If you just want a shop vac, get a shop vac! The automatic run feature works well. And it's much less expensive than comparable units, or at least it was when I bought it. I'm very happy this this unit on the whole. Incredible succion power, automatic filter unclogging. No complaints. Well made and easy to carry! Doesnt make a lot of noise.

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless/Corded Vacumm (DCV581H)

Nope won't be winning any accolades for being the most powerful. For me personally though the unit’s versatility and convenience help balance it out so for the tasks I wish to accomplish with it should suffice perfectly fine.Yes went through countless reviews seeing commonalities such as the elusive circuit board failure. Here’s hoping, after 7+ years since DCV581H initial release, Dewalt has addressed such issues to instill a better level of reliability.Pro’s:* Design/compactness* Run-time on 5ah battery* Cordless and corded operation (battery or AC)* Decent weight w/battery* Dry/wet capable* Can use as a blower* Filter* 2-gallong tank capacityCon’s:* Not quite as powerful as had hoped* Flex hose could be a foot longer (6’)* No bag option

EXCELLENT PORTABILITY AND RUNS ON EITHER ELECTRIC OR BATTERY POWER

The reason I chose this model over the 580 model is because I like to have the option to run the vacuum off of AC power when it is available to use on my jobsites. Otherwise, a battery operated vacuum was just what I needed for convenience. This is the type of tool that once you begin using it, you find all kinds of tasks that it helps with that you didn't even think about when you went to purchase it. After having used it for numerous jobs over the past few months, I am very satisfied with it - but do not quite understand a few of the design issues. For one, the battery is installed with the 'fuel gauge' down, so you cannot read it while it is installed. The exhaust port is also on the same side of the vacuum as the suction port and since the hose is rather short - ... MoreThe reason I chose this model over the 580 model is because I like to have the option to run the vacuum off of AC power when it is available to use on my jobsites. Otherwise, a battery operated vacuum was just what I needed for convenience. This is the type of tool that once you begin using it, you find all kinds of tasks that it helps with that you didn't even think about when you went to purchase it. After having used it for numerous jobs over the past few months, I am very satisfied with it - but do not quite understand a few of the design issues. For one, the battery is installed with the 'fuel gauge' down, so you cannot read it while it is installed. The exhaust port is also on the same side of the vacuum as the suction port and since the hose is rather short - you can easily end up creating a miniature dust storm when you first turn on the vacuum and forget that it is pointing at the area you intend to clean-up. I've been using 5Ah batteries with it and I find that they last a decent amount of time before needing to be changed. The hose is large enough but the length could certainly be another foot or two longer. You can buy 3rd party hose extenders as needed, quite easily. I like that you have a brush attachment, a wide suction attachment, and the weight of the vacuum is commensurate with the 2 gallon storage size of the vacuum. So far, a great addition to my growing DeWalt tool collection.

Excellent Small Vacuum!

While I've had a large vacuum for years, I've always hated having to drag it around for simple clean-ups. I purchased the DeWalt DCV581H to fit my need for a vacuum that is small and portable, yet will get the clean-up jobs done. I've had my unit for over a year now and use it almost daily. I love that fact that I can pop a 20-volt battery on and be able to use the unit anywhere, yet still be able to plug-in the cord when using it for longer periods where electric is readily available. I've also purchased a DeWalt multi-function connector (DWV9000) that screws onto the vacuum hose to allow direct connection to some DeWalt tools. That allows me to connect the vacuum to my saw or sander and greatly reduce the mess they would otherwise cause in sensitive areas. I ... MoreWhile I've had a large vacuum for years, I've always hated having to drag it around for simple clean-ups. I purchased the DeWalt DCV581H to fit my need for a vacuum that is small and portable, yet will get the clean-up jobs done. I've had my unit for over a year now and use it almost daily. I love that fact that I can pop a 20-volt battery on and be able to use the unit anywhere, yet still be able to plug-in the cord when using it for longer periods where electric is readily available. I've also purchased a DeWalt multi-function connector (DWV9000) that screws onto the vacuum hose to allow direct connection to some DeWalt tools. That allows me to connect the vacuum to my saw or sander and greatly reduce the mess they would otherwise cause in sensitive areas. I definitely recommend the DCV581H Vacuum for its portability and use on smaller jobs. My only suggestion for DeWalt would be to have an accessory tool kit readily available that fits this unit and to setup the debris cannister for the ability to use disposable debris bags.

