Wet dry vacuum cleaners can be of several varieties

The upright variety of vacuum cleaner which is most popular in the UK is the modern cyclonic cleaner adapted by British designer James Dyson in 1985 from the industrial cyclonic separators. Upright designs remove dirt through a combination of sweeping and vibration and usually employ a rotating beater bar or brush roll. There are two types of upright vacuums; commercial vacuums use dirty-fan/direct air, while most of today's vacuums use clean-air/fan-bypass.

Wet dry vacuum cleaners can be the hand-held variety too, which are either battery operated or mains powered. They are popular for cleaning up smaller spills. Wet or wet dry vacuum cleaners are a specialized form of the cylinder or drum models that can be used to clean up wet or liquid spills. So whether you need to clean up a dried mess or a wet one, wet dry vacuum can normally accommodate both. Some wet dry vacuum cleanersare also equipped with a switch or exhaust port for reversing the airflow. Depending on what you need to get done - clear a clogged hose or blow dust into a corner for easy collection - this function can prove really useful.

Industrial plants and manufacturing facilities find the pneumatic wet dry vacuum cleaners handy as they can accommodate both wet and dry soilage. These models can hook up to compressed air to leave process areas looking squeaky clean. Most wet dry vacuum cleaners are supplied with various specialized attachments, such as mops, dusters, tools, brushes and extension wands. These allow them to reach otherwise inaccessible places or clean a variety of surfaces. Some have an electric mop which can dust and then wipe dry a surface to leave it sparkling.