Vacmaster VBV1210 review

A large, powerful shop vacuum

Vacmaster VBV1210
(Image: © Vacmaster)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

The Vacmaster VBV1210 is a sturdy, versatile shop vacuum that works just as well as a blower. It's designed for big jobs, but it can handle small messes around the house as well.

Pros

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    Powerful motor

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    Converts to a handheld blower

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    Multiple filter options

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    Eight attachments

Cons

  • -

    Quite heavy and difficult to move around

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    A separate dust filter needs to be purchased for fine dust cleaning

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    Price is a little steep

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If you are in search of a powerful vacuum cleaner that can take care of your shop or large space, the Vacmaster VBV1210 might be the right choice for you. Not only is it sturdy and durable, but it also functions as a blower.

To discover more about this model and the best shop vacuums we have reviewed, continue reading our guide below.

Vacmaster VBV1210: Design

The Vacmaster VBV1210 is strong and sturdy. The tank can hold up to 12 gallons of dust, waste, or water. The motor, at its peak, reaches five horsepower. The vacuum sucked up 2 gallons of liquid in 3.9 seconds, which means you can get water out of your basement if there's ever a flood. The motor is helpful when the vacuum converts to a handheld blower as well. At 210 mph, the blower capability of this shop vacuum is unmatched. The large tank does make the vacuum harder to move around and store, however.

The Vacmaster VBV1210 is definitely big, but it doesn't mean it isn't portable. The vacuum moves around on four 360-degree casters, which are quick to install. One concern I had is that the wheels don't snap into place. It's not a big deal when the vacuum is in use, and you're rolling it around, but they could fall out if you need to lift the entire unit in the air. The tank is dark blue and made of durable polypropylene with a nice, bright finish.

The Vacmaster VBV1210 is definitely big, but it doesn't mean it isn't portable. The vacuum moves around on four 360-degree casters, which are quick to install. One concern I had is that the wheels don't snap into place. It's not a big deal when the vacuum is in use, and you're rolling it around, but they could fall out if you need to lift the entire unit in the air. The tank is dark blue and made of durable polypropylene with a nice, bright finish.

The best part of the Vacmaster is the thick hose. The diameter of the hose is 2.5 inches and can reach a length of 7 feet. When you're using the vacuum, you can pull it around by the hose without risk of detachment and pick up large materials. One thing I really appreciate about this shop vacuum is the large drain port at the bottom of the tank. Other shop vacs required you to lift the tank and dump it. Despite its size, the Vacmaster is not awkwardly heavy. The vacuum weighs a manageable 17 pounds.

Vacmaster VBV1210: Performance

Several different filters are available for the Vacmaster VBV1210. It comes standard with a cartridge filter for cleaning dry debris but includes a foam filter you can switch out for liquids. The cartridge filter was easy to install and remained incredibly clean after a few passes. Vacmaster does work for fine dust, such as drywall, soot, or ash, but the manufacturer suggests you buy a separate dust filter, which is sold separately.

The heavy tank has a rack for attachments, and there is no shortage of options available in this shop vacuum. The Vacmaster VB1210 comes with eight different attachments. There are two extension wands, meaning you can vacuum the floor without having to lean over or reach the ceiling for dust and cobwebs. There's a car nozzle and crevice tool for cleaning upholstery and in-between seats. The vacuum has a concentration tool for spot cleanups. I really like the extra blower attachment, too. While most of the wet-dry vacuums in our reviews convert to a blower, few manufacturers thought to include a blower nozzle that helps spread out the air to cover a wider area.

Should you buy the Vacmaster VBV1210?

The Vacmaster VBV1210 is a versatile vacuum that could become the only vacuum you need in your home. It can clean regular carpets and spills, but it's made for serious debris, messes in your garage, and flooding. It works well as a stand-alone blower; it doesn't simply have the function thrown in as an afterthought. The different filter options also mean that the vacuum should last a long time without you having to worry that dust will corrupt the motor. This is one of the best shop vacuums on the market.

Linda Thomson

Linda Thomson, whose loves are kids, books, music, good food and classic films, has been a professional writer her entire working life. This includes four newspapers, one magazine and plenty of online publishing. She no longer writes for Top Ten Reviews, although you'll still see her work across a number of articles on the Top Ten Reviews site.