Guard L1 Electro Nordic Blue (12811590)

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.

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.

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.

The Dyson V8s have awful suction. I suppose they’re okay for hard floor quick pickups but for a mains vacuum, you need a corded canister with a premium hard floor tool. I think Sebo is one of the few companies in the EU that produce power nozzle equipped canister/cylinder vacs. If you can get a Miele canister with the SEB228 power nozzle, and the premium parquet twister hard floor tool, that’s my favorite setup. I used to be an upright vac guy but I’ve been converted. It really isn’t good. They’re also a lot cheaper in the EU than they are in the U.S., but even at US pricing, I find them worth it.

The lightest-weight upright vacs don’t do the best job, but canisters can be exceptionally effective and are the traditional choice for those that want an easy-to-push vac, have back problems, etc. They’re very handy. I used to hate using them but now they’re my preferred vac. They get under furniture, much easier to use attachments with, clean car out with, and they’re a lot better on hard floors. Miele and Sebo are the best canisters. Out of those, I recommend Miele for residential applications - specific models, though. C3 mainly, Guard L1 Electro. Either with the Parquet Twister floor head. The C3 is the best Miele, and has recently been discontinued so get one while you can. Sebo canisters are more utilitarian, simpler, slightly lower performance, but the wands are a little more durable. Still, I choose the Miele for its higher power, comfort features, and excellent filtration.

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.

I see the appeal of a stick. I have a V15. It’s about 3 yrs old. It’s primary role is for in-between cleans, small messes. Touch-ups. But, if I am going to vac our main living areas or the entire house, I can get the job done a lot faster with my Miele. If I am going to deep clean the carpet, I don’t pre-vac with my V15. I use my Kirby. If I am going to detail a vehicle, Miele. If I am going to use attachments for deep cleaning, Miele.

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.

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.

Cordless and canister don’t go together. Buy it for Life and cordless absolutely don’t go together. Your best bet is Miele and SEBO. The Miele C3/Guard L1 has a 36’ cleaning radius. I believe Sebo K3/E3 is similar.

There's not a lot that differs between models. Since you have a lot of carpet the main feature you want is an electric power nozzle. Wheather its a c1, c3, or guard model that's the main feature. When comparing models, filter by the models that come with Seb 228 or seb 236 as they are best for carpets and are height adjustable. The c1 and c3 have cat and dog powerline models, several c3 models, and the new guard L1 electro and some s1 models. All will have a 1200 watt motor. I think most of the cat and dog ones and the new guard ones come with a HEPA filter and all will also come with a suction only head that works well on bare floors and low rugs. Edit, I think the classic c1 cat and dog would meet the requirements. You can buy them online, but if theres a local vacuum store you'd probably get better warranty or more options and accessories!

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.

Miele and sebo are both great and pretty similar, with differences in the power nozzles. Miele is not as user serviceable whereas the sebos et-1 brush is removable. The electric hoses can be a point of failure and the sebo if i remember right has replaceable components on the outside where as Mieles i believe have to replace the whole hose. As for bagged vs bagless, bagless machines are a little more work for the user as you need to maintain the filters and occasionally clean out the canister but are sometimes more convenient. Bagged machines are better if you have bad dust allergies and are generally lighter, because dust is bagged, filtration tends to be better and the canister is kept clean. You still have filters to change, but miele includes the basic ones with their bags which in my opinion are good for the average user. I personally got a miele at a really good price and have really enjoyed it so far. Since you have a lot of hardwood and low pile rugs, you could go for most miele models, theres the guard series, L1, etc. A model with the parquet XL head (16 in) will give a pretty big cleaning path for hard floors!

I'd take the opportunity to get a Miele c3 Marin or Brilliant/homecare+ at a good price. It seems like they're dropping their (very nice imo) seb236 floor head. Or you'll need the new guard l1 electro. You'll need an electro head for your needs. (So c3 cat& dog to answer your title question, but my recommendation is for the Homecare+ (or the Marin for a better value). Visit a dealer and get them for a good price (900 for the Kona, 1100 for the Marin, and under 1500 for the homecare+/brilliant). Get the homecare models from a dealer if you can. The better warranty and added tools are great.

