I bought my arms on Dyson’s latest-announced cordless vacuum cleaner, the PencilVac, for a whirl round Dyson HQ.
Listed below are three the reason why it’s distinctive in Dyson’s portfolio, plus all the pieces we find out about its worth and launch date.
1. It’s the lightest vacuum cleaner I’ve tried
Dyson vacuums could be a ache within the arm. I liked the present flagship mannequin, the Gen5detect, and gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars once I reviewed it. However at 3.5kg, it may be a little bit of a drag after a couple of minutes of use.
Not so the PencilVac. It’s extremely mild within the hand. The truth is, it appears like utilizing a plastic mop. At a weight of 1.8kg, which is about the identical as a small laptop computer, it is going to be Dyson’s lightest cordless vacuum. And it’s slender as properly. The PencilVac’s wand – which incorporates an in-line dustbin – has a diameter of simply 38mm.
Dyson was capable of make what have to be the world’s slimmest and lightest full-size vacuum because of its progressive and completely tiny 28mm digital Hyperdymium motor.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
However this quest for slimness has a possible draw back. The vacuum has a two-stage filtration course of to make sure it may well retain its suction because the dustbin fills, and it compacts the mud and grime because it goes. This implies you gained’t have to empty it as typically as its restricted 0.08-litre bin would counsel. However it’ll nonetheless be a really common incidence.
The dustbin additionally has a intelligent ejection mechanism to minimise the chance of the person needing to poke round within the bin with a chopstick to unclog it. Nonetheless, because the vacuum physique is so slender, it does really feel as if jams are inevitable, particularly when you have a variety of pet hair in your house. And, though Dyson recommends the PencilVac to be used as a kitchen vacuum cleaner, it wouldn’t be appropriate for vacuuming up a considerable amount of spilled rice, for instance.
2. It could actually clear in any route
A vacuum can entice you in a movement of sawing forwards and backwards, which may imply lifting it and plonking it down once more to get into small gaps. Not so the PencilVac, which may transfer and clear in any route. After I examined it, I discovered that it genuinely glided throughout the ground. It could actually additionally lie utterly flat to get below furnishings. Dyson’s earlier launch, the Omni-Glide, additionally had this performance, but it surely’s troublesome to pay money for now.
On the bottom of the cleansing head are 4 spinning casters, which permit it to slip sideways and twirl round desk legs. At the back and front of the cleansing head are 4 fluffy conical rollers (Fluffycones, in Dyson terminology), fastened on two curler bars which rotate in reverse instructions. These let it clear on each the again and ahead stroke. The conical form of the Fluffycones imply that lengthy hair is whisked away from the rollers, somewhat than wrapping round it.
Dyson
However this design does imply that the PencilVac is essentially for arduous flooring solely, though it comes with high-quality equipment for cleansing upholstery and cabinets, blinds and skirting. Not solely will you get the hair screw device, which is sensible for giving sofas, chairs and mattresses a correct clear, however a very efficient, redesigned comfortable combi brush.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
However it gained’t be your one and solely vacuum, except your private home is nearly totally rug- and carpet-free. And when you have pets, the casters will get gummed up with fur that you simply’ll want to chop away; that’s one thing I found when testing the Omni-Glide, which featured related casters.
3. It’s Dyson’s first related vacuum
This isn’t as sturdy a promoting level, however the truth stays that the PencilVac will likely be Dyson’s first good vacuum, connecting to the wonderful MyDyson app. Whereas the LCD display on the PencilVac’s wand will present you the remaining battery life (in minutes) and the mode you’re in, you’ll be able to head to the app for extra data on upkeep, filter life and troubleshooting.
Sensible options on gadgets reminiscent of this are sometimes pointless add-ons, which suggests customers will drop or neglect about them as soon as they’ve owned the product for some time. Both that or they comprise performance that’s been shunted away from on-device controls, which suggests it’s a bit extra problem to entry these settings.
On this case, it appears to be the latter – a measure Dyson has used to maintain the PencilVac as easy and slim as potential.
My ideas on the PencilVac
The PencilVac is a pleasure to make use of. It makes vacuuming a lot simpler, easy as that. When you procrastinate the place vacuuming is anxious as a result of dragging out a heavy vacuum and shifting furnishings round is a job in itself, the PencilVac will show you how to get round these issues – by swiftly getting round your furnishings.
For a quick-grab cordless for mild vacuuming, it’s just about best. However keep in mind that it’s largely restricted to arduous flooring, it’s not appropriate for vacuuming up large spills, and, despite its anti-hair wrap know-how, it would wrestle with a variety of pet hair.
When will likely be PencilVac be in the stores?
The PencilVac is already in the stores in Japan. It is going to be accessible in different nations, together with the UK and the US, in 2026.
What is going to the PencilVac value?
Dyson has not but introduced UK or US pricing for the PencilVac. In response to New Atlas, it’s priced at ¥84,920, which works out at roughly £425/$572. This can be a expensive purchase for what’s going to quantity to a second vacuum for most individuals. However when you have a compact metropolis flat, it might be the proper cleaner for you.
To see how the PencilVac compares to Dyson’s different fashions, take a look at our round-up of one of the best Dyson cordless cleaners.