Vacmaster Beast Professional 14 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac vs Kärcher WD 5 P
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Quick take: The Vacmaster Beast Professional 14 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac costs $30 less.
| Spec | Vacmaster Beast Professional 14 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac | Kärcher WD 5 P |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$200 | ~$230 |
| Type | Wet-Dry Shop Vac | Wet-Dry Shop Vac |
| Suction | 6.5 HP | 260 W |
| Battery | Corded | Corded |
| Navigation | — | — |
| Filtration | High-efficiency cartridge filter, captures down to 1 micron | — |
| Cordless | No | No |
| Bagged | No | — |
| Noise | — | 73 dB |
| Dustbin | 14 gal | 6.6 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 | — | 16.5 x 15 x 25.7 in |
| Weight | 23.5 lbs | 19.2 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 2 years |
Pros & cons
Vacmaster Beast Professional 14 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
- ✓14-gallon tank means fewer trips to empty it during a big cleanup
- ✓18 included accessories cover most jobsite and garage tasks out of the box
- ✓Kink-resistant 7-foot hose holds up better than budget shop vac hoses
- ✓5-year warranty beats most corded competitors at this price
- ✓Large wheels and locking caster make it easy to roll on concrete
- ✓Cartridge filter rated down to 1 micron for fine dust
- ✗No published noise rating — this is not a quiet unit
- ✗23.5 lbs plus a 14-gallon tank makes it awkward to carry, not just roll
- ✗Filter washability isn't specified by the manufacturer
- ✗One long-term owner reported motor overheating after a couple years (warranty covered it)
Kärcher WD 5 P
- ✓Filter-cleaning button clears the cartridge mid-job without opening the tank
- ✓Tool outlet switches the vac on and off with a connected power tool
- ✓Doubles as a blower
- ✓26 ft cord and 11.5 ft hose give a wide working radius
- ✓73 dB(A) noise rating, against 87 dB on Milwaukee's battery wet/dry vacs
- ✗Kärcher quotes airflow as both 156 CFM and 76 CFM
- ✗2-year warranty, against 3 years on DeWalt and Craftsman shop vacs and lifetime on Ridgid's
- ✗19.2 lbs, heavy for a 6.6-gallon drum
- ✗$230, more than the 16-gallon Craftsman ($150) or the 12-gallon Ridgid NXT ($109)
- ✗Kärcher does not state the filter type