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You might want to know, the Sebo K series is designed for smaller homes, it takes a smaller dust bag than the rest of Sebo's line. Not that this should discourage you from getting a K, just to be aware of this. Their E and D lines are what they offer for bigger homes. As a Dyson V11 Outsize owner, I think that Dysons are overpriced, and their build quality is not great for the money. They tend to run on lower suction so as to conserve the battery. Turn up the power level and the battery drains faster. And the dust bin gets and stays dirty as do the inner air passages, I'm always banging the side with the bin open to get the finer stuff out. I bought that Dyson and A Miele Marin within a few months of each other. The Miele suction is far superior and it's quieter than the Dyson. I use the Parquet tool for our bare floors and it will suck up anything with no problem. However, the stick vacuums feel easier to work with. But I've found I prefer the cleaning performance of the Miele and the easier dust bag removal is great. You can't go wrong with either Sebo or Miele if you decide to opt for corded vacuums.
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'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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Same model here. Had it for 10+ years. It's really awesome.
Sebo K3 or Miele C3 Kona/Marin (Miele has an option for an activate charcoal filter that can help with mitigating pet smells). Both are solid choices with Sebo having a longer warranty. Best option is finding a local dealer to take both for a test drive. You may also be able to get some solid deals with a local dealer as well.
Miele C1 Cat Dog will give you everything you need. (You can find them around $650ish right now) You may be able to score a C3 Kona/Marin for under $1k as there are sales. A canister is, somewhat an all in one solution. It can clean from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. No batteries to replace, built to last. I’d reach out to your local dealer to see if they can get you a deal!
C2 is a great model but you need a powerhead for the medium pile carpet. The C1 Cat Dog, C3 Kona, C3 Marin, C3 Homecare+ or check out a Sebo K3/E3.
Miele’s Marin is pretty accurate. It’s only suction/air flow though based on flooring.
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.
I’d say a Miele C3 Kona, though a C1 Cat Dog would be fine. As others have mentioned, watch for the seller and shipper on Amazon. You can also click on other purchase options and see who the sellers are. There are legit vacuum sales companies that use Amazon marketplace just you have to specify. Amazon will pull the lowest priced seller first (usually).
A canister is arguably the most versatile. I’d recommend a model with a power (electrical) head as you have carpet and may have carpet in the future. I lean Miele and would say a C3 Kona is a sweet spot. That said the Sebo E3 is also a solid choice, albeit it’s kind of ugly looking.
I’ve had my miele merrin for 7 years, still strong. All the attachments, never lost. Last year I got a Sebo D4 to try it out, and the reason I don’t use it is bc it’s clunky to move and doesn’t have a light bar on the vacuum head like the Miele does. Never knew how important the light is until you don’t have it. Also the attachments for the D4 can fall out of the back and get lost. BUT I did buy the D4 bc you can 3D print parts for it!! Haven’t tried it yet, but I think that’s spectacular. If you can’t get a merrin, any canister should work until you get some funds to spend on yourself. I always call my vacuum my other employee. Worth every penny. Seven years!!! *edit*Also forgot to say, clients generally want to pay someone with a NICER vacuum than they have. Miele is great bc of the HEPA filter, which is WHY it is expensive but worth it to the client knowing you’re also cleaning their AIR when you are there.
The Miele C3 Marin is still available. Excellent choice .
Don't waste your money. I bought a Dyson vac years ago and it was pure crap. Splurge on a Miele Marin C3 and it will be the last vac you buy for 20 years.
There are bigger differences between the Calima and and Marin than just the light. The Marin has a motorized brush with a larger diameter more powerful brush roller. It can handle up to deep pile carpet and is very good for all kinds of carpet. The Calima uses only an air driven brush roller, which is much less powerful. It's only suitable for thin rugs and doesn't handle large amounts of hair well. The Marin is a more future-proof choice in case you get carpets and pets later. The calima, as delivered, is not compatible with motorized brush heads. Sebo k3 is another good option, it also has a motorized brush head while being smaller than the C3s. If quality and longevity are important, go with a canister. The sebo and mieles can easily last 15-20 years. Dyson themselves state that the average cordless stick vac lifespan is only 2-5 years. That's a lot of money for a short lived product. Wanting a stick vac as a quick supplementary device is understandable, and the best way IMO is to have a good quality corded vac plus a more mid range priced stick vac for smaller jobs.
Unusual, the miele c3 has more suction than any cordless vac and with the electrobrush head has better agitation than the dyson for carpets. Maybe it's a preference thing or something with your specific rugs. Sometimes vacuums just don't work on certain rugs because of the shear number of variations.
I would look at a Miele canister/barrel style vacuum, the C3 range is my favorite, with the parquet twister hard floor brush. Possibly the best hard floor vacuum attachment I've ever used. It has openings all around to pull in debris, and the bristles gently dust the floor as you vacuum. The bristles are very soft and gentle, and it has no motorized spinning bars or hard wheels on the head to tangle with hair or possibly scrape. And it's simple to clean, just run the end of the hose across the brushes a few times to pull off any stuck lint. The barrel part of the vacuum itself has rubberized wheels which won't mar or scratch. And you should be able to find a model with an air driven turbo brush for the carpets in addition to the parquet twister head. If not, those accessories can be bought as an ad-on. Not familiar with the specific models avaliable there, but any of the (preferably bagged) models with the parquet twister and the turboteq would be an excellent combo for you.
The airstorm, while good, is no better than a miele or sebo. I wouldn't pay the premium. Mieles and sebos are also sealed to trap dust. They are also more modern in design and easier to use (they have cord rewind while the air storm does not). There's nothing really bespoke about the airstorm. Underneath the top shell, the power nozzle is the same as ones avaliable for Miele models. The hose and other tools are generic off-the-shelf supplies etc. While it would probably last you a long time and do a good job, you might resent using it. I'd strongly suggest you try one in person before choosing, and frankly I'd save money and go with a nicer to use miele/sebo.
Sebo or miele if you want something high quality which will actually last 15+ years and be repairable should a part wear out. They have high performance and filtration standards. The shark is fine for 3 to 5 years with decent performance. The dyson, being cordless, you should only expect 2-4 years. And it won't have the performance of the others unless used on it's highest but shortest runtime mode. Kinda comparing apples to oranges here. If you need something immediately the shark is probably ok, but if you want something to last definitley go check out miele and sebo.
Rankings by Use Case
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Best for Cleaning stairs

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Best for Deep cleaning thick carpets

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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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Best for Quick daily maintenance

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