Second this answer! Amazon has them on sale all the time. We got this vacuum after our Dyson animal died, and it is so much better. I use the handle with the wide upholstery nozzle for dog hair on our couch, works like a charm. We have two, long haired Australian shepherds that shed year round and love sleeping on the couch.
The bags take getting used to if you’re coming from a bag-less model like Dyson. But they filter dust so much better and are overall way “cleaner” to use. We go through about 1 bag a month, and I would say we are probably on the abnormal end. My in laws have the same vacuum, no dogs, and their bag lasts 2-3 months.
Note - You absolutely need a Miele model with the powered head (electrobrush) for carpet and rugs. It’s confusing because Miele advertises the TurboTeQ head for hair on carpet, but it is not powered, and works by airflow, not belt. If you have dogs that shed long hair, the TurboTeQ doesn’t really work and is harder to clean.
Miele
Grew up in a family that only used them, when I moved out I tried all the trendy ones, shark, Dyson, nothing beats Miele.
Ended up getting the C1 for cats and dogs 2 years ago and it still works like its brand new
Miele C1 cat and dog. It’s amazing.
Edit: to add, it’s amazing because it’s not bagless, has fantastic air filters, and a variety of attachment brushes. These things are meant to be workhorses. It’s the best money I’ve ever spent on a vacuum.
Truly. It clogs way less and doesn’t lose suction power over time. The initial sticker shock was bad, but if you can afford it, it’s so worth it. We also stock up on bags and filters for the entire year during Black Friday sales and such.
I will say, I’d like to get a cordless Miele just for quick daily clean ups just because I’m lazy, but it’s a nice to have and not a necessity.
Currently, a C1 Cat & Dog canister because it comes with the seb228 power nozzle and a parquet floor tool. I use the parquet floor tool for hard surfaces, but if you turn off the brushroll for the power nozzle that's fine for hardwoods, too and the switch is right there on the handle. It's also great for delicate rugs, I run the brushroll until I get to the edges, then switch it off so it doesn't try and "eat" them which can lead to unraveling.
Edit to add: if you have a local vacuum shop that carries Miele, you'll likely get a better price than anywhere online (including Miele's own website) because they reserve the best price points for those local outlets since they need us to do warranty repair.
Unfortunately, a canister with a powerhead, parquet floor tool and full suite of hand attachments is really your best bet for the needs you listed. Sure, you can get an upright with a hose attachment/tools, but they always tip over (not great for the machine) and for hard floors, even with the brushroll off, they leave a lot behind/can't get into tight spaces. Once you get used to (a good) canister, there's really nothing as versatile. Even my favorite uprights can only do what they're designed for, so I would need an additional canister like a Mighty Mite to cover all my bases if air quality weren't a concern. But air quality is a big concern for me and my cleaning clients, so I use a Miele with an SEB228 powerhead/tools almost exclusively.
Former vacuum repair tech, current professional cleaner chiming in: a Miele canister with an SEB228 powerhead and a parquet tool for hard surfaces is what I use 99% of the time, and all I truly recommend for most homes. Usually when folks have issues with Miele, it's not the model best suited to their needs/they're not using the proper tool/suction/height adjustment for the job. Folks will buy a model with the air-driven head because it's cheaper, try to use it on wall-to-wall carpets, but that's not what the head was made for (stiff, low pile rugs mainly). Conversely, they'll spring for an SEB228 model, but use that on hard floors adjusted to carpet height with the brushroll spinning, so it'll just kick dust around.
Also, most of my clients have mixed flooring i.e. carpets in bedrooms, hard floors with area rugs everywhere else... I have a set of cheap aftermarket plastic wands I keep the parquet tool on (because it's light) and leave the heavy electric wand attached to the powerhead since that only gets used on carpets. I can vacuum walls and baseboards with ease, and when I switch heads, it's at waist height instead of bending down. Most folks don't strictly *need* that, but since I'm vacuuming up to 20hrs a week, it's a massive time/back saver.
