Dyson PencilVac Accessibility Review: small, light, and designed for everyone
Introduction
We have been waiting for the Dyson PencilVac for quite a while. Ever since Dyson first talked about it back in 2025, it sounded like a product built around a simple idea: make cleaning easier by removing weight, bulk, and friction. Dyson says this is the thinnest cordless vacuum cleaner in the world, and once you actually hold it, that claim feels very real. When it finally became available in Norway, Alina and I ordered it immediately. We both love technology, and we are lucky enough to be in a position where we can buy new things when something truly interesting appears. From the moment we opened the box, we were blown away.
Design, Look, and First Impressions
The first thing you notice is how thin it really is! With a diameter of just 38 millimeters, the PencilVac feels completely different from a regular stick vacuum. It is slim, almost pencil-like, and more like holding a narrow metal tube than a household appliance.
The main body is dark gray, and along the upper part of the handle, the physical buttons are placed in a simple vertical layout, with a small LCD screen that displays cleaning modes and run time. They are slightly raised and easy to locate by touch, which makes a big difference for blind users. There is no touchscreen anywhere, and I absolutely love that. Everything can be learned through muscle memory.
The floor head is wide, flat, and sits very low to the ground. It feels stable and is clearly designed to slide easily under furniture. The addition of green LEDs on both sides helps with highlighting every dust particle on the floor, making it easier to do a thorough cleaning. Overall, the PencilVac looks clean, modern, and minimal, and more importantly, it feels easy to understand just by holding it.
At around 1.8 kilograms, it is also very light. You can pick it up with one hand, move it around effortlessly, and clean without your arm getting tired. It never feels like something you have to prepare yourself to use. You just grab it and go.
We encourage you to watch the video below, which is a presentation for the PencilVac, as this is the one that sold us on the product:
Cleaning Performance
Despite its size, the PencilVac does not feel weak. Dyson’s motor spins at up to 140,000 RPM and delivers more than enough suction for everyday cleaning. It works especially well on hard floors, where the Fluffycones brush head cleans very nicely. Hair is pushed out instead of wrapping itself around the brush, which means less cleaning and less frustration afterward.
Filtration is solid too, capturing fine dust and keeping the air clean. Even though this is a slim and lightweight vacuum, it still feels very much like a Dyson when it comes to performance.
In our apartment we already use a Roborock Saros Z70 twice a week to keep the floors clean. It does most of the heavy work automatically and does it very well. The PencilVac fits perfectly alongside it. This is the vacuum we reach for when we just need to tidy up a bit, clean after cooking, or deal with something quickly.
That said, if you actually need to do a proper clean, the PencilVac can handle that too.
Accessibility and Universal Design
For me as a totally blind user, the use of physical buttons instead of a touchscreen makes the vacuum far easier to learn and use independently.
The MyDyson app is accessible with VoiceOver on the iPhone. All the information shown on the vacuum’s display, such as battery level, remaining run time, and alerts, is available directly on my phone in a format I can fully access. I am not missing any information and I do not need help to understand what is going on.
The dock is also very well designed. The PencilVac charges wirelessly when placed in the dock. There are no cables to plug in and no small connectors to line up. You simply place it in the dock and it charges. This is great for blind users, for people with limited hand movement, or for anyone who struggles with fine motor control.
This is why I believe the Dyson PencilVac could be close to perfect for many people. Not just blind users, but also people who get tired easily, have trouble lifting heavy objects, or struggle with traditional vacuum cleaners. It works well for people who can only use one hand, have reduced grip strength, or simply want something that feels light and manageable.
In addition, the dustbin is slim and integrated into the handle. To empty it, you use a simple mechanical release that opens the bin and pushes dust out in one motion.
Conclusion
The Dyson PencilVac feels like a product built around universal design, even if Dyson does not call it that. Dyson did not just make a thinner vacuum for the sake of looks: they made cleaning simpler, more comfortable, and more accessible. And that is exactly why the PencilVac works so well.
Victor Dima
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