Ridgid NXT Wet/Dry Vacuums: What You Need To Know

No Matter What Kind of Mess You Make, There’s a Ridgid NXT Vacuum to Clean it!

Shop vacuums are a staple in garages, workshops, and job sites, and Ridgid has long been a trusted name in the category. Their recent NXT series of wet/dry vacuums includes several models designed to offer improved performance, convenience, and durability. In this article, I’ll walk you through the most powerful model in the NXT lineup, the Ridgid 16-gallon NXT shop vac. I’ve also included a quick overview of each vac in the NXT line so you can quickly see how they compare and decide which one is right for you.

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Ridgid 16-Gallon NXT Wet/Dry Vacuum

Performance

The Ridgid NXT shop vacuums are well-built and thoughtfully designed, with several features that enhance usability and performance. They deliver strong suction power and can easily handle fine dust, debris, and liquid messes.

The 16-gallon model delivers up to 184 CFM of airflow thanks to its 6.5 peak HP motor. This makes it an excellent jobsite companion for cleaning up heavier debris, like drywall and wood chips.

Accessory Management

Ridgid placed a heavy emphasis on hose and accessory management. Traditionally, this has been a pain point for shop vacs, but I think Ridgid did it right. This vacuum features onboard storage for the various nozzles and wand extensions and even includes plastic clamps to keep the 2 1/2-inch hose in place. Plus, Ridgid’s latest NXT accessory lineup includes a removable caddy so you can store additional nozzles right on the vacuum.

This means everything stays together, reducing clutter and making it easier to grab attachments when needed. Additionally, the power cord wraps neatly around the top handle, so it’s out of the way while you’re on the move.

Mobility is another important factor, especially when talking about larger shop vacs. The 16-gallon model features two large static rear wheels and two swiveling casters on the front instead of four-point casters. Additionally, the 16-gallon vac sports a large metal handle, making it easier to maneuver, especially if it involves stairs!

On the topic of mobility, Ridgid equipped this vacuum with their “Tug-A-Long” hose, which prevents accidental disconnections by locking into the canister.

This vacuum comes with a standard dust filter that separates large debris from smaller particles. Ridgid offers a wide range of filter options for this vacuum, including a HEPA filter that collects up to 99.97% of dust particulates. However, this does not qualify this vac as a Table 1 compliant HEPA rated dust extractor.

Drain

Just be sure to remove the kitted filter before tackling any wet applications. There’s also a large drain in the canister that makes it easy to empty when the job is done.

Additional Highlights

Blower function
Carry handle

Ridgid 16-Gallon NXT Shop Vacuum Price

The 16-gallon model is $159 at Home Depot and is backed by a lifetime warranty. Here’s everything that comes with it:

Vacuum
2-1/2 in. x 7 ft. Tug-A-Long, Dual-Flex locking hose,
2 extension wands
NXT Max floor tool
NXT Max wet shoe
NXT Max car nozzle
NXT Max crevice tool
VF5000 fine dust filter

Should You Buy It?

Being the most powerful vacuum in the line, Ridgid’s 16-gallon NXT vacuum is a great fit for nearly any wet/dry vac application. It’s a phenomenal partner in your shop as a dust collector for your miter saw, table saw, or other benchtop tools. With such a high capacity, you can get a lot of work done between emptying.

It handles itself well on jobsites, too, pulling cleanup duty or being your primary dust collection vacuum.

The biggest limitation is its size. There are many jobs where it’s inconvenient to have a vac this large, even though it has the power to do almost anything.

My recommendation is to balance your needs. If you want a more manageable size, there are Ridgid NXT rolling canister vacuums in 12 and 14-gallon configurations that might be a better fit for the way you work.

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