Customer Reviews for Milwaukee M18 FUEL PACKOUT 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 2.5 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum with 5.0 Ah Battery and Charger

I have been using these a while and these 5.0 batteries will get a lot of work done on a charge. I use them in a variety of tools from drills to saws to leaf blower to weed eater etc and they are work horses. I love that every one has a charge indicator - not just the higher AH batteries like some vendors. I hav e several chargers on a charging station and a variety of batteries on tap so even if I'm working the whole long day with them I'm never at a loss for power. These 5.0's are a good size for a drill or impact driver although sometimes I like the smaller ones for light jobs. But where I'm going to be doing more these is the ones I reach for. My drill is probably the most heavily used of all my milwaukee tools so I use this size battery a lot.

I’ve had the m18 version of this and let had several other portable vacs in the past and this little m12 vac is killer. Everything about it is nice, super compact. Has as much power as the m18 version and lasts just as long. Plus batteries cost less so why wouldn’t this make sense. Although they did tack on an additional 30 bucks compared to the 18v version probably for that reason alone haha, abut it does look even nicer than the m18. The m12 vac works great. Super nice to carry while cleaning up. It’s a perfect size, perfect weight, looks awesome.

Great quality product, well made and very compact. I really hoped for even more suction power. It's great that all the accessories are stored on the vacuum so convenient. Also, great not to have an electric cord to deal with while working. I do wish a brush attachment was included. We have used it around the house, boat, and its great to use in the car. It is so durable that I see it lasting for many years to come.

I’m proud to own and review the new M18 Fuel Packout small shop vac everyone has been waiting for! I have the 2 Gal. Brushed vacuum. As compared with the similar brushed model, the Fuel Packout is twice as quiet as the brushed and also seems to have twice the suction power, the new Fuel vacuum uses the exact same filter cartridge as the older brushed vacuum, so a new filter replacement should be waiting at your local H.D. Or Ace. This vacuum feels even lighter and less bulky than the Brushed vac. Even with a 12.0 battery installed. Very easy and convenient to pick up and carry around to clean different area messes. The top carry handle does fold down to stow on either side! With a 12.0 you get a TON of run time, and with 2 power levels to choose from! Perfect and seamless transition between power levels while it’s already running thanks to the redlink intelligence on the tool. This vac works awesome for cleaning out the cabs of many different vehicles and equipment, sucks up chunks of dirt, loose change, pea stones, and 3/8 threaded nuts in the blink of an eye!! This vacuum has so much potential and flexibility it will help with whatever types of area mess you may encounter On or off the job site! works just as amazingly around the house, in the basement or garage and to clean up messes in various hobby workshops too! I wholeheartedly recommend this product if you are in the market for a portable cordless shop vac. I would like to see Milwaukee come up with a longer hose for this vacuum like they did with the 9 foot extension hose for the backpack vacuum.

The Milwaukee wet/dry vacuum solves a lot of issues we have all had with the typical electric powered vac. First of all, the Milwaukee is compact, it can be used while attached to the "Packout" modular system. The hose stretchers/expands out about four (4) feet but, retracts, then can be stored onboard. On the hose, you can remove the ends to attach the "power tool" adapter. Note: Rotate the fitting "clockwise" to remove. The accessories store on board, no more throwing them in the reservoir. I like that you can pick it up from the sides or flip up the handle to move around. I am currently using a 6mAH battery, but you can use any M18 batt. It can be used as a blower, and it even has a 2-speed motor. If you notice pic. four (4), this is where you attach the fleece dust bag for "fine" dust pick up, purchased separately. On page five (5) of the manual, they recommend using a foam filter for wet pick up, for this kind of money you would think they would throw one in. So far, I have used it to vac. out the windowsills and misc. spots. As far as noise low speed is tolerable, high speed, while quieter than my electric, still gets annoying quickly. From what I read into the literature an 8mAH battery seems to be the recommended size for at least 30 minutes of run time. Depending on how you use this, and what batteries, if any, you have on hand, you will have to determine battery size for run time expected. For wet pick up, I am thinking the 12mAH would be best, power and run time. This is one top of the line wet/dry vacuums.