Excellent Vacuum (If you require battery powered)

Purchased this in June of 2018, and it has seen many years of hard use at both work and home. I highly recommend this for someone that needs a portable shop vac that is capable of running on battery power. If you do not need the portability of a battery powered vac, please buy a real full sized shop vacuum as the con's of a portable shop vac are exactly what makes it portable. Because the tank and filter are so small, you need to empty it and clean the filter frequently during a job, and I also recommend washing the filter between especially dirty jobs or you will have weak suction power. With this basic maintenance, the vacuum remains plenty powerful for most jobs with one caveat. For maximum suction power, you will need to use 20V MAX battery packs 3.0 amp hour or ... MorePurchased this in June of 2018, and it has seen many years of hard use at both work and home. I highly recommend this for someone that needs a portable shop vac that is capable of running on battery power. If you do not need the portability of a battery powered vac, please buy a real full sized shop vacuum as the con's of a portable shop vac are exactly what makes it portable. Because the tank and filter are so small, you need to empty it and clean the filter frequently during a job, and I also recommend washing the filter between especially dirty jobs or you will have weak suction power. With this basic maintenance, the vacuum remains plenty powerful for most jobs with one caveat. For maximum suction power, you will need to use 20V MAX battery packs 3.0 amp hour or higher, or have the vacuum plugged into an AC outlet. I've tried it with my 20V MAX XR 2.0 amp hour battery packs and they can't keep up with the power draw and you almost immediately drop to weak suction power. The 3.0 amp hour and higher 20V MAX packs do not have this problem, and suction power remains strong until about 1 LED is left lit on the battery.

Excellent compact vacuum with only one glitch

I bought this vacuum to replace a couple of shop vac units I had and am not disappointed. It's compact and not cumbersome to maneuver around. There is no need to stretch extension cords to put it to use, yet has the option and versatility of using a cord if your battery is tied up on another tool. Keep in mind it's compact; if you're using a table saw this may not be for you, but for smaller tools and quick clean-ups it's perfect. The HEPA filtration avoids the initial dust cloud out the exhaust that sometimes occurs with other vacuums.While this vacuum is wonderful there is one thing that could be adapted to it. It would be nice if DeWalt would offer a 45 or 90 degree swivel that would fit into the exhaust port as an accessory so that the exhaust could be ... MoreI bought this vacuum to replace a couple of shop vac units I had and am not disappointed. It's compact and not cumbersome to maneuver around. There is no need to stretch extension cords to put it to use, yet has the option and versatility of using a cord if your battery is tied up on another tool. Keep in mind it's compact; if you're using a table saw this may not be for you, but for smaller tools and quick clean-ups it's perfect. The HEPA filtration avoids the initial dust cloud out the exhaust that sometimes occurs with other vacuums.While this vacuum is wonderful there is one thing that could be adapted to it. It would be nice if DeWalt would offer a 45 or 90 degree swivel that would fit into the exhaust port as an accessory so that the exhaust could be diverted in a different direction. So many times if I'm not paying attention to the direction in which the unit is facing when I turn it on the exhaust blows the debris I'm trying to vacuum up all over the place. That's kinda annoying, but doesn't take away from a 5 star recommendation.

Good but with some limitations.

