Black & Decker Hand Vacuum Replacement Filter

I rely on a small handheld vac to keep faster cleanups from turning into big jobs, and nothing affects its usefulness more than the condition of its filter. After a few months of crumbs, pet hair, and fine dust, suction drops and the vac starts to sound louder while picking up less. Swapping in the VF110 filter brought my Black & Decker handheld back to form with minimal fuss—and because it’s washable, I can keep it performing without buying a new one every few weeks.

What it is and who it fits

The VF110 filter is a washable, reusable replacement for a range of Black & Decker handhelds. If your model number starts with CHV, BDH, or HHVI, there’s a good chance this is the right one. Specifically, it fits CHV9610, CHV1210, CHV1410, CHV1410B, CHV1410L, CHV1510, BDH2000L, HHVI315JO42, and HHVI320JR02. The filter is light (about 0.3 lb) and roughly palm-sized, and it comes as a single unit in the box.

If you’re unsure about compatibility, check the label on the underside or inside the dust bowl of your vac; Black & Decker prints the model there. The VF110 is keyed to snap into the filter cage of those models—no adapters, no fiddly gaskets. Fit matters more than you might think: an ill-fitting filter allows bypass dust, which kills suction and can shorten motor life. With the VF110, I get a reliable seal and consistent airflow.

Installation and the everyday routine

Swapping the filter is as easy as twisting off the dust bowl, lifting out the old cartridge, and dropping in the VF110. The tabs align cleanly, and the filter seats with a satisfying click—no need to force it. I give the bowl a quick wipe while I’m in there; keeping the housing clean helps the new filter work as intended.

I run the vac several times a week for small jobs—counter crumbs, window sills, car seats—and I rinse the filter after every few uses. The process is straightforward:
- Knock off loose debris in a trash can.
- Rinse from the inside out under lukewarm water to push dust off the pleats.
- If it’s grimy, a drop of mild dish soap helps. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
- Air-dry completely before reinstalling. I set mine on a rack overnight.

The key is patience with drying. Any moisture in the pleats will trap dust and restrict airflow, which feels like a weak battery but is actually a wet filter. Because of that, I keep a spare VF110 on hand so I’m never waiting to vacuum.

Performance: suction and fine dust control

A fresh or properly cleaned VF110 noticeably improves pickup performance. Suction feels “snappier,” and the vac maintains power longer before the familiar taper as the bowl fills. On hard surfaces and car interiors, I see fewer passes required to clear grit, and hair doesn’t mat across the filter face as quickly.

Filtration is solid for a handheld. It captures fine household dust, crumbs, soil, and pet hair without balking, and I haven’t noticed any increase in fine dust leakage around the vents. It’s not marketed as HEPA, so I don’t treat it as a solution for allergy-level filtration, but for everyday messes it strikes the right balance between airflow and capture.

One thing I appreciate is how the design resists premature clogging. The pleated media and open cage create enough surface area that normal use doesn’t choke it out immediately. Still, if you vacuum drywall dust or fireplace ash, expect to clean it more often; ultra-fine powders will embed and reduce airflow quickly on any non-HEPA cartridge.

Durability and cleaning cycles

As a washable filter, longevity depends on how often you rinse it and what you vacuum. With typical household use, I get several months before performance starts to wane even after cleaning. In my experience, 8–12 thorough wash/dry cycles is a reasonable expectation before the media begins to feel softer or the pleats lose crispness. At that point, airflow doesn’t rebound as well after washing, and it’s time to replace.

A few durability tips based on use:
- Avoid hot water and harsh cleaners. Lukewarm water and mild soap are enough.
- Don’t scrub the pleats aggressively. A soft brush is fine, but heavy friction can fray the fibers.
- Never use the filter damp. It shortens life and crushes performance.
- Don’t vacuum wet debris. This isn’t a wet/dry system, and wet muck will bind in the pleats.

The plastic frame holds up well. I haven’t had issues with cracked rims or tabs wearing down, and the seal continues to fit snugly after multiple removals.

What could be better

There are two practical downsides. First, because the filter ships as a single unit, you’ll need to buy a second one if you want to rotate while one dries—which I recommend. Second, the drying time can be inconvenient if you rinse frequently. That’s less a flaw of this filter and more the nature of washable pleated media, but it’s worth planning around.

Compatibility is another area to double-check. Black & Decker has multiple similar-looking handhelds, and the model families can be confusing at a glance. If you try to mix filters across families, they may “almost” fit but won’t seal properly. Confirm the model number before ordering.

OEM versus aftermarket

You can find off-brand filters that claim VF110 compatibility. Some of those are perfectly serviceable, but in my testing the seal quality and plastic stiffness vary. A slightly out-of-round frame or a thinner gasket can let fine dust bypass, which undermines both suction and motor protection. The OEM VF110 gives me consistent fit and repeatable performance, which matters if you want your handheld to last. If you go aftermarket, inspect the rim for a uniform seal and check that it seats flush without extra force.

Care and replacement cadence

A good routine keeps the VF110 working at its best:
- Tap out debris after every use if you vacuum a lot of fine dust.
- Rinse every 2–4 uses for typical household messes; more often for powdery debris.
- Fully air-dry—overnight is safe.
- Replace when the pleats stay dingy, airflow doesn’t rebound after cleaning, or the filter material feels limp.

If you clean daily or have pets, plan on replacing every few months. Light users may stretch it longer. Listening to the vac helps: when it sounds strained and the bowl isn’t full, the filter is usually the culprit.

Size and handling

At roughly 4.8 inches tall by 5.3 by 3.8 inches, the VF110 is easy to handle without shedding dust all over the place during removal. It weighs about 0.3 lb, so it doesn’t add noticeable heft to the vacuum. The shape provides enough surface area without crowding the dust bowl, which helps maintain airflow as the bowl fills.

The bottom line

The VF110 filter does precisely what I need it to do: restore suction, maintain airflow, and clean up easily without forcing me into frequent replacements. Installation is simple, the fit is reliable across compatible models, and its washable design keeps running costs reasonable. It’s not a specialty filter for allergy mitigation, and it’s not magical—drying time and eventual wear are facts of life—but as a maintenance item for a workhorse handheld, it’s a straightforward, dependable choice.

Recommendation: I recommend the VF110 filter to anyone using a compatible Black & Decker handheld. It’s easy to install, washable for repeated use, and it consistently brings suction back to where it should be. Pick up two so you can rotate while one dries, stick to a simple cleaning routine, and your handheld will feel more useful, more often.