Customer Reviews

Black and Decker CFV1200 DustBuster 12-Volt Cordless Vacuum

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

This "dust buster" is awesome! I purchased this vac for $50 at my local Best Buy so I would have a cordless option for my hard floors (bathroom, kitchen, etc), as well as a hand-vac option for hard-to-reach messes. I can't believe how powerful it is! Another reviewer complained that it wouldn't pick up sand on her hard floors, but I haven't had a problem with it picking up anything. (Maybe her filter is full?) I also use it on my carpeted stairs with the beater bar on, and it picks up MUCH more cat fur and dirt than using the suction-only attachment on my full-sized upright vacuum. It's great to use the handle of the hand-vac part (half-way down the machine) in addition to the top handle while vacuuming those stairs for added maneuverability. I love that as I'm vacuuming, the hand-vac portion is right there for me to pop off and use in the tight spaces.

For me, the charge lasts about 20 minutes, which covers two bathrooms (including a quick beater-bar sweep of the rugs), the hard floor in my kitchen/dining, the area rug under the dining table, two flights of carpeted stairs, our tiled exercise room, and two linoleum entries. You should know it takes 16 hours to fully recharge again; but that still means available for 20 minutes daily! To prove how powerful it is, it actually picks up the edges of my bathroom rugs (in beater-bar mode) and sucks them in like an upright vac would! Realize that it is 12 volts, which is what most upright vacs are!

I wish Amazon had a picture of this, it would probably sell more. It looks just like the blue 9.6 volt vac from B&D (search for CFV9600 on Amazon and it'll come up) except the hand-vac portion is white (the 9600 is all blue). BTW, you can also hang this on the wall.

This is the best cordless vacuum that I have used. To give some background, I also have purchased the shark 2 in 1 cordless; the shark cordless sweeper; and the cordless boss lite.

Pros:

It is very easy to empty the dust cup and there is minimal mess when emptying (the shark is much more difficult and messy to empty)

Decent suction (for a cordless vacuum)

Can vacuum for at least 15 minutes on a charge

Works good on both carpet and hardwoods for quick pick up (no problem picking up kitty litter, pet hair, dust bunnies, ect)

Can be used as a handheld or full size vacuum

lightweight

small size allows for easy storage

Cons:

Pet hair gets caught in the beater (but I have yet to find a cordless vacuum that does not have this problem)

All that said, keep in mind that this is not meant to replace your regular vacuum. It works great when used as intended--for quick pickups.

This little guy is very convenient. It works great after dinner under the table and when people are on the way and will be here in 5 mins. We use ours daily and often 2x per day with 3 small kids but there are some things you should know.

We are on our 3rd one because they break a lot. Our first one had to be taken apart (completely) because some of the electrical contacts were not staying connected. Finally the plastic starts to crack and chip off.

The second one the charger gave out, the plastic again starts breaking, and it is now in our trash can.

I would expect the life expectancy is about a year on these things - which is what we are averaging.

Tips:

- Keep the brushes on all the time even on hard surfaces. Works much better this way.

- Before you start empty the dust tray, make sure it is not clogged and use a knife to cut and pull all the hair and string that gets caught in the roller.

- Monthly I run the plastic top and the filter through the dish washer and then let them dry to clean out all the dust and germs. You can do this in the sink as well.

Anyway - a must have for families and people who don't need to pull out the big vacuum every day.

I chose this model because of the versatility and ease of being able to switch from a floor vac to a hand vac. The suction is very powerful as others have said. However, I have a ceramic tile floor and as a floor vac, it can easily pick up dirt on the tile but not on the grout (between the tiles). I have to use it as a hand vac to get at the dirt between the tiles. I guess, as a floor vac, the brush increases the distance between the vac nose and the floor thus decreasing its effective suction power.

This model doesn't come with accessories but since it's quite difficult to clean nooks and crannies with the huge vac nose, I thought I should look up B&D accessories for it. I checked the B&D/Dewalt parts webpage but there were no accessories listed for the CFV1200. Since this model is the same size as other Dust Buster models, I ordered accessories meant for the other Dust Buster models --- they fit perfectly! I got the crevice tool, upholstery brush, soft brush and the crevice extension. Cleaning is so much more convenient with these tools. I can't understand why B&D didn't just include those since the CFV1200 housing already has that space (note the etching on the plastic housing that wasn't completely cut off) anyway to store at least 2 of the accessories I bought separately.

All in all, I am very happy with my CFV1200. The charge, 10-16 min, may be short for some people, but it's more than adequate for me (I live in a bachelor suite!). I make sure that I drain the battery though before I charge it since this model, unfortunately, uses a Ni-Cad battery. I wouldn't want to kill my battery in a few months by charging it repeatedly after a few minutes of use.

I have been on the hunt for a cordless vac for my hard floors for a year. I read reviews, looked a every model avail. It shouldn't have been that hard. Well I finally decided to purchase the Black and Decker CFV1200 DustBuster 12-Volt Cordless Vacuum.

I have not been sorry for one second. It has served the purpose and even exceeded. I use it to keep all of my hard floors and rugs clean daily. I even turn the brush on and touch up my carpets. It can't replace a good vaccuming, but it is very adequate for in between touch ups.

Even my teens have commented on it. Anything to make clean up easier and faster for them is great. They break it down to clean their cars.

Anyway, I know it is just a vac., but a clever, well performing one at that.

This vacuum is outstanding for what it is--a lightweight, capable and convenient vacuum cleaner. We have a Kirby (heavy but rugged) and Hoover Windtunnel (good but troublesome) and I think this is the most useful of the three for most day-to-day cleaning. I'd probably use one of the others if I needed deep carpet cleaning or for your weekly (bi-weekly) heavy cleaning, but this does the trick in between.

The vacuum mounts easily, has an impressive charge life (did the entire downstairs on a single charge with plenty left) and is LIGHT.

With the price and free shipping (for Amazon Prime), you can't beat this unit.

I had the older version, smaller voltage, and loved it. This one is a bit noisier but great suction. Now to see how long the battery holds out--when it goes, it's time for a whole new machine as the replacement batteries are almost as expensive as a new vac.

I received this for Christmas, and I love it! I use it every day, and my 7-yr.-old daughter likes to use it also , so she's actually willing to help clean! I like to keep it plugged in whenever not in use, because after a couple rounds, the battery does run low, and then it won't work as well. I just keep it off in a corner in the dining room. Also, the carpet mode that makes the brush spin works MUCH better than the regular floor mode; I only use the carpet mode. Also when putting the hand vac back in the main component, grab the back with your fingers and press your thumbs on the hand vac, otherwise it's difficult getting it to click into place.

I ordered this product after reading the other reviews on the great performance and suction of the unit.

I am very disappointed with it. I wanted a cordless vac to use on my vinyl kitchen floor for quick pick-ups in between real cleanings.

This unit as a hard floor vac is horrible. It barely has any suction and hardly picks up anything - picks up dust, but nothing more - crumbs, etc all stay on the floor. I performed my unscientific test of holding a single square of toilet paper in front of the vac and there is absolutely no suction.

As a hand held vac removed from its "handle" and without the brush roll it does fine. Unfortunately, I already have a handheld vac and did not want another. Seems to me that the handheld vac is fine, but the design of the handle assembly ruins its suction and its abilities. Its useless for me then.

This is our second Black & Decker Cordless Vacuum and we swear by it. Not only is it very easy and convenient to use, but it also does a very good mini-cleaning job. We live with two dogs and two cats and pet hair volume is the true measure of any cleaner: the B&D Cordless is up to the task. It puts an extra day or two between regular major vacuumings.