DeWalt DCV517B 20V Max Cordless Portable Vacuum

DeWalt DCV517B 20V Max Cordless Portable Vacuum Feature Scores

Explore all 37 feature scores for DeWalt DCV517B 20V Max Cordless Portable Vacuum, organized into pros and cons.

Scores by Feature

Summary

37 reviewed features
  • Very positive 4.5-5.0
    17 (46%)
  • Positive 3.5-4.4
    12 (32%)
  • Neutral 2.5-3.4
    8 (22%)

Pros

Sort
  • 4.8
    5 reviews strong consensus
    Cordless convenience: 4.8, 5 reviews, strong consensus
    Cordless convenience was one of the strongest positives, with reviewers valuing no cords, no big vacuum, portability, and quick on-the-fly cleanup.
  • 4.7
    5 reviews strong consensus
    Suitability for small spaces: 4.7, 5 reviews, strong consensus
    Small-space suitability was very strong, with reviewers repeatedly framing it as ideal for small stuff, quick jobs, compact carrying, and minimal-hassle cleanup.
  • 4.2
    7 reviews strong consensus
    Suction and Airflow: 4.2, 7 reviews, strong consensus
    Reviewers generally found suction strong for small debris, dust, sawdust, car carpets, and routine cleanup, while noting it trails larger corded vacs and may need close contact on heavier debris.
  • 4.9
    3 reviews strong consensus
    Overall opinion: 4.9, 3 reviews, strong consensus
    Overall opinion skewed very positive, with reviewers calling it a favorite, really liking it, and giving it a five-out-of-five one-year update.
  • 4.4
    5 reviews moderate consensus
    Ease of use: 4.4, 5 reviews, moderate consensus
    Ease of use was generally strong for small cleanup, car cleaning, and spills, but one reviewer found the holding position awkward.
  • 4.3
    5 reviews moderate consensus
    Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors): 4.3, 5 reviews, moderate consensus
    Crevice performance was mostly positive thanks to the detachable hose, though one reviewer said the body itself could not easily reach tight corners.
  • 4.6
    3 reviews strong consensus
    Versatility: 4.6, 3 reviews, strong consensus
    Versatility was praised through wet/dry use, compact design, car/shop cleanup, and flexible small-mess applications.
  • 4.6
    3 reviews strong consensus
    Emptying and Mess Control: 4.6, 3 reviews, strong consensus
    Emptying and mess control were strong positives, with several reviewers describing the tank or dust container as easy to empty and clean.
  • 4.1
    5 reviews moderate consensus
    Bin and Bag: 4.1, 5 reviews, moderate consensus
    The bin/tank was usually easy to empty and clean, but capacity was context-dependent and one reviewer felt it looked small for wet/dry work.
  • 4.3
    4 reviews strong consensus
    Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup: 4.3, 4 reviews, strong consensus
    Fine dust and sawdust pickup was generally positive, including drywall dust, sawdust, and project debris cleared quickly.
  • 4.5
    3 reviews strong consensus
    Maintenance requirements: 4.5, 3 reviews, strong consensus
    Maintenance feedback was favorable, with easy cleaning, washable filter benefits, and simple reassembly after emptying.
  • 4.5
    3 reviews strong consensus
    Runtime: 4.5, 3 reviews, strong consensus
    Runtime feedback was positive overall, ranging from decent to solid and more than the reviewer ever needed for routine cleanup.
  • 4.5
    3 reviews strong consensus
    Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup: 4.5, 3 reviews, strong consensus
    Low-pile carpet and rug pickup was positive in car-carpet, carpet, rug, and seat-cleaning contexts.
  • 4.4
    3 reviews moderate consensus
    Weight: 4.4, 3 reviews, moderate consensus
    Weight feedback was mixed but leaned positive: one review called it heavier than other models, while others found it light, balanced, or super light.
  • 4.1
    4 reviews moderate consensus
    Comparative performance: 4.1, 4 reviews, moderate consensus
    Comparative performance was context-dependent: it ranked as a favorite and matched a ShopVac for one cleanup, but lagged larger corded/larger DeWalt options in suction or capacity.
  • 4.7
    2 reviews limited evidence
    Convertible handheld design: 4.7, 2 reviews, limited evidence
    Reviewers liked the convertible design, especially the built-in nozzle and pull-out hose for switching between broad pickup and tighter areas.
  • 4.5
    2 reviews limited evidence
    Hose length: 4.5, 2 reviews, limited evidence
    Hose reach was praised for helping with harder-to-reach areas and awkward spots where the main nozzle could not reach.
  • 4.3
    2 reviews limited evidence
    Build quality and durability: 4.3, 2 reviews, limited evidence
    Build feedback was positive around the heavy-duty latch, positive feedback lockup, and secure locking feel.
  • 3.8
    4 reviews moderate consensus
    Maneuverability and Handling: 3.8, 4 reviews, moderate consensus
    Handling was split: multiple reviewers found it light, balanced, compact, or easy to tote, while others found it heavy or awkward in some positions.
  • 5.0
    1 review
    Overall durability/longevity: 5.0, 1 review
    Longer-term ownership evidence was strongly positive from the one-year update, where the reviewer still loved the vacuum after continued use.
  • 4.9
    1 review
    Storage footprint and upright-stand stability: 4.9, 1 review
    Storage feedback was positive because the compact body could be thrown in a toolbox without lugging a larger vacuum.
  • 4.8
    1 review
    Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors): 4.8, 1 review
    Baseboard and edge cleaning evidence was positive from one reviewer who said the angled head guided well along baseboards.
  • 4.8
    1 review
    Support and Reliability: 4.8, 1 review
    Reliability evidence was positive but limited to one one-year update saying life with the vacuum was still very good.
  • 4.7
    1 review
    Controls and UI: 4.7, 1 review
    The large on/off toggle received positive feedback for being easy to flick while holding the top handle.
  • 4.7
    1 review
    Fresh Liquid Pickup Speed: 4.7, 1 review
    Fresh liquid pickup evidence was positive for small household spills, with a knocked-over water mess described as easy to clean.
  • 4.7
    1 review
    Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup: 4.7, 1 review
    Above-floor and upholstery-style cleanup evidence was positive for rugs, seats, and between-seat areas.
  • 3.7
    3 reviews moderate consensus
    Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake: 3.7, 3 reviews, moderate consensus
    Large debris intake was mixed: one review praised debris pickup, while others said large chunks were out of scope or required close contact.
  • 3.6
    3 reviews strong consensus
    Tool-change simplicity: 3.6, 3 reviews, strong consensus
    Tool changes were mixed, with one reviewer struggling to free the hose, another liking the no-loose-attachments design, and one finding reassembly easy.
  • 4.0
    1 review
    Floorhead design: 4.0, 1 review
    The built-in nozzle was viewed positively as a convenient floorhead/nozzle feature, though the same review noted efficiency limits elsewhere.

