Black & Decker Hand vacuum replacement filter

A practical upgrade for a hardworking handheld

My handheld vac is only as good as its filter. After months of crumbs, pet hair, and garage grit, my CHV1410L started losing steam. Swapping in the VF110 filter brought the suction back to what I expect, and over several weeks of use (and multiple wash cycles), it’s proven to be a simple, reliable consumable that keeps a well-loved handheld feeling fresh.

Compatibility and fit

I used this filter with a CHV1410L, one of the most common Black+Decker handhelds. Fit is precise—no wobble, no gaps, and the locking tabs engage with a reassuring click. That matters more than it sounds: an imperfect seal lets unfiltered air bypass the media, which both reduces suction and sends dust deeper into the motor housing. With this filter, the seal is clean and consistent, and I didn’t see any fines escaping past the filter.

If you use the BDH2000L, this filter is also compatible. It’s a single-piece cone-style unit with a rigid plastic rim and pleated media, so it drops straight in with no adapters or extra parts.

Suction and filtration performance

Performance-wise, the difference is immediate after replacement or a thorough wash. With a clogged or tired filter, my vac would bog down on dense debris and hair—especially on car mats and fabric furniture. With a fresh VF110 installed, pickup is crisp again. A good way to visualize the improvement: a light pass snags cereal, sand, and pet kibble crumbs without the “hover and hope” behavior you get from a tired filter.

Filtration is solid for typical household debris. Fine dust (think fireplace ash or drywall dust) will still load the pleats quickly—that’s a limitation of small handhelds more than the filter itself—but for everyday use the media traps the usual suspects without redistributing them around the nozzle area. I didn’t see dust puffs on startup, which can happen with flimsy generics.

Installation and day-to-day use

Installation is straightforward. Twist off the front, pull the old filter, seat the VF110, and reassemble. Two minutes, no tools. If you’re in the habit of emptying the bowl after every use (highly recommended), it’s easy to tap the filter gently on the side of the trash can to knock loose the top layer of dust. That quick tap extends useful suction between washes.

A small tip: check that the plastic lip of the filter is seated fully and evenly around the circumference. If it’s even slightly cocked, airflow can whistle and the seal won’t be optimal. Once in, it stays put during normal handling and when the vac is stored vertically.

Cleaning and maintenance

The biggest draw here is that the VF110 is washable. My routine:

• Tap out loose debris after each session or every other session.
• Rinse under warm running water, then use a drop of dish soap when the pleats look matted.
• Rinse until the water runs clear.
• Air-dry fully—24 hours on a rack works for me—before reinstalling.

Don’t rush the dry time. Any moisture in the media will choke airflow and can promote odor. I recommend owning two filters so you can keep the vac in service while one dries. After three wash cycles, the media on mine didn’t deform, and the pleats remained open enough to breathe.

If you deal with pet hair, make a habit of teasing hair off the pleats with your fingers before rinsing. Hair tends to mat when wet and can reduce airflow even after the filter looks “clean.”

Durability and build

The filter feels lightweight but not flimsy. The plastic rim hasn’t warped with repeated removal, and the pleated media hasn’t fuzzed or started shedding. After several weeks of frequent use and multiple washes, suction recovery after cleaning remains consistent. In my experience, washable filters eventually lose snap—usually from a combo of embedded fines and detergent residue—but the VF110 has held up well so far.

Lifespan will depend on what you vacuum. Coarse, gritty debris loads the pleats and abrades the media faster than household dust and crumbs. With regular tapping and washing, I’d expect several months of steady performance. I plan to replace mine when wash cycles no longer bring suction back or if the pleats stay gray no matter how much I rinse.

What could be better

• Drying time is the unavoidable bottleneck. The manufacturer’s 24-hour guidance is right; put it back early and you’ll strangle airflow. A two-filter rotation solves the downtime, but it means buying an extra.
• Fine dust clogs it quickly. If you routinely pick up powdery messes, plan on more frequent cleanings or protect the filter with a pre-filter sleeve.
• It’s a single-piece replacement. There’s no separate mesh shroud included here, so all the load goes straight to the pleats. That’s normal for this platform but worth noting for heavy users.

None of these are deal-breakers, and they’re largely inherent to compact handheld designs rather than this filter specifically.

Value and alternatives

There are plenty of aftermarket filters for these handhelds. I’ve tried a couple generics in the past, and while some fit, the sealing surfaces and media quality vary a lot. The result is often a slight hiss around the rim and faster clogging. The VF110 hits the baseline I want: proper fit, predictable airflow, and consistent performance after washing. It’s not the cheapest option on paper, but it’s cost-effective because it restores suction reliably and survives multiple wash cycles without collapsing or shedding.

If you go through filters quickly or share a household with multiple pets, a two- or three-filter rotation is the best value play. Tag one “clean/dry” and one “in-use,” and swap as needed. That minimizes downtime and keeps suction consistent.

Practical tips for better results

• Tap, then wash: knock out the loose layer before rinsing to avoid making mud in the pleats.
• Use mild soap only: harsh cleaners can stiffen or weaken the media.
• Airflow test: after drying, hold the filter to your mouth and lightly blow through the outside—air should pass freely. If it feels resistant, wash again or replace.
• Odor control: a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in the rinse water helps if you’ve vacuumed pet food or kitchen messes.
• Avoid hot water and heat sources: hot water and hair dryers can warp the media; room-temperature air is safest.

Who it’s for

If you rely on a CHV1410L or BDH2000L for quick pickups around the kitchen, stairs, and car, this filter is the straightforward way to keep suction strong. Light to moderate users will appreciate the washable design and low maintenance. Heavy users—pet owners, busy kitchens, DIYers tracking in sawdust—will want at least one spare and a regular cleaning cadence.

The bottom line

The VF110 filter does exactly what it should: it fits correctly, restores airflow, and cleans up easily. It’s the kind of small part that quietly makes a handheld vacuum feel new again. There’s nothing flashy here—just dependable performance and a maintenance routine that takes minutes.

Recommendation: I recommend this filter for CHV1410L and BDH2000L owners who want reliable, washable performance and a proper seal. It consistently restores suction after cleaning, holds up to repeated washes, and installs without fuss. Pick up a second filter to rotate and you’ll eliminate downtime while keeping your handheld at its best.