Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones Cordless Vacuum – Review

Vacuuming isn’t the most thrilling chore in the world, but Dyson seems to think there are ways to improve on the experience, and they certainly have results to show for it, as the British household appliance brand has sorted its vast selection of vacuum cleaners into various sub-models, with each catering to different and specific needs. 

The Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones is the brand’s latest, and possibly sleekest, cleaning gadget to date. Touted as the world’s slimmest cordless stick vacuum, it’s basically a long, extended stick, measuring 38mm in diameter and weighing only 1.8kg (or 800g in handheld mode), with a vacuum head at the end that offers a solution for compact spaces. It feels as slender and lightweight as advertised, is incredibly easy to manoeuvre, glides smoothly across hard floors, and fits under furniture with just 9.5cm (95mm) of clearance, making it ideal for those hard-to-reach spots where crumbs and dust like to hide.

But don’t mistake its size for weakness. This tiny tube of tech is equipped with Dyson’s Hyperdymium motor, spinning at up to 140,000rpm to deliver 55 air watts of suction. For everyday cleaning, it packs more than enough power to handle dust, dirt, and even stubborn strands of hair.

Speaking of hair, that’s where the PencilVac’s new Fluffycones cleaner head comes in. Now with illumination on both front and back, the head features four cone-shaped rollers that spin in alternating directions to prevent hair from getting tangled. If hair is trapped, the rollers cleverly bunch it up and eject it out to the side, so you can just vacuum it back in. It’s a neat solution that works like a charm, albeit with a small trade-off. 

Due to its cone-like roller design, the cleaner head isn’t shaped like a traditional flat-edge vacuum, so it doesn’t sit flush the way the latter would when cleaning along flat walls or corners. 

There’s a small gap that leaves behind a thin strip of dust, which can only be cleared if the vacuum is angled sideways against the wall. While not a dealbreaker, it can be slightly frustrating to swivel it around just to get into corners. Additionally, running the vacuum over loose wires can cause them to become trapped in the rollers, and it occurred twice during testing, with one instance even cutting off the lights, so users should be mindful and keep cables out of the way. 

The PencilVac’s trash bin is a compact 0.08 litres, but with Dyson’s air-compressing dust-separation system, it can hold up to five times more than its size suggests. As debris streams in, the airflow compresses the dirt, compacting it neatly such that you get much more room than expected. Dyson also added a “syringe”-style ejection mechanism that plunges deep into the bin in one swift motion, which means no dust clouds and poking around with your fingers.

Battery-wise, the Dyson PencilVac offers up to an approximate 30 minutes of runtime on Eco mode after a full charge, and 10 minutes on Boost. Clearly, this is more of a portable handheld for short bursts of use and is not designed for deep cleaning large spaces, but for smaller homes and apartments. 

During a test in a 1033 square-foot five-room apartment, the PencilVac vacuumed the entire space on Eco mode with 30 per cent battery left, leaving behind a runtime of 7 minutes and 50 seconds. A helpful on-screen indicator displays the estimated time left each time the vacuum is turned on, proving especially useful when planning your cleaning sessions. But for those living in larger, multi-storey landed properties, expect to recharge midway.

Those who need a time extension can also swap out the battery for more juice, except that additional battery packs have to be bought separately. No further details about the battery pack, such as pricing details and local availability, are currently available for the Singapore market. 

Things unfortunately start to wobble (literally) with the charging base. While the PencilVac itself feels premium and well-built, the dock doesn’t quite match up. It uses magnetic charging, but the lightweight build reduces stability, making the vacuum stick toppling over a real risk, especially when users are in a rush to dock the vacuum. Most of its weight sits at the top, and with the dock charging from the bottom, the whole setup ends up feeling off-kilter and slightly precarious. 

Putting the PencilVac back in place needs to be done carefully and in an upright position, so only walk off after a click is heard, which indicates that the vacuum has been securely attached. The separate accessory holder, which attaches behind the charging dock for the additional cleaner tools, also sits in place loosely, and slight bumps will knock it off, so perhaps longer nubs could have been used for a stronger hold. 

On the accessories front, the PencilVac includes a rotating combi-crevice tool with soft bristles and a hair screw tool, both of which prove handy to the cleaning process. The former offers a nice touch for cleaning higher corners or navigating tight angles, as its head can swivel and bend, while the hair screw tool – a staple in the Dyson vacuum series – is ideal for use on mattresses, carpets, and sofas. 

Additionally, the PencilVac is the first Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner that allows users to connect to the MyDyson app, allowing users to check on their filter’s status and battery information or consult the manual, if the occasion arises. 

At S$899, the Dyson PencilVac is a premium buy, but that’s always been the case with Dyson products. Here, what you’re paying for is a combination of clever engineering, smart design, and a form factor that changes how and where you can vacuum. It likely won’t replace your main vacuum for larger spaces, but for those seeking a stylish, space-saving, and zero-fuss alternative, the vacuum is a solid pick. 

Debbi Koh

Living multiple lives, Debbi is a singer-songwriter and music coach by day, FPS gamer and variety streamer by night. Let’s not forget being a full-time dog mom to her Cavapoo, Buddy. With life like this, who needs a multiverse?