The makita vc4710 vs vc4210l is a choice I had to make for my shop. I used both tools on real jobs for many weeks. I want to share what I found while working.
My Experience with the Makita VC4710
I used the VC4710 for a long time. It felt very solid and ran quiet. I used it to clean up wood dust and small bits of trash. It worked well on every job I took it to.
The vacuum has large wheels that roll over cords with ease. I tested it while sanding a large wood floor. It kept the air clean and did not lose its pull. The tank is big so I did not have to empty it fast.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very quiet to use | Hard to find now |
| Big tank for dust | No box storage |
| Strong motor life | Can tip over |
| Smooth wheels | No blue tooth |
After two years of use, the filter got a bit slow. I had to tap it to keep the air moving. It is a great tool for a shop that stays in one place. It is light enough to move but lacks some new features.
I noticed it felt a bit heavy when the tank was full of water. Lifting it into my truck was a chore. But for a corded tool, it did the job well for years. It is a classic tool that many still love.
My Experience with the Makita VC4210L
I moved to the VC4210L for a new job. I had to grind concrete and needed a better filter. This tool has a very strong kick that keeps the filter clean. It makes a loud thump but it works well.
The base is wider than the old one. I pulled it by the hose and it did not fall over. This made my work go much faster. It feels like a pro tool made for rough jobsites.
| Pros | Cons |
| Holds tool boxes | It is heavy |
| Strong air flow | Loud filter thump |
| Has blue tooth | Smaller tank |
| HEPA filter built in | High price |
I tried the blue tooth link with my saw. The vacuum starts when I pull the saw trigger. This is a huge help when I work alone. It saves time and keeps the floor clean without extra steps.
The build is very tough. I bumped it into walls and it did not break. It is heavy to lift, but the wheels are great. It feels like it will last for a very long time in a busy shop.
Details Comparison for Makita VC4710 vs VC4210L
These two tools look the same but work in different ways. One is a classic and one is for the new age. Here is how they stack up in real work.
Suction Power and Air Flow
The VC4210L has more pull when the bag is full. I tested this with a large saw. The air stays clear even when I cut fast. The VC4710 is good, but it is best for small dust.
In my test, the new model picked up dirt faster. It did not slow down once. The old model is steady but has less raw power for big jobs.
| Feature | Makita VC4710 | Makita VC4210L |
| Air Flow | Good | Best |
| Real Feel | Steady | Strong |
| Task | Light work | Heavy work |
Stability and Moving Around
The VC4710 can tip if you pull too hard. This happened to me once on a rug. The VC4210L has a wide stance that stays flat on the floor. It is much safer to move.
The new model also lets me snap my tool boxes on top. I can wheel all my gear in one trip. This saves my back and saves my time every day.
| Feature | Makita VC4710 | Makita VC4210L |
| Tipping | Might tip | Stays flat |
| Storage | None | Top plate |
| Move Ease | OK | Very good |
Noise and Sound in the Shop
The VC4710 is the king of quiet. I can talk to my team while it runs. The VC4210L is also quiet but the thump is loud. The thump happens every few seconds to clean the filter.
If you work in a house with people, the old one is nice. If you work on a loud job site, the new one is fine. You can turn the thump off if you want a quiet day.
| Feature | Makita VC4710 | Makita VC4210L |
| Noise | Low | Low |
| Thump | None | Loud |
| Comfort | High | Good |
Filter Life and Cleaning
The VC4210L is made for silica dust. It has a HEPA filter that comes in the box. This keeps the air safe for you to breathe. The VC4710 needs a special filter for this.
Cleaning the filter is easy on both. But the new model does it for you. This means you don’t have to stop your work to fix the air flow.
| Feature | Makita VC4710 | Makita VC4210L |
| Filter | Standard | HEPA |
| Cleaning | Hand | Auto |
| Safety | Good | Best |
Technology and Tool Links
The VC4210L has a blue tooth port. This lets it talk to your battery tools. The VC4710 only works with tools that have a cord. This is a big deal if you hate wires.
I love that I can use my battery saw with the new vacuum. It makes my shop feel clean and smart. The old tool feels a bit dated for this kind of work.
| Feature | Makita VC4710 | Makita VC4210L |
| Wireless | No | Yes |
| Links | Cord only | Any |
| Future | Low | High |
The VC4210L is the best tool for most pros today. It has more power and stays stable on the floor. The old model is great if you find it cheap, but the new one is worth the extra cost. I use the new one every day now.

