Milwaukee Tool has launched a new modular vacuum system called NEXUS.
Milwaukee Nexus was designed to deliver a customizable cleanup experience to suit many different pro vacuuming needs.
And yes, as shown above it is Packout-compatible, with a top plate that can fit your tool boxes, organizers, and most other Packout products.
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Milwaukee Nexus Vacuum System Modularity
The Milwaukee Nexus vacuum system will allow users to choose from several cordless and AC-powered vacuum heads, optional add-ons such as a dust separator and filter cleaner, different sizes of debris collection containers, and mobile bases.
There is the potential for further expansion in the future. They break down the vertical stack as follows:
- Power – vacuum motor head units
- Add-ons for optional features
- Capacity – debris collection containers
- Mobility – wheeled bases
At launch, there will be 3 Nexus modular vacuum heads:
- M18 Fuel 6-gallon vacuum with mobile base
- M18 Fuel 6-gallon vacuum with mobile base and VacLink
- M18 Fuel Dual Battery with VacLink
An existing AC vacuum head unit is already available. The new Nexus M18 Fuel vacuum heads are Packout-compatible, the AC head is not.
Most of Milwaukee’s example images show the vacuum being used with a 4-wheel base.
The vacuum can be also used without any mobile base, if that’s what you want.
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The M18 Fuel and M18 Fuel dual battery vacuum motor heads both have Packout-compatible top plates.
The vacuums are capable of wet/dry pickup.
While none of the product images show a drain port, Milwaukee is using the same collection drums as their earlier M18 Fuel cordless vacuums, which do have drain ports on the left side.
Milwaukee Nexus Compatibility
Looking deeper, Milwaukee has rebranded their earlier M18 Fuel 6-gallon cordless vacuum, bringing it into the Nexus line. This suggests backwards compatibility between the different head units, collection drums, and mobile bases.
Milwaukee’s earlier vacuum system featured multiple M18 and AC power units, collection drums, and mobile bases. The new Nexus system seems to be a reimagining while maintaining compatibility.
Milwaukee’s add-ons are said to be fully compatible with existing [Milwaukee] medium capacity wet/dry vacuums, models 0910, 0914, 0915, 0920, 0930.
We’re checking with Milwaukee about whether there are any exceptions or incompatibilities to be aware of.
Update: It looks like the entire system is backwards compatible with the interchangeable vacuum products Milwaukee launched in 2022.
Milwaukee Nexus Vacuum Add-on: Dust Separator
The dust separator add-on, described as the first of its kind, directs debris away from the vacuum filter, separating up to 99% of jobsite debris before it reaches the filter. This should result in less clogging and longer sustained airflow.
Both add-ons fit in between the vacuum motor unit and the collection container.
From cut-away diagrams, it looks like the dust separator is completely inline and makes use of the main collection container.
Milwaukee Nexus Vacuum Add-on: Filter Cleaner
The manual filter cleaner add-on also fits in between the vacuum head and collection container.
You have to choose one add-on or the other – or none – as multiple add-ons will not work together.
The filter cleaner is said to bridge the gap between wet/dry vacuums and dust extractors.
It comes with 2x HEPA filters and is said to allow for Table 1 OSHA compliance in light concrete applications.
The design allows for quick filter cleaning that helps to remove fine dust from the filter, improving airflow in certain applications.
Milwaukee VacLink
VacLink compatibility allows for remote activation via a hose-end remote or select tools. From Milwaukee’s product images, it seems more VacLink-compatible tools are on the way.
Milwaukee Nexus Vacuum Performance and Runtime
M18 Fuel Single Battery Vacuum
- 3.5 HP peak
- Wet/dry pickup
- 63″ suction power
- 95 CFM
- 2 modes – max power, max runtime
- Blower port
M18 Fuel Single Battery Runtime: up to 44 minutes of continuous cleaning time per M18 FORGE 12Ah battery, up to 31 minutes at max power.
