ConsFirst / Handheld & car vacuums / Compare
DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum vs Ryobi 18V ONE+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum ranks higher (#2 vs #3 of 8). Ryobi 18V ONE+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit wins on battery life, durability.
The biggest complaint about the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum is no battery or charger in the box; for the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit it's awkward weight balance; pricey batteries. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum | Ryobi 18V ONE+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in handheld & car vacuums | #2 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Tool-battery handheld | Tool-battery handheld |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 7% | — |
| Overall score | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Suction | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Battery life | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Bin & filter | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Attachments & reach | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Durability | 3.5 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $60 · $$ $60–150 · $$$ over $150. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum
- No battery or charger in the box
Good Housekeeping lists 'battery not included' as a con and says to factor it into the price if you don't own DeWalt tools. The Amazon listing is 'Bare Tool Only'.
- Bulky and heavier
Good Housekeeping says it's heavier than sleeker models (3.2 lb), making it harder to maneuver. Wirecutter calls it a bulky vacuum that's overkill for most day-to-day tasks.
- Clogs on bigger debris; mixed owner reports
Car and Driver says its DeWalt 20V handheld handled small debris but struggled with bigger stuff, and the crevice tool clogs. Amazon's summary says battery life, suction and durability get mixed reviews, with some units breaking after minimal use.
Ryobi 18V ONE+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit
- Awkward weight balance; pricey batteries
Wirecutter says the battery sits right under the handle and could strain hands or wrists, and that a replacement battery costs almost as much as the whole vacuum (third-party batteries void the warranty).
Source: Wirecutter - Some owners report noise, weak suction or early failure
In Wirecutter's reader comments, owners of the top pick say it's very noisy and couldn't pick up cat litter, that it's heavy and its loose attachments get lost, and that one stopped working after two years with attachments that never fit properly. Wirecutter measured about 80 dB, which it calls fairly average.
Source: Wirecutter (reader comments) - Clunky looks, Home Depot only
Wirecutter calls it homely, with a clunky neon body more suited to a workshop, and says it has gone out of stock at Home Depot for weeks at a time. It didn't turn up in our Amazon search; Ryobi's site labels its tools 'Only At The Home Depot'.
Source: Wirecutter, Ryobi.com product page
Who should pick which
Pick the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum if
People who already own DeWalt 20V batteries
Garage, workshop and car messes, including wet spills
Allergy-conscious users (HEPA filter)
Skip it if: You don't own DeWalt batteries (adds cost); You want a light, compact everyday hand vac; You mostly vacuum big chunks with the crevice tool
Pick the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit if
People already on Ryobi ONE+ batteries
Heavy crumbs, litter and glitter in home and car
Big messes (2.8-cup bin)
Skip it if: You have hand or wrist issues; You want a sleek vac that docks to charge; You can't buy at Home Depot
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