What kinda cost are you hoping to stay under? Obviously nobody wants to spend more than they have to, but helps when giving recommendations. The 4 Best vacuums in my opinion are Sebo E3 or D4 Premium, or Miele Guard L1 Electro or C3 PowerPlus (the model name in the US might be Brilliant) - these aren't cheap though, and they're not cheap for good reason - they clean and filter ridiculously well + are really well built. Edit: Corded cleans better than cordless, and corded will generally last longer, sometimes much longer.

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.

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).

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).

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.

Sebo E1 is a fanatic vacuum at its price. A Miele Guard S1, M1, or L1 with a straight air tool (SBD 380 is the best, can be added onto any Miele) would be great options that are all serviceable. The reason Sebo and Miele vacuums can go over $1000 (the ones I mentioned are well below) is because they come with electric powerheads, and they built everything properly. Edit: Sebo Felix Dart is a great upright vacuum option. Has one of the best powerheads in the world.

Miele Guard L1 with either the SEB 228 or SEB 236 Powerhead (236 is more solid - both perform the same) Sebo E3 Premium or Sebo D4 Premium (E3 is lighter + performs the same, D4 has more capacity + cord length but is heavier to lift). Miele and Sebo are the 2 most serviceable vacuums on the market. They're built well, but they're also built to be fixed. Miele with it's H13 Hepa Filter is the best filtering vacuum on the planet, Sebo is close though, and the vast majority of people won't notice a difference between the 2. Sebo has a better bumper system for bumping into walls, Miele's L1 models have the best wheels of any canister vacuum. Both vacuums move around very well, but Miele's castors are a step up. The ET-1 Powerhead on Sebo's vacuum has an easy to remove brush roller for cleaning, whereas Miele's brushroller in the 228 and 236 Powerheads is basically built into it, and requires a full disassembly for removal. That being said, Sebo's brushroller you'll clean more often. The Miele brush roller will need cleaning, but it definitely doesn't wrap up with as much hair as the Sebo roller, and I belives it's due to the shorter bristle. Both have height adjustment which is a key feature, and automatic shut off if something jams in them. I would still say Sebo has the best powerhead, but they all clean similarly. I personally have the D4, but am also considering getting a Guard L1. At the end of the day, they're both fantastic vacuums. I haven't gotten the L1 yet because the bumper on the D4 canister is so good. Also, what separates these vacuums from the rest is they use excellent quality plastics overall, fully sealed canisters, serviceable, top notch air flow (suction is a marketing gimmick), very maneuverable... just straight up solid vacuums. Bags are also the way to go - cleaner, less maintenance, better airflow, and a longer lasting vacuum.

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!

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.

Watch for how the vacuum exhausts if you’re getting a new one. The exhaust should be straight up, away from the floor. Not blowing right out the back or side against the floor, which blows the dust up in the air. Also, the hepa rating is not enough. There’s multiple levels of hepa, and just because a vacuum says it’s hepa, it doesn’t mean it’s an actual sealed system. I’ve tested plenty of “hepa” vacuums, just to find out they aren’t really hepa. Miele’s C3 / Guard Series are properly sealed vacuums. Add on an H13 hepa filter, and you truly have the best of the best. Sebo is another fantastic option - I’m very allergic to dust and it works awesome for myself. The airbelt even disperses the exhaust, so it helps the dust in the air settle, and doesn’t disrupt the dust on the floor. Anyone, and I will state this firmly, that says anything against Miele or Sebo as far as filtration, truly has not a clue what they are talking about, respectfully. Brands like Kenmore, Shark, Dyson, have no business being in the same conversation when it comes to filtration - they are without question worse. Edit: I will also add on, Miele and Sebo are Quiet vacuums.

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.

Unfortunately, it's misleading with the L1 Cat and Dog. It only comes with a turbohead. If you want to go with the Guard L1, compare it with the L1 Electro instead. That vacuum comes with the SEB228, the same head that comes with the C3 Cat and Dog.