Miele Classic C1 – accessible quality and efficiency

Holidays are almost here. With the Halloween, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Thanksgiving kicking at the door, a lot of folks want to be prepared for what is to come. Many want to buy a great canister, but just can’t afford the price of a Miele C3 or a Dyson Cinetic. I like pleasing people, and apparently, so does Miele. As result, this article focuses on analyzing the entry level line from Miele, the Classic C1 models: Capri, Olympus, Delphi, HomeCare and Titan.

There are a lot of things to cover, so here’s what you’ll learn in the next 2-3 minutes:

• why is Miele producing good quality canisters are lower prices
• which of the C1s is compatible with your household, more specifically with your floor types
• what are the PROs and CONs of each of these models, and what are the main differences between their head nozzles
• from where you can get a good offer for the Miele C1s

The looks

While not so colored as their more expensive brothers, the C1 models have a neat design, featuring straight lines, a round switch placed in the middle of the case, just bellow the filter fan, and 2 big buttons, one for power (on/off) and one for rewinding the power cord:

The common ground

Before talking about differences, we should cover all the features shared by C1s. For starters, Miele powers its line with a S2 Vortex motor, which consumes 1200W and delivers a similar performance to the one deployed on the C3s. All models have 6 speeds, 6 power settings controlled by the middle rotary dial. You can i.e. use the Silent mode of your C1 to vacuum quietly. Consequently, you can increase the air intake, if you encounter more stubborn dirt. In this case, the delivered suction is substantial. A great safety feature is the automatic shut-off which may be triggered by overheating.

If you find yourself reading this, I guess you already sense suction isn’t everything. All C1s have the airflow filtered by the AirClean system. All models (except Titan and HomeCare which have HEPA by default) come with an AirClean filter, which retains 94% of particles less than 0.3 microns in diameter. This filter can be upgraded with the optional HEPA filters are certified to retain 99% of particles less than 0.3 microns in diameter. This is comparable with the cheaper C3s. The air is expelled from the vacuum via the filter grill.

The G/N bags can hold as much as 1.2 gallons. As expected, they have a great self-sealing mechanism which is based on a string-loaded collar. The bags are created from 9-ply construction and fibers spun randomly for increased durability, and charged electrostatically to retain even the smallest airborne particles.

As for the common accessories, all models come with 3 on-board attachments located in the VarioClip: a small dusting brush, an upholstery tool and a crevice wand. The power cord measures a lengthy 22 ft., which together with the hose and the telescopic wand, combines to reach a cleaning radius of almost 30 ft. The C1 measures 11 x 18.23 x 8.7 inches and weights around 12 lbs., which may be considered a lightweight by many. The warranty is, as expected from Miele, quite lengthy: 7 years for motor and casing, and 1 year for all the other parts.

The head nozzles

Similarly to the C3s, one of the main things that differentiates one model from another is the head nozzle. As you can see in the above picture, there are several different head nozzles. I’ve already covered a wide list in my previous article on Complete C3, but I’ll be redundant and list here those that fit the Classic C1s.

SBB Parquet-3 Parquet floor brush – This brush made out of natural bristles is designed for sensitive bare floors. If you want to ensure you won’t scratch your hardwoods or tiles, you can use this nozzle to glide effortlessly. It’s not really meant for scrubbing, it’s more useful for agitating and collecting. You will get this attachment with Capri and Titan models, but you can also purchase it separately for around $60.

SBB 400-3 Parquet Twister XL floor brush – This optional attachment costs around $80 and can be equipped by all C1s. It basically is a bigger version of the SBB Parquet-3, allowing you to clean tiles and wood. Its bristles are made from polyamide and natural hair. It can swivel 180 degrees, and because it’s bigger, it helps you clean faster. I would recommend this to those who own Olympus, HomeCare or Delphi units.

STB 205-3 Turbo Comfort Turbobrush – This head is designed especially for low pile carpets and delicate rugs. Its roller brush gets activated by the air flow. As result, it will agitate the debris, but it won’t pose additional force, thus protecting the fibers. This nozzle has a rubberized strip around it which protects furniture, doors and baseboards. The 205-3 comes only with the Capri model, and costs about $90 if bought separately.

SEB 217-3 Electro Comfort Electrobrush – This is an electrical attachment which works with all models that come with an electric hose (SES 116 electric hose) and an electric telescopic wand (SET 210). It can be attached easily thanks to the Direct Connect system. By default, the Delphi and Titan models come equipped with this head nozzle which costs an astonishing $160 if purchased separately. The 10 1/4″ wide mouth swivels elegantly across low and medium-pile carpets (i.e. berber carpets).

SEB 228 Electro Plus Electrobrush – This is also an electrical brush, so you’ll need the connecting hose and wand to support it. Thus, you can connect this attachment to HomeCare, Titan or Delphi. Unfortunately, the SEB 228 only comes with the HomeCare units, and costs around $200 (wow!) if purchased separately. It is however a bit more powerful than the SEB 217-3, which makes it perfect for low and medium pile carpets.

SEB 236 Electro Premium Electrobrush – This electric attachment is definitely more powerful than the SEB 228. The brush is 13 3/8 inches wide, and has LED lights located right in front. The neck not only swivels, but can also be adjusted in height (5 levels) and when placed in upright position, it maintains its upright stand. Unfortunately, this is even more expensive than the SEB 228. It costs around $260, and it doesn’t come by default, not even with the Titan or Delphi. It also works with some of the C3 models.

SBD 285-3 AllTeQ Combination carpet/smooth floor tool – This $60 tool has a small nozzle width. The only C1 that has this in the box is the HomeCare. If you recall, a while ago I was saying Miele built a special line of vacuum cleaners called the HomeCare. All the products under the HomeCare line have specific details. In this case, we’re talking about the SBD 285-3, a tool that works great on bare floors and thin carpets. As you see in the image, you can change between surfaces using the standard foot switch.

SBD 350-3 Classic FiberTeQ tool – This nozzle mounted by default on C1 Olympus is very similar to the SBD-285. For starters, it was also designed to clean low-pile carpets and bare floors. It also features a foot switch and 2 sets of joints for a perfectly sealed floor contact. What differences are between these 2 attachments? The SBD 350 is a bit bigger at 11.22″ costs a bit more (around $70).

As you can infer even by analyzing only the head nozzles, the C1s are canisters mostly built to handle bare floors and low pile carpets. Olympus and Capri are the cheapest, and the HomeCare, Titan and Delphi are the most expensive. These last 2 (Delphi and Titan) can also handle medium pile carpeting, thanks to their electric head nozzles. If you separately purchase the SEB 236 attachment, you can also tackle high pile. You can optionally purchase 2 mini brushes, the STB 101 Hand held turbobrush and the STB 20 Flexible mini turbobrush. These allow you to focus the airflow into tight spots, and work great on upholstery or car interiors. Now, let’s analyze each model in particular.

Miele Classic C1 Olympus

The Olympus is a lightweight, compact machine, suitable for cleaning hard surfaces and low pile carpets. One of the things I like about it is the milky white color. Although the Olympus is the cheapest C1, it comes with the SBD 350-3 which is great for so many people who don’t really need deep carpet cleaning.

Of course, it has all the common features described above (dimensions, filters, attachments, warranty and so on). You can vacuum floors, rugs, drapes, and even cloths. Optionally, you can get the STB 205-3, which I recommend, especially if you plan to vacuum ticker carpets. Also optionally, you can get the HEPA filters, which I also recommend, especially if you have allergies.

As for the price, I’ve found here a really good offer, you should check it out.

Miele Classic C1 Capri

Capri is another classic of the Classic C1 series. This compact canