
Miele - Guard L1 AllFloor (SUSE0)
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 24, 2026 How it works
It’s also important to differentiate between types of HEPA. Miele’s HEPA is H13+ and almost H14. It’s very rare to find H13 in vacuum’s, as most are H11 if they even have HEPA. Rainbows also utilize H13, but aren’t the easiest bags to use if used frequently. I would definitely get a Miele Complete C3, Complete C3, Guard M1 or L1 AllFloors, one with the Parquet Twister floor-head. It significantly better than the AllTeq and FiberTeq heads, and you can get an extra-wide version of it. For rug(s), the TurboTeQ head is sufficient for low pile area rugs.
S8s are super, super easy to repair. What broke? The C3 is still available in some stores, even from Miele directly. I tried many other vacs and couldn’t find one that had the power and comfort and the S8/C3. The Guard L1 models are slightly less powerful, but still very good vacs.
My miele c3 has ended up being my most favorite machine ever! The only real issue is finding the best model for your needs. If its low pile or berber the new guard L1 all floor can handle it with straight suction. If its a medium to higher pile the classic c1 cat and dog powerline, c3 kona/marin, or machine with seb 228 will handle carpets really well.
If its all hard floors with a few rugs, you dont need to get the most expensive model, pure suction models would work. Maybe check out the guard L1 all floor, m1 cat and dog or an m1/c1. Only if the rugs have medium piles or higher id recommend models with seb 228 for convenience
They all have the same motor, the difference is mainly in the heads/attachments. If you have wall to wall carpets that are medium to high pile seb 228 and seb 236 will do really well. If you have mostly hard floors then pure suction machines can work. There newest pure suction, guard L1 all floor has a new head that can work on low pile carpets from what ive seen, but in my opinion itll be harder to push on the max setting when on carpet. If you can find a good deal on a c1/c3 you can save a little since the new generation is m1/s1/L1.
Sebo Balance A1 if you want a battery operated vacuum. It's very light, and has a light. I wouldn't suggest bashing it around like you maybe could with a plug in, but it's made to be serviced, and parts are easy to get. Miele Guard L1 AllFloor if you want plug in. There's no light because there's no powerhead, but if you have mostly hardfloor, you wouldn't need a powerhead on a vacuum like that - the airflow is top notch. Avoid Dyson, Shark, Bissel, Hoover if you want something built well. They use cheap plastics, disposable design, limited replacement parts.... just throw away items. Plug in means more power, less maintenance (bagged), and longer lasting unit. Battery means more convenience, but is typically bagless so more emptying. Plug in is not "heavier". The L1 has less weight in your wrist than any battery stick vacuum. It also moves ridiculously well. It will move better than any canister vacuum you've previously owned (if you have owned one before). Sebo and Miele make serviceable, well built vacuums.
Good plug in vacuums are the most reliable vacuums. The Miele Guard L1 AllFlloor is a great lightweight vacuum. The L1 is actually the best moving canister on the market. If you had a canister before and didn't like it, there's a very good chance this one will be a much more positive experience. The Sebo E1 is very similar. It has a nicer bumper for if you're worried about bumping into walls. It has an etra 1ft in cord length as well, and a slightly longer hose. The L1 is a bit lighter and moves a bit better though. Yes, those 2 do not have a powerhead, but if you vacuum often enough, like on a weekly basis, you may be able to keep on top of things, and not having pets help. It's just that those 2 are great examples of well built, lightweight canisters, and fit most peoples needs nicely. Electric Powerheads are the best at cleaning carpet. If you just want to ensure maximum performance, check out the Guard L1 with the SEB 228 Powerhead, or the SEBO E3 with the ET-1 Powerhead. Miele's BEST powerhead is the 236 model, so you can always upgrade to that in the future. Canister differences are the same as the previous 2 I suggested. The ET-1 Powerhead is better built and lighter / smaller than the 228 powerhead. The ET-1 brush is easier to clean, but collects hair quicker. The 228 brush is harder to clean, but doesn't collect hair as quickly. 236 is just a better built 228 head, but if you're not too rough on the 228 head, it's still a very good powerhead. Anti tangle rollers do not deep clean carpet. The best Sebo floor brush is the Parquet premium with the removable front bristle. The 2 best for Miele are the SBB 300-3 or SBD 380 (380 is best for picking up hair on smooth flooring - and can go on rugs / carpet). Those can be added on in the future. Cordless Stick vacuums move about half the air of a good plug in, and don't last as long, so that's why plug-ins like what I suggested are better vacuums. You can always get a cordless vacuum later on for the quick pick ups if you need to. Bagged vacuums will also last longer than bagless vacuums, and the bags for Miele and Sebo are very easy to get. You will empty most bagless vacuums 25-50 times, vs changing a bag once, as the bag holds much more debris.
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!
For Miele, it’s would be a C3 series, or Guard L1 with an electric powerhead and good floor brush. Add the HA50 H13 Hepa filter if you want the best filtering vacuum in the world. For Sebo, the K3 is under $1000, but the more powerful models are E3 or D4 premium with the ET-1 powerhead (best powerhead in the world). This time of year being that sales are more likely to start popping up, a Sebo dealer will happily give a deal on each model to get within or closer to your budget. If you want uprights, Sebo X4 or Felix, or a top model riccar (riccar will have a bit more power, but I’d personally chose the X4 or Felix).
