Dealing with constant messes in my garage and on small job sites used to be a real headache. I needed a cleanup solution that was powerful but didn’t take up the precious floor space that my bulky shop vac occupied. Leaving sawdust or water spills unattended wasn’t an option, as it created safety hazards and simply prolonged the cleanup process. A compact, efficient vacuum would have saved me countless hours and a lot of frustration.
Portable shop vacuums are designed to solve the problem of clutter and cleanup in spaces where a full-sized unit is impractical. Whether you’re dealing with sawdust from a weekend project, cleaning out your car, or tackling a minor spill, these compact powerhouses offer convenience and efficiency. The ideal customer for this type of product is a DIY enthusiast, a hobbyist woodworker, a contractor working on smaller jobs, or any homeowner who values portability and space-saving design. They need something that can be grabbed quickly, used effectively, and stored away without hassle.
However, a portable wet/dry vac isn’t for everyone. If you’re a professional who regularly cleans up large-scale construction sites with heavy debris like chunks of concrete or vast amounts of drywall dust, you’ll need the larger capacity and higher horsepower of a traditional 16-20 gallon shop vac. For those individuals, a smaller unit would lead to constant emptying and potential underperformance. Before making a purchase, consider these key factors: suction power (measured in Peak HP), capacity, cord and hose length, portability, and the included attachments. Think about your primary use case to ensure you choose a vacuum that meets your specific needs.
- EASY TO USE: Quickly attaches to the top of a multi-purpose 5-gallon bucket (not included), turning it into a powerful wet dry vac for debris collection
- COMPACT SIZE: Lightweight, portable vac that's great for smaller jobsite messes that need instant wet dry disposal - ideal for the jobsite or garage
- 6 ft. POWER CORD: Provides extra reach to tackle tough messes
Unveiling the Craftsman CMXEVBE17678 Powerhead
The Craftsman CMXEVBE17678 is not your typical shop vacuum; it’s a cleverly designed powerhead that promises to turn any standard 5-gallon multi-purpose bucket into a powerful wet/dry vac. The concept is brilliantly simple: provide the motor, suction, and filtration in a compact unit that you can easily attach and detach from a common bucket. This product is specifically for those who prioritize convenience and storage space over massive capacity. It’s perfect for quick cleanups in the garage, workshop, or car. It’s not, however, designed for heavy-duty, large-volume commercial jobs. When you purchase it, you receive the powerhead, a 1-1/4 inch by 4-foot hose, and a filter with a retainer band.
Pros:
* Extremely Compact and Portable: The powerhead design saves significant storage space.
* Versatile: Easily converts any standard 5-gallon bucket into a vac.
* Blower Function: Adds functionality for clearing debris from surfaces.
* Sufficient Power: The 1.75 Peak HP motor is great for most small to medium tasks.
* Easy to Empty: Simply lift the head and dump the bucket.
Cons:
* Short Power Cord: The 6-foot cord requires an extension cord for most uses.
* Short Hose: The 4-foot hose limits reach and comes with no attachments.
* Bucket Not Included: You must provide your own 5-gallon bucket.
- PORTABLE: Lightweight, 2.5-gallon wet dry vac offers unparalleled mobility
- HEAVY-DUTY: Powerful 6.5 Peak HP provides extra power for large projects in the garage, shop and on the jobsite
- Beast Series High-Performance Motor with 320 Air Watts of Power
A Deep Dive into Performance and Convenience
After using this vacuum for countless projects, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for its design and functionality. It has become my go-to tool for quick cleanups, replacing my larger, more cumbersome shop vac for most everyday tasks. Let’s break down the features that make this powerhead a standout product.
Revolutionary Powerhead Design and Portability
The most significant feature of the Craftsman CMXEVBE17678 1.75 Peak HP Wet Dry Vac Powerhead is its innovative form factor. Instead of a large, wheeled canister that takes up a corner of your garage, you get a compact power unit that sits neatly on a shelf. The genius lies in its compatibility with a standard 5-gallon bucket—an item most homeowners and DIYers already have.
