The Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones: The World’s Slimmest Vacuum Has Arrived (in Japan, for Now)
Dyson have just unveiled their latest innovation in floorcare technology — the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones — and, true to form, they’ve launched it first in Japan.
Why Japan? As James Dyson himself explained at the launch event, Japan’s appreciation for miniaturisation and cutting-edge technology makes it the perfect place to showcase something entirely new. It’s where they’ve previously introduced their original G-Force vacuum, their robot vacuum, their now-iconic hair dryer, the tiny DC26, and even their earliest Digital Slim cordless cleaner.
This time, it’s all about hair — specifically, stopping hair from wrapping around vacuum brush bars.
Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones: Tackling the Hair Problem
If you’ve ever found long hair wound tightly around a vacuum cleaner brush, you’ll know how annoying it can be to clean off. The new PencilVac addresses that issue in a completely new way — with four soft, conical brush bars, each designed to naturally move hair towards the narrow end where it simply falls off. No scissors required, no tangled mess.
These conical brush bars are housed inside a brand-new cleaner head that’s fully counter-rotating. That means hairs can’t cling on, and it also helps the vacuum glide more easily. The cleaning edge has been redesigned too — the soft outer areas now extend to the very edge of the cleaner head, making it easier to clean flush against skirting boards and corners.
Ultra-Slim Design and Smooth Manoeuvrability
What really sets the PencilVac apart is its design. It’s Dyson’s slimmest vacuum ever — just 38mm in diameter at the handle and able to flatten down to only 95mm, meaning it can slip under furniture and into narrow gaps with ease.
It’s light, it swivels, it turns on the spot, and thanks to the opposing motion of the front and rear brush bars, there’s almost no resistance. According to Dyson, the cleaner head floats on the floor. Whether you push, pull, slide sideways or twist — it all just works.
Illumination is built in too, both front and rear, so you can see what you’re cleaning and what you’ve missed, no matter which way you’re vacuuming.
Dyson PencilVac – Powered by Dyson’s Smallest and Fastest Motor
Inside the slender handle lies Dyson’s new Hyperdymium motor — a tiny powerhouse said to be roughly the size of a 500-yen coin, yet capable of spinning at an astonishing 140,000rpm. For context, that’s nearly nine times faster than a Formula One engine or a commercial jet turbine.
This is a serious bit of engineering. Not only is it compact and powerful, but it’s more efficient and uses fewer materials. It’s part of Dyson’s ongoing mission to make things smaller, lighter, and more effective.
A New Way to Collect and Empty Dust
The PencilVac also introduces a new linear dust compression system, designed to make emptying the vacuum easier and cleaner. As you slide the mechanism to eject the dust, it also wipes the shroud clean — no fluff clouds, no second attempt needed. You can repeat the process a few times if you want to ensure everything’s gone.
There’s also a hot-swappable battery, with a spare battery charged and ready to go on the dock. That should put an end to mid-clean charging breaks.
Accessories That Work Smarter
Alongside the vacuum itself, Dyson have created a new crevice tool with a swivel tip, perfect for reaching awkward places like the tops of shelves or behind radiators. There’s also an upgraded Hair screw tool for soft furnishings and pet beds, which uses the same conical principle to deal with tangled hair effectively — again, with no scissors needed.
Smarter Than Ever: The First Connected Dyson Cordless
The PencilVac is also the first intelligent connected vacuum Dyson have released. Information is displayed on the unit itself, but the companion app takes it a step further, offering guidance on battery care, cleaning tips, maintenance instructions, and even usage data. It’s an ecosystem that teaches you how to look after the machine so it lasts longer and performs at its best.
So, When Can We Get a Dyson PencilVac?
For now, the Dyson PencilVac is only available in Japan. A wider international rollout — including Europe — is expected, but no specific launch dates have been confirmed yet. Given Dyson’s track record, though, we can safely assume it won’t be long before this sleek, brush bar-revolutionising vacuum hits UK shelves. I wouldn’t be surprised if Manchester Vacs picked one up in the UK first from their contacts in Hong Kong.