The constant battle with sawdust in my workshop and the everyday messes around the house used to mean one thing: dragging out the clunky, corded shop vac. Finding an outlet, wrestling with the hose, and avoiding tripping over the cord made every small cleanup feel like a major project. I knew there had to be a more efficient way to handle these tasks, and a powerful cordless option like the Milwaukee 0880-20 18-Volt Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum would have saved me countless hours of frustration.
Cordless wet/dry vacuums are designed to solve the problem of immediate, localized messes where convenience and speed are paramount. They liberate you from the tyranny of the power cord, allowing you to clean anywhere, from a car interior to a cluttered attic, without searching for a power outlet. They are the perfect tool for tackling spills, sawdust, drywall debris, or any other mess that you want to disappear quickly.
The ideal customer for this type of tool is the DIY enthusiast, the professional tradesperson who moves between job sites, or the homeowner who values efficiency. If you’re already invested in a specific brand’s battery ecosystem, like Milwaukee’s M18 line, a compatible vacuum is a logical and cost-effective choice. However, if your primary need is for cleaning up large-scale messes, such as a flooded basement or an entire construction site, a cordless model is not for you. In those cases, the superior runtime and capacity of a large, corded shop vacuum would be a much better investment. Before you buy, consider factors like battery life, suction power, canister capacity, and overall portability to ensure the tool fits your specific cleaning habits and needs.
- Included Components: Shop Wet Dry Vacuums
- Power Source Type: Battery Powered
A First Look at the Milwaukee 0880-20
The Milwaukee 0880-20 presents itself not just as a vacuum, but as a well-designed tool. It’s a compact, 2-gallon cordless wet/dry vacuum built into a stackable toolbox-style body. Its core promise is to deliver corded performance and strong suction without the cord, seamlessly integrating into the Milwaukee M18 battery platform. When you purchase this unit, you receive the vacuum itself, a flexible 6-foot hose, a crevice tool, a wider utility nozzle, and a reusable HEPA-rated filter. It’s crucial to note that the battery and charger are sold separately, making this an ideal purchase for those already using Milwaukee’s M18 tools.
This specific cordless wet/dry vacuum is perfect for mobile professionals, homeowners with active workshops, and anyone who needs a powerful, portable cleaning solution for their vehicle or small job site. It’s not suited for users who need to perform long, continuous cleaning tasks or those who are not invested in the M18 battery system, as the cost of entry would be significantly higher.
Pros:
* Exceptional portability with a smart, stackable toolbox design.
* Powerful motor provides strong suction for its size.
* All accessories store neatly inside the unit.
* Part of the extensive Milwaukee M18 battery ecosystem.
* Includes a useful built-in blower function.
Cons:
* Consumes batteries relatively quickly.
* The power switch is placed in a slightly awkward position.
* Does not include a battery or charger.
* Plastic latches can be a potential weak point.
- PORTABLE: Lightweight, 2.5-gallon wet dry vac offers unparalleled mobility
- HEAVY-DUTY: Powerful 6.5 Peak HP provides extra power for large projects in the garage, shop and on the jobsite
- Beast Series High-Performance Motor with 320 Air Watts of Power
Features and Performance In-Depth
Ultimate Portability: The Toolbox Design and On-Board Storage
The most striking feature of the Milwaukee 0880-20 is its design. It’s shaped like a classic toolbox, which is a stroke of genius. This rectangular, stable form factor means it’s easy to carry, doesn’t tip over in the back of a truck, and can be stacked with other Milwaukee toolboxes. After years of dealing with traditional canister vacuums that roll around and get caught on everything, this stable, grab-and-go design is a breath of fresh air. The large, sturdy top handle makes it comfortable to carry with one hand, even when it has some debris inside.
Even better is the integrated storage system. When you open the latches, the top lifts to reveal not only the filter and collection tank but also dedicated storage compartments for the hose, crevice tool, and utility nozzle. Everything fits perfectly inside the closed unit. This is a game-changer. There are no more attachments clipped to the outside waiting to get knocked off and lost. When I need the vacuum, I know with 100% certainty that every part I need is right there with it. This self-contained design makes it incredibly easy to store on a shelf or in a work van, keeping everything organized and ready for the next job.
