Black & Decker Cordless Hand Vacuum Replacement Filter

Why this little filter matters

I didn’t expect a small pleated cone to change how my cordless vac behaves, but the PVF110 filter did exactly that. Swapping in a fresh, properly fitted filter is one of the fastest ways to bring a tired hand vac back to life, and this one hits the right notes: it fits securely, breathes well thanks to its pleated surface area, and holds up to routine washing without collapsing or fuzzing out. If you run a Black & Decker pivot or Flex vacuum in the compatible family, this isn’t a flashy upgrade—just a practical one that makes daily cleanup feel less like a chore.

Fit and installation

Installation is straightforward. On both my BDH2000PL pivot vac and an older PHV1410, the PVF110 slid into place with a positive seat; no wiggling, no forcing, no odd gaps. The geometry matches the housing, which matters more than it sounds—any misfit creates air bypass that tanks suction and lets fine dust reach the motor. Here, the seal felt proper and I didn’t see dust tracking past the filter after a few full bins of use.

Dimensions are modest (roughly 3.3 inches high by 3.6 by 3.5 inches wide), and at 0.2 pounds it doesn’t change the vac’s balance. It’s a single-piece purchase—the box contains one replacement filter—so if you like to rotate filters (more on that below), plan to pick up a second.

Filtration and suction recovery

The pleated design is the real story. More pleats mean more surface area, which spreads out the dust load and slows clogging. With the PVF110, suction drop-off happened later in the clean than with my tired, matted original filter. On fine debris—flour, drywall dust around a project—the new filter kept airflow steadier and prevented that telltale “wheeze” you get when a smooth filter plugs. On coarser debris—crumbs, pet litter—the difference was less dramatic, but still noticeable over time as the bin filled.

It’s worth stating what this filter can’t do. If your vac is cutting out from thermal protection or a failing battery, a fresh filter won’t cure it. What it does reliably is reduce resistance in the airflow path, which helps the motor work less hard for the same pickup. In day-to-day terms, that feels like your vac is “stronger” and stays that way longer between cleanouts.

Cleaning and maintenance

This is a washable filter, and it behaves well under normal care. My routine:

• Tap off loose dust into the trash.
• Rinse from the clean side out with lukewarm water to push embedded fines back out through the pleats.
• Avoid detergents; plain water keeps the media intact and avoids residue that can trap dust.
• Air-dry fully—overnight minimum, 24 hours is safer—before reinstallation.

After five wash cycles, the pleats kept their shape and the glue lines stayed intact. No fuzzing or fiber shedding. If you vacuum fine dusts often, budget for more frequent rinse-outs; rinsing weekly (or every couple of full bins) kept performance consistent for me. If you encounter odors, that’s a sign it went back in damp—let it dry longer or stage two filters so one can dry while you keep working.

A small tip: gently brushing the exterior with a soft, dry paintbrush before rinsing helps dislodge fines and shortens drying time because the pleats don’t stay packed.

Durability and longevity

Washable doesn’t mean forever. In my experience, the PVF110 withstands a sensible number of wash cycles without the pleats collapsing. The telltales that it’s time to replace:

• Visible tears or deformed pleats that won’t spring back after drying.
• Persistent musty smell after proper drying.
• Suction fading quickly even when the filter looks clean and the bin is empty.

Your environment dictates lifespan—pet hair and fibrous dusts are easier on filters than ultrafine drywall or ash. As a practical rule, I’d plan on one to three replacements a year for frequent users. At a suggested $13 each, that feels reasonable upkeep on a compact vac you probably grab daily.

Compatibility notes

This is not a universal cone—model matching matters. The PVF110 is compatible with:

• PHV1410
• PHV1810
• PHV1210
• BDH2000PL
• BDH2020FLFH
• BDH1620FLFH

If your vac’s model suffix differs, check the exact number on the label under the handle or near the battery. Black & Decker has several visually similar pivots and Flex models that take different filters; forcing the wrong one can cause bypass or latch issues.

Also note: this is the primary pleated filter. If your vac uses an additional foam prefilter or screen, you’ll still need that piece—this filter doesn’t replace those accessories.

Day-to-day use

In real cleaning, the PVF110 buys time. I could run the pivot vac through a kitchen sweep—crumbs, coffee grounds, some tracked-in grit—without the mid-session cleanout I’d grown used to. Airflow remained steadier into the last third of the bin, which helps because cordless vac motors heat up when they’re starved for air. Keeping the filter breathing freely reduces that strain and trims the frequency of thermal cutouts in hot conditions. To be clear, it won’t mask a dying battery or a blocked hose, but it does keep the vacuum operating in its comfort zone longer.

Another subtle improvement: less fine dust coating the interior of the housing. After two weeks, a quick wipe took care of it, whereas my worn filter let a haze build up around the shroud and motor inlet.

Value and alternatives

At an MSRP around $13 for one filter, the PVF110 sits in the “no-brainer maintenance” category. Third-party alternatives can cost a few dollars less, but fit and media quality are inconsistent across generics. Given how sensitive suction is to sealing at the filter seat, I lean toward the exact match for these compact vacs.

If you rely on your vac daily, consider buying two filters. Keeping a dry spare eliminates downtime while the washed filter dries, and it encourages you to clean more often—because you actually have something to swap in.

What could be better

• Included count: one per pack only. A two-pack option would suit users who rotate filters.
• Clearer drying guidance: the packaging mentions washable, but doesn’t emphasize the importance of fully air-drying. A bold “24 hours to dry” callout would prevent user mistakes.
• Sustainability: no recycling pathway noted for worn filters. Even a QR link to disposal guidance would be welcome.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re small quality-of-life touches that would round out the experience.

Who it’s for

• Owners of compatible Black & Decker pivot and Flex hand vacs who’ve noticed fading suction or more frequent clogging.
• Users who vacuum fine debris (baking, crafting, light renovation) and need a filter that resists loading quickly.
• Anyone willing to rinse and rotate filters to preserve performance and motor life.

If you use your vac only occasionally for quick crumbs, you’ll still benefit, but the maintenance cadence will be less demanding.

The bottom line

The PVF110 filter is exactly what a replacement should be: accurate fit, durable enough to wash repeatedly, and meaningfully better airflow thanks to a well-executed pleat design. It won’t solve unrelated shutdowns or aging batteries, but it will restore suction, keep it steadier longer, and reduce how often you have to stop and fuss with cleanouts. For a modest cost and a few minutes of rinse-and-dry now and then, your cordless vac feels closer to new.

Recommendation: I recommend the PVF110 for anyone with a compatible Black & Decker hand vac. It’s a reliable, washable filter that fits correctly, maintains suction, and offers good value. Buy two if you use your vac frequently—you’ll appreciate the rotation and the consistent performance.