What Is the Difference Between a Shop Vacuum Cleaner & a Regular One?

Standard shop vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum cleaners made for home use are available in a range of sizes, styles and colors and usually have a variety of features. Shop vacuum cleaners are manufactured for more heavy-duty use in industrial or commercial settings. These cleaners can handle most vacuuming projects in the home, but home vacuum cleaners are generally not equipped to manage heavy-duty cleaning in a garage or warehouse.

Features

Vacuum cleaners for home use often include several brushes and attachments to handle a variety of tasks, including scrubbing bare floors, cleaning upholstery and cleaning different types of carpet. Some models feature quieter motors than others. A shop vacuum cleaner's main feature is the strength of the motor. These are workhorses that should have the power to suck up bulky items like nails, sawdust and wood chips without jamming.

Function

Shop vacuum cleaners can handle both solid and liquid spills. Not all vacuum cleaners made for home use can vacuum up liquids in large capacity, and attempting to do so may damage the appliance. Additionally, shop vacuum cleaners are sturdily built to handle bumps and dings that can occur from being hauled around in commercial or industrial settings.

Style

In addition to cost, function and features, most homeowners also shop for home appliances by color and appearance. The main features that shop vacuum cleaner owners look for are capacity and functionality. Most shop vacuum cleaners have a similar appearance: a metal or plastic drum set on wheels with an attached hose and power cord.

Noise Level

Shop vacuum cleaners tend to be noisier than those made for home use. Garages, factories and other industrial settings can be fairly noisy environments during normal operations so users are not particularly concerned about the noise of a shop vacuum cleaner. For homeowners, noise level is more important since other family members might be sleeping or studying when someone is vacuuming.

References

• Consumer Reports: Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
• Consumer Reports: Wet Dry Vacuums
• Ask the Builder: Wet Dry Vacuum Comparison