Before I went into cleaning, I was a vacuum repair tech for a brick and mortar vacuum/sewing store... one of the last certified warranty repair shops in the region, so whether or not we sold it, I fixed it.
Miele is really the only brand I can recommend wholeheartedly for homes. The next top 3 (and it isn't even close) all have massive drawbacks and cost about the same anymore. The lowest tier Miele is a better machine than the highest tier from anyone else. Both from a repair and use standpoint. The only limit they have is super shag carpets, and if that's what you've got: cleanliness clearly isn't a priority.
I'm an outlier here, but as a former vacuum repair tech, Miele all the way, Sebo after that. Not a fan of Shark at all, terrible to repair and horrendous to deal with for warranty issues.
With carpets in the US, get one with a power nozzle. In this line up either the C1 Cat and Dog or C3 Cat and Dog are your best options. You stated the home is fairly big; the C3 Cat and Dog seems to be the ideal choice and the price is crazy good. In addition to a larger bag, the C3 cord is 24' feet, vs 18' in the C1.
Mieles are organized in 4 tiers: C1 Compact (entry level, smaller, for apartments & small homes), Guard M (replaces the previous C3, none of these have a power nozzle in the US Market), C3 (outgoing workhorse, find one this Black Friday, they are solid machines, the Kona, Cat & Dog, Marin, HomeCare E+ all have power nozzles), and the Guard L series. The black L models are suction only, the blue and titanium have power nozzles. The new Guard models that are labeled Cat & Dog do not have a power nozzle, instead they use an air driven turbo floor nozzle.
Ideally, you have a vacuum retailer near you so you can test drive these and get a good deal;
Miele C3, these are being closed out and remaining stock is marked down. The Kona, Cat & Dog, Marin, and Homecare E+ are the C3s to look for. A Miele C1 Cat and Dog is also a solid choice. There are 2 brand new L1 Guard vacuums from Miele; the L1 (blue) and L1 Electro (titanium). All of these models but the Marin use the same SEB 228 power nozzle. The Marin gets a lower profile SEB 236 with an LED light. Only dealers can sell the Homecare and Electro models, these have 5 year warranty’s vs standard 3 year. Discounts for Black Friday are @20% for remaining C3s, at least 15% everything else.
For Sebo, the E3 and K3 are excellent vacuums to also consider. German made like Miele, 10 year warranty’s if purchased from a dealer, and very reliable.
The Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog comes with the excellent SEB 228 power nozzle which will take care of all your carpet and area rugs easily. This machine also has the excellent parquet twister (SBB 300-3) which will clean fine dust off your bare floors. It really is a do it all vacuum.
I have Sebo and Miele vacuums and use them to manage two active corgis and their various messes. Both brands are excellent choices, but I tend to lean more towards Sebo for the better warranty, washable brush roll and cheaper cost of bags and filters.
Pick a model with a power/electro nozzle for your capets. Both brands have chevron-designed brush rolls and with high suction are effective at resisting hair clogging. I also recommend a canister, if that is not ideal for you then the Sebo Felix is the best upright option because the floorhead can be switched over for bare floors. Recommendations are; Sebo K3, E3 and D4 (listed cheapest to most expensive), Miele C1 Cat & Dog, C3 Kona, or Guard L1 (light blue body).
We have two corgis and a power nozzle is needed to clean medium pile carpet. The turbo tool is ok for low pile Carpet. The price differences with Miele and Sebo are based on the addition of the power nozzle versus pure suction machines.
If you can increase the budget to a C1 Cat & Dog, you'll get the electro brush, parquet twister for bare floors and the handheld turbo tool for upholstery. Miele is offering 20% off this machine which is an excellent deal. If you have a dealer near you, they will offer the same deal and likely throw in extra bags and filter.
