DEWALT 20V MAX Hand Vacuum, Cordless, for Wet or Dry Surfaces, 1/2-Gallon Tank, Washable Filter, Portable, Bare Tool Only (DCV517B)

This vacuum is a total win in my book. The flexibility to use different DeWalt batteries is a game changer—it fits right into my existing tool setup without needing extra chargers or adapters. Whether I’m using a 20V or a FlexVolt, it powers up and performs like a champ. The suction is impressively strong, easily handling sawdust, debris, and even heavier messes without bogging down. The hose detaches smoothly, which makes it super convenient for quick cleanups or switching attachments. And when it’s time to empty or clean the unit, it’s straightforward and hassle-free—no awkward parts or messy disassembly. For a compact, cordless vacuum, this one punches way above its weight. If you’re already in the DeWalt ecosystem and want a reliable, portable vac with serious power, this is a 5-star buy all the way!

I'm an old tool guy and I own a few Dewalt 20v cordless tools, and I have owned and own other brands as well. I've also owned several cordless hand vacs including recently the Shark and Dustbuster. I've been putting this Dewalt hand vac through its paces for the last five days and this is what I've come up with. First, I'd like to address some of the negative comments such as it being loud, or heavy. I really hadnt noticed it being any louder than any other ones that I've owned. It might be slightly, but its a more powerful vac with larger motor and 20 volts compared to 7.2 volts that most other hand vacs are rated at. You definitely wont be needing to use earplugs as someone suggested in their review...LOL. So when I first turned mine on after getting it, I was expecting something really loud, it wasnt, I just busted out laughing. As far as some saying its heavy. Yes it is a little heavier (maybe a few ounces), but please keep this in mind. Most of the other cordless hand vacs on the market are only 7.2 volts battery packs, including the two other ones that I mentioned. This runs on a 20 volt power pack thats more than twice the power of the others, so its going to be a little heavier, it has a larger capacity power pack. But, the trade off for those extra few ounces is that you get a much better performing vac, more powerful suction and much longer run times in between charges. Another reviewer mentioned the small debris canister, well its a half gallon capacity, (which is large for a cordless portable hand vac), much larger than most of the other cordless hand vacs on the market. Any larger than that, you might as well use a full size vacuum cleaner, its a portable cordless hand vac, not designed to vacuum a whole house. I've vacuumed my 4 door GMC truck, my Jeep Wrangler YJ, my wifes Mazda CX5, and my workbench work area without needing to empty the canister. Oh, and heres the one that really got me laughing once I tested mine. A couple of people said that the side exhaust vents blows the debris all over the place before you can vacuum them up. Well the vents shoot straight out of the side of the machine horizontally, not downward as one said. The only way the vent would blow the debris around is if you hold the vac sideways on its side (pointing the side vent downward). If you do that, the nozzle is then vertical and not going to vacuum very well due to the horizontal design of the nozzle. So those results would have been from user error. Another reviewer mentioned that the on/off switch is difficult to use. Well, if you'll notice in my 3rd photo, I have four fingers and a thumb grasp around the handle, so you just move one of your four fingers a half inch and flip the switch, its really that simple. If this 61 year old guy with arthritis can easily do it, I'm sure anyone else can too. So, for me its been the best performing cordless hand vac that I've ever owned, and I've owned quite a few over the decades. I highly recommend, it will be the last cordless hand vac that you'll ever need.

I've had this a year and a half. Its pretty handy to have around. Great for the little jobs. Quick pick up things. The collection basket is OK sized. It is for small jobs. Small clip on tray on the bottom. The removeable hose is easy on and off. Picks up pretty much anything that will fit in the input. Have not used it for wet. I use a 2.0 battery and that has lasted a while on the charge. Probably because I only do small quick pick with it. I do recommend this.

