DeWalt 20V MAX 1/2 Gallon Wet/Dry Portable Vac Kit

I keep a compact vac in my truck for quick cleanups between tasks, and lately the DeWalt 20V vac (model DCV517) has been riding shotgun. It’s a half‑gallon, HEPA‑equipped, cordless wet/dry unit that’s meant for small messes—think drilling dust, sawdust around the miter saw, a spilled coffee in the cab, or a puddle under a P‑trap you just cracked open. After a few weeks of using it on site and at home, here’s how it stacks up.

Design and build

This is a small, rugged handheld. The tool-only weight is 3.8 lb, and with the included 4.0 Ah battery it stays under what I’d consider fatiguing for one‑handed use. The footprint (about 6.5 × 8.4 × 18.9 inches) slides neatly onto a shelf or into a bin; I’ve tucked it between organizers in my van without it snagging on anything.

DeWalt’s heavy‑duty latch on the 0.5‑gallon tank is simple and confidence‑inspiring. Pop it open, dump debris, and snap it back—no fiddly clips. The hose is a 1.25‑inch diameter, 3‑foot rubber length that feels far more durable than the plasticky hoses on many handhelds. It tucks along the body when you’re not using it and connects to the front port for hose mode.

There are two ways to vacuum: use the built‑in front utility nozzle as a grab‑and‑go mouth, or pull out the hose for more reach and precision. The big on/off rocker is glove‑friendly and easy to hit with your thumb. No lights, no modes—just a straightforward, jobsite‑ready layout.

Filtration that actually matters

The standout spec here is the GORE HEPA wet/dry filter. It’s rated to capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, and you can tell. Fine drywall dust and MDF powder that often wafts right back out of lesser handhelds stays put. On trimming jobs and patch work, I’ve used the DCV517 to control dust at the source without turning the room into a snow globe.

Being a wet/dry HEPA, the filter is washable—rinse it under the tap and let it dry. Two notes from use:
- Fine dust clogs any HEPA quickly. Expect suction to taper if you’re vacuuming drywall or cement dust. I tap the filter against the bin mid‑task to restore airflow, then wash at the end of the day.
- Let it dry completely before reinstalling; you don’t want to cake damp dust into the pleats. Overnight in a warm space does the trick.

Replacement filters aren’t cheap, so treat it gently and avoid scrubbing with a brush.

Suction and performance

Relative to its size, suction is solid. It’s stronger than the average “dustbuster‑style” vacs and weaker than a corded 5‑gallon shop vac—which is exactly the lane this tool occupies. The front nozzle is handy for stairs, van mats, and quick floor debris. The hose mode shines for targeted pickups: routing chips, mortise shavings, anchors and fasteners, and cleaning out corners where a block plane or multitool kicks up dust.

A few realistic boundaries:
- The 1.25‑inch hose is a good compromise for airflow and flexibility, but it won’t swallow long offcuts or flexible packing material without a fight. Keep it to chips, dust, and small hardware.
- For very fine dust, plan on short bursts with filter taps in between to keep suction consistent.
- Compared with larger cordless canister vacs, this one trades peak airflow for portability and one‑hand control.

On wet pickups, it works as advertised for small spills—condensation puddles under a compressor, a spilled drink, a slow drip under a sink. With only a half‑gallon tank, you’ll reach capacity quickly on anything more ambitious. Emptying liquids is tidy thanks to the latch, but remember to rinse and dry the filter so it doesn’t smell musty later.

Battery life

The kit includes a DCB204 4.0 Ah pack and DCB115 charger, which is great if you’re new to the DeWalt 20V lineup. With that pack, I typically see around 15–25 minutes of actual trigger‑on time depending on how clogged the filter is and whether I’m picking up heavier debris or liquids. In real terms, that’s several short cleanups across a day or a thorough once‑over of a work area and the truck interior.

If you have higher‑capacity 20V MAX batteries, they’ll extend runtime noticeably. The tradeoff is weight; a 5.0 Ah or larger pack makes the rear end a bit heavier, though still manageable.

Ergonomics and ease of use

The balance is good with the 4.0 Ah battery—no wrist strain, and the front nozzle angle feels natural for sweeping motions. The oversized switch is a small thing that becomes a big thing when you’re wearing gloves or moving between tasks quickly.

Switching to hose mode is straightforward, but the hose connection is snug by design to prevent leaks. That’s great for maintaining suction, a little less great when you’re in a hurry with cold hands. It loosens slightly after a few uses; a very light twist as you pull helps.

Emptying is as painless as it gets. Flip the latch, dump the bin, tap out the filter. The clear tank isn’t over‑busy with baffles, so clumps don’t hang up.

Compatibility and accessories

The 1.25‑inch hose diameter plays nicely with common small‑vac accessories. If you already have a brush or crevice tool set from other 1‑1/4‑inch vacs, odds are good they’ll fit. The kit itself is relatively barebones—no extra nozzles beyond the built‑in utility mouth and the hose—so plan to bring your own specialty attachments if you want to detail the dash or get into narrow channels.

Durability and maintenance

The rubber hose and latch mechanism feel genuinely “jobsite.” I tossed the vac into the back of a van, banged it around a bit on concrete, and haven’t cracked anything or popped the latch open unintentionally. The filter frame and seal are robust, which helps maintain that HEPA rating over time.

Maintenance is simple: rinse the tank, rinse the filter, let it dry, and you’re back in business. I’d avoid harsh solvents on the hose and tank—plain water knocks off most grime, and a mild detergent takes care of the rest.

DeWalt backs the tool with a 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and 90‑day satisfaction guarantee. That’s typical for the brand and reassuring if you’re rough on your gear.

Noise

It’s not whisper‑quiet, but it’s not obnoxious either. The tone is less shrill than some handhelds, which makes it more tolerable in small spaces. I can talk over it without shouting, though you’ll be happier turning it off to take a phone call.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Compact, genuinely portable wet/dry cleanup with real HEPA capture.
- Dual‑mode convenience: front nozzle for quick sweeps, hose for precision.
- Rugged hose and latch; straightforward controls.
- Works with any 20V MAX battery, and this kit includes a 4.0 Ah pack and charger.

Limitations:
- Half‑gallon capacity means frequent dumps on bigger messes.
- HEPA filter clogs quickly with fine dust; plan on tapping it out mid‑task and fully washing/drying later.
- Snug hose connection can be stiff to remove at first.
- Not a replacement for a larger shop vac when you need sustained, high‑airflow cleanup.

The bottom line

I reach for the DeWalt 20V vac when I want to keep a work zone tidy without hauling a full‑size vac. It’s ideal for small, frequent pickups where HEPA containment and cordless convenience matter—patching drywall, drilling anchors, trimming carpentry, service calls, car interiors, and the inevitable small liquid mishaps. The tradeoffs are predictable and, for this size class, reasonable: limited tank capacity, finite runtime, and a filter that needs attention when you’re in the fine‑dust world.

Recommendation: I recommend it to anyone already on DeWalt’s 20V platform who needs a rugged, portable, wet/dry solution for spot cleanups and light detailing. The included 4.0 Ah battery and charger make the kit a turnkey add to your stack, and the HEPA filter elevates it above the usual handhelds. If your day regularly ends with piles of demolition debris or you’re cleaning up whole rooms of drywall sanding dust, this isn’t the right tool—step up to a larger vac. For all the quick, everyday messes in between, the DeWalt 20V vac has earned a permanent spot in my truck.