Craftsman 16 Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac vs Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1.6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
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Quick take: The Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1.6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum costs $1 less.
| Spec | Craftsman 16 Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac | Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1.6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$150 | ~$149 |
| Type | Wet-Dry Shop Vac | Wet-Dry Shop Vac |
| Suction | 6.5 HP | 45 CFM |
| Battery | Corded | — |
| Navigation | — | — |
| Filtration | Cartridge filter plus foam wet filter | — |
| Cordless | No | Yes |
| Bagged | No | No |
| Noise | — | 87 dB |
| Dustbin | 16 gal | 1.6 gal |
| Water tank | — | — |
| Self-empty dock | No | No |
| Auto mop washing | No | No |
| Hot water washing | No | No |
| Obstacle avoidance | No | No |
| Carpet detection | No | No |
| Auto mop lifting | No | No |
| Multi-floor mapping | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Dimensions | — | 13.7 x 11.9 x 8.7 in |
| Weight | — | 9.7 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 years | 5 years |
Pros & cons
Craftsman 16 Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac
- ✓16-gallon tank handles a full garage cleanup without emptying mid-job
- ✓Strong suction and a generous attachment set for the price, per owner comparisons
- ✓Three-way filtration: cartridge, foam wet sleeve, and a removable dust bag
- ✓20.5-foot cord reaches most of a garage without an extension
- ✓Craftsman brand is confirmed actively selling new, not discontinued despite ownership changes
- ✗Only a 3-year warranty — owners repeatedly flag this against Ridgid's lifetime coverage
- ✗Craftsman sells several near-identical 16-gallon SKUs with different bundles; easy to order the wrong one
- ✗No published noise rating, weight, or dimensions
- ✗Long-term ownership reports for this exact SKU are thin online
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1.6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
- ✓Handles liquid spills as well as dust and debris, which the 0850-20 it replaces could not
- ✓45 CFM and 42 in of water lift from a compact 12V platform
- ✓9.7 lbs and 13.7 in long, small enough to stow under a truck seat
- ✓5-year limited warranty, matching the M18 PACKOUT vac and beating DeWalt's 3 years
- ✓Runs on the same M12 packs as Milwaukee's drills and drivers
- ✗$149 buys the tool only; battery and charger are extra
- ✗87 dB(A) is a sound-power rating, and it is not a quiet machine
- ✗1.6-gallon tank fills fast on a flooded floor
- ✗Runtime and filter grade are not published, so a job cannot be planned around one battery and fine drywall dust is a gamble