Armor All AA255W
Score: 76/100
DeWalt 20V MAX
Score: 70/100Rankings
The Armor All AA255W is a compact 2.5-gallon wet/dry utility vacuum with strong suction and a built-in blower. Its short power cord and modest tank size limit it for larger jobs. Ideal for automotive detailers and users needing a lightweight, portable vacuum.
The DEWALT DCV517B is a 20V MAX cordless handheld wet/dry vacuum featuring HEPA filtration and dual cleanup modes, ideal for quick, portable clean-ups. Its limitations include a small 0.5-gallon tank and the need to purchase a compatible battery separately. Best suited for professionals already invested in the DEWALT 20V ecosystem who need a lightweight, high-filtration handheld vac.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
| ↓ lower better | 4.986 kg | 2.041 kgbest |
10 Lbest | 1.893 L | |
2 hpbest | 0.3 hp | |
120 Vbest | 20 V | |
— | 3 yearsbest | |
3.048 mbest | — | |
1.829 mbest | 0.762 m | |
53 CFMbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Power & Electrical(2) | ||
Voltage (V) | 120 V | 20 V |
Hose Length (m) | 1.829 m | 0.762 m |
Performance(1) | ||
Peak Horsepower (hp) | 2 hp | 0.3 hp |
Accessories(1) | ||
Number of Accessories Included (count) | 13 count | 4 count |
Build & Design(5) | ||
Weight (kg) | 4.986 kg | 2.041 kg |
Dustbin / Tank Capacity (L) | 10 L | 1.893 L |
Height (cm) | 36.5 cm | 44.93 cm |
Width (cm) | 26.9 cm | 16.20 cm |
Length (cm) | 36.1 cm | 21.44 cm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers such as Vacuum Wars and BestReviews commend the AA255W for its lightweight, car-focused design, strong suction, organized on-board storage, and quieter operation thanks to a built-in noise diffuser. They also highlight its versatile wet/dry and blower functions, while noting the shorter cord and modest tank size as drawbacks for larger tasks.
Everyday users praise the vacuum's portability, effective suction on both dry debris and liquids, and the convenience of integrated accessory storage and blower capability. Recurring complaints focus on the 10-foot power cord being too short for full-car reach and the 2.5-gallon tank filling quickly during bigger clean-ups.
Professional reviewers commend the DCV517B for its compact weight, HEPA filtration efficiency and versatile hose system, noting that it fits well into the DEWALT 20V ecosystem and comes with a solid three-year warranty. However, they caution that the half-gallon tank and lack of an included battery may limit its usefulness for longer or larger-scale jobs, and the unclear horsepower rating leaves suction performance ambiguous.
Everyday buyers generally praise the vacuum's cordless freedom, easy maintenance and lightweight feel, especially for quick clean-ups in tight spaces. The most common criticism from consumers revolves around the limited tank size and the extra cost of purchasing a compatible battery separately.
