David Bridges
Nearly a decade ago, Dyson revolutionized the beauty and cleaning industry by launching its Supersonic hair dryer, which integrated its innovative bladeless fan technology into a hair styling tool. At that time, Dyson was predominantly recognized for its advanced vacuum technology, making this foray into personal care a surprising and bold move. Since then, Dyson has expanded its portfolio to include an array of cutting-edge beauty devices, like the Airwrap curling iron, which has inspired numerous replicas in the market. Additionally, the company ventured into new territories such as audio products, offering items like the OnTrac headphones and the controversial Zone headphones with an integrated purifying mask, while remaining committed to producing some of the best cordless vacuums available today.
In an exciting development, Dyson is now taking a significant step back to its roots with the launch of the PencilVac, which the company proudly claims is the “world’s slimmest vacuum cleaner.” This remarkable achievement is made possible by utilizing a motor similar to that found in the Supersonic hair dryer, showcasing Dyson’s ability to innovate across product categories while maintaining its signature technology.
The PencilVac distinguishes itself from traditional vacuum cleaners through its elongated, slim design, which primarily consists of a shaft with an array of attachment options for the cleaning head. This unique configuration means that there is no bulky body, except when using the included conical brush bar cleaner head. All components typically found in conventional vacuums—such as the dust bin, filter, and motor—are ingeniously housed within this sleek cylinder. At the bottom, users can attach various heads specifically designed for the PencilVac, including the main cleaning head that Dyson refers to as the “Fluffycones cleaner head.”
Dyson has equipped the Fluffycones cleaner head with four cones situated in two brush bars that rotate in opposite directions. This design aims to effectively “strip and eject even long hair, preventing hair from tangling around the brush bar,” a common issue with many traditional vacuum cleaners. Additionally, the laser-like lights located at both ends of the cleaning head illuminate the area, making it easier to spot and eliminate dust particles that may have been missed during cleaning.
Weighing in at approximately 3.96 pounds (1.8kg), the PencilVac is designed for effortless use in various hard-to-reach areas. Its consistent diameter of around 1.5 inches (38mm) throughout allows for a comfortable grip, enabling users to hold it wherever they prefer along its length. This ergonomic design enhances its usability, particularly for overhead cleaning tasks, making it a versatile tool for maintaining cleanliness in your home.
To achieve the sleek, pencil-like appearance of the PencilVac, Dyson undertook substantial redesign efforts, including the development of the new Hyperdymium 140k motor. This motor is touted as Dyson’s “smallest (at 28mm) and fastest vacuum motor,” illustrating the company’s commitment to compact yet powerful technology. Moreover, a novel dust compressing system was developed to “maximize the bin capacity,” allowing for effective dirt collection without sacrificing suction power. The transparent dust bin is ingeniously integrated into the cylinder, providing a clear view of its fill level and offering a satisfying visual of how debris is collected during use.
During a recent demonstration, I witnessed the Hyperdymium 140k motor in action, and it proved to be impressively powerful, effortlessly sucking up a variety of debris, including Cheerios and cookie crumbs. The entire device felt well-balanced and easy to maneuver, gliding over uneven surfaces with minimal resistance. However, I did find the locking mechanism a bit perplexing; it requires the user to hold the vacuum precisely upright until a click is heard to ensure it doesn’t fall over after use.
Another notable feature of the PencilVac is its advanced filtration system, which Dyson claims “effectively separates dust and debris from the airflow without causing filters to clog or diminishing cleaning performance.” This system includes a new “two-stage linear dust separation system,” which captures an impressive 99.99 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns, ensuring that only cleaner air is expelled back into your living environment.
Interestingly, the PencilVac employs an “air-compressing bin design,” allowing it to contain “five times more dust and debris than its 0.08L capacity.” Observing the PencilVac in action, it was clear that it manages to pack debris tightly, although the exact measurement of its ability to hold 0.4L of material remains unverified.
When it’s time to dispose of the collected debris, Dyson introduces its innovative “hygienic syringe bin ejection system.” Although I didn’t personally test this feature, the process involves removing the cleaner head, positioning the bottom of the PencilVac over your trash receptacle, and performing a sort of shucking motion with the transparent housing to release the debris. I observed a Dyson engineer demonstrate this method, and it appeared to be quite straightforward. However, some crumbs did seem to get trapped within the housing. The positive aspect is that the removable shell and filters can be detached for thorough cleaning.
The PencilVac also comes equipped with a swappable battery pack capable of providing up to 60 minutes of powerful suction. Users can conveniently charge the vacuum on a magnetic docking station. Notably, this model marks Dyson’s first connected cordless vacuum, integrating with the MyDyson app to allow users to monitor battery levels, access additional settings, and receive maintenance alerts, such as reminders for filter cleaning. An LCD screen positioned at the top of the handle displays the selected power mode and remaining runtime, enhancing user interaction through intuitive physical buttons.
While Dyson has yet to disclose the pricing for the PencilVac, there is ample time for the company to finalize these details, as the product is not expected to reach the US market until 2026. In the meantime, the PencilVac will be available for purchase in other regions, allowing early adopters the chance to experience this innovative cleaning solution.
Daniel Mercer
Brandon Fletcher
