Dyson W1 PencilWash: 30-second review
Dyson has updated its lightweight wet floor cleaner with a redesigned floorhead and extra-long battery life, without increasing the price. The second-generation PencilWash takes the best features of the original—its lightweight build, ease of use, and effective wet cleaning—and adds thoughtful features that make it an even better everyday cleaning tool.
The cleaning head’s plush-feeling roller is now sprinkled with stiffer bristles to tackle welded-on stains effectively without scuffing your floor. The upgraded clean water tank is larger and fully detachable, and emptying soiled water is less messy too. After mopping, your floors will be dry and ready to walk on almost immediately.
It’s an excellent package, but before buying, note that Dyson has cut the price of the original PencilWash to just $199.99 / £179 in the US and UK respectively. That represents great value if you want to spruce up a relatively small home.
The source reviewer noted that the only real drawback of the W1 PencilWash was that hair tended to get wrapped around one of the wheels underneath the floor head, rather than sticking entirely to the roller.
Note that the PencilWash isn’t a vacuum cleaner, and has no suction capabilities. For a slim and lightweight vacuum, buyers should look at alternative models.
Dyson W1 PencilWash: price and availability
Dyson announced the W1 PencilWash in September 2026, launching the product globally the following month—nine months after the debut of the original PencilWash.
It carries a list price of $349.99 / £299.99, matching the launch price of the original model, though promotional discounts have occasionally been available.
This positions it as relatively expensive for a wet-only floor cleaner when several multi-function wet-and-dry vacuums occupy a similar price bracket, such as alternatives from Bissell and Shark.
Shoppers are primarily paying for the lightweight, compact design, which suits apartments and smaller homes better than bulky wet-dry machinery.
Dyson W1 PencilWash: design
Visually, the W1 PencilWash closely resembles its predecessor, featuring an indigo-colored slender handle and a Submarine floor head. A rear tank dispenses water onto a microfiber roller, while a blade extracts dirty water into an internal container.
Key differences include the microfiber roller infused with stiffer scrubbing fibers and a new metal comb designed to detangle hair. These additions help address stubborn dirt more effectively than the first-generation model.
Furthermore, the clean water tank is now fully removable and boasts a larger capacity, facilitating longer cleaning sessions without interruption.
Dyson PencilWash floorhead comparison
The dirty water collection tank has also been reworked to reduce spills during emptying, making the cleanup process significantly cleaner than the original PencilWash.
Regional variations exist for the charging docks. The UK version utilizes a charging stand for the handle alongside a separate floorhead holder.
Meanwhile, the US variant features a magnetic charging stand called the Dok, which accommodates the entire assembled unit for added convenience.
Dyson W1 PencilWash: performance
During operation, the handle feels lightweight while the plush microfiber roller pulls the device forward, minimizing physical effort during mopping sessions.
Testing evaluated various household messes, including dried juice, ketchup, toothpaste, flour, and stray hair.
The device can operate with plain water or a recommended cleaning solution such as Dyson 02 Probiotic Hard Floor Cleaning Solution.
The mop successfully cleared flour, juice, and ketchup on a single pass. Tougher messes like congealed toothpaste required multiple passes, but the roller system effectively deposited waste into the tank without leaving streaks.
An articulated floorhead and a flat-folding handle allow the unit to maneuver easily beneath low furniture and tight spaces like chair legs.
Ketchup cleaning test
Laminate flooring dried rapidly after cleaning, showing complete dryness within 10 seconds on regular mode.
While the metal comb reduced manual roller cleaning, evaluators observed that hair could occasionally wrap tightly around the small wheels on the underside of the floorhead.
Toothpaste cleaning test
The microfiber roller requires extended time to air-dry, occasionally taking up to two days unless aided by a dehumidifier.
Battery performance exceeded manufacturer specifications significantly during testing, providing over two hours of continuous active mopping on a single charge.
Overall, the W1 PencilWash serves as a refined upgrade with improved water management and scrubbing power, making it ideal for homes with extensive hard flooring.
Buy it if
You have lots of hard floors
With its incredible battery life, the W1 PencilWash can mop an entire home on a single charge.
You want to clean little and often
The unit is quick to deploy and floors dry rapidly, ensuring high convenience for daily maintenance.
Don't buy it if
You have long hair
Hair can occasionally accumulate around the floorhead wheels despite internal combs.
You have unsealed floors
Neither version of the PencilWash is recommended for unsealed flooring.
Dyson W1 PencilWash: also consider
Alternative wet floor cleaners to consider include:
Dyson PencilWash
The original model remains a strong alternative, especially given recent price cuts for smaller residences.
Bissell CrossWave HydroScrub
A robust option for those seeking a combined wet and dry cleaning system at a comparable price point.
