DeWalt 16 Gallon 6.5 PHP Stealthsonic Quiet Vacuum

Why this quiet 16-gallon vac earned a spot in my shop

I spent the past few weeks putting DeWalt’s quiet 16‑gallon shop vac through all the usual abuse: concrete dust on a remodel, wet saw overspray, vehicle detailing, and a couple of spill emergencies. The short version is that it does what a big canister vac should—move a lot of debris without clogging—while being shockingly civil about the noise. It’s not silent, but it’s quiet enough to have a normal conversation right next to it and to run indoors without ear protection.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, assembly is straightforward: snap on the base, attach the handle, click in the hose, and stow the accessory kit in the included storage bag. The washable cartridge filter seats positively with DeWalt’s twist-lock “clean connect” mechanism, and the disposable bag slips over the inlet collar without fuss. The hose uses a locking quick‑connect that won’t pull free if you tug on it—exactly what you want when you’re dragging the vac around a jobsite.

Fit and finish are better than the average big-box shop vac. The tank is thick poly, the water‑resistant paddle switch is oversized and easy to hit with gloved hands, and the caster assembly feels planted. At 28 pounds, the unit isn’t light, but it balances well and rolls smoothly.

Noise and power in real use

The headline feature is the noise control. DeWalt claims sub‑65 dBA, and the tone matters as much as the number—it’s a lower, less shrill sound than most high‑output shop vacs. I could run this in a finished space without irritating everyone on site.

Power is more nuanced. The vac is advertised at 6.5 “peak horsepower,” which is marketing shorthand tied to startup current rather than continuous output. The motor draw is listed at 8 amps on 120V, and in practice it feels like a well‑tuned mid/high‑tier unit. Suction is strong and steady; it picks up gravel, screws, planer shavings, and chips in one pass through the 2.5‑inch hose. Where some shop vacs cough on heavier debris or start to whistle when the filter loads up, this one maintains usable pull and doesn’t clog easily thanks to the larger hose diameter.

Filtration and dust control

I ran it both with and without the disposable bag. For general jobsite cleanup and any amount of fine dust (drywall, concrete, MDF), the bag is worth it. It keeps most material out of the filter, preserves suction over time, and makes disposal less messy. The washable cartridge filter is easy to pop off and brush or rinse. After a week of drywall cleanup, the filter looked dusty but still flowed well; with the bag installed, suction stayed consistent until the tank was nearly full.

If you do a lot of ultra-fine dust work and need HEPA compliance, this isn’t that system out of the box. But for typical construction debris and shop cleanup, the filtration options are perfectly serviceable and far cleaner than running bagless.

Wet pickup and the tank drain

This is a true wet/dry unit, and the built‑in tank drain is one of those features you don’t appreciate until you have to empty 10 gallons of gray water. I removed the bag, left the cartridge in place per the manual for wet pickup, and vacuumed up a couple gallons of water mixed with tile debris. The vac never choked, and the drain plug is large enough that you’re not waiting forever to empty it. The water‑resistant switch is a small but confidence‑inspiring detail when you’re working in damp spaces.

Hose, tools, and accessories

The 7‑foot, 2.5‑inch hose strikes a good balance. It’s flexible, it doesn’t collapse under suction, and the locking ends are solid. The bigger diameter drastically reduces clogging when you’re picking up offcuts and chips from stationary tools. The tradeoff is bulk: the hose can be cumbersome when you’re in tight car interiors or cabinets. The included adaptor and crevice tool help, but if interior detailing is your main task, you might keep a smaller vac around.

The accessory kit is comprehensive: two extension wands, a floor brush, a utility nozzle, a crevice nozzle, a round brush, and an adaptor, plus a storage bag that clips onboard. The bag is a smarter solution than trying to snap tools into random holders—they actually stay put. The plastic wands are typical shop vac fare: not premium, but they connect snugly and do the job.

Mobility and ergonomics

Mobility is generally excellent. The rubberized wheels roll quietly over cords and debris, and the handle makes steering easy in open spaces. The front casters swivel freely, while the rear wheels track straight, which helps when you’re pushing across a room but can make backing up or tight maneuvers a little clumsy—you need a slightly wider arc or a quick reposition. Stability is very good for a tall 16‑gallon can; it resists tipping when the hose tugs and when rolling over thresholds.

The 20‑foot cord is generous and lives on a simple wrap. Combined with the hose length, you get decent reach without constantly re-plugging. I’d always take more hose if it didn’t cost suction, but 7 feet is a practical default for a 2.5‑inch line.

Build quality and maintenance

Everything you touch feels durable enough for real jobsite use. The tank snaps latch securely, the switch has a positive action, and the hose end fittings don’t wobble. Cleaning is straightforward: pull the bag, dump or drain the tank, knock the filter, and you’re back in business. Because the motor runs quieter and seemingly cooler than many shop vacs, extended sessions feel less punishing—for you and for the motor. The ETL safety listing and DeWalt’s three‑year limited warranty add some long‑term confidence.

What you don’t get

• No blower port: If you rely on a shop vac to blow off tools or clear a work area, you’ll miss this. You can still connect to dust ports and clean effectively, but you’ll need a separate blower for that function.
• Not compact: The 16‑gallon capacity is a plus for fewer trips to empty, but it’s a big footprint. For small garages or apartment work, this is overkill.
• Hose bulk for detailing: The 2.5‑inch hose is great for heavy debris and chip collection; it’s not the nimblest for tight interiors despite the included adaptors.

Performance with tools and dust collection

Hooked to a miter saw and a benchtop planer using the included adaptor and wands, the vac captures the lion’s share of chips and dust. The 2.5‑inch hose helps avoid blockages with planer curls, and the suction feels consistent even as the bag fills. For sanders and smaller dust ports, you’ll still want a dedicated extractor or step‑down hoses; this vac is happiest moving volume, not chasing the finest dust at the source.

Who it’s for

• Pros and serious DIYers who want a quieter shop vac that can live on a jobsite or in a busy garage without dominating the soundscape.
• Anyone who regularly vacuums heavier debris, chips, and mixed messes, and values fewer clogs and longer run time between filter cleaning.
• Users who appreciate big‑tank convenience and straightforward serviceability.

If you need HEPA certification, compact portability, or a blower function, this isn’t the right fit. If low noise and all‑around competence matter most, it’s a strong candidate.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 16‑gallon quiet shop vac. It stands out for its genuinely low noise, steady real‑world suction through a large‑diameter hose, thoughtful wet/dry features like the drain and water‑resistant switch, and practical touches such as the locking hose and onboard storage bag. The compromises—no blower port, a sizable footprint, and a hose that’s bulky for tight work—are easy to accept given the performance and manners. For general cleanup, chip collection, and wet tasks where you don’t want to shout over the vac, it’s an easy tool to live with day after day.