The Miele Triflex HX1 is a cordless vacuum with a unique three-in-one design. You can switch between using it as an upright, stick, or a compact cordless vacuum quickly and easily, courtesy of its intuitive construction. It performs superbly well on bare floors and clears an impressive amount of debris on low and high-pile carpet. It's also easy to maintain and incurs very few recurring costs. Unfortunately, it has a small dirt compartment that needs frequent emptying. Otherwise, if you're looking for a feature-packed, highly versatile cordless vacuum, this is a great option.
Our Verdict
The Miele Triflex HX1 is excellent for bare floors. It sucks up pet hair as well as small and bulky debris like rice and cereal easily. It's also well-built and highly maneuverable, with a unique three-in-one design that can be configured to suit different cleaning tasks. While it's easy to maintain, it does have a small dirt compartment that you need to empty quite frequently.
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Superb bare-floor performance.
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Clears pet hair on all surfaces.
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Good build quality.
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Few recurring costs.
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Small dirt compartment.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is great for low-pile carpet. It clears pet hair without a problem and does a good job of sucking up material like sand or baking soda. It's also well-built and incurs very few recurring costs. Unfortunately, its small dirt compartment needs to be emptied often, which can interrupt your cleaning duties.
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Clears pet hair on all surfaces.
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Good build quality.
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Few recurring costs.
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Small dirt compartment.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is very good for high-pile carpet. It clears pet hair and quite a bit of coarse, sand-like debris. It also has a lightweight, highly configurable design with a self-adjusting vacuum surface adjustment feature. Unfortunately, it has a small dirt compartment, and it may take an extra pass to fully clear fine material like baking soda from this kind of surface.
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Clears pet hair on all surfaces.
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Good build quality.
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Few recurring costs.
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Small dirt compartment.
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Can struggle slightly with fine debris on high-pile carpet.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is an amazing choice for pet owners. It sucks up pet hair without difficulty on everything from bare floors to high-pile carpet. It's also fairly easy to maintain, with a removable brushroll that makes clearing hair wraps simple. While it lacks an onboard HEPA filter, its fine dust filter is advertised as being able to trap most fine particulates.
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Clears pet hair on all surfaces.
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Good build quality.
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Few recurring costs.
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No dedicated pet grooming tool.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is excellent for cleaning messes on stairs. It doesn't weigh very much and can be easily carried up and down staircases. Its cordless design gives you a theoretically indefinite range, and you can configure it as a traditional stick vacuum to give it a slightly slimmer profile.
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Lightweight, highly configurable design.
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Good build quality.
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Few recurring costs.
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Small dirt compartment.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is great for cleaning messes inside of your car. It can be converted into a compact handheld, and it comes with a crevice cleaner to tackle debris in hard-to-reach areas. It also comes with an upholstery cleaner to help clear debris from car seat fabric. Since it's cordless, you don't need to stay close to an outlet to deal with messes in your car.
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Lightweight, highly configurable design.
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Good build quality.
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Few recurring costs.
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Small dirt compartment.
The Miele Triflex HX1 isn't designed for workshop cleaning. While it doesn't have any trouble dealing with household debris, it'll be damaged if you use it to clean heavy-duty debris like wood or metal shavings, and it can't suck up liquids.
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Good build quality.
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Few recurring costs.
- 7.3 Bare Floor
- 7.0 Low-Pile Carpet
- 6.4 High-Pile Carpet
- 6.8 Pets
- 8.2 Stairs
- 7.5 Cars
- 4.9 Workshop
- Updated Aug 26, 2024: We've updated the scores in the Hard Floor Pick-Up, High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, and Pet-Hair Pick-Up tests to align with a broader data set. For more information about the reasoning for this update, you can look at our forum post.
- Updated Jul 02, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3. We've overhauled our floor performance tests and added new 'Hard Floor Pick-Up,' 'High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' 'Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' and 'Pet-Hair Pick-Up' tests. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Mar 06, 2024: We've added a link to the Miele Triflex HX2 in the 'High-Pile Carpet Performance' section of the review to provide an alternative that does a better job on this surface type.
- Updated Oct 20, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 1.0 and Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Oct 20, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update builds on our previous 'Suction' test with a new 'Airflow' test that more accurately measures a vacuum's ability to generate air movement. If you'd like to see an in-depth look at the reasoning and methodology behind this change, you can see our full changelog here..
- Updated Aug 16, 2022: This vacuum's suction force has been retested with a more accurate manometer. The test results for the 'Maximum Suction' and 'Normal Suction' fields have been updated. All relevant scores and text have been updated.
