REASONS TO BUY
Great tools including a squeegee
Onboard storage for attachments and hose
Large canister
Quick dry and wet cleanup
REASONS TO AVOID
Cord storage is slightly small
Can be bulky for storage
Heavy to pick up
Ridgid 14-Gallon Review
This powerful shop vacuum can tackle any wet and dry mess you throw at it with its quiver of handy attachments
The Ridgid 14-Gallon is a top performer and one of our favorite shop vacs, thanks to its strong suction power and effective pickup performance.
Credit: Miles Knotek
By Becca Glades ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ December 23, 2025
Contributions From: Miles Knotek
RELATED: Best Shop Vacs of 2026
Our Verdict
The Ridgid 14-Gallon is a great option for DIYers or those who need a reliable shop vacuum for the garage. It picks up large and small debris with no trouble thanks to its strong suction and airflow. Plus, it is very fast at cleaning wet, sludgy messes. It has some of the best attachments that lock into place, including a squeegee. It's on the larger side, meaning it can tackle big messes. However, it also makes it more challenging to store and pick up.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Ridgid 14-Gallon has excellent pickup performance, in both our wet and dry tests, and it rarely clogged. It also has a compelling set of attachments. Credit: Miles Knotek
Likes
First and foremost, the Ridgid 14-Gallon is one of the most effective shop vacuums at cleaning large and small debris. It only got hung up on a large peice of bark, but otherwise had no trouble.
Its suction is strong at 60 inH2O, and its airflow is among the best at 208 cubic ft/min. This, paired with its wide 2.5-inch hose, means it can tackle big and small projects with ease. It cleaned up two gallons of dry construction debris in just 38 seconds. Then, it tackled two gallons of dirty water mixed with woodchips and sawdust in only 9 seconds.
Part of what makes this vacuum so great is its attachments, which lock into place while you are using them. We particularly liked the squeegee attachment. This aided us in cleaning up sludgy messes without leaving any fluid behind. The squeegee tool can be popped off of the wide pickup tool, doubling its functionality for dry messes too. We loved the car nozzle. While helpful at cleaning in between car seats, it was also worked great on sawdust caught in tight ridges at our work station. All attachments and the hose store nicely on the vacuum.
The Ridgid's attachments lock into place in use. Credit: Miles Knotek
Dislikes
Being a 14-gallon vacuum, the Ridgid is not easy to pick up, especially when full of debris. This vacuum works best in work areas or garages with mostly concrete or tile, as the wheels aren't suitable for uneven terrain such as gravel.
You'll also want to ensure you have plenty of storage, given its bulky size. Its dimensions are 22.2"x26"x19.5", which is one of the largest that we have tested.
While we liked the cord storage on top of the machine, we wish it had a little more room to fully collect the cord.
The Ridgid 14-Gallon has plenty of storage for attachments. Credit: Miles Knotek
Should You Buy the Ridgid 14-Gallon?
The Ridgid 14-Gallon is great for most DIY projects. It has enough suction and airflow to tackle small and large debris. Plus, it is extremely effective at cleaning up wet messes. This shop vacuum has plenty of storage for its many attachments, including the tester-favorite squeegee. It'll be suitable for most projects, unless you need something highly portable or small for storage.
What Other Shop Vacuums Should You Consider?
The Craftsman 16-Gallon rivals the Ridgid 14-Gallon in many ways. It has slightly better airflow and two more gallons. But, it is large like the Ridgid. The Shark MessMaster is a great pick for someone needing portability. It is on the smaller side with just a one-gallon canister. It is better for smaller cleanups, but it will fit in most coat closets.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Ridgid 14-Gallon versus top competing products:
| Awards |  Best Attachments |
|---|---|
| Price | $119 List |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | This powerful shop vacuum can tackle any wet and dry mess you throw at it with its quiver of handy attachments |
| Pros | Great tools including a squeegee, onboard storage for attachments and hose, large canister, quick dry and wet cleanup |
| Cons | Cord storage is slightly small, can be bulky for storage, heavy to pick up |
| Rating Categories | Ridgid 14-Gallon |
| Airflow & Suction Power (35%) | |
| Floor Cleaning (30%) | |
| Tool Use (25%) | |
| Portability (10%) | |
| Specifications | Ridgid 14-Gallon |
| Calculated Airflow | 208 cubic ft/min |
| Measured Suction | 60 inH2O |
| Measured Sound | 95 dB |
| Canister Capacity | 14 gal |
| Hose Length | 84 in |
| Hose Diameter | 2.5 in |
| Measured Weight | 20.81 lbs |
| Dimensions | 22.2"x26"x19.5" |
| Dry Mess Clean-up | 38 sec |
| Wet Mess Clean-up | 9 sec |
—Becca Glades and Miles Knotek
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