Sounds like most of your surfaces are hardwood vs carpet. If the carpet is low pile, you might be able to get a suction-only machine with a turbo floor tool. I recommend limiting your search to bagged models, none of the bagless models will provide the HEPA filtration you need. Are you in or near a city that has a vacuum dealer? If yes, they will assess your needs and work with you (discounts, demonstrations, etc.), its possible to get an entry level upright or canister in your budget and HEPA needs (Riccar Superlite, Miele C1). Most dealers have used models they refurbished at deep discounts from new/MSRP and have HEPA technology. Riccar, Filter Queen, Rainbow, Kirby, Sebo, Miele U1 and many others will meet your budget as a refurbished option.
Another poster said it: Miele C1. The Classic C1 or Turbo C1, both are pure suction machines, no powerhead, and small/lightweight. I'd do a basic C1, then add the handheld turbo tool for the stairs and the parquet twister for the hardwood floors. Miele's new FiberTeQ Allfloor attachment is another option ($100 add on). If you buy from a local dealer, they will discount it or throw in attachments as a package deal.
The Miele C1 with the AllTeQ floor attachment is a good pick for your situation. The AllTeQ has retractable bristles for bare floors and low pile carpets. The on board tools will help with dusting, upholstery and cleaning crevices. I have three Miele's and they are dependable machines that perform well. When you get back to the states, the C1 will continue to serve you well.
Both are excellent choices, go to the store and test drive them. The Sebo K2 is the only SEBO Canister that has an optional Hepa filter, so it is a direct competitor to the C1. Both vacuums are durable and designed for years of reliable service. The Sebo warranty is longer, expendables such as bags (yes they have a cap to seal in dust when you change them) and filters are cheaper, and Sebo premium parquet floor attachment is an excellent tool for bare floors. Both brands have the same parquet twister which is also an excellent bare floor attachment.
No. The M1 Cat & Dog is a suction only machine, it does not come with a power nozzle. The attachment it includes is an air driven turbo and the package no longer includes the handheld mini turbo tool. We have bare floors and wool rugs on the main floor and use the C3 with the SEB 228 power nozzle. C3 models like the Kona, Cat & Dog, HomeCare, and Marin. The Miele Classic C1 is your entry-level option with a power nozzle and should be discounted still at your local dealer.
We have two very active Corgis that bring in mud, leaves, fur, etc., especially now that we have rain and snow. I use the Bona flat mop with microfiber pad and hardwood floor cleaner. For quick cleanups, I grab the Bona mop handle and use the Bona pre-soaked pads for hard wood. I use the basic Bona pet system that includes the tool, dusting mop and micro fiber pad. They also make waterbased cleaning solutions for cleaners that are safer for pets.
Miele an Sebo are the premium canisters due to quality, warranty, and filtration. Of the two, Miele hoses are more flexible. I have both the Sebo E3 and D4, and both hoses are stiff and bulky due to their tapered design. I also have the Miele C3 and prefer it for dusting because Miele makes a larger, fully articulating brush (SUB 20) that works on the ceiling fans and bookshelves. For hard floor cleaning, the parquet twister is my go to, both Sebo and Meile have a version of this attachment. Based on your cleaning needs, a suction only machine will work well. Look at the Miele Classic C1 or Guard M1. Sebo comes in a close second place for portability. Look at the E1 or K2 Kombi and add the parquet twister. If you have a vacuum dealer, go there, the Black Friday discounts will be better and they will give you a package discount for any additional attachments, bags, etc.
With 3 finished floors across 1,500sf, the D4 is overkill and you'll hate moving it up and down stairs. The Sebo E3 and K3 or Miele Classic C1 are more portable. The K3 has the same 25' cord as the E3 and the bag is .8g vs .9 on the E3. As others recommended, you might be better off with a pure suction machine and turbo tool for the rugs.
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1
SEBO
AIRBELT E3 Premium
88% positive of 202 users
Ultra-durable, 10-year warranty, but expensive with short cord.
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