Milwaukee Tool just launched a new M18 FUEL cordless backpack vacuum, model 0895-20, and it looks to bring all of the features you could ask for.
Officially, Milwaukee is calling this a 3-in-1 backpack vacuum, as they did with the older model.
The new M18 Fuel cordless vac is designed to be worn as a backpack, hung from its carrying handle or hook, or moved around and placed down manually. “Wear, hang, carry,” hence the 3-in-1 part.
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That you can wear the vacuum on your back via the padded harness means you can clean with greater mobility and less bending over. It can be used for general jobsite cleaning tasks, as well as overhead cleaning.
You can also hang it off of equipment, via a built-in hook.
Here’s what the carrying handle and hanging hook look like. You can also see the harness padding.
Milwaukee says that the harness was redesigned with enhanced padding to ensure all-day comfort.
The vacuum can also be placed next to you and used as any other portable hand vacuum.
It features a 1-7/8″ x 6′ flexible hose, and 1-7/8″ accessories. You can use other vacuum accessories, such as Milwaukee AirTip, which are are not included. It does come with a couple of attachments, just not AirTip.
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You can also use it with compatible dust collection accessories.
The vacuum comes with HEPA filter that is said to capture 99.97% of all particles greater than 0.3 microns. Milwaukee says the vacuum is OSHA compliant
The filter releases via quarter turn for easier cleaning or replacing. It is replaceable, with model number 49-90-1961.
This vacuum is advertises as being suitable for dry cleanup and concrete dust, drywall dust, sawdust, metal shavings, and general debris.
It features a tethered remote control, which can turn the vacuum on and off and also set the operating mode between max power and max runtime modes.
The vacuum is said to deliver over 40 minutes of continuous runtime when powered by a FORGE 8Ah battery in max runtime mode.
It has a 1-gallon collection capacity.
Features and Performance Specs
- 55″ suction (max performance)
- 70 CFM max airflow
- 1-gallon vacuum collection capacity
- Dry-only pickup
- HEPA filter
- 1-7/8″ hose diameter
The vacuum features a built-in cyclone separator that Milwaukee says extends filter life 3.5X by preventing debris from clogging the filter, minimizing the need for frequent cleanings.
As the filter shouldn’t clog as easily or quickly, the vacuum should maintain peak performance for longer periods of time, providing more consistent cleaning power throughout the job.
The vacuum will ship with a telescoping extension wand, pivoting floor nozzle, ergonomic handle, and crevice tool, plus the 6′ flexible hose and HEPA filter.
Price: $299
Launch ETA: August 2025
Replacement filters, model 49-90-1961, will be available for $35. It will be available via via Acme Tools, and I’m sure elsewhere as well.
Discussion
I really like Milwaukee’s older 3-in-1 M18 Fuel backpack vacuum, but this one sounds leaps and bounds better, such as the built-in cyclonic separator, tethered remote, and the size and form factor of the dust container.
They also kept some of the features I really appreciate, such as the telescoping wand.
I was worried for a moment at the lack of a proper carrying handle, but I included a screen capture from their launch video, which clearly shows a separate handle and hanging hook.
Questions and Answers
I’ve asked the following and will update this post once I hear back. Let me know if you have any questions to add.
What are the performance specs for the max runtime mode?
What are the sound/noise levels for max power and max runtime modes?
Can the shoulder straps or harness be detached or replaced?
Will this model be replacing the older 3-in-1 backpack vacuum?
See Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3-in-1 Backpack Vacuum Launch Info (Gen 1)
Weight of the vacuum without battery (or accessories aside from the hose)?
OldDominionDIYer
While I’m sure their first backpack vac was a nice unit, it had some shortcomings. I resisted purchasing one and I’m glad I did, this one, as you mention, this new version brings with it solutions and much needed improvements. I don’t know the performance specs of the original, but I suspect the new model improves on these as well.
TomD
The most annoying thing about the old one (which I have) is that even slightly pulling on the hose (buy the longer one) causes it to tip over when it’s in upright mode.
Pablo
I’ve wanted one of these because I have so many batteries. TTI brand owns Hoover and Dirt Devil so I’m sure they know how to make a decent vac, but they seem to charge way more for the power tool powered cordless vacs.
Stuart
I definitely see Hoover tech in Ryobi vacs, or maybe Ryobi tech in Hoover vacs, but as far as I am aware Milwaukee develops their cordless vacuums in-house.
Milwaukee has accumulated massive amount of talent from wide-reaching industries. For example, when I was at the mixed OPE and hand tools event for the USA hand tool launch, I learned that they had an aerospace engineer working on the cordless mower.
“Let’s just use some Hoover tech” would be a shortcut, and Milwaukee seems averse to taking shortcuts.
