Miele released their first bagless vacuum cleaner in 2016 for customers in the UK and Germany, and just in 2018 they were released in the USA.
It’s interesting to see Miele move into the bagless market and compete with the likes of Dyson, Shark, and the other bagless juggernauts. This overview has been updated with information about the different Miele Blizzard CX-1 Models, and the latest Compact C1 and C2 Series vacuums.
Best Miele Vacuums – Choose Your Style
Miele Canister Vacuums
Canister vacuums are Miele’s specialty, and you will notice there are significantly more models to choose from than the other categories. These are some of the best Miele vacuums available, and they have industry leading filtration and cleaning performance. Miele vacuums are tested to last 20 years, so it’s important to pick a vacuum cleaner that has the features you need for your cleaning arsenal, or at least gives you the option of buying additional attachments later on.
If you’re considering a canister vacuum, the most important thing to pay attention to is the cleaner head. While canister vacuum cleaners are generally more versatile than upright vacuum cleaners, Miele has models that come standard with cleaner heads for various cleaning needs and for vacuuming different flooring types. Some are more versatile than others.
With Miele’s canister vacuum cleaners, the cleaner head is swappable to various different types of floor tools and attachments meant for cleaning different surfaces. One caveat is that the electrobrush is only compatible with models that have an electrical connection built into the hose and handle. We’ve outlined the models that come with the the electrobrush below. If you know you’ll be vacuuming carpet, getting the electrobrush is worth the extra cost and is one of Miele’s most effective floor tools.
Each of the Miele C1, C2, and C3 Series are capable of cleaning bare (i.e. hardwood) flooring, but some models will require you to purchase a different cleaner head for vacuuming carpet or area rugs. You can avoid buying extra attachments if you follow this guide and make sure you get the right standard features you need.
Most Common Canister Attachments:
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Combination Tool (SBD 285-3,SBD 350-3) – Floor tool for low-pile carpet and bare flooring (Hardwood, Linoleum, Tile, …) |
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Parquett Twister (SBB300-3) – Specialized Bare Floor Tool. |
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TurboBrush (STB205-3) – Air-driven brushroll for cleaning low-pile carpet or bare flooring. It’s especially effective for cleaning up pet hair. |
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ElectroBrush (SEB217-3, SEB228, SEB236) – Electric brushroll that can handle any carpet or bare flooring. (SEB236 or 228 recommended for very thick carpet or area rugs) |
Miele Blizzard CX1 Series
The bagless vacuums by Miele are around the same price points as the mid to upper range bag models. They have similar features as the bag models such as the handle controls, integrated accessories, retractable power cord, and compatibility with all Miele attachments.
Filtration is the next question you may have about the bagless models. Miele uses what they call “Vortex Technology” that produces airflow at a velocity of more than 62 MPH. This separates coarse particles into the primary dustbin while allowing fine dust particles to be trapped in the pre-motor filter. This lets you empty the dustbin without causing a plume of dust rising up from your trash can. The ComfortClean system automatically shakes the pre-motor filter, causing built-up dust to fall into the housing to be washed out every 6 months or so depending on your usage.
- Recommended Turbo brush Model: Miele Blizzard CX1 Turbo Team
- Recommended Electrobrush Model: Miele Blizzard CX1 Electro
Miele Upright Vacuum Cleaners
If an upright vacuum is more your style, Miele has a few models that have the same industry-leading filtration as their canister vacuums.
They’re also priced on the low to mid range relative to the canister models.
With any upright vacuum there is no worrying about which attachment to use on which floor type, and they’re more suited for light cleaning The dustbags used with Miele uprights are 5.45 quarts instead of the 4.76 quarts used with the larger canister vacuum cleaners.
The primary difference between the different Dynamic U1 models is the type of filter included (HEPA or not) and the accessories. The Maverick is the basic model and has all the essentials. The Jazz has a HEPA filter included as well LED headlights. The Cat & Dog has a carbon AirClean filter for removing pet odors, LED headlight, and a mini turbobrush nozzle for the hose for cleaning upholstery and pet hair. On the other hand, it doesn’t feature integrated tool storage.
Miele Robot Vacuums
Miele Stick Vacuum Cleaners
Miele For Allergy, Asthma, & COPD Sufferers
HEPA filters aim to remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger.
So, how does that affect which vacuum cleaner I should buy?