The Milwaukee Brand, M18 FUEL PACKOUT 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 2.5 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum (Tool-Only), has outstanding suction and air flow in a portable battery-operated vacuum. The vacuum incorporates a two-speed motor, the lower speed is more useful for collecting lighter debris leaving heavier ones behind. Using my digital manometer, the vacuum measured an amazing 43-inches water column. The air flow is such that it gobbles up anything nearby, including nuts, bolts, washers, and screws. The sound volume and tone of the vacuum is low and reasonable, listed at only 87 dB, yet sounds quieter. A Milwaukee extra capacity 5 amp-hour battery will power the vacuum as well as a more powerful battery with no loss in power, only providing somewhat reduced operating time over higher capacity batteries. Don’t be fooled by the short appearance of the expandable vacuum hose, it will stretch out to a full 8-feet in length and retract to its compact length for storage. The hose can be connected to the exhaust port to operate as a blower, while air flow from the nozzle is strong at 50CFM, it loses force quickly away from the nozzle. There is one improvement I think Milwaukee could make to improve the performance of the vacuum hose. While cleaning up my workbench and workshop floor, the hose plugged up twice with wood chips and metal shavings at a restriction in the vacuum hose locking coupler (see photo). In addition to being a good portable lunch box size vacuum all alone, it features Packout system compatibility locking into Packout boxes and allowing Packout components to be attached to the lid. Despite the hose plugging twice, I did not feel the overall good performance of this vacuum justified less than a 5 of 5 rating.

Like all other Milwaukee tools, a tool you can trust. I have used the Milwaukee M-18 tool platform for over a decade now, and have never been let down, neither by the tool or the battery. Especially the batteries, which have far outlasted other cordless tools I have used in the past 20 years. This is an excellent vacuum with the power and tools to do anything, whether inside the house, in the garage, or using in the driveway to clean out my truck. It was made to be moved around, with the excellent, rugged handle on top that can be ‘parked’ on either side of the box. The hose stores easily around the perimeter of the vacuum and it contains three tools just inside the upper portion, where your battery goes. They include a wide, flat head, a crevice tool, and the best part? It includes a connector that will fit a lot of common tools, such as sander, etc., while you work. NOTE: When removing the stock tip to replace with the accessory tip - it unscrews clockwise, NOT counterclockwise. All tools store easily and can’t get lost while moving it from one job to the next. It also includes a heavy duty paper element that should serve well. And since the tool is wet/dry, it can be used for emergency spills or overruns, inside or out. And the best part? The on/off switch has a High and Low position, to conserve power when you can. Yippee! For small jobs I even grab this vacuum instead of the upright house vacuum for small jobs. A good, fair price for a great tool!

This is a new design from Milwaukee. There are at least three other 18V Wet/Dry vac models. This is 2.7 Gal or 2.5 in the other manual, and has onboard tool storage and a tucked in 6-foot retracting coiled hose. There is a carry handle that tucks away and the vacuum is part of the PACKOUT system. Definitely quieter than expected and better suction and air blowing than expected. The hose is easy to move from blow to suck and has very good suction. There are 2 speeds and the low is battery conservation mode but the high is excellent. I ran it 20 minutes on high and had power left with a 5.0 HO battery. Claims to lift a head of water 47”. Also, the 50 CFM suction is able to connect to the blower exhaust. The suction is 60% better and less than 90db on high power. About 30 minutes run on high and 50 minutes run on low with an 8.0 HO Battery. Comes with an adapter to fit other dusty tools and other attachments. High - Off or Low on the power switch. It’s great for small one-man operations that you clean as you go. Big areas need more resources and a longer hose. This is an excellent tool for most jobs that only need 1-2 gallons of pick up. Easy filter change and disposable bags are optioned. They recommend a filter bag to extend the life of the filter and catch more debris. An excellent add to a pack out kit.