This design has two massive benefits. First is storage. The powerhead itself is small, measuring about 12.5 inches in diameter. You can store it anywhere. Second is portability. Once snapped onto a bucket, the entire unit can be carried with one hand using the bucket’s handle. I found this invaluable when I was remodeling a small bathroom. My old 10-gallon vac was constantly in the way, but this portable shop vacuum fit neatly in a corner, and I could move it effortlessly as I worked. When the job is done, or the bucket is full, you just pop the top off, dump the contents, and you’re ready to go again. This is far easier than wrestling with the large, awkward tank of a traditional shop vac.
Suction Power and Performance
With a 1.75 Peak HP motor, this isn’t the most powerful shop vac on the market, and it doesn’t pretend to be. However, the suction it generates is surprisingly strong and more than adequate for its intended purpose. It’s a perfect match for the 1-1/4 inch hose diameter, creating a focused and effective airflow.
In my workshop, it has no problem picking up sawdust, wood chips, drywall dust, and stray screws. For vehicle cleaning, it pulls dirt and debris from carpets and floor mats with ease. I’ve also used it for wet cleanups, like a minor spill from a washing machine, and it sucked up the water quickly and efficiently. The key is to manage expectations. This unit won’t suck up large chunks of wood or heavy debris like a 6.5 HP beast, but for 90% of the messes the average homeowner or hobbyist creates, its power is perfectly sufficient. The motor is also reasonably quiet for a shop vac, which is a nice bonus during prolonged use.
Versatile Blower Port Functionality
A feature that adds incredible value is the built-in blower port. By simply moving the hose from the intake port to the exhaust port, the vacuum transforms into a capable blower. I didn’t think I’d use this feature much, but I’ve found it to be incredibly useful. It’s perfect for blowing sawdust off my workbench and power tools before putting them away. I’ve used it to clear leaves and grass clippings from my porch and driveway, saving me the hassle of getting out my large leaf blower for a small job. It’s also great for blowing dust out of hard-to-reach crevices or for inflating small pool toys and air mattresses. This dual functionality means you’re getting two tools in one compact package, further justifying its place in any well-equipped garage.
Accessories and Acknowledged Drawbacks
The package includes the essentials: the powerhead, a 4-foot flexible hose, and a filter with a retainer band. While functional, the accessories are where the product’s main disadvantages lie. The 6-foot power cord is frustratingly short. Unless your outlet is right next to your mess, you will absolutely need an extension cord. Similarly, the 4-foot hose limits your reach. While cleaning my car, I found myself frequently repositioning the bucket vacuum to reach different areas. It also comes with no attachments like a crevice tool or utility nozzle, just the beveled end of the hose.
While these are definite drawbacks, they are also easily remedied. Most users will already own an extension cord, and longer 1-1/4 inch hoses and attachment kits are widely available and inexpensive. It’s a compromise for the low price point and compact design, but one worth being aware of. Additionally, as one user noted, the intake and blower ports are not labeled, which can cause a moment of confusion, but it’s quickly figured out by turning the unit on.
What Other Users Are Saying
I wasn’t the only one impressed by this clever design. After looking through online feedback, I found a consensus that praised its ingenuity and convenience. Many users echoed my sentiment, calling it a “great idea” and loving how it turns a simple 5-gallon bucket into a highly portable shop vac. People consistently highlighted its strong suction for its size, deeming it perfectly adequate for car cleaning and small project cleanups. The most common criticisms were the same ones I had: the short cord and hose, which many felt were minor issues easily solved.
Final Thoughts on This Bucket-Top Powerhouse
The challenge of quick, effective cleanup in tight or cluttered spaces is a common frustration for anyone who works with their hands. Leaving messes unattended is not an option, and lugging out a giant shop vac for a small job is overkill. The Craftsman CMXEVBE17678 Wet Dry Vac Powerhead solves this problem with exceptional elegance. Its brilliant design saves an incredible amount of space, and its performance is perfectly tailored for the most common household, garage, and job site tasks. If you need a compact, powerful, and incredibly convenient cleanup solution, this is it. Click here to check the latest price and add this versatile tool to your arsenal.
Last update on 2025-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API