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:
Miele Classic C1 Series The Miele C1 Limited Edition is one of the most affordable Miele canister vacuum cleaners. It’s recommended for all hard flooring and low-pile carpet (however, there is no brushroll). Given that it also comes with a 7-year warranty, this is an incredible deal for a simple, lightweight vacuum.
The Classic C1 Series has been eclipsed by the newer Compact C1 and C2 vacuums; with the exception of the C1 Limited Edition as mentioned above and the Classic C1 Cat & Dog. There was a time when the lower price of the Miele Classic Series justified compromising on the filtration, but that is no longer the case. You can get the AirClean Sealed System with the same features for a similar price.
Currently, the Classic C1 Cat & Dog and Classic C1 Home Care are the only Classic C1 models directly available from Miele. You’ll find the other models are still available from some retailers and they are included here in the product comparison section. The Classic C1 Home Care, however, is only available Miele dealers.
For example, the Miele Classic C1 Olympus is easily replaced by the Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction . However, the dustbags used in Compact Series vacuums, Type FJM, hold roughly 23% less volume than the Type GN dustbags the Classic Series uses. Given the affordability of the Miele dustbags, just opting for the Compact Series is a good decision if you find the enhanced filtration to be appealing. With that said, you might start seeing great deals on Miele Classic vacuums just to get inventory cleared.
Weighs 12.9 lbs with accessories; 29.5 ft. Operating Radius; dust bag size 4.76 qt.; 800W Vortex Motor Recommended Combination Tool Model: Miele C1 Limited Edition Recommended Turbobrush Model: Miele Classic C1 Capri (or consider the Compact C1 Turbo )Recommended Electrobrush Model: Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog (great for pet owners)Does not have the AirClean Sealed System, but has extremely efficient filtration.
VarioClip holds accessories on the canister body.
Fits the SBB300-3 Parquett Twister brush.
Power Settings are located on canister body.
Miele Compact C1 Series The Compact C1 Series is relatively new and some models have improved filtration (AirClean Sealed System) and a more powerful (1200 W) motor than the Classic C1. Having the AirClean Sealed System at such a low price point is great if the Complete C3 Series is out of your budget. Being smaller they’re easier to store and move around, but instead of the 4.76 quart dust bag you get a 3.7 quart dust bag. Suction control is adjusted with a rotary dial. With the new Compact C1 models being such an improvement over the Classic C1, they have essentially replaced the Classic C1 Series. However, the C1 Limited Edition is still the most affordable Miele canister vacuum cleaners.
Weighs 10.3 lbs with accessories; 29.5 ft. Operating Radius; dust bag size 3.7 qt.; 1200W Vortex Motor Recommended Combination Tool Model: Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction Recommended Turbo brush Model: Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Recommended Electrobrush Model: NoneHas the Miele AirClean Sealed System
VarioClip holds accessories on the canister body.
Fits the SBB300-3 Parquett Twister hard floor brush head.
Power Settings are located on canister body.
Miele Compact C2 Series The Compact C2 Series is slightly larger than the Classic C1 and Compact C1 at about 14.3 lbs. It uses the smaller 3.7 quart dustbags. You adjust suction control via a rotary dial. Miele has consolidated their Compact Series of vacuums so that the only Compact vacuum cleaner with an electrobrush is the Compact C2 Electro+ . There are still great Compact C2 models available while supplies last, such as the Compact C2 Topaz (Turbobrush) or Quartz (combo tool). As far as new models go, the Compact C1 Series are the new Compact vacuums that come standard with a Turbobrush or Combo Tool.
Weighs 14.3 lbs with accessories; 33 ft. Operating Radius; 3.7 qt. dustbag; 1200W Vortex Motor Recommended Combination Tool Model: See Compact C1 Series Above Recommended Turbo brush Model: See Compact C1 Series Above Recommended Electrobrush Model: Miele Compact C2 Electro+ Fits the SBB300-3 Parquett Twister hard floor brush head.
Has the Miele AirClean Sealed System
VarioClip holds accessories on the canister body.
Power Settings are located on canister body.
Miele Complete C2 Series The Complete C2 Series is no longer produced by Miele. You can still find a few of these models around as either unsold inventory or pre-owned models. We’ve included a couple recommended models that come standard with the Turbobrush and Combo Tool. Suction control can adjusted via a rotary dial. These are a great buy for a range of cleaning needs if you can find a good deal. They are compatible with the same dustbags (Type GN) as the other Complete and Classic models, so no worries about not being able to find bags or parts.