I bought this to use in my handyman job. I keep it in my van. It is as a decent portable vacuum and has decent suction power. It’s not like a 5hp shop vac, but works good to be portable and battery powered. The limitations are that the exhaust is on the same side as the hose, so this is an annoyance, if you forget and turn it on without turning it around (awkward). The biggest limitation though is a serious design flaw. Where the vacuum hose connects, there are two 90 degree turns to enter the collection chamber, and they are right next to each other. This means that anything longer than about and inch and a half will become lodged into these 90 degree turns. I suspect that is what has happened to the guy that left the video of it not having suction, or he didn’t ... MoreI bought this to use in my handyman job. I keep it in my van. It is as a decent portable vacuum and has decent suction power. It’s not like a 5hp shop vac, but works good to be portable and battery powered. The limitations are that the exhaust is on the same side as the hose, so this is an annoyance, if you forget and turn it on without turning it around (awkward). The biggest limitation though is a serious design flaw. Where the vacuum hose connects, there are two 90 degree turns to enter the collection chamber, and they are right next to each other. This means that anything longer than about and inch and a half will become lodged into these 90 degree turns. I suspect that is what has happened to the guy that left the video of it not having suction, or he didn’t fasten the lid securely. It works great fro Sheetrock dust and sawdust but just will not handle anything with any length to it. I have tried to use it as a blowe, but it just doesn’t have enough power to blow much around, so I will just buy a job site blower to fill this niche. Do I like it, yeah, but it isn’t engineered as well as most Dewalt tools.

I've written to DeWalt about this unit, but they seem not interested. The idea of a portable wet/...

I've written to DeWalt about this unit, but they seem not interested.The idea of a portable wet/dry vacuum that runs on DeWalt-configured batteries is nice, but here are issues with the design they came up with:1: The joint where the hose sleeves into the molded insert that attaches it to the unit fails. It's apparently glued in, they need a much better glue, or better, make a mechanical connection that won't fail. The hose is short, so this connection is constantly stressed, & constantly fails.2: This molded insert that the hose is glued into is supposed to lock into the body of the unit with a partial turn. It continually unlocks & falls out. So before the glued in hose pops out of this plastic molding, the hose has already spontaneously detached from the ... MoreI've written to DeWalt about this unit, but they seem not interested.The idea of a portable wet/dry vacuum that runs on DeWalt-configured batteries is nice, but here are issues with the design they came up with:1: The joint where the hose sleeves into the molded insert that attaches it to the unit fails. It's apparently glued in, they need a much better glue, or better, make a mechanical connection that won't fail. The hose is short, so this connection is constantly stressed, & constantly fails.2: This molded insert that the hose is glued into is supposed to lock into the body of the unit with a partial turn. It continually unlocks & falls out. So before the glued in hose pops out of this plastic molding, the hose has already spontaneously detached from the the unit virtually every time it's used.3: Beware: This hose is very narrow gauge, which means anything will block it up. If you're vacuuming anything other than the lightest dust (heaven forbid a tiny scrap of wood is buried in the sawdust...) it WILL clog. Pushing out the clog is a project, have long broom-handle at the ready at all times. If the broom handle is even a few inches short, it won't push it out.4: There is no option for a filter bag. Bag-less vacuums all have the same problem: They force you to dump the dust, creating more dust, which defeats the whole point of vacuuming dust in the first place.5: Bag-less vacuums rely on the filter only, which clogs. We need bags that fit this thing, and a HEPA filter.6: The exhaust port on the side will blow everything around if you're not careful how you aim the body of the unit. It's in a very bad spot. There should be a swiveling nozzle on the exhaust port so you can aim the blower away from the dust you're vacuuming.This idea is great, but the design needs work, serious work.

Works great for woodshop

This little vac impressed the heck out of me! I seems slightly more powerful when plugged in, but still gets the job done. Cleans up woodworking messes easily. I have it hanging above my main workbench, I simply reach up, turn it on, and hose reaches down for quick clean up. Most impressive for me was when I used it to clean and service my oil burner. With 4a battery, it was so convenient and sucked up a good amount of soot. Emptied the bucket, blew out filter, and it was ready to go again.

convenient but cloggable

Overall, we're very happy with this vacuum. We often use it away from the shop, out on the ranch where the battery option is important.We do have one complaint, however. The hose connects to the body conveniently and it is easy to disconnect. Unfortunately, this is often used because the suction path makes an immediate 90 degree elbow into the main chamber. Objects that are long and narrow, such as a 2 inch dowel, get stuck at the elbow and block the airflow. A simple redesign of that elbow would be greatly appreciated.