Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Milwaukee 18V 7.5 L Wet/Dry Vacuum (M18 WDV-0 / M18WDV-0) — what it can do, strengths & trade-offs, tips, and how it stacks up for jobsite / workshop use:
What It Is & What It Offers
The Milwaukee M18 7.5 L Wet/Dry Vacuum is a cordless vacuum designed for jobsite use. It handles both wet and dry materials, making it versatile for cleanup of dust, debris, or small liquid spills. It’s part of the M18 REDLITHIUM battery ecosystem, so if you already have M18 batteries, you can leverage them for your cleanup tasks.
Key features & capabilities:
- Voltage / Battery Compatibility: Works with all M18 REDLITHIUM battery packs.
- Capacity: 7.5 litres — a decent size for a jobsite vacuum without being overly bulky.
- Air Flow / Suction / Lift: Max airflow of about 1,274 L/min (≈ 45 CFM) and sealed suction in water about 813 mm H₂O (32 in H₂O lift)
- Inlet / Hose: 31.8 mm (1-1/4″) inlet — standard size for many vacuum hoses & accessories
- Blower Port: It includes a built-in blower port, so the vacuum can double as a blower when you reverse airflow.
- Design / Storage: Stackable-toolbox style, on-board hose & accessory storage so you can keep attachments organized.
- Filter: Comes with a HEPA filter for capturing fine dust in dry mode.
- Dimensions & Weight: Length ~421 mm; weight ~4.7 kg (tool only)
- Included Accessories: 1.8 m hose, crevice tool, utility nozzle, hose clip adapter, HEPA filter
So in summary: it’s a strong mid-capacity vacuum in the cordless class, with features designed for real site utility (wet/dry, blower mode, HEPA filter, accessories).
What You Can Use It For
Here are scenarios where this vacuum shines:
- Site cleanup after cutting / sanding / drilling: wood/metal shavings, dust, debris
- Drywall / plaster cleanup: capturing fine dust to keep the site cleaner and safer
- Liquid spills / minor wet cleanup: e.g. spills, water drips, puddles in work areas
- Vehicle interior / workshop: clean up around benches, vehicles, tight spaces
- Blower function: blowing out dust / debris from equipment, cavities, or work areas
- Mobile jobsite use: without needing mains power, great for remote or under-power-zone jobs
Because it’s cordless, it’s especially useful in places where running a corded vacuum is inconvenient or unsafe.
Strengths vs Limitations
Strengths:
- Cordless freedom within the M18 ecosystem
- Wet + dry capability increases versatility
- Decent airflow / suction numbers for its class
- Accessory storage & compact, jobsite-friendly build
- Blower mode gives extra utility
- HEPA filter helps for fine dust capture
Limitations / things to consider:
- As with all cordless vacuums: runtime is limited by your battery — heavier usage or wet mode will drain faster
- 7.5 L, while solid, isn’t huge — for massive cleanup tasks, you might need to empty it frequently
- It’s tool-only, so you’ll need to already own or buy compatible M18 batteries/charger
- In very heavy dust or debris conditions, clogging or filter maintenance will be important
- Wet mode may require careful handling to prevent damage to electronics or filter if misused
- The HEPA filter likely needs replacement over time (especially in very dusty jobs)
Tips for Best Use & Care
- Use a battery with good capacity (e.g. 5.0Ah or more) for longer cleanup sessions
- Switch to blower mode to clear tight spots before vacuuming — reduces load on the vacuum
- Regularly empty the tank before it gets too full — performance degrades if the tank is overloaded
- Clean / replace filters periodically — a clogged HEPA or prefilter will kill suction
- In wet use, ensure you do not overfill and always disconnect battery before handling liquids
- Use proper attachments (crevice tool, utility nozzle) to reach corners and edges
- Store hose and tools properly in built-in storage to prevent damage or loss
- After wet use, dry the interior before switching to dry mode — moisture can damage internal parts
- Use the stackable design to “stack” the vacuum with other toolbox or storage units to save space
- When ordering, ensure all parts (hose, nozzles) are included or plan to get spares