IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO FIND A BETTER SHOP VAC-LOOK NO FURTHER
930755
IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO FIND A BETTER SHOP VAC-LOOK NO FURTHER ! THIS IS THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD!!!!!!!!!! IT IS NOT HEAVY- IT IS NOT VERY NOISY AND YOU KEEP THE EXTRA TOOLS IN THE BASKET BEHIND THE VAC !! THIS IS EASY TO MOVE ALONG BRICK PATHS AND IT WAS EASY TO ASSEMBLE. YOU ONLY SNAP ON THE WHEELS AND HANDLE -EASY.PEESEY. YOU DON'T REALLY NEED THE VACUUM BAGS -UNLESS YOU ARE A REALLY NEAT TYPE OF PERSON. MY HUSBAND LOVES THIS AND WHY DIDN'T I BUY ONE OF THESE SOONER!! NO BACK STRAIN , NO GETTING YOUR FEET MASHED FROM THE WHEELS AND IT IS VERY LIGHT. NICE BIG MOTOR TO PICK UP STUFF.
220770
I ordered this vacuum cleaner with crossed fingers. Having gone through two very expensive vacuums in recent years, I just could not imagine that this one would do the trick, but there was no way I was buying another expensive vacuum that costs more for service than this one costs to buy new. I am incredibly impressed. Right out of the box (minimal assembly required), this vacuum was infinitely better than the last two vacuums I have had. It is very easy to use, has a nice long cord and has greater suction than any vacuum I have had in the past. It is great that it is bag less (I haven't had one of those before), and it is a breeze to empty. I recommend this product 100%.
888325
This is an amazing vacuum for the size and price. My wife has been using it on all floors including medium thick carpet. Very few cordless vacs do that for even double the price of this one. It performs beautifully. Easy to use, easy to clean, super powerful. You won't regret this purchase if you need a cordless vac.
4281034
Glad for the opportunity to review this shop vac.  For those who don't have one, they are NICE to have. You don't have to have a shop to use one.  For my uses, this shop vac is both handy  in that it has a relatively smaller footprint than my previous shop vac  and it easily does the jobs I need it to do, all with a well-placed handle that makes it easy to carry.

One factor mentioned in several reviews is the width of the hose.  The hose diameter on this Porter-Cable shop vac is 1.88 inches. The hose on my previous shop vac was considerably wider. My preference is this Porter-Cable.  Its easier to handle. Besides, my use for a shop vac is never to suck up large items, but rather picking up stuff like sawdust, leaves in the garage, pieces of insulation that fall while installing a canned light in the ceiling, or sucking up small pieces of glass if someone drops a drinking glass on the kitchens tile floor. Big items are easily picked up by hand, and should not be the job of a shop vac.

Another big like is the relatively small footprint of this unit.  My previous unit was shorter and wider, and therefore required more storage space.  This unit is taller and slimmer, so I really appreciate the smaller footprint.

Thirdly, I love that the handle is prominently positioned at the top of the unit, making it easy to carry around. My previous vac had its handle off to the side, making it awkward to carry.

Other folks have mention that the cord is only 10 feet long.  This is the same as my previous unit, so Im not bothered by it. My only downside on this is the six foot hose. My previous unit had a 7-foot hose, and that extra foot made a difference in some situations. But I have to say that if that is my only complaint, I really don't have much to complain about.  My review is 5 stars for the same power as my previous unit but with a smaller footprint and a well-positioned handle.
3265675
Borrowed this from a co-worker because I thought it was hype.  Used his once and ordered this the very next day!!!  This is an excellent product and keeps dust down to almost nothing.  The hose part fits my shop vac hose perfectly, wrap twice with masking tape and the connection is complete and ready for some heavy duty sanding...  Now if they could only make an affordable shop vac filter that could handle drywall dust more effectively...
4536046
Now that's what I call a Vac!!! Sucking up dirt from your house, car, boat, RV is a pain at the best of times. Dealing with an under powered vac is annoying because all the time spent to do it, you might as well do it right. I have bought many vacuum cleaners over the years and I have never said WOW... Until today. My Workshop Vac arrived and I was excited to start this baby up and see if she could really do what she said. Firstly, let me point out that one of the most exciting parts of this vac is the ON/OFF button, instead of fumbling around with your foot, or searching for a button somewhere this has a Nuclear Missile Launcher style switch. Every time I started it I felt like I was sending Kim Jong Un a gift :) I read some comments about noise. Yes, its loud. Just the way I want it... Loud mean power and power = suction. It's made to clean and clean it does. Trust me, don't look anywhere else. Buy this, you won't be disappointed!
3857298
Very Nice Excellent Quality! I would definitely buy again! I think I expected a little too much. Its not a full size shop vac. It does a great job, just takes a little longer as should be expected. So far the battery life has been good. Haven't used it for a long period of time straight, but it will vacuum a full size SUV with ease. Upon completion the battery was still full.
3374802
If you are hesitant about purchasing this item, don't be. This is the best investment for the money and I would gladly pay full price after using it. I have two of these and I purchased the first one at Lowes on clearance for $74.00. I found a second vac at another Lowes clearance priced at $14.00 because it did not have the charger. That was fine with me because I already had one. Would love to have another one,  just to keep as a spare. What makes this vac so great, well to start with the dust collector cup is huge and you are not always empting the cup. I have laminate flooring throughout my house with several large area rugs. I can switch from plain vac or use the beater bar without shutting it off. Works well on rugs but works best on bare floors. I paid $100 for an Electrolux stick vac that cannot even come close in power or dirt capacity. I have three other sweepers and nothing comes close to this in performance.  Since this Black and Decker has cyclonic power, it sucks everything up in its path. I have large dogs and have to vac everyday. This even picks up the large dog kibble without getting caught in the vacuum.
221972
Received this as a gift (requested) from my kids - they purchased it here at Amazon.

