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Makita XCV11Z Review

A well-designed, but overpriced machine that struggles picking up heavy objects
makita xcv11z cordless wet dry vacuum review
Credit: Laura Casner
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Price:  $179 List
Manufacturer:   Makita
By Nick Miley and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jan 11, 2022
50
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 8
  • Dry Work - 40% 4.0
  • Wet Work - 30% 5.0
  • Battery Life - 20% 6.0
  • Convenience - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Makita XCV11Z offers consumers a mixed bag in terms of performance and features. On the one hand, the wet/dry vac has ample battery life, a fantastic filter system, compact dimensions, and the ability to move loose debris like sawdust with reasonable efficiency. Conversely, the machine lacks the suction to pick up the densest items, such as machine nuts and bolts. Its conduct on the crevice test was rather poor as well. With mixed results like these and a price tag that will make some eyes pop, we find it hard to get behind this machine as a good choice for anyone who isn't already committed to the Makita battery system. There are top-ranked vacuum cleaners out there that may suit your needs just as well.
REASONS TO BUY
Long runtime
Double filter system (HEPA)
Brushless motor
REASONS TO AVOID
Terrible suction power
Shoddy crevice tool
Relatively short hose
Editor's Note: The Makita product review was updated on January 11th, 2022, with more information on what we would buy and more specific product comparisons.

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makita xcv11z cordless wet dry vacuum review
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Makita XCV11Z
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Best Buy Award 
Price $179 List
$199.00 at Amazon
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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71
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Pros Long runtime, double filter system (HEPA), brushless motorLong runtime, HEPA filter, blower optionGood hose design, powerful motor, great storageGreat for hard surfaces, great with heavy/dense debris, compactPowerful suction, relatively lightweight, HEPA filter
Cons Terrible suction power, shoddy crevice tool, relatively short hoseAwkward hose storage, narrow end of hose diameter, no tool adapterHeavy, filter isn't washable, shorter runtime, mediocre puddle clean upLacks HEPA filter, limited runtime, whiny motorShort and narrow hose, heavy, relatively noisy
Bottom Line A well-designed, but overpriced machine that struggles picking up heavy objectsThis do-it-all vacuum excels in wet work and battery lifeA well designed, toolbox-style vacuum that offers the most convenience and performanceAn economical machine that is capable of handling both wet and dry debrisThis inexpensive machine performs at the highest level in all areas excluding battery life
Rating Categories Makita XCV11Z Craftsman CMCV002B Milwaukee M18 0880-20 Ryobi P3240 Kobalt KWDV 0124B-03
Dry Work (40%)
4.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
Wet Work (30%)
5.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
Battery Life (20%)
6.0
8.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
Convenience (10%)
7.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
Specs Makita XCV11Z Craftsman CMCV002B Milwaukee M18 0880-20 Ryobi P3240 Kobalt KWDV 0124B-03
Measured height x width x depth (inches) 11" x 16 3/4" x 9 3/4" 13" x 18 3/4" x 10 1/2" 12" x 16 3/4" x 8 1/2" 9 1/2" x 18 1/2" x 12" 13" x 17 1/2" x 10 3/4"
Measured weight (w/o battery) 8 pounds, 13 ounces 7 pounds, 8 ounces 10 pounds, 2 ounces 8 pounds, 6 ounces 10 pounds,12 ounces
Measured runtime (minutes) 33 min 34 min 23 min 19 min 20 min
Measured hose length min/ max (inches) 19" - 82" 26" - 94" 24" - 90 1/2" 20 1/4" - 84" 24" - 96"
Attachments upolstry nozzle, crevice nozzle crevice nozzle, wide nozzle crevice nozzle, floor nozzle utility nozzle, crevice tool crevice nozzle, floor nozzle
End of hose diameter (inches) 1 1/8" 1" 1" 1" 1 1/16"
HEPA rated filter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Canister volume (gallons) 2 gal 2 gal 2 gal 3 gal 3 gal
Washable filter Yes Yes Yes (dry only) Yes Yes
Battery (volts) 18v 20v 18v 18v 24v
Measured suction (inches of water lift) 16" 19" 25" 22" 22"
Battery life indicator on machine Yes On select batteries On select batteries On select batteries On select batteries
Blower feature Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Tool connection adaptor Yes (sold seperately) No Yes (sold seperately) No No
Auxiiary power cord No No No No No
Dry sawdust clean-up (seconds) 17 sec 15 sec 13 sec 15 sec 13 sec
Wet sawdust clean-up (seconds) 36 sec 42 sec 36 sec 42 sec 51 sec

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Makita XCV11 is like a muscle car with a 4-cylinder motor. This model looks good, is straightforward to use, and has several cool features that competitors lack (namely, a brushless motor, redundant filtering system, and a battery meter). However, the motor sucks. Or, it doesn't suck, as it were. What we mean is that the machine fails to pick up the debris that its competition had little trouble picking up, making it a less than desirable choice for a vacuum.

Performance Comparison



makita xcv11z cordless wet dry vacuum review - light and compact, this vac makes hard to clean areas a breeze to...
Light and compact, this vac makes hard to clean areas a breeze to tidy-up.
Credit: Laura Casner

Likes


We really appreciated how much attention was given to the little details of the Makita's design. Details like having the battery life indicator clearly visible on the front of the machine and a battery that lasts long enough to tackle some more demanding jobs. This model easily attaches to other Makita tools, like the brand's chop saw, making sawdust capture a cinch. The hose is self-retracting, too, and hard to crush. Moreover, the channels on the leading edge of the floor tool work well on hard surfaces.

makita xcv11z cordless wet dry vacuum review - the makita xcv11z is one of just a few machines that have a battery...
The Makita XCV11Z is one of just a few machines that have a battery life indicator on the unit.
Credit: Laura Casner

This machine also offers users the convenience of compact dimensions, low weight, and a noise level soft enough to keep a librarian from shushing. These features make this model convenient to use indoors and on the go. Additionally, the Makita XCV11Z pre-filter and HEPA filter make using this machine all the safer for the respiratory system.

Dislikes


All of our criticisms of this machine come down to one thing: the XCV11Z's motor is significantly underpowered. After considering all the fabulous design features incorporated into this model, packing it with a weak motor is, in our opinion, like fumbling the football on the one-yard line. To put this into perspective, the Makita has a suction rating of 16 inches of water lift; other models that performed well in our vacuum tests, like the Ridgid and the Milwaukee M18, are in the mid to high-20s.


A low suction rating combined with a relatively wide 1 1/8 inch hose diameter translates to a vacuum's inability to grab dense objects. From machine bolts to wood screws, this vac just couldn't pick them up. As a result, all the cool design features discussed above go by the wayside.

Should You Buy the Makita XCV11Z?


The Makita is an eyecatching vacuum with a cool-looking design and neat, user-friendly features. However, this machine is one of the more expensive vacs in the class, yet it lacks some fundamental performance functionality. Specifically, the model won't pick up the most challenging but common items that folks expect a wet/dry vac to pick up. For less money, one can get a lot better performance out of a competing vacuum. Overall, we recommend looking at other wet/dry vacs before committing to the Makita.

What Other Cordless Wet Dry Vacuums Should You Consider?


Almost any other vacuum in our review will be a better option for most people. The Craftsman has a longer battery life, better results for both wet and dry work, and a convenience score that is not that far behind the Makita. If having something sleek and compact is important to you, the Milwaukee M18 0880-20 has internal storage for its hose and attachments that makes it easier to store and transport. Again, it has high scores in most metrics than the Makita could achieve.

Nick Miley and Austin Palmer
 
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