- Updated Jul 29, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Mar 18, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Dec 22, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Dec 17, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Nov 27, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Nov 26, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Nov 21, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Miele Triflex HX1 has a couple of different variants with slightly different equipment. We tested the basic 'Triflex HX1' variant in 'Graphite Grey', and you can see its label here.
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Model Name |
Included Accessories | Available Colors | Notes | |
| Triflex HX1 | Upholstery cleaner, dusting brush, crevice cleaner | Lotus White, Ruby Red, Graphite Grey | The Ruby Red color variant is only available in-store | |
| Triflex HX1 Cat & Dog | Upholstery cleaner, dusting brush, crevice cleaner, Electro Compact SEB 23 turbo brush, Electrobrush with BrilliantLight headlight SEB 435 | Obsidian Black | ||
| Triflex Pro | Upholstery cleaner, dusting brush, crevice cleaner, Electrobrush with BrilliantLight headlight SEB 435 | Infinity Grey | Also includes a battery charging cradle with a replacement battery |
If someone comes across a variant that's different from what's listed here, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.
Compared To Other Vacuums
The Miele HX1 is a highly configurable cordless vacuum. It offers versatile cleaning performance and a design that can be quickly adapted to suit different cleaning tasks. It also has few recurring costs and is simple to maintain, though its small dirt compartment needs to be emptied frequently. If you're looking for other options, take a look at our list of recommendations of the best cordless stick vacuums, the best lightweight vacuums, and the best cordless vacuums.
The Miele Triflex HX1 and Dyson V15 Detect each have their advantages, meaning one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Miele is better built, easier to maintain, feels lighter, and is more maneuverable. It also has an automatic surface type adjustment feature that stops the brushroll from spinning if it detects something has gotten tangled. Meanwhile, the Dyson delivers superior performance on low- and high-pile carpets, comes with more tools and accessories, has a larger dirt compartment, and lasts longer on a charge when run in its most energy-efficient power setting.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is superior to the Dyson V11. The Miele feels better made, is easier to maintain, and performs better on bare floors and low-pile carpets. It also feels lighter in your hand and is more maneuverable. Conversely, the Dyson has a longer maximum battery life, more tools and brushes, a bigger dirt compartment, and slightly better performance on high-pile carpets.
The Dyson V8 and Miele Triflex HX1 each have advantages, meaning one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Dyson incurs virtually no recurring costs, has a bigger dustbin, comes with more tools and brushes, and is a little more effective on low-pile carpets. Conversely, the Miele has a more configurable three-in-one design that allows you to use it as a handheld, stick, or upright vacuum. It also feels better built, is easier to maintain, can be maneuvered with less difficulty, and has an automatic surface type adjustment feature that allows it to speed up, slow down, or even stop the brushroll if it detects something is tangled in it.
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is slightly better than the Miele Triflex HX1 for most uses. The Dyson is lighter and easier to store, and it delivers significantly better overall battery life, as it can run for almost twice as long in its most energy-efficient mode while taking much less time to recharge. The Dyson also comes with a wider array of attachments, including a turbo brush that does a better job cleaning pet hair on furniture than the Miele's upholstery tool. However, the Miele feels better built and has a larger-capacity dirt compartment.
The Miele Triflex HX2 Pro/Cat & Dog is a pretty comprehensive upgrade over the Miele Triflex HX1. The HX2 features a more efficient motor and significantly better battery life. It also has a handy 'ComfortClean' filter cleaning system, allowing you to dislodge any debris stuck in the filter system without getting your hands dirty. That said, the HX1 has a marginally higher-capacity dustbin, and its lower-powered motor makes it easier to maneuver on thick carpeting.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is a better vacuum than the Samsung Jet 90 Complete for most uses. The Miele has a much better build quality, has fewer recurring costs, and is easier to maintain. Its performance on bare floors is somewhat better, and this vacuum has an automatic surface-type adjustment feature. On the other hand, the Samsung vacuum delivers significantly better performance on high-pile carpets, as it's more effective at picking up fine debris like baking soda.
The Miele Triflex HX1 and Dyson Cyclone V10 are fairly evenly matched, and you may prefer one over the other depending on your needs. The Miele is better built, easier to maintain, and more maneuverable, and it performs significantly better on bare floors. Meanwhile, the Dyson has a larger dirt compartment, a slightly longer maximum battery life, and far more tools and accessories.