Cons

Sort
  • 2.8
    5 reviews moderate consensus
    Suitability for heavy-duty use: 2.8, 5 reviews, moderate consensus
    Heavy-duty suitability was the clearest tradeoff: it can handle some job debris but is not a shop-vac replacement, whole-jobsite cleaner, or major water-emergency tool.
  • 2.8
    2 reviews limited evidence
    Battery and Charging: 2.8, 2 reviews, limited evidence
    Battery and charging evidence centered on bare-tool caveats: reviewers noted missing batteries/chargers, although existing DeWalt users may already have compatible packs.
  • 2.9
    3 reviews strong consensus
    Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries): 2.9, 3 reviews, strong consensus
    Ongoing ownership cost evidence was negative to mixed because batteries, chargers, and at least one adapter may need to be purchased separately depending on the kit and use case.
  • 2.8
    1 review
    Price and Value: 2.8, 1 review
    Value evidence was limited and cautious, with one reviewer questioning whether the bare tool cost too much for what was included.
  • 3.0
    1 review
    Clogging and debris prevention: 3.0, 1 review
    Debris handling had a limitation: one reviewer said the vacuum can struggle with larger objects compared with a larger corded vacuum.
  • 3.2
    3 reviews moderate consensus
    Noise level: 3.2, 3 reviews, moderate consensus
    Noise feedback was mixed: one reviewer called it loud, another considered it tolerable for quick tasks, and one described it as moderately quiet in offices or homes.
  • 3.4
    2 reviews limited evidence
    Water tank: 3.4, 2 reviews, limited evidence
    Wet capacity was mixed: one reviewer found the half-gallon capacity fine for normal spills, while another questioned how much liquid it could really hold.
  • 3.4
    4 reviews moderate consensus
    Accessories and Tools: 3.4, 4 reviews, moderate consensus
    Accessories drew mixed feedback: one review praised the variety, while others wanted included brush/nozzle tools or noted a separate adapter/no extra goodies.