RIDGID launched a new 16-gallon NXT Power wet/dry shop vacuum that delivers more cleaning power than their next-leading model.
The new Ridgid NXT Power shop vacuum is advertised as delivering unmatched performance in retail wet/dry vacuums, with 7.0 Peak Horsepower, 396 air watts and 202 CFM of suction power.
Ridgid is sponsoring ToolGuyd for this exploration, and so I asked them to share some points that I should keep in mind.
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They reiterated that this is their most powerful wet/dry shop vacuum, when compared to a Ridgid 6.0 Peak Horsepower vac, and that it delivers high performance debris pickup and suction.
So far, I’m convinced that is true. However, not to mince words, that’s not why I would buy this vacuum.
Yes, suction power is important. But it’s the little things that make the difference to me in use.
The Ridgid HD1900 vacuum has large rear wheels, making it easier to move around. It also features upgrade casters that definitely feel different than what I’ve seen on most shop vacuums before. Also, the cart handle is easily removable. Because I don’t use corded shop vacuums all the time, this makes it easier to store away.
Then there’s the locking hose. No, you’re not supposed to reposition shop vacuums by yanking on the hose, but we all do it anyway. Whether you do that or not, Ridgid’s hose connections were designed to stay put.
Many users, whether DIYers or professionals, buy shop vacuums for the long haul. All of the small touches, such as the power cord, hose, extension wands, and nozzles feel like they were designed to last.
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It also wasn’t lost on me that you get Ridgid NXT Max accessories – a crevice tool, car nozzle, floor tool, and wet shoe attachment.
If you like the idea of Ridgid’s NXT accessories, keep in mind that you can buy them for use with other vacuums – they’re designed to work with standard 2-1/2″ shop vacuum hoses and wands.
You know what I really like about this and other Ridgid shop vacuums? The fact that I can walk into a Home Depot store and find the exact filter I need. There are many places to buy Ridgid filters and accessories online as well.
Will it last? Will I be able to find compatible filters? These things matter.
Compared to the HD1800 – also an excellent high-performance shop vacuum – the new HD1900 features more power, a PRO hose (the HD1800’s is good, but this one definitely feels stronger), upgraded casters, and tougher rear wheels.
The ergonomics feel great, and there’s a handle recess at the back of the drum to help with emptying the canister.
All off the little things contribute to a better experience, at least in my opinion.
There was a time when I used just one corded shop vacuum, and that was it. Now, I have a dust extractor, a cordless vacuum, and also an AC-powered shop vacuum for when I need more power, greater collection capacity, or extended runtime.
I wish I could tell you that the new Ridgid NXT Power shop vacuum was exciting. It’s not. I wish I could tell you that using it brought joy to me. It didn’t. So what’s the point? Fewer frustrations – powerful cleanup that just works.
I have known Ridgid shop vacuums to be reliable. This new model gives you more power, a couple of upgrades, and also welcome features that you’ll find on some of the brand’s other shop vacuums.
My time with the HD1900 has been positive thus far, and the differences compared to the HD1800 – such as the new rear wheels – do stand out. They’re both great wet/dry shop vacuums.
I feel that this sponsorship arrangement with Ridgid needs a little more than my telling you that their HD1900 vacuum delivered exactly the experience I expected. How about a giveaway?
Since ToolGuyd will run the giveaway, I need to think about the prize options. Of course one of the prizes could be a Ridgid HD1900 NXT Power shop vacuum, but what about for the users who want something else?
For me, power and suction performance is important, but maneuverability, attachments, and accessible filter options are also high priorities. What are your top priorities in a shop vacuum? I figure that the answers can help me put together some other prize options from within Ridgid shop vacuum and accessories ecosystem.
Thank you of course to Ridgid, for sponsoring this exploration.
Saulac
My top priority in a shop vac is the ease of replacing the bag. This means it must have a bag. The bags should be universal and available everywhere. The power head / top should be easy to unlatch and disconnect from the canister. The canister should be easy to carry to and dumped into trash can. This means the canister should be just a simple can, attached to a cart. The casters and all accessories are on the cart. Come to think of it I want the sort of Tough Build Stack Tech latching between: top > canister > cart.
John
I have the Ridgid WD4070 — I got it for its small size (just 4 gal capacity) and its 5HP motor. I like the compact size, and for my needs it’s fine. I added a muffler/diffuser, which helps with the noise, though it cuts down on the usable space to hold accessories. My one complaint is that while the hose clips to the black plastic vacuum port, the port itself is prone to dislodging from the bucket/base. It’s just a friction fit, and the port (with hose attached) falls out if I’m not super gentle with the hose. I’ve thought of just gluing the port fitting to the bucket — just haven’t gotten around to it. (I’m guessing it’s manufactured and shipped in two pieces so as to allow a wider opening when draining liquids, though honestly, I just end up tipping the bucket completely over anyway.)
Anyway, I’ve been thinking of using this unit as a dedicated vac for my miter saw station, and buying a second shop vac. The #1 thing I’m looking for is a hose that will not dislodge.
Adam
While I’ve always been a fan of Ridgid shopvacs, I got tired of the deafening noise my 12 gallon makes and worried I was being a nuisance to my neighbors when running it outside of normal “business hours”. I bought a 6 gallon DeWalt Stealthsonic and can’t imagine ever going back to a loud shopvac. Maybe if I find myself in need of an emergency water drainage, I’ll use the Ridgid again, but until then, the DeWalt is just too pleasant not to use. It does lack onboard storage and has no drain plug, but the wheels are a major improvement over the Ridgid’s and roll silently and effortlessly. All that said, if Ridgid ever made a comparable shopvac that prioritized noise suppression, I wouldn’t hesitate to go back to them.
