For a long time, in the war of the best vacuum cleaner, we’ve championed corded vacuum cleaners over cordless ones. In return for having a power cord, you get more suction power and far better value. But of the corded vacuums, we particularly like wet and dry models.
Wet and dry vacuum cleaners are self-explanatory and add robustness to the list of why corded vacuums are best. You may think wet and dry vacuum cleaners are only for trade use on a building site, but that’s not the case at all. There are plenty of models designed specifically for DIY use, such as the Bosch UniversalVac 15.
Those familiar with Bosch tools will know there are blue-coloured ones for trade use and green-coloured ones for DIY use. Given the UniversalVac 15’s green uniform, we know where its intended use is.
Bosch has a fine reputation as a tool brand, and its green tools offer some of the best value, quality DIY tools around. However, in the vacuum section, Bosch faces strong competition from brands such as Karcher and Nilfisk. So how does the UniversalVac 15 stack up?
Build and design
• Chunky, durable design; cartridge filter does wet and dry vacuuming
This is a vacuum cleaner that is primarily designed for use in the garage and outside. Therefore, it needs to be tough. Like all vacuum cleaners, the UniversalVac 15 is made from plastic. But it’s thick and durable, including the attachments. It’ll all take a battering, but Bosch has given made the clip hinges from metal, which is wise.
Certainly, the UniversalVac 15 feels reassuringly sturdy and weighs in at around seven kilograms. It’s bigger than some DIY-spec wet and dry vacuums, such as the Karcher WD 3 and Draper 15-litre Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner, and will need storage space under a workbench, because it won’t fit on most garage shelving units.
Bosch has made a good effort to make the on-board storage of the attachments tidy. The hose wraps around the body and is held in place with bungee straps, while there are slots in the back for the extension tubes and attachments. You can store the power cord in a similar way to the hose, but how tidy it depends on your cord looping skills.
Some wet and dry vacuum cleaners require you to change the filter before doing any wet vacuuming. Luckily, the UniversalVac 15 doesn’t require this. The single cartridge filter can be used for both wet and dry, but there is a fabric pre-filter that covers the main filter. This needs to be removed before wet vacuuming.
The UniversalVac 15 has a blow function and given the 1000W of power, it’s a pretty good one. It comes in handy when cleaning a car interior if there are areas the included crevice tool won’t reach. The UniversalVac 15 can be used for dust extraction and comes with the appropriate fitting.
Ergonomics and usability
• Very simple to use
Operating the UniversalVac is impossible to get wrong because it has one button. If you want the vacuum to suck, attach the hose at the front. For the blow function, attach it at the back. We like the fact that the hose is 2.2-metres long, it gives you plenty of reach inside a car, for example. It’s also longer than many rivals, which are typically offering 1.5 to two-metre hoses.
In terms of power, you won’t go wanting. The UniversalVac 15 has loads of power and finds no trouble in picking up heavy, damp debris.
The UniversalVac 15 isn’t too loud either. When you’re using it outside, you’ll be very impressed. We also used it inside and found it’s perfectly acceptable indoors too.
Attaching the hoses and fittings is straightforward. Have a look at the instruction manual beforehand – or just fiddle around. It takes about 10 seconds to figure out.
Any downsides?
In the box, you get a filter, pre-filter, filter bag, hose, extension tubes, and a range of attachments. However, what is obviously amiss is the lack of a brush attachment. These are useful for car trim of course, but also in many other scenarios. It’s odd that it’s been left out.
It’s also important to note that the UniversalVac 15 doesn’t have an automatic stop-start feature for use with power tools. Its bigger sibling does – the AdvancedVac 20.
Competition
Here are three rivals of the UniversalVac 15: Karcher WD 3, Nilfisk Buddy II 18, and Draper 90107 Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner. Let’s go through and compare each one against the Bosch.
Karcher WD 3 vs Bosch UniversalVac 15
Similarly priced, these two machines also have the same power output and single cartridge filter design. They also both have a blower function and can be used for dust extraction (but without the stop-start feature).
Ultimately, there is very little to separate these two. The WD 3 has two litres of extra volume, though for DIY use, it’s not an important difference. It may well come down to which colour you prefer.
Nilfisk Buddy II 18 vs Bosch UniversalVac 15
The Buddy has a great name and, like the Karcher WD 3, has a slightly larger capacity than the UniversalVac 15. Buddy also has a bit more power (1200W), so it doesn’t have to work quite as hard. Though it doesn’t come as standard, a special car cleaning kit is available for Buddy.
Buddy is also a bit cheaper than the Bosch, which is always an alluring prospect.
Draper 90107 Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner vs Bosch UniversalVac 15
Draper’s 15-litre model is smaller and a lot cheaper than the Bosch. It also comes with a brush attachment. However, the UniversalVac 15 certainly feels more robust and is a lot easier to use when wet vacuuming. With the Draper, you need to remove the cloth filter and fit a foam one.
Verdict
Bosch’s UniversalVac 15 is an excellent wet and dry vacuum cleaner. It’s robust, powerful, and easy to use. It stands out ahead of cheaper rivals but struggles to get alongside chief rivals such as the Nilfisk Buddy II 18 and Karcher WD 3.
This isn’t because the UnviseralVac 15 is sub-par, but rather because all three finish in almost a dead heat. So, green, yellow, or blue. Which colour is your favourite?
Score: 4/5
Bosch UniversalVac 15
Price: £91.95 | VIEW OFFER
Pros:
• Lots of power
• Can be used for dust extraction
• Cartridge filter for wet and dry use
Cons:
• No brush included
• Doesn’t excel compared to direct rivals
Specs:
Power: 1000W
Hose length: 2.2m
Weight: 7kg
Capacity: 15 litres
Dimensions: 49 x 45.5 x 39.5cm
Attachments included: Floor tool, crevice tool
How we tested it
We vacuumed stuff. Not wanting to sound like an obnoxious school kid but really, that’s what we did. Over a few weeks, we used this vacuum around the house and for car cleaning.
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