Dyson’s PencilVac is the slimmest cordless vacuum I’ve seen – and so powerful, too

Dyson just announced the launch of the slimmest cordless vacuum cleaner I’ve ever seen. The new Dyson PencilVac resembles those sweep brooms you may have seen growing up, but it features the latest vacuum technology inside. The Pencilvac’s long, thin handle — it’s only 1.5 inches thick — has the vacuum’s motor, dustbin, and filter all packed into it.

As its name suggests, the PencilVac is shaped like a pencil — no more of Dyson’s signature bulky handle and dustbin. It’s also very lightweight, at just under four pounds. Instead of the traditional roller brushes, the PencilVac features a large cleaner head with four fluffy cones that avoid hair tangles. 

Also: Best robot vacuum mops: I’ve tested dozens of these robots and here are the top ones

The four cones are on dual rotating brush bars that spin in opposite directions to direct dust and debris into the nozzle. Instead of hair tangling on the brush rollers, the conical shape and fluffy nature of the rollers direct hair to the side so it can slide off. The cleaner head easily swivels in the direction you want it, so you can clean sideways, reach close to wall edges, and under furniture. The PencilVac also features built-in green lights to spot hidden dust and hair.

But the motor inside the PencilVac’s handle is the most innovative part of it. 

Dyson says it was inspired to create the PencilVac by its hair dryers, which pack small yet powerful motors inside their handles. The PencilVac has Dyson’s smallest, most powerful vacuum cleaner motor to date, a Hyperdymium 140k. The motor is barely over an inch in diameter (28mm), yet it can reach 140,000 RPM.

The handle also contains the dustbin and filter, with a see-through window that lets you watch suction in real time. The dustbin’s capacity is only 80ml, less than half that of traditional robot vacuums. But it features an air compressing system that enables it to hold up to five times its physical capacity.

When you’re finished cleaning, you twist off the dustbin handle and press a button to release the dustbin’s contents into the trash. 

Also: I tested the viral Roborock vacuum with a mechanical arm – here’s my verdict after a month

This is Dyson’s first smart cordless vacuum. You can connect your PencilVac to the MyDyson app to check on battery information, change settings, and access maintenance alerts.

The Dyson PencilVac also has an LCD screen that displays battery information, power mode, and run time. The vacuum has a magnetic charging dock and delivers up to 60 minutes of battery life. The dock holds a second battery that you can swap out if the PencilVac’s battery dies. Each stick vacuum also comes with two separate accessories for upholstery and pet hair.

Also: This Eufy robot vacuum’s dustbin doubles as a cordless vac and it’s $200 off

The price of the Dyson PencilVac hasn’t been announced yet, and Dyson says it will be available in the US next year. It’s set to launch earlier in other markets around the world.

Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.