Makita Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum XCV11

There’s a new Makita cordless wet/dry vacuum that’s coming on the scene as part of their 18V LXT lineup. Here’s the skinny:

Table 1 Ready

One of the big questions we get with every new vacuum is whether or not it’s Table 1 compliant. The short answer is that this Makita cordless wet/dry vac is.

It comes with a HEPA filter and the canister seals to make it fully HEPA-certified.

The filter cleaning mechanism is a bit different from the automatic and manual systems we’re used to. The filter has a pre-filter surrounding it and a damper over that. When you use the vac, larger particles collect on the damper and it drops them off when you shut the vac off and it returns to its original position. It’s unconventional, but it works and counts for Table 1 compliance.

In the Field

Power

Powering this 2-gallon Makita cordless wet/dry vac is a BL brushless motor, extending the runtime beyond what we’d see from a brushed model. How much suction power you get on a vac this size is relative – I don’t expect it to keep up with our large portable dust extractors.

According to the specs, the XCV11 has 57 CFM and 27″ of water lift. In our pull-force test, we get 1.25 pounds in high and 0.94 pounds in low.

To put a little perspective on that, Hilti’s 22V model pulls the same weight in high and 0.38 pounds in its eco mode.

In high, there’s plenty of suction for light cleanup and dust collection on tools with a dust port like the XSH06 circular saw. Low is good if you’re working with fine dust cleanup and collection. For anything heavier than concrete, HardieBoard, or fine sawdust, high is much more effective.

Runtime

This Makita cordless wet/dry vacuum matches its estimated runtime pretty well. Using a 5.0 Ah battery, it ran for 31:16 in high and 1:01:37 in low. That’s pretty solid for a cordless vacuum that only uses a single 18V battery for a power source.

Fun fact – if you swap batteries without turning the vacuum off, it will kick on as soon as you put the battery in. It’s better for the battery and motor if you turn the control dial off first, though.

The hour-long runtime is a pretty big deal for a 90-watt battery pack. Most cordless vacuums we work with are only good for 20 – 30 minutes.

Weight

At 8.8 pounds bare and 10.3 with a 5.0 Ah battery, it’s easy to move this vac around the shop or jobsite. For punchlist work, it’s a fantastic companion.

The top carry handle is all you really need and there’s also a shoulder strap available separately if you want to free up a hand.

Noise

Makita’s 76 dB(A) rating is dead on in our tests as well. From 24″ (the distance to my ear when I’m vacuuming right next to the unit), we measured 75 dB(A) on low and 77 dB(A) on high.

Makita Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum Feature Set

Controls

On the front, you’ll find the power dial – low speed is on the left, off in the center, and high on the right. There’s also a charge status indicator next to it. You can’t get to the indicator on the battery when you’re using the vac, so it’s really helpful to have.

Wet or Dry Vacuuming

There’s a float inside in the filter that blocks the intake once the water level reaches high enough. You lose suction and can hear the change in the motor pitch when the float reaching the top, so make sure you turn it off and empty at that point to avoid straining the motor for a long period.

Tight Accessory Design

Makita does a great job of storing the accessories tight to the footprint of the housing. The hose is a flexible, extendible style that stretches to 6-1/2′ while contracting back to loop and clip against the side. Crevice and upholstery nozzles have dedicated storage out of the way as well.

Other Noteworthy Features

• Quick conversion from vacuum to blower
• Battery compartment offers some dust and water protection
• Quick release latch system to access the canister and fiilter
• Single port Rapid Optimum Charger fully charges a 5.0 Ah battery in 45 minutes

Price

The Makita XCV11 runs $159 as a bare tool or $399 as a kit with two 5.0 Ah batteries. Hilti is Makita’s biggest competitor in terms of power level. DeWalt’s new FlexVolt comes in with quite a bit more and others have less. The prices on the cordless HEPA vacs range as wildly as the CFM and water lift ratings.

• Milwaukee 0880: $89 bare, $149 with one 5.0 Ah battery and charger
• Bosch GAS18V-3N: $129 bare
• Makita XCV11: $159 bare, $399 kit with two 5.0 Ah batteries and rapid charger
• Hilti VC 75-1-A22: $219 bare, $556 with two 5.6 Ah batteries and charger
• DeWalt FlexVolt DCV585: $349 bare, $549 kit with one 2.0/6.0 Ah battery

Like every model in this conversation, you’re probably not buying into a whole new battery platform just for the vac. For its power level and design, Makita positions their cordless 2-gallon vacuum pretty competitively for their user base.

The Bottom Line

The XCV11 Makita cordless wet/dry vacuum brings together a tight design with balanced performance and runtime. It’s an excellent fit to keep in your trailer as a lightweight, highly portable option to move around the jobsite or shop when you don’t need the power of a larger dust extractor.

Makita Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum Specifications

• Model: Makita XCV11T/Z
• Power Source: Makita 18V LXT battery
• Airflow: 57 CFM
• Water Lift: 27 inches
• Noise Rating: 76 dB(A)
• Weight: 10.1 pounds with 5.0 Ah battery
• Warranty: 3 years
• Price: XCV11T $362.57, XCV11Z $159.99