CMXEVBE17595 16-Gallon 6.5 HP Wet/Dry Vac

Last verified May 12, 2026 by the Lifetime Picks Editorial Team

Craftsman's CMXEVBE17595 is the 16 gallon shop vac that fits between consumer Shop Vac and the commercial Festool / Fein wet/dry vacs, 6.5 peak HP, both wet and dry pickup, blower mode, and a HEPA filter option for fine drywall and concrete dust. The stainless steel tank survives water pickup without rusting (vs the painted steel tanks on cheaper vacs that pit), the casters lock to keep the tank from rolling, and the 7 foot hose is long enough for whole car or whole garage cleanup without dragging. r/HomeImprovement, r/Carpentry, and r/Woodworking all surface Craftsman wet/dry vacs as the BIFL pick at this price tier; the same vac model has been in production since the early 2000s with minor refinements. Replacement filters and hoses widely available at any Lowe's or Sears Hometown.