The Ridgid Tool Company was founded in 1923, and Ridgid shop vacs are some of the highest-rated wet/dry vacuums available. The Ridgid RT1400 featured in our review of the best shop vacs in the industry earned the title of the Most Powerful shop vac on the market.
Our recommendations are based on our two-part testing process. The first bout of testing involves researching products on Amazon, checking for things such as Prime eligibility and customer reviews. The second round of testing involves putting products like the Ridgid RT1400 to the test by rigorously testing capabilities and quality.
In this article:
- Ridgid RT1400 Overview And Features
- Ridgid RT1400 Testing Process
- What We Like About Ridgid RT1400
- What We Don’t Like About Ridgid RT1400
- Ridgid RT1400 Reviews
- Our Take On The Ridgid RT1400: 3.8 Stars
- Frequently Asked Questions
Ridgid RT1400 Overview And Features
Ridgid RT1400 
| |
|---|---|
| Our Take - An extremely powerful shop vac with a two-stage motor for tremendous suction strength. | |
| Pros | Cons |
| - 14.0-gallon capacity - Compatible with HEPA filters - Two-stage motor | - Poor maneuverability |
Product Specs
- Amperage: 10.5 amps
- Voltage: 120.0 volts
- Horsepower: 6.0 peak horsepower (HP)
- Weight: 30.0 pounds
- Tank capacity: 14.0 gal.
- Airflow: 130.0 cubic feet per minute (CFM)
- Hose length: 7.0 ft.
- Power cord length: 20.0 ft.
What’s In The Box?
Customers who purchase the Ridgid RT1400 will receive a number of additional accessories included in the box. Customers can expect to receive the Ridgid shop vac itself, two extension wands, a hose, utility nozzle, wet nozzle, crevice tool, car nozzle, and a fine dust filter. It should also be noted that a full lifetime warranty is included with this product even though it isn’t physically in the box.
Ridgid RT1400 Testing Process
Our product team tested the Ridgid RT1400 against the following criteria:
- Suction power: The suction power of a shop vac is one of its most important traits. Testing involved seeing if the Ridgid RT1400 could pick up dirt, sand, pine needles, dog hair, food crumbs, sawdust, and a variety of other messes in both wet and dry conditions.
- Maneuverability: Maneuverability is one of the main selling points of a shop vac compared to a traditional or regular vacuum cleaner. We tested this by cleaning a hatchback from front to back, noting how easy it was to move the Ridgid RT1400 around our testing vehicle and its ease of access into nooks and crannies.
- Versatility: Versatility is an often overlooked characteristic of a shop vac. We tested this by using the Ridgid RT1400 on a variety of surfaces, including rubber floor mats, car carpets, and even upholstery.
What We Like About Ridgid RT1400
Our product testing team agrees that there are several characteristics of this shop vac that make it easy to like – most notably, the Ridgid RT1400’s versatility. Regardless of what surface we used this shop vac on – whether rubber floor mat, car carpet, or car seats – the shop vac picked up dirt and debris with ease. We also appreciated the accessory storage, as it made it easy to carry the vacuum hose and accessories.
The Qwik Lock Filter Fastening System featured on this shop vac allows for quick installation or removal of paper filters without the need for tools. It should also be noted that a heavy-duty locking hose means you won’t have to worry about the vacuum hose pulling loose while you’re using the shop vac. Additionally, our team members found the carry handle doubles as a cord wrap, which was a nice added bonus.
The 7.0-ft. hose and 20.0-ft. power cord provide great reach. There was not a single instance of using the shop vac where our team members wished we had a longer power cord or a cordless vacuum instead.
What We Don’t Like About Ridgid RT1400
There are a couple of aspects of the Ridgid RT1400 that we think could be improved. First off, the durability of the wheels is questionable, as they are made from low-quality plastic, and the design doesn’t ensure that the wheels will stay locked in. The casters popped in and out of the frame of the shop vac itself, which made maneuvering the shop vac around obstacles quite a challenge.
Our team members also wish this shop vac had a detachable blower to allow the vacuum to double as a leaf blower – a feature many top-rated shop vacs offer. Another model number of Ridgid shop vac, the Ridgid RT1600, does have a detachable blower. Finally, it would be nice if the shop vac came with a three-layer pleated vacuum filter. If you require this filter, you’ll have to purchase it separately.
Ridgid RT1400 Reviews
About 30 customers have left reviews on Amazon for the Ridgid RT1400. While that isn’t as many as other wet/dry vacs we’ve tested, customer feedback is generally positive with over 75 percent of reviewers rating the Ridgid wet/dry vacuum at 4 stars or higher. A total of 60 percent of reviewers rate the vacuum a perfect 5 stars, while only 17 percent of reviewers rate it 1 star.
Positive Ridgid RT1400 Reviews
Customers appreciate the suction power and build of the shop vac.
“Great power and maneuverability, picks up all kinds of construction debris. [The] large canister will pick up tons of debris and water before the need to empty. Well built and well worth the price!"
– Children’s Advocate via Amazon
Negative Ridgid RT1400 Reviews
A reviewer who left a not-so-positive review complains that the shop vac didn’t arrive with all the necessary parts.
“Parts missing [and] obviously [the] warehouse doesn’t check these things, because the original return was taped on the box…"
– Hdi via Amazon
Our Take On The Ridgid RT1400: 3.8 Stars
The Ridgid RT1400 has incredible suction strength due to its 6.0 peak HP motor, which can make picking up your dust collection – including drywall dust – simple. The 14.0-gal. wet/dry shop vac will work just as well for DIY car detailing as it will on the jobsite for a large project.
| Overall Rating | 3.8 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Suction Power | 4 out of 5 |
| Maneuverability | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Versatility | 4 out of 5 |
If you’re looking for unparalleled suction strength, then this might just be the perfect shop vacuum for you. If maneuverability is of high importance to you, then there may be other brands of shop vacs that better suit your needs. We recommend the DeWalt DXV06P or the DXV08S if you’re looking for a shop vac with the best attachment nozzles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How good are Ridgid shop vacs?
Ridgid shop vacs are extremely high quality. Ridgid was founded in 1923, meaning the company has nearly a century of experience bringing quality power tools to customers. Many customers think a Ridgid shop vac is worth the money.
What is the best brand of shop vac to buy?
After thorough research and testing, our product review team named the Craftsman CMXEVBE17594 the Best Overall wet/dry shop vac in the industry.
Can a Ridgid shop vac suck water?
Yes, Ridgid shop vacs can suck water. The Ridgid NXT wet/dry vacuum line is the most powerful line of shop vacuums Ridgid has created, which the Ridgid RT1400 is a part of. The Ridgid RT1400 has the ability to collect both dry and wet messes.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