M18 Fuel Dual Battery Vacuum
- 4.25 HP peak
- Wet/dry pickup
- 80″ suction power
- 115 CFM
- 2 modes – max power, max runtime
- Blower port
M18 Fuel Dual Battery Runtime: up to 49 minutes of continuous cleaning time per 2x M18 FORGE 12Ah batteries, up to 35 minutes at max power.
Milwaukee Nexus Vacuum Package Options
At this time there will be 2 starter packages – 6-gallon with and without a VacLink remote.
M18 FUEL NEXUS 6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum w/ PACKOUT Compatibility & VACLINK
M18 FUEL NEXUS 6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum w/ PACKOUT Compatibility
M18 FUEL NEXUS Dual Battery Wet/Dry Vacuum Motor Head w/ PACKOUT Compatibility & VACLINK (0926-20)
The M18 Fuel dual battery vacuum head does NOT come with a collection container or mobile base. It can be used with Milwaukee Nexus 6, 9, and 12 gallon wet/dry vacuum tanks, models 0912, 0922, 0932.
Milwaukee Nexus Vacuum Component Pricing
Milwaukee Nexus M18 Fuel 6-Gallon Vacuum w/ VacLink (0914-20, $299) – Buy it at Acme Tools
Milwaukee Nexus M18 Fuel 6-Gallon Vacuum (0915-20, $249) – Buy it at Acme Tools
Milwaukee Nexus M18 Dual Battery Vacuum Head (0926-20, $299) – Buy it at Acme Tools
Milwaukee Nexus Dust Separator Add-on (0990-20, $99) – Buy it at Acme Tools
Milwaukee Nexus Filter Cleaner Add-on w/ 2 HEPA Filters (0991-20, $149) – Buy it at Acme Tools
Milwaukee VacLink Remote (0952-20, $49) – Buy it at Acme Tools
Wet/Dry Vacuum Cart Mobile Base (0943-20, $79) – Buy it at Acme Tools
Robert
Looks like quite an R&D and engineering effort on the part of Milwaukee. They must figure there is a substantial market for this. But is there? My guess is when you customize with a lot of the options you are at the price of Festool dust collector vacuums. This Milwaukee set up appears to be clunkier, but more versatile. Will Team Red fans buy enough to justify this outlay by Milwaukee?
Stuart
This is nowhere close to the price of Festool. There’s no need to guess; I included all of the prices in the post.
I think it’s a clever approach. Often, you need to choose major features such as filter cleaning when buying a vacuum. If you don’t, and the need comes up later, you’re stuck and have to buy an all-new vacuum.
Here, you can configure and reconfigure a vacuum as you want or need it, and they made the add-ons backwards-compatible.
I see these as cleanup vacs that can be enhanced. Milwaukee also has their new cordless dust extractor vacuum.
I’m sure most people will buy one of the starter packages, and then maybe add to it or upgrade should the need arise.
eddiesky
Yeah but Festool has a pre-separater option, CT CYCLONE CT-VA-20, that allows debris (saw dust…) separation before HEPA stage filtration.
This Milwaukee product is either but can’t do both. Not that I see HEPA for a saw dust collector but then if one unit can do it all…
But true in that Festool’s option alone is more than the Milwaukee vacuum with packout and remote.
Stuart
So get the Milwaukee Packout-compatible dust separator? https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukees-packout-dust-separator-launch/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I think the add-on design might be more practical. It’ll be interesting to see how effective it is.
blocky
Good points. The apparently cyclonic action of the separator unit for the main canister looks good, but I really do want both hepa filtration and a pre-separator to extend the life of the hepa filters. Self-thumping units I’ve used do a pretty good job and are absolutely necessary for drywall and medium concrete work.
I suppose nothing to stop Milwaukee from introducing these elements at a future date. I’m sure it’s under consideration, and in the meantime, it’s not like it’s incompatible with a dust-deputy.
I wonder if the tanks are nesting, if you kept multiples, and if they will have independently available latching dummy lids.
Very cool stuff.
Robert
Stuart, the “Guess” is in how many of the Milwaukee components a user packages up. Full up, without duplications that I can detect, your prices add up to about $600.
