Ryobi Bucket Top Wet/Dry Vacuum Turns Most 5-Gallon Buckets Into Vacuum Canisters
Ryobi’s 18V One+ lineup has no shortage of wet/dry vacuums, with several different sizes and capacities under its belt. However, the Ryobi 18V Bucket Top Vacuum stands out from the rest thanks to its unique design that allows it to turn a standard 5-gallon bucket into a vacuum canister. I’m going to run through everything there is to know about this tool to see if it’s right for cleaning up messes in your home or shop.
Buy this vacuum if you’re looking for:
- Compatible with most standard 5-gallon buckets
- Cordless
- Cleans wet and dry messes
- Less expensive than many of Ryobi’s other shop vacs
Consider another shop vac if your deal-breakers include:
- A bit top-heavy
- Not as powerful as some of Ryobi’s other shop vacs
Related Content
Is Ryobi a Good Brand and Are Ryobi Tools Any Good?
Best Shop Vacuums
Best New Ryobi Tools
Ryobi Bucket Top Vacuum Performance
- Model: Ryobi PCL732
- Airflow: 45 CFM
- Sealed suction: 32 IOW
- Cleans wet and dry messes
- Compatible with most 5-gallon buckets
As I mentioned above, Ryobi is no stranger to the wet/dry vacuum game, having a variety to choose from on the 18V One+ platform. This bucket-top model does things a little differently, though, since it uses any standard 5-gallon bucket as a canister. At the time of writing, Ryobi is the only major power tool brand to offer a cordless bucket-top vacuum.
The PCL732 bucket top wet/dry vacuum produces up to 45 CFM of airflow and 32 IOW (inches of water lift) of suction power. As you may have gathered from the name, you can use it to clean both wet and dry messes. It includes a filter bag to prevent dry debris from getting into the motor.
Since it’s compatible with any 5-gallon bucket, your capacity is set at 5 gallons. However, in theory, if you found a larger-capacity bucket with the same diameter opening as a standard 5-gallon bucket, you’d be able to vacuum up more debris before emptying the canister.
Ryobi Bucket Top Vacuum Design Notes
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 12.8 x 13.3 x 10.3 inches
- Weight: 3.57 pounds (bare); 4.25 pounds (with battery)
- Hose diameter: 1 1/4-inch
- Hose length: 4 feet
- Integrated hose and accessory storage
The Ryobi PCL732 bucket-top vacuum weighs 3.57 pounds bare, and 4.25 pounds when you add a 4.0Ah battery. Since it uses a 5-gallon bucket as a canister, it doesn’t have the same ground maneuverability as some of Ryobi’s wheeled models. However, that doesn’t present a huge issue if your bucket has an integrated carrying handle.
One thing I did notice is that it’s pretty top-heavy when you have an empty canister since the 5-gallon bucket doesn’t have much weight to it. If you need to move it around while you work, I recommend using the bucket handle so you can make sure to keep the vacuum upright. There’s even a nook at the connection point that lets you secure the handle to an upright position.
On top, the controls are very simple, featuring a single on/off switch above the battery port. There is a slot to store the 4-foot hose to keep it out of the way when you’re not working, and there’s also a storage slot for the included crevice tool.
The hose has a 1 1/4-inch diameter, which is large enough to pick up water and small dry debris like dirt and sawdust.
Additional Features
- Includes crevice tool and filter
- Compatible with all Ryobi 18V One+ batteries
Ryobi Bucket Top Vacuum Price
This vacuum retails for $59.97 as a bare tool, or you can get the kit for $119, which includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger. The kit does not include a 5-gallon bucket, so be sure to pick one up if you don’t have one on hand. Like all Ryobi products, you can find it exclusively at The Home Depot. Ryobi backs your purchase with a 3-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
The Ryobi 18V Bucket-Top Vacuum has the potential to save you both money and storage space by turning your existing 5-gallon bucket into a fully-fledged shop vac. I appreciate the cordless convenience of Ryobi’s 18V One+ platform that lets you bring this vacuum wherever you need it at home or on the go. If you value hitting a lower price point and more compact design than you’ll get with some of Ryobi’s other wet/dry vacs, this is a great option for your home or shop.
Editor’s Note: Want more wet/dry vacuum coverage? Check out our Best Shop Vac article to get our top picks of the year!
