Ridgid makes several levels of shop vacs, and they are definitely not all equal. A couple of years ago I picked up a 16 gallon unit cheap after Thanksgiving and it was so loud that I gave it away. After calling Ridgid tech service and asking about sound levels and other factors, I bought the 14 gallon unit which was much quiter. I also use a Dust Deputy so a couple of gallons difference in tank was not a consideration compared to the lower noise level.