Cordless dust collection used to be a compromise. The suction was weak. The capacity was tiny. The batteries drained fast.
That is not true anymore. Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita all make cordless shop vacs that run on their own cordless battery platforms. This guide compares them and tells you when cordless makes sense.
The Main Cordless Vacs
| Brand | Model | Platform | Capacity | Weight (no battery) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | M18 FUEL 0882-20 | M18 | 0.63 gal / 2.4L | 5.3 lbs |
| DeWalt | DCV517B | 20V MAX | 0.5 gal / 1.9L | 4.6 lbs |
| DeWalt | DCV586B | FLEXVOLT 60V | 2 gal / 7.6L | 10.3 lbs |
| Makita | XCV04Z | 18V LXT X2 (36V) | 0.53 gal / 2L | 5.5 lbs |
| Makita | XCV10Z | 18V LXT X2 (36V) | 2.1 gal / 8L | 10.4 lbs |
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 0882-20
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL cordless vac is built to run on the M18 battery platform, alongside the cordless saws, routers, and sanders. It also features a tool-activation mode that starts the vac automatically when a paired tool runs.
The 2.4-liter canister is small. For quick jobs and cleanup, it is fine. For a full day of sanding or sawing, you will empty it several times. The HEPA filter upgrade (sold separately) is worth it for fine dust capture.
Best for: Milwaukee M18 users who want a cordless vac that shares their batteries.
DeWalt DCV517B (20V MAX, compact)
The DCV517B is DeWalt's compact cordless vac. The 1.9-liter capacity is the smallest of the group.
It works well for general cleanup and light dust capture from cordless saws and sanders. Check the hose end against your tool port. If the two do not match, many users tape the joint with masking tape, but a printed adapter seals better.
Best for: Light-duty use, cleanup, and anyone who already owns 20V MAX batteries.
DeWalt DCV586B (FLEXVOLT 60V, full-size)
The DCV586B is DeWalt's serious cordless vac. The FLEXVOLT 60V platform has the power to compete with corded units. The 7.6-liter capacity handles all-day work.
This is a full shop vac that happens to run on battery. The tradeoff is battery drain. A 9Ah FLEXVOLT battery gives about 45 to 60 minutes of run time. Keep two batteries charged for longer sessions.
Best for: Job sites with no power, or anyone who wants a full-size cordless shop vac without compromise.
Makita XCV04Z (18V LXT X2, compact)
The Makita XCV04Z uses two 18V LXT batteries (36V combined) for serious suction. The 2-liter canister is small but fine for tool-connected capture.
Best for: Makita LXT users who want a compact cordless system for job sites.
Makita XCV10Z (18V LXT X2, full-size)
The XCV10Z is Makita's large cordless vac. At 8 liters, it handles all-day work. It includes a HEPA filter as standard, the best filtration spec of any of the units listed here.
Best for: Makita users who want HEPA filtration standard and a large cordless capacity.
When to Choose Cordless Over Corded
Cordless makes sense when:
- You work on job sites without power outlets (new construction, outdoor work)
- You move between rooms frequently and cord management is a problem
- You already have the battery platform and extra batteries to spare
- Your jobs are under 2 hours and battery capacity is not a concern
Corded makes more sense when:
- You work in a shop with power outlets nearby
- You run all-day sessions and cannot interrupt for battery swaps
- You want the strongest suction (corded units still outperform at the top end)
- You do not already own the battery platform (buying batteries for a vac alone is expensive)
Connecting a Cordless Vac to a Tool
When you connect a cordless vac to a power tool, both sides of the connection matter. Do not assume a vac from the same brand as your tool will push on tight. Measure the hose end on the vac and the port on the tool, with calipers or a ruler. If the two do not match, give us the two numbers and we print the adapter to them. The size guide shows how, and Build My Adapter takes it from there.
For a starting point, the port size pages show what we print at each size: the 36mm size page. Your own measurement is what decides the part.
