Two-Step filtration
The CHV1410L uses an innovative two-step filtration system that catches coins and other small items before they get sucked into the tank.

Smart charge
A high-efficiency lithium ion battery runs at low power consumption levels to prolong each charge by up to 50 percent. The intelligent battery automatically switches off on a full charge to prolong life.

Slim rotating nozzle
The intake nozzle of the CHV1410L can swivel to get around corners and into tight spaces uprights have trouble with, even with attachments.

Translucent bowl
Look through the side of the collection tank to see when it’s getting full. Emptying this removable bowl takes seconds, and it reattaches with just two clasps.

The CHV1410L is designed for short periods of use to sweep up small messes, so it was never meant to be held for more than a few minutes at a time. That said, most users who bring up ergonomics report that it comes easily to hand and feels comfortable for as long as they use it. The curved handle is positioned right above the motor, which is always the heaviest part of a cordless vac, so the already light CHV1410L feels well-balanced and easy to handle.

Being a mid-range handheld vacuum, the CHV1410L does come with some extras, such as the flip-up brush and crevice tools. What’s ingenious about these attachments is that they’re both mounted to the front of the swiveling nozzle, so engaging them takes only a second or so. The crevice tool telescopes out from the nozzle, while the brush flips up from underneath for quick switches between surfaces.

Many users seemed happy with the suction they got out of the BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L. The strong cyclonic motor creates a decent pull through the nozzle, though the vac’s power tends to fade when the filters are getting dirty.

One verified buyer left a single-sentence review under the evocative title: “SUCKING GOOD SUCKER!”

“Sucking power will suck the carpet off the floor.”

BLACK+DECKER advertises its CHV1401L model as having the latest in advanced lithium ion battery technology and boasts that a unit can retain a noticeable charge for up to 18 months off the charger if not in use. Users don’t generally report leaving it off the plug for that long, though testimonials abound about how many jobs it can handle before recharging. For most users who left reviews, about 30 minutes of continuous use seems normal:

“This relatively inexpensive [BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L] is a little powerhouse. It quickly and easily sucks up crumbs, hair, dust, litter and all those other little items that plague our surfaces and makes our space look soooo much nicer. On day I used it to clean all the baseboards, the stairs, the couch and, well, heck, I got carried away and did most of the floors – and it didn’t run out of charge until the bitter end.”

The BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L collects dust in a large transparent plastic bowl, which lets you see how much free space you have and whether it’s time to dump the tank. The bowl and two filters come clean with soap and water, though the second filter was often reported as a little hard to clean without getting your hands dirty.

One user wrote about using the CHV1410L outdoors, of all places:

“I am an organic gardener [with stink bugs in the garden]. Conventional farmers spray their crops half to death fighting this enemy while organic farmers and gardeners get creative. I purchased the Black & Decker CHV1410L 16 volt Lithium Cordless Dust Buster Hand Vac as part of my 2-part stink bug eradication strategy. So far, it works great! In defense of my helpless plants this year, I started vacuuming stink bugs from my plants every day and flushing them down the toilet. I pull hundreds of the horrible death creatures from my garden every day thanks to my Dust Buster!”

One of the nice things about the BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L is that it’s a little above the entry-level cordless vacuums on the market, though the price is not prohibitively high. As a supplement for your upright or canister vacuum, the CHV1410L performs a valuable role in plugging the gap between full-power units and handhelds that lack the features to really get a job done.

The BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L is largely made from lightweight plastics and weighs only 2.6 pounds. It’s relatively compact, so it’s easy to store and to carry along outside of the house, though the charging mount doesn’t attach to the wall. Off the charger, this vac has all the power most people seem to need to handle most small messes.

Users report that the BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L has a comfortable handle that doesn’t quickly become uncomfortable or tiring to use. The extended nozzle and swiveling design makes it easy to work around the occasional corner or slide between couch cushions to get the hard-to-reach spots larger vacs might have trouble with. It is a reliable vacuum that will become part of your vacuuming routine.

The BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L hits most of the beats that people look for in a good cordless handheld vacuum cleaner. Between its robust, powerful design and its well-thought out features, this model makes a strong choice for most homeowners and people whose cars might need a quick pass.