Cleaning up on any construction site is arguably one of the most critical aspects of the job. Whether youโre attempting to please your customer, keep the jobsite organized, or work towards code compliance, jobsite cleanliness requires constant effort. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3-in-1 Backpack Vacuum streamlines the cleanup process with its innovative design.
Weighing in at just 15 pounds, Milwaukeeโs newest vacuum is powered by the rechargeable M18 battery system and features several attachments packaged on a convenient cloth harness.
Pros
- Brushless M18 Fuel motor
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- Easy operation and emptying of the canister
- Three ways to use for different jobsite needs
Cons
- Lacks a battery fuel gauge
- Inconveniently located power switch
- The wide floor attachment isnโt the easiest to use
Why Cordless When my Shop Vacuum is Doing Fine?
Imagine the situation that weโve all been in. Youโve finished a job, and itโs time for the final clean-up. Here comes your helper, dragging your old, dusty shop vacuum and extension cord through the house, beating up trim and scratching the newly finished floors. Not to mention that you probably havenโt cleaned your vacuum from the last job, so youโre dropping nearly as much dirt and dust on the floor as youโre picking up. Iโm sure that you can relate because if weโre honest, weโve all been there.
Along comes Milwaukee with a cordless, quiet, and powerful backpack-based vacuum. You quickly move through the house, clean up your mess, collect your check, and take off to the next job. Milwaukee has made an all-out effort to combine the features you need in a jobsite vacuum while eliminating the ones that arenโt. Although it only produces about half the suction of larger commercial wet/dry vacuums, it handles 90% of jobsite duties without difficulty.
Construction
Unpacking the vacuum, I was immediately impressed with the construction. While lightweight, Milwaukee hasnโt skimped on the materials. The vacuum and canister are made of high-density plastic and rubber, while the extension tube is lightweight aluminum. All of the flexible hoses are heavyweight rubber.
The suction canister is a clear, one-gallon container (with HEPA filter,) making it easy to see how much material has is inside.
The harness is made of quality cloth with durable stitching and plastic buckles. The waist strap features several elastic loops for carrying the attachments.
My only complaint is that the wide floor attachment is awkwardly designed. It features a โJโ shaped tube that needs to be rotated 90 degrees depending on the height youโre vacuuming. Milwaukee isnโt the only one to have this floor nozzle design; itโs just one of those things that annoy me.
Performance
The most important item of note on this vacuum is the fact that it is designed for dry use only. While sand, sawdust, drywall, and general dust are no match for this tool, youโll have to drag out the old wet dry vacuum for water or other wet materials.
For jobsite applications, you can use the vacuum in any of three ways: hang it in a stationary location, wear it as a backpack, or carry it by the carrying handle.ย We use ours primarily in its backpack form.
Our vacuum came with both a wide and narrow attachment, which are made from typical inexpensive plastic. During use, we found the need for some type of โbrushโ style attachment for cleaning air conditioning vents, cabinets, and other delicate surfaces.
Milwaukee powers its vacuum using the M18 battery system common to its other 18V tools. Running the vacuum on the high setting nets roughly 25 minutes of continuous use, while the low setting gives us closer to 40 minutes.
Both settings are powerful enough for most general vacuuming; however, youโll want to use the high setting on areas with carpet.
Note that there is no fuel gauge for the battery, and the vacuum will instantly die when it runs out.
Ergonomics
The on/off switch is inconveniently located on the left side of the machine โ youโll have to become somewhat of a contortionist to cycle on/off or change the power settings if youโre wearing the harness. It would be nice to see the power button move to a more convenient location for the next generation.
When using the vacuum in the backpack harness, weight is a non-issue. The padded belt allows most of the weight to sit on your hips while the shoulder straps are comfortable once you adjust them to your fit. Itโs a lot like wearing a good hiking backpack.ย I wore the vacuum on my back for the duration of our 25-minute test and never experienced discomfort or problems moving in the harness.
Pricing
At $349 for the bare vacuum and $539 for the kit with a 9.0 Ah battery, this is not an inexpensive vacuum. Itโs also nearly in a class by itself as a cordless backpack vacuum, and Makitaโs HEPA backpack vacuum is its closest competition. That one will set you back $349 as a bare tool and $549 with a pair of 5.0 Ah batteries.
Final Thoughts
Has Milwaukee made me go completely cordless for my vacuuming needs?
No, of course not. My trusty corded wet/dry vac will stay on my work trailer forever, but it will definitely be getting less use. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3-in-1 Backpack Vacuum hits the nail on the head in terms of grab-and-go jobsite cleaning.
This machine will be my go-to for second floors, final cleans, and any other small jobs that come up. I love the lightweight, powerful suction, even if there are a few little things that need some improvement. Itโs a convenient option to get things cleaned up faster without having to fight with drop cords and heavy vacuums.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3-in-1 Backpack Vacuum Kit
- Model: Milwaukee 0885-21HD
- 55 CFM
- 76โ Water Lift
- 159 Air Watts
- 76 dB(A)
- 1 Gallon Capacity
- Filter: HEPA
- Telescoping extension wand: 25โ โ 40โ
- Onboard accessory storage
- Warranty: 5-Year Tool, 3-Year Battery
- Includes M18 FUEL 3-in-1 Backpack Vacuum, (1) M18 REDLITHIUM HD9.0 Battery Pack, (1) M18 & M12 Rapid Charger, HEPA Filter, Flexible Hose, Telescoping Extension Wand, Floor Tool, Crevice Tool, and Dust Extraction Adapter.
- Warranty: 5 years
