Dyson PencilVac Review (2026): Limited but Handy
Source: Wired
The vacuum connects to Dyson’s app, where you’ll find resources such as how to empty the dustbin and wash the filter. It can tell you how long your last vacuuming session was, but no other details, so it isn’t as informative as the data you’d get from a robot vacuum.
Fluffy Face
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Photograph: Nena Farrell
This vacuum’s full name is the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones, named for the four fluffy cones inside the vacuum head. Dyson’s previous recent stick vacuums all have the Fluffy Optic cleaner head for hard floors. While both have a fluffy roller bar, the Fluffycones have a conical shape that Dyson says will detangle and remove hair rather than letting hair get stuck. In practice, it did detangle hair, but when I vacuumed larger clumps of hair from my bathroom floor, the cones sometimes bunched the hair into a ball and spat it back out before finally pulling it into the dustbin.
Despite the mixed hair results, the PencilVac excelled at picking up cat litter, flour on hard floors, and dry oats (though the oats were occasionally rolled around before being sucked up). I could even run it quickly over the top of my carpet; however, rolling back and forth on carpet for an extended period caused the cones to stop rotating.
The head is designed to move in almost any direction. The cones swivel easily, and green illumination on the front and back helps spot hidden debris. Its compact size lets it reach tricky corners, such as the litter around the base of a toilet or pedestal sink. This versatility makes me reach for the PencilVac repeatedly, even after my robot vacuum has already cleaned the room.
Forward Momentum
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Do I think this vacuum replaces Dyson’s existing cordless options? No. But Dyson has other new vacuums planned that could do that. The PencilVac is designed for a specific use case: smaller homes with entirely hard floors. It also offers an accessibility advantage—its lightweight design and magnetic charging base make it easier to use for people with mobility or strength limitations, as well as those who struggle with fine motor skills or cannot bend over to pick up a heavier vacuum.