DeWalt 6 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac vs DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless/Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum
Quick take: The DeWalt 6 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac costs $89 less.
Which one to buy
An $89 gap between two DeWalt wet/dry vacs buys portability, not power. The DeWalt 6 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac at $110 is a corded shop vac with a 6-gallon tank, rubberized casters, a washable cartridge filter, a blower port and a 4 peak HP rating also published as 80 CFM. The DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless/Corded at $199 is a 2-gallon bare tool that runs on DeWalt batteries or a wall outlet, listed at 31 CFM. Both carry a 3-year warranty.
The cordless model's owners are blunt about what that buys. They like swapping in a drill battery or plugging in without changing anything, its quiet running and the tools stored onboard, but call the suction weak, say it struggles on fine drywall dust and pet hair, and report a HEPA filter that clogs quickly. Its small tank and 5-foot hose keep it to spot cleanups.
The 6 Gallon's owners describe solid everyday suction and wet/dry versatility for workshop debris and car detailing, while noting it is not the most powerful shop vac and that its poly tank lacks the abuse resistance of DeWalt's steel models. Their sharpest warning is never to run it without the filter in place, and some owners compare its 3-year warranty unfavorably with Ridgid's lifetime coverage.
For garage and basement cleanups, buy the 6 Gallon: it costs far less, holds far more and moves more air. The 20V MAX is for DeWalt battery owners who want something small enough for a truck cab, and the price excludes the battery.
DeWalt 6 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac
Best for general garage, shop and wet cleanup; it costs $89 less and has more tank and airflow.
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless/Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum
Buy the DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless/Corded only if you already own DeWalt batteries and need a compact vac for truck-bed and bench cleanup.
| Spec | DeWalt 6 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac | DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless/Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$110 | ~$199 |
| Type | Wet-Dry Shop Vac | Wet-Dry Shop Vac |
| Suction | 4 HP | 31 CFM |
| Battery | Corded | — |
| Navigation | — | — |
| Filtration | Washable and reusable cartridge filter | Gore Wet/Dry HEPA filter, washable and reusable, 99.97% at 1 micron |
| Cordless | No | Yes |
| Bagged | No | No |
| Noise | — | — |
| Dustbin | 6 gal | 2 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 | 19.5 x 15.5 x 16.5 in | — |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs | — |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Pros & cons
DeWalt 6 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac
- ✓Under 15 lbs — easy to lift into a truck bed or up a step
- ✓Washable, reusable cartridge filter instead of disposable ones
- ✓Built-in blower port doubles as a basic blower
- ✓3-year limited warranty plus 1 year of free service
- ✓Rubberized casters roll easily on concrete and gravel
- ✓Widely stocked at Home Depot, so replacement filters and hoses are easy to find
- ✗No published noise rating
- ✗Some owners question whether the 4 HP figure reflects real running power
- ✗6 gallons fills up fast on bigger cleanup jobs
- ✗Running it without the filter seated will damage the motor — an easy mistake to make
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless/Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum
- ✓Runs on a 20V MAX battery or plugs into the wall — genuine dual-power flexibility
- ✓Gore HEPA filter rated 99.97% at 1 micron, and it's washable
- ✓Small and light enough to keep in a truck cab for quick spills
- ✓3-year limited warranty plus 1 year of free service
- ✓One owner reported 4 years of daily jobsite use with no failures
- ✗Battery and charger sold separately — the real cost is much higher than the tool-only price
- ✗Battery runtime is the top owner complaint; roughly 24 minutes in independent testing on a mid-size battery
- ✗2-gallon tank empties often on anything beyond a quick job
- ✗HEPA filter clogs fast on fine dust like drywall sanding and needs frequent cleaning
- ✗No published weight or dimensions
DeWalt 6 Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac vs DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless/Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum: common questions
Why is the cordless DeWalt so much more expensive than the 6-gallon?▾
You pay for battery operation and the option to plug in, not for suction or capacity. The 20V MAX lists 31 CFM and a 2-gallon tank against the 6 Gallon's 80 CFM and 6 gallons, and its $199 price does not include a battery or charger.
Which DeWalt is better for drywall dust?▾
Neither is ideal. The 20V MAX has a Gore HEPA filter, but its owners say it clogs fast and bogs down on fine dust. The 6 Gallon's washable cartridge filter also needs regular cleaning, and its owners warn never to run it without the filter seated.
Can the 6-gallon DeWalt go in a truck?▾
Yes. At 14.8 lbs it is light enough to lift into a truck bed, and its casters roll on concrete and gravel. The 20V MAX is smaller still and fits in a cab, which is its main advantage.