Founded in 1899, Miele is known for its high-end home appliances. But the German manufacturer is also known for its powerful and smartly-designed vacuum cleaners. To meet the needs of all consumers, the brand offers canister, upright and stick vacuums.

Canister – C1 vs C2 vs C3

Miele has three lines of canister vacuums: C1, C2 and C3. Each line has its own set of sub-models with different features to meet different lifestyle needs.

Many of the features are similar to what other upright canister vacuums from Bissell, Hoover and Oreck offer, but the brand has an advantage in some areas, like offering speed control.

The C1 Line

The C1 line includes seven models. Each one comes with the sealed AirClean system that traps household allergens and prevents them from getting back into the air. They also all have telescopic wands, onboard accessories and speed control.

Some of the models come with two floorheads, which allow you to switch between carpeting and hard flooring. Most of the carpet floorheads in the C1 line are designed for low-to-medium pile carpeting (One Kings Lane says low pile is 1/4″ or lower; medium pile is 1/4″ – 1/2″). For this reason, these vacuums would not be a good fit for anyone with high pile or shaggy carpet.

The Cat and Dog model is the only exception, which has 5-height levels.

The C1 line may be a good fit for you if:

• You have hard flooring
• You have low- or medium-pile carpeting
• You have pets
• Have a smaller home (29.5′ cleaning radius)

Pros

• Includes an air filter system to trap and remove allergens
• Can be used on both hard flooring and low-to-medium pile carpeting
• Powerful motor
• Some models have a twisting head to reach into corners with ease

Cons

• Cleaning radius is on the smaller side

The only real complaint with this line is that the cleaning radius (29.5′) is on the small side compared to other vacuums from Miele.

A Miele C1 Comparison Chart

A Guide to each Vacuum in the C1 Line

Olympus

With its stainless steel, telescopic wand, the Olympus offers a 29.5′ operating radius to clean every inch of your home. The Classic FiberTeQ tool allows for cleaning of hard floors and low pile rugs, while the AirClean System traps more than 99.9% of allergens. Onboard accessories and speed control gives you more control over cleaning.

Pure Suction

Designed for low pile carpeting and hard flooring, the Pure Suction vacuum features a telescopic wand and a generous 29.5′ operating radius to clean hard-to-reach places. Onboard accessories make cleaning upholstery and crevices a breeze, while the powerful 1200-watt motor provides intense suction. This model has 6 suction settings and the AirClean filtration system to remove allergens.

Turbo Team

The Turbo Team vacuum comes with two heads: Turbo Comfort Floorhead (for low-to-medium pile carpet) and the Parquet Twister floorhead (for hard flooring). Equipped with a 1,200-watt motor, this vacuum has six suction settings, an AirClean system to trap allergens, accessories and a 29.5′ operating radius to clean those hard-to-reach places.

Classic Titan

The Classic Titan comes with two vacuum heads: The Electro Comfort electrobrush (for low-to-medium pile carpet) and the Parquet floorhead (for hard flooring). The electrobrush is electronically-driven with a floating head and swivel neck. The AirClean system traps allergens, while the rotary dial gives you control over the vacuum’s speed. The telescoping wand allows for a 29.5′ operating radius.

Classic Capri

The Classic Capri comes with the Turbo Comfort brush for low-to-medium pile carpet and the Parquet floor brush for hard flooring, like wood and tile. A rotary dial allows you to adjust the speed to your needs, while the AirClean system traps 99.9% of allergens. A series of onboard accessories is included as well as a telescopic wand.

Classic Cat and Dog

The Classic Cat and Dog can clean any flooring with Miele precision. The Electro Plus floorhead features 5-level height adjustment to clean all types of carpet, while the Parquet Twister floorhead can clean hard flooring. A mini turbobrush is included, which is great for cleaning stairs (according to Apartment Therapy). There’s also an AirClean system to trap allergens.

Classic Delphi

The Classic Delphi features the Electro Comfort electrobrush, which has a floating head and a swivel neck. This floorhead cleans low-to-medium pile carpeting as well as hard flooring. The deluxe handle features electrobrush controls, while the telescoping handle allows you to clean high areas. The AirClean system is included as well as a speed rotary control.

The C2 Line

The C2 line has five models, and includes a mix of models that allow you to clean just about any type of flooring.