Mold spores and pollen are relatively large particles, so any decent vacuum has an easy time of removing them from their exhausted air. The problem is when smaller particles, such as dust mite allergens, germs, cat allergens, light dust, and soot, are not filtered efficiently and get recirculated into the air in your home by the exhausted air from your vacuum.
Think of it like driving a car down a dry, dusty road and a cloud of dirt billowing up behind the car. Once the dust is settled on a surface, if left undisturbed, it doesn’t affect your air quality, but once it’s suspended in the air it becomes a problem for allergy sufferers.
That’s why people that suffer from allergies, asthma, or COPD have to take extra care to maintain air quality in their home. If you’re just now realizing your vacuum cleaner can affect your air quality at home, then getting a Miele vacuum with the AirClean Sealed System is a great place to start.
How well does the Miele AirClean Sealed System work?
Let’s start with understanding the significance of the term “Sealed.”
For any filter to be effective, all of the air drawn into the vacuum must pass through the filter. A vacuum cleaner may use a “HEPA” filter, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is built so that all the air passes through it. That’s why Miele’s design includes seals to make sure no air escapes the vacuum without passing through the filter.
As you can see, a HEPA filter is not enough to produce HEPA filtration. You need the whole package. That’s the AirClean Sealed System.
A combination of the Miele filterbags, HEPA filters, rubber seals, and gaskets ensures that all the air leaving your Miele vacuum cleaner is free of allergens.
The Miele AirClean system has been independently certified to exceed U.S. and European HEPA filtration standards, making Miele vacuums the most hygienic vacuum cleaners on the market. How hygienic? The current EU standard for HEPA filters requires filtration of 99.95% of particles 0.1 microns and larger.
AirClean System Vs. AirClean Sealed System
Though we don’t have data to compare the performance of the basic AirClean System (found in Classic C1 models) and the AirClean Sealed System (found in the Compact C1, C2 and Complete C3 models or equivalent), what we can say is that Miele has made a noticeable effort to make all of their newer models include the AirClean Sealed System.
Much of the Classic C1 line has been made obsolete by the newer Compact C1 and C2 models. You can now get the AirClean Sealed System in a fully-featured Miele canister for the same price that a top-end Classic C1 model (like the Titan) would have cost you just a few years ago.
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t want to spend that much on a new model, the Miele Classic C1 vacuums have extremely good filtration that’s better than nearly any other similarly priced vacuum cleaner from other manufacturers. If you find a great deal on a Classic C1 model, then don’t hesitate!
Noise
Noise is an overlooked characteristic of vacuums. We’ve just come to accept that vacuuming is a loud experience, and we have no choice in the matter, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Miele vacuums are surprisingly quiet. After hitting the power button, the motor quietly purrs into action.
Louder does not mean stronger suction power. Instead, noise can be an indicator of a poorly sealed suction system. That’s yet another advantage of the AirClean Sealed System. Since the vacuum cleaner is properly sealed, that’s one of the main reasons Miele vacuums are so quiet. You can literally hear the better design.
You can test this on your current vacuum. Apply pressure to your bagless dustbin where it connects to the vacuum body or around seals on hoses and you’ll notice a change in the sound when you find a poorly sealed connection.
Miele Bags & Filters
Miele packages its AirClean filters and bags together, and calls the bags, “FilterBags.” The bags are part of the filtration process as well. The AirClean FilterBags are made from randomly spun fibers and are equipped with an auto-seal, a self-locking collar that keeps dust mites and allergens trapped inside when you remove it.
The Miele HEPA and Active Carbon filters come individually and all last for 1 year. They have a time-release strip on the side which you activate when you first insert it into the vacuum cleaner to let you know when the year is up.
Canister Filterbags and Standard AirClean Filters
| Type GN AirClean 3D | Type FJM AirClean 3D | |
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| Contents | 4 Filterbags, 1 Pre-motor Filter, 1 Exhaust Filter | 4 Filterbags, 1 Pre-motor Filter, 1 Exhaust Filter |
| Size | 4.76 Quart | 3.7 Quart |
| Compatible With | All Classic C1, Complete C2, Complete C3 Models | All Compact C1 and Compact C2 Models |
Canister HEPA and Active (Carbon) Filters
| Miele Active AirClean 30 Filter | Miele Active AirClean 50 Filter | Miele HEPA AirClean 30 Filter | Miele HEPA AirClean SF-HA 50 | |
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| Filter Type | SF-AA 30 (Active AirClean) | SF-AA 50 (Active AirClean) | SF-HA 30 (HEPA) | SF-HA 50 (HEPA) |
| Lifetime | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Compatible With | All Classic C1 Models | All Complete C3, Complete C2, Compact C1, Compact C2 Models | All Classic C1 Models | All Complete C3, Complete C2, Compact C1, Compact C2 Models |
Upright & Stick Bags and Filters
For upright vacuum cleaners, the Dynamic U1 Series have 5.45 Quart bags, whereas the largest Miele canister vacuum cleaners have 4.76 Quart bags. The Swing H1 stick vacuum cleaner has a relatively small bag at 2.6 Quarts, but a box comes with 5 bags instead of the usual 4.
