Dirt Devil 5-Gallon Review

The built-in blower port adds extra versatility, letting you switch from vacuuming to blowing, which comes in handy for clearing leaves during Spring or sawdust from hard-to-reach areas.

Airflow & Suction Power

With its 3-horsepower motor, the Dirt Devil produces moderate suction power. We calculated its airflow to be 44 cubic feet per minute, about middle of the road in our lineup. We also measured the suction, which came out to be 71 inches of water lift (inH2O), surprisingly higher than some of the larger vacuums we tested.

Looking at both of these measurements together, and working with them on jobsites, it became clear that this vacuum's real-world ability was great for small debris and occasional moderate-sized objects like gravel, but it lacked the power to effectively remove thick and wet debris or heavy objects.

While it's not built for industrial-scale cleanup, the Dirt Devil offers consistent, reliable suction that's well-suited for home garages, basements, and light-duty job sites. It maintains strong airflow even with a partially filled tank, and the included filters do a good job of trapping fine dust without clogging too quickly. For the size and price, the suction power hits a practical sweet spot that is strong enough to get the job done without being overpowered or overpriced.

Floor Cleaning

In our timed dry mess pickup test, it became easily overwhelmed with big messes. It took 165 seconds to clean up two gallons of dry mixed debris with frequent clogs that slowed us down considerably. However, it performed better in the wet mess pickup test, removing two gallons of muddy water in 15 seconds.

The primary factor limiting the Dirt Devil's pickup performance was the narrow hose diameter. At 1.5 inches, it frequently became clogged with debris within the hose. We had to use a long, narrow tool to clear the blockage and get the vacuum working properly again.

The bristles on the floor head were good to agitate embedded dirt on welcome mats. It also came in handy for a more thorough clean with fine dust in the garage. When encountering big messes with large chunks, we had to carefully sort out the big stuff before running this vacuum over the pile of debris. You'll need to train yourself to go slowly and avoid feeding too much debris into the hose at once. This helped us deliver more consistent results and helps prevent clogs.

Tool Use

The 10-foot power cord and 7-foot hose give it an impressive cleaning reach for its size, and onboard accessory storage keeps everything organized.

The Dirt Devil comes with only two attachments. The lack of a crevice tool made it hard to clean tight areas, and without a squeegee attachment, wet messes weren't picked up as effectively as we had hoped. There was always a thin film of water left behind, the kind you just have to wait out, instead of that satisfying moment when a squeegee clears every last drop.

All the attachments mount securely with a friction fit to the lid of the vacuum, helping to keep the tool consolidated and organized. While a couple of attachments were excluded, the ones that we did use were effective. The utility nozzle also comes with bristles, which were more effective when pure suction power wasn't enough to suck up all the debris.

There's a lack of a dedicated hose storage system. With a 7-foot-long hose, this becomes unwieldy in both transportation and storage. Outside of simply wrapping the power cord around the canister, it also lacked cord storage. This meant that the cord often slipped down the canister, coiling loosely on the floor. The compromise to this budget option is that you'll need to be mindful when coiling up the hose and cord when you're done.

Portability

At a little over nine pounds, the Dirt Devil is relatively light, making it easy to carry up and down stairs or put in the bed of a pickup. The central handle made it easy to lift the vacuum, and the vacuum is small enough to fit in a closet or tucked into a corner.

Rolling this vacuum around the garage or out in the driveway, we found that the small casters were only fit for the smoothest surfaces. Once we started to roll over uneven terrain, they would quickly stop rolling, causing the vacuum to fall over. Because it is so lightweight, it's simpler to grab the entire vacuum than roll it around.

Another challenge is its tall and narrow profile. With the casters mounted directly under the canister, as opposed to around the circumference, there's a small base for support. Once all the attachments are mounted in their spots atop the vacuum, the profile becomes even taller and more prone to tipping over. This happened frequently when we made sudden movements or moved around an object in our path. The poor storage of the hose and power cord wrapped around the vacuum also causes it to trip over itself.

Should You Buy the Dirt Devil 5-Gallon?

This shop vac is great for the budget shopper who needs a small volume vacuum for use in light projects. While those cleaning up heavy messes and more dense debris will find the suction power lacking and the narrow hose diameter limiting, it is the perfect option to keep in the corner of your garage for light to moderate use. Lightweight and easy to carry around, the Dirt Devil is great for projecting around the house, but it is not the best choice for construction, big home renovations, or yard cleanups.

What Other Shop Vacs Should You Consider?

If price is your number one consideration when purchasing a shop vac, then the Armor All 2.5-Gallon is another budget option for under $100. But if the lower suction power of the Dirt Devil left you wanting more, try out the Ridgid 14-Gallon with more power, a wider hose, and more canister volume.