Shop-Vac 5 Gallon 4.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum, 3 in 1 Function with Attachments, 5971536 Review (2026)

Overview

This Shop-Vac, model 5971536, is a 5 gallon wet and dry vacuum rated at 4.5 peak horsepower, built around Shop-Vac's standard portable tank design with a top-mounted motor and carry handle. It ships with a 7 foot by 1.25 inch diameter hose, a 6 foot power cord, and a set of attachments including extension wands, a wet and dry floor nozzle, a crevice tool, and a gulper nozzle for scooping larger debris off the floor. The unit runs on a standard 120 volt household outlet and draws 9.9 amps, so it works from any regular garage or workshop circuit without needing a dedicated outlet.

The 3 in 1 blower function

What separates this model from a basic wet and dry vacuum is the added blower function, achieved by attaching the hose to a port on the rear of the unit instead of the front intake. That lets the same vacuum blow leaves, sawdust, or grass clippings out of a garage corner or off a driveway rather than only sucking material into the tank, effectively giving it three modes in one machine. For a garage that already needs a vacuum for spills and shop debris, having a blower built in can save buying a separate leaf blower for small cleanup jobs around the garage or driveway.

Suction and performance

Shop-Vac rates this class of motor at up to 70 CFM of airflow and 58 inches of sealed pressure, figures Shop-Vac itself lists for its 4.5 peak HP 5 gallon vacuums, which translates to strong pickup for sawdust, water spills, and general garage debris. The 1.25 inch hose diameter is Shop-Vac's standard size, which keeps clog risk low for typical shop debris while still moving air efficiently. As with any shop vacuum, peak horsepower reflects a lab-measured motor output rather than sustained real-world power, a distinction Shop-Vac itself notes clearly in its own published specifications.

Tank and build

The 5971536 uses a plastic tank rather than the stainless steel tank found on Shop-Vac's companion model, the 5920588, which is reflected in the site's own note that this listing does not specify a metal tank. A plastic tank is lighter to carry and typically less expensive, though it will not hold up to dents, cracks, and scuffs the way stainless steel does over years of regular garage use and handling. Like most shop vacuums in this power range, the motor is loud during operation, so hearing protection is worth having nearby for extended use, especially in an enclosed garage where sound can echo.

Who it's for

This model suits a garage or workshop owner who wants one machine that handles wet spills, dry debris, and light blowing duties without buying separate tools for each job. The plastic tank keeps the unit on the lighter and more affordable side of Shop-Vac's 5 gallon lineup, which is a reasonable tradeoff for most home users who are not hauling the heavy vacuum around a busy job site every single working day. Anyone who wants extra tank durability for frequent moving or harsher shop conditions should compare it against the stainless steel 5920588 model instead, since the two share the same motor rating, hose size, and included accessories.

Frequently asked questions