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Top Pros
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Reddit Reviews
Had a cordless shark and it was crap. Replaced with the Miele C2 (cat and dog version) and I have never had a hoover like it. It is fantastic. I would rate it higher than the Henry and as it is a bit smaller it gets caught up a bit less and easier getting up and down stairs. For hoover bags just buy the cheaper Amazon equivalent. But if it must be out of those 2 I would go with hazza.
Went from a shark cordless to a Miele C2 and never looked back.
At first I was like nah I'm not paying for bags every 5 minutes bla bla bla... Amazon do an exact replica for a fraction of the cost. And the suction is just constant. The shark needed dismantling every 7 minutes to unclog something or other and I was constantly wondering if it was always like this or has it gotten worse. If the Miele breaks for any reason, I'll be replacing it with another one.
With the Miele C2 (alot less than 600 quid) you push the button on the back and the cord wraps up for you. Just putting it out there
Miele compact C2 cat & dog. Around $400 when it's on special at briscoes but my god it's worth it. Have been through too many cheapy and not so cheap bagless, including Dyson and I wont do it again.
Why the need for two vacuums though? What need will a stick vacuum fill? Miele C2 cat and dog, $500 from briscoes picks up every last bit of pet hair out of the carpet and is very quiet. Bagless vacuums just spread dust and allergens all over the show.
I’m ready for the hate I guess, I have a Miele C2 Cat & Dog. It was around £270 here in the UK and I’ve had to have it repaired twice, once for a wiring fault and second for the cord rewind not working despite being kept clean. On the other hand I bought my Dyson V11 in 2019, it had a new battery which was free of charge from Dyson in 2022 and has not had a single issue. The Miele does not have a powered brush roll, and when I was buying it NO Miele models had one available in the UK market, they are all air turbine powered meaning on thick carpet the brush roll does not spin. The Dyson visibly clears the floors, the mini powered roller is great for stairs and honestly I’ve not seen anything comparable to it.
The assertion that they "got rid of the pre motor filter" is just...wrong though? The S1 and M1 use the same fabric type pre motor filter that has been used in the C series. The L1 has admittedly got rid of that in favour of a mesh, but it's wrong to say they've all lost the pre motor filter. Also it's only the L1 that has the display. If you don't like/want/need it, the M1 and S1 are available. The new bags fix the issue that was there with the C series of people not seating the bag properly when closing the bag compartment. And really why would anyone want to be using generic third party bags anyway when you've invested in a premium vacuum? I bought some once for my C2 compact and they were crap compared to the official Miele bags. Not saying that Miele are beyond criticism at all, but I think it's fair to actually be reasonable with ones criticism. This having been said when my C2 dies I'll be getting a Sebo because I would like a powered head.
The general consensus here is that stick vacs as a whole aren't good. I think I'm inclined to agree when it comes to the absolute budget end of the spectrum like this. They won't perform and they won't last long. However I do genuinely think that stick vacs serve a purpose so I'm not against them like a lot of others on this sub. I have one that I use for quick pick ups and a quick run around every few days just to keep things looking ok. It is hugely convenient and my most used vacuum. But I have a corded canister and upright vacuum for deeper cleans every week or so. If I need to do a "proper" clean, the stick vac isn't coming out. You just have to go into the purchase knowing that even if you spend a little more, they're not going to be the longest lasting thing and won't perform as well as a half decent mains powered vacuum with a powered head, and in some cases they won't even perform as well as a canister with a turbo brush. Do you need the convenience of a stick vac? And what flooring do you mainly have?
Whilst it's less convenient, I find a canister vacuum the lightest to work with, although you do need to manoeuvre the machine around on the floor. With a canister you're barely holding any weight in your hand, it's all down on the floor. For above floor cleaning it's the best experience, and then for carpets and floors it's also easy as you're only pushing around the wand and floor head. In terms of lightweight sticks I don't know too many really I'm afraid. Sebo balance and Dyson V12 are both light. I can't speak to the longevity and quality of either though. I owned a V12 for a bit and it was light to use but I returned it as couldn't justify the expense for my daily runaround vacuum. I own a Levoit LVAC 200 which is...fine...but does a poor job on carpets, it will really only skim the surface. I replaced that with a Tineco Pure One Station Five. It's a bit heavier but it does the job and I picked it up new in box on eBay for about £125. The self empty station really helps and it does an ok job just keeping things looking clean. However I'm not sure how long it'll last as some of the joints are already getting creaky and loose.
If you get one with a turbo brush it'll be ok, not fantastic but it'll be better than just a straight suction head. I use a Miele canister with a turbo brush and it doesn't dig as deep as my upright with a powered head but it's fine. If you have low pile carpets then it should be ok. For me the convenience of a canister is the versatility of using it for above floor cleaning of upholstery, dusting etc...then also hard floors and area rugs/carpets. There are very limited canister vacuums available in the UK with powered heads, basically I think it's only Sebo who do them now - the K3, E3 and D4. However even the K3 is probably above your budget.
I have a bagged Miele cylinder as my main vacuum and a cordless bagless stick as a daily run around/quick pick up machine. There's no way the bagless stick could ever serve as my main vacuum. The Miele serves as a regular vacuum, DIY clean up machine, duster etc...has served me well for 9 years now and just keeps going and going. I cannot imagine the cordless stick I have lasting anything like as long - it's already feeling rickety and creaky after less than a year and I take good care of it. If you can afford it - Bagged corded vacuum for your main vacuum, cordless stick for a secondary run around.
