Dyson PencilVac vs Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
These two are not substitutes. The Dyson PencilVac is a $0 vacuum for hard floors; the Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are a $7.29 consumable at Target. Buy the PencilVac if you need to remove dust and pet hair from hard floors and flat rugs. Buy the Clorox wipes if you need to disinfect glass and household touchpoints. Neither replaces the other, so most homes end up with both.
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Dyson PencilVac
Choose the Dyson PencilVac if you want a 4 lb cordless stick that pulls dust and pet hair off hard floors and flat rugs and shows hidden dust with a green light.
Pros
- Lightweight 4 lb design
- Green light reveals hidden dust on hard floors
- Agile and maneuverable
- Bagless, easy to empty
- Good pickup of dust and pet hair on hard floors and flat rugs
Cons
- Not suitable for carpets
- Small 0.08 gal dust capacity
- Lower suction than full-size Dysons
- App setup can be fiddly
What separates them
| Dyson PencilVac | Clorox Disinfecting Wipes | |
|---|---|---|
| Job | Removes dust, dirt and pet hair from hard floors | Disinfects and cleans hard surfaces |
| Power and setup | Rechargeable cordless vacuum; app setup can be fiddly | No power, no setup; pull a wipe from the canister |
| Surfaces | Hard floors and flat rugs; not suitable for carpets | Glass and common household surfaces |
| Reusability | Reusable; bagless 0.08 gal dust box you empty | Single-use disposable wipe |
| Weight and handling | 4 lb and agile on hard floors | Light hand-held wipe |
| Consumable cost | One purchase, no refills | Repeat purchases as the canister runs out |
| Scent and chemicals | No scent, no chemicals | Fresh and Citrus scents; disinfecting formula |
Price history
- Dyson PencilVac: lowest $440.00 on Oct 28.
- Clorox Disinfecting Wipes: lowest $7.29 on Oct 28.
Specs compared
| Spec | Dyson PencilVac | Clorox Disinfecting Wipes |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Stick | — |
| Bagless | Yes | — |
| Color | Black | — |
| Weight | 4 lb | — |
| Capacity | 0.08 gal | — |
| Form Type | — | Wipes |
| Intended Use | — | Disinfecting |
| Specific Use Case | — | Disinfectant |
| Typical Use Cases | — | Household |
| Container Type | — | Canister |
| Scent Type | — | Fresh, Citrus |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for hard floors?
- The Dyson PencilVac. It is built for hard floors and flat rugs and uses a green light to show hidden dust. Clorox wipes clean surfaces by hand but do not remove floor dust or pet hair.
- Can the PencilVac clean carpets?
- No. It is not suitable for carpets, and some buyers did not realize that. Use a full-size vacuum for carpet.
- Is the PencilVac worth it over wipes?
- They do different jobs, so it is not either-or. If floor dust and pet hair are your problem, the PencilVac is the tool. If germs on counters and glass are the problem, the wipes are.
- Do the Clorox wipes last longer than the vacuum?
- No. The canister is used up and replaced; the PencilVac is a one-time purchase with a reusable dust box. The wipes cost less up front but recur.
- Which is easier to use?
- The Clorox wipes. There is no charging, no app and no emptying. The PencilVac needs charging and app setup can be fiddly, though it is agile once running.
- Are the wipes safe on glass?
- Yes. Clorox lists glass among the surfaces the wipes are safe for, and they disinfect as they clean.