BucketVac Wet Dry Vacuum Review

The BucketVac is a neat concept. It turns any standard 5-gallon bucket into a powerful and efficient wet and dry vacuum. If the bucket is ever damaged, or if you want to quickly change from dry to wet vacuuming, just replace the bucket (old, empty drywall joint compound buckets are the natural choice).

I tested the BucketVac alongside a 4-gallon Ridgid wet and dry vac I bought at Home Depot several years ago. On both wet and dry chores, it performed comparably and satisfactorily. The top was easy to remove, something I cannot say about the Ridgid model, which seems to claim a fingernail every time I open it.

The BucketVac is lightweight and fairly easy to carry, although the handle on a 5-gallon bucket is not nearly as comfortable as a typical wet/dry vac handle.

Vacuuming floors with the BucketVac is decidedly uncomfortable. The product comes with two 12-in. extension wands, which means you have only a 2-ft. long handle. Most people will have to lean over to vacuum a floor. My Ridgid unit has about 38 in. of rigid extension plus a stiffer hose, allowing me to vacuum a floor standing upright.

Cord length is always something to think about with electric tools. My Rigid has a 20-ft. cord, which is good for just about any use I have for it. The BucketVac's cord is 6-ft. long, meaning that you will often have to use an extension cord with it.

The BucketVac shoots a blast of air straight out the top (and into your face if you're not careful) when it is on. This does not happen with the side-blowing design of the Ridgid. Also, despite the strong blast, the BucketVac is not designed to be used as a blower. Most, if not all, wet and dry vacuums I've owned over the years, have a blower capability.

The BucketVac is not cheap. In fact, it's rather expensive. It is currently available only through the manufacturer's Web site, at a cost of $99.99 plus $18.99 for shipping. That's more than double what I paid for my Ridgid vac. Filters are also a costly concern. BucketVac requires that you use their filters to keep from voiding the warranty, and six of these will set you back $31.98 with shipping.

Home Depot carries a similar product, the Bucket Head, which sells for $19.97. I haven't tested this product, so I can't comment on how it performs relative to the BucketVac or a standard wet and dry vacuum. The Home Depot version does not include a bucket, though you can pick one up for about $3 (or you could use an old, empty drywall joint compound bucket). It also does not include any vacuuming attachments. Replacement filters are available at Home Depot stores (3 for $5), and this unit has a blower port.

So, while the BucketVac seems to be a fine wet and dry vacuum, it is hard for me to justify the cost. Equally competent vacs, with easier to access replacement parts, are available at much lower costs.