You will need an electric powered brush model if you have carpet. We bought a Miele canister model from Costco and it's a beast. r/vacuumcleaners is where you should be heading next. Also if you have a local vacuum repair shop - go there and they will hook you up as well. They aren't trying to push unreliable not great value big name brands like Dyson and might have refurbished options within your budget. They rely on their reputation to stay in business (unlike big box stores)
>The Miele with the powered brush is like 900+.. [You can get a C2 canister version at Costco for $700 CAD ($500)](https://www.costco.ca/miele-compact-c2-cat-%2526-dog-canister-vacuum.product.100568711.html). For low-medium pile carpet, it's a great option and should last a decade+ with proper care regular servicing. Also see comment above about visiting a vacuum repair shop to see what they have for refurbished models. You do not have to purchase something new for it to last a long time.
See if any vac shops have any used Miele or Sebos with a good straight air tool (you probably don't need a powerhead, but if they have one where the price is right, it could then be an option). They are some of the most serviceable vacuums out there, which is important cause everything breaks at some point, and its nice to be able to fix it. They are also sealed units. You can add different tools later on to any of them, but powerheads can only be added to the electric hose models. Best models to look for would be: Miele Compact C1, C2, C3, or any guard series Sebo E or D series Their other models are still good, those are just the best.
Find a C2 or C3 model with the SBB 300-3 floor brush. Nothing will clean floors better than that. The newer version of the C2 is the Guard S1. The newer version of the C3 is the Guard M1. The Guard L1 is an entirely new vacuum, and is meant to be a lighter version of the C3 / M1, but the L1 has a smaller bag. Edit: they all filter really really well and are sealed systems, and if you add on the HA50 hepa filter (make sure it’s the genuine one from Miele as it’s H13 hepa) it’s top notch. Edit 2: the compact C1 is a also good choice, just NOT the Classic C1 (also known as S2 which is the older version).
The D4 moves really well, but yes is a larger vacuum. I have a 525 squr foot apartment and own a D4 cause YOLO. The Miele vacs like the C2, C3, Guard S1, M1, L1 will overall be lighter and easier to use. The D4 is essentially a powerhouse vacuum. The mentioned miele's will have the same airflow but in a smaller package. Miele's new equivalent to the D4 is the L1 or M1 / C3 Series. Edit: My recommendation would be the Miele if you're worried about the weight of the canister. The D4 is by no means bad that way, and I would 100% argue it's easier to use than some other brands like kenmore, etc, but the Miele's will be easier to use as far as the canister goes and may be more encouraging that way. Just make sure to get the RIGHT ATTACHMENTS!
Find a C2 or C3 model with the SBB 300-3 floor brush. Nothing will clean floors better than that. The newer version of the C2 is the Guard S1. The newer version of the C3 is the Guard M1. The Guard L1 is an entirely new vacuum, and is meant to be a lighter version of the C3 / M1, but the L1 has a smaller bag. Edit: they all filter really really well and are sealed systems, and if you add on the HA50 hepa filter (make sure it’s the genuine one from Miele as it’s H13 hepa) it’s top notch. Edit 2: the compact C1 is a also good choice, just NOT the Classic C1 (also known as S2 which is the older version).
As far as other recommendations go, stick vacs that’s are under $300 are mostly built pretty bad. You can get a Compact C1 Miele for $359 on sale, and it will be a better, miles better, than any stick vac in every category. Just as an FYI
Miele C1 Compact, or Miele Guard S series with a straight air tool (the SBD 380 is miele's hands down best straight air tool, and can be added separately onto any model). Sebo E1 is also a great option. No, they're not the cheapest options, but if you can find one in good shape used, that's something to consider. These things will last typically 15 - 30 years under normal household use - not commercial usage.
See if any vac shops have any used Miele or Sebos with a good straight air tool (you probably don't need a powerhead, but if they have one where the price is right, it could then be an option). They are some of the most serviceable vacuums out there, which is important cause everything breaks at some point, and its nice to be able to fix it. They are also sealed units. You can add different tools later on to any of them, but powerheads can only be added to the electric hose models. Best models to look for would be: Miele Compact C1, C2, C3, or any guard series Sebo E or D series Their other models are still good, those are just the best.
I have the C2. Bought in 2018. It’s great. Never expected to enjoy a canister vacuum so much.
I got a Miele C2 in ~2017 after reading all his AMA’s. Now I’m reminded I need to get it tuned-up for maintenance. The suction is strong as ever but the only downside is buying the vacuum bags which became a pain after I got a hairy dog.
I tried to save a few bucks by getting Amazon dupe cheaper bags and of course, it easily overfilled and exploded the dirt inside the vacuum cleaner. TLDR: buy Miele bags only
This was my first adult purchase (+$600) towards home goods/cleaning which happened to be around pre-Christmas with a Bed Bath & beyond coupon. The coupon clearly stated this was one of the brands that weren’t applicable but somehow it still worked towards my C2. The vacuum is going on for almost 10yrs and I might bring it in for its first tune-up just because. I love my Miele!
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Cleaning stairs

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Best for Deep cleaning thick carpets

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SEBO - AIRBELT E3 Premium
Best for Hardwood and delicate floors

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Best for Heavy pet shedding

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Best for Long-term durability (buy it for life)

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Numatic International - Henry Canister Series
Best for Quick daily maintenance

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Dyson - V15 Detect Series