Part 3 Going to the stick vacs, you may say “well for design Dyson stick vacs are easy / lightweight to use”. Ok, most stick vacuums are easy / lightweight to use. Every stick vac will have its quirks, so I do want to make that clear. I will say Dysons anti tangle heads work generally ok for some of them, so I get the appeal for people picking up lots of hair - it’s just your rugs and carpets aren’t actually getting deep cleaned. I will say some powerheads naturally just work better on some carpets than others (how thick it is and the density level), so that can play a factor too for some people, but what I’m saying is what will typically happen. Dyson powerheads generally work better on lower pile carpets that aren’t too dense. Some they later on added manual vent opening to the front to try to sort out the problems, but it’s more of a band aid. When it comes to hardfloor, as long as your stick vac is moving a decent amount of air for a stick vac, it more comes down to what kind of powerhead you are using. I say “for a stick vac”, because no stick vac comes close airflow wise compared to a good plug in. The top notch airflow on a plug in vacuum will pull in way more fine dust, because you have way more airflow. I’m talking 2x on average. It will also just vacuum better all around. You may also say “well Dyson stick vacs have the most airflow for a stick vac”… do they under practice? Sure, brand new maybe at the higher price point models and when you’re measuring it with a tool, but all the critical Dyson flaws will factor in and downgrade the performance over time. Like again, those small nozzle openings, small slots in the powerhead, powerheads that stick to the carpet too much. What about those cyclones? Again, if you neglect that thing at all, you’re going to have to fully disassemble those cyclones at some point if you care about maintaining airflow unless you have an air compressor to clean it out - or bring it into a shop and pay to service it. And before you say “my Dyson hasn’t lost an ounce of suction since it was new”…. Yes you’d be right about that, because a partially or mostly clogged vacuum will still have 100% suction (it will have lost airflow though) - this is why Dyson was the first to really push that their vacuums are the only ones to never lose suction - it’s a nonsense claim (also a lie), but that’s how they operate, smoke and mirrors. Can and Miele and Sebo lose airflow overtime. I’ll start by saying any vacuum can. But, when a vacuum is easier to service, it’s more prone to being looked after correctly, more prone to being fixed, and can be neglected with less downside. If you perfectly look after your Dyson, it can hold its power. If you at all neglect a Miele or Sebo, it’s much easier for you yourself to look after it, and then get it back into original working condition. There’s more downside for Dyson bagless vacuums than Miele and Sebo bagless vacuums (especially when compared to their bagged models), when it comes to being neglected. Bagless vacuums get neglected more often because they’re messier. And I want to clarify something - overfilling it counts as neglecting it. Again, it’s not just about how it works when it’s new, it’s how it’ll work through its whole lifespan. Dyson is a sales and marketing company - not a real deal sales and service company like Miele and Sebo. If you just like their products, again, they’re a company that intentionally makes products hard to service, discontinues parts, basically making just throw away stuff because they want you to give them more $. Doesn’t sound like they respect you as a consumer. It’s one thing if everyone else does the same thing, but that’s not the case. And do you really believe that James Dyson made over 5000 prototypes before releasing his first Dyson…. Probably not. In my country, Miele and Sebo combined have like 150 authorized service centres. How many does Dyson have due to their serviceability problems… 2. And when it comes down to sheer performance, Dyson has never, ever, made one vacuum that moves as much air as a Miele L1 or Sebo E3.
Miele Guard L1, M1 or S1 (L1 is the best moving canister out there). All can be fitted with the HA50 H13 Hepa filter, which will make it the best filtering canister on the planet. Sebo E or D series are another fantastic option! Filtration is very similar, and they are built very well as well. The reason I've recommended options that are above $250, is because HEPA doesn't mean what it should. Lower end hepa filters just bleed dust over time, and units in that price range just aren't sealed units. They may try to claim they are.... they aren't. Some of them exhaust right on the floor, which blows the dust into the air. There is also the Miele Classic C1 series and Sebo K series. They aren't quite as good as the other models (why they are less expensive than them), but they are still much much much better than other vacuums out there.
I’d say check out: Sebo E3 Sebo D4 Miele guard L1 with 228 or 236 powerhead Sebo has the best powerhead and a nice bumper system. Miele Guard L1 is the best moving canister. Airflow is the same for all of them.
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.
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.
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.
Miele rolled out their new Guard series canister vacs and all of the existing C3s are on clearance now. Find your local dealer and go visit the store. You need a powered model (entry level units are cheaper because they don't have the powerhead or electrical hose). Also look at the Sebo Felix. Awesome upright machine that handles carpet and hardwood floors, with excellent filtration.
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.
I just bought the L1, having had Miele‘s all my life. I am no vacuum nerd, I just needed a new one. I went with the habit. It was on sale a week ago. I only now discovered that the new „TU“ bags are patented and they want me to pay $22 for four bags. These bags are tiny. The first one lasted a week until full. WTF, this thing is pure greed.
Ganz ehrlich. Ich war vor ein paar Tagen in der selben Situation. Aus Frust habe ich mir nach eine, Akkusauger nun den Miele Guard L1 gekauft. 😂
Yeah im sorry for the tarrifs, but the base version of the top model (guard M1) is currently for sale at 160€ in Germany. But people still buy bosch/Siemens here for some reason because they are more familiar with the brand. Edit: M1 is the mid range model. L1 are slightly more expensive at 220€.
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.
I use both Miele and Sebo and have used the new L1. I think your both correct though. The L1 is a good machine but feels a bit flimsy compared to a Miele of 20 years ago. It’s definitely not a D4 but the tech is cool and I the filtration is great along with the aesthetics. The sub does lean toward Sebo but I think they are both wayyyyyyy better than a crappy shark or Dyson and that’s the most important thing for everyone to know. Also Sebo still has not released the cordless unit in the US so the only good one available is the Miele.
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