Vax VX40 Review: Introduction
Looking for a powerful, no-frills vacuum that can handle both wet spills and dry messes? Our comprehensive Vax VX40 review dives deep into real customer experiences to see if this budget-friendly wet and dry vacuum cleaner lives up to its promises. With an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars from 28 reviews, the Vax VX40 is a polarizing product. While 13 users gave it 4 or 5 stars, praising its suction and versatility, another 11 rated it 1 or 2 stars, frustrated by design flaws and performance issues. This stark divide suggests the VX40 is a tool perfectly suited for specific jobs and users, but a potential disappointment for others. In this detailed Vax VX40 review, we’ll analyze every pro and con from actual owners to help you decide if it’s the right cleaning solution for your home, workshop, or garage.
Key Features of Vax VX40
Before delving into what customers love and hate, let’s outline the key specifications and features as reported by users in their Vax VX40 review comments.
| Feature | What Reviews Say |
|---|---|
| Type | Wet and Dry Drum Vacuum (Bagged) |
| Capacity | Large 20-35L drum, good for big jobs |
| Suction Power | Consistently praised as “fantastic,” “powerful,” and having “great suction.” |
| Noise Level | Very loud; frequently described as sounding like a “jet aircraft.” |
| Attachments/Wand | Cheap, flimsy plastic 3-part wand that can warp or bend. Standard 35mm fittings. |
| Floorhead for Carpet | The most common complaint. A small, simple plastic head that “digs in” and won’t glide. |
| Best For | Workshops, garages, wet pickup, hard floors, and budget-conscious buyers. |
Vax VX40 review: Pros & Cons
Based on the aggregated feedback from 28 users, here are the clear advantages and disadvantages of the Vax VX40.
The Pros: What Owners Love
- Exceptional Suction Power: This is the undisputed star feature. Reviewers across all ratings praise its ability to pick up pet hair, sawdust, and even water with ease. One user called it “one of my best purchases” for dealing with an elderly cat’s hair, while another stated it has “heaps of consistent suction.”
- Wet and Dry Versatility: The ability to handle liquids is a major selling point. A 5-star reviewer exclaimed it “will suck the immeasurable amount of water from your carpet,” making it invaluable for spills or accidental floods.
- Large Capacity and Value: Many appreciate the large drum size and the low initial purchase price. Comments like “good budget model” and “great value for money” highlight its appeal to those wanting maximum utility for minimal outlay.
- Durability (When It Works): Several users noted having older Vax models that lasted a decade, and some VX40 owners find it robust for its core function. One said it’s “much better value and more efficient than some big priced items like Dyson.”
- Simple and Effective on Hard Floors: When used on tiles, laminate, or verandas, users report flawless performance with its strong suction.
The Cons: Where It Falls Short
- Notoriously Bad Carpet Head: This is the #1 deal-breaker. Dozens of reviews, including a 2025 comment, state it is “useless on carpets,” with the head digging in instead of gliding. A 2023 Vax VX40 review lamented the “cheap thin plastic” head that “digs into carpet and is rubbish.”
- Flimsy Plastic Wand and Attachments: The multi-part plastic wand is widely criticized for being bendy, warping under pressure, and feeling cheap. Many users sought metal replacements from older models.
- Extremely Noisy Operation: The powerful motor comes with a significant trade-off: noise. Descriptions like “very noisy,” “sounds like a jet aircraft,” and “much noisier than any vacuum I have ever used” are common.
- Bag Confusion and Ongoing Cost: Many buyers were misled into thinking it was bagless. One Verified Purchase review titled “Wish I’d known it had a dust bag” warns that bags are expensive and a recurring cost, altering the value proposition.
- Quality Control & Durability Concerns: Some reports of the wet filter tearing easily, suction loss over time, and in one alarming case, a unit that “smoked and sparked” within weeks of light use.
Customer Experience Analysis
Digging into the 28 reviews (including 4 Verified Purchases) reveals distinct patterns in who enjoys the product and who feels let down. The rating distribution—4 reviews at 5/5, 9 at 4/5, 4 at 3/5, 4 at 2/5, and 7 at 1/5—shows a classic “love it or hate it” scenario.
The enthusiastic 4 and 5-star reviewers often use the VX40 in specific, non-traditional ways: as a workshop vac, for wet cleanup, on hard floors, or for pet hair on low-pile carpet. Their positive Vax VX40 review focuses on raw power and utility.
“I bought this wet and dry vacuum cleaner because it’s cheap, has large capacity and can suck up water… Would suit someone who doesn’t want all their spare cash tied up in vacuum cleaners.”
