Definitely seek out and visit a Sebo/Miele dealer so they can demo all your options. You will likely get a discount and/or additional goodies thrown in (bags, filters, attachments). Whether it's Sebo or Miele, the lower cost units are suction only and won't clean your bedroom carpets effectively. Make sure your choice has a power nozzle (Sebo E3, K3, D4 or Miele C3 cat and dog). Miele just rolled out their replacement for the C3, called the Guard series. Unfortunately, there are only 2 models with the power nozzle, so if you are offered the newest model make sure it isn't suction only. Oddly, the new Miele Guard Cat and Dog does not include a power nozzle option! There are clearance deals on the previous generation Miele's, I'd go that way over the new/full markup models as these machines are excellent (Marin and the white Cat and Dog C3s are my favorites).
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.
I have both Miele and Sebo canisters. The Miele SEB power nozzles handle thicker pile carpet better than the Sebo. I have a thick pile area rug in the master bedroom and the Sebo can't handle it. The Meile wand will go flat for under furniture cleaning, the elbow is angled more than the Sebo, in practice it isn't a significant difference. The Miele expendables (bags/filters) cost a bit more than Sebo and maintenance for a Miele will cost more compared to Sebo. The Sebo's break down much easier, quicker than a Meile. Which would I choose? I prefer my Miele C3 over the Sebo E3, but for whole house cleaning the Sebo D4 with the 40' cord and 1.5 gallon bag is the clear winner.
Congratulations and look forward to your follow up review after a whole house cleaning. Miele did a poor job assessing the US market for the Guard series. We get the same handle and hose as the previous models; not the new handle with controls released in Europe. They discontinued the SEB 236 power nozzle (LED light, lower profile), and only two models with a power nozzle. None of the Cat and Dog models have a power nozzle! The new Fiber TeQ All Floor attachment looks promising though and will probably be added to my C3's arsenal of tools.
Both Sebo E3 and Miele C3 canister vacuums are top tier. Both use the same handheld turbo brush attachment (made by Wessel Werk) that is excellent for dog beds, upholstery, stairs. The Miele C3’s are discounted now as the new Guard series is replacing them. A Miele white dog and cat model or Marin navy blue model are probably the best pet vacuums you can get.
If you are future proofing your purchase, the D4 is ideal for the 3K+ home. In use, the D4 with its rotating hose is very manageable, not too different than a C3. Carrying the body alone upstairs is 15.9 pounds vs 12.5 for a C3. The Sebo wand and head is lighter than a C3 with a SEB 228 power nozzle.
I have Corgis and they shed fur as a hobby. Sebo or Miele with a power nozzle, not the entry level suction only machines. The ideal pair is a Sebo E3 canister and Felix upright. The Felix is my daily, the E3 is my weekly deep cleaner. There are clearance deals on the Miele C3s right now; look for the Cat & Dog, Marin and even the HomeCare+ canisters. The Miele power nozzles handle deep pile better than Sebo, otherwise the vacuums are tied for performance.
The first things you'll notice about a modern vacuum is how quiet and compact they are compared to your Silver King. The Sebo D4 Onyx (or any Onyx version) opens the door to dealer-only extended warranty, pricing and accessory packages; 10 years motor/casing, parts and 7 year labor.
Now that Miele rolled out their Guard series of vacuums, remaining stock of C3s are discounted. Standard warranty on a C3 is three years, but if there is a HomeCare edition (Red color), they are the Meile dealer-only line and warranted to 5 years. Only the entry level Miele's are Chinese, the majority are manufactured in Germany/Europe. The Guard Titanium is the current, dealer-only model from Miele.
Both brands are BIFL, and the canisters are the GOAT for whole house cleaning (dusting, furniture, stairs, etc.). The D4 is designed for larger homes (40' cord, 1.5g bag). The Sebo E3 and Miele C3/Guard series are in the sweet spot for the average size home with a mix of bare floors and carpet. Models with a power nozzle will provide the most versatility to grow with your needs as you move from rentals to your final home.
Get both brands and various models in your hands and test drive them in store. Black Friday is coming and these are always discounted this time of year.
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.
