Makita XLC02ZB 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum Tool Only

Handy, compact and light, really good suction and simple design with little to fail. Best of all, I am not using some puny battery with no replacements available, but one that works a long time with all my tools. Use 2Ah battery most of the time, will do the whole house but it will take my 8Ah battery too, just makes it heavier. Filters and accessories readily available. Price higher than some for the features, but it will work a long time. I have only been able to wear out one Makita tool in all my years of using them. Even comes with a wall hanger bracket so it is not falling over in a closet or corner somewhere but can be kept handy. Read more

The ultimate test of the battery based vacuum cleaner is the 1) suction power, 2) battery life, 3) charge time and 4) serviceability. 1) The suction power maybe just bit less than the Dyson V6. But, in use the vacuum cleaner has more than enough vacuum for household use. 2) The one charge lasts about 20-30 minutes of off and on run time. The quoted duration is 15 minutes at 100 duty cycle. But, I never had the vacuum on continuously, and I don't think most people would use it that way. I use if mostly to pickup bits of dirt and lints from both wood floor as well as carpeted floor. I have full powered central vacuum which I use when I am in need of cleaning the whole house. So, this is used to do mostly spot cleaning, in between the major battle with the dirt kinds. 3) The included 2.0Ah battery is typically charged to full within about 20 minutes. That is much much quicker than most battery based vacuum cleaners out there. This is definite plus for the Makita. 4) Serviceability. The battery can be purchased separately. I purchased two 4.0Ah battery for Makita. The included charger can charge 4Ah battery. And the battery can be used in any of the Makita's 18V power tools. So, if you have Makita power tool(s), then you can use these batteries on this vacuum. In some other vacuum cleaners, once the battery life wanes, you have no choice but to purchase another (such as Dyson). This external battery is the way to go. So far, I love this vacuum, it is every-ready minutemen ready to bring spotless cleaning at the finger tip. The vacuum is light and useful tool. Compare to other vacuums that I had from Crafsman, Black & Decker, and others, this is definite keeper, the best of the breed. Read more

First off, you should NOT buy this vacuum if: You don’t own any other Makita power tools. You expect this to be your main vacuum. You need this to clean thick carpet. Also I HIGHLY recommend getting the “199553-5 Cyclonic Vacuum Attachment” with it, so much so that IMO it should come with it and be part of the kit. I paid ~$120 (on sale) for the quick charger, 2 AH battery, and vacuum and at most would pay $150 for that kit. At ~$120, I do think it’s a great deal as the battery and quick charger alone are easily worth ~$90, so getting the vacuum for ~$30 is great. However, this is also why I say you need to have other Makita power tools, because if you have no use for the charger or battery outside of this vacuum it’s a terrible deal. I use this vacuum to clean my car and garage, and for these tasks it’s fantastic. It’s super light and with the added filter is the perfect length for me to clean the floor (I’m 6’3”) and I use it all the time to clean up random stuff like metal chippings from drilling to dirt tracked in from outside. It can clean short carpet (stuff like entry mats) very well. However, it does not clean thick carpet well as the suction isn’t super strong (at least compared to my Shark vacuum). As I mentioned earlier, I think you essentially HAVE to buy the extra filter as it allows you to use the vacuum without needing to change the main filter and it also seems to improve the suction of the vacuum as well. The added filter essentially acts as the “bag” of the vacuum and makes it much easier to dump out the collected dirt and “protects” the main filter significantly. So much so that I still haven’t had to replace it despite using it frequently and owning it for almost a year. Again I do NOT suggest this as your main/only vacuum as it’s just not up to that task, but as a second/portable vacuum this is a GREAT vacuum. Read more

I own Makita 120v powered equipment and one battery powered drill, of which is nearing 32 years and still performs well and stored in the original metal carry case. Throughout those years I’ve noticed several tweaks in hand tools by the top producers, and Makita stood with them, if not, led the way. The most significant improvement is the interchangeable portable & rechargeable power platform. Makita rechargeable 18v power packs can be used with over 200 other Makita portable tools without interchange issues and with four levels of ampere hours. With that said, the Makita XLC02ZB vacuum was purchased after several other machines failed to perform within weeks of use. However, keep in mind this vacuum is not a shop vacuum, or for auto detailing, and should not be used as such. If you are seeking a durable handheld vacuum for quick cleanup of light household debris, I highly recommend you consider Makita’s XLC02ZB coupled with a battery & charger starter kit. There is a similar product offered by Makita. The XLC04ZBX4 vacuum tends to be slightly more brutal to debris with 3 speed options and offers locking accessories, which is helpful when fixing the 191D72-1 cyclonic vacuum attachment w/lock and locking extension tubes. Now that the entire assembly looks like a creature from planet Zargon 4X, you’ll be happy to know a full vacuum belly won’t fall off during those pesky bouts with piles of pet fuzz bunnies. If Makita is reading and listening, there is one improvement they should consider for their stick vacuum lineup. The main tank could be designed to lock in place to the power head with simple key-way locks molded into the components in lieu of a twist friction connection, which tends to loosen when in use, and will eventually wear to uselessness, or turn to Duct Tape as a BFF. Just saying… Read more