- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
The Miele Classic C1 is a bagged canister vacuum. It has an outstanding performance on bare floors, and it does a great job on both low and high-pile carpet. It's easy to assemble and to maintain, and it has an overall sturdy feel. It comes with crevice and upholstery tools as well as a soft bristle brush, and you can clip them onboard the vacuum itself for easy storage. On the downside, its cord length is fairly short. There are three parts that need to be replaced often, which makes the recurring costs high. Luckily, they're sold in a bundle, which is nice if you don't want to worry too much about ordering each part separately.
Our Verdict
The Miele Classic C1 is outstanding for bare floors. It's able to easily clean all kinds of debris and hair on bare floors. However, some hair can catch on the bristles, and small debris can get stuck in crevices within the brush head. That being said, it's easy to clean the vacuum head if this happens. On the downside, the power cable is very short, and there are ongoing recurring costs.
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Cleans pet hair on all surfaces.
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Outstanding performance cleaning small and large debris on bare floors.
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Several power adjustments available.
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Great maneuverability.
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No HEPA filter.
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Disappointing range.
The Miele Classic C1 is great for low-pile carpet. It's able to clean up all pet hair and most large debris. Although it struggles to pick up smaller debris, it's still able to tackle a good amount of it. This well-built vacuum is easy to maintain. However, there are a few recurring costs, and its short power cable can limit your range.
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Cleans pet hair on all surfaces.
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Great performance cleaning small and large debris on carpet.
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Several power adjustments available.
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Great maneuverability.
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No HEPA filter.
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Disappointing range.
The Miele Classic C1 is great for high-pile carpet. It picks up all pet hair and it does a decent job of picking up small debris like baking soda. Its ability to pick up large debris declines as the dirt compartment fills though. That being said, this vacuum is well-built and it's easy to maintain. However, there are a few recurring costs. Its power cable isn't that long either.
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Cleans pet hair on all surfaces.
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Great performance cleaning small and large debris on carpet.
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Several power adjustments available.
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Great maneuverability.
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No HEPA filter.
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Disappointing range.
The Miele Classic C1 is excellent for cleaning pet hair. It's able to pick up pet hair on all surfaces which is great. Some pet hair does cling to the vacuum's adjustable head bristles if you're cleaning bare floors, but it's not hard to remove. While it has a few recurring costs, this vacuum is pretty easy to maintain as it can be easily disassembled.
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Cleans pet hair on all surfaces.
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Several power adjustments available.
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No HEPA filter.
The Miele Classic C1 is good for cleaning stairs. It's pretty portable and you can even configure it with a shorter wand if you prefer. However, it doesn't have the longest range, which may be a problem if you're vacuuming a particularly long set of stairs. Still, it's well-suited for cleaning all surface types and it has great maneuverability.
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Several power adjustments available.
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Comes with crevice and upholstery tools.
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Great maneuverability.
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No HEPA filter.
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Disappointing range.
The Miele Classic C1 is very good for cleaning cars. This vacuum has good portability, but its power cord doesn't have the longest range. Luckily, you can configure the vacuum in two different ways to reach smaller areas that the telescopic wand alone won't fit in. It also comes with a few tools to better help you clean your car. The vacuum itself is easy to maintain too, but there are a few recurring costs.
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Several power adjustments available.
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Comes with crevice and upholstery tools.
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Great maneuverability.
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No HEPA filter.
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Disappointing range.
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Several power adjustments available.
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No HEPA filter.
- 8.5 Bare Floor
- 8.0 Low-Pile Carpet
- 8.0 High-Pile Carpet
- 8.0 Pets
- 8.0 Stairs
- 8.0 Cars
- 6.7 Workshop
- Updated Mar 31, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Mar 21, 2022: The 'Build Quality' test score has been lowered.
- Updated Jul 24, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jul 21, 2020: Early access published.
Test Results
Update 03/21/2022: This vacuum's build quality score has dropped from 8.5 to 7.5 to better reflect the difference in perceived quality compared to the Miele Complete C3 Alize PowerLine, as the C1 has a less robust dirtbag cover and doesn't have an allergen-sealed body.
The Miele Classic C1 has good build quality, and it's easy to assemble. Although it's mostly plastic, it feels sturdy and solid. The telescopic wand is made from stainless steel, while the bottom of the vacuum head is aluminum. The wheels are a rubber-like material that helps it glide smoothly on most surfaces. There's an auto-winding cable button to help protect the power cable. On the downside, there's no handle on the wand.
The Miele Classic C1 is outstandingly easy to maintain and it shows in its design. Parts like the dirt compartment bag are easily reachable by pressing the top cover lid, and there are arrows to let you know how to align it to slide out the bag. Both filters are disposable too: the pre-motor filter can be accessed by unclipping the cover located in the bag compartment while the other filter is located underneath the top lid cover. However, the debris can get stuck in the vacuum head over time, and you may need to shake it out or dismantle the pivoting point to access it from the back.
