In this review of the Dewalt Wet-Dry vacuum model DCV580, we’ll look at the pros and cons of this handheld vacuum cleaner. We’ll also address issues that are not a clear point for or against the model but could affect someone’s decision to buy this wet dry vacuum.
Pros of the Dewalt DCV580
This wet dry vacuum has a massive two gallon capacity compared to other cordless vacuum cleaners.
It can run off either an 18 volt or 20 volt battery. The downside is that you have to buy the battery separately from the wet/dry vacuum. Don’t mistake this vacuum for the model 581 Dewalt vacuum where you can plug it in and use it or use it via the battery – you have to have a charged battery for it to work. Conversely, this vacuum can run off the 18 volt XPR batteries. This Dewalt cordless vacuum cleaner is a good choice if you already have compatible Dewalt batteries and a charger for them.
It has a long built in five foot hose for cleaning inside your car or the truck bed. The hose itself is crush proof. And the square body makes it ultra stable as you’re working. It won’t tip over and spill the contents you just sucked up as you’re trying to clean up a mess.
It only weighs eight pounds empty.
The pleated cartridge filter can be rinsed and re-used.
The shop vac brand extension wands and household cleaning kits fit this unit rather well.
Cons of the Dewalt DCV580
The exhaust almost blows on the area you’re trying to vacuum unless you’re using the hose while the vacuum body is sitting several feet away.
While it is promoted as a high power vacuum, it can’t handle heavy wood chips or large debris. Use it for cleaning up sawdust on the workbench or dirt in the car, and break out the heavy duty vacuum cleaner for the bigger or larger junk.
Observations
The cordless wet dry vacuum is usually found for less than $100. The downside is that the battery for it and charger are sold separately. The lithium ion battery charger for this wet dry vacuum costs around $70, almost as much as the vacuum itself when on sale. A two pack of batteries for this wet dry vacuum costs more than the vacuum itself. If you buy the vacuum, two batteries and the charger, even in a discounted bundle, the price tag is at least $200 if not closer to $300.
The suction this cordless vacuum generates is average. The downside of the unit is how quickly it uses up the battery when being used – so have a spare battery on hand if the task is more than a quick cleanup. Suction drops off as the battery levels drop. You’ll get twenty to thirty minutes of suction before the suction level is too low to be of any use, even if the unit runs for five to ten more minutes.
The suction isn’t strong enough for heavy jobs like loose hardware but is good enough for sand and crumbs. It can handle the gunk left behind by a child getting sick in the car.
The 18 volt batteries are hard to get out of the vacuum compared to the 20 volt batteries when you need to change them out. And you get slightly better suction with the 20 volt batteries. Another benefit of the 20 volt batteries is that they don’t have the chemical memory problem where only charging it halfway or letting it discharge entirely too often prevents it from being able to fully charge anymore.
Summary
If you already have Dewalt tools with compatible batteries, this is a low cost, versatile wet dry vacuum cleaner to add to your shop for cleaning up after projects or cleaning small messes in the car. If you have to buy the batteries and a charger to go with this vacuum, you dramatically increase the cost beyond what the unit delivers.