Jason
7hp. On 15 amps. So not possible. I hate the way manufacturers rate universal motors like this.
Stuart
I have found it’s best to treat these ratings as a comparative measure. For example, for any particular brand, a 5 HP shop vacuum should deliver greater performance than the same brand’s 3 HP model.
ColeTrain
Kind of like the thousand foot pounds of breakaway to work on my impact wrench? Lol
JJ
Y’know what I need more than a more powerful shop vac? A quieter shop vac that’s still powerful. What’s Ridgid’s answer to the DeWalt Stealthsonic?
Justin T
I don’t know about Ridgid, but I did see Shop Vac has their new Whisper vacuums out this year. I’ve only seen YouTube videos so far but those have looked promising. Seems they’re targeting the same price brackets as the Stealthsonics.
But definitely agree that I’m looking for noise suppression, I just swapped my noisy, old Craftsman pancake compressor for a quieter model.
Brad
Power, portability, ease of storage and attachments that are useful and easy to find replacements for. At the very least the attachments should all store on the vacuum without getting in the way.
Phranq
Tell your friends at ridgid that we need a longer hose, and the large rear wheels don’t help anything when they still have the tiny casters on the front. Just put 4″ casters all the way around please.
ColeTrain
The NXT line is confusing. The come and go and seem to have partnerships with other manufacturers. Plus no lifetime warranty. That’s sad 15 years ago when I got my rigid shop vac on Black Friday for $30 I’d say it’s been worth every penny…. And of course you maneuver shop vacs via pulling the hose. Not sure if they have suffered quality problems like the rest of rigid but the newer ones seem like the casters and switch seem a little less quality.
Carlo
Answer to the dewalt is the hd1900. A lot more powerful than the dewalt but not as quiet.
Robert
Stuart, please comment on the noise level of the HD1900.
Stuart
You generally have to choose between lower noise or power/performance – this model is focused on power/performance,
TomD
Shop vacs either need to be maneuverable/portable (like the newer cordless ones) or powerful enough to suck a golf ball through a garden hose.
The latter can be as big and loud as it wants.
For some jobs (insulation cleanup) having a huge bucket is an advantage – like the old 55 gallon drum toppers.
Irving
First, I want a shop vac so powerful the shop walls bulge inward when I turn it on, and it has to be quiet enough that I can still hear the shop radio over it.
Both of those are impossible. So….how about an industry standard decibel measurement ? Same measurement scale from the same distance, with the same orientation in a same environment – no manufacturer cheating – so different vacs can be reliably compared? Same for suction and blowing power – inches of mercury for vacuum, CFM and velocity for both intake and exhaust (I use the exhaust side of my indoor vac with a 4″ adapter to blow out the clothes dryer vent while I’m running a brush through it).
Don’t put wheels on the vac, put them on a locking quick detach platform that has LARGE high quality swivel casters (there are always power cords and wood chips on the floor), and if you’re selling the “bestest, most powerful sooper-dooper shop vac” but it comes with an 8 foot hose you’re not serious about it. Every time I’ve bought a shop vac – and I own two of the older 6.5 HP Rigids and a smaller 4.5HP/4 gallon (very portable) Shop Vac brand – the first thing I’ve done with all of them is GO BUY LONGER HOSES. Why does a 7 HP vac NOT come with a single 20 foot hose? The hoses are Rigid brand and Home Depot sells them (so does Amazon, Lowes, and everyone else; for my smaller 4.5 HP Shop Vac brand vacuum I bought a 25 foot length of 1 1/2″ hose from Cent-Tec Systems online – FYI, they sell all diameter hoses in lengths up to 50 feet). And, yes, everyone drags the things around by the hose and we always will, so sturdy locking hoses are a must.
If it’s on wheels, a 20-25 foot power cord is a must, don’t make us dig out extension cords. If it’s noisy, put a muffler in the box, don’t make us go back to the store for one. Directional control on the exhaust would be nice so we don’t blow floor or work bench dust all over the shop when it’s turned on.
Bigger attachments – I bought the 2nd Rigid to use indoors – my house is all tile and hardwood so vacuuming it is faster, easier and less dusty than the cotton fluffy mops – I had to hunt to find an 18 inch floor brush and sturdier extensions for the ridgid hose wands (Cent-Tec Systems to the rescue….). HD sells a very nice Rigid “auto cleaning kit” for vacuums, but AFAIK none of the accessories in it are available separately. Why not? And has anyone who designed the vacs ever tried using the accessory storage on them? Simple flat spring clips would work fine, as would a quick-detach handle (if your vac holds the accessories on the handle – both my 6.5 HP Rigids have an “accessory bag” that hangs on the handle, from which the accessories always fall out – a detachable handle wouldn’t be useful).
Quick and easy bag replacement, and the ability to remove a bag, use the vac for wet pickup, then put the bag back in (my indoor Rigid always has a bag in it, the shop Rigid never does because wet pickup and paper bags don’t match).
Bigger – MUCH bigger – filters with dust sleeves so I can remove the dust sleeve when it starts clogging, shake it out, re-install it and keep going.