Dyson PencilVac vs Dyson V8 Cyclone
Get the Dyson V8 Cyclone. Unless you only have hard floors and want a slim second vacuum with a laser — then the PencilVac.
Dyson PencilVac
Slim and clever on hard floors, but it can't clean carpet and the bin is tiny.
Dyson V8 Cyclone
The cheapest way into a proper Dyson — fine for everyday cleaning in most homes.
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The V8 Cyclone handles everyday cleaning on carpet and hard floors for about half the price. The PencilVac is great for quick hard-floor cleans and has a laser, but it can't clean carpet and the bin is tiny.
- —You only have hard floors.
- —You want a slim second vacuum.
- —You want a laser to show dust.
- —You have carpet or rugs.
- —You want one vacuum for the whole home.
- —You want a Dyson for less.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Very slim and light
- +Hair doesn't wrap the brush
- +Laser shows dust on hard floors
- −Very poor on carpet; the brush stalls.
- −Tested runtime was about 24 minutes on Eco and 11 on Boost.
- −Cleaning the filter is fiddly.
- +The cheapest current Dyson
- +Light and simple
- +Good for quick daily cleans
- −A power button instead of a trigger: easier on long cleans, fiddlier for quick ones.
- −Runtime is short on the strongest setting.
- −No separate hard-floor head, so it can push bigger crumbs along hard floors.
Ready to choose?
- Is the PencilVac worth it?
- Is the V8 Cyclone worth it?
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How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: TechRadar, Trusted Reviews, Vacuum Wars, manufacturer specifications.