You can get a 4 gallon Festool CT15 for a bit above $400. A 7 gal CT 26 for $850. Within spitting distance if you take into account the features Blocky noted.
Jim Felt
Yes, but. Wouldn’t many Milwaukee “bulk” users really want the full Packout compatibility and future proofing over a maybe better but less upgradable single purpose device?
In the olden days of photography this is what Nikon (the “upstart”) did to totally overwhelm Leica (the original 35mm leader) in the marketplace.
Stuart
Agreed. Bought an earlier vacuum and want the new features? You can do that. Cannot decide between 6 and 9 gallon? You can change your mind later without having to buy a brand new vac.
I really like this approach.
The add-on format allowed for future releases, such as an auto filter cleaning module or vacuum head.
Stuart
@Robert, 6-gal package starts at $249. Add the filter cleaner and it’s $398. Go with the separator instead and it’s $348.Package with VacLink remote and a dust adapter is $50 more.
Robert
The user probably needs the 4 wheel base. So you are at the CT15 price.
Stuart
@Robert, as shown in the post, it’s included, as are vacuum cleanup accessories which are not included with the Festool. Festool also doesn’t give you a Bluetooth remote – that’s separate.
Jronman
This isn’t exactly and apples to apples comparison but the CT 25 is roughly the size of the Milwaukee and is less than $100 more if you kit the Milwaukee out with a remote and mobile base. If you go Cordless Festool then yes the price is not as close.
Nathan
Interesting shame the corded power head doesn’t also have a packouut plate. Again ideally I’d want a corded and cordless model. But like the ideas
Also I bet you can take the filter item on top of the separator item.
Stuart
It looks like that’s the older AC head. Maybe it wasn’t popular enough to redesign, or maybe that’ll come later.
Skylar
Really appreciate the compatibility design work that went into this. I have a 6-gal unit (I had to buy it last year for a side quest when I forgot my little Packout vac at another project site). I’ve been struggling to find situations where it’s better than the Packout vac or just a standard Ridgid corded vac (we have 6-7 of those, so you can always find a spare in a corner somewhere).
I like the idea of adding a dust separator to prolong filter life or even buying one of the new units and re-purposing the cart that came with it. Nice to have those options now.
jake
The NEXUS Vacuum system looks very nice. Thank you for the post.
Do you know if the MILWAUKEE LARGE WET/DRY VACUUM HEPA FILTER will work with the vacuums without the filter cleaning addon?
Stuart
The earlier model 0910 works with the large wet/dry high efficiency filter. The new 0914 and 0915 vacuums ships with the same filter.
Thus, I would assume that the new vacuums will also work with their canister filter, model 49-90-1977. (link via Home Depot) That filter also fits the medium-series vacs, such as 0910, 0920, which will be part of the Nexus system.
The filter cleaner add-on comes with the same filters, 49-90-1968, as the 9-gallon dust extractor vacuum.
jake
Ahh; It did not register that the add-on filter cleaner uses different filters. Now the pictures make more sense to me. Thank you!
Stuart
You’re welcome! Sorry, I hoped the images would help be clear.
There’s so much going on with this system, and I anticipate having a lot more to go over after it launches.
jake
Oops – By “different filters” I mean different filter form factors.
Do you have any thoughts about the hepa filter type differences (performance, cost, ease-of-use, expected useable life)?
Stuart
The vacs come with a “large wet/dry vacuum high efficiency filter,” 49-90-1978. As with the earlier vacs, I understand the 49-90-1977 to be a HEPA upgrade.
Higher filtration efficiency tends to cut down on airflow, and so that could be why the vacuums are equipped with a high efficiency but not HEPA filter.
Milwaukee has a selection chart that shows the high efficiency filter as having 99% filtration and the HEPA 99.97%, with the HEPA being recommended for use with concrete dust.
49-90-1978: dry cleanable and washable, retails for ~$30
49-90-1977: dry cleanable and washable, retails for ~$35
The filter cleaning add-on comes with 2x flat-style filters.
49-90-1968: dry cleanable, retails for ~$100 per pair.
The canister-style filter is compatible across other Milwaukee wet/dry vacuums.
