The Shop Vac 3150 Vacuum Cleaner Review

The Shop Vac 3150 is a 5-gallon wet and dry vacuum. It can be used in the home, the workshop or your office.

The pros are as follows:

• The unit is equipped with wheels, so it can be taken anywhere
• The 5 gallon capacity is great for small jobs
• This Shop Vac is very affordable
• It has a relatively long hose to reach into small places
• This wet and dry vac is equipped with 1.5HP, so it has just enough power for small jobs
• The unit is small and light and easily transported around the home or office. The light weight unit is a good option for an older person
• There are several optional accessories available to make the most of your unit
• This unit is fantastic for completing simple jobs, which is what it seems to be designed to do
• It is simple to operate with just an off and on switch
• The filters for this unit are found at most vacuum cleaner dealers

There are several cons to consider:

• The latch and filter aren't well-designed
• This particular unit has a rather short cord
• The filter assembly is difficult to put together and doesn't fit tight enough
• The paper filters don't fit well, which results in the vacuum spraying dust everywhere
• If the unit is dropped, tipped, or picked up by the lid, the latch pops open very easily. The result is debris and water everywhere and you have an additional mess to clean up.
• This unit lacks an exhaust port for inflating or blowing, which would make it more versatile
• The Shop Vac is very loud when it is in use

Overall, the Shop Vac 3150 does not live up to the Shop Vac name and good reputation. It is inexpensive, which would seem to make it a good choice for college students, an older person on a fixed income, or those with an apartment. It is marketed as a good vacuum cleaner for small jobs. However, that is only if you can keep the latch closed and keep it from tipping or being dropped. Otherwise, you'll have more of a mess to clean up when the latch gives and spews dirt, debris or water all over place.

It might be worth considering the purchase of a unit that has better construction, even if it is larger and a bit more expensive. In the long run, if you have a shop vacuum that has a latch that stays closed and a unit that fits tightly together, you'll avoid having to perform the cleaning job twice. This will save time and a lot of unnecessary frustration.

For more information on the entire Shop Vac product line, please visit our Shop Vac page.