Review: Armor All 2.5 Gallon Utility Wet-Dry Vacuum
Contents
Do you need a shop vacuum for a small workspace without paying for an oversized one? The Armor All 2.5 gallon utility wet/dry vacuum is a compact, budget option. It has a 2 peak HP motor, converts to a blower, and has an automatic shut-off that stops suction when the tank fills with liquid.
Like most wet-dry vacs, it uses a cloth filter for dry pickup and a foam sleeve for wet pickup. It has on-board storage for the hose and accessories. Retail listings show a 10-foot power cord; check the listing for the hose length, since listings differ. The box includes a crevice tool, brush, car nozzle, detail accessories, and blower accessories.
How Well Does the Armor All Utility Vacuum Perform?
For its size, this vacuum has useful suction for spills, small messes, cars, and light shop cleanup. It is light enough to carry with one hand.
The stock filter handles general debris. For fine sawdust, drywall dust, or soot, use a fine-dust filter or filter bag. Fine wood dust is a health hazard, and OSHA warns that breathing it can cause respiratory symptoms and cancer.
It can help keep the mess down when you sand, but its small hose may not fit the dust ports on every power sander. Check the hose size and plan on an adapter.
On hardwood floors and concrete shop floors, it picks up debris well. The accessories help you reach around a room if you set the tank in the middle of your work area.
Our One Issue with the Armor All Utility Vacuum
This shop vacuum has enough power for small messes in a small space. Our main concern is that the tank has no wheel casters. It sits flat on the ground, so you rely on the cord and hose length to reach around the room.
If you pull too hard on the hose, you can tip it over.
Taping a loose hose connection can help keep suction steady, but a proper adapter is the better fix.
Follow the owner's manual: never vacuum flammable liquids, hot ashes, or hazardous materials, and unplug the vacuum before you empty the tank or change the filter.
Outside of this one issue, the Armor All 2.5 gallon utility wet-dry vacuum is a solid entry-level vacuum. If you want a budget option in this category, it is worth a look alongside the other best shop vacs we cover.
Click here to look at prices on Amazon and get a great deal.
Sources
- Wood Dust, OSHA
- Hand and Power Tools (OSHA 3080), OSHA