While many of the features are similar to the C1 line, there are a few things that the C2 canister vacuums offer, like:

• Cord rewind
• A bigger cleaning radius
• The ability to clean high-pile carpeting

If you’re tired of having to manually wind up your vacuum cord or have high-pile carpeting, the C2 line may be the better option for you. This line also includes a “cat and dog” model, so C2 vacuums are also great for homes with pets.

Pros

• Some models can vacuum high-pile carpeting
• Cord rewind feature is convenient
• Larger 33′ cleaning radius
• Powerful motor
• Cat and Dog model has a mini turbobrush for cleaning upholstery and stairs
• Some models have handle controls for convenience

Cons

• Not all models have the cord rewind feature

The only issue with the C2 line is that not all of the models have the cord rewind feature, which is a convenient extra that may be attractive to some users.

A Miele C2 Comparison Chart

A Guide to each Vacuum in the C2 Line

Complete

The Complete comes with the Turbo Comfort roller brush, which loosens dirt and debris in low to medium pile carpeting. The AllTeQ floorhead is ideal for hard flooring. The telescopic handle has a 29.6′ operating radius, and the electric cord has automatic rewind. The AirClean system traps allergens, and a rotary dial offers six speed settings.

Electro

Offering a 33′ cleaning radius, the Electro comes with two floorheads: The Electro Plus (for medium-to-high pile carpet) and the Parquet (for hard flooring). The AirClean system traps 99.9% of allergens, while the 1,200-watt motor powers the six suction settings. Onboard accessories allow you to clean all areas of your home.

Quartz

The Quartz comes equipped with the AllTeQ Combination floorhead, which can clean low-pile carpeting, rugs and hard flooring. A one-touch cable rewind offers convenience, while the power dial gives you control over the vacuum speed. The AirClean system traps allergens, and the telescopic wand cleans hard-to-reach places while offering a 33′ cleaning radius.

Hard Floor

The Hard Floor model comes with the Combination Rug and Floor tool (for low pile carpeting and smooth flooring) and the Parquet Floor Brush (for hard surfaces and cleaning low areas). The ergonomic hose handle prevents hand fatigue, while the telescoping wand cleans hard-to-reach areas. A powerful motor and 360-degree wheels make cleaning a breeze.

Topaz

Featuring Miele’s Silence Motor, the Topaz comes with two floorheads: Electro Comfort Electrobrush (low-to-medium pile carpeting) and the Parquet Twister (smooth flooring with 180-degree rotation). The AirClean system removes allergens, and the telescopic wand offers a 33′ cleaning radius. Six speed settings and onboard accessories are included to clean all surfaces.

The C3 Line

The C3 line also has seven models. The C3 canister vacuums are the high-end models. Many of them come with built-in lights and bumpers to prevent damage to your furniture. They also offer a much larger cleaning radius.

There’s a model designed for soft carpeting, like shaggy rugs (Clean My Space explains why you need the right vacuum for shaggy rugs).

If you have a bigger home and want to be able to see your cleaning path better, the C3 line may be a good fit for you. The C3 line-up also has a model for pets, so it’s a great option for homes with pets, and there’s a vacuum for soft carpeting, too.

Pros

• More advanced features
• Suction control
• 36′ cleaning radius
• Cord rewind feature
• 3D bumpers for protection
• LED lights to illuminate the cleaning path
• One model is designed for soft carpeting

Cons

• Some users may not like the foot controls

The C3 vacuums all have speed control, like all other Miele vacuums, but this line uses foot controls to change speeds. Some users may prefer the conventional dial design.

A Miele C3 Comparison Chart

A Guide to each Vacuum in the C3 Line

Brilliant

The Brilliant has two floorhead tools. The Electro Premium Powerbrush is 13-3/8″ wide and electronically-driven to clean medium-to-high-pile carpeting. The floorhead has five height settings and LED lights for better visibility. The Parquet Twister head is also included for hard flooring. Handle controls, underbody lights, a velvet bumper strip and an AirClean system make this vacuum a complete home-cleaning tool.

Marin

The Marin comes with the Electro Premium Powerbrush, which is designed to clean all types of carpeting, as well as the Parquet Twister floorhead for cleaning hard flooring. Six power settings are available and controlled via a foot switch for convenience. The AirClean system traps allergens, while the telescoping wand offers a 36′ cleaning radius.

Kona

The Kona comes with two floorheads: The Electro Plus Electrobrush (for both low-to-high-pile carpeting and smooth flooring) and the Parquet Twister (for hard flooring; with 180-degree rotation). Six speed settings are available and controlled via a footswitch. The AirClean system removes allergens, and the telescoping wand allows for 36′ feet of cleaning.

