
SEBO
AIRBELT E3 Premium
Ultra-durable, 10-year warranty, but expensive with short cord.

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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 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).
I'm recommending 3 higher end, bagged, corded vacuums with power nozzles to address your area rugs. The first is the upright Sebo Felix. The power head is interchangeable with the premium parquet for bare floors. The onboard hose will address most of your above the floor cleaning and it includes a crevice tool and dusting brush. If you can find a Meile C3 Kona, Marin, or Cat & Dog that is discounted grab any of these canister models. Last either a Sebo E3 or K3 depending what might still be on sale.
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.
Pick one of the Dyson's, ditch the Shark. EDIT: My go-to, very convenient vacuum is a Felix and I deep clean with either a Sebo D4 or Miele C3.
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!
Solid models for you: Miele C3 Cat Dog/Kona/Marin or the Guard L1/L1 Electro(the latter are new models, so you may still find some places that you can get a good deal on the C models). Sebo offers the K3 and E3. Lastly, try and find a local vacuum dealer and take each brand for a test drive to find what you like is best. These models are buy it for life and should last decades with proper care. Both companies have features to help clear out pet hair.
Solid models for you: Miele C3 Cat Dog/Kona/Marin or the Guard L1/L1 Electro(the latter are new models, so you may still find some places that you can get a good deal on the C models). Sebo offers the K3 and E3. Lastly, try and find a local vacuum dealer and take each brand for a test drive to find what you like is best. These models are buy it for life and should last decades with proper care. Both companies have features to help clear out pet hair.
For a home of that size - you need yourself a solid bagged canister….hear me out on this. They clean wall to wall AND floor to ceiling. Depending on what you buy it can be a - buy it for life/buy once cry once sort of thing. Miele or SEBO. It’s gonna cost you some cash but you’ll have it for 20 years. Bags require much less maintenance and you won’t have to replace the bag as much as you probably think you would. For your house you will need a model that has a powerhead, also known as an electrified model. Some canister, vacuums have turbo heads, which are air driven. That being said, Miele offers the Guard L1 and L1 Electro. You may find their outgoing C line at a local vacuum store for a good deal. The C1 Cat Dog or C3 Kona/Marin/Cat Dog are all electrified models. SEBO offers the E3 equivalent but you can also look at their older electro model the K3 Premium. Bags and filters are nominal in the long run. If you want to go for lower quality, Kenmore flooring makes some decent canister models including the 400/600/700 series. Not as durable as their German counterparts, these are still going to outperform most big box store brands and of course any cordless model. In Short: check out Miele bagged canisters, Sebo and Kenmore canisters before buying into the smoke and mirrors of Dyson and other bagless brands that are on the market.
The C3 is the better model, more future proofed too.
OP didn’t mention the performance at all on their post. 🤣🥴 Glad you find your vacuum sexy and ergonomic. Meanwhile the rest of us Miele and Sebo owners will enjoy the actually clean floors and exhaust air being cleaner than what is sucked in.
Our old cleaners used that Shark and it wasn't the best. I could go around after with my Miele and pick up way more. The good folks at r/vacuumcleaners would probably say to avoid the shark and go for the Henry. I'd agree - they're repairable and almost indestructible. If you've got the cash for it, a Miele C3 cat and dog with the power head is glorious. Could be less weirdly weighted but apart from that, it's grand. Mines 5yrs old and still sucks like it's brand new.
r/vacuumcleaners is where you need to ask this. I'd try find a secondhand Miele. Mines 5yrs old now and still sucks like day one. I love it. I have a low shedding dog but I am high shedding (long hair!)
I've got the c3 cat and dog. I don't lug it upstairs now I'm 6mo pregnant, but fine to do so before I was hefting a human around. They're not cheap (this was £350) but they do come up secondhand a lot.
Whoops, I thought you already bought it. I'm glad you didn't, the bagless Mieles are messy vacuums. The Miele C1 Cat & Dog comes with a carpet powerhead and it is the best model to look for. Any time you can get the carpet powerhead it will clean carpets better. The C3 Kona and C3 Cat & Dog also come with the carpet powerhead and if you luck out and find them for a low price. The C3 is more expensive because it has a longer cord and a tool compartment, but they have the same cleaning power as the C1. If you just have a little low pile carpet you might be able to get by with a turbo brush. In that case any bagged C1, C2, or C3 Miele can use a turbo brush. I'd say look for the C1 Cat & Dog first, the C1 Turbo and C1 Pure Suction as second choices. Miele's turbo brush is $150 and it's worth it over the generic tools because Miele's turbo brush keeps spinning much better than the generic copies. The Miele C1 Pure Suction is $400 new, so ideally you want to find a used C1 Pure Suction $100-150. The Miele C1 Turbo is $500, so around $150-200 is fair. Used prices should be half or less than a new vacuum because you'll need to buy new bags and filters and it comes with no warranty. Another option is the Powr-Flite Newton with Turbo Brush $171. This is a copy-cat of the Henry vacuums. It has strong suction but it's quiet. The Turbo Brush is made by the same German company that makes the turbo brushes for Miele. The Newton uses large hepa bags and has a long 35 ft. cord. Downsides are there's no automatic cord rewinder and the 2 included small tools are cheap.
