First, I just want to address other reviewers saying the bag(s) that come with/are made for this vacuum are "useless" because of their shape/size -- that's simply not true. The U-shaped bag is both intentional and necessary, as it allows the bag to expand around the cartridge dust filter (see attached photo). It does of course limit the size of the bag, but if you're vacuuming up things you don't want to breath in (e.g. lead paint dust/chips, drywall dust, fine wood sanding dust, etc.), having the contents empty into a sealed bag is the best option (as emptying the naked bin into the trash also exposes you to the dust, which defeats the purpose). Also, the bags don't leak, as they have a filter fabric lining inside the paper, contrary to what others have claimed. So in summary: the bags work, they are good, and they have a purpose (if you value your lungs and plan to suck up toxic/harmful dust).
With that in mind, it's a pretty excellent shop vac for the price, as it has very good suction, the option to run with or without a bag (good for wet lift or general non-toxic debris), and it even has decent accessory options to boot. For instance, I've run my vac with a Bosch orbital sander using the bag and the optional DeWalt HEPA filter, and I get no dust leakage whatsoever -- much nicer than wearing a respirator all the time and having dust coat everything in the garage. Another worthwhile accessory is the Cen-Tec Systems 1 1/4" Quick Click hose, which adapts the vacuum port down to the more common 1 1/4" diameter for tools and allows easy/quick connection with pretty much any tool that has a dust port.
Finally, I've seen others complaining that additional bags aren't available for this vacuum, but that doesn't seem to be the case (at least as of summer 2022). I ordered a 3-pack of the DeWalt DXVA25-4040 bags here on Amazon for $15, and I also found third-party bags in a 6-pack for $14 (KEEPOW DXVA25-4040 4 Gallon Shop Vac Bags) without any hassle. So if you want bags, you know, just buy them.
In any case, it's a good vacuum for around $100 with plenty of suction, integrated hose and attachment storage, and even does decent stand-in duty as a dust extractor for power tools if you invest another $75 in a 1 1/4" hose, more bags, and a HEPA cartridge filter. My only qualm is that it's a little loud, but it's similar to other vacuums of the size/price and suction power, so it's hard to complain.
| Brand | DEWALT |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Filter Type | Cartridge |
| Included Components | Wet/dry vacuum, 1-7/8 in. x 7 ft. hose, two extension wands, cartridge filter, dust bag, floor nozzle, utility nozzle, crevice nozzle |
| Is Cordless? | No |
| Capacity | 4 Gallons |
| Wattage | 140 watts |
| Charging Time | 5 Hours |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Indoor |
| Form Factor | Cannister |
| Color | Yellow |
| Model Name | DXV04T |
| Product Dimensions | 12.5"L x 15"W x 19"H |
| Noise Level | 80 dB |
| Amperage | 2.5 Amps |
| Manufacturer | DeWalt |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 5 Horsepower |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Style | Wet/Dry Vaccum |
| Portable | Yes |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Part Number | DXV04T |
| Item Weight | 13.23 pounds |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | DXV04T |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 4 gallon |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Measurement System | Metric |
| Special Features | Portable |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
