Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless 1.6 Gal Wet/Dry Vacuum with 2x 3.0ah batteries at Home Depot $139

NickF1912

Original Poster

Feb 08, 2026 05:33 AM

5 Posts

Joined Jul 2019

NickF1912

Original Poster

Feb 08, 2026 05:33 AM

5 Posts

I bought the M18 version (non-fuel) that is still unopened and debating whether to return it for this or keep the M18. I have seen mixed feedback on the M12 about it overheating but that appears to have been fixed. Looking for something portable to complement a 16 gallon rigid vac for stuff like cleaning out the car and dust collection for small jobs.

1

Papi-Chino

Pro

Feb 08, 2026 07:08 AM

1,953 Posts

Joined Feb 2024

Papi-Chino

Pro

Feb 08, 2026 07:08 AM

1,953 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Papi-Chino

Quote from NickF1912

:

I bought the M18 version (non-fuel) that is still unopened and debating whether to return it for this or keep the M18. I have seen mixed feedback on the M12 about it overheating but that appears to have been fixed. Looking for something portable to complement a 16 gallon rigid vac for stuff like cleaning out the car and dust collection for small jobs.

I had the non-fuel m18 & was disappointed in the suction. Plus it makes a high pitched annoying whining sound. Returned that thing back to Homey Depot & got the fuel m18 & happy camper. Hose length is short though, so got the Harbor freight hose kit on a $25 coupon deal. That hose is good length & I just wrap it around the outside & secure with velcro straps.

5

1

Badmfwallet

Feb 08, 2026 01:40 PM

108 Posts

Joined Aug 2011

BadmfwalletFeb 08, 2026 01:40 PM

108 Posts

Quote from NickF1912

:

I bought the M18 version (non-fuel) that is still unopened and debating whether to return it for this or keep the M18. I have seen mixed feedback on the M12 about it overheating but that appears to have been fixed. Looking for something portable to complement a 16 gallon rigid vac for stuff like cleaning out the car and dust collection for small jobs.

With a forge battery the non fuel M18 vacuum is decent. With high output and regular batteries it was really weak. I mostly use it for vehicles and stairs because its easier than fighting a regular vac to clean them.

1

markkio

Feb 08, 2026 01:45 PM

215 Posts

Joined Mar 2015

markkioFeb 08, 2026 01:45 PM

215 Posts

Not really a deal

2

MerryHamster881

Feb 08, 2026 02:16 PM

6 Posts

Joined Apr 2023

MerryHamster881Feb 08, 2026 02:16 PM

6 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank MerryHamster881

I have the m12 and never use it and dont even keep it on my work truck. Suction is pretty weak and its runtime even with 6.0 batteries is terrible. The m18 with any battery I only have to change batteries maybe 1ce a week. The m12 I had to change batteries multiple times per day.

3

thisismetcalf

Feb 08, 2026 02:45 PM

279 Posts

Joined Oct 2006

thisismetcalfFeb 08, 2026 02:45 PM

279 Posts

Holding out for Vac Link ones!

wiscybob

Feb 08, 2026 04:05 PM

84 Posts

Joined Nov 2015

wiscybobFeb 08, 2026 04:05 PM

84 Posts

m12 fuel vacuum is horrible. I ended up giving it away to my brother in law, cause F that guy.

3

12

3

Mancolt

Feb 08, 2026 04:14 PM

165 Posts

Joined Mar 2018

MancoltFeb 08, 2026 04:14 PM

165 Posts

Skip this. Absolutely burns through batteries on even the low setting with the largest battery. 3ah are a joke. You might get 4 mins of run time on level 2 with a 3ah. I found suction to be decent for its size, but the battery life is so bad as to be intolerable.

AquaMeat9126

Feb 08, 2026 06:31 PM

309 Posts

Joined May 2024

AquaMeat9126Feb 08, 2026 06:31 PM

309 Posts

Had this too and returned it for the M18 Fuel, what a difference. The M18 Fuel has been great so far, the only vac I like better is my portable Dewalt, but that is corded, the M18 Fuel packout is great on the packout too.

Skip this M12 and save yourself some misery, the M18 Fuel is not that much bigger, but a lot better

2

jtizzleholla

Feb 08, 2026 08:44 PM

16 Posts

Joined Nov 2014

jtizzlehollaFeb 08, 2026 08:44 PM

16 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank jtizzleholla

I am Milwaukee fan. I have this. It's awful.

2

1

ADHDER7799

Feb 08, 2026 08:51 PM

2,102 Posts

Joined Nov 2013

ADHDER7799Feb 08, 2026 08:51 PM

2,102 Posts

I have an m18 fuel. Meh. M12? PASS

trentsteele

Feb 08, 2026 09:50 PM

39 Posts

Joined Nov 2016

trentsteeleFeb 08, 2026 09:50 PM

39 Posts

Have one of these that sits in the garage next to the clothes dryer. Combo'd with 5ah ho.xc batts. & the milwaukee air tip long reach flexible hose set, it gets used to clean the lint screen and down into the lint tunnel/trap. It's good at that at least.
Still plan on getting the m18 fuel though.

potato2potato

Feb 09, 2026 12:10 AM

198 Posts

Joined Apr 2009

potato2potatoFeb 09, 2026 12:10 AM

198 Posts

For a 12v cordless tool, its great, perfect for small messes. For big ones, my festool ct does the job but m12 is a great little vac. Only wish batteries lasted longer

artifactowl

Feb 09, 2026 12:57 AM

430 Posts

Joined Jan 2014

artifactowlFeb 09, 2026 12:57 AM

430 Posts

I really struggle to believe that the m12 batteries will give you decent runtime, and the posts above seem to confirm that. Typically even 18volt batteries will be pushed to their limit with the shopvac. Batteries will drain quicker with a shopvac than almost anything else. It consumes massive energy, which you can feel from the heat coming out of the exhaust port. decompressing/recompressing air is very energy intensive. i have the m18 and it works well, though yeah the hose is short unless you are holding the vac

chrisds02

Feb 09, 2026 01:01 AM

6 Posts

Joined Oct 2020

chrisds02Feb 09, 2026 01:01 AM

6 Posts

Looks nice at least!

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless 1.6 Gal Wet/Dry Vacuum with 2x 3.0ah batteries at Home Depot $139

$139

$279

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