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

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

Features

  • GORE HEPA wet/dry filter rated to trap 99.97% of dust at 0.3 microns
  • Dual clean-up modes: front utility nozzle or extendable rubber hose
  • 0.5 gallon tank with heavy‑duty latch for easy emptying and cleaning
  • Washable filter (can be rinsed with tap water)
  • Heavy‑duty rubber hose for durability and flexibility
  • Large, one‑hand accessible on/off switch
  • Runs on 20V MAX battery packs for cordless operation
  • Kit includes battery and charger

Specifications

Battery Type Lithium Ion
Voltage 20 V
Tank Capacity 0.5 gal
Hose Diameter 1.25 in
Hose Length 3 ft
Power Source Cordless (20V MAX battery)
Included Items Vacuum, DCB204 battery (4 Ah), DCB115 charger
Product Weight (Tool Only) 3.8 lb (60.8 oz)
Product Weight (Kit, Listed Retail) 7.75 lb
Dimensions (H×W×D) 6.5 in × 8.38 in × 18.88 in
Number Of Pieces 3
Filter Type GORE HEPA wet/dry (washable)
Warranty 3 Year Limited Warranty; 1 Year Free Service; 90 Days Satisfaction Guaranteed

Portable wet/dry vacuum kit designed to run from 20V battery packs. Intended for small clean-up tasks on jobsites or around the home. Includes a HEPA wet/dry filter for capturing fine dust, a 1/2‑gallon tank that is easy to empty, and both a front utility nozzle and an extendable rubber hose for two cleanup modes.

Model Number: DCV517M1
View Manual

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

4.5 out of 5

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.



Project Ideas

Business

Pop-Up Micro-Detailing

Offer 10–15 minute car interior tidy-ups in office parks or rideshare hubs: crumbs, floor mats, cup holders, door pockets. The cordless 20V vac reaches tight spots with the 3 ft hose, and the HEPA filter handles fine dust safely. Carry spare batteries for continuous work and bundle services (e.g., dash wipe + vacuum) at flat rates.


Craft Fair Booth Cleanups

Rent kits to vendors or do on-the-spot cleanups for glitter, threads, confetti, and sawdust at markets and fairs. Provide labeled battery/charger sets, a mini cyclone pre-separator to protect the HEPA filter, and simple usage cards. Charge per booth or per cleanup, with optional end-of-day sweep packages.


Makerspace Dust Control Service

Sell a weekly ‘Fine Dust Tidy’ to makerspaces and fab labs: vacuum benchtops, 3D-printer farms, laser cutter trays, and sanding stations. The HEPA-rated filter captures fine particulates, and the cordless form makes quick spot work without extension cords. Bill monthly and include filter washing/replacement as part of the service.


Accessory Microbrand (Nozzles & Cyclone)

Design and sell a 1.25 in-compatible accessory line: micro-detailing brush, ultra-thin crevice tool, soft keyboard brush, and a compact cyclone separator that fits this vac’s hose. Offer STL files for download and physical kits on Etsy. Bundle with a squeegee head for wet pickups and a hose clip that docks to the vac body.


Airbnb ‘Crumb & Spill’ Turnover

Provide rapid 20–30 minute resets between guests: vacuum crumbs on counters, sofas, and rugs; squeegee small spills in kitchens/baths; tidy carports or entry mats. The portable, cordless vac won’t trip breakers or require outlets in awkward spots. Sell per-visit pricing with discounts for weekly or monthly schedules.

Creative

Cordless Sawdust Sentry

Mount the vac on a small French-cleat dock near your sanding or trim station. Add a 3D‑printed 1.25 in to tool-port reducer and a short stretch of antistatic hose for hand sanders and trim routers. The large on/off switch is easy to hit mid-task, and the GORE HEPA wet/dry filter traps fine sanding dust (0.3 microns) to keep the shop air cleaner. The washable filter and 0.5 gal tank make quick cleanouts painless.


Glitter & Powder Recycler

Make a mini cyclone pre-separator that press-fits the 1.25 in hose and drops collected glitter/mica/embossing powder into a mason jar before the vac. This protects the HEPA filter and lets you reclaim expensive materials. Use the front utility nozzle to sweep a craft bench and the extendable hose for corners. Rinse the washable filter when you’re done.


Backpack Car-Clean Harness

Sew a lightweight sling with a strap-and-buckle cradle so the vac rides at your hip. Add a 3D‑printed crevice tool and soft detailing brush that snap to the hose. The cordless 20V power makes moving around seats and floorboards easy, while the 3 ft flexible hose and one‑hand switch keep it convenient for tight interior spaces.


Watercolor Spill Squeegee

Design a snap-on squeegee adapter for the utility nozzle to pull puddles off tables or studio floors. The wet/dry HEPA filter and 0.5 gal tank make it ideal for small paint-water spills and rinses. Store the squeegee with a printed clip on the vac body, and rinse the filter under tap water after wet pickups.


Camp & Vanlife Crumb Kit

Create a compact galley cleanup kit: a roll-up pouch with the vac, hose, a soft brush head for fabrics, and a narrow nozzle for drawer tracks. It’s perfect for crumbs, sand, and dry, cold ash around a fire ring (ensure ash is fully cool). The cordless 20V battery keeps it ready anywhere without shore power.