Quick answer
Pick a shop vac by tank size, hose size, and whether it is corded or runs on a tool battery, not by the horsepower on the box. Craftsman's and Vacmaster's own pages say their horsepower figures are "peak" numbers, not operating power. If you already own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, the DCV581H runs on one or on AC.
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What the manufacturers' pages say
We read each manufacturer's page on 2026-10-06. Blank cells mean the page gives no figure.
| Model | Tank | Motor as labeled | Hose | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craftsman CMXEVBE17250 | 2.5 gal | "2.5 Peak HP" | 1-1/4 in x 5 ft | Corded, blower | 6.7 lb |
| Craftsman CMXEVBE17595 | 16 gal | "6.5 Peak HP" | Page gives two sizes (see below) | Corded, rear blower port, 246 in cord | 26.0 lb |
| Vacmaster VOC508S | 5 gal, stainless | "4 Peak HP" | Corded, blower | ||
| DeWalt DCV581H | 2 gal | No HP figure | 1-1/4 in x 5 ft | 20V MAX battery or AC; sold tool only | 11.1 lb |
Where the pages contradict themselves
- Craftsman 2.5 gallon: one Craftsman URL for this model says 2.5 Peak HP and another says 1.75. The page we link says 2.5. It also says the filter is for dry pick-up only.
- Craftsman 16 gallon: the features list a 2.5 in hose diameter, while the box contents list a 7 ft x 1-7/8 in hose.
- Vacmaster VOC508S: the text says 135 air watts, while the spec image says 80 CFM, 66 in of water lift and 200 air watts.
If a number matters to you, ask before you buy. Vacmaster's own site now redirects to Cleva's (us.cleva.com), which is where we read the specs.
What peak HP means
Craftsman's footnotes call peak HP a lab figure, and Cleva's footnote for Vacmaster says peak HP is not operating horsepower. So "6.5 Peak HP" and "4 Peak HP" don't tell you how two vacs will perform side by side. Tank size, hose diameter, cord length, and which filter is fitted are the figures you can compare.
Cordless: the DeWalt DCV581H
The DCV581H takes a 20V MAX battery or plugs into AC. It is sold tool only, so the battery and charger are extra. If you already own DeWalt 20V MAX packs, check they fit with our compatibility checker. The page lists a 5 ft hose and a wet/dry filter.
Where to buy
View the Craftsman 16 gallon on Amazon (paid link)
View the Craftsman 2.5 gallon on Amazon (paid link)
View the Vacmaster VOC508S on Amazon (paid link)
View the DeWalt DCV581H (tool only) on Amazon (paid link)
What we left out
We didn't write up the DeWalt DXV04T 4 gallon, which has no page on dewalt.com, or the Shop-Vac 5430194 16 gallon, which has no page on shopvac.com and no reviews on its Amazon listing. We also skipped the Shark and ILIFE wet-dry floor cleaners, which are home floor cleaners, not shop tools.
FAQ
Is a 6.5 Peak HP shop vac stronger than a 4 Peak HP one?
Not necessarily. Craftsman and Cleva both say peak HP is not an operating figure. Compare tank, hose and filter instead.
Can the DeWalt DCV581H run without a cord?
Yes, on a 20V MAX battery, which is sold separately.
Do these work for wet pick-up?
All four are listed as wet/dry vacs, but check the filter. Craftsman's 2.5 gallon page says its filter is for dry pick-up only, and the 16 gallon and Vacmaster list a separate foam wet filter.