- Dyson has launched the PencilVac Fluffy, following the Fluffycones version
- Features a parallel roller instead of a cone; Otherwise, it has the same ultra-compact vacuum design.
- Currently available only in the US, it is significantly cheaper than the original.
Recently, Dyson launched an almost incredibly compact new vacuum: the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones. It looks nothing like a normal cordless vacuum cleaner, because all the main components have been reduced and hidden inside the handle, which itself is about the size of a broom handle.
I tested one and declared it a true feat of engineering and innovation. In fact, I was completely sold on this new design… except for one minor problem. Dyson has used cone-shaped rollers on the floor head, rather than the standard parallel ones. The plastic casing then follows the shape of the cones, so the ground head is slightly pointed at the front.
The knock-on effect is that the PencilVac Fluffycones cannot sit flush against a wall unless you approach from the side, which is not always possible. It makes vacuuming the edges of rooms unnecessarily complicated, and tasks like cleaning stairs, which this lightweight and nimble vacuum would be perfect for, become a huge hassle. It’s a problem I also had with the Dyson V16 Piston Animal, which has a similar cone-shaped floor head.
Imagine my delight when I saw an alternative on the Dyson.com website, launched without any fuss or fanfare: Dyson Fluffy. It appears to be exactly the same as the PencilVac Fluffycones, except for the head. The conical base head has been changed for one with parallel rollers.
The new floor head looks similar to the Fluffy/Fluffy Optic floor head that comes with the Dyson V15 Detect and Gen5detect vacuum cleaners, but is possibly a little more streamlined, as the name implies – the Micro Fluffy cleaner head. Like the Fluffycones head, the roller is completely covered in soft, dense fibers that are designed to get close to hard floors, sweeping up dust and buffing the surface clean, without the risk of scratches.
Possible disadvantages
To me, the Micro Fluffy cleaner head seems like a clear winner of the two cleaner head options. It solves the problem of room edges and, according to the specifications, it is also lighter.
The only thing that makes me a little sad is that there don’t seem to be any laser headlights in this new version; In contrast, the FluffyCones have two, one mounted on the front and one on the back. These help illuminate stubborn dust on hard surfaces, ensuring you don’t miss any. They also make cleaning much more satisfying.
The original idea behind using cones is that any long hair the vacuum encounters will reach the small ends of the cones, to be easily vacuumed up. This works fine, but I also haven’t had any problems with hair wrapping on the standard Fluffy floor head of my V15 or Gen5detect. If you have Rapunzel locks, it might be worth considering the FluffyCones version, but otherwise I’d say you’ll be fine with the Micro Fluffy option.
The Dyson PencilVac Fluffy is currently available to buy in the US directly from Dyson, but it’s not yet an option on the UK or Australian sites. It costs $449.99, significantly cheaper than the Fluffycones version, which costs $599.99.
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