If you’re already on Makita LXT, the twin-18V DVC157L is the one to beat for serious dust. Milwaukee users get the same story with the M18 Fuel 23L L-class vac. For second-fix carpenters, the Bosch GAS 18V-10 L is the sensible pick, and for occasional site tidy-up the Milwaukee Packout 7L or the mains-powered Numatic George still does the job.
At a Glance — Comparison
Vacuum | Type | Class | Approx price |
Makita DVC157LZX3 | Cordless 2x18V | L-class | £500 |
Milwaukee F2VC23L | Cordless 2x18V | L-class | £676 |
Bosch GAS 18V-10 L | Cordless 18V | L-class | £133 |
DeWalt DCV586M | Cordless 54V | M-class | £419 |
Milwaukee M18 Packout 7L | Cordless 18V | L-class | £119 |
Numatic George GVE370 | Corded mains | – | £533 |
The Milwaukee F2VC23L (£676) and the DeWalt DCV586M (£419) are both premium-priced, reflecting their flagship extraction power. The Numatic George is pricier than you might expect at £533. The Milwaukee Packout 7L, by contrast, is the bargain of the group at £119.
1. Makita DVC157LZX3 — Best overall for Makita users
Two 18V batteries in series for 36V of suction, a proper L-class filter and AWS auto-start off a compatible saw or sander. The 15-litre tank strikes a good balance between capacity and portability.
- Twin 18V (36V) brushless
- L-class filtration
- AWS auto-start
- 15-litre tank
2. Milwaukee F2VC23L — Best for big strip-outs
The 23-litre tank swallows a serious amount before emptying, VACLINK gives wireless auto-start, and the brushless Fuel motor keeps airflow up as the battery drains — expect to pay around £676 for this level of capacity.
- 23-litre tank
- VACLINK wireless auto-start
- Brushless Fuel motor
- Brushless Fuel motor
3. Bosch GAS 18V-10 L — Best for second fix
Light, quick to grab and still L-class rated — the sensible pick for a second-fix carpenter or kitchen fitter doing clean-downs between rooms.
- L-class rated
- Standard Bosch 18V battery
- Rotational airflow design
- Compact enough for the van
4. DeWalt DCV586M — Best for fine dust
M-class filtration on the 54V FlexVolt platform, for anyone cutting MDF, hardwood or masonry regularly. Expect to pay around £419.
- M-class filtration
- 54V FlexVolt platform
- Auto-start with connected tools
- Auto-start with connected tools
5. Milwaukee M18 Packout 7L — Best compact wet/dry
A clever 7-litre L-class wet and dry vac that clips straight onto a Packout stack, ideal for plumbers and sparks who want a clean-up tool rather than an all-day extractor — and the cheapest brand-name cordless vac in this list.
- 7-litre L-class wet & dry
- Clips onto Packout stack
- Cheapest brand-name cordless vac here
- Cheapest brand-name cordless vac here
6. Numatic George GVE370 — Best budget all-rounder
A genuine wet, dry and carpet-extraction machine built like the Henry it’s related to — no cordless freedom, but very versatile if you’re happy running it corded.
- Wet, dry and carpet extraction in one
- Built like the Henry
- No cordless freedom, but very versatile
- No reviews yet on this listing
How to choose a cordless vacuum
L-class handles general nuisance dust — wood, plaster, most site muck. M-class is required for hardwood dust, MDF and concrete dust. Most cordless vacs are L-class; if you cut a lot of MDF or masonry, look specifically for an M-class rating.
A 6-8 litre compact vac is fine for second fix and quick tidy-ups but fills fast on a strip-out. A 15-23 litre unit means fewer trips to the skip but is heavier and bulkier in the van.
The best feature on modern site vacs is auto-start: the vacuum senses when you pull the trigger on a connected tool and switches on automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cordless vacuum powerful enough for site work?
For clean-up and tool-connected extraction, yes — modern 36V and 54V units pull plenty of air. For hours of continuous heavy extraction you may prefer a mains M-class extractor.
Do I need L-class or M-class?
L-class covers general site dust. If you regularly cut MDF, hardwood or masonry, you need M-class, which filters the fine particles that damage your lungs.
Can I use it as a dust extractor off my saw?
Yes, if it has an auto-start feature and the right hose adaptor. Check hose diameter and cuff compatibility with your saw or sander before buying.
Wet and dry or dry only?
A wet-and-dry unit is more versatile. If you only ever suck up dry dust, a dry-only vac is fine and often cheaper.
The Verdict
The Makita and Milwaukee flagship vacs still lead for serious dust, though both are a premium purchase. For lighter work the Bosch and the Milwaukee Packout remain excellent value, and the Numatic George is worth checking current price and stock before you buy given how much it’s moved.
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