The Dynamic U1 Uprights use the SF-HA 30 and SF-AA 30 filters shown above if you want enhanced filtration over the standard AirClean filters.
| U AirClean 3D | KK AirClean | |
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| Contents | 4 Filterbags, 1 Pre-motor filter, 1 Exhaust filter | 5 Filterbags, 1 Pre-motor filter, 1 exhaust filter |
| Size | 5.45 Quart | 2.6 Quart |
| Compatible With | All Dynamic U1 Models | Swing H1 Quickstep |
Miele’s Classic C1 Series Comparison Table
| Miele Classic C1 Limited Edition | Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog | |
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| Primary Cleaner Head | SBD 285-3 Rug and Floor Combination Floor Brush | SEB 228 Electro+ Motorized Brush |
| Attachments | SBB Parquet Floor Brush, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tool | STB20 Mini Turbo Brush, SBB300-3 Parquet Twister, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tool |
| Cleaning Area | 29.5 feet | 29.5 feet |
| Filter/Bag | AirClean / Type GN | AirClean / Type GN |
| Filter System | AirClean (Not Sealed) | AirClean (Not Sealed) |
| Features | VarioClip, 6 Speed Adjustments, Telescopic Wand | VarioClip, 6 Speed Adjustments, Telescopic Wand |
| Recommended Floor Type | Hard Flooring, Low Pile Carpet | Hard Flooring, All Carpet Heights |
Miele’s Compact C1 and C2 Series Comparison Table
| Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction | Miele Compact C1 Turbo | Miele Compact C2 Electro+ | |
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| Primary Cleaner Head | SBD 285-3 Rug & Floor Combination Nozzle | STB205-3 Turbobrush (Air Driven) | SEB228 Electrobrush |
| Attachments | Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tool | SBB Parquet Floor Brush, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tools | SBB Parquet Floor Brush, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tools |
| Cleaning Area | 33 Feet | 33 Feet | 33 Feet |
| Filter/Bag | AirClean / Type GN | AirClean / Type GN | AirClean / Type GN |
| Filter System | AirClean Sealed | AirClean Sealed | AirClean Sealed |
| Features | VarioClip, 6 Speed Adjustments, Telescopic Wand | VarioClip, 6 Speed Adjustments, Telescopic Wand | VarioClip, 6 Speed Adjustments, Telescopic Wand |
| Recommended Floor Type | Hard Flooring, Low Pile Carpet | Hard Flooring, Low Pile Carpet | Hard Flooring, Low to High Pile Carpet |
Miele’s Complete C3 Series Comparison Table
| Miele Complete C3 Calima | Miele Complete C3 Alize | Miele Complete C3 Kona | |
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| Primary Cleaner Head | STB205-3 Turbobrush | STB205-3 Turbobrush | SEB228 Electrobrush |
| Attachments | SBB300-3 Parquet Twister, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool and Crevice Nozzle | SBB300-3 Parquet Twister, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool and Crevice Nozzle | SBB300-3 Parquet Twister, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool and Crevice Nozzle |
| Cleaning Area | 36 Feet | 36 Feet | 36 Feet |
| Filter/Bag | HEPA AirClean / Type GN | HEPA AirClean / Type GN | HEPA AirClean / Type GN |
| Filter System | AirClean Sealed | AirClean Sealed | AirClean Sealed |
| Features | Silence motor with 6 speed settings controlled via +/- footswitch controls, Integrated Accessories, Telescoping Wand | Silence motor with 6 speed settings controlled via +/- footswitch controls, Integrated Accessories, Telescoping Wand | Silence motor with 6 speed settings with Foot Switch or Automatic Setting, Integrated Accessories, Telescoping Wand |
| Recommended Floor Type | Hard Flooring, Low Pile Carpet | Hard Flooring, Low Pile Carpet | Hard Flooring, Low to High Pile Carpet |
| Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog | Miele Complete C3 Marin | Miele Complete C3 Brilliant | |
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| Primary Cleaner Head | SEB228 Electrobrush | SEB236 Electrobrush with LED Headlight | SEB236 Electrobrush with LED Headlight |
