a 6 ft hose, 10 ft cord and 3 extension wands; note its included-components line says a 5-foot hose against the bullets’ 6 ft, and we trust the bullets. The Vacmaster states 16 feet of reach with a 7 ft hose. The Armor All bullets list an 8 ft cord and 6 ft hose (its spec table says 4 ft hose and 6 ft cord; bullets win). The Shop-Vac lists a 12 ft cord with a 4 ft hose. All four ride on casters or wheels except the wall-mountable Shop-Vac.

Blower mode and filters

All four convert to a blower: the STANLEY via a rear blower port, the Vacmaster and Shop-Vac with a blower function, and the Armor All with a blowing port. Filters come as sets. The STANLEY includes a foam filter, dust bag and reusable dry filter. The Vacmaster includes a cartridge filter for dry pickup and a foam wet filter. The Armor All includes reusable cloth and foam wet filters. The Shop-Vac includes a filter bag and foam cage filter, while its spec table lists a HEPA filter. Match the filter to the mess and keep a spare bag on the shelf.

Warranty

Three of the four state a 1-year warranty: the STANLEY (1-year limited), the Vacmaster (1 year) and the Shop-Vac (1-year manufacturer). The Armor All states no warranty term. A year is the standard stated term in this class; anything longer would stand out, and nothing here does.

Noise: 80 dB stated

Only two listings state a noise figure: the STANLEY and the Armor All both list 80 dB. The Vacmaster and Shop-Vac state no noise figure. An 80 dB rating is loud enough to notice across the garage; if you vacuum early in the morning with shared walls, the unstated-noise picks are a gamble, not a guarantee of quiet. Hearing protection is a personal choice, but at 80 dB it is worth considering for long sessions.

Weight and portability

The four weigh 8.5 to 14.9 pounds. The Shop-Vac is the lightest at 8.5 lb and the only wall-mountable pick, with a bracket included; hang it by the workbench and it takes no floor space. The Armor All is 10.2 lb with 360-degree caster wheels and a top handle. The Vacmaster is 13 lb with a balanced top handle and wide-stance casters. The STANLEY is 14.9 lb, the heaviest here, on four swivel casters. Heavier vacuums stay planted during use; lighter ones move between garage and car more easily.

Accessory counts and storage

Accessory counts run 8 to 10. The Armor All lists 10 accessories: hose, 3 extension wands, crevice tool, car nozzle, floor brush nozzle, and reusable cloth and foam wet filters, with integrated hose and accessory storage. The Vacmaster lists 8 accessories with on-board hose, cord and accessory storage. The STANLEY ships a hose, 3 extension wands, gulper nozzle, floor nozzle, crevice nozzle, foam filter, dust bag and reusable dry filter, with the hose and cord organized on the top handle and side wraps. The Shop-Vac includes a wall bracket, hose, filter bag, foam cage filter, utility and crevice nozzles, and onboard tool storage. Onboard storage matters: loose nozzles get lost, stored ones get used.

Dimensions and footprint

Footprints differ more than the tanks suggest. The STANLEY is 12.5 by 12.5 by 20 inches tall. The Armor All is 12.2 by 11.81 by 17.91 inches. The Shop-Vac is 12.2 by 11.61 by 15.16 inches, the shortest here. The Vacmaster is 18 by 15 by 28 inches, the tallest and widest, which its wide-stance casters need. Measure the parking spot before ordering: a 28-inch-tall vacuum does not fit under every workbench.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size shop vacuum do I need for a garage?

For a working garage, 4 to 6 gallons covers most jobs without constant emptying; the STANLEY at 6 gallons and the Vacmaster at 5 gallons fit that. The 2.5-gallon Shop-Vac suits quick cleanups and wall storage where space is tight.

What does peak HP mean on a shop vacuum?

The STANLEY listing explains it: peak horsepower is a wet/dry vacuum industry term for consumer comparison, measured by the maker in a laboratory, including the motor’s inertial contribution, and motors do not reach peak HP in actual use. Compare it only between similar vacuums.

Can a shop vacuum pick up water?

All four are wet/dry vacuums per their listings. Fit the foam or wet filter the listing includes for wet pickup.

Do I need the blower function?

All four have one, via a blower port or mode. It clears leaves, sawdust and garage floors without sweeping. If you already own a leaf blower, it is a bonus rather than a deciding feature.

Which of these have a warranty?

The STANLEY, Vacmaster and Shop-Vac each state a 1-year warranty. The Armor All states no warranty term.

Related guides

Also see our best heavy duty shop vacuum roundup, wet vs dry shop vacuum and best small shop dust vacuum.