This is my second SteamVac. First one lasted almost 8 years. So far, I think this one is a definite improvement over the first model. This one cleans itself much better after use, and it seems to have more suction. Left my carpets much drier than my first unit - even when it was new.

I did a lot of research comparing various other brands and Hoover models before deciding to go with this one again. Mainly three reasons for this: 1.) Separate water/waste water tanks. 2.) Water tank is one unit - not split between detergent and water. 3.) Upholstery cleaner tool/hose.

I did buy the Rug Doctor at my local warehouse store (you know which one), but returned it immediately. It was bulky, hard to operate, didn't clean well, and left my carpets far more damp than my Hoover. So back to Hoover I went. I was overwhelmed by the different models/options, but realized many had attachments/options that just weren't important to me - not worth the extra money. Even with this, I haven't used the scrub attachment yet, but do plan on giving it a whirl soon.

The ONLY really bad mark I have for this purchase is that mine was definitely NOT new. My first clue was that the box had been opened and re-taped. The cardboard sleeve inside had been torn and taped back together, and there were marks on the contents as if they had been checked off an inventory list. Although the vac and tanks were clean, they smelled like the cleaning solution. I strongly suspect this unit was purchased, used, returned for whatever reason, and then cleaned and repackaged for sale again.

I do not appreciate that it was sold as new when it was obviously not. Shame, Amazon. Shame. I will absolutely recommend that my kids contact Amazon. I hope they are not aware of this practice. If I find out they are - I will definitely come back and update!!

Watch the price. It varies between 144-139.
178079
I have been looking for a vacuum for my garage for a few months now and after reading all the reviews on amazon I made the decision to order the Vacumaid GV50B garage vacuum. It has turned out to be the best purchase I have made in 2013 and the quality is the best I have seen in this type of application. I give this vacuum 5 stars<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/VacuMaid-GV50B-Wall-Mounted-Garage-Utility-Vacuum-with-50-foot-Hose-Tools-and-Blow-Function/dp/B004WLCC40/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">VacuMaid GV50B Wall Mounted Garage Utility Vacuum with 50 foot Hose, Tools and Blow Function</a>.
4888448
I read all the review of Amazon.com about this item prior to making a purchase, I have also waited for about 2 weeks and at least 5 cleaning cycles before reviewing this item.

I can only say one thing: "I love this vacum". It's the right size and it sucks up dirt and cat hair like no other vacum I have owned (full zise included). My husband and I now argue who gets to use the vacume, we both love using it.  I have found that the best way to clean the filter is to run it under warm water and let it dry over night. I also wash out the dirt recepticle with warm water to get rid of all the dust. As with any bagless the best way to empty out the recepticle is to do it outside.

Two weeks later, 5 vacume jobs (includes both floors and stairs in our townhouse) this thing is still going strong, I would not hesitate to recommend this vacum to anyone considering the purchase. Well worth the $60.

****************

3 years later still going strong!!!
2727292
It's the best vac I have owned to date, so far as suction. Ease of use. Cleans the whole floor area, meaning the side of the vac suction power cleans carpeting right up to edge of floor at the 90 degree angle of the walls.

I would of given 5 stars but belt broke on my 4th use. While using the hand tool. It broke right on the seam. IMO the belt design is poor. This vacuum in all other aspects is solid, and of high quality.