| Attachments | SBB300-3 Parquet Twister, STB 101 Mini Turbobrush, Dust Brush, Upholstery Tool and Crevice Nozzle | SBB300-3 Parquet Twister, Dust Brush, Upholstery Tool and Crevice Nozzle | SBB300-3 Parquet Twister XL, Dust Brush, Upholstery Tool and Crevice Nozzle |
| Cleaning Radius | 36 Feet | 36 Feet | 36 Feet |
| Filter/Bag | Active AirClean / Type GN | HEPA AirClean / Type GN | HEPA AirClean / Type GN |
| Filter System | AirClean Sealed | AirClean Sealed | AirClean Sealed |
| Features | Silence motor with 6 speed settings with Foot Switch or Automatic Setting, Integrated Accessories, Telescoping Wand | Silence motor with 6 speed settings controlled via +/- footswitch controls, Integrated Accessories, Telescoping Wand, Adjustable Height Settings | Silence motor with 6 speed settings and Handle Controls w/ Automatic Setting, Integrated Accessories, Telescoping Wand |
| Recommended Floor Type | Hard Flooring, Low to High Pile Carpet | Hard Flooring, Low to High Pile Carpet, Plush Carpet | Hard Flooring, Low to High Pile Carpet, Plush Carpet |
Miele’s Dynamic U1 Series Comparison Table
| Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick | Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog | |
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| Floor Head Features | LED Headlight, Swivel Neck Technology, Automatic Height Adjustment, Variable Suction Control | LED Headlight, Swivel Neck Technology, Automatic Height Adjustment, Variable Suction Control |
| Floor Brush Control | 2 Motor System with On/Off switch for Electrobrush | 2 Motor System with On/Off switch for Electrobrush |
| Cleaning Radius | 54 Feet | 54 Feet |
| Attachments | Dust Brush, Upholstery & Crevice Tools | Dust Brush, Upholstery & Crevice Tools |
| Filter/Bag | HEPA AirClean / Type U | Active AirClean / Type U |
| Filter System | AirClean Sealed | AirClean Sealed |
| Recommended Floor Type | Hard Flooring, Low to High Pile Carpet | Hard Flooring, Low to High Pile Carpet |
Miele Canister Vacuum Attachments
With canister vacuum cleaners you get versatility from being able to swap between attachments for cleaning different surfaces. This can be a great thing if you have a home with a variety of flooring.
It is important to note that even though most attachments are interchangeable between Miele canister vacuum cleaners, the power brush (electrically driven brushroll) attachment is only compatible with certain canister models since it receives power from the vacuum hose. The weaker alternative for canister vacuum cleaners without power at the hose, is the turbobrush. It is powered from suction power alone and is recommended for low to medium-pile carpet.
Carpet Attachments
For Miele canister vacuum cleaners that don’t have an electrically driven brush, the STB 205-3 Turbobrush is essential if you want to get anything done on carpet.
Even if you don’t have pets you will still find the Turbobrush is essential for agitating debris from carpet fibers. Without a power brush, it is difficult to remove hair, lint, and dust from carpet or area rugs.
The standard FiberTeQ floor tool that comes with the Miele Classic C1 Olympus (and an equivalent is included with the Limited Edition) is an attachment that Miele claims can clean low-pile carpet. It can, but you will be disappointed with its performance on anything but hard (bare) floor surfaces. With low-pile carpet less agitation is needed to release debris from carpet fibers, but having a power brush is essential if you want to avoid making multiple passes to pick up stuck-in debris.
SBD 470-3 FiberTeQ
The FiberTeQ is intended for low-pile carpet and bare floors. It has two rear wheels with a soft rubber coating. You can toggle the switch from bare floors to carpet with your foot. The carpet setting just lets the head slide across the floor. There is no power brush. Anything but low-pile carpet won’t get much cleaning from this attachment. The FiberTeQ will fit on all Miele canister vacuum cleaners.
