What About the PencilVac?
Courtesy of Dyson
The new Dyson PencilVac promises to be Dyson's slimmest vacuum yet, but it won't be available in the US until sometime in 2026. It launches today in Japan and next week in Korea, but pricing is still to be confirmed.
It won't just be Dyson's slimmest vacuum, but also the first vacuum with a conical brush bar cleaner head. It's impressively small, its handle barely reaching 1.5 inches in diameter, with a slim vacuum head below it. Inside that tiny handle is a new motor that's even smaller. The new motor for the PencilVac, named the Dyson Hyperdymium 140k, is based on the motor design for Dyson's hair tools. Inside that slim handle there's also a small 0.02-gallon dustbin, but Dyson promises it can hold more than you expect, thanks to its ability to compact the dust and debris it picks up. The handle also has a little LED screen, and this is Dyson's first cordless vacuum to connect to the MyDyson app, but it still promises an hour of battery life. Learn more in our hands-on with the Dyson PencilVac while we wait for it to become available.
More Good Dyson Vacs
Photograph: Amazon
We've tested a variety of Dyson vacuums, both corded and cordless. However, as new versions come out, older models are bumped from the top spots. But the vacs below are still worth buying, as long as you don't pay full price.
Dyson Ball Animal 2 for $430: The older generation of the Ball Animal is still a good option, but the price can sometimes match or exceed the newer model. It has the same powerful suction (at 290 AW) and comes with the same tangle-free turbine tool, stair tool, and combination tool (you'll have to pay more for extra accessories). The Ball Animal 2 also has a self-adjusting cleaner head that automatically raises and lowers the base plate to seal in suction on all floor types. The motorized brush bar deep cleans dirt too. We don't recommend spending more than $500 on this one.
Dyson Big Ball Multi Floor Vacuum for $365: This was originally one of our top picks for tight spaces. But Dyson no longer sells it and it's often out of stock at third-party retailers—unless you're OK with purchasing a used model (however, you shouldn't spend more than $250 to $300 on it). It's a good option if you're looking for more maneuverability than a stick vacuum can offer. You only have to wield a thin suction tube, as long as you don't mind periodically repositioning the canister. Dyson's Cinetic technology means there are no filters to wash or replace, and it still has HEPA-grade filtration for capturing allergens and most particulates. If you find a new model, we suggest waiting until it's on sale between $300 and $400.
Dyson Gen5outsize for $1,050: This is a more expensive alternative to the Dyson Outsize+. It came out in 2023 and has a Fluffy Optic cleaner head (in addition to the Digital Motorbar XL cleaner), along with a built-in HEPA filter, a longer run time (up to 140 minutes), and stronger suction at 250 AW. As fans of the Gen5Detect, this model is a solid choice if you're looking for a newer model with the most power. But we only recommend it if it's on sale for around $799 or less.
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