The RYOBI 18V One+ 3 Gal. Project Wet/Dry P3240 is a cordless semi-handheld shop vacuum. It's fairly compact for a vacuum of this type but still offers strong suction force, yielding exceptional debris pickup performance on bare surfaces and allowing it to clear most debris on carpets and rugs. It's also very well-suited for dealing with liquid spills. It feels well-built and has a simple design that's easy to maintain. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a HEPA filter, so it isn't the best option for users with allergies. Its battery life is also somewhat short when the vacuum pairs with the included 4.0 Ah battery pack, and it can be a hassle to pick up and carry when its dirt compartment fills with debris. Like most shop vacuums, it's also very loud.
Our Verdict
The RYOBI P3240 is excellent for bare floors. Its strong suction force allows it to easily clean pet hair as well as small and bulky debris on this kind of surface. It also does a fantastic job dealing with material wedged into cracks and crevices. It feels well-built and has a simple design that's both easy to maintain and incurs minimal recurring costs. While it's small enough to be stored in most cupboards or closets, it can be a little tricky to pick up and carry for extended periods, especially as its dustbin fills up. It doesn't have a very long battery life when used with its 4.0 Ah battery pack, and its short hose makes it difficult to clean some hard-to-reach areas.
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Superb performance on bare surfaces.
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Robust build quality.
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Easy-to-maintain design.
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Low recurring costs.
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Very loud.
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Short vacuum hose.
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Short battery life.
The RYOBI P3240 is a great option for vacuuming low-pile carpet. It easily cleans pet hair as well as large and fine debris on carpeted floors. Its simple design also feels very robust, is remarkably easy to maintain, and incurs minimal recurring costs. You need to work quickly if you're using the vacuum with its default 4.0 Ah battery pack, as it only supplies roughly 15 minutes of runtime. Its hose is rather short, making it difficult to reach under tables and chairs. It also makes a lot of noise, so it's not the best option for discrete household use.
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Good performance on carpet.
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Robust build quality.
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Easy-to-maintain design.
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Low recurring costs.
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Very loud.
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Short vacuum hose.
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Short battery life.
The RYOBI P3240 delivers superb cleaning performance on high-pile carpet. While it lacks a turbo brush attachment, its strong suction force still allows it to easily clean pet hair as well as fine and large debris from high-pile rugs and carpets, with no noticeable loss in suction performance as its large dustbin fills up. It also feels very sturdily built and is easy to maintain. Its 4.0 Ah battery pack doesn't provide a very long runtime, so you need to work quickly when vacuuming larger areas.
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Good performance on carpet.
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Robust build quality.
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Easy-to-maintain design.
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Low recurring costs.
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Very loud.
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Short vacuum hose.
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Short battery life.
The RYOBI P3240 is decent for dealing with pet hair. It can easily clean pet hair on bare floors, though it struggles on low-pile carpet. Its simple design makes it easy to dump out any accumulated debris or clean parts of the vacuum as needed. Unfortunately, since it's loud, it could startle any pets that you have nearby. It lacks a HEPA filter, so it isn't the best option if you suffer from serious allergies, either. It doesn't have any mopping capability or even a brushroll that allows it to clean stains.
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Robust build quality.
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Easy-to-maintain design.
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Low recurring costs.
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Good pet hair cleaning capability on bare floors and furniture.
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No HEPA filter.
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Very loud.
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No turbo brush attachment.
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Poor stain-clearing performance.
The RYOBI P3240 is a great choice for vacuuming stairs. Its cordless design ensures that you don't need to worry about tripping over any power cables, and its handheld form factor allows you to pick it up and rest it on any stairs. However, it can become hard to carry around as its dustbin fills up. It performs very well in clearing debris across a wide range of surface types. However, its short vacuum hose can make it a little tricky to clean harder-to-reach areas, and the vacuum lacks any attachments with a motorized brushroll or even an air-driven turbo brush. Its short battery life also forces you to work quickly when vacuuming larger staircases.
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Robust build quality.
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Easy-to-maintain design.
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Low recurring costs.
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Heavy weight, especially when clearing liquid messes.
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No turbo brush attachment.
