Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaners: A Buying Guide for Australian Sites

A wet and dry vacuum is the most versatile machine in a cleaning cupboard and the one most often bought on tank size alone. The decision that actually matters is how the tank is emptied.

Tank handling decides more than capacity

Wet and dry vacuums are chosen on tank handling, filtration class and whether the machine is corded or battery. Capacity matters only after those three, because a large tank that has to be lifted to empty is slower than a smaller one used more often — particularly on multi-storey sites or in flood recovery.

Filtration class matters the same way. Where a site specifies a dust class, the machine has to match it, and no amount of capacity compensates for the wrong class.

Prices are Freshway catalogue prices as at 16 September 2026 and are subject to change. Confirm the current price, and whether GST applies, before quoting.

The machines we stock

The price step from A$395 to A$1,050 is filtration, not capacity. The AERO machines exist because a dust class is specified, not because a site needs a better vacuum.

Wet pickup: the filter question

Most wet and dry machines change filter configuration between wet and dry work, and the manual for your model states which. Two practical rules: keep the correct wet configuration with the machine so it is there when needed, and never assume one brand behaves like another. Operating with the wrong filter in place is what lets water reach the turbine.

Consumables to hold

Corded, battery or air-operated

Corded machines dominate this category because wet pickup usually involves water and a fixed location. Battery wet and dry vacuums exist but are confined to light spill work, because the runtime required for flood recovery is beyond what a battery provides. Where a site needs air-operated equipment for hazardous areas, that is a separate specification entirely.

Dust classes and when they apply

Where a site’s hazard assessment specifies a dust class, the vacuum must match it. The classes run from standard through L, M and H, and the difference is filtration rather than cleaning power. Our hazardous dust vacuums range covers the classed machines.

Maintenance that prevents early failure

1. After every wet pickup — empty, wash and dry the wet filter, and leave the tank open to dry.
2. Weekly on dry duty — check the cartridge filter and the float assembly that prevents water reaching the turbine.
3. Replace rather than reuse paper filters, and buy one spare so a cleaning cycle never takes the machine out of service.

Frequently asked questions

What size wet and dry vacuum do I need?

Size follows how the tank is emptied and how far it has to travel, not floor area. A 20–30 litre machine suits most trade work; large tanks such as 45–70 litres only pay off where the machine stays in one place or has a drain.

Can a wet and dry vacuum pick up water without a bag?

Yes — bags are not used for wet pickup on most machines, and the filter configuration changes instead. Check your specific model’s manual, because the requirement differs between machines.

Do I need a classed vacuum for my site?

Where a hazard assessment specifies a dust class, yes. L, M and H class machines exist for corresponding hazard levels and the class is a compliance specification rather than an upgrade. Where no class is specified, a standard machine is appropriate.

What is the difference between a wet and dry vacuum and a carpet extractor?

A wet and dry vacuum recovers liquid and debris but does not inject solution. A carpet extractor sprays cleaning solution into the fibre and recovers it, which is a different process.

How do I stop a wet and dry vacuum smelling?

Empty and dry the tank after every wet pickup. Odour comes from residual moisture and organic material, and leaving the tank closed while damp is the most common cause.