Buying guide for best Miele vacuums
While it’s rare for anyone to look forward to vacuuming, choosing an effective vacuum that's easy to use can make the chore more enjoyable. If you're looking for the best Miele vacuum, it's important to do your research. These German-engineered vacuum cleaners are known for their power and durability, but some are better suited to particular tasks or floor types than others.
Anyone looking for the best Miele canister vacuum has plenty of options. Miele specializes in canisters, but they all have different features. For instance, some are only good for hard floors and low-pile carpets, while others also excel at cleaning medium-pile and deep-pile carpeting. Of course, there are also Miele stick vacuums for those who prefer them, as well as a small number of Miele robotic vacuums — however, this isn't where the brand really shines.
After considering more than 15 Miele vacuums during our research, we found the Miele Blizzard CX1 Turbo Team to be our top choice overall. It's suitable for hard floors, low-pile carpets and medium-pile carpets, which makes it just right for most homes. It's bagless and easy to empty, and it features a high-efficiency particulate air filter that's great for people with allergies.
Expert Tip
Knowing the type of floors that you’ll be cleaning is important when choosing a Miele vacuum.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
Which Miele vacuum is best?
Best Miele canister vacuum
Product specifications
Type: Canister | Capacity: 2.1 qt | Weight: 19 lb | Cordless: No | Filtration: HEPA filter
This one is hands down the best Miele vacuum, balancing performance with relative affordability compared to the most powerful Mieles. Of course these vacuums aren't cheap. It uses Vortex Technology to capture both fine and coarse dirt from carpets and hard floors, plus it has a HEPA filter to keep allergens locked away and out of your environment. The filter even has a self-cleaning function.
You can switch between four suction power settings for different surface types. It comes with a range of attachments — the Parquet Twister Floorhead is great for hard floors, while the TurboTeQ Turbo Brush Floorhead helps tackle pet hair. There’s also a dusting brush, upholstery nozzle and crevice nozzle. It has a bagless design with a hygienic emptying function on the dust container.
This vacuum is an outstanding option for most homes. We love that it works equally well on hard floors and carpets — although it struggles with high-pile carpet, so it's not the best option for homes with lots of deep carpeting. The HEPA filter is a nice touch for people with allergies and it's a great choice for homes with pets, too.
Best Miele vacuum for hard floors
Product specifications
Type: Canister | Capacity: 4.5 qt | Weight: 10 lb | Cordless: No | Filtration: AirClean filter
If you're looking for a basic, affordable Miele canister vacuum, this one should be high on your list. It works brilliantly on hard floors and low-pile carpet, but it isn't a good choice for anyone with medium-pile or high-pile carpets. We're fans of the combination floor head that works for both hard floors and low-pile carpet with a footswitch to change between the two surfaces. Plus it comes with a handy dusting brush, upholstery tool and crevice tool.
The six suction power settings excel at cleaning a range of surface types — and you can easily switch between settings using a rotary dial. While it doesn't have a HEPA filter, its three-stage AirClean filter is still an effective choice at keeping dust and fine particles out of the air.
We recommend this vacuum for anyone looking for a simple choice for hard floors and low carpets. While it might not deal as well with pet hair or heavy traffic as higher-end Miele vacuum cleaners, it's still a solid choice.
Best Miele for carpet
Product specifications
Type: Canister | Capacity: 4.7 qt | Weight: 19.4 lb | Cordless: No | Filtration: HEPA filter
Among the most powerful Miele vacuums on the market, the Miele Complete C3 Kona is pricey, but we think it's worth it if you have the budget. The 1,200-watt Vortex Motor makes this a powerful option with impressive suction power. It's even designed so that the suction stays strong when the bag is full. It has six speed settings to switch between the level of suction power.
Although it isn't a dedicated pet vacuum, it picks up pet hair well from all kinds of surfaces. Unlike some Miele vacuums, which do better with hard floors and low carpets, this one can tackle even the deepest of carpets and rugs. The electro brush cleaning head has a five-level height adjustment to accommodate different floor types.
We love how feature-rich this vacuum is. It even has an added charcoal filter in its HEPA system to help deal with pet odors. It cleans extremely thoroughly and feels rugged, which is what you want from a Miele vacuum cleaner.
Best Miele pet vacuum
Product specifications
Type: Canister | Capacity: 1 qt | Weight: 19 lb | Cordless: No | Filtration: HEPA filter
Sharing your home with cats and dogs can be rewarding — but there's an endless stream of pet hair, not to mention the dirt or litter they track around the place. This is one of the best Miele vacuums for homes with pets. It has a TurboBrush that's excellent at working pet hair out of low-pile and medium-pile carpets (although it doesn't vacuum high-pile rugs too effectively). There's also HEPA filtration to trap dander and other allergens that pets produce.
The "TrackDrive" wheels stay in line better than conventional canister wheels, making this vacuum easier than most to maneuver. It's also compact, so sitting it on the stairs while you're vacuuming is a breeze. Since it's bagless, you don't need to worry about replacements, although its capacity is a little smaller than Miele's bagged offerings.
