Following the launch last year of what was touted as the "world's slimmest vacuum cleaner"PencilVac FluffyconesDyson then applied this pen-shaped design language to the wet mopping field, launching a brand-new ultra-thin floor cleaner – the PencilWash.
In recent years, the floor scrubber market has been highly competitive, but most products tend to be bulky due to the need to accommodate large water tanks and motors. Dyson has clearly recognized the pain points of users in small urban homes and recently officially launched its new floor scrubber called "PencilWash". This new product continues the minimalist design of the previous PencilVac pencil vacuum cleaner, touting a "lighter, thinner, and smaller" solution for wet mopping, while not compromising hygiene standards.
The pen design has evolved again, significantly reducing hand strain.
The PencilWash's design is almost identical to the PencilVac, with a grip diameter of only 1.5 inches (approximately 38 mm), maintaining an extremely slim proportion from top to bottom, and the entire device weighs only about 2 kilograms. This lightweight design allows users to easily handle sudden dirt situations, even when operating with one hand.
Thanks to its ultra-thin design, the PencilWash can lie almost completely flat against the floor. This solves the problem of traditional floor scrubbers being unable to reach under low furniture (such as sofas, beds, and cabinets). Furthermore, for families with smaller living spaces, its slim size makes it much more space-efficient to store.
Water-based floor cleaning and filter-free design solve the problem of odor.
In terms of cleaning capabilities, Dyson emphasizes that PencilWash only injects "water" into the floor during operation and allows the floor to dry quickly after rapidly removing liquid spills and stains, preventing watermarks or slippery hazards.
The machine is equipped with a high-density microfiber roller at the bottom, which allows it to handle both dry and wet debris with just one push and pull.
What's even more special is that the PencilWash abandons the filter design commonly found in traditional floor scrubbers. Dyson says that the filterless structure means users no longer need to worry about dirt getting stuck in the filter gaps, and it also significantly reduces the risk of residual odors and unpleasant smells inside the machine, making subsequent maintenance much easier.
Intuitive battery level display and dedicated charging dock
The PencilWash maintains its intuitive and minimalist design in terms of user interface. A small screen above the power button displays the remaining battery level. When not in use, simply insert the slim handle directly into its dedicated charging dock for charging and storage.
The Dyson PencilWash, which boasts an ultra-thin and lightweight design, has a suggested retail price of $349 (approximately NT$11000), but Dyson has not yet announced a specific global release date.
Comparison of Dyson's Two Flagship Floor Scrubbers
Prior to launching the PencilWash, Dyson had already released its flagship floor cleaner, the Clean+Wash Hygiene, targeting two distinct market segments: "quick urban cleaning" and "whole-house deep cleaning." Below are the specific specifications and positioning differences between the two products:
Product Positioning
• PencilWash:It features "ultra-lightweight and easy to use". It is suitable for small urban apartments, single people, or as a "second" cleaning appliance in the home, specially designed to deal with unexpected drinks spilled, pets dirtying the floor, and cleaning hard-to-reach corners under the sofa.
• Clean+Wash Hygiene (Flagship Series):It features "deep cleaning of the whole house" and is suitable for large families with multiple rooms that require heavy cleaning in one go. It can thoroughly deal with stubborn dirt and large areas of grime.
Aircraft weight and maneuverability
• PencilWash:Weighing only about 2 kilograms, it is extremely lightweight. Its biggest advantage is that the machine can lie completely flat, making it easy to reach under low furniture (such as under beds and sofas) for cleaning.
• Clean+Wash Hygiene (Flagship Series):The weight is usually around 4.5 to 5 kilograms. Because the body has a large-capacity water tank, it usually cannot lie completely flat, limiting its flexibility in low-ceilinged spaces.
Water tank and range design
• PencilWash:To maintain the slim 1.5-inch pen-shaped grip, the water tank capacity has to be significantly reduced, mainly targeting localized and single-use small-area cleaning. The absence of a traditional filter also makes subsequent maintenance more intuitive and less prone to odor.
• Clean+Wash Hygiene (Flagship Series):It features a large-capacity clean water tank (usually about 1 liter) and a separate wastewater tank, and has a sophisticated solid-liquid separation system, with enough power to clean a space of more than 30 pings in one go.
Price range
• PencilWash:With an official price of US$349 (approximately NT$11000), it falls into the relatively affordable entry-level to mid-range price range within Dyson's product line.
• Clean+Wash Hygiene (Flagship Series):Pricing typically falls above US$699 (NT$18,900 in Taiwan), classifying it as a top-tier flagship home appliance.
Analysis and Opinion: Which one should you choose?
If you already have a powerful robot vacuum cleaner for daily dusting, and all you're missing is a tool to quickly handle spills and rice grains, then the lightweight, easy-to-store, and odor-free PencilWash would be the perfect complementary product.
Conversely, if you are used to doing a thorough cleaning once a week and need a large volume of running water to wash the floor to remove kitchen grease or large areas of mud, then the flagship Clean+Wash Hygiene with its larger water tank and stronger downpressure will meet your heavy-duty needs.
