I'm curious about the M18 cordless vacuum, especially since I already have a bunch of M18 batteries. I'm considering going for just the tool without the batteries, but I wonder if it really stacks up against a traditional shop vac. Is it underpowered? Has anyone actually used it? I'm particularly concerned about performance.
3 Answers
Yes, the M18 will feel a bit underpowered compared to a shop vac, but it definitely has its benefits. If you go for the Packout version, you'll find it’s quieter and has better suction. Super handy for small clean-ups without the hassle of dragging a big shop vac around.
I've tried a few different vacs, and in terms of suction from best to worst, I’d rank my M18 6-gallon shop vac at the top, then the Packout portable, and lastly the older M18 portable. Just a heads up, the 12V version doesn’t have the longevity you’d want, especially on larger jobs.
Honestly, I think the M18 vacuum is pretty capable, especially compared to the M12. Depending on the specific shop vac you’re coming from, the M18 might even outperform it! Just make sure to check out which model you're looking at, since they can vary a lot in power and noise levels.