Makita is apparently coming out with a new 18V X2 cordless brushless HEPA-filtered dry dust extractor that’s also AWS-compatible, XCV16ZX.
Runtime is up to 75 minutes on the low suction power setting. and up to 40 minutes on high.
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- 3-stage HEPA filtration (pre-filter bag, damper filter, main filter)
- Filter cleaning system
- 74 CFM max airflow
- 39″ static water lift suction power
- Oversized on/off switch
- Variable speed control dial
- 66 dB(A) operating sound level
- 1″ x 11-1/2′ anti-static hose
- Locking cover (to protect batteries)
- Rear casters lock to prevent unintended movement
- Weighs 19 lbs with battery
Includes 22mm, 24mm, 38mm tool cuffs, plastic disposable bag, complete filter set.
Batteries and charger are not included.
The new Makita cordless vac is part of their AWS system, which allows for wireless auto-start via Bluetooth when paired with Makita AWS-equipped cordless power tools, such as one of their new 12″ sliding miter saws, or their sub-compact circular saw.
Price: TBA
See Also(Makita 2.1 gallon vac bare tool via Amazon)
See Also(Makita 2.1 gallon vac kit via Amazon)
Discussion
We learned about the new Makita XCV16ZX cordless vac when doing some research on their new cordless drywall sander.
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The new Makita XCV16ZX AWS cordless vacuum has the same specs as their XCV08 vacuum, notably the same airflow, static water lift, runtime, and working sound level, and so the main difference seems to be the new vac’s larger 4-gallon dust collection capacity.
Also, the 2.1 gallon vac comes with floor-cleaning accessories and two anti-static hoses, a 1-1/2″ x 8′ hose and a 1″ x 11′ hose. The new 4 gallon vac comes with the same 1″ x 11′ hose and three tool adapters, but not the extension wands, crevice tool, floor nozzle, or second hose.
There *might* be other differences between the new Makita cordless vac and the smaller model. I wish we could be more certain about this, but Makita USA has only been announcing their new cordless powers tools via “tweets,” “insta” posts, and consumer newsletters.
It’s worth emphasizing that the new vac, like its smaller predecessor, is a dry-only vac.
It also doesn’t have an outlet for auto-activation of corded power tools, which makes sense since vacs that have such capabilities have to supply up to a couple of amps of AC power to plugged-in tools. So, you only get auto-start capabilities when paired with Makita AWS-equipped tools.
I am a little surprised by the size of the hose – 1″ x 11′ – or more specifically its small diameter. The vac does come with 3 adapters for connecting the hose to different sizes of tool ports.
That small 1″ diameter likely translates to higher particle velocities, which can help with the collection of fine dust, but it should also make the hose more flexible and easier to maneuver. You lose the ability to collect large debris, but that’s not the focus of this vac.
4 gallons isn’t very much compared to other rolling dust extractors, but remember, this is a cordless vac. Plus, it does still have nearly double the capacity of Makita’s smaller and similarly spec’ed 2.1 gallon vac.
I’m curious about what the price will be. The XCV08Z vac is $509 for the bare tool. This new vac has a larger collection tank, which often means a bump-up in price even if the motor unit and filters are the same, but it has much fewer accessories.
Update: There will be two other new Makita 18V X2 4 gallon cordless vacuums, XCV14Z and XCV15ZX. The vac discussed above, XCV16ZX, is the HEPA model with a 1″ x 11′ hose. XCV15ZX seems to have the same configuration and accessories but lacks AWS Bluetooth auto-start capabilities.
XCV14Z is a similar vac but with an efficient cloth filter instead of the 3-stage HEPA filter setup. Additionally, the XCV14Z is said to be a wet/dry vacuum, with wet capacity of up to 3.2 gallons. It comes with a 1-1/2″ x 8′ anti-static hose, a curved extension pipe, a straight extension pipe, a floor nozzle, and a crevice nozzle. This model doesn’t come with the same tool attachment adapters as the two other vacs, or the 1″ x 11′ hose.
To sum it up:
- XCV14Z: wet/dry vac with 1-1/2″ x 8′ hose and added accessories.
- XCV15ZX: 3-stage HEPA filtration system, 1″ x 11′ hose, 3 tool adapter cuffs
- XCV16ZX: 3-stage HEPA filtration system, 1″ x 11′ hose, 3 tool adapter cuffs, AWS wireless auto-start capabilities (when paired with tools equipped with an AWS Bluetooth transmitter)
To gauge the vacuum specs against a typical corded model, consider the Flex 9-gallon HEPA dust vac that’s on sale right now. The new Makita vac features 74 CFM of airflow and 39″ of static water lift.
The Dewalt FlexVolt DCV585 cordless vac, currently $349 for the bare tool, which only has 2 gallon capacity, delivers 125 CFM of airflow.
Compared to Makita’s XCV11Z 18V 2-gal cordless wet/dry HEPA-filter vac, the new 4-gallon 18V X2 model has higher airflow (75 vs. 57 CFM) and suction power (39″ vs. 27″ water lift). They’re tools of completely different designs, but hopefully it helps with context.
