Black & Decker dustbuster swivel Cordless Hand Vacuum

Why I wanted a simple hand vac on the wall

A good handheld vacuum earns its spot by doing the boring work quickly—crumbs after breakfast, litter scatter around the box, grit on car mats—without making me drag out a full-size machine. After a few weeks with Black & Decker’s Dustbuster (model CHV415J00W), I’ve come to rely on it for those exact moments. It’s not a powerhouse, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s a compact, cordless tool with a straightforward design that makes small messes disappear without fuss.

Design and ergonomics

At 3.4 pounds and just over 13 inches long, the Dustbuster feels compact but not toy-like. The balance is thoughtful; most of the weight sits in the hand, so the nozzle doesn’t feel nose-heavy when reaching into corners or up along baseboards. The rotating nozzle is the small design choice that makes a big difference. Being able to angle the intake helps get flush to kickboards and around chair legs without bending the wrist into awkward positions.

The translucent dirt bowl is large for this class—605 ml—and it’s surprisingly helpful to see the fill level at a glance. The single-latch release makes emptying fast. Expect a small puff of dust if you dump fine debris; emptying low and slow over the trash can mitigates that.

Build quality is solid for a lightweight plastic tool. Nothing creaks in the hand, the latch feels positive, and the nozzle rotation detents hold true. I did knock the unit off a countertop onto hardwood during testing; it scuffed but kept working fine.

Attachments and everyday usability

The two built-in tools cover 90% of what I use a handheld for:

• A 4.75-inch pull-out crevice tool for crumbs in drawer slides, window tracks, and seat seams.
• A flip-up upholstery brush for fabric, vents, and delicate surfaces where you don’t want the hard nozzle scraping.

The brush is small but effective on car seats and couch cushions; the bristles are soft enough not to snag. The crevice tool is useful but has one quirk: the sliding mechanism doesn’t lock as positively as I’d like. If you drag it along a tight edge, it can retract a notch. It never collapsed completely in use, but you do have to check that it’s fully extended before you start.

The wall mount is basic and welcome. It keeps the vac off the counter and within reach. You’ll still need to plug in the barrel-style charger manually; there are no charging contacts on the mount, so holstering doesn’t charge the unit. I prefer auto-charging docks for “grab-and-go” tools, but at least the mount clears the clutter.

Suction and performance

Measured suction isn’t published, but in practical terms the Dustbuster does exactly what a 16 Wh handheld should. On kitchen floors it gathered cereal, rice, and coffee grounds in one pass. It handled sand, road salt, and dry leaves in car footwells without drama. On low-pile rugs it pulled surface debris well; on medium carpet it lifted crumbs but struggled with embedded grit and hair without several passes.

Cat litter is a good litmus test. The vac handles granules reliably and doesn’t spit them out the back, provided the filter is clean. The rotating nozzle lets you get flush to the litter mat, and the crevice tool helps along baseboards. For pet hair on fabric, the flip-up brush is helpful for loosening strands, but this isn’t a turbo brush—plan on a few passes for hairy upholstery.

Airflow tapers as the filter picks up fine dust, so performance is closely tied to keeping the filter clean. A quick tap-out every few uses maintains suction; washing gets you back to close-to-new.

Battery and charging

The battery is rated at 16 watt-hours, and the real-world run time matches the spec at roughly 10–11 minutes on a full charge. That’s enough for a kitchen sweep plus a foyer or for spot-cleaning two car seats and mats. It’s not a tool for cleaning the entire car end-to-end in one go. The charging indicator is simple and readable, and the included jack plug charger is small enough to live near the mount. Charge time isn’t blazing, so I treat it as a once-a-day top-up tool: use it, plug it in, and it’s ready for the next small job.

If you’re used to cradles that charge automatically when you dock the vac, note the difference here—you must connect the plug each time. It’s an extra step I wish I didn’t have to think about.

Filtration and maintenance

Maintenance is straightforward, and that’s a big part of why I keep reaching for this vac. Both the bowl and the filter are washable. Pop the bowl, twist out the filter, knock the dust into the bin, and either rinse or brush depending on how grimy things are. Let both parts air-dry completely before reassembly; I leave them out overnight after a rinse to prevent musty smells and protect the motor.

Replacement filters are common and clearly labeled (VF110FC). The manual suggests refreshing every 6–9 months depending on use. In my testing, a clean filter makes a very noticeable difference. Suction dips quickly when fine dust cakes the pleats, so regular tap-outs are worthwhile. There’s no HEPA claim here; this is a simple, practical filtration setup best suited for everyday dirt and debris.

Noise and comfort

Noise is mid-level and a bit high-pitched, typical for small handhelds. It’s not conversation-friendly in a small kitchen, but it’s far from the worst in class. Vibration through the handle is mild. The on/off control is simple and easy to actuate with the thumb.

What it’s great at

• Quick crumb patrol in kitchens and dining areas
• Litter scatter and dry pet messes on hard floors
• Stair treads, baseboard edges, and window tracks using the crevice tool
• Car interiors: cup holders, seat seams, floor mat edges
• Light upholstery touch-ups with the flip-up brush

The large, clear bin, rotating nozzle, and always-there attachments add up to a tool that’s genuinely convenient. It’s the “I’ll handle that right now” cleaner, not the “I’ll do it later” chore.

Where it falls short

• The extendable crevice tool could lock more securely; it can slide back under pressure.
• No auto-charging dock; you have to plug in the jack after each use.
• Short run time (about 11 minutes) limits longer cleaning sessions.
• Not ideal for embedded pet hair in carpets or deep-clean tasks.

None of these are dealbreakers for quick cleanups, but they’re worth knowing before you buy.

Reliability and warranty

Over the test period, the Dustbuster shrugged off everyday use and an accidental drop without issue. The two-year limited warranty is generous for the category and provides some peace of mind. Replaceable filters and washable internals should keep long-term costs modest.

The bottom line

The Dustbuster is a straightforward, well-thought-out handheld that focuses on the right things: usable attachments that are always with the tool, a rotating nozzle that actually helps access tight angles, and maintenance that takes seconds, not minutes. Its battery and suction are tuned for quick, targeted jobs rather than marathons, and that’s exactly how I’ve used it. I wish the wall mount charged automatically and the crevice tool locked more firmly, but those are minor quibbles in daily use.

Recommendation: I recommend this for anyone who wants a dependable grab-and-go handheld for everyday crumbs, car touch-ups, and light pet messes. It’s especially good if you value easy cleaning, a large clear bin, and built-in tools that don’t get lost. If you need long run time, a dock that charges on contact, or stronger pull for embedded debris, you’ll want to step up to a higher-tier handheld. For most quick cleanups, though, this Dustbuster earns its place on the wall.