M18 shop vac or compact vac?

[signcrafter]

Been thinking about picking up an M18 vac for a while now for small quick jobs. I have 3 bigger shop vacs but want something smaller and cordless. I'm pretty sure I want the M18 shop vac but is there any reason to consider the compact vac over the shop vac?

Shop vac
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...ss-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-Tool-Only-0880-20/202043806

Compact vac
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...on-Compact-Vacuum-Tool-Only-0882-20/300510229

Some uses would be cleaning my furnace this weekend, sucking out water from toilet bowl before changing it, quick clean ups when working, vacuuming cars, etc. Obviously some of those tasks would only work with the wet/dry vac so that is why I'm leaning towards the shop vac one. But just want to make sure the compact vac would be handy for something that the wet/dry wouldn't be that I might be missing. They are both 100 bucks for bare tool.

 

[Ign]

Milwaukee M18 vacuums, your opinions 11/25/17:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376318

 

[kctyphoon]

I have both.. get the wet dry vac. Think it's $89 now.

 

[DonkeyFluffer]

M18 "toolbox" vac is wet/dry. I love mine

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[pbon]

I have both as well. The compact is more compact and holds enough for small cleanup jobs but is dry only. It seems to me that the box vac ***** but a little harder and it has way more capacity if you have more volume of stuff to clean up and it does wet. I just bought a second box vac, since I think it’s the better of the two. I got the original style with external hose storage for $79 during a free shipping sale at CPO tools and it appeared to me to be brand new. I like using the 9ah batteries most since the vacs are power hogs — may give more power and definitely gives longer run time.

 

[Advan]

I haven't used the compact, but I don't think I've heard many good things said about it. I do own the M18 wet/dry vac, and at this point I don't know how I ever got along with out it! Its so easy now to give the vehicles a quick vaccuum, clean up an area of the shop, etc..., and the wife is always taking it inside to do spot cleaning jobs. She loves it too!

 

[Dagny]

Get the wet dry and get your wife one.

 

[bcradio]

I have the compact myself and while the size is nice I'm a bit underwhelmed with it. I have been tempted to try the full size wet dry vac.

 

[Badger 13]

I have the compact, "tea pot" and it is pretty handy for cleaning things about around the bench and floor. I have used it in the vehicles as well and the smaller size makes it pretty convenient. I know they were both the same price when I purchased mine, so it was a tough decision. I have two Rigid wet-dry electric vacs for bigger jobs so I went this route for the size and so far no complaints. As some say, it be nice to have both...

 

[signcrafter]

Alright I'll pick up the toolbox wet/dry vac tonight. Thanks for the replies.