Although the Miele Classic C1 doesn't have a lot of parts that need to be replaced over time, it has three parts that need to be replaced quite often. Unlike the Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister or the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360, the Classic C1 uses a dirtbag that needs to be thrown out and replaced when it gets full. Both the filter and pre-motor filter also need to be replaced after every four bags or, depending on your usage, the filter may need to be replaced every three months instead. That being said, you can purchase a package with four bags as well as one of both the filter and pre-motor filter, which is handy.
The Miele Classic C1 has decent storing capabilities. Unlike the SEBO Airbelt D4, it doesn't have a built-in storage compartment for its tools, but it does come with a VarioClip attachment that allows you to store the tools and brushes directly on top of the hose connection point. The vacuum head can also clip onto the vacuum, which can help you save more space. There's a button for automatically retracting the cable too.
This vacuum has a very good-sized dirt compartment. While Miele advertises this compartment to hold 4.5L, we measured quite a bit less. That being said, it still holds quite a bit of debris. There's also a physical indicator on the vacuum's body to let you know when the dirt compartment is full. If you want a canister vacuum with a much bigger dirt compartment, check out the NaceCare HVR 200 Henry.
- Telescopic wand
- Short plastic wand
- Hose
- 1x Bag
- 1x Filter
- 1x Pre-motor filter
- Main head
- Crevice tool
- Upholstery tool
- Soft brush
- On-board tool adapter
- Vacuum canister
- User guide
The Miele Classic C1 has a disappointing range. Its cord length is one of the shortest we've tested so far, so you may need to change plug-ins frequently to clean large rooms. If that's a significant issue and you don't mind using an upright vacuum, take a look at the Miele Dynamic U1 PowerLine, which has a power cord that's more than twice as long as that of the C1.
The Miele Classic C1 has good portability. It's lighter than other canister vacuums such as the NaceCare HVR 200 Henry or the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister, even with all of its brushes and tools on it. Its body has a carrying handle too, so you can easily carry it up and down stairs.
The Miele Classic C1 is a corded vacuum and it doesn't use a battery.
This vacuum has several power adjustments for different surfaces, which are found via a dial on the vacuum's body. They can be a bit confusing to understand though, as these modes are only represented by symbols. You can also adjust the vacuum head's bristles, which can help to prevent scratching on bare floors. There's even a suction power control located on the wand's handle that you can slide between a closed and open position to better glide on carpet.
Unlike the Eureka Mighty Mite, the Miele Classic C1 comes with a soft brush. It also comes with crevice and upholstery tools that you can attach to the hose when not in use.
The Miele Classic C1 has a configuration using its smaller plastic wand. This can be used for cleaning furniture, upholstery, and inside your car.
This vacuum has an outstanding performance on bare floors. It's able to pick up pretty much everything, although hair can get caught on the vacuum head's bristles. Small debris can also accumulate in the gaps in the vacuum head, but you can remove them by shaking or tapping the head.
This vacuum has a very good performance on low-pile carpet. It's able to clean all pet hair without a problem and it does a good job at cleaning up large debris like sand too. Even though it struggles a bit more to pick up small debris like baking soda, it still does a good job at tackling this debris as well. If you're looking for a canister vacuum with an even better performance on low-pile carpet, check out the Miele Complete C3 Alize PowerLine.
The Miele Classic C1 has a great performance on high-pile carpet. It's able to easily pick up all pet hair. However, while it can pick up a good amount of large debris, its performance worsens as its dirt compartment fills up. However, even though it struggles a bit more to pick up small debris, it still does a consistent and decent job of cleaning these messes.
This vacuum has great overall maneuverability. Its wheel moves very smoothly, which helps you to get around the room. However, the power cable is quite short so you may need to change plug-ins to reach different places in a large room. Luckily, you can easily clean furniture with the tools located on the vacuum hose. It can also vacuum around electrical cords, but even on low settings, it catches on rug tassels. You can clean under couches and low tables with the extendable wand too, but the vacuum head can fall onto the storage clip found on the wand and cause it to not lay completely flat on the floor.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Miele Classic C1 also comes in two other variants with different colors. The first is the Miele Classic C1 Cat&Dog PowerLine, which is designed to clean carpets as well as pet hair. There's also the Miele Classic C1 Hardfloor Vacuum Cleaner, which is only suitable for cleaning on bare floors. We expect both variants to perform differently than the original Miele Classic C1. If someone comes across this vacuum that's different from ours, let us know in the discussions and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Vacuums
The Miele Classic C1 is a great canister vacuum. Compared to other canister vacuums such as the NaceCare HVR 200 Henry and the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister, this vacuum has a better performance on all surface types including high-pile carpet, which tends to be where a lot of vacuums struggle, and it's better for cleaning up pet hair. However, its cord length is one of the shortest of any vacuum we've tested to date.
The Miele Complete C3 Alize PowerLine is a better overall canister vacuum than the Miele Classic C1. The Complete C3 has a better performance on all surface types, it's more maneuverable, and it comes with a HEPA filter. It also feels better-built and has an allergen-sealed body, so it's a better option if you suffer from serious allergies. However, it's a bit heavier than the Classic C1.