Low-pile carpet is like what you might see in a doctor’s office or many commercial office buildings. In the bare floor mode, a brush lowers from the front which has roughly 0.3 inch openings across along the brush which allows larger debris to slip past and get sucked in by the vacuum.
Though this floor tool is fine for any bare floor, you may find the Parquet tool to be an improvement since it has a much softer and longer brush.
STB 205-3 Turbobrush
The Turbobrush is essential if you’re cleaning carpet. Even though the FiberTeQ is acceptable on low-pile carpet, you will be so much happier with the Turbobrush.
The Turbobrush relies on the airflow from the vacuum cleaner to spin up the brushroll for suction power. This is weaker than the Electrobrush, but works great on low or medium-pile carpet.
In order to keep the power brush working properly, you must keep hair from building up. The more things that get tangled onto the power brush the slower it will go and you won’t get good agitation on your carpet.
Cleaning vehicle interiors or furniture is possible with the Turbobrush. You often need some agitation to break hair and debris from vehicle upholstery. The other alternative is the STB 101 Mini Turbobrush (found below) which will fit into tight spaces better than the full-size version.
The Turbobrush works on any Miele canister model, so if you’ve got something like the Miele Classic C1 Olympus and want better carpet performance then this is the way to go.
SEB 217-3 Electrobrush
The SEB-217-3 Electrobrush, Miele’s mid-size model, is 10″ wide and has a swivel neck like most Miele attachments. It is recommended for up to medium-pile carpeting.
The Electrobrush is only compatible with certain models because it requires electrical power from the hose. So the Classic C1 Olympus or Limited Edition, for example, couldn’t use this attachment.
You will get better agitation with this attachment than the Turbobrush. However, it’s still important to keep hair from building up on the power brush. It can damage the Electrobrush motor and cause added wear to the belt, which you will have to replace.
SEB-228 Electrobrush
The SEB 228 floor tool is the largest Miele Electrobrush at 14″ wide. It has a five-level height adjustment and is suitable for low to high-pile carpet and plush carpet.
If you have one of the Miele models that uses the SEB 217-3 Electrobrush you can optionally buy this one as an upgrade. It will fit any model that also uses an electrobrush.
Hard (Bare) Floor Attachments
SBD 470-3 FiberTeQ
As mentioned before, the FiberTeQ floor tool is best suited for bare flooring. It has a single brush that lowers from the from with the flip of the toggle switch. The brush is short and you may have to lift the cleaner head to pick up larger debris.
The Parquet attachments have longer and softer brushes, so considering upgrading if you are mostly cleaning bare floors.
Overall the FiberTeQ is a great entry-level bare floor attachment that will handle any type of bare floor.
SBB 300-3 Parquet Twister
The Parquet Twister floor tool is made with a mix of polyamide and natural hair that acts as a gentle cushion when cleaning tile, wood floors, and other bare flooring. You can use the Parquet Twister on all Miele canister vacuums. This version of the Parquet Twister is 12.5 inches wide.
The longer bristles with alternating high and low spacing provide room for larger debris to be captured while still picking up fine dust and hair that clings to bare flooring.
This and the Parquet Twister XL are the best bare flooring attachments that Miele offers.
SBB 400-3 Parquet Twister XL
The XL version of the Parquet Twister is 16 inches wide. Other than the width, the XL version is the exact same attachment. You can cover more area faster with the XL.
SBD 650-3 AirTeq
The AirTeQ is very similar to the FiberTeQ, but has an additional brush that lowers from the rear of the cleaner head instead of just one in the front like the FiberTeQ. It is an improvement over the FiberTeQ for cleaning bare flooring. Don’t expect much on anything but low-pile carpeting.
Upholstery Attachments
STB 101 Mini Turbobrush
Lastly, the Mini Turbobrush is the best tool for cleaning vehicles or furniture. You could use the full-size Turbobrush. but you just can’t get in tight spaces in vehicles very well. Also, it’s excellent for cleaning stairs.
The Mini Turbobrush can be bough separately and attached to any Miele vacuum. You can use it with the canister or upright Miele vacuum cleaners.
Other Miele Accessories
An accessory kit that comes with an SF-AA 50 Active AirClean filter, flexible crevice tool, hygiene cap, and the Mini Turbobrush (effective for cleaning up pet hair) is available for the best Miele vacuums.
The hygiene cap allows you to detach the hose and store it separately from the canister body. You put the hygiene cap over the hose connection on the canister body so that no smells or debris can escape.
