Dyson's New PencilVac Is the Lightest and Thinnest Cordless Vacuum I've Ever Used
Dyson's new PencilVac is different. As the name suggests, the PencilVac is shaped a lot like a pencil. It felt more like holding a broom than a vacuum. It's also the lightest and thinnest cordless vacuum I've ever used, measuring just 38 millimeters in diameter and weighing less than 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms). The entire motor (a Hypderdynium 140k motor) is somehow small enough to fit into the handle, which isn't any bigger than the rest of the vacuum.
The PencilVac is just 38 millimeters in diameter, including the motor that fits the handle.
Ajay Kumar
While cordless vacuums are easier to maneuver than corded ones, they can be notably top-heavy, with some as heavy as 12 pounds, and even the lighter ones usually weigh around 6 or 7 pounds.
Key specs:
38mm diameter and weighs less than 4 pounds (1.8kg)
Four conical Fluffycones cleaner heads that can detangle long hair
Dyson Hyperdymium 140k motor, 34% more power dense with 55 air watts of suction
A dust separation system can capture 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns
Dust compression system to compress dust in a 0.08-liter dustbin
Connects to the MyDyson app to monitor battery and filter maintenance
Dust illuminating green LEDs on both sides
60-minute replaceable battery pack
Magnetic charging dock with tool storage
Dual green LED lights help you find dust.
Ajay Kumar
Using the PencilVac
Swiping the brush head rollers around the wood floor in Dyson's showroom took minimal effort, and part of that comes from the brush head design. Rather than the standard single or dual brush roller, the PencilVac has four conical brush bars (in an array of two on each side). They're designed to eject hair as it's picked up and prevent it from wrapping around and tangling the brush bars. The front bar rotates in one direction while the rear ones rotate in the opposite direction, in theory making cleaning more comprehensive.
The PencilVac has four rollers on its brush head.
Ajay Kumar
The dustbin fills up quickly, but it's easy to empty
I briefly used the vacuum in Dyson's showroom to clean up biscuit crumbs from the floor. The green LED lights are a feature you'll find on the Dyson V15 Detect as well, and they make it easy to see dust and other debris. The mess was clean in a few swipes, with the dustbin successfully compacting the crumbs into a tightly packed mass. It was fascinating to see all the dirt collecting right at the top of the dustbin. Dyson claims that despite only having a 0.08-liter capacity, the new dustbin design can pack five times the dust and debris into the same space.
The dust gets compacted into a tightly packed mass, saving you space.
Ajay Kumar
That might be true, but I noticed that the dustbin filled up quickly and required immediate emptying between each demonstration. For reference, the average size of a dustbin on a cordless vacuum is usually between 0.5 liters on the small end and as much as one liter on the bigger end.
I just don't see the PencilVac being a main vacuum for people in big households with pets and kids, though it can make a nice supplement to a more mainstream vacuum since it's so light and easy to use.
Eject the vacuum like a syringe
Emptying the PencilVac ejects the dust and debris like a plunger or syringe.
Ajay Kumar
On the plus side, emptying the dustbin is easy with a unique plunger-style ejection system that allows you to eject dust directly into the trash without needing to shake out or tap the dustbin. A few tools are included, like the combi-crevice and conical hair screw tool, and may lend it more to light cleaning tasks, by helping you get into tight spaces and awkward gaps and pull out hair from carpets, sofas and mattresses.
The PencilVac comes with a magnetic charging dock, but unlike some competitors like the Shark Clean & Empty, it won't self-empty. This is also Dyson's first connected vacuum, allowing you to pair it with the MyDyson app to monitor things like battery life and filter maintenance.
The rollers are designed to eject hair to avoid tangling.
Ajay Kumar
Price and availability
Dyson hasn't shared the pricing with us yet, but it will be available in the US on Dyson.com starting next year. I'm looking forward to testing it in our Louisville lab to see how it compares to other thin and lightweight options as well as beefier models.
