Wet and dry vacuum cleaners can tackle spills as well as dirt and dust, making them very versatile.
You can use wet and dry vacuum cleaners for
As well as doing regular vacuuming of floors, upholstery and curtains, you can also use wet and dry vacuum cleaners for tasks such as unblocking sinks and baths using a blower function, cleaning up flooding resulting from burst pipes and removing stains and marks from carpets when used in combination with a detergent.
As the name suggests, the main way in which wet and dry vacuum cleaners differ from regular vacuum cleaners is that they can suck up liquids safely.
Read on for our reviews of the most popular and highly rated wet and dry vacuum cleaners available in the UK.
Best Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaners in the UK
1. Numatic CVC370-2BL/BK Charles
Capacity: 15 litres (dry), 9 litres (wet)
Wattage: 1200 W
The Numatic CVC370-2BL/BK Charles is made by the same people who make the well-known Henry vacuum cleaner, and features the iconic smiley face. Unlike Henry though, Charles can tackle both wet and dry surfaces.
This vacuum cleaner is very effective at sucking up spills thanks to the exceptional amount of suction it offers. It’s also easy to use and offers good value for money.
You can use the Numatic Charles on hard floors, carpets and upholstery, so it’s quite versatile. It uses HepaFlo filter bags which have a self-seal tab, so no dust will escape when it’s time to empty the bag.
One common complaint is that the power cord isn’t retractable like on a Henry Hoover. Instead, you the cable just wraps round the top, which can mean it ends up getting tangled or damaged.
The Numatic CVC370-2BL/BK Charles wet and dry vacuum cleaner really sucks—in a good way! It is very powerful and effective in both wet and dry modes.
2. Kärcher WD2 Tough Vac
Capacity: 12 litres
Wattage: 1200 W
The Kärcher WD2 Tough Vac is designed with DIY enthusiasts in mind. It can be used to clean up sawdust, spills and other DIY debris. It’s also light and ergonomic making it good for using anywhere in the home.
This vacuum cleaner is cleverly designed, with an ergonomic carrying handle and a long handle to improve your posture. There’s also space for storing accessories and the cable on the vacuum cleaner itself.
The Kärcher WD2 Tough Vac is very light at 4.6 kg and is quick and easy to assemble. It offers a good level of suction and is ideal for clearing up DIY mess including sawdust and wallpaper shavings. It
One downside is that it’s very loud at 77 decibels, though this is common for wet and dry vacuum cleaners.
Some users have also found that the hose can get blocked up with things like pet hairs, and the machine itself sometimes topples over.
The Kärcher WD2 Tough Vac is a rugged and sturdy wet/dry vacuum cleaner. It certainly has some flaws, but for the price it’s a decent wet and dry vacuum cleaner.
3. BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro 2224E
Wattage: 560 W
This machine is specifically designed for homes with pets and offers a 3-in-1 design that lets you wash, vacuum and dry all in one go.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro 2224E can be used on wood, tile and laminate floors as well as rugs. It comes with a pet cleaning formula for removing pet stains and odours, making it an ideal choice for pet owners.
The machine has a large 0.82-litre tank for storing detergent, which should be enough to clean your entire home before you need to refill it.
This product can pick up a lot of pet hair and dirt. The machine also mops as you vacuum, which means that you can clean your floors thoroughly in one go.
However, it’s worth noting that this vacuum cleaner can’t be used on stairs, so you’ll need another vacuum cleaner to clean your stairs.
It’s worth noting that the machine is very loud (80 decibels), though this is normal for powerful vacuum cleaners like this.
Overall, the BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro 2224E is a great choice for pet owners who want a versatile and efficient cleaning machine.
4. Draper 90107 15L Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Capacity: 15 litres
Wattage: 1250 watts
The Draper 90107 is a tough and sturdy wet and dry vacuum cleaner from British firm Draper Tools. Lots of people use it to clean up after doing building work or renovation projects. This vacuum cleaner boasts a large 15 litre capacity plastic tank.
This product comes with a floor brush, three extension tubes and a crevice tool. There’s also a blower function, so it’s quite a versatile machine.
It’s easy to move around and has a good level of suction. It could be good for using while renovating properties and doing DIY, since it can easily tackle paint chips, sand, sawdust and other DIY debris.
One downside is that some users have found that it isn’t particularly stable and can topple over easily.
Overall, the Draper 90107 is a great wet and dry vacuum cleaner if you’re doing building work, renovation or DIY. It should handle anything you throw at it including plaster dust, small rubble and so on.
5. Black & Decker 7.2 V Lithium-Ion Wet and Dry Cordless Dustbuster
Wattage: 10.8 watts
This handy little device is a bit different to the vacuums reviewed above. It’s a cordless handheld wet and dry vac, so it’s a good choice for cleaning up small accidents around the home rather than tackling whole floors at a time.
It’s light and easy to manoeuvre, and has some good attachments included such as a crevice tool, squeegee and an upholstery brush.
It’s good for small jobs like spills on the kitchen floo, but it’s obviously not as powerful as full-sized models, so the suction is unimpressive.
The battery life is very short, at just 8 minutes, though this is fine if you’re only using it occasionally for quickly vacuuming up spills.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner
If you’re buying a wet and vacuum cleaner for the first time, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Here are a few things to consider.
Handheld vs full-size
Most wet vacs are full-size, but there are a few handheld models available such as the Black and Decker Cordless Dustbuster, which is a good choice for picking up spills on tables and other raised surfaces.
Value for money
Many popular wet and dry vacuum cleaners cost less than £100, though there are also more high-end models that cost over £200. More powerful models with a bigger capacity cost more, so you will need to think about your requirements before deciding how much to spend.
Suction
Wet and dry vacs usually have good suction, often exceeding that of regular vacuum cleaners. Read reviews and look at the wattage to get an idea of a vacuum cleaner’s suction.
Weight
These products can be heavy, so look for something you’ll be able to push around without too much trouble.
Noise
Like regular vacuum cleaners, wet vacs can be very noisy, so look for a quieter model if this bothers you.
Capacity
The capacity of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner is measured in litres. The larger the capacity, the less frequently you will need to empty it. However, a larger capacity will also mean the machine will be heavier.
Downsides to Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaners
Wet and dry vacuum cleaners are great for homes and workplaces that have frequent spills and need a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner that can handle tough jobs. However, they do have a few downsides and aren’t ideal for everything.
Consider a carpet cleaner instead if you want to thoroughly clean the carpet
Wet and dry vacuum cleaners are different to carpet cleaners, so you should look for a carpet cleaner if you want something to clean the carpet rather than just pick up dust and spills.
They shouldn’t be used for ponds
If you’re looking to clean a pond you should buy a specially designed pond vacuum cleaner rather than a wet and dry vacuum cleaner.
Regular vacuum cleaners are better at removing allergens
Regular vacuum cleaners usually have a better filter system which will help remove allergens from the air. If you have allergies, it’s probably better to use a regular vacuum cleaner most of the time.
Conclusion
If we had to pick just one wet and dry vacuum cleaner to recommend, it would be the Numatic Charles as it offers good value for money, is generally very highly rated by users and is very powerful in both wet and dry modes.
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