The Miele Triflex HX1 and Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe are differently designed vacuums with completely different use cases. The Miele is a better-built cordless vacuum with a unique three-in-one design, enabling you to use it as a handheld, stick, or upright vacuum. It's substantially more maneuverable and portable, and it also performs better on bare floors. Meanwhile, the Shark is a bagged upright that has a much larger dustbin, and its corded design makes it a better option for longer cleaning sessions.
The Miele Triflex HX1 and LG CordZero A9 each have advantages, meaning one might be a better fit for you, depending on your needs. The Miele is better built, easier to maintain, incurs lower recurring costs, and performs slightly better on bare floors and low-pile carpets. It also has an automatic surface-type adjustment feature. Conversely, the LG has a larger dustbin and better performance on high-pile carpets. It can also be bundled with a second battery, giving it a longer overall runtime.
The Shark Rocket Pet Pro and the Miele Triflex HX1 have different strengths, and you may prefer either one depending on your personal needs and preferences. The Miele is better built, has an automatic surface type adjustment feature, and has a slightly more configurable design. Both perform very well in terms of suction performance, with the Miele clearing more fine debris on carpeted floors and the Shark dealing with coarse sand-like material more easily. The Shark also has a larger dirt compartment, has a longer maximum battery life, and charges faster.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is a more versatile vacuum than the Shark Vertex Lightweight Cordless. The Miele is better built, easier to maintain, and performs better on all surface types. It also has fewer recurring costs. Meanwhile, the Shark has a bigger dirt compartment, has a longer battery life, and charges faster.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is better than the Simplicity S65 for most use cases. The Miele is better built, incurs lower recurring costs, is easier to maneuver, and delivers superior cleaning performance on bare floors and low-pile carpets. Its unique three-in-one design also allows you to configure it as a handheld, upright, or stick vacuum. Meanwhile, the Simplicity cleans more debris from high-pile carpets, has a larger dirt compartment, and takes less time to charge.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is a better vacuum than the Dyson Outsize. The Miele is better built, is less demanding in terms of maintenance, offers superior performance on low-pile carpets, and is easier to maneuver. It also has a unique three-in-one design that makes it a little more versatile. Meanwhile, the Dyson has a larger dirt compartment that doesn't need to be emptied as often and comes with more tools and brushes, not to mention a second battery, which gives it a significantly longer total runtime.
Test Results
The Miele Triflex HX1 is very well-built. It's mostly made of high-grade plastic, though its wheels are made of rubber. Overall, it looks and feels quite premium, and even its dirt compartment is made of a sturdy-feeling plastic. That said, its handle feels somewhat cheap and hollow. Reconfiguring the vacuum or fitting new attachments is fairly simple, too.
The Miele HX1 is quite easy to maintain, as the few parts that require regular servicing are readily accessible.
- Dirt compartment: You need to twist the dirt compartment's lid counterclockwise to release it. Turning the lid further releases the compartment's bottom door, allowing you to empty out any debris over a garbage can. It needs to be emptied out when it gets full and occasionally cleaned out with water and dish soap, but be sure to remove the pre-filter first.
- Fine dust filter: You can remove this part by pulling on a tab on top of the dirt compartment. It should be cleaned at least once a month by tapping it against a trash can to dislodge any stuck-on debris.
- Pre-filter: You need to completely rotate the dirt compartment's lid counterclockwise until it releases and can be lifted out. No specific maintenance interval is specified, so it should be cleaned when needed either by tapping it over a trash bin or using a cleaning brush on it for a more thorough clean.
- Electrobrush/Brushroll: You can flip the vacuum head over to cut out any hair wraps with scissors. You can remove the brushroll by pulling a sliding lock to open the brushroll cover and then simply pulling the component out.
The vacuum's motor protection filter doesn't need to be cleaned, but it does need to be removed to access the pre-filter. Also, any part that can be washed under water should be left to dry completely before it can be reused.
This vacuum has very few recurring costs.
- Fine dust filter: The fine dust filter has an expected service life of three to four years, and replacements can be purchased on Miele's website. While it doesn't have a HEPA designation, it's advertised as being able to capture 99.98% of fine particulate matter.
This vacuum has okay storing capabilities. It doesn't take up too much space and has a rack station with designated storage slots for the three included tools and accessories. Unfortunately, unlike the Shark Vertex Lightweight Cordless, its wand doesn't fold to reduce its footprint.
The Miele Triflex HX1 has a passably-sized dirt compartment. It's fairly small and needs to be emptied frequently. That said, it's made of clear plastic and has a max fill line, so you should know when it needs to be emptied.