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A comfortable pair of headphones can make any long-haul flight, gym workout, or train trip even better. The wrong pair? You're in for poor battery life, tinny sound, and maybe the worst part: ear aches and weird pressure points. To help avoid this, our team tested 55 pairs of headphones over the past six months to find the most comfortable pairs of over-ear headphones and earbuds, evaluating our picks based on ease of setup, ease of use, comfort, sound quality, performance, and value. We wore these during work commutes, in distracting office settings, on long walks, and during sweaty workouts. As someone who can't function in loud places without some sort of noise dampening, I've also tested a variety of headphones both on this list (like the Ozlo Sleepbuds, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, and both Anker pairs) and some that didn't make the cut (my favorite bone-conducting pair is the Raycon's Open Earbuds). I have different headphones for the gym, my runs, bike rides, plane rides, and remote work calls, and all have a time and place in my gym bag or carry-on. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones took the top spot this year thanks to their cushioned ear pads, deceptively lightweight build, and world-class noise cancelling. Read on for the rest of our top picks. Credit: Amazon $449 at Amazon $450 at Target $449 at Walmart Landing in our top slot for the second year in a row are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. They have an intuitive design, just enough features to be convenient without confusing, and up to 24 hours of battery life. Similar to the classic QuietComfort, the Ultras are lightweight for their size, and don't constrict our ears. We don't feel aches and pressure points after wearing them on long-haul flights, and the Bose app is fairly intuitive with plenty of customizable settings. The setup process is quick and painless, and the 'touch bar' is a unique feature that can either adjust the volume or be set for customized shortcuts via the app. The plush leather ear cups fit nicely around our ears, and the sound quality—from noise cancelling to voice calls—was clear and crisp. As expected, we did get a little hot wearing these during the muggy summer days, but that's to be expected for a large set like this. Yes, you'll pay more for the Ultras than the standard, but if you're looking for a pair of do-it-all headphones that combine excellent comfort, long battery life, and premium sound quality, they're worth it. The Details: 8.96 ounces | Up to 24 hours of battery | Up to 30 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $249 $230 at Amazon $250 at Target View on Walmart Apple's AirPods have come a long way since their initial release, and the Pro 2 model brings it up another notch with effective noise cancelling and better in-ear comfort. The hear-through mode acts similar to bone-conducting headphones in that it separates your music from the noises around you. The earbuds respond well when we turn our heads to hear from different directions. The buttons are simple and intuitive, with one discreet button on either bud. The right button turns on noise cancellation and the left is for hear-through. 'This is new to me from their previous models, and I love it.' says T+L editor Taylor Fox. We were able to take phone calls on busy commutes and on loud streets, and they stayed in place well during test workouts, bouncy runs, and jumping jacks. These are a top choice for Mac users, as they connect to the Apple ecosystem and pair easily with our iPhone, though getting them to connect to our laptops was a little trickier. Lastly, these are some of the most compact earbuds on our list, weighing less than a quarter-ounce and perfect for stashing in the pocket of a personal item. The Details: 0.19 ounces | Up to 6 hours of battery | Up to 30 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure These premium headphones have been on our heads daily since we got them, from taking calls while running errands to riding the train and after eight-hour workdays. They set up like magic (hold your phone near the headphones and the app automatically downloads) and after a quick features tutorial, we were all set. They have an automatic on-off feature which helps conserve battery life, and each sound feature was as impressive as the last. The glass ear cup base operates all of the commands with swiping (which works with either hand), and they have a unique dial on both ear cups that operates sound volume and the level of noise cancellation. 'These are some of the most intuitive headphones that I own,' says T+L editor Morgan Ashley Parker. 'Other pairs I feel like I'm tapping and toggling and swiping and simply hoping for the best (or accidentally doing the wrong thing) but that hasn't happened once with these.' Parker was also impressed with the comfort of these headphones, fitting well over her ears without pressing into her lobes or piercings. They stayed secure even when moving and bending over, and the actual music quality felt like 'being in a recording studio.' A splurge? Yes. But if you have the funds and want just one incredibly high quality, comfortable pair of headphones, we think these are worth it. The Details: 13.2 ounces | Up to 32 hours of battery | Up to 40 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Bowers & Wilkins $389 at Amazon View on Target View on Walmart It's easy to forget where you are while wearing this luxurious set from Bowers & Wilkins—the noise cancellation is just that good. Phone calls came in clear, the layers of music were clearly audible, and ambient noise from traffic and public transport disappeared. 'I kept cycling through the different noise-canceling modes while listening to music and the difference was astounding. It was like I was transporting between a quiet room and a crowded train with the press of a button,' says T+L's senior testing editor Jackie Cucco, who was shocked to hear how loud the people around her were after turning off the noise cancellation. The combination of comfort and security is also a dream, with a just-right fit that feels secure around the heads and ears without too much pressure. We watched movies, listened to podcasts, all types of music, and took calls in these headphones and never noticed staticky, distorted, or poorly mixed sounds. The battery life is also impressive, hitting the mark on the claimed 30 hours of listening time and saving the hassle of dead headphones during the noisiest part of our commute. The Details: 10.8 ounces | Up to 30 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Beats $249 at Amazon $200 $180 at Walmart View on Seamless to set up and packed with features, these workout-friendly headphones combine over-ear and earbud designs with a curved ear band that tucked behind our ears and secured the headphones in place. We loved the on-device controls that eliminated the need to keep taking our phone out, and we could play, pause, and adjust the volume right from the in-ear units. Like similarly high-end headphones, these have a power-charge setting where you can get up to 90 minutes of playback with just a few minutes in the charging case and up to 10 hours per charge, with 45 hours stored in the case. Aside from the sweat -and-water resistance, the biggest argument for tossing these headphones in your gym bag is their built-in heart rate monitoring. Just connect the headphones to your fitness app, and the internal tech uses LED optical sensors that pulse over 100 times per second to measure your blood flow. Finally, the sound quality was crisp and clear from the gym and back during noisy commutes. 'The quality is great, no matter the content I listen to,' said T+L writer Rosie Marder. 'It's clear and powerful with no distortions.' Our main issue was with the combination design: the wrap-around kept the headphones secure, but we did feel some discomfort during longer wears from the added pressure points. The Details: .28 ounces | Up to 45 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Around-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds are both comfortable and portable, making them an easy choice for tucking into a jacket pocket or in the outside of our gym bags. The audio is also clear and immersive, whether watching movies or listening to multilayered songs in any genre. The podcast conversations were easy to hear, and we didn't have issues with having to turn the audio up or down depending on what was happening in the episode. 'These are great for listening to music or watching movies with intricate sound design,' noted T+L senior editor Lydia Price. The headphones come with four different silicone ear tips, which made it easy to get a secure fit for workouts. They're also waterproof, which eliminated the stress of avoiding a rainy run or damaging them during a sweaty workout. We had no sore spots or pressure points from the in-ear portions, and phone audio was very clear regardless of how the microphones were positioned. These don't have the best battery life out of the headphones we tested, so they're best for shorter wear and wouldn't be our first choice for a full workday or long-haul flight. The Details: 0.21 ounces | Up to 8 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Google $229 $193 at Amazon View on Walmart View on We've used both generations of the Pixel Buds Pro, and the 2 is a noticeable upgrade from the original model. The touch/gesture options to control the headphones mirror the controls for the Pixel Buds 1, but the new version responds faster and more reliably. We also love that the 2 allows auto-pause when one earbud is removed, which was technically a feature on the 1 but suffered delays and glitches. We appreciated the moderate amount of features and menus (via the unit and the app) that offered plenty of options without feeling overdone, and the noise cancellation was effective during everything from riding the train to staying distraction-free at work. Comfort is also a noticeable upgrade from the previous version. Our ears would start to get a little sore from the size and shape of the earbuds on the older model, but we were able to wear the PB2 for hours without feeling discomfort. These have a slimmer profile that reduces pressure without losing security, and we barely felt like we had anything in, which was especially nice in 'transparency' mode. Overall, the sound is balanced, the battery life is more than adequate, and these might have the best upgrade between versions of anything we've tested. The Details: 0.14 ounces | Up to 30 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $450 at Amazon View on Walmart View on These highly cushioned headphones paired easily and were customizable via the JBL app, though we loved how the app wasn't required for pairing. These also come with a nifty transmitter, which allows you to join two headphones for listening to the same source, or to connect to an output source without Bluetooth (think: game system or airplane TV). We didn't find this super intuitive, but 'once you get the hang of it, it's a nifty feature and all the cords that you need to use the transmitter are included,' reported T+L editor Jasmine Grant. Along with