This is our top choice for homes with dogs and cats. We like that it's compact yet powerful and comes with tools to make cleaning up after pets easier.
Best Miele stick vacuum
Product specifications
Type: stick | Capacity: 0.5 quarts | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Cordless: yes | Runtime: 60 minutes per battery | Filtration: HEPA filter
Miele might be best-known for its canister vacuums, but we think this Miele stick vacuum is an impressive option. This is one of the more powerful stick vacuums on the market, with Vortex suction technology and an optional motorized brush. We like that it's extremely light and easy to maneuver, although the dust cup has a relatively small 0.5-quart capacity.
This vacuum is cordless, which makes it extremely convenient. The battery lasts for up to 60 minutes without the motorized brush, up to 34 minutes with the motorized brush on low and 17 minutes with the motorized brush on high. However, it comes with a spare battery, so you can effectively double these times if you have the spare charged and ready to use.
If you're looking for a stick vacuum, this one is a great option. We love how convenient it is to use and that the runtime is decent when you factor in the spare battery. Plus, it's not just good for floors, but also ceilings, upholstery and cars.
Different types of Miele vacuum cleaners
Miele makes three types of vacuum cleaners: canister, stick and robotic vacuums. Each type of vacuum cleaner is right for certain situations and purposes.
Canister vacuum cleaners
Canister vacuum cleaners are Miele's specialty. Most of its offerings are canisters and theirs are known for being particularly powerful and durable. Canisters tend to work best on bare floors, low- and medium-pile carpets, stairs, drapes, under furniture and on upholstery.
If you're used to the noise level of upright vacuums, canisters are usually quieter, with Mieles putting out between 56 and 78 decibels. The design can make them seem lighter, too, since you can easily lift and carry them around.
Stick vacuum cleaners
Stick vacuum cleaners are the lightweight cousins of the upright vac. They have a similar look but without the extra heft. They’re easy to maneuver and store. Miele's cordless stick vacuums are battery-powered, which saves the hassle of unfurling a cord, switching outlets and gathering it back up again when you're done. Stick vacuums are best for small spills and light cleaning.
Robotic vacuum cleaners
Robotic vacuum cleaners run remotely and are the ultimate hands-off option. This type of vacuum can be set to clean any time of day, even when you’re away from home. While they don’t have the deep-cleaning power of upright or canister vacs, they’re suitable for light-duty work in between regular cleanings.
Expert Tip
If you need to clean a large area, reading up on the length of the cords and hose of the vacuum you plan on purchasing is important.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
Finding the best Miele vacuum for your flooring
Some vacuum cleaners, including uprights, perform better on carpeting. Other vacuum cleaners, including canisters, are best suited for bare floors. Which type should you select if you have both floor types in your home?
Ideally, you would find a vacuum cleaner with features and controls that allow you to clean both types of floors. For example, you may wish to invest in a Miele with a brush designed to clean carpeting and bare floors. A roller brush has bristles that help pick up dirt and dust out of carpets. This is an excellent feature, but notably, the bristles of some roller brushes could scratch hardwood flooring. Miele formulates some of their brushes to be safe on both rugs and hard flooring, such as the combination floorhead found on the Miele Classic C1.
If you have low-pile carpeting in some places and high-pile carpeting in others, look for a vacuum cleaner that adjusts to different piles. For instance, the Miele Complete C3 has a Electro Plus Electrobrush with five floor-height adjustment levels. Some Miele vacuums offer "automatic height adjustment," including the Miele Triflex HX1 Pro. This means that the vacuum cleaner will sense and accommodate carpets of differing heights automatically.
Suction control
A vacuum cleaner with “suction control” lets you reduce the amount of suction when cleaning delicate fabrics, such as upholstery or drapes. This flexibility protects the fabric from damage and helps prevent it from getting sucked into the hose.
Some Mieles offer different speeds that inherently change the suction power. For instance, the Miele Blizzard CX1 offers four suction levels for different surfaces that you can manually switch between. A few models have a sensor that changes suction power automatically, such as the Miele Complete C3 Marin.
Filter
Vacuum filtration continues to grow more sophisticated, especially as air quality and allergies have become a growing concern for some people. Filters prevent particles of fine dust and dander from escaping through the vacuum exhaust. HEPA filtration is suggested for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Some Miele vacuum cleaners have HEPA filters, including the Miele Boost CX1 Cat and Dog and the Miele Blizzard CX1 Turbo. However, there are also Miele models that don’t have HEPA filters but are still effective at removing harmful particles from the air. For instance, the Miele Classic C1 has an effective three-tiered "AirClean" filtration system.
Cord control
Vacuum cords typically range in length from 15 to 30 feet. A few Miele cords reach 46 feet. Winding a cord that long can get tedious. Miele canister vacuums use a cord-control system that winds the cord for you with a one-button push system to activate automatic winding. Miele upright vacuums use a quick-release clip that releases the entire cord at once rather than an internal system.
Attachments
Miele includes a dusting brush, upholstery tool and crevice tool with each of its canister vacuums. All Miele canister vacuums feature a convenient location for attachment storage.