The Sebo X4 is best suited and designed for carpet and not hardwood floors. It does not have an option to turn off the brush roll for your wood floors. The Sebo Felix is an ideal option for your floors and will clean above the floor. Add the optional 9' extension hose and it makes stairs, walls, etc. easier.
I own several models of both the Miele (C3, U1 upright) and Sebo (E3, D4, Felix) vacuums and found both brands have excellent quality and longevity. The Sebo models are designed for easier repair and have longer warranties. The consumables such as filters and bags are cheaper for the Sebo as well. But, my Miele C3 is my favorite for whole house cleaning. The parquet twister makes quick work of hard floors and goes easily under furniture and the handheld turbo tool (same Wessel Werk design for both Sebo and Miele brands) is excellent for your upholstery, pillows, carpeted stairs.
Since you have a few low pile rugs, I don't think you require a power nozzle, it would be overkill. The new Miele Guard M1 or L1 series vacuums in the Cat and Dog versions will provide all the floor tools needed in your space. It's a lightweight, quiet, and very durable design. Add the new FiberTeQ AllFloor attachment and you're set!
Nice work! But imo the Logic is somewhat flawed. It entirely depends on the user’s flooring. I think that needs to be an important quantifier here.
Ex: No doubt Henry is great. But it’s for hard floors and maybe 1 small low pile area rug, absolutely not carpeted rooms. It has an air driven brushroll which pales in comparison on carpet to something with an electorally powered floor head. Like the Miele c3 cat and dog, Sebo Felix, k3 and D4 etc.
Dyson and shark shouldn’t even be on this list. They are absolute junk.
Run this list by r/vacuumcleaners
Edit: Hey! I see I was part of the data collection. Neat.
I have one for quick messes and love it. It’s the perfect pair to my C3 (thanks to performance reviews for the tip)
I believe both those models have the powered attachment point. It’s when it’s called the S194 is when you need to do your due diligence.
Worst case, as for a picture of the attachment point. It’s easy to see if it’s electrified or not.
Don’t overpay for a rainbow. You can get a Sebo d4 or Miele C3 for less than half. For allergies you want something corded **and bagged**.
Find a local Miele/Sebo dealer and give those a try. Which exact model depends on your flooring.
I’d avoid any bagless stick vacuum. A canister style is very light in the hand because the motor glides along behind you on the floor.
Sebo K3, E3 or Miele C3 would be the best choices. Your local dealer probably has them on sale. If you don’t have a dealer there are deals to be had online and many users here own stores and will ship
It’s not a waste at all. It’s arguably the best vacuum on the market.
I use my Miele C3 canister 2-3 times a week. It’s less convenient than a stick, sure. But you can always grab a cheap stick for daily quick messes and use the D1 for weekly deep cleans.
Check out r/vacuumcleaners
As mentioned Miele and Sebo are top brands. You can safely ignore any shark or Dyson recs. They’re garbage. As is anything bagless.
Vacuum wars is a paid shark shill and not to be trusted. Hell Chris even appeared in a shark commercial.
BIFL vacuums absolutely exist. They’re corded and bagged made by brands like Miele and Sebo.
To be fair I actually find the cord on mieles to be just a bit too short for most houses where I am (I like to be able to find a central plug in on each floor that will allow me to get at everything without unplugging). I believe they're 25 feet. My Kenmores is 30 or 35 and many commercial vacs are 50. Mieles are also only light if you get one that doesn't have a power head, once you add that in to the mix the canister weighs an extra 10 lbs and the hose also has some extra weight to it. I have a c1 classic I use for an office I clean and I love it but I have a c3 cat and dog that I was using at another place (before the handle snapped) and it was so heavy and the hose was awkward compared to the one on the other miele.
I also REALLY hate miele power heads, the motors in them are really weak imo . Like I want the power head on my vacuum to pull itself along at least a bit and theirs do not.
i got my c3 cat and dog from my local "good guys" appliance store it was down from $700 to $540 on a deal..$700 is pretty steep for it from marketplace.
Miele Cat and dog v3 here. Got it 11 years ago to replace the £40 asda special my new gf had which had died. Previously had Dyson and wouldn't buy another so we dropped £250 on this which she thought was mad.
Still going strong. Getting a new brush head a few months back also made a world of difference as they do wear out.
For brick dust and grot work the Numatic Charles gets the call as it can also handle water.
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