Weighs 17 lbs with accessories; 33 ft. Operating Radius; 4.76 qt. dustbag; 1200W Vortex Motor Recommended Combination Tool Model: Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Recommended Turbo brush Model: Miele Complete C2 Limited EditionRecommended Electrobrush Model: See Complete C3 Series Fits the SBB300-3 Parquett Twister hard floor brush head.
Has the Miele AirClean Sealed System
VarioClip holds accessories on the canister body.
Power Settings are located on canister body.
Miele Complete C3 Series This is the powerhouse series of vacuums from Miele’s, and feature some of the best Miele vacuums. All the newest features and a big price range from the Complete C3 Calima to the Complete C3 Brilliant , along with good cleaning power. The most notable features include the silence system, wide operating radius, handle controls (C3 Brilliant Only), velvet bumper strip, LED lights, and the largest Electrobrush made by Miele that is standard with the C3 Marin (praised by Consumer Reports) and C3 Brilliant. You will find that the Complete C3 Series is the quietest of Miele’s canister vacuum cleaners.
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.
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 Dynamic U1 Series
Weighs 20 lbs; 54 ft. Operating Radius; dust bag size 5.45 qt.; 1200W Vortex Motor Recommended All-purpose Model: Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog Swivel Neck for easy turning.
Automatic Height Adjustment of the brush roll for transitioning be`tween flooring types.
Rotary Dial Speed Control
AirClean Sealed System
Can handle any flooring type, from plush carpet to area rugs.
On/off switch for brushroll.
Miele Robot Vacuums
Miele Scout RX1 The most recent Scout RX1 model is the one shown to the left with a red top. I highly recommend you watch this comprehensive review by Ibaisaic before considering purchasing the Scout. Seeing the Scout RX1’s performance will give you a baseline to judge other robot vacuums you might be considering if you have never owned one.
With that said, even the best robot vacuums struggle when there are many obstacles to deal with. Anticipating any sort of deep cleaning from a robot vacuum cleaner will set you up for disappointment. As you’ll find out in the video, the main issue with the Scout is the poor ability to navigate and make more than one pass over areas it has covered while also missing some areas completely. The demo by Ibaisaic covers both carpeted and bare flooring.
120 Minutes of use
4 Cleaning Modes: Auto, Corner, Spot, Turbo
Anti-collision sensors and Stair Detector
Manually guide the Scout with the remote control.
Scheduled vacuuming once per day.
VIDEO
Miele Stick Vacuum Cleaners
Miele Swing H1 Quickstep
If your home has mostly bare flooring and you find the lack of stamina and power of a cordless stick vacuum cleaner to be frustrating, then the H1 Swing is worth considering.
Miele’s version of a stick vacuum is the Swing H1 QuickStep . It is corded and uses a bag, and requires little storage space. If you’re primarily looking for a reliable vacuum cleaner to clean bare flooring (hardwood floors, tile, etc.) then the Swing H1 is a good choice. There are a few things you should know: the 10 lbs weight is rather heavy for a stick vacuum, it can’t stand on its own but does have a anti-slip handle to lean against a wall, it can’t clean carpet very well. It is, however, likely the most well-filtered stick vacuums you can buy with the AirClean system. It’s easily stowed away to save floor space.
The Swing H1 uses the SBD 285-3 AllTeQ combination floor tool for cleaning bare flooring and low-pile carpet. Despite Miele claiming it can handle low-pile carpet, using anything with a motorized or air-driven brushroll is nearly useless on carpet. There just isn’t enough agitation to knock debris loose from the carpet fibers. Its filtration system includes a change indicator for when it’s time to change the filter.
For someone looking for a ready-to-go, quick and easy vacuum cleaner to spot clean, this likely won’t fit your needs since it does have a cord. But what the Swing H1 isn’t lacking is suction power!
Weighs 10 lbs; 28 ft. Operating Radius; dust bag size 2.6 qt.; 1000W Vortex Motor Crevice Tool
SDB 285-3 AllTeq Floorbrush
Works best on hard flooring
Uses Type KK Dustbags (5 per box)
Variable speed motor
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
Canister HEPA and Active (Carbon) Filters
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.
Miele’s Classic C1 Series Comparison Table
Miele’s Compact C1 and C2 Series Comparison Table
Miele’s Complete C3 Series Comparison Table
Miele’s Dynamic U1 Series Comparison Table
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.