Update 7/19/19: There is now a fourth new Makita 18V X2 4.0 gallon vacuum.
- XCV13Z: 3-stage HEPA filtration system, 1-1/2″ x 8′ and 1″ x 11′ hoses, 3 tool adapter cuffs, cleaning accessories
- Corded power option
- Runtime of up to 30 mins on high, 65 mins on low with 5.0Ah batteries (not included)
- 74 CFM and 36″ water lift on battery power, 127 CFM and 96″ water lift on corded power
Julian Tracy
FYI – any of the many Makita 36v vac sku’s can be made to be a wet dry vac with the purchase of the float and cage as spare parts. The motor unit is identical and has the screw mounting posts for the cage.
I use their 36v hepa non-aws model and it’s a great little vac for around the house and works great for sanding, drywall work, etc. I wish I had the dual corded/cordless option as the cfm is doubled when plugged in.
But I found a deal that yielded me the vac for about $200 after selling off the grinder and batteries and charger it was bundled with, so no complaints.
Has a complicated pleated filter, foam surround AND a cloth surround bag that can’t possibly help with suction, so I eliminated the foam surround, cut the cloth bag and simply use it with the pleated filter and their filter bags (much like a Festool vac.).
Stuart
I did not know that – thank you!
Axeman
I’m curious about the adaptations you’ve made to your XCV04 vac. Specifically about using filter bags with it, since Makita does not list a filter bag currently compatible with that model, only the plastic disposable bags, which facilitates disposing its collected contents and keeps the interior of the container clean. In addition, with that type dust collection design, which lacks a completely enclosed filter bag, exposes the pleated filter to premature clogging, and shortens the filters life. However, Makita addresses that issue by adding a foam pre-filter, which is easily removable to cleaned, unlike a pleated filter.
Now Makita does make a completely enclosed filter bag (# 161471-7) for their XCV05 Backpack Vac. So I’m guessing that you’ve adapted that filter bag to fit your vacuum, in which case, is a really great idea as long as the filter bag fits inside the container correctly
Julian Tracy
Makita part no. a-48430. That’s a 5 pack, cost about $28 and they’re very similar to the other brand’s filter bags.
Julian Tracy
No, they do make filter bags. But Makita sucks for figuring out accessories in general.
I’ll find the model number of the bags and post it here…
aj
If you use these connected to a saw, then probably great. Momentary use.
But my hepa vac commonly runs for hours a day with a sander or a concrete cup wheel for floor prep. I’ll admit my cordless vac is my most used tool for little cleanup tasks, but for a dust vac, I think corded is the way to go.
Altan
This is an OK’ish tool I would say, but it does not satisfy me to buy yet, DeWALT should make a similar one but with two Flexvolt batteries so you can use it as corded also. Vac is used with almost all tools that is why I call it the most used tool during the work, and if you want to run it cordless you need 10 fully charged batteries a day for a Vac just. But it does not need to be cordless always. So I am waiting for 120V Flexvolt Vac from DeWALT.
MattF
I will second the 120v Flex volt vac in 3-4 gallon size. 150cfm, boxy festool like shape.
Altan
Yes, you are right, I don’t mind if it is going to be tall, I would like it to be Toughsystem compatible and should have the hose and other accessories stored inside it or in a separate box, nothing hanging out!
Kizzle
It would be nice if they put this motor into a vac the size of the XCV11z. I like the shape and size of the XCV11z, but it doesn’t have the specs to be more useful.
Ryan
Does Makita make a key fob style remote for the AWS vacs?
Stuart
Not that I know of.
Andy Ringsmuth
Ahhh, I see now. Yesterday-ish we have the cordless drywall sander and the comments are pretty universal “Umm, ok but the vacuum still needs a cord.” Today we have the cordless vac to go with it.
PETE
Man….. the $109 ryobi 6-gallon vac has 6 more CFMs. Yes i know it’s not a dust extractor but still lol. It shouldn’t be hard to beat ryobi, and thats coming from a ryobi fan lol
John
Stuart,
Makita just showed the XCV13 on its Instagram feed. The XCV13 is a (36V) 18Vx2 AND has ability to plug into standard wall power. To me this is the best option of all. Batteries and wall power, does any other company even offer this?
I just don’t understand the need for all these nearly identical vacs. This makes 4 total except the battery/wall power option trumps the rest.
Stuart
Thanks! Unfortunately, there’s no mention of price in Makita’s official “insta” announcements.
Several brands have corded + cordless portable vacuums, but I don’t think one this size.
So, it has a cord, but no port for AC tools? According to their post, it has lower runtime than the other vacuums – “up to 30 minutes” but if you plug it in you get “a full 127 CFM.”
This version comes with more accessories, but no AWS option. I can see why they have so many different models, but I think that FOUR different 4.0 gallon vacs is definitely confusing.