Unleashed Freedom: M18 Battery Compatibility
The true magic of this vacuum is its cordless nature, powered by the Milwaukee M18 battery system. Being untethered from a wall outlet fundamentally changes how you approach cleaning. I no longer hesitate to clean my car, because I don’t have to fuss with running an extension cord out to the driveway. Cleaning up sawdust around the miter saw is a 30-second job, not a 5-minute ordeal. This freedom encourages you to clean up small messes as they happen, leading to a consistently cleaner workspace and home.
The vacuum is compatible with any Milwaukee M18 slide-on battery, whether it’s the older NiCd or the modern REDLITHIUM packs. This is a massive benefit for anyone already on the M18 platform. However, one of the most noted disadvantages is its power consumption. With a mid-range 4.0 or 5.0 Ah battery, you can expect around 10-15 minutes of continuous runtime. While this may sound short, it’s more than enough for most targeted clean-up tasks. For cleaning out a car or tidying up after a small project, it’s perfect. For longer jobs, simply having a second charged battery on hand completely solves the problem.
Impressive Power: Suction and Airflow
A common fear with cordless tools is a lack of power, but the Milwaukee 0880-20 quickly puts that fear to rest. The motor is surprisingly powerful, generating strong suction that rivals many small corded shop vacuums. It has no trouble picking up heavy debris like screws, wood chips, and small chunks of drywall, in addition to finer materials like dust and dirt. The manufacturer specifies a maximum suction of 32 inches of water lift, which is a technical way of saying it has excellent pulling power, making it highly effective for liquid spills as well. Whether I’m cleaning up a spilled drink or sawdust, this vacuum has never left me wanting more power for its intended applications.
Job Site Versatility: Wet/Dry and Blower Capabilities
This tool’s utility extends beyond simple dry vacuuming. It’s a true wet/dry vacuum, capable of cleaning up liquid spills with the same efficiency as it does dust. The included HEPA filter is designed to handle both wet and dry applications without needing to be changed, and it’s washable and reusable, which saves on long-term costs. This dual functionality means you only need to grab one tool for a wide variety of messes.
Furthermore, Milwaukee ingeniously included a built-in blower port. By detaching the hose from the intake port and connecting it to the exhaust port on the side, the vacuum transforms into a handy blower. While it won’t replace a dedicated leaf blower, it’s perfect for clearing dust off a workbench, blowing debris out of tight corners, or even inflating pool toys. This added feature significantly increases the tool’s value and versatility, making it a multi-purpose problem solver.
Minor Flaws: Design Quirks and Durability Notes
No tool is perfect, and this vacuum has a couple of well-documented quirks. The most common complaint is the placement of the on/off switch. It’s a large, easy-to-press rocker switch, but it’s located on the side opposite from where the hose connects. When you’re carrying the vacuum by its top handle and using the hose with your other hand, you can’t easily reach the switch to turn it on or off. This forces you to either use two hands or set the unit down, which is a minor but noticeable ergonomic inconvenience. Additionally, a few users have reported issues with the plastic latches that hold the top closed, with some breaking over time or even arriving damaged. While my own have held up well, it’s a point to be mindful of and handle with reasonable care.
What Other Users Are Saying
A quick look across the internet shows that my positive experience is widely shared. Users consistently rave about the incredible convenience and surprising power of this cordless vacuum. The compact, all-in-one toolbox design is a frequent point of praise, with many noting that it encourages them to clean messes immediately rather than letting them accumulate. The most common criticisms are just as consistent, focusing on the high rate of battery consumption—which is expected for a high-power tool—and the slightly awkward placement of the power switch.
The Final Word on a Go-To Cleaning Tool
The daily annoyance of small messes and the cumbersome nature of traditional corded shop vacuums is a problem that needs a modern solution. The Milwaukee 0880-20 18-Volt Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum is a fantastic answer to that problem. It is a great fit for three main reasons: its cordless freedom within the M18 system makes cleaning effortless, its suction power is strong enough for serious debris, and its brilliant self-contained design makes it a pleasure to store and use. For anyone tired of the cord, especially those already using Milwaukee tools, this vacuum is an outstanding investment in convenience and cleanliness. Click here to see the current price and make it yours!
Last update on 2025-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API