Craftsman 16 Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac vs Craftsman 6 Gallon 3.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac
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Quick take: The Craftsman 6 Gallon 3.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac costs $65 less.
| Spec | Craftsman 16 Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac | Craftsman 6 Gallon 3.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$150 | ~$85 |
| Type | Wet-Dry Shop Vac | Wet-Dry Shop Vac |
| Suction | 6.5 HP | 3.5 HP |
| Battery | Corded | Corded |
| Navigation | — | — |
| Filtration | Cartridge filter plus foam wet filter | Qwik Lock pleated paper filter |
| Cordless | No | No |
| Bagged | No | No |
| Noise | — | — |
| Dustbin | 16 gal | 6 gal |
| Water tank | — | — |
| Self-empty dock | No | No |
| Auto mop washing | No | No |
| Hot water washing | No | No |
| Obstacle avoidance | No | No |
| Carpet detection | No | No |
| Auto mop lifting | No | No |
| Multi-floor mapping | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Dimensions | — | — |
| Weight | — | — |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Pros & cons
Craftsman 16 Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac
- ✓16-gallon tank handles a full garage cleanup without emptying mid-job
- ✓Strong suction and a generous attachment set for the price, per owner comparisons
- ✓Three-way filtration: cartridge, foam wet sleeve, and a removable dust bag
- ✓20.5-foot cord reaches most of a garage without an extension
- ✓Craftsman brand is confirmed actively selling new, not discontinued despite ownership changes
- ✗Only a 3-year warranty — owners repeatedly flag this against Ridgid's lifetime coverage
- ✗Craftsman sells several near-identical 16-gallon SKUs with different bundles; easy to order the wrong one
- ✗No published noise rating, weight, or dimensions
- ✗Long-term ownership reports for this exact SKU are thin online
Craftsman 6 Gallon 3.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac
- ✓Compact and light enough to keep in a car trunk or small closet
- ✓Swivel casters and rear wheels for real mobility despite the small size
- ✓Affordable entry point into the Craftsman lineup
- ✓3-year limited warranty
- ✓Pleated paper filter and attachment set included
- ✗Smallest, weakest motor in the current Craftsman lineup at 3.5 peak HP
- ✗10.25-foot cord is notably shorter than Craftsman's larger units
- ✗No blower function mentioned in official specs, unlike the bigger models
- ✗No published noise rating, weight, or dimensions
- ✗Long-term owner reports for this exact SKU are thin online