DeWalt 5.5 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum (12 gal)

First impressions

I brought the DeWalt 12-gallon vac into the shop expecting a typical jobsite roar and basic cleanup capability. What I found was a well-balanced wet/dry vacuum that feels more refined than most in this class. It’s quieter than the average shop vac, pulls hard through a full-size 2-1/2 inch hose, and includes thoughtful touches that make daily cleanup a little easier.

Setup and build quality

Assembly is straightforward. The casters and the accessory bag bracket fasten with self-tapping screws; a #2 Phillips screwdriver is all you need. The tub, latches, and top housing feel robust, with thick plastic and clean fitment. The large rear wheels and rubberized front casters glide smoothly over concrete and transitions. Nothing about it feels flimsy, and the lid seals tightly to the tank without fighting it.

Inside the box, you get a 7-foot, 2-1/2 inch hose; two extension wands; floor, utility, and crevice nozzles; a washable cartridge filter; and a disposable filter bag. The included bag is a nice touch if you plan to vacuum fine dust—more on that below.

Suction and performance

On paper, this vac is rated at 105 CFM and 70 inches of sealed pressure, driven by a 5.5 peak horsepower motor. In practice, it translates to confident pickup across typical shop debris: hardwood chips, drywall dust, errant screws, even small offcuts when you’re not paying attention. The full-diameter hose helps a lot; clogs are rare if you keep the path clear and avoid throttling the intake with tiny adapters.

For stationary tools, it’s strong enough to be a solid partner for a benchtop sander, miter saw, or router table when you size the connection correctly. It’s not a substitute for a true dust extractor on small tool ports that need high static pressure and fine filtration compliance, but as a general shop vac it has plenty of headroom.

If you run a separator or cyclone ahead of it, the vac keeps up well. Just make sure your separator and drum can handle the suction and that you provide enough makeup air—thin-walled containers can deform under heavy pull.

Filtration and dust management

The washable, reusable cartridge filter is one of the better parts of the package. For general cleanup, it traps fine dust effectively and rinses clean under water; let it dry thoroughly before reinstalling. The included disposable filter bag is worth using for fine dust (sanding, drywall, MDF). It keeps the tub clean and preserves airflow as the bag fills, and it makes disposal neater.

If your work leans heavily toward fine particulates, consider keeping extra bags on hand and adopting a habit of changing them before they’re completely packed. That maintains suction and reduces the plume of dust when you crack the lid to empty. For wet pickups, remove the disposable bag and follow the manual’s guidance on filter configuration.

Wet pickup and draining

For spills, the vac transitions to wet work without drama. The 12-gallon capacity means you can collect a lot of water quickly, and the integrated tank drain is excellent—large enough to actually move water out of the tub without sloshing or tipping the whole unit. If you clean up flooded areas or need to vacuum out basins, that drain saves time and your back.

As always with wet pickup, clean and dry the tank afterward, and make sure the filter setup matches the operation. A quick rinse of the tub and a wipe of the gasket go a long way toward longevity.

Noise and comfort

The standout here is noise—or the lack of it. This is one of the quieter shop vacs I’ve used in the 12-gallon class. You can hold a conversation near it, and it doesn’t have that shrill, fatiguing whine many vacuums do. The motor tone is muted, the housing doesn’t rattle, and there’s no harsh resonance through the tub. For small shops or attached garages, the difference is noticeable over longer sessions.

Maneuverability and reach

The vac is easy to move around. The large rear wheels roll over cords and debris, the swiveling front casters don’t chatter across the floor, and the top handle gives you a secure grab point when you need to lift or pivot. The footprint is sensible for a 12-gallon tank—stable but not unwieldy.

Reach is decent out of the box: a 20-foot cord and a 7-foot hose cover most two-car garage situations when you position the vac centrally. I wouldn’t mind a longer hose for vehicle interiors or to park the vac in a corner during sanding; adding a 2-1/2 inch extension hose is a straightforward upgrade if your layout demands it.

Blower port and versatility

There’s a blower port built into the motor housing. Attach the hose to the outlet, and you can clear sawdust out of crevices, push leaves off a driveway, or blow out filters. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated leaf blower—think targeted cleanup rather than landscaping—but it’s handy and strong enough to be useful.

Accessories and storage

The included nozzles are sturdy and practical. The floor tool covers large areas, the utility nozzle is a go-to for bench cleanup, and the crevice tool reaches into corners. The two wand extensions provide comfortable reach for floor work.

The accessory storage solution is a mixed bag. The fabric caddy keeps tools together and mounts to the vac, which is better than chasing loose nozzles. However, it’s not as tidy or integrated as molded storage on the tub, and the rubber strap intended to secure the hose can be fussy. If you move the vac frequently, expect to re-seat the hose strap now and then. None of this affects performance, but day-to-day convenience could be better.

Maintenance and durability

Maintenance is simple: tap or wash the cartridge filter, empty the tank or bag, and wipe down seals. The latches, wheels, and hose ends feel tough and should hold up to real use. The 2-1/2 inch hose is thick-walled and resists kinking. The cord wrap is generous and keeps the 20-foot cord under control without a wrestling match.

DeWalt backs the vac with a 3-year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. For a tool that often sees rough duty, that’s reassuring.

What could be better

• Hose length: The 7-foot hose covers basics, but a longer hose would reduce repositioning during vehicle detailing and wall sanding.
• Accessory storage: The fabric caddy and hose strap work, but the system feels like an add-on rather than a clean, molded solution.
• Footprint for small shops: Twelve gallons is great for capacity, but it’s a sizable presence in tight corners. If space is very limited, consider a smaller tank.
• Fine dust specialization: With the bag and cartridge filter, it handles fine dust well for general use. If you need OSHA-compliant HEPA extraction for concrete or silica, this isn’t that tool.

Who it’s for

• Home shops and garages that want strong suction with less noise than a typical shop vac.
• Jobsite cleanup where a durable tub, big wheels, and easy draining matter.
• Users pairing with a cyclone or separator for bench tools and sanding stations.
• Anyone who prefers a full-size, 2-1/2 inch path to minimize clogs and maximize pickup.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 12-gallon vac. It strikes a practical balance: strong suction through a full-diameter hose, notably quiet operation for its size, a useful drain for wet work, and simple, effective filtration with both a washable cartridge and disposable bag option. The build feels durable, the wheels and handle make it easy to live with, and the 20-foot cord provides good reach.

I’d like to see a longer hose and a more integrated accessory storage system, but those are convenience tweaks rather than deal-breakers. If you’re looking for a dependable, quieter-than-average shop vac that can handle both dust and occasional water without fuss, this one earns a spot in the shop.