Now that I have owned this vac since August of 2009. I have a good working knowledge of the over all performance of this product. It's the best vac for the price out there. I am constantly amazed at this vac's ability to suck up and out lots and lots of dirt, dander, and assorted crud.

In my 20' x 12' modern day shag type carpeted living room I will empty the canister twice. These 2 dirt canister dumps, would easily fill up a regular vacuum bag.

Your first time using this vacuum, be ready to dump the dirt collecting canister a lot. Do dump the canister in a empty trash can with the lid off. So you can put the canister deep into the trash can, to empty the second filter with the hand crank. All of the dusty type of dirt will come gushing out of the second, tube shaped filter.

The price is very reasonable. $159 brand new. Honestly so far as:
Vacuums: Cost verses value.

This Hoover has and continues to exceed my expectations. I've never said that about any cleaning equipment before!

I have read/heard that Dyson's are superior. The price tag on Dyson's is way UP there. I can't imagine a Dyson vacuum cleaner giving me much more performance than my Hoover windtunnel Anniversary Vacuum has consistently been giving me since August 2009.

TIP: Take the Hepa filter out of the left filter door on the torso of the vacuum and put some Peppermint oil drops on it. Put the filter back in place. When vacuuming your home will smell peppermint fresh.

The hand tools suction is powerful as long as you remember to put the vac in the up-right position. If your hand tool/s are not sucking up as well as you would like. One or both of these things maybe the problem. The vac isn't in the up-right position. The dirt collection canister needs to emptied. Cure these two things and your Hoover vac will be hunkering down with G-force suction on your floors as normal operating procedure. This action makes this model self propelled even though it is not.

It is too heavy for most that have challenges with knees backs legs etc to take up and down stairs.

Try and watch the FYI video from Hoover at the shopping/more info, page at Amazon.com for this product.

Link to Video

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m26P2VCM0MTBC6/ref=ent_fb_link

The Hoover windtunnel Anniversary model Vacuum bringing new positive stellar meaning to: "You Suck!" Yeah Baybeee!

I'm very happy with this purchase. I have and will continue to recommend this vacuum to others.

From Long Beach CA

&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Hoover-U5786900-Windtunnel-Anniversary-Bagless-Upright-Vacuum-Cleaner/dp/B0016NJBCI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Hoover U5786900 Windtunnel Anniversary Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner</a>
3801285
While this is a commercial vacuum, home users will find this Hoover very useful as a shop vac. (Dry only, though.)  Ive used it to vacuum out my SUV, and it beats a large shop vac, a medium one, and the bucket top one hands down.  Its also seems more powerful than the medium and bucket top, too.  The hose is more flexible than the larger shop vacs, and it sucks up things like tissues with no problem.  (I once had a small shop vac that actually got clogged up every time it sucked up one tissue!)

On top of that, this Hoover has a bag, so there is no dumping and cleaning out the canister.  (Note, though, the bag does not fill up the entire canister; so, don't think it will hold as much as a shop vac canister of the same size.)  There are also filters, so its healthier for your lungs.  In addition, noise wise its quieter than a shop vac, and even has a hush mode button.  But that hush mode reduces the power of the vacuum, so I find that feature more useful as a way to reduce power, without having to open the suction control valve on the wand.

Is if for cleaning carpet?  No, not really.  The large floor tool only has pop out brushes, no agitator brush.  Its more suited for thin carpet type floor covering, like what you would put in your garage, or the carpet in your vehicle.  Floors are a different matter, however.  I tried it on ceramic tile loors and a laminated tile floor, with the brushes out, and it sucked up everything really fast!  A dusting brush and crevice tool is also included.  The 50' cord is fabulous, too.  It has three prongs and looks like a large outside orange extension cord.  It wonderfully detaches,  so you don't have to wrap it around the vac when not in use.  You can store it any place you want.  (There is a thermal protector built into the vacuum to keep it from overheating.)

Replacement bags?  There are three different types this vacuum can useStandard CC1, HEPA CC1 and Allergen CC1.  I only see the HEPA one at the Hoover website, and it currently cost less than $2 for one.  That's what is included when you purchase this vac, and it's a very nice, very thick bag.  Amazon has the Standard CC1 bags, but they are always overpriced.  Hoover lists the two filters of this vacuum on their website, but appears to only sell the cloth pre-motor filter, which is currently $30.  The foam pre-motor filter is suppose to be washed under water and dried, according to the included users manual; while the cloth pre-motor filter is suppose to be cleaned with the dusting brush.  Hopefully, they will both last a long time with proper care, and this Hoover can be my one and only shop vac for a long time.

