Miele is a German manufacturer specializing in high-end household appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, cooktop ranges, and coffee machines. Miele vacuums are well-renowned for their premium build quality, strong performance on a wide variety of surfaces, and general ease of maintenance.
Updates
- 03/06/2024 Miele Triflex HX2 Pro/Cat & Dog reviewed
- 07/22/2022 Miele Classic C1 updated
- 12/22/2020 Miele Triflex HX1 reviewed
- 09/11/2020 Miele Complete C3 reviewed
- 09/09/2020 Miele Dynamic U1 PowerLine reviewed
Best Miele Vacuums
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Best Miele Vacuum
Bare Floor7.9Low-Pile Carpet6.6High-Pile Carpet6.4Pets6.9Stairs7.7Cars7.8Workshop5.5Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesWet CompatibleNoThe best Miele vacuum that we've tested is the Miele Complete C3. Regardless of the model variant you go for, all Miele C3 models offer exceptional performance on bare floors and carpets, thanks to a potent 1200W motor and variable suction control. Build quality is also fantastic; all C3 models have an allergen-sealed body made of sturdy high-grade plastic as well as a stainless steel wand. However, going for the flagship C3 Brilliant model also nets you a bunch of extra convenience features, like an automatic surface-sensitive power adjustment setting, handle-mounted controls, a HEPA-rated post-motor filter, and additional sound insulation for its motor, which is already very quiet to begin with.
The Brilliant also comes with a trio of floorheads: an extra wide parquet tool for bare floors, a universal pure suction floorhead with retractable bristles intended for hard floors and low-pile carpet, and Miele's SEB 236 height-adjustable powerhead, so you can clean everything from hardwood to plush carpeting with ease. Unfortunately, all of this comes at a very high cost. If you don't mind missing out on the C3 Brilliant's additional convenience features and don't need the multi-surface pure suction floorhead, a cheaper C3 model like the C3 Kona will deliver similar overall performance on most surfaces.
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Best Mid-Range Miele Vacuum
Bare Floor7.8Low-Pile Carpet6.6High-Pile Carpet6.4Pets6.8Stairs7.5Cars7.9Workshop5.4Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleNoIf you aren't comfortable spending as much on a vacuum and want a marginally smaller footprint, the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog PowerLine is a fantastic choice. Right off the bat, it's important to note that there are a few sacrifices that come with the C1's cheaper price point compared to the Miele Complete C3, including inferior build quality, no built-in tool storage compartment, and a shorter power cord. It also doesn't have the C3 Brilliant's handle-mounted controls or automatic power adjustment settings. However, all C1s have the same 1200W suction motor, producing similarly fantastic debris pickup performance.
This C1 Cat & Dog variant sits near the top of the C1 lineup and is very well-equipped, as it comes with a parquet tool for hard floors as well as the SEB 228 height-adjustable powerhead for cleaning thick carpets. However, the latter isn't as sleek as the C3 Brilliant's SEB 236 head and lacks an LED headlight. Still, there's little to distinguish the two floorheads in terms of actual performance. This Cat & Dog variant also comes with a miniature turbo brush tool and a post-motor filter containing activated charcoal to minimize unpleasant odors as you clean.
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Best Budget Miele Vacuum
Bare Floor7.8Low-Pile Carpet6.6High-Pile Carpet6.4Pets6.8Stairs7.5Cars7.9Workshop5.4Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleNoThe best Miele vacuum cleaner we've tested at a budget-friendly price is the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine. Of course, 'budget' is a relative term since even basic Miele models are pretty pricey. That said, this entry-level C1 variant is still considerably less expensive than almost every other model the manufacturer offers. There's a compromise to be made, however; unlike the outwardly similar C1 Cat & Dog, the C1 Pure Suction doesn't have a power socket at the base of its hose, meaning it's completely incompatible with powered floorheads. This won't be an issue if your home only has bare floors or very low-pile carpeting. Still, it does mean that you'll have to go for the pricier model variants if you have a lot of thick rugs to clean and need the surface agitation that only a powerhead can provide.
Like most Miele vacuums, it's also remarkably easy to maintain, and maneuverability is great. Unfortunately, the C1 Pure Suction model doesn't come with a HEPA-rated post-motor filter as standard. However, air filtration performance is still superb thanks to its allergen-sealed body and thick cloth dirtbags. Besides, you can always purchase a HEPA-rated filter from the manufacturer if you need that additional level of air filtration performance.
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Best Cordless Miele Vacuum
Bare Floor7.5Low-Pile Carpet7.2High-Pile Carpet6.5Pets6.9Stairs8.4Cars7.9Workshop6.0Vacuum TypeStick/HandheldBaglessYesCordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesWet CompatibleNoOur best Miele vacuum cleaner with a cordless design pick is the Miele Triflex HX2 Pro/Cat & Dog. Compact and lightweight, this bagless handheld vacuum is easy to store in a small closet and to maneuver. It delivers outstanding performance on bare surfaces as well as low- and high-pile carpet. Build quality is good, though not quite as robust as the brand's canister models. Like the older Miele Triflex HX1, this model has a surface detection system, allowing it to adjust the brushroll speed and suction power automatically based on the surface you're cleaning. The vacuum doesn't get very loud, reaching only 66 dBA, regardless of the surface.