The flat HEPA filters are compatible with Milwaukee’s new 9-gallon dust extractor vacuum and the new Nexus add-on.
It looks like there are more pleats across greater surface area, and if so that would increase the effective surface area, which should reduce the impact to suction performance. This is just a guess until I have a chance to talk with the product manager.
I believe the filter cleaning mechanism back-flows airflow through the filters in reverse to help clear clogs. Perhaps this is more effective with a flat filter than canister-style, but that’s a guess based on airflow pathing.
In my experience, shop vacuums tend to have canister filters while dust extractor vacuums tend to have bags and flat HEPA filters.
I can’t comment on comparable useable life. They’re all cleanable; the flat filters are dry cleanable while the canister filters are washable.
jake
Thank you for the filter discussion. It is very helpful.
Kyle
The naming makes it a little bit hard to be sure, is the separator compatible with the 0931-20 corded head? I don’t have a need to go cordless on my vacuum but I’d love to replace my half-dead shop vac + Dust Deputy setup with a more compact setup.
Stuart
I believe so, although it’s not specifically mentioned alongside the other models, and it appears to be shown in the compatibility diagrams. I’ve asked to be 100% sure, and will provide an update once I hear back.
Kyle
Much appreciated!
Stuart
Update: Yes, the AC vacuum head should be fully compatible.
Kyle
Awesome, thank you. Will likely pull the trigger on one now.
They make sure that they charge a premium for it (not Festool levels, obviously) but I love the rate at which Milwaukee has been able to pump out useful tools.
jake
So, If I understand correctly (so far), for ~$383 I can get an upgradeable packout-compatible M18 Fuel 6-gallon vacuum with mobile base, vacuum cleanup accesories, dust separator, and HEPA filter. This looks encouraging to me. I would like to learn more about details and expected release date when available.
Milwaukee Nexus M18 Fuel 6-Gallon Vacuum (0915-20, $249)
Dust Separator Add-on (0990-20, $99)
HEPA filter (49-90-1977: dry cleanable and washable, ~$35)
Stuart
Yes, and as a reminder a battery and charger are not included.
There could be nuances with the HEPA filter; I don’t believe the canister filter has the same sealing as the flat filters.
If you don’t need the VacLink or Packout top, the 0910 is even lower priced – $219 and on clearance at some Home Depot stores for under $200.
The ETA is July 2025.
Marko Vukovic
“There is the potential for further expansion in the future” text appears twice in the same paragraph.
Stuart
Thank you! *fixed*
Dallas
Great content Stuart. It looks like Milwaukee is onto something here, and these upgrades are encouraging to see as a woodworker myself. This seems like an easier, more upgradeable and changeable solution than a Festool. Even if the filter cleaner isn’t automatic, I imagine turning a knob is much faster than taking apart my vacuum to knock the filter out in a trash can.
Again really cool stuff from their Vacs team.
Stuart
Thanks!
With respect to performance, things get messy when comparing this to Festool dust extractor vacuums. For Festool, if you want to clean your shop floor, you’ll need to pick up pricey accessory kit. I did, and it’s not that good. Cleaning up lots of chunky stuff? That’ll fill up your bag, which you’ll need to replace.
What Milwaukee is launching here is a versatile, modular, and adaptable wet/dry vacuum system centered around M18 cordless battery power. But it’s still a shop vacuum-type of system.
Would I buy a new Festool CT vac today? Probably not. I’ve been using my compact Makita more, and if the new Milwaukee is as good as I expect, I might be retiring my purchased Festool.
If your primary intent is on-tool dust extraction, you might be better off with the new Milwaukee 9 gallon dust extractor or a Festool.
Milwaukee seems to be kind of bridging the gap with the add-ons. But it’s my opinion that these vacs should not be viewed as dust extractor vacuums. If your needs are 50-50, that’s where one Nexus vacuum can do it all. If your needs are >80-90% dust extraction, there could be benefits in going with the other vac. I need to have test them side by side to see the differences.
Kevin
Any specs on noise levels? I have a Fein and a festool, and both are nice and quiet.