Cleanup Evolved: Milwaukee M18 FUEL NEXUS 6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum Review (0914-20)
For years, we’ve been “hacking” our Milwaukee vacuums to play nice with our Packout stacks. We’ve used third-party feet, bungee cords, and custom plywood mounts just to keep the vacuum from sliding off the trolley.
Milwaukee finally listened. The M18 FUEL™ NEXUS™ 6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum isn’t just a new vac; it’s a modular ecosystem that finally brings native Packout compatibility to the full-sized shop vac. In our latest video, we push the NEXUS to its limits to see if it truly delivers “corded performance” or if it’s just another battery-eater.
The NEXUS System: Modular is the Message
The standout feature of the NEXUS line is its modularity. You aren’t locked into one configuration forever. The system allows you to swap and match three main components:
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The Motor Head: Choose between the Single-Battery (95 CFM) or the high-output Dual-Battery (115 CFM) head.
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The Tank: Available in 6, 9, or 12-gallon capacities depending on your typical debris load.
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The Cart: A reinforced, heavy-duty rolling base designed to handle the weight of a full stack.
Specs & Performance (0914-20 / 0915-20)
The 6-gallon model we reviewed is the “sweet spot” for most trades. It’s large enough for major spills but compact enough to live on your rolling cart.
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Suction Power: 95 CFM and 63″ of water lift (outperforms a 3.5 Peak HP corded vac).
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VACLINK™ Technology: Includes wireless dust control. You can pair the vacuum with a remote (included) or compatible M18 tools to start the suction the moment you pull the trigger.
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Runtime: Up to 44 minutes on an M18 FORGE™ 12.0 battery in Max Run-Time mode.
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Storage: Fully compatible with PACKOUT™—the top of the motor head features the locking cleats to stack your organizers right on top.
The “Forge” Factor: In our testing, using the new FORGE™ 12.0 batteries provided a noticeable boost in sustained suction during heavy-duty tasks like concrete dust extraction.
Real-World Testing: Wet vs. Dry
We took the NEXUS into a basement renovation to see how it handled the worst-case scenarios:
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Drywall Dust: Using the High-Efficiency Filter and a fleece bag, we saw zero blow-back. The suction stayed consistent even as the bag filled.
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Wet Spills: We sucked up 5 gallons of water in under 20 seconds. The automatic shut-off float is reliable and easy to reset.
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The “Scrape” Test: The new 1-7/8″ flexible hose is significantly more durable than previous iterations. It resists kinking and maintains a high-velocity air path even when twisted.
NEXUS vs. The Original M18 FUEL (0910-20)
Is it worth the upgrade? If you already have the 0910-20, here is the breakdown:
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Modularity: The original is a “fixed” unit. With NEXUS, if you decide you need more power later, you can just buy the Dual-Battery motor head without replacing the whole kit.
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Connectivity: The 0910-20 lacked VACLINK. If you do a lot of sanding or miter saw work, the wireless remote on the NEXUS is a massive quality-of-life improvement.
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Stability: The NEXUS cart is wider and more stable, specifically engineered for the center of gravity of a tall Packout stack.
The Verdict: The Last Vacuum You’ll Buy?
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL NEXUS 6 Gallon Vacuum is for the pro who is already invested in the Packout system and is tired of looking for outlets. It is powerful, smart, and—most importantly—built to grow with your tool collection.
Watch the Full Torture Test
Can it pick up a 5lb sledgehammer head? How loud is it really? Check out the full video review here: [https://youtu.be/djnzs24h9bo]