The battery lasts a little over an hour when used in its 'Min' setting with the crevice tool attached, which is pretty good for a cordless vacuum and a significant upgrade over the HX1. The Pro variant comes with a charging cradle and a replacement battery, so you can simply swap in a fully charged one when you run out. Unfortunately, the dirt compartment is small, meaning you'll have to empty it often. Included accessories vary depending on the variant, though they all come with a Multi Floor Electrobrush, a Multi-surface bristled brushroll, upholstery cleaner, dusting brush, and crevice cleaner. The recurring cost is very low, as you only have to replace the fine dust filter, which is typically good for three years of regular use.
Compared To Other Brands
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Excellent build quality.
Most Miele vacuums are made of high-end materials that make them feel far more durable than many of their peers. -
Good overall performance.
Miele vacuums offer strong and consistent cleaning on various surfaces, including hardwood floors and low and high-pile carpet. -
Easy to maintain.
Miele vacuums tend to have fewer parts that require regular maintenance than many other alternatives, which are also easy to access or replace. -
Thoughtful quality of life features.
Even basic Miele vacuums have features that help simplify vacuuming, like multi-level suction power adjustment, automatic power cord retraction, and onboard storage for tools and accessories.
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Small number of attachments on some models.
While you can purchase a wide variety of extra attachments and floorheads from the manufacturer, many Miele vacuums come with very few attachments in the box. -
Expensive.
As befitting their premium status, Miele vacuums tend to be fairly pricey. -
High recurring costs for some models.
Many Miele vacuums use bagged designs. They have dirtbags and filters that need regular replacing, usually at a higher cost than other bagged vacuums.
Miele vs Dyson
While Miele and Dyson's vacuums tend to occupy a similar premium price point, their offerings target different uses. Dyson specializes in lightweight cordless vacuums with a broad attachment set, while Miele focuses mainly on better-built canister models that are a superior option for longer cleaning sessions. You can see our recommendations for the best Dyson vacuums.
Miele vs SEBO
SEBO and Miele are both high-end German marques specializing in durable, high-performance vacuums. SEBO's offerings focus more on ease of maintenance and lower ownership costs, while Miele vacuums are usually sleeker in design and tend to be a little easier to use. Availability is a point in Miele's favor, with many of their models being available at most big-box retailers, while a lot of SEBOs can only be purchased directly from the manufacturer or specialized vacuum stores.
Miele offers a wide range of vacuum cleaners, though its canister lineup is the broadest. Miele vacuums are usually easier to maintain and have far more quality-of-life features than most Shark or BISSELL vacuums. They also deliver similarly strong performance on a variety of surfaces compared to alternatives from other high-end brands like Dyson and feel much better built. However, their selection of included attachments tends to be much smaller.
You can also check out our recommendations for the best Shark and BISSELL vacuums separately.
Lineup
Miele has a diverse lineup of vacuums, and their naming convention can sometimes be confusing.
Canister Models
- Miele Classic C1 Lineup: Entry to mid-level bagged canister vacuums.
- Miele Compact C1 Lineup: Smaller entry to mid-level bagged canister vacuums.
- Miele Boost CX1 Lineup: Compact mid-range bagless canister vacuums.
- Miele Blizzard CX1 Lineup: Mid to high-end bagless canister vacuums.
- Miele Complete C3 Lineup: High-end bagged canister vacuums.
Cordless Stick Models
- Triflex HX1 Lineup: Cordless vacuums that you can configure as a handheld, upright, or stick vacuum.
- Triflex HX2 Lineup: Upgraded successor to the Triflex HX1 series and uses the same overall design.
Robot Models
- Scout RX2: Premium robot vacuum cleaner.
Common Trim/Equipment Levels
Some of these trims are only available on some models or have slightly differing accessories bundled in the box, while others have specific designations that aren't noted here.
- Pure Suction: Vacuums with floorheads that use straight suction to suck up debris, rather than air or motor-driven brushrolls, mainly for use on bare floors.
- Turbo Team: Vacuums with air-driven brushroll floorheads for use on carpets.
- HomeCare: Mid-level vacuum variants, usually bundled with both a straight suction floorhead and a floorhead with an air-driven brushroll. They usually come with an electrobrush socket that allows for a motorized floorhead if you purchase one and a couple of additional handheld brushes. Usually only available for purchase from specialized vacuum retailers.
- Cat & Dog: Mid-level vacuum variants are usually bundled with a handheld turbo brush for handling pet hair and an 'Active Air' filter containing activated charcoal to reduce odor.
Recent Updates
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Jun 05, 2024: Small text edits for conciseness and clarity. Replaced the Miele Triflex HX1 with the Miele Triflex HX 2 Pro/Cat & Dog because the HX2 has a higher-capacity battery and a more powerful motor.
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Jan 25, 2024: Minor in-text alterations to further clarify product details.
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Oct 27, 2023: Ensured all main picks are still available and represent a good option for most users.
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Jul 19, 2023: Minor in-text adjustments to better communicate product details.
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Apr 24, 2023: Added Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog PowerLine as the new 'Best Mid-Range Miele Vacuum' pick. Selected Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine as 'Best Budget Miele Vacuum' and Miele Complete C3 Brilliant PowerLine as 'Best Miele Vacuum' pick.
Conclusion
Miele specializes in manufacturing a wide range of high-end household appliances. Their vacuum cleaners mainly focus on canister models of both the bagged and bagless variety, but they've recently branched out into building cordless stick and robot vacuums. Generally, Miele vacuums are pricier than alternatives but offer a wide range of thoughtful quality-of-life features, strong cleaning performance, and premium build quality.