Update 11/9:  Beware of not being able to find bags for this vacuum!  Hoover has been out of stock of the HEPA bags every time I've tried to get bags, which was shortly after I checked the website to do this review.  You cannot place an order online for out-of-stock items.  The one place in my city they gave me that might have the bags, did not.  The only places I can see to get them online makes you order an outrageous number of them, or has outrageous postage.  (Amazon is always either out of them, or the seller is selling them for three times their normal retail price.)  Without bags, this vacuum is worthless.

Update 11/23:  Two weeks later, Hoover is still out of stock of HEPA bags and has no others.  In addition, now three sellers at Amazon are selling the standard bags for $3 each in packs of 10, when they are far inferior to the HEPA bags that sell at Hoover for less than $2 each.

Update 12/16:  HEPA bags are in stock right now at Hoover. :) :) :)

Update 2/15/17: For the first time, I used this vac where it needed to pick up small pieces of newspaper.  For a commercial vac that should have been no problem.  But it was.  The small pieces kept clogging up the hose and the vac would turn off because it was getting too hot.  It reminded me of the one Shop Vac I had that was useless due to the narrow hose.  Would not recommend this vac any longer, even though it's no longer hard to find the bags.
1642454
I ordered this Shop-Vac and am very happy with my purchase. This machine is extremely powerful and could suck your fingers out if you let it! The only downside to this model is it is difficult to assemble, but I managed to assemble it.
1113777
Shopped for some time before I elected to buy the Prolux Shop Vac. We use it for everything from clean out the cars to cleaning the shop floor, to blowing off debris from the work bench and more. Good Solid Suction, nice attachments, hose is plenty long to reach entire area. Noise level is fine and the filter system does a great job of containing all potential blow through of fine dust. Set up was quick and wall attachment is solid.
285041
I love my Filterpal. I purchased my first  Filterpal at the Woodworking show, I was originally looking for a dust collector but Cost was prohibitive. I saw the Filterpal demo and figured I would try it. It was considerably cheaper than a dedicated Dust Collector. I installed the Filterpal on my Rigid Wet/Dry vac with a new filter and promptly forgot about it. In the last 6 months I have used my Vac for a lot, I have sucked up sawdust, Sheetrock dust, dirt, leaves, and recently clean out my fireplaces after sweeping my chimneys.  I figured it was time to empty the container as it was getting heavy. When I opened my Vac to empty it I was shocked to discover it was almost full; I have owned this Vacuum for years and it has never gotten full with anything other than water. The filter always clogs and i and up beating it on the ground or trying to blow it off with the compressor. The Filterpal was filthy, I took it off to clean it and the filter underneath looked like new. I shook out the dirt and washed it with my shop towels and it promptly put it back on.

I was glad to find Filterpal on amazon, I just ordered a spare, so I can always have a clean one since i have a bunch of home improvement projects coming up. I have told my friends about it; and I recommend this as a cost saving alternative to the constant purchasing of expensive filters at the box stores.
1428643
Exactly what I hoped.  A highly Portable CONTRACTOR / INDUSTRIAL / JAN / SAN vac that doesn't require hearing protection, and doesn't have a 10 minute time limit* !!

Much Longer vacuum time: you may not have known, hardware store vacs shouldn't run for long or get hot cord in 10 min: this vac can run 2-4 hr before cooldown without injury to it - it's built for the longer jobs.  (the cheap vacs don't tell you have have a very limited run time, they don't mention it of course)

It's definitely more powerful than (most) shop vacs at hardware stores but different also.  At 100 cfm, the wind speed is LOWER than the higher HP model shop vacs at local stores (single stages): but it's dual-stage fan can suck harder (80 sealed pressure) than the 12 gal. (or any) models at most hardware stores: but takes a second or two to develop pressure.  It also has a higher wind speed than cheap hardware store shop vacs.  It weighs maybe 20 lb: less - it's easy to get to the job.  All in all: you'll notice it's a little weaker than an old rigid 12 gal 4.5HP but can suck harder.  But given all it's high points it's a good trade for a contractor.  (also note for wind speed: a leaf blower is better at blowing and quieter than any shop vac at any store and are easily obtained these days)

The Shop-Vac online pdf catalog explains the motor, and it's repairable (ie, motor can be replaced without ordering whole head, brushes can be replaced).  Shop-vac has a full line of professional accessories (and parts) if you ever find a reason to have them, and they have real person phone support.

At $250 I don't feel "I paid more": I feel glad to be rid of the noisy single-stage luggables found at local hardware stores that many complain can fail upon first hours of use - and lucky to be an owner of this model.  Shop-Vac (not "shop vac") has USA heritage as well - still the same company that's made shop-vac for decades, in the same town.