RIDGID 62703 RT1200 NXT 12-Gal. Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with Casters, 5.0 Peak HP Motor, and Pro Locking Hose,Dark Gray and Red

Why it's worth it

The RIDGID RT1200 NXT pairs a 12-gallon drum with a 5.0 peak-HP motor and a hose that locks on instead of friction-fitting. RIDGID's Lifetime Service Agreement covers the motor, which no other brand here matches, and the drum design is built to cut operating noise.

The locking hose fixes the single most annoying thing about shop vacs. Most hoses friction-fit into the drum, which means they pull loose the moment you tug the vac around a workbench leg. The RT1200's 1-7/8-inch by 8-foot hose locks in place. The interior is smooth too, so drywall chunks and wood scraps slide through instead of wedging at a seam. It's a small thing you'll notice every single session.

Twelve gallons is the size most people actually need. It's enough that you're not emptying mid-project during a garage cleanout or a bathroom demo, but it still fits in a corner and rolls through a normal doorway. Owners who moved up from smaller vacs consistently say the capacity is the difference — fewer trips to the trash can, fewer interruptions. The large drain port means you can dump water without hoisting the whole drum.

From our review of 8 wet/dry shop vacuums, by David Sinclair, Managing Editor

What we like

• +The locking hose fixes the single most annoying thing about shop vacs
• +Twelve gallons is the size most people actually need
• +RIDGID's Scroll Noise Reduction is real, though don't expect quiet
• +The Lifetime Service Agreement on the motor is the reason to buy this one over a cheaper vac

What to know

• –Some owners report the hose port seal failing early
• –There's no power tool port
• –Twelve gallons is bulky if your space is tight