SEBO - AIRBELT D1 Turbo

Cordless stick vacuums are all more or less disposable, even the expensive ones. The designs are updated frequently and are not made to be repaired, even if you’re able to find parts. I have a Makita cordless which should last a while for quick jobs, but it’s not very powerful. My home vacuum is a 15 year old Miele Swing H1 stick vacuum. It’s corded, but light and powerful, and the bags make everything so much cleaner and more convenient. Personally, I find the cord less annoying than charging. My parents’ heavily used Sebo Airbelt D1 canister vacuum is around 20 years old. Both work perfectly. If I were in the market for a new vacuum, I would buy a Sebo as they are super durable, easily repaired, and very well designed. If I were on a budget, I’d purchase a used Miele. If you want something older, vintage Electrolux vacuums are great once the inevitable deferred maintenance is taken care of. We have a canister vacuum from the seventies at one house and an upright from the nineties at another, both of which are going strong, and both of which have bags and many spare parts readily available.

Having now had both (our White Pearl Miele croaked when it got used during home renovation and got into a pile of unauthorized sheetrock dust), I will say the Sebo is lighter, leaves fewer marks on the walls (I got the Airbelt D1 and use it every day), and (I have been told) performs better in the event it too inadvertently encounters unauthorized sheetrock dust. Both are German-made, and both brands do come with nice warranties... better warranties than other vacuums on the market. Plus they can be repaired. A friend told me she was supposed to throw away her Dyson if it broke, because even if it could be repaired, the cost would likely exceed the value of the vacuum.

Canister vac with a power head. If you can, go with the Sebo D4. I have the D1 which doesn’t have the power head (I’m 99% hardwood). It’s a great vacuum and you’ll find using the attachments much easier since the vacuum wont tip over when trying to reach.

I have a 2750 sq ft house and picked the D4. The only reason I chose it was because it was only $50 more expensive than the e3. But the d4 is overkill for the size of my house. If the choice is between them, I’d get the e3. I also live in a ranch style house. So most vacuuming is still on the main level. If your house has 2 floors and a basement, the e3 is significantly easier the carry up two flights of stairs. This might be different for you. I’m 5’8 and 135lbs. Not the strongest.  I have more rugs than you. Even with that if I would advise, I would get the e2 or d1. 

I think the questions you need to ask  are: 1. are you fine carrying/lifting 15 lbs over 11 lbs (in you have stairs) 2. would the d1 bags stay for a long time such that an ordor will build up which can be annoying If it’s yes for 1 and no for 2, I’d just get D1. The price difference roughly correlates to the bag size, so I don’t think you’d be saving money that much  either way.

I think some determining factors are the E2 is medium sized, normal length hose and cord, medium sized bags, medium size and weight canister. The D1 has a long hose, a super long cord, large bags, it is heavier and bigger, but it isn't a very heavy vacuum compared to lift. The canister is around 15 lbs, but a Dyson Ball Animal is 17 lbs, and a Kirby 23 lbs. If I read that right you only have hard floors, so you don't actually need a turbo brush. The Sebo E1 Kombi is $499 CAD, that's $100 cheaper than the E2 Turbo. The E1 Kombi comes with the Premium Kombi Brush which is like the Premium Parquet Brush similar in size and the way that is swivels. The Premium Kombi Brush has no front bristles and the back bristles retract for use on rugs. If you want a longer hose and cord the D1 is a great value but otherwise I think the E1 is the better choice.

Since you have no "carpet" I would consider the less expensive non powered brush Sebo's too, or maybe a Henry. The canister style shines on maneuverability too, low places, around tables, chairs, etc.

Dealers in person will have better prices than what is listed online. A quick recommendation would be a Sebo Felix, but that might be just above your price range. Sebo, Miele, Lindhaus are all gonna be great. IMO after experiencing the maintenance and the mess of bagless, I am forever a bagged convert. I was first worried I'd be changing bags often, but I find I can get a month + out of a bag, where each 'whole house' clean would equate to 8-10 dyson bin dumps. Full disclosure the machine I recently bought was a Sebo canister.

Best comes down to the user preference and circumstance - floor types and other needs. However, some things for me are non negotiable; durability, ease of maintenance, repair and use and of course, performance - not just out of the box, but in 5 or 10 years. When it comes to performance, when it comes to carpets especially, suction is important, but it isn't the most important. Airflow and agitation are more important, to beat and flow the air through the carpet fibres, so the suction can take it away. The old Hoover advert - it beats as it sweeps as it clean a remains true and they had 300 watts. Hard floors generally don't require huge amounts of suction. Creating a good seal can also work, but that means snow ploughing large items, so usually you can't have one without the other, but some vacs have a retractable flap to allow large items in but keep the seal. These are usually on cordless vacs with lower power. Well designed corded vacuums with a powered brush bar is the starting point. You have to decide whether you prefer an upright or a canister, though personally I think a canister is more versatile. I don't understand the issues people have with using canisters, it's just a vacuum! That means you should buy a bagged vacuum. The Miele's have great suction and amazing filtration. The performance is superb BUT they are not as reliable as Sebo. The bags are more expensive, the brush rolls are not as easy to remove hair off or generally maintain and on the C3 range at least, there is an issue where the bags can fail to seat correctly and the dirt can fill the chamber around the bag, possibly getting into the motor. I think Sebo's are better options. In day to day use, the performance is essentially the same, the bags are bigger and they are easier to maintain. Furthermore, they all use the same power head, the ET-1, so the performance from that defines the pick up performance essentially. Any vacuum that uses it will have the same at the head performance, including the upright Felix/Dart. The brush roll can be removed to cut off hair and clean it, it can even be put in the dishwasher! The E Series is the sweet spot, but the D Series is fantastic but big. That would be my choice. Lindhaus also make excellent vacuums but they are harder to find and harder to get the spares for, but if you can, they shouldn't be overlooked.

Another left field option. As they are both bagged, I would have no concern buying a second hand machine, if in good condition. Indeed, I have done so, twice. If you replace the bag, filters and clean the pipes, you have essentially a clean, refurbished machine. Particularly with Sebo machines, you can replace virtually everything, including the brush bar very easily, which can’t be done in the Miele. My other concern with the Miele is the bag connector which is meant to close when the compartment closes, doesn’t always close properly, so dirt can escape the bag and fly around the compartment and potentially get past the motor filter. I have a C3 and it has done this on mine. It can be worse with fake bags, but it can happen with genuine bags too. It doesn’t happen with Sebo. Additionally, Sebo’s motors are rated for double the life of Miele’s and Mieles are rated at 4 times the life of Shark’s! Miele does have slightly better filtration, but not that you would notice in the real world. If there are second hand Sebo’s where you are, this may reduce the cost for you. The cleaning performance won’t be any less than a new machine and you can keep it performing as new very easily. I bought my second hand Felix for £10 when the family used it during a renovation to clean up drywall etc about 6 years ago. I changed the bag, filter and brush roll as ell as cleaning the hose and it still works perfectly.

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.

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.

My Sebo has a 40 ft cord and my Electrolux cord might be longer. What helped me was watching youtube videos and then customizing my Sebo and buying additional attachments. My Siberian Husky drops a LOT of hair.

The Sebos and Mieles have that cord retraction feature.