Cat and Dog

The Cat and Dog model is designed for homes with pets. The Electro Plus floorhead cleans medium-pile and high-pile carpeting as well as smooth surfaces. The Parquet Twister cleans hard flooring and has 180-degree rotation. The AirClean system traps allergens and dander, while the Mini Turbobrush removes pet hair from stairs and upholstery.

Calima

The Calima features the Turbo Comfort brush, which loosens dirt on low-pile and medium-pile carpeting. The Parquet Twister floorhead is also included for hard floors and has 180-degree rotation. The AirClean sealed system traps allergens, and the stainless-steel wand offers a 36′ cleaning radius. Six speed settings can be controlled via the foot switch.

Alize

The Alize comes with the AirTeq floor brush, which uses streamlined air for smooth transitioning from hard to carpeted surfaces. An LED light on the handle makes it easy to see dirt, while the six speed settings offer foot controls for convenience. Three accessories are included as well as the AirClean system and Dynamic Drive for smooth transition between surfaces.

Soft Carpet

The Soft Carpet model comes with the SoftCarpet Electrobrush, which can clean medium-pile, high-pile and soft carpeting as well as smooth flooring. The Parquet Twister head is also included for hard flooring and 180-degree rotation. Speed settings are available along with a SoftCarpet setting. This model includes the AirClean system and three accessories.

 

Miele Uprights – The U1 Range

Miele’s U1 series is a line-up of upright vacuums with advanced features and smart designs. From the flat-to-floor function to LED lights, automatic height adjustments and long 39′ cords, Miele offers many advantages over Oreck, Dyson and Hoover.

If you have a lot of carpeting in your home, Miele’s upright vacuum may be the better option compared to a stick vacuum.

A Guide to each Vacuum in the U1 Line

Maverik

The Maverick comes equipped with an electrobrush that automatically adjusts to the height of your flooring for seamless transition between carpeting and hard flooring. Swivelneck Technology allows you to pivot around furniture, and the flat-to-floor design allows you to reach under furniture. This model also has a rotary speed dial, AirClean sealed system and a 39′ power cord.

Cat and Dog

Designed with pets in mind, the Cat and Dog comes with a Mini Turbobrush to remove pet hair from furniture and stairs. The SwivelNeck allows you to pivot around furniture, and automatic height adjustment allows for smooth transition from carpeting to hard flooring. LED headlights make it easy to see the floor, and the AirClean sealed system traps allergens while eliminating odors.

Dynamic

The Dynamic features SwivelNeck technology that allows for easy maneuvering around furniture. The flat-to-floor feature allows for seamless cleaning under furniture, while the automatic height adjustment allows you to move from carpet to hard floor with ease. This model also has LED lights and the AirClean sealed system to trap allergens.

Twist

The Twist features automatic height adjustment for seamless cleaning of all flooring types and SwivelNeck technology for easy maneuvering. The flat-to-floor design allows you to clean underneath furniture, and the 12-foot hose allows you to clean high, hard-to-reach areas. This model also has the AirClean sealed system and a 39′ power cord.

Miele Stick Vacuums – The H1 Range

Miele’s range of stick vacuums includes two models: The Swing H1 and the S194 Quickstep. The latter model is older, but still a fan-favorite.

Stick vacuums offer the benefit of a slim, light and compact design without sacrificing suction power. If you prefer not to have to lug around a canister vacuum but like how light and compact they are, Miele’s stick vacuums may be a good compromise.

Miele has the upper-hand against Dyson and Shark in the stick vacuum market, as the H1 line-up allows you to transform the vacuum into a variety of configurations, offers speed settings and an anti-slip feature to keep the vacuum from falling.

A Guide to each Vacuum in the H1 Line

Swing H1

The Swing H1 offers the AllTeQ Combination floor tool, which can switch between low-pile carpeting and smooth flooring with the touch of a button. This vacuum has multiple configurations for convenient cleaning options, and the speed dial allows you to adjust the power. An anti-slip system keeps this model from sliding down the wall, and the AirClean system traps allergens.

S194 Quickstep

The S194 Quickstep is an older model than the Swing, and comes with the FiberTeQ Combination floor tool, which also cleans carpet and hard flooring. Six suction settings are available as well as the AirClean filter to trap allergens. This model uses the IntensiveClean Plus filter bag, and also has the anti-slip feature.