I've been using the BLACK+DECKER 4-gallon shop vac for a few months now, and it's become my secret weapon for tackling messes around the house. The first thing I noticed was how lightweight it is - at just 8.8 pounds, I can easily carry it from my garage to upstairs without breaking a sweat.

The suction power surprised me for such a compact unit. When my dog tracked in muddy paw prints last week, this little powerhouse sucked up both the dirt and water in one pass. The float mechanism worked perfectly to prevent overflow - I didn't have to babysit it while cleaning.

I use it most for my weekly car cleanouts. The crevice nozzle gets between seats perfectly, and the gulper attachment makes quick work of cereal crumbs (thanks, kids). The 360° wheels let me maneuver around car seats easily, though I do wish the hose was about 2 feet longer.

For garage projects, it's been a game-changer. Sawdust from DIY shelves? Gone. Spilled paint water? No problem. I even used the blower function to clear leaves from my patio - though it's better suited for light debris than heavy yard work.

The only real downside is storage. Like other reviewers mentioned, there's no great place to keep all the attachments together. I've been using a small toolbox to keep them organized next to the vac.

At this price point, it's outperformed my expectations. It's not industrial-grade, but for household messes, pet hair, and light workshop use, it's been incredibly reliable. If you need serious shop power, go bigger. But for versatile, everyday cleanups, this little vac punches above its weight.