Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1.6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum (0960-20, tool only)

Milwaukee's M12 FUEL 1.6 gallon wet/dry vacuum trades runtime for size: 14 minutes on high and 26 on low, in a body listed at about 10.6 lb (4.81 kg). Model 0960-20 is a compact cordless shop vac that runs on Milwaukee's 12V M12 batteries, and this listing is the tool-only version, so a battery and charger are not part of it.

Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1.6 gallon specs

Spec	Value
Model	0960-20 (tool only)
Tank capacity	1.6 gal (about 6.1 L)
Airflow	45 CFM (about 1.27 m3/min)
Water lift	42 in (about 10.5 kPa)
Battery platform	Milwaukee M12 (12V)
Runtime	14 min on high, 26 min on low
Sound power	87 dB(A)
Hose	5 ft flexible (about 1.52 m)
Filter	Certified HEPA, washable
Bagless	Yes (a fleece dust bag is sold separately)
Weight	About 10.6 lb (4.81 kg), per a US retailer listing

Milwaukee lists a brushless POWERSTATE motor, a built-in blower port and a high/low switch. The design is stackable, with a wall mount plate and on-board space for the hose and accessories. Milwaukee's own page does not list weight or dimensions. The weight above is the bare-tool figure from a US retailer, and the dimensions we found come from Canadian retailer listings, so we leave size out.

Light body, small tank, short runtime: where it ranks

At 10.6 lb (4.81 kg) it ranks in the upper half of wet/dry vacuums in our catalogue by weight, where lower is better and the median is 12.81 lb (5.81 kg), so it is easier to carry than most. The trade-off is capacity. Its 6.1 L tank ranks in the lower half, against a median of 18.9 L, so heavy debris or standing water means frequent emptying.

Runtime is the weakest of the three. A maximum of 26 minutes ranks in the bottom quarter, where the median is 49.5 minutes. Milwaukee does not say which battery size sits behind the 14 and 26 minute figures, so treat them as a guide. A larger M12 battery would be expected to run longer, but that is an inference, not a published figure.

M12 battery, HEPA filter and what ships in the box

If you want a Milwaukee M12 vacuum with a battery, buy the battery and charger separately, or use ones you already own, and confirm what a listing includes. M12 packs are the 12V platform, so batteries from the 18V M18 line are not a match.

The vacuum comes with a certified HEPA filter (Milwaukee part 49-90-1900), described as washable. Check the manual for care instructions before rinsing it. Other items are a crevice tool, a utility nozzle, the 5 ft hose and a wall mount plate. A disposable fleece dust bag (49-90-2016) is compatible but sold separately. Milwaukee also notes OSHA objective data compliance for select silica-dust applications, so read the manufacturer's requirements and confirm your exact setup before relying on that.

Limits the spec sheet shows

• Runtime. A 26-minute maximum is weaker than most wet/dry models in our catalogue, which matters for anything beyond a quick cleanup.
• Noise. The 87 dB(A) figure is a sound power rating, not what you would hear at your ear, but at 87 dB it is weaker than most wet/dry models in our catalogue. Milwaukee claims it is quieter than other common wet/dry vacs; we cannot confirm that comparison.
• Suction. Sealed suction of 10.5 kPa is also weaker than most wet/dry models in our catalogue. Milwaukee states more suction than 18V competitors, a manufacturer claim we have not verified.
• Tool only. Battery and charger are extra, and charge time is not published.
• Unpublished. Warranty terms were not stated on the page we checked, so confirm them with Milwaukee or the retailer.

Where to buy the Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1.6 gallon: tool-only listings and extras

Before ordering, confirm you are looking at 0960-20, the tool-only version of the Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1.6 gallon wet/dry vac. Milwaukee's in-the-box list shows the vacuum, crevice tool, utility nozzle, wall mount plate and HEPA filter, with no battery or charger. A listing that adds a pack is a different bundle, so do not compare it directly with a bare tool.

If you want a Milwaukee M12 vacuum with a battery, price the battery and charger separately or look for a kit under its own model number. The runtime of 14 to 26 minutes depends on which battery you use, and the source does not say which size sits behind those figures.

A disposable fleece dust bag (49-90-2016) is compatible but sold separately, which can matter if you vacuum fine dust.

Read each line for model code and contents, then compare matching items. Listings in the tracked set begin from $106.99, and the live offers list further down this page shows every option in one place.

Larger or corded alternatives to compare

If you want more capacity or runtime, compare it with other wet/dry vac models, including corded wet/dry units with larger tanks. If you are invested in Milwaukee batteries, more options are on the Milwaukee vacuums brand page. Line up tank size, CFM, water lift, battery requirement and filter type rather than any single number.

Other cordless Milwaukee vacs include the cart-mounted NEXUS model and the dual-battery model.

See Milwaukee against Ridgid for a brand-level comparison, or the Milwaukee shop vac guide guide.