Dyson’s Slimmest Cordless Vacuum Now Has a Swiffer-Like Cousin. I Tried It
Dyson PencilVac was one of the most intriguing cordless vacuum cleaners I’ve used it for years because of its ultra-light, ultra-thin design, which makes it feel more like a broom than a vacuum cleaner. The new Dyson PencilWash keeps the same style but adds cleaning functionality for $349.
I was able to try it out at Dyson’s Soho store to clean up some messes, and was impressed with how easy it was to use.
The finest wet vacuum I’ve ever used
The PencilWash weighs less than 5 pounds and is just as thin as the PencilVac.
According to Dyson, the new PencilWash weighs just 4.9 pounds and features a 1.5-inch-thick handle that houses all the key components, including the motor and battery. For me, it was quite similar in use to the PencilVac in terms of maneuverability and ability to get under furniture and around tight corners. Battery life should last around 30 minutes.
The only difference is that the PencilWash comes with Dyson’s Submarine cleaning head, which integrates a mop roller, water tank, cleaning solution, and dirty water tank into the brush head. Despite the added components on the brush head, it didn’t feel much heavier to use than the PencilVac’s Fluffycones cleaning head. I definitely enjoyed using it more than the heavier one Dyson WashG1which comes with a larger water tank, but it feels more like a chore for quick cleaning.
The Dyson PencilWash can lie flat to fit under low furniture because it doesn’t have a bulky water tank.
In terms of cleaning ability, I haven’t had a chance to do full testing, but Dyson let me scribble the CNET logo on the floor with a marker, then use the PencilWash to clean it. He did it without a hitch. After I finished, I couldn’t tell there was ever a mark.
Like Dyson’s other wet cleaners, the PencilWash uses a mixture of hydration, agitation, and extraction to clean hard surfaces. Technically, it doesn’t use suction, as many wet and dry vacuums do, so it’s more of a motorized roller mop than a vacuum cleaner, similar to the Hizero F300 that we tested.
According to the company, it always uses fresh water to clean floors, and the high-density microfiber roller contains 64,000 filaments per square centimeter, allowing it to remove both wet and dry debris. No filter is required, so there is no place where dirt or odors can be trapped or where performance can be reduced by clogging.
Pricing and availability
Everything is contained in the Submarine cleaning head, including the mop roller, clean water, dirty water and cleaning solution.
The Dyson PencilWash will cost you $349, making it even cheaper than the $600 CrayonVac. It is also cheaper than Dyson WashG1which starts at $770. At this price, I can consider the PencilWash a better alternative to a Swiffer and a more versatile option than bulky wet and dry vacuums.