The RYOBI P3240 is good for vacuuming the inside of your car. Since it's cordless, you don't need to worry about parking your car close to an electrical outlet to plug in the vacuum. Its strong suction force allows it to clear debris from most parts of your car with little difficulty. It also comes with an upholstery tool for cleaning debris on fabric-lined surfaces and a crevice tool for tackling messes in tight corners. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a turbo brush attachment, and its short hose can make it a little tricky to clean some hard-to-reach areas.
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Robust build quality.
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Easy-to-maintain design.
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Low recurring costs.
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No turbo brush attachment.
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Short vacuum hose.
The RYOBI P3240 is excellent for workshop cleaning. Its strong suction force lets it easily clean debris on low-pile rugs, bare, even surfaces, and even deep cracks and crevices. It's also remarkably effective when it comes to clearing liquid spills. The vacuum feels sturdily built and has a simple design that lets you quickly access any components that need cleaning. Its handheld form factor limits the size of its dustbin compared to a full-size shop vacuum, but it should still have more than enough capacity for most workshop cleaning jobs. It also has a dedicated blower mode, though it's worth noting that the force it exerts isn't very strong. Since it only runs for about 15 minutes when using it with the included 4.0 Ah battery pack, you need to work fast when vacuuming larger areas. However, that becomes less of an issue if you have any other products in RYOBI's ONE+ 18-Volt cordless product ecosystem, like drills, reciprocating saws, or leaf blowers, which use compatible battery packs that you can swap in.
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Robust build quality.
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Easy-to-maintain design.
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Low recurring costs.
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Superb liquid pickup performance.
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Heavy weight, especially when clearing liquid messes.
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Poor stain-clearing performance.
- 7.9 Bare Floor
- 7.6 Low-Pile Carpet
- 7.8 High-Pile Carpet
- 7.2 Pets
- 8.1 Stairs
- 7.6 Cars
- 8.6 Workshop
- Updated Aug 16, 2024: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Aug 01, 2024: We've added a link to the BISSELL CrossWave HydroSteam in the 'Water' section of the review to provide an alternative of a wet-compatible vacuum with an upright design.
- Updated Jul 30, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3. We've overhauled our floor performance tests and added new 'Hard Floor Pick-Up,' 'High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' 'Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' and 'Pet-Hair Pick-Up' tests. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Oct 20, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Oct 20, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update builds on our previous 'Suction' test with a new 'Airflow' test that more accurately measures a vacuum's ability to generate air movement. If you'd like to see an in-depth look at the reasoning and methodology behind this change, you can see our full changelog here..
- Updated Aug 15, 2022: This vacuum's suction force has been retested with a more accurate manometer. The test results for the 'Maximum Suction' and 'Normal Suction' fields have been updated. All relevant scores and text have been updated.
- Updated Jul 28, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Mar 31, 2022: Review published.
- Updated Mar 21, 2022: Early access published.
- Updated Feb 21, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Feb 14, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Feb 07, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The RYOBI P3240 can be purchased as either a tool with no battery or charger or with a single 4.0 Ah battery pack and battery charger, though it's still only available in one color variant: 'Green'. You can see the label for our test unit here.
Let us know in the discussions if you come across another variant, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Vacuums
The RYOBI P3240 is a bagless semi-handheld workshop vacuum. Compared to most full-size shop vacuums, it's considerably more portable thanks to its handheld form factor. However, it can still be a hassle to carry around compared to most household cordless vacuums due to its heavy weight. Still, its strong suction force allows it to clear solid debris from most surface types with very little trouble. Unlike the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3-in-1 Backpack Vacuum Kit, it can clean wet messes, but it lacks a HEPA filter. The Milwaukee's backpack design, included floorhead and extension wand, and longer battery life make it a better option for vacuuming larger areas.
If you're looking for other types of vacuums, you can take a look at our list of recommendations for the best cordless vacuums, the best car vacuums, and the best bagless vacuums.
The Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet and RYOBI 18V One+ 3 Gal. Project Wet/Dry are for different usage scenarios. The Black+Decker is a much smaller, considerably lighter handheld vacuum designed for household spot-cleaning tasks. It also comes with a turbo brush for dealing with pet hair on upholstered surfaces and has a longer maximum battery life of roughly half an hour. Meanwhile, the RYOBI is a dedicated shop vacuum with a remarkably strong suction force, enabling it to easily clear debris on most surfaces. It's wet-compatible, allowing you to clear liquid messes, and has a dustbin capacity that's almost twenty times that of the Black+Decker.
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3-in-1 Backpack Vacuum Kit and RYOBI 18V One+ 3 Gal. Project Wet/Dry are for different kinds of uses. The Milwaukee is a backpack-style cordless vacuum that's better suited for cleaning larger areas thanks to its longer battery life and included floorhead and extension wand. It also has an onboard HEPA filter and feels slightly better built. However, only the RYOBI can be used to clear liquid spills. It also does a better job of cleaning debris on carpeted surfaces, and its more compact size makes it easier to store.
The RYOBI 18V One+ 3 Gal. Project Wet/Dry and Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Hand Vacuum are both handheld vacuums with swappable battery packs, but they target different uses. The RYOBI is a dedicated shop vacuum that can clear wet messes. It feels more sturdily built, is easier to maintain, comes with more tools, and delivers better performance on all surface types. Meanwhile, the Hoover is a much smaller, far more portable handheld vacuum that offers a similar 15-minute runtime but charges in little over half the time.
The NaceCare HVR 200 Henry and RYOBI 18V One+ 3 Gal. Project Wet/Dry target different uses. The NaceCare is a household-oriented corded canister vacuum better suited for cleaning larger areas. It's also slightly better-built and comes with two extra brush attachments. Conversely, the RYOBI is a handheld shop vacuum with a cordless design that allows you to clean far from any electrical outlets. Its strong suction also lets it do a better job sucking up debris on most surface types, and you can use it to clear liquid messes.
Test Results
The RYOBI P3240 feels impressively well-built. It's mainly hard plastic, which feels more robust than most household cordless vacuums like the Tineco PURE ONE X. Its handle has a rubberized surface to help you maintain a secure grip.
Note: This vacuum occasionally refused to turn on in testing, even when its battery was correctly seated within its cradle. Cycling the power button on and off usually fixed this issue. Let us know in the discussions if you have a similar issue.
The RYOBI P3240 is remarkably easy to maintain.
- Dirt compartment: The dirt compartment effectively comprises the entire bottom half of the vacuum body. You can detach it from the rest of the vacuum by unlatching the two release clips on either side of the vacuum. You can then dump out any accumulated debris.
- Filter: The filter is located underneath the top half of the vacuum. You can remove it by twisting it counterclockwise in its slot and then pulling it out. No specific maintenance interval is given by the manufacturer; however, you should clear away any stuck-on debris to maintain maximum performance. It's also worth noting that this filter is dry-use only and needs removing when cleaning wet spills. Make sure that the vacuum is completely dry before refitting the filter.
The RYOBI P3240 incurs very low recurring costs.
- Filter: The manufacturer recommends replacing the filter periodically to maintain suction performance, but no replacement interval is given.
The RYOBI P3240 is impressively easy to store. Its hose can be fitted flat within slots on the top cover of the vacuum, and there are built-in mounts for its crevice and upholstery tools.
The RYOBI P3240 has a large dirt compartment. Due to its fairly compact size and semi-handheld form factor, it's still much smaller than full-size shop vacuums. However, it still has a much larger capacity than most household vacuums, even bagged models like the NaceCare HVR 200 Henry. A 'floater' component in the dirt compartment serves as a mechanical fill indicator when cleaning liquid messes, as it automatically turns off the suction motor when you reach the max fill capacity.
- Vacuum top cover
- Dirt compartment
- 1x Filter
- Upholstery tool
- Crevice tool
- Hose
- Battery charger
- 1x 4.0 Ah battery
- Operator manuals
The RYOBI P3240's range is limited only by the room left in its dirt compartment and the remaining battery life.
The RYOBI P3240 is reasonably portable. It's lighter than conventional canister vacuums like the Miele Classic C1. However, since its body can only be carried around in one hand and not rolled along the floor, you might find it a little fatiguing to carry around from place to place, especially as its dirt compartment fills up.