The Miele Classic C1 and Dyson V15 Detect are differently designed vacuums with different strengths and weaknesses. The Miele is a canister vacuum with a corded design, making it much better-suited for long cleaning sessions. Its dirtbag does need replacing once it's filled, resulting in higher recurring costs, but you shouldn't need to worry about a plume of dust and allergens being released when emptying it. The Miele also feels better-built, has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, and is easier to maneuver on carpeted surfaces. Conversely, the Dyson is a cordless stick vacuum, so you don't need to worry about staying close to an electrical outlet while vacuuming. Its bagless design incurs virtually no recurring costs, and it comes with a lot more tools and accessories. Its more effective in clearing debris on carpeted surfaces, though its strong suction force can cause it to drag around some lighter rugs.
The Miele Classic C1 is a bit better of a canister vacuum than the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister. The Miele has a better build quality, it's slightly easier to maintain, and its dirt compartment is larger. It's also lighter and you can configure it so it's easier to clean surfaces like upholstery or tables. It has a better overall performance on all surface types as well. However, the Dyson comes with more tools and brushes, it has no recurring costs, and it has slightly better maneuverability.
The Miele Classic C1 is a better overall canister vacuum than the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360. The Miele is better built, easier to maintain, and has a larger dirt compartment. It's also more portable, it has better maneuverability, and it comes with an extension wand as well as a soft-bristle brush. Its performance on bare floors is significantly better than the Shark too. However, the Shark slightly outperforms on low and high pile carpet. It also has virtually no recurring costs and can be used in a handheld configuration.
The Miele Classic C1 is a better canister vacuum overall than the NaceCare HVR 200 Henry. While both vacuums are easy to maintain, the Miele is lighter and it stores away a bit better. It has a better performance on all surfaces, and it's able to clean more pet hair as well as small and large debris too. However, the NaceCare feels a little more robust, has a longer range, its dirt compartment is much bigger, and it has less recurring costs.
The Miele Classic C1 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 are differently-designed corded vacuums for different use cases. The Miele is a bagged canister vacuum, yielding superior air filtration performance and a cleaner means of debris disposal, though this variant of the C1 doesn't have a HEPA-rated filter. The Miele is also better-built, easier to maintain, and more maneuverable in cluttered rooms. It delivers slightly better performance on bare floors too. Meanwhile, the Dyson is a bagless upright that incurs virtually no recurring costs. It clears more debris on carpeted surfaces, comes with more attachments, including a dedicated pet grooming tool, and has a power cord that's nearly twice as long as that of the Miele.
The SEBO Airbelt D4 is better than the Miele Classic C1 for most uses. The SEBO is better-built, incurs lower recurring costs, uses much larger dirtbags, and has a significantly longer operating range. Its power rocker switch also gives you a more precise level of control in adjusting suction power compared to the Miele's power level presets. Unlike the Miele, the SEBO also features a three-stage filtration system that includes a HEPA filter. Conversely, the Miele is smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable.
The Miele Classic C1 and the Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister are similar canister vacuums, but the Miele is better overall. The Miele has better performance on low and high-pile carpet, it's more maneuverable, it comes with a couple more tools and brushes, and its dirt compartment is larger. It's also significantly better built, and much easier to maintain and store. In contrast, the Eureka has virtually no recurring costs, it's bagless, and more portable. It also performs a bit better on bare floors.
The Miele Classic C1 is a much better vacuum overall than the BISSELL Zing Bagless Canister. The bagged Miele is much better-built, easier to maintain, maneuvers more effectively in tight areas, and delivers significantly better performance on all surface types. Meanwhile, the BISSELL is much cheaper, has a lighter design, and has slightly fewer recurring costs.
The Miele Classic C1 and Airsign HEPA Vacuum are somewhat evenly matched bagged canister vacuums, though the Miele is a slightly better option for most use cases. The Miele feels better-built, has a longer overall range, weighs a little less, gives you a wider array of suction power modes, makes less noise, and performs better on carpeted floors. It also comes with an upholstery tool that's more effective in dealing with pet hair on fabric furniture than the Airsign's hard-bristle brush. However, the Airsign has an onboard HEPA filter and an allergen-sealed construction, making it a better option if you suffer from allergies.
The Miele Classic C1 is a more versatile canister vacuum than the Eureka Mighty Mite. The Miele feels better built, it's easier to maintain, and it comes with a soft bristle brush for cleaning more delicate objects. It also has better performance on high-pile carpet and it's more maneuverable. However, the Eureka has better performance on bare floors as well as low-pile carpet, it has a longer range, and it's more portable. Its recurring costs are lower too.
The Miele Classic C1 is a more versatile canister vacuum than the BISSELL Zing Bagged Canister. The Miele performs considerably better on all surface types, is more maneuverable, and is more sturdily built. It also has lower recurring costs and is easier to maintain. However, the BISSELL is a little more portable.