- Miele Triflex HX1 stick vacuum
- Vacuum body
- Dirt compartment
- Wand
- Handle
- Pre-filter (inside dirt compartment)
- Fine dust filter
- Motor protection filter
- 1x Battery
- Vacuum User Guide
- Various tools and brushes
- Multi Floor XXL Electrobrush nozzle
- Crevice cleaner
- Dusting brush with flexible swivel brush
- Wide upholstery nozzle
- Charging station
- Charging station
- Tool holder for charging station
- Wall mount for charging station
- Quick release clip for wall-mount
- 2x Wall anchors
- 2x Wall anchoring screws
- Charging cable
The Miele Triflex HX1 has an effectively unlimited range, as long as it has sufficient battery life and room left in its dirt compartment.
The Miele HX1 is very portable. It doesn't weigh very much and feels quite light in your hand. Its integrated carrying handle makes it easier to lift and move from place to place.
This vacuum has good battery performance. In its 'max.' power setting, it should supply roughly 18 minutes of runtime. In its '1' low-power mode, that continuous runtime extends to over 30 minutes. It also has a trio of battery indicator lights that clearly show its current charge status. In normal operation, the three lights gradually turn off as its battery drains, with the last one flashing to show that it's dropped below 10% capacity. If you want a vacuum with a longer maximum battery life, take a look at the Samsung Jet 90 Complete.
The Miele Triflex HX1 has a couple of quality of life features. There are three power settings available, aside from '0', which is used to turn the vacuum off. In increasing order of suction power, they are '1', '2', and 'max.'. This setting can be switched via a slider on its main handle. Using the '2' or 'max.' power modes also enables its automatic surface-type adjustment feature, which allows it to select the optimal brush power by itself, and even stop the brushroll if it detects that something is tangled in it, like rug tassels.
The SMUL0 variant of the Miele Triflex HX1 has a couple of tools and accessories. It comes with an upholstery cleaner to remove debris from fabric-lined furniture, a soft-bristle dusting brush, and a crevice tool to tackle messes in tight corners. The brushroll also has an automatic shutoff feature that prevents it from getting tangled with obstacles like rug tassels. If you're looking for a stick vacuum with more tools and brushes in the box, including a turbo brush, then check out the Dyson Micro 1.5kg.
Unusually, the Miele Triflex HX1 has two alternative configurations aside from its default upright mode. You can use it as a traditional stick vacuum by moving the main body above the wand and fitting the handle in place or remove the wand entirely to use it as a compact handheld.
The Miele Triflex HX1 has poor suction power. Its 170 W motor is reasonably powerful for this type of vacuum, but its floorhead doesn't generate as tight a seal as some other cordless stick vacuums with soft rollers, like the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, and it might have a slightly harder time handling debris in cracks on bare surfaces. Raw suction performance, measured from its wand, also falls short of its peers.
This vacuum has decent airflow performance. While it might lag behind alternatives in generating good sealing performance, its raw airflow performance is comparable to other options like the Shark Stratos Cordless, indicating that its filtration system isn't all that restrictive.
This vacuum isn't too loud. It's only marginally louder than alternatives like the Dyson V11, with the sound of its operation crowding out nearby normal conversation. However, you should easily hear what people nearby are saying if they slightly raise their voices. It's unlikely it'll be too disruptive if you use it in a partially enclosed room.
The Miele Triflex HX1 has great maneuverability. The vacuum itself is lightweight and easy to push around. Its self-adjusting brush power makes it easy to transition from cleaning bare floors to carpets, and it stops the brushroll from spinning if it detects that it's about to get tangled on obstacles like rug tassels. Switching configurations is easy and intuitive, though since it's a little bulky at the connection point between its wand and nozzle, it can be a little tricky to clean under low-lying furniture like couches and tables.
This vacuum's pet hair-cleaning performance on fabric furniture is decent. It'll take a few passes to clear away most pet hair with its upholstery tool, and even then, some shorter strands may be left behind. If you have pets that shed and frequently clean furniture, it's best to purchase Miele's SEB 23 handheld turbo brush or to just spring for a variant of this vacuum that comes bundled with that attachment, like the HX1 Cat & Dog.
Despite this basic variant of the Miele Triflex HX1 not having a HEPA-rated exhaust filter, it still does a good job of sealing in fine allergens.
This vacuum does a good job of cleaning debris in cracks. While it doesn't seal all that tightly against the ground, it's still capable of digging up the majority of loose material from crevices. It's worth noting that its performance didn't increase by a noticeable amount when cleaning cracks in its high-power 'Max' mode as opposed to the intermediate '2' setting, indicating its motor isn't doing the heavy lifting for this kind of usage.