The RYOBI P3240 has decent battery performance. The removable 4.0 Ah battery pack provides enough charge for roughly 15 minutes of runtime, comparable to many other handheld vacuums with removable battery packs, like the HOOVER ONEPWR Cordless Hand Vacuum, but isn't likely to be enough for cleaning larger areas. You can keep an eye on its charge status by pressing a button on the battery, which illuminates four LED indicator lights.
Note: This vacuum occasionally refused to turn on in testing, even when its battery was correctly seated within its cradle. Cycling the power button on and off usually fixed this issue. Let us know in the discussions below if you have a similar issue.
The RYOBI P3240 is a basic vacuum with virtually no quality-of-life features. Its on/off switch is on the top cover.
The RYOBI P3240 comes with a crevice tool for tackling messes in tight corners and a dedicated crevice tool.
The RYOBI P3240 has a blower mode to blow away and light debris. You can convert the vacuum to this configuration by detaching the hose, connecting the upholstery tool to the 'Blower Port,' and then connecting the hose to the upholstery tool, as seen here. It's worth noting that the airflow in the blower mode isn't especially strong.
You can also use this vacuum to clear liquid messes, but you need to remove its filter first.
Performance on hard floors is great. The RYOBI is more than powerful enough to lift up all kinds of debris, from lightweight material like sand to heavier debris like cereal. That said, its handheld form factor can make it a little unwieldy to use on floors.
The RYOBI 18V One+ 3 Gal. Project Wet/Dry's performance on high-pile carpet is good. It might leave behind a small amount of fine material like sand that's been embedded within carpet fibers, but another back-and-forth sweep should get everything.
This vacuum delivers good performance on low-pile carpet. It doesn't necessarily provide all that much surface agitation, meaning that some fine debris that's been caught in carpet fibers can get left behind, but its powerful motor enables it to lift away heavier, larger debris like cereal or rice.
This vacuum's pet hair pickup performance on low-pile carpet is mediocre. Its nozzle doesn't provide much surface agitation on this kind of surface, and as a result, it has a hard time dealing with hair that's been embedded in carpet fibers.
The RYOBI P3240 has superb real-world suction performance. It exerts a stronger suction force when its hose outlet is laid flat against the ground compared to using its upholstery attachment.
This vacuum has good overall airflow, especially for a cordless model that's relatively compact. It won't have too much trouble lifting light and medium-weight debris, but it does fall short in this regard compared to a larger, more powerful shop-oriented model like the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3-in-1 Backpack Vacuum Kit when it comes to dealing with heavier material, like larger wood shavings or loose gravel.
The RYOBI P3240 is very loud. You're likely to have a lot of trouble hearing much background noise when this vacuum is running.
The RYOBI P3240 is impressively maneuverable. Its built-in carrying handle makes it easy to pick up and lift when empty, though it can be hard to lift if its dirt compartment is filled. The onboard storage slots allow you to quickly access either of its two included attachments. However, its hose is a little on the short side, which makes it hard to reach under some tables and chairs. Due to its strong suction force, you should also hold down any shag-pile rugs when vacuuming them to prevent them from being dragged around.
The RYOBI P3240 does a great job sucking up pet hair on furniture. Its upholstery tool is best suited for this kind of task, though it's worth noting that it can leave behind some small amounts of hair.
The RYOBI P3240 traps most fine particles, though some can still escape from the hose connection port.
The RYOBI P3240 does a fantastic job of clearing debris in cracks. Using its upholstery tool gives it a slightly wider debris pickup path, which is useful when vacuuming larger areas and allows for uninterrupted contact with the surface you want to clean.
The RYOBI P3240 does a poor job of cleaning stains. It lacks any sort of dedicated soaking or scrubbing capability that would allow it to saturate stains and lift them away from the surface you want to clean.
The RYOBI P3240 does a fantastic job sucking up water. Its strong suction force allows it to easily suck up liquids and leaves the surface fairly dry. If you're looking for a wet-compatible cleaner with a more ergonomic upright design, the BISSELL CrossWave HydroSteam is worth a look.
Note: You need to remove the filter before using this vacuum to clear liquid messes. Make sure the vacuum is completely dry before reinstalling the filter.