Just about every shop has a wet-dry shop vacuum tucked away in a corner waiting for a mess to clean up. When you need it, these vacuums are essential.

Ridgid, maker of one of the more popular series of shop vacs, has expanded capabilities of their vacuums with a new line of accessories under the NXT branding. These accessories go way beyond the typical three or four wands and brushes that commonly come with these kinds of vacuums, and they offer a new, more secure snap-lock attachment system.

About the vacuum
I tried all these accessories on the Ridgid 16-gallon HD1800 wet-dry vacuum with attached cart. It’s a classic shop vac design that will do both vacuuming and blowing and suck up all manner of stuff wet or dry. It accepts 2-1/2” accessories and can be adapted for other diameters. There is a Quick Lock filter that can be used wet or dry. 

An attached cart makes it easy to roll the vacuum around the shop and offers more storage options for accessories. The vacuum is relatively quiet in use, although not as quiet as some of the European shop vacuums I’ve used.

 

NXT system
Ridgid’s NXT system of attachments are all designed for quick connection and disconnection with a secure snap-lock system. Hose fittings have thumb locks to snap together, individual brush and shoe attachments can be snapped on and off using your foot.

Described by Ridgid as “tools and shoes,” attachments include different nozzles, each with removable shoes with different kinds of brushes for different applications. There are utility and floor tools with attachments designed for wet or dry use with rubber edges or stiff or soft bristles. A crevice tool offers two brush options and a special car nozzle has three different shoes. A clever rotating dusting brush adjusts its angle of attack and has four different brush shoes.

Trying it out
Once you get used to the NXT snap-lock system, it’s a breeze to change attachments, and you’ll quickly decide which attachments work best for whatever you need to clean. For example, the soft rubber shoe is especially good for picking of hair and fur off of rugs and upholstery.

All of the tools and accessories are available through Home Depot stores. For more information, visit ridgid.com.