Robert
Another Question (not sure if Milwaukee will answer). “Who is the leading competitor shown in the XY a plot?”
The competitor’s performance curve is shown in yellow, so perhaps Dewalt.
Plain+grainy
Wow! That looks super nice!
fred
I had been just today toying with a purchase of a Makita – that is currently “on sale” at Acme
https://www.acmetools.com/makita-40v-max-xgt-1-2-gallon-hepa-backpack-dry-dust-extractor-bare-tool-gcv06z/088381762182.html
But at $595 – and 2 times the price of the Milwaukee – I’ll wait on pulling the trigger – probably going with the Milwaukee unless it gets a lot of negative reviews.
So, a big thanks for this post.
Stuart
I’m not familiar with that Makita model. It would be interesting to compare the two, but I think they have different application focuses.
I wonder why Acme has it on clearance.
I very much intend to test the new M18 Fuel model. While interested in the Makita XGT, I probably won’t be able to get my hands on one. Even if I could, it looks to be a different beast.
The XGT is AWS-compatible and features a HEPA filter and filtered bags. It has a 1″ anti-static hose.
The M18 Fuel seems more versatile, but is more of a backup cleanup vac and the XGT more of a backpack dust extractor.
s
where does the battery go?
and i’m doubtful they’d respond, but i’d be curious to hear the expected runtime of their other batteries. specifically the 1.5, 5.0, or 12.0. mostly to get a better understanding of it’s real power demand. it seems i always have extra 1.5 or 5.0’s kicking around that do well in quick cleanup jobs, because all my larger batteries are dedicated to doing the work creating the mess.
i’m definitely impressed with the included cyclone action.
one of my biggest gripes with using the non-fuel m18 vac was near-constant filter maintenance in concrete dust. i still love that it’s a cube, which makes truck storage far easier though. this doesn’t appear as truck storage friendly, but could be made to work. the hanging hook is an extremely nice touch.
Jared
I like how easy that filter is to access too.
Stuart
I wouldn’t bother with a 1.5Ah battery, but the 5Ah should be usable if that’s all you have.
Most brands would not be inclined to provide publishable specs for a range of batteries. That’s the type of question I might save for the next Pipeline media event to ask.
Are you referring to the 0888 vac that was updated in 2017? https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-m18-cordless-vacuum-noises-reader-question-082020/%3C/a%3E .
We’ve seen a lot of improvements in cordless vac space since OSHA silica guidelines went into effect the same year https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dust-extractor-tools-or-accessories-for-osha-table-1-silica-rule-compliance-reader-question/%3C/a%3E .
The cyclone should help for primary use with concrete dust, and I also really like the idea of filter bags and plastic collection bags for fine dust. I see this model as more of a Swiss Army Tool type of backpack cleanup vacuum that can also be used as an extractor if if avoids having to carry a second vac to the task.
Kyle
I have the current M18 backpack vac and can see how this has some major improvements. The filter on the original is a pancake style which severely limits its surface area. That means it clogs quickly. The tubular filter sounds great. Runtime is my biggest gripe now, even using 8.0 Forge batteries. 40 minutes sounds like double or triple what I usually get.
CA
Are they still battery killers? That was my biggest gripe. I liked the DeWalt version you could still plug in if you had power available.
neandrewthal
I have the old backpack vac and I never use it. Basically useless with dust. The Fuel packout vac is great because it can use a filter bag. This one will be awesome if the cyclonic separation actually is effective with fine dust.
Nate
Where is the cyclone physically located? I’ve built a lot of ’em over the years and I don’t see space for anything like that in the form factor….
Stuart
In the middle section, between the filter and collection container.
Adam
As they try to tie everything into PackOut, was it a miss not integrating that into the bottom here? Along with maybe a small caster plate for it to tug around on?
I guess if you can put it on your back, doesn’t need to pack. 😂
MFC
I have never seen a backpack vac out in the wild. Not in residential, commercial or hospitality. I have only seen them discarded in liquidation bodegas like droids from star wars.
Who uses these on a jobsite? Who uses them at all? Shop vacs can handle water and dust, are cheaper, more powerful and are much easier to store.
I’m sure there’s a niche but Milwaukee sells jobsite tool solutions and shows a carpenter, electrician and an HVAC guy in these pictures, and none of those guys would want something like this in my neck of the woods, so who did they make it for?
Actually, I sort of fibbed, my friend bought one and came up with all of these outlandish use scenarios for it on the jobsite. I never saw him use it, but remember asking about it a couple years ago and he said he used it once and it was great on some stairs at a three story house he was helping to build. But I’ve seen him work on stairs since then and he’s always had the little m18 rectangle shop vac with him. I’ve never seen that backpack vac once.
So, you guys that got one. How often do you use it and where?