Verdict: On paper DeWalt’s 20V 2-gallon wet/dry vac is a lightweight at 31 CFM. On the job it’s a dependable dustbuster I wouldn’t work without. Buy the cordless-only DCV580H unless you’ll really use a cord.
I ran the corded/cordless DCV581H for six years until it was stolen. I bought a replacement plus the cordless-only DCV580H, tested them side by side, then put the 580 to work.
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DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Wet-Dry Vacuum, (DCV580H)
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum, (DCV581H)
Suction & Power
DeWalt rates both models at 31 CFM. That’s the bottom of the 2–3 gallon cordless class: Milwaukee’s 2-gallon is rated 45 CFM, Makita’s 2-gallon 57, and RIDGID’s 3-gallon 60.
It still earns its keep. It cleans up small piles of concrete dust, drywall and sawdust, and it pulls the water out of a toilet before you yank it on a bathroom remodel. It’s built for small messes, not mucking out a gutted room.
You can clean your vehicle with it in a pinch, but the weak suction takes too much time compared to my corded vac.
Between the two models, battery suction looked identical. On the 581, I couldn’t see a difference between running on the cord and running on a fresh 5Ah pack.
Runtime
Expect about 25 minutes of run time from a fully charged 5Ah battery. It runs on DeWalt 20V MAX packs, and FlexVolt batteries work too. Battery and charger are sold separately.
Cord vs. Cordless
The 581’s AC cord costs you 1.2 lb: 9.1 lb bare vs. 7.9 lb for the 580. That’s not a deal-breaker. But in six years I plugged mine in exactly once, to see if it worked. For me, that cord is dead weight.
Reliability: The Update
My cordless-one DCV580H died after 11 months of construction use, with a burnt spot on the circuit board. That unit (a Type 1 from Home Depot in 2020) had a board dated 2013. The replacement board is dated 2019, stamped “redesign,” with what look like upgraded components. A $25 board fixed it; the cordless/corded 581’s board runs about $100.
That repaired 580 is still my daily driver, and the redesigned board has held up for 6 years now. My old 581, that was stolen, went six years without a problem. One viewer did fry a 581 board by swapping a 9Ah FlexVolt on and off while the vac was plugged in. Pick a power source and leave it alone.
Hose, Filter & Accessories
- Hose: 5 ft. × 1-1/4 in., built in and crush-resistant.
- Blower: the hose base has two pins. Slide them into the exhaust-port grooves and give it an eighth-turn right, then blow off your tools at the end of the day.
- Nozzles: the crevice tool lives in the handle and works well to increase suction. The wide nozzle has notched teeth that rake dirt and hair out of car and truck carpet although this vac is too weak for frustration free car cleaning.
- Filter: washable HEPA-rated wet/dry filter (replacement DCV5801H). DeWalt says leave it in for wet pickup, but a dirty filter makes that tough, so I usually pull it for water.
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | DCV580H | DCV581H |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 20V MAX battery | 20V MAX battery or AC cord |
| Tank | 2 gal | 2 gal |
| Rated airflow | 31 CFM | 31 CFM |
| Weight (bare) | 7.9 lb | 9.1 lb |
| Runtime, 5Ah pack | ~25 min | ~25 min on battery |
| Hose | 5 ft. × 1-1/4 in. | 5 ft. × 1-1/4 in. |
| Filter | Washable HEPA wet/dry | Washable HEPA wet/dry |
| Included | Crevice tool, wide nozzle | Crevice tool, wide nozzle |
| Warranty | 3-year limited | 3-year limited |
Who It’s For
- Anyone on DeWalt 20V who wants a grab-and-go vac for punch-list cleanup, vehicles and small spills.
- Remodelers who drain toilets and need water pickup without hunting for an outlet.
- Saw dust collection in a pinch. It doesn’t take much suction to pull dust off a miter or table saw (the tool’s dust port matters more), but for all-day cutting I still hook up a bigger corded vac.
Skip it if suction is your top priority. Every rival listed above out-pulls it on paper.
Buyer Q&A
Is the 581 worth the extra money?
Only if you’ll actually plug it in. Same suction, 1.2 lb heavier, and my cord saw daylight once in six years.
Bottom line: A 31-CFM vac shouldn’t be this handy, but it is. Grab the DCV580H, feed it a 5Ah pack, and save the big corded vac for the big messes. See ya!
Where to Buy
DCV580H (cordless only)
DCV581H (cordless/corded)