high sound quality, these were some of the most comfortable headphones we tested. The ear cups were plush and pillowy, but didn't feel bulky like other highly cushioned models. They slip on and off without pulling, and the headband is springy and generously sized so it didn't squeeze our heads and ears during all-day wear. The noise cancellation mode was more than sufficient for listening to audiobooks and podcasts, and the treble, bass, and even acoustic and lighter music felt full and rich. These give almost a 'surround sound' feel in noise cancellation mode, and we plan to take these on our upcoming flights this season. The Details: 9.8 ounces | Up to 70 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $349 at Amazon View on When it comes to noise cancellation, white noise, and comfort, the Ozlo Sleepbuds are my top choice for sleeping headphones. The T+L team tested them as well, and came away impressed with the comfort, sleek design, and fit options. I have smaller ears, and these feel stable when I sleep and are very effective at blocking out noise. The tips are soft and squishy, and I've experienced no discomfort even after wearing them all night. These are a must-have for red-eye flights and noisy campsites, and they blocked out the seven nights of fireworks over the Fourth of July week. The Ozlo app has a lot of white noise options, and unlike other sleep headphones, you can also play your own music through the connectivity to whatever music app you usually listen to. That said, these aren't perfect, and I've had some battery issues with both sets I've tested. My first set wouldn't hold a charge, and though the company replaced them, my second set is quite finicky and only charges with the branded USB-C cable. Additionally, unlike my other headphones, these die when I leave them stashed in a drawer. I've boarded more than one flight only to find them completely dead in the case, and while they charge quickly, it's a frustrating glitch. We also had some issues getting these to connect via the app, and they can take a few tries to register via Bluetooth. The fact that we still love these despite their tech glitches is a testament to how well they perform when they work. Once they're charged, they make a red-eye bearable. The Details: 0.12 ounces | Up to 12 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $100 $80 at Amazon View on View on Verizon These headphones were among the most comfortable T+L editor Amelia McBride has worn, and she also loved the combination of plush foam and faux leather that never felt compressive or heavy. McBride was especially hyped about where the headband expands, 'where the speakers connect to the headband, rather than at the middle.' This expansion includes a brushed metallic metal core that matches the color of the logo and details on each speaker, which makes them look sleek and stylish when fully expanded. The headphones did slip a little during weight-lifting sessions, but once they were tightened down, they stayed in place well. They felt quite light for the size, though the over-ear portion is a bit bulkier than others we've tested. The sound quality was also impressive, allowing clear layers of music while on busy streets, running errands, or even listening passively to podcasts. That said, we appreciate a good bass and reverb, and the resonance was somewhat lacking in that regard. We played around with the EQ presets for somewhat deeper sound, but overall our complaints are minor for the comfort and features of these relatively affordable headphones. The Details: 10.3 ounces | Up to 60 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $49 at Amazon View on Walmart View on The Soundcore Space A40 were my only earbuds on a 500-mile Colorado Trail backpacking trip where weight, battery life, and weatherproofing were critical. These worked so well and were so convenient, I couldn't believe they didn't cost more. These buds were also a favorite among T+L editors thanks to their combination of value, extended battery life, and resonant sound quality that belied their small size and reasonable price. They were easy to wear for hours at a time, and didn't budge during sweaty hikes or inclement weather. I wore them in downpours on the Colorado Trail, and the T+L team even tested them in the shower with no adverse effects. I was able to wipe them off and tucked them back in the case to charge after wearing them in the rain. They provide up to 50 hours of listening on a fully charged case, and 10 hours at a time, which was more than enough for a day of hiking. The Details: 0.63 ounces | Up to 10 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $20 $16 at Amazon View on These bright, fun headphones have been perfect for road trips, audiobooks, and kid's music, with a simple AUX cord plug-in that works with any device with a headphone jack port. The cord comes with a safety-minded noise limiter, and we were able to toggle between 85 and 95 decibels for max volume. These were comfortable for our pint-size tester to wear for several hours at a time, with nicely cushioned ear cups and a simple design that didn't feel too high tech or intimidating. The materials are lightweight but still durable, and even though these took a few falls during the test period, they suffered no dings or damage. They also come in a variety of fun colors that even the adults were jealous of. Even though the price is quite reasonable, there were no wiring glitches and the sound was clear through both ears. The Details: 6.7 ounces | Wired connectivity | On-ear | Volume Limited Hearing Protection Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure
