Shop-Vac 971-02-00 1-1/2-Gallon 2 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum

We purchased the 1.5 Gallon Shop-Vac "AllAround" after searching through Shop-Vac's website. For our use, the 1.5 gallon is quite adequate in size.

We were amazed to find that it was indeed a significant improvement over our "classic" 5 gallon model.

First, the 1.5 gallon model has 1.5 horsepower; this is the same amount of power that comes from the classic 5 gallon model we owned. Additionally, the 1.5 gallon model comes with a locking hose (Making it easier to pull along) and a carrying handle right on top of the motor housing.

Additionally, upon opening the box, we were impressed to find a bag retainer for the dry filter bags. This is a wonderful addition; our 5 gallon classic model was always losing the dry filter bags, making it very cumbersome to keep clean.

The other features of the 1.5 gallon "AllAround" that are worthy of mention include an elongated 6.5 foot hose and an 18 foot (!) power cord. Shop-Vac obviously has designed this unit to be used around the house! Standard 1.25" Shop-Vac accessories fit; the unit includes most of the accessories anyone will need.

In terms of suction, this vacuum is as powerful as our classic 5-gallon model was, with one major difference... ...One can talk while using it! It's extremely quiet for a wet/dry vacuum. I no longer have a headache. It was a joy to clean around the edges of carpet and made short work of the kitchen floor.

The squat unit is very attractive, with a grey/green design in comparison to the industrial red or yellow found on the classic Shop-Vac models. It rolls easily and hasn't tipped over yet.

The unit comes with a 3-year warranty; based on my experience with the Shop-Vac brand, I expect no problems.


Definitely A Buy! A Great Little Vacuum!!!!   May 31, 2003
Ken (Omaha, NE United States)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

Small, light weight/very portable and powerful! This is a great little vacuum for multiple uses. My 16 Gallon 5 HP is great, but difficult to use in the car and around the house. Not a problem for this little beauty, it does perform! With its 18' foot cord and various attachments it will collect almost anything (excluding the cat or dog!) up to its 1.5-Gallon capacity. This unit is so small the attachments need to be stowed separately and a canister filter option is not available. If these things are important then a larger capacity selection is in order. However, I believe most people will not find these things to be of any issue. And the relative "micro" size of the unit gives it an unmatched advantage over larger, cumbersome units. I was surprised and impressed by my purchase!


Amazing !   November 8, 2000
Martin Pons (Houston TX)
32 out of 36 found this review helpful

Yes,this is an amazing vacuum, because is so lightweight that you don't believe that this littles motor can be so powerfull,it come's with complete accesories.And it have a great look,like an "little R2D2"(StarWars movie),that you will love this vacuum.Is pefect if you live in a small apartment,'cause is easy to store,easy to operate it,and leave your carpets clean.Don't trash your money in expensive vacuums;this little appliance can be yours at very low cost,and it works like a mayor vacuum.Even if your house is a regular size,you can use it! I recommend It.


BEST little vacuum   April 25, 2003
Sr Francis Patrick (Germantown, New York United States)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

This powerful little vac is absolutely wonderful! I have had mine for 3 years, and have never had a problem with it. I have a pet rabbit, and it has proved to be the best for picking up the hair, litter box spills, and even the bun's little brown'calling cards'.
It's small enough to easily pack in a car to travel to the cabin in the woods to clean up there. The attachments are simple, and sturdy and are more then adequate to do what much bigger, more expensive vacuums do, and it cleans even better then them! And it's rugged! Mine has fallen down flights of steps several times, and not a scratch or dent - still working perfectly! I highly recommend this great product. If you have little kids, this is a must!


Great Household Vac!!!   April 14, 2005
T. Waldvogel (West Hempstead, NY United States)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

when I was thinking to buy this vac I looked in the shop-vac website and saw that it's being marketed as a household vac and not as a shop-vac so I think it's unfair to give this vac a bad review because it doesn't performed as well in the shop. It was not built for that purpose. When my husband was putting sheetrock on the wall and sanding I did use it to pick up the sanding dust, and to pick up sawdust and it did just fine, of course don't espect it to pick up nails. I have an small house and no place to store a full size vacuum cleaner and besides I have all hardwoood floors and my regular vacuum did not pick up much from it. That's why I decided to buy this small vac because it's small and I can fit it in the storage area under my basement stairs and it pick up litter from my cats, ALL the hair that thay leave on my area rugs and dust, rice and food from the kitchen floor, and small debri. I was dissapointed when I first got it because it was not as quiet as I thought it would be, but when my friend came over to help me to clean my house after we just moved in, and she brought her brand new Oreck, then I realized that mine was much quieter than hers and then I was not too upset by the noise. Changing the bags its easy and the performance is great. It is sturdy and lightweight, and its easy to hold with one hand while I vacuum the stairs. I absolutely love my little all-around vac!!!