The 1 and 2-star reviewers, however, typically purchased it expecting a primary household vacuum, especially for carpets. They are sharply critical of the design compromises.
“We have just purchased a vax vx40 and I have to say that it is worse than useless on carpet. The head will not slide across carpet, all points to the designer who probably never used a vacuum cleaner before.” (2025 Review)
The middle-ground 3-star reviews acknowledge both sides, often concluding it’s “good with some compromise” but best relegated to secondary duties like workshop cleanup.
Vax VX40 Performance Review
Let’s break down the VX40’s performance across key categories as detailed by users.
Suction and Cleaning Ability
Performance is stellar, provided the surface is right. The motor receives nearly universal acclaim. It maintains strong suction, picks up heavy debris like wood shavings and water, and handles pet hair effectively. The core vacuuming mechanics are powerful and reliable.
Maneuverability and Design
This is where the VX40 stumbles badly as a home vacuum. The combination of the problematic carpet head and the bendy plastic wand makes cleaning carpets a physical struggle. On hard floors, it wheels smoothly and the long hose is appreciated for reaching awkward spots. However, the stiff plastic hose is also noted to kink easily.
Noise Level
Be prepared for significant noise. This is not a vacuum for early morning or late-night cleaning in an apartment. The trade-off for its powerful motor is a high-decibel operation that nearly every Vax VX40 review mentions.
Wet Pickup Functionality
For those who need it, this function works very well, which is a key reason for high ratings. However, caution is advised as one user reported the foam wet filter is “extremely fragile” and tore during installation, compromising its wet use capability.
Value for Money Assessment
The value proposition of the Vax VX40 is entirely dependent on your use case and expectations.
High Value For: The user seeking a powerful, general-purpose wet/dry vac for a workshop, garage, or basement. Its ability to handle sawdust, water spills, and construction debris for a low price offers excellent value. As one reviewer put it, “for under a hundred dollars it’s pretty good.”
Poor Value For: The homeowner looking for a primary vacuum cleaner, especially for carpeted areas. The cost of replacement bags, the potential need to buy upgraded metal wand parts, and the frustrating carpet performance make it a poor investment for this purpose. The initial low price is quickly offset by these hassles and limitations.
It’s crucial to view the VX40 not as a cheap substitute for a dedicated carpet vacuum, but as a specialized tool for messy, wet, or workshop-based jobs.
Alternatives to Vax VX40
If the flaws highlighted in this Vax VX40 review are deal-breakers for you, consider these alternatives based on customer sentiments:
- For a Dedicated Home Carpet Vacuum: Customers who compared it to older Vax models or brands like Electrolux often found those better for carpets. Consider a dedicated cylinder or upright vacuum designed for carpet cleaning. You can explore carpet-specific vacuum cleaners on Amazon.
- For a Quieter Wet/Dry Vac: While most shop-vacs are loud, some brands focus on reduced noise. Research other wet/dry vac models and specifically check their decibel ratings in reviews.
- For a Bagless Convenience: If the ongoing bag cost is a concern, look for a true bagless wet/dry vacuum. Be sure to confirm this feature in the product description to avoid the disappointment many VX40 buyers faced.
- Sticking with Vax: Vax offers other models with different feature sets. Check the official Vax website to compare the VX40 to their carpet washers or more modern vacuum cleaners.
Vax VX40 review: Final Verdict
So, is the Vax VX40 worth buying? Our final verdict from analyzing all customer feedback is a conditional yes.
Who Should BUY the Vax VX40:
This vacuum is an excellent, budget-friendly fit for you if: you need a powerful wet and dry vacuum for workshop, garage, or basement cleanup; your primary cleaning surfaces are hard floors (tile, laminate, concrete); you need to handle liquid spills or flooding; and you prioritize raw suction power and capacity over noise, maneuverability, and home-vacuum conveniences.
Who Should AVOID the Vax VX40:
You should look elsewhere if: you need a primary vacuum for carpeted homes (it will frustrate you); you are sensitive to loud noise; you want a bagless model for minimal ongoing costs; or you expect refined, durable attachments and easy gliding on all surfaces.
In conclusion, this Vax VX40 review finds that the product is not inherently bad, but it is highly specialized. It is a powerful, utilitarian tool let down by a poorly designed floorhead and cost-cutting attachments. When used for its intended purpose as a rugged wet/dry shop vac, it earns its high ratings and praise. When mistakenly purchased as a replacement for a household vacuum cleaner, it becomes a source of disappointment. Assess your needs carefully against its strengths and weaknesses. If your use case aligns with its capabilities, you can find great value. You can Check Vax VX40 on Amazon for the latest price and more customer reviews to aid your decision.