Dyson’s Slimmest Cordless Vacuum Now Has a Swiffer-Like Cousin. I Tried It

Dyson’s PencilVac was one of the most intriguing cordless vacuums I’ve used in years because of its ultralight, ultraslim design, which made it feel more like a broom than a vacuum. The new Dyson PencilWash retains the same style but adds mopping functionality for $349. 

I got to try it out at Dyson’s Soho store to clean up some messes, and I was impressed by how easy it is to use. 

The thinnest wet vacuum I’ve ever used

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. To me, using it felt pretty similar to the PencilVac in terms of maneuverability and its 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 cleaner head, which incorporates a mop roller, water tank, cleaning solution and a dirty water tank into the brushhead. Despite the added components on the brush head, using it didn’t feel much heavier to me than the PencilVac’s Fluffycones cleaner head. I certainly liked using it more than the heftier Dyson WashG1, which comes with a bigger water tank, but it feels more like a chore for a quick cleanup. 

In terms of cleaning ability, I didn’t have a chance to do comprehensive testing, but Dyson let me scrawl the CNET logo on the wood floor with a marker, then let me use the PencilWash to scrub it off. It did it without a hitch. After I was done, I couldn’t tell there had ever been a mark. 

As with Dyson’s other wet cleaners, the PencilWash uses a mix of hydration, agitation and extraction to clean hard surfaces. It’s not technically using suction, as many wet-dry vacuums do, so it’s more of a powered roller mop than a vacuum, similar to the Hizero F300 we tested.  

According to the company, it always uses fresh water to clean floors, and the high-density microfiber roller has 64,000 filaments per square centimeter, allowing it to remove both wet and dry debris. No filter is required, so there’s nowhere for dirt or odors to be trapped or for performance to be reduced by clogging.  

Price and availability 

The Dyson PencilWash will run you $349, making it even cheaper than the $600 PencilVac. It’s also less pricey than the Dyson WashG1, which starts at $770. At this price, I can see the PencilWash as a more capable alternative to a Swiffer and a more versatile option than bulky wet-and-dry vacuums.