Surprisingly, I found myself loving Dyson’s PencilVac Fluffycones.

As a dedicated reviewer of robotic vacuums, I’ve never been a fan of stick vacs. They tend to be bulky, heavy, and often run out of battery or get clogged. But then I encountered the PencilVac Fluffycones, Dyson’s innovative $599 cordless stick vacuum, and it was an instant connection.

The name PencilVac Fluffycones perfectly captures this whimsically designed vacuum. If more vacuums had such playful names, my cleaning routine would be a lot more enjoyable. It’s sleek and lightweight, resembling a pencil, and features fluffy, cone-shaped rollers that glide effortlessly across floors.

While I wouldn’t recommend it as your primary cleaning tool (it doesn’t handle carpets well!), its slim profile and easy maneuverability make it a fantastic companion to a robot vacuum. The robot can handle the bulk of the cleaning, while this lightweight device, which conveniently sits in a magnetic charging dock, is perfect for quick touch-ups and tackling stairs and baseboards.

Claimed by Dyson to be “the world’s slimmest vacuum cleaner,” the PencilVac packs all its components into a 1.5-inch-diameter handle that runs the length of the vacuum. Inside, you’ll find the electronics, battery, dustbin, and a compact 28mm motor that spins at 140,000 RPM, delivering 55 air watts of suction. This motor is the same one used in Dyson’s Supersonic R hair dryer, making it feel like you’re wielding a reverse hair dryer to clean your floors.

Weighing in at under four pounds, the PencilVac is incredibly easy to handle, thanks to its four caster rollers that allow for smooth pivoting in multiple directions. Even my husband, who recently underwent shoulder surgery, found it easy to use for cleaning the kitchen floor.

The standout feature of the PencilVac is its fluffycones—four cone-shaped roller bars at the vacuum’s head designed to guide long hair down and out for easy suction. This concept works well in practice, although it can struggle with thicker hair clumps.

While it resembles a broom in both appearance and movement, its suction power is about half that of Dyson’s entry-level cordless stick vacuum, the V8. It excels at picking up dust, small hair tufts, and lightweight debris like Cheerios and dried oatmeal, but larger messes can be a challenge.

This is why it pairs well with a robot vacuum that regularly sweeps and mops. Dyson’s marketing suggests it’s a stylish option for those living in pristine apartments, but for most of us, it’s not a suitable primary vacuum, especially if you have carpets or rugs. However, it shines for quick clean-ups and reaching dust bunnies on stairs—areas where robot vacuums often fall short.

Less cumbersome than any stick vacuum I’ve tried, it’s a breeze to use on stairs, and its compact dock fits easily in kitchens or bathrooms, making it accessible when you need a high-powered broom.

The PencilVac maneuvers effortlessly around furniture and can lie flat to clean under sofas and beds. Its included crevice tool and dusting attachment are effective for baseboards and windowsills, reaching areas that robot vacuums can’t, like behind the TV console.

After just a couple of days of use, I quickly adapted to the absence of a traditional handle; it feels just like using a broom. However, the main drawback is its suction power; it struggles with larger dirt clumps and is ineffective on carpets.

The battery life is also limited, running for about 30 minutes on low and around 20 minutes on medium, which I found myself using most often. There’s a boost mode for extra power, but it’s best suited for quick touch-ups rather than deep cleaning.

Another point to consider is that this is Dyson’s first stick vacuum compatible with the My Dyson app. Currently, its functionality is limited to software updates and filter-cleaning alerts, and it requires Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you need to be near the vacuum to update it. The app also prompted me for permanent location access without a clear reason.

With its limited suction, short runtime, and inability to handle carpets, the PencilVac Fluffycones isn’t designed to be a whole-home cleaner. If you’re in the market for a proper vacuum in this price range, Dyson’s V8 Absolute is a better option, offering double the suction and the ability to clean carpets and other surfaces effectively.

But let’s be honest: the PencilVac is just plain fun. It embodies Dyson’s knack for creating overengineered devices that are a joy to use, even if they’re not strictly necessary.