Customer Reviews

Black & Decker CHV1400 14.4-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster

5 star:		(332)
4 star:		(105)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(29)

 

 

Well, like most people have reported here, this product works great. Until the battery goes. Then try getting a new one.

I've had my Dustbuster for a year and five months, and the battery's going. So I checked on Amazon for a replacement. They don't have any. So I went to the Black & Decker website to find one. They don't have any. So I called their customer service line. They were closed due to bad weather. Try later.

To their credit, B&D's instruction sheet gives detailed information about disposing of the old battery properly. You really need to do that, folks, it's toxic. Don't throw it in the trash! Think of your grandchildren, if any.

But the Dustbuster instruction sheet is very vague about getting a new battery. It says to check with your authorized service center or call C/S. Replacing the battery, if you could find one, isn't trivial -- you don't just drop it in, you have to take the Dustbuster apart. You need tools. You have to remove several screws, pull on some plastic tabs, etc. It's not hard, but the mechanically-challenged could have a problem.

I finally located a not-so-local dealer who has the replacement battery. It costs $30.40, plus shipping. In other words, the replacement battery costs the same as buying a whole new Dustbuster! Does that make sense?

If I was a conspiracy theorist, I'd almost think B&D was purposely making it hard to replace the battery. Guess they'd rather we bought a new Dustbuster.

I bought this item at Walmart. At first I thought it was too expensive for a Dustbuster. However, this model definitely has much more suction power than any Dustbuster I've owned. It approaches the power of a corded vacuum. I has 2 speeds, and the high speed has no trouble picking up small stuff. It is also easy to clean. Without doubt it is the best Dustbuster yet.

Being a college student, I am very conscience of price. Though this dustbuster was a little more than the cheaper models, I am extremely glad that I went with the higher 14.4 volt model. I bought the dustbuster mainly for my small carpet in my room. WOW!! This dustbuster got up so much hair and dust that I didn't even know was there. I found myself dusting up everywhere and lending it all my roommates. It was the first dustbuster that cleaned what it promised and so much more. Highly recommended and a great value to price ratio!!

Kudos to Amazon; I bought this product and got free shipping (5 to 9 shipping days, estimated). It arrived next day! Impressive.

As to the product, it has worked well thus far. Don't expect this little guy to replace your regular vacuum cleaner as some reviewers do. It plays a specific role in your cleaning arsenal. It knows its role well and performs as expected. Nothing more.

The CHV1400 works best for light cleaning. I like to use instead of a dustpan after sweeping with broom. Much easier. It's also great for cleaning along the baseboards and corners when you don't want to mess with getting out the vacuum's attachments.

I haven't had any trouble with running out of charge. Manual states the 14.4V model should last 12-15 minutes per charge. But that is constant use. Usually cleaning consists of only a series of quick uses with this machine, so the 12-15 minute estimate may be a bit misleading. Nice for cleaning up in a car, but if you're going for a deep clean, it would probably be better to drag out the full size vac for the job. But for picking up a few crumbs quickly, this machine will do the job well.

Overall, if you don't already have a cordless, handheld vacuum, this one is worth the money.

Have had my cyclonic for about a year and a half. Worked fantastically for that first year and then we noticed it wasn't staying charged as long as it should - which means decreased suction. Did a little research and found that many other people have had the same problem. The biggest issue I have is that you cannot replace the battery!! So I guess Black & Decker expect all of us to buy a new DustBuster every year...not to mention how environmentally unfriendly this is. Right now, I'm able to use it for about a minute before it starts loosing suction to the point where I can't pick up anything more than cracker crumbs. VERY disappointed in this product.

I bought this hand vac on the recommendations below and I have to say that everything they say is right: It's powerful and picks up most what you'd need to. The box has a picture of the thing picking up a Corn Pops-like cereal, and while I haven't picked up anything that big yet, it does a fine job with my girlfriend's hair on the bathroom floor and the cat litter that inevitably piles up outside the box.

Look to pick it up for 32 plus tax, shipped, as that's about the price you can get it from brick and mortar stores (Bed Bath and Beyond has a 20% coupon they send in the mail fairly regularly).

There's also a newer model, the CHV1500 which is more powerful and has a HEPA filter which helps to eliminate allergens, but is also about a bit more expensive (it used to be 80% more expensive, but is only 25% more now), which you might want to look into as it's got great reviews too, but this particular model does the job just fine.

I do a lot of research and read a lot of reviews before buying a product, and I did the same for a cordless hand held vacuum cleaner. After some serious time spent on the net, I found this product. The reviews from current owners were good, and it turned out to be as good as it was rated in the reviews. It is very powerful, my most important criterion for selection. Easy to clean. The filter can be washed in water, which is a plus as a clean filter keeps the suction power high.

I had my cordless vac for just over 2 years - at first it worked great - but after about a year, the battery life began to get shorter and shorter, now it only runs for about a minute before being too dead to do any good. I went on the B/D web site and found the battery pack replacement, (kudos for B/D ease of battery pack replacement - 2 screws and the back pops off and the pack slides out) anyway, the replacement pack costs $33.67 -- Seems a steep price to pay considering I only really got a year out of the thing - now replacement will almost cost me as much as I paid new for the whole thing! I haven't decided if I want to buy the pack or just buy a new one.
I am not sure if I'd buy another if they only last a year or so.

The power of a handheld vacuum is measured in the same way as that of a powerdrill - the amount of voltage the motor uses. The CHV1400 is one of the more powerful models with 14.4-Volts.

But numbers don't mean much if the power isn't delivered properly. Thankfully, this product does its job very well. It is about as loud as a regular vacuum cleaner, but that's to be expected. It sucks about as good as a full size vacuum - in fact I used it as my sole vacuum until I found a good deal on a full size one!

It handles dirt very well. It will suck up practically anything. I use it to clean up under my baby's high-chair (the parents among you will understand), my stairs (where I don't/can't use the full size vacuum), and in our cars. The on-board crevice tool is great for corners, and for the nooks of carseats.

It holds a charge for about 40 minutes - and I've worked it till it completely discharges. It has two settings, full and less-than-full (no name), and it is set by using the slider button on it's top. I don't see a reason why you would want to use the less-power setting!

It cleans very easily. The clear nozzle comes off, and then the filter and it's holder are taken apart easily. I hand wash them and leave them out to dry after each use. I can put it back together in about 1 minute.

I hung the charger on the wall, and it holds the vacuum securely while hanging.

I recommend this product fully.

I have owned several previous Black & Decker Dust Busters in the past and have always been satisfied. Then, for whatever reason, I went through a couple of "Euro-Pro" Sharks...big mistake! Not worth the carton they came in. This CHV1400 does as advertised and is a quality product. There is one "however" and the reason for a missing star. As another reviewer or two mentioned, the motor "exhaust" exits on the bottom...right where what you are attempting to pick up is. For example, I spilled dry oatmeal on the floor. When I ran the CHV1400 over the floor the exhaust fan blew the dry oatmeal that I missed on the first sweep all over. You've got to be careful to go slowly and at the right angle to make sure you don't blow away the task at hand. I guess it could be the users fault and you learn what not to do but the design could be a bit better.