So I have 2 sets of batteries and tools at home: DeWalt 20v and Makita 18v. I like both but use them for different things mostly because I got the attachments and tools that work well for different applications (DeWalt for common drill/tool stuff, Makita for outdoors/specialty stuff) whenever I could for the cheapest I could. Anyways I tried out both this one and 1 of the Makita handheld-ish vacs (XCV11Z) for the Max20v and 18v batteries respectively. The short version is both of them are known to be pretty reliable and have OK weight (not exactly super light but not heavy) but also broadly similar levels of air movement. The Makita had much better capacity in its bin. HOWEVER the suction on the DeWalt handheld vac was noticeably better than the Makita. And IMO the better suction was a much more important attribute here. Attachments for the 1.2" hose the DeWalt uses are cheaper (Makita uses a special hose diameter so everything costs more and is harder to find good stuff for) and easier to get too. The real clincher was that the DeWalt 20v vac is around $100 cheaper at the time of buying so this is the one I went with. I took a star off because it doesn't come with any extensions or tools, its lightly built so dropping it from waist height will probably break something, the rated 1/2 gal capacity in the bin is too optimistic IMO, and the default built in tool 'tip' for the handle/hose doesn't work (poor suction and overly bulky). I do wish it moved more air as well. Other thoughts: eats batteries!! Some older 2ah 20v batteries I've got were drained in around 10min!!! But all battery operated vacs suck power and have mediocre run times apparently. Even the 60v ones. So I won't mark down for that. You're going to want at least a 6ah battery for this. 9ah is better. Remember the suction on these is OK but airflow is low so you gotta move them around a whole lot and run them for a while to get even a corner of a room clean. Those large capacity batteries get rather awkward to load into this thing but they will fit and will give you around 45min to a hour-ish of run time. Good enough to clean your car out and still do some stuff on the side before needing a recharge. You're going to want some 1.2" attachments too. The stock hose is OK for what it is but rather limiting. A crevice tool, especially a long one for dryers or car seats, is practically a must have as well I'd say. At the MSRP of $150+ I'd say its a much harder sell to justify. I'd actually start looking at either the 60v line of DeWalt battery vacs or the stronger Makita battery operated vacs instead. They cost more but you get lots more too.

Great Lil vacum to have nearby the kit and back porch,to pick up those small bits and pieces that are brought in from outside, no issues.

This is a very convenient wet/dry vac (YES, you can use it with non-flammable liquids). It is nicely portable, and the hose can be popped out of the "snout" for more close-quarters vacuuming. I can hold it with one hand, and use a finger to work the power switch. Works good as a car vacuum. Seems to run for a nice long time with the 5Ah batteries I typically use. I have a Craftsman full-size corded wet/dry vac, and its attachments work fine with the DeWalt hose. The HEPA filter is some form of "plastic paper" that can be brushed off, washed, dried, and re-used. The DeWalt seems to have almost as much suction power as my Craftsman (that thing can suck the chrome off a trailer hitch). The DeWalt is not as noisy as my Craftsman, but it is loud--that is a consequence of its suction power. The only downside as others have shown/mentioned, is that you have to be mindful of the left- & right-side exhaust. That airflow can move the dirt you are trying vacuum up.

This thing SUCKS. Which is a great thing when talking vacuums. Super awesome device, excellent suction, battery life on the little DeWalt batteries is excellent. Love the versatility of the detachable hose.

Not worth $149. Regarding other reviews: Noise: no it's not terribly loud. I measured just under 80 dB at 3 feet away which is just about equal to my indoor vacuum. Suction power: not great. It won't pick up heavy items like a 3/4" x #12 wood screw. But it will pick up dust, dirt, and shavings as intended. Power switch: although it is not an optimum ergonomic location, the switch is easily accessible with one finger while holding the vacuum with the same hand. After a few times you will use the switch without thinking about it. The dust bin is easy to empty and the flexible hose is a nice feature. The weight and size is perfect. Overall, I can't recommend it. It is definately not worth the cost. I prefer to buy Dewalt products and have over half a dozen Dewalt rechargable tools in my garage. I will normally pay a premium for yellow tools, but I'm going to return this one.