This M18 FUEL PACKOUT 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 2.7 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum is proving to be quite helpful around the house and shop. It comes with Crevice Tool, Floor/Bench Tool, Nozzle, and Power Tool Adapter. The tools and included hose all store nicely out of the way. It also includes a HEPA Filter. The filter is very easy to remove for cleaning/replacement or for wet vacuuming. With 2 speeds, it has sufficient suction for most jobs, and can be used as a blower. At only 87db, it’s much quieter than my other shop vac. It uses Milwaukee’s FUEL brushless motor technology which runs cooler, and longer per charge, than brush type motors. At only about 12-1/2 lbs. it will be handy to use for quick cleanup of the bench and surrounding area. And, it will be much easier than the 16 Gal. vac. for this aging guy to carry up and down the ladder for cleaning the swamp cooler on the roof. It will be great for quick cleanup of small messes from fix-it jobs in the house. I’ll likely get the Fleece Dust Bags to use with fine dust like the sander produces, or even sheetrock dust. As a DIY Homeowner, I won’t be using the PACKOUT feature, but is great for users like my contractor sons. Since this is a (Tool Only) item from the SEEDS program, I also received a XC 5.0A Battery and Charger to use for testing. The battery charged up fairly quickly and at 5.0A, it should easily get most jobs done. I have grown very fond of my Milwaukee cordless tools and this is going to be no exception.

I bought one of these last week to use for quick clean-ups, but I didn't expect it to be so powerful. The wife said it would be handy to vacuum the cars and I told her I didn't think it would be. Boy was I wrong. Now I won't have to drag the big shop vac and drop cord out every time. This has been handy to do the quick clean-ups of my enclosed trailer, some of those hard to get to areas in the house. I've used these on some job sites and they make things so much quicker and easier. Connecting it to tools make things so much cleaner. I like that the hose can be stored inside and out of the way. I wish that I had gotten one of these a long time ago.

First let me say that i love and use exclusively Milwaukee M18 power tools for all my needs from carpentry to interior remodeling. I have bought 2 of these little vacuums as the first proved so worthy. Bought both within a week of each other. This second unit unfortunately has failed. The right hand latch broke, and did so while sitting on top of a newly installed set of cabinets where the plastic piece shot off to a spot where the piece fell down behind a cabinet never to be seen again.....unless we uninstall them. I no longer have the box as i felt no need to keep clutter in my shop, so i probably can't exchange this now. The latch part number is listed on Milwaukee's site, but comes up as discontinued.

Be warned that if you attempt to use any vacuum attachments that are not provided with this vac, you will likely have problems using those attachments. Most vacuum attachments are made to work with a 1.2" diameter male hose end. The male hose end on this vacuum is 1.3". Most attachments I have do not fit securely and consequently fall off when using this vac. The included photo shows that a third party attachment does not fit well, and results in an insecure connection with a gap for air to leak out. Milwaukee needs to redesign the hose end, to reduce the diameter, and provide current owners with a solution for the diameter that is too large. Otherwise the vac is fine, as long as long as you don't need to use third party attachments.

The vacuum is extremely convenient to utilize on the job site because it is battery powered. It has awesome strength and gets the job done and it's extremely easy to clean.

This vacuum is really easy to use. It has plenty of attachments to choose from and the hose detaches easily if something gets stuck inside. Great suction- I use it for stairs and cleaning the entryway. No cords, but I would recommend an extra battery because you get about 10 min with a charge.

I do a lot of work in residential and businesses. Was tired of dragging an extension cord around. With a 5.0 battery you can not beat the suction power on this vacuum.

The Milwaukee 18 volt Cordless 2 Gallon Wet / Dry Vacuum is the perfect on the go vacuum. It generates plenty of suction and has been able to stand up to any mess I have thrown at it. It is nice and compact and it has on-board storage for the utility nozzle as well as the crevice tool and hose that can extend to approximately six fee. The vacuum comes equipped with a HEPA filter and can run for approximately 30 minutes on a 9.0Ah 18 volt battery. The vacuum can accommodate any size 18 volt battery from the 1.5Ah to the 12.0Ah batteries. Keep in mind that based on the size battery you use will affect run time. The tool box design makes it super easy to pick up and carry just about anywhere, whether that be around the house for those small everyday messes, cleaning your car, around the job site or anywhere else you can imagine. The size and shape allows for easy storage, whether it be in the trunk of your car or in your workshop. Would highly recommend this vacuum. It truly is the perfect size / weight combining maneuverability, power, and convenience all into one.

