Just eight months ago, Dyson unveiled its innovative PencilVac, a vacuum cleaner designed with all major components compacted into a broom-shaped handle. This unique design required engineers to develop a new, miniature motor, setting the PencilVac apart in the market.
However, a competitor has emerged. The PencilVac was launched in the UK in December 2025, with earlier releases in Australia, while the US market is still awaiting its arrival. At CES in January 2026, I encountered a prototype of Narwal's version, which raises several intriguing questions for Dyson.
Currently, I am testing the Dyson PencilVac (a full review will be available once the embargo lifts in early February) and I am quite impressed. Narwal's prototype, while still unnamed and lacking detailed specifications, bears a striking resemblance to Dyson's design.
Examining the two, Narwal's vacuum features a similar streamlined shape, with mechanics integrated into the handle. Although the handle is oblong instead of round, it includes a power switch, a small information screen, a battery at the top, and a dust cup at the bottom.
Design Comparison
While I couldn't assess the maneuverability or weight of Narwal's prototype, the PencilVac excels in these areas based on my experience. Narwal claims its version will feature a '360-degree swivel' and be lighter than the PencilVac, although no specifications were provided to confirm this.
Dyson's PencilVac boasts a unique floorhead with soft, cone-shaped rollers to prevent hair wrap. In contrast, Narwal's prototype has a more conventional design with a single parallel roller, still soft, indicating it is intended for hard floors rather than carpets. Dyson has also equipped its floorhead with dirt-illuminating lasers, while Narwal mentions a 'dirt-detection headlight' as part of its features.
Innovative Features
One notable deviation in Narwal's design is the inclusion of an auto-empty dock, which allows the vacuum's smaller onboard bin to automatically empty into a larger dust cup or bag when docked. This feature is becoming increasingly common in stick vacuums and is even set to be introduced in Dyson's lineup, yet it is absent from the PencilVac.
The auto-empty dock is a practical addition, as the compact design of these vacuums limits the size of the dust cup. Dyson's PencilVac utilizes air-powered compression to maximize space, but it still only holds 0.8L, which fills quickly, especially for pet owners. An auto-empty dock would alleviate the hassle of emptying the bin.
Performance Specs
Another area where Narwal may pose a challenge to Dyson is in battery life and suction power. Narwal claims its vacuum will deliver 140AW of suction, significantly higher than the PencilVac's 55AW. Additionally, while the PencilVac offers up to 30 minutes of cleaning per charge, Narwal's version is said to last either 50 minutes or 45 minutes, depending on the source. This discrepancy is noteworthy.
However, it is essential to remember that Narwal's vacuum is still in the prototype stage, and I remain cautious about the accuracy of these specifications. Narwal has produced some commendable robot vacuums, but its overall reliability and quality have been inconsistent compared to Dyson.
Nonetheless, I will be closely monitoring Narwal's progress as it prepares to enter the market.