- Dusting brush: With soft horsehair bristles and a wide circular opening, the dusting brush is the best attachment for removing dust and debris from delicate objects and furnishings, such as bookcases, picture frames, ceiling fans and lampshades.
- Upholstery tool: Miele’s upholstery tool has a rectangular opening with two built-in lint-removal strips that loosen dirt from furniture fabrics. The upholstery tool makes it easy to clean your furniture without damaging the fabric.
- Crevice tool: The crevice tool is a thin, elongated attachment made of heavy-duty plastic, ideal for vacuuming tight spaces. If you’re trying to pick up food crumbs from the opening between your refrigerator and oven, the crevice tool is your best bet.
Expert Tip
Cleaning the brush and hose keeps your Miele running at its best.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
How much do Miele vacuums cost?
Miele stick vacuum cleaners
Miele stick vacuums cost in the ballpark of $200. They have excellent suction and incredible power for a stick vacuum. Corded Miele sticks have a long cord that creates an extended operating radius.
Miele canister vacuum cleaners
A basic canister model ranges from $300 to $1,500. As the price goes up, extra features are added, such as an ergonomic handle, silence system and floor setting that automatically adjusts brush height.
Miele upright vacuum cleaners
Uprights start at $400 and go up to $600 or more. HEPA filters, LED headlights and odor/pet filters are added as the price increases.
Miele robotic vacuums
Expect to pay $600 or more for a Miele robotic vacuum cleaner. Top features may include a triple cleaning system that can brush, vacuum and sweep. Fully automated, a Miele robotic vacuum cleaner can be programmed to run when you’re asleep or away from home.
How we analyzed
Lauren Corona has been reviewing household products for BestReviews since 2017 and has reported on a large number of vacuum cleaners. She considered more than 15 Miele vacuums before settling on our top choices. She looked at factors that are important to consumers, including capacity, weight and battery life (in the case of cordless models). She used this data to pick the top five Miele vacuums on the market.
Tips
- Regularly check and replace your Miele vacuum bag. Watch for signs of a full bag, such as lack of suction or extra debris left on the floor after cleaning.
- Empty bagless models often. It’s best not to let the dirt and debris settle in the vacuum.
- Clean your roller brush regularly, as it can become tangled with hair and string. Roller bristles with tangles are unable to spin as they should.
- Check and clean the filter regularly. Full filters don’t keep the air clean. To clean a Miele vacuum filter, remove the filter, shake it outside and, if you can, clean it with another vacuum. Alternatively, you could replace the filter.
- Learn the best attachments for the task at hand. Many of us have a bag full of vacuum attachments but only ever use one. However, if you check the manual and learn what they're all for, you'll probably find them more useful than you imagined.
- Consider your specific cleaning needs. Do you have pets? Or a busy household with a lot of foot traffic? Look for Miele models with extra power or with pet settings and attachments that fit your lifestyle and household.
FAQ
Q. I have a two-story house and want a stair vacuum that isn’t too heavy. What type should I get?
A. A canister vacuum works best on stairs and is easier to transport between floors. If you want an upright vacuum cleaner for deep carpet cleaning, you may wish to consider an upright for the downstairs and a stick vacuum for the second floor. You’ll still need to perform a deep clean on the second floor occasionally.
Q. My limited shoulder mobility makes vacuuming difficult. What options are available to me?
A. Consider investing in a robotic vacuum, which could run at night and pick up most surface dirt. Robotic vacuum cleaners are programmable, and some of the newer designs do a good job of getting into corners.
Another option is a stick vacuum. Lightweight and portable, a stick vacuum cleaner is easier to use and control than a full-size upright vacuum cleaner.
If you need something for deep cleaning, consider a Miele canister vacuum cleaner. Canister vacs weigh less than uprights and don’t require as much shoulder strength.
Q. I have indoor pets. What kind of vacuum cleaner filtration should I look for?
A. HEPA filtration is the best at keeping allergens, including pet dander, under control. There are vacuum cleaner models specifically designed to capture cat and dog hair and minimize odor. They perform well and really do make a difference in keeping pet hair at bay.
Q. Can you replace the bags of a Miele vacuum?
A. Yes, but that will also depend on the model that you have. Upright vacuum cleaners tend to not have a dust bag but rather a container that it goes into. Canister cleaners, on the other hand, sometimes do have filtration bags and dust collectors that need to be cleaned out.
Q. Does Miele make robotic vacuum cleaners?
A. Yes, and they are incredibly useful. Miele only makes one model (the RX2), and it can work autonomously for two hours.
Q. How Long do Miele vacuums last?
A. Miele vacuums are built to last around 20 years. So, although they're fairly pricey, you can expect them to last a good long time. They come with a free five-year warranty, which far exceeds the average one-year warranty that most vacuum manufacturers offer.
Q. How does Miele compare to Shark?
A. Miele and Shark are two very different vacuum options. While Miele offers some stick vacuums, its focus is on powerful canisters. Conversely, Shark makes a handful of canisters but primarily sells lightweight uprights and stick vacuums. Shark vacuums are generally cheaper than Miele vacuums, and they're frequently not as powerful or durable as Miele models.