As a facility manager for a 77,000 sq ft Church, we acquired one Milwaukee ($248) as a test to compare against a ProTeam GoFree Flex Pro Battery Powered Backpack ($1488). The only complaints I have received after 46 days of use (one 12.0 battery per shift) is: -- The carpet head does not like to roll freely over the commercial close knit style carpet. I speculate it is due to the rubber catch blade on the bottom of the head that is causing the hangup. (Suggestion, perhaps a braided Aramid fiber, close weave, with a nylon core for rigidity would act as an appropriate air dam/catch and be resistant enough for commercial use? If you chose this design idea, please reach out to compensate the Church) My staff reports the working solution to be an extreme angle of attack, basically, extend tube all the way out and vacuum as far ahead of you as you can reach, this takes the downward force off the back of the head allowing it to spread more evenly on its 4 small wheels. -- Suction becomes noticeably diminished when the internal particle vortex screen becomes plugged with dust bunnies or, as shown by pictures, cellulose insulation. Fortunately, the design of the unit is easy enough to clear out the blockage, you'll just get a little messy doing so. You'll know when the unit is plugged up when the pitch of the exhaust changes to a higher tone. My staff agrees that the 12.0 battery pack is perfect to handle one shift on the high setting- they all are amazed at how quiet the unit is, as am I, the ease in which to dump its contents and the fit and finish of the components. Overall, we are very pleased with this unit. I would recommend this for use on hard dry surfaces, close office style knit carpet, and use for spot cleaning. I plan to purchase 2 more for use in our facility.

An excellent addition to my cordless tool bag.

Is vacuum is great for hard floor cleaning, But not great for big debris. Anything bigger than a drywall screw. I find myself clean the filter more often than empty. The dust canister. Have not had this for very long and I run it on the big batteries. I wish there was a way I Could return the item As I have not had it any more than 2 months.

Handy Vacuum, just keep filter and hose clean and it has a lot of suction. Works great as a wet vac too, just remember to take off filter first.

This vacuum is awesome. Very quiet and very powerful. A must have.

The back pack vacuum is a good solution for the home owner to keep the garage or shop clean. For the contractor that has to keep the site clean. And the detailer that is working on a car a portable way to clean and keep it moving.

this is one of the few vacuum cleaners that her HEPA filter battery operated

Milwaukee hits another home run. This is the best vac vacuum in the market. Its powerful and everything fits inside the box.

When it worked it was adequate for the job but it broke after 1 month of light use. Wont turn on now. Tried with several different batteries.

Great battery and charger. The Milwaukee M18 5.0 battery lasts a long time between charges and charger also charges very quickly. This charger can also charge the M12 battery.

I purchased a combo set for Milwaukee and this was included. The Milwaukee 90-degree impact set is phenomenal and I use it every day at work and at home. The battery and charger are excellent only drawback is the humming noise the charger makes. I would recommend this to anyone!

Saw was light weight and easy to use. I would recommend having a second battery for backup if planning on using for more than an hour at a time.

I thought I'd like this, but it turned out that its heavy duty construction kind of makes it too heavy. When wearing it as a backpack, it felt too cantilevered out, making me a bit unsteady on my feet. The backpack harness does remove so you can carry it by its handle and it has a nice sturdy ladder hook so you can hang it from a ladder rung or the side of scaffolding. I got 23 minutes of quiet run time with a 9 A/hr battery. Not having to drag a cord or a wheeled vac around is really nice. This is NOT a wet/dry vacuum. It works well on most debris. Waste bin is super easy to dump. The tools are again, heavy duty. For example, when is the last time you saw a metal vacuum wand? Even the hose has a stress relief joint where it plugs into the vacuum. As a nice extra, it includes an adapter so you can connect dust collection ports from your tools. Since it's a HEPA vacuum, this will help with requirements to use a dust extractor. The bummer is that it's heavier than my 16 gallon wet/dry vac.

Very sturdy but relatively lightweight vacuum. So far I have been using this vacuum as a light duty shop vac. While the hose size cannot handle larger wood fragments and big leaves, its portability makes it a go-to tool over a standard tub-shape shop vac that has to be wheeled around. The suction is great and of course battery life/power from an M18 pack is exceptional. The greatest benefit has been with cleaning our minivan and truck while using the vacuum in backpack mode. You don't tip over carrying it on your back even with bending and you don't get a cord caught around the tires of the car as you go from door to door. Unlike many shop vacs, all accessories are stored on the vacuum, either in the belt or on the canister sides that you can actually reach while it is on your back. If desired the backpack straps can be quickly removed to hang the canister by an underlying, unfolding handle. It can also be carried around by a built handle on top. The extension handle is for once very easy to telescope in and out. The battery compartment is recessed so that if the vacuum falls the battery should be protected.