Best wet and dry vacuum cleaners, tried and tested on every kind of mess

If you’re after a true workhorse, the Titan wet and dry vacuum delivers. With its 1,400W motor and generous capacity (25l dry, 20l wet), it makes light work of clearing up leaves, grit, and even post-scrub dirty water on patios or in the garage. The suction is impressive, and the included crevice tool is especially handy for sinks, drains, gaps in decking or fence slats, and awkward corners where debris builds up.

Switching between wet and dry vacuuming is refreshingly simple, and the blower function is a useful extra for clearing leaves from driveways or paths. During testing, it coped well with outdoor messes and water, leaving my limestone patio almost dry in a single pass. Indoors, it’s just as effective at clearing muddy paw prints from hard floors or sucking up spilt drinks in the kitchen, making it a handy backup to your regular household vacuum.

However, the single dust bag included is a little flimsy, and it tore during testing while picking up wet debris, so take care when emptying. The short cable also means you’ll need an extension lead for bigger cleanups. Still, for the price, the Titan offers excellent value. It’s powerful and versatile – perfect for anyone who needs a budget-friendly vacuum for indoor jobs, garden waste, or workshop mess.

This clever little vacuum really excels when it comes to cleaning artificial grass. With two purpose-built nozzles – one plastic and one brass – the Vacmaster artificial grass and outdoor vacuum lifts grit, leaves, and other debris from turf without causing damage, making it a perfect choice for fake lawns. Suction is strong and consistent, even when clearing muck out of my French drains or cleaning soapy suds from the patio.

Weighing just 4.4kg, it’s very lightweight and easy to assemble, so you can be up and running in minutes. The 10m cable gives you plenty of range across gardens and patios, while the blower function adds flexibility for leaf clearing.

It does feel a little plastic-y, particularly the hose, which is prone to kinking. The 18l capacity is more modest than some heavy-duty workshop vacs, but still plenty for most garden jobs. Although its design is geared towards outdoor spaces, it’s also useful for smaller indoor messes such as muddy entranceways or quick spillages.

Overall, the Vacmaster is a lightweight, affordable, and highly effective option for anyone with artificial grass or tricky outdoor spaces to keep clean.

The Daewoo wet and dry cylinder vacuum cleaner proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get reliable performance. Despite its low price, it really packs a punch in terms of suction, handling water and debris easily in one pass. During testing, it impressed me on wet and dry messes, quickly sucking up spills and clearing damp leaves and debris from the patio. It also did a solid job indoors on hard floors, especially when it came to clearing up muddy paw prints.

Assembly is refreshingly simple – just slot the casters in and it’s ready to go. It also comes with a filter cover, so you can switch between wet and dry cleaning without much hassle. If the hose does get blocked, it’s easily fixed: just unplug the hose, pop it into the suction point, and the machine clears it instantly, thanks to the strong airflow.

At 4.4kg, it’s lightweight and portable, but there are compromises. The 5.5m cable feels short compared with some rivals, and the 1.5m hose is only average in reach. There’s also no power tool socket, which limits workshop use. That said, for the price, this Daewoo device offers good value. If you want a simple, no-frills wet and dry vacuum with solid suction for household or light garage jobs, it’s a bargain buy.

A dependable all-rounder, the Numatic Charles wet and dry vacuum prioritises durability and power over sleek looks. With a generous 15l dry and 9l wet capacity, it’s well suited to jobs indoors and outside – whether that’s everyday vacuuming, decorating mess, garage clean-ups, or tackling unexpected spills.

What sets Charles apart is its versatility. In dry mode, it offers strong, steady suction on hard floors and carpets, while in wet mode, it easily clears up leaks and spilt liquids. The safety float valve is a handy addition, preventing overfilling when tackling sink blockages or larger spills.

Accessories are practical and well-made, including a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery nozzle. The longer 10m cable gives plenty of reach without needing to constantly unplug. At around 71dB, it’s also quieter than many wet and dry vacuums in its class. Although, at 9kg, it’s not the easiest machine to manoeuvre or store, especially if you’re limited on space.

Overall, though, the Charles is a great option if you want a vacuum that you can use indoors as well as outside. If you’ve got the space and don’t mind its bulk, it’s a reliable, long-term investment that will handle serious cleaning jobs, without fuss.

Built for serious clean-ups in the home, garden, or workshop, this Kärcher wet and dry vacuum has a huge 30l stainless steel drum and a 1,300W motor. In short, it’s a powerhouse for wet and dry debris. Suction is superb, easily pulling up sawdust, grit, and water after patio scrubbing. Thanks to the clever flat-pleated filter system, there’s no need to switch filters when changing from wet to dry use.

Versatility is a real strength here. The blower mode clears leaves and debris, while the power tool socket makes it easy to extract dust from saws and sanders. The 2.2m hose and multiple nozzles add to its adaptability. It’s not just a workshop and patio powerhouse, either – indoors, it handled fine dust and everyday spills with the same efficiency, and the long hose made reaching under furniture much easier.

At nearly 10kg, it’s not the lightest, and the large drum demands storage space, so it’s not ideal for indoor use as a second vacuum cleaner. But if you want one machine that can handle everything from fine dust to soggy garden mess, this Kärcher is hard to beat. It’s a tough, reliable investment for anyone who needs big cleaning power.

Despite its modest 1,000W motor, the Kärcher WD 3 wet and dry vacuum feels far more powerful in use, easily handling both dry debris and excess liquid. Switching between wet and dry cleaning is seamless, with no need to change filters – just empty the drum before swapping tasks.

At 17l, the capacity is generous enough for household, garage, and garden jobs, while the plastic container keeps the weight to just 4.5kg. This makes it far easier to carry and empty than heavier stainless steel designs, particularly when you’re dealing with water or damp debris. The suction hose wraps neatly around the body for storage, and there’s a handy onboard area for the accessories.

During testing, it made quick work of draining excess liquid, although the nozzle did clog a couple of times with heavier debris before the suction cleared it. The included dust bag is reassuringly sturdy, though the lack of a filter cover means things can get messy with wet or muddy pick-ups. It worked just as well in the house as it did in the garage, coping with pet hair and minor kitchen spills, which makes it a reasonably sound second vacuum for the home.

The main compromises are its short 4m cable and 2m hose (which limit your reach compared with pricier Kärcher models), and the minimal accessory set. Still, if you want a no-fuss wet and dry vacuum from a trusted name, the WD 3 is a lightweight, versatile, and budget-friendly choice.