Whoops, I thought you already bought it. I'm glad you didn't, the bagless Mieles are messy vacuums. The Miele C1 Cat & Dog comes with a carpet powerhead and it is the best model to look for. Any time you can get the carpet powerhead it will clean carpets better. The C3 Kona and C3 Cat & Dog also come with the carpet powerhead and if you luck out and find them for a low price. The C3 is more expensive because it has a longer cord and a tool compartment, but they have the same cleaning power as the C1. If you just have a little low pile carpet you might be able to get by with a turbo brush. In that case any bagged C1, C2, or C3 Miele can use a turbo brush. I'd say look for the C1 Cat & Dog first, the C1 Turbo and C1 Pure Suction as second choices. Miele's turbo brush is $150 and it's worth it over the generic tools because Miele's turbo brush keeps spinning much better than the generic copies. The Miele C1 Pure Suction is $400 new, so ideally you want to find a used C1 Pure Suction $100-150. The Miele C1 Turbo is $500, so around $150-200 is fair. Used prices should be half or less than a new vacuum because you'll need to buy new bags and filters and it comes with no warranty. Another option is the Powr-Flite Newton with Turbo Brush $171. This is a copy-cat of the Henry vacuums. It has strong suction but it's quiet. The Turbo Brush is made by the same German company that makes the turbo brushes for Miele. The Newton uses large hepa bags and has a long 35 ft. cord. Downsides are there's no automatic cord rewinder and the 2 included small tools are cheap.
For longer/plush/high pile carpets you really want a vacuum with carpet height adjustment so it doesn't get stuck or stall on the carpets. For pet and human hair I recommend a brushroll that is wider and easy to remove for cleaning. Short pet hair doesn't really get wrapped on the brushroll but long human hair will. You don't have to get a Sebo or Miele but they will be quieter and last longer 15-20 years, so you pay more up front. If you want a cheaper vacuum $200-300 they can clean just as well but they will be louder and last 5-10 years. U.S. Sebos and Mieles cost more because on top of shipping and import fees they have electric carpet powerheads. The Miele doesn't offer electric powerheads except for the U.S. and Canada. You don't want to import a vacuum from Europe because the plug and motor will not work with our electrical systems. The Sebo E3 and Miele C3 Cat & Dog are both very good for carpet and hard floors. The Sebo K3 and Miele C1 Cat & Dog are just as effective and long lasting but cost less because they are older models with a few less features. If you want something cheaper, Kenmore Elite Upright and Kenmore 400/600 Series Canister vacuums clean as well, but they won't last as long. I recommend the Sebo E3 because the brushroll is removable without needing any tools, which makes it faster to clean off hair wrap. Be sure to try the Miele and Sebo vacuums at a local store first. Many people don't like how canisters manuever and that can be a deal breaker. The Sebo Felix is a popular upright vacuum that's also less expensive than the E3.
If you only have tile a suction-only canister vacuum will work well. You don’t need a carpet powerhead since you don’t have carpets, but if you find a good deal on a vacuum with a carpet powerhead you can just leave the powerhead on the side. I’d look for a Miele C1, Miele C3, Sebo K2, Sebo E1, Sebo D1, or Henry 160. They’re all very good canister vacuums. I like Sebos more than Mieles because they are a little more durable. You have to be more careful that a used Miele wasn’t abused by running it without a bag or using generic bags that let dust wear down the motor. There are a number or commercial canister vacuums that are also good at hard floors like the Nilfisk GD930. If you find a good enough deal can be attractive. Electrolux canister vacuums are pretty solid, the old brick looking ones. I’m not the biggest fan of them as they don’t roll as well as newer canisters. Avoid Kirbys, they’re made for carpets and avoid Rainbow vacuums as the water creates more work and weight. Hope that helps.
Miele's bagged canister vacuums are good but their cordless and bagless vacuums aren't as good. I recommend looking at the Henry Quick Cordless. It's one of the few cordless vacuums that uses pods/bags so you don't have messy emptying or filters to wash. They have removable and replaceable batteries and they hot swap so if you buy a second battery you can change it anytime.
Our Gen2 cleans well, as with a lot of cordless and bagless machines you need to clean the filters fairly regularly to maintain maximum efficiency - something they say they’ve addressed in the new one from the adverts - we use it as our go to cleaner for everyday hoovering. I wish we had got the version with the automatic hair removal as with girls in the house it does need regular detangling. It never sees to have problem picking up anything, crumbs, plastic diamonds from posters or larger things like M&Ms. That being said, we also have a Meile C3 cat and dog. At max power that thing would suck you into the bag like the scene out of alien where the alien gets sucked out of a tiny hole in the space ship.
Cat and Dog cylinder model SGEE1 its about 12 years old and still works great

SEBO
AIRBELT E3 Premium
Ultra-durable, 10-year warranty, but expensive with short cord.

Numatic International
Henry Canister Series
Budget king, super durable, but heavy and poor on carpets.

SEBO
AIRBELT D4 Premium
Durable, powerful, long cord, but heavy and pricey.

SEBO
FELIX Premium
Durable, powerful, good for allergies, but heavy with awkward attachments.

Miele
Classic C1 Cat & Dog PowerLine
Durable, powerful, quiet, but very expensive, short cord.

Ranked #1
SEBO - AIRBELT E3 Premium

Ranked #1
SEBO - AIRBELT E3 Premium

Ranked #1
SEBO - AIRBELT E3 Premium

Ranked #1
SEBO - AIRBELT E3 Premium

Ranked #1
Numatic International - Henry Canister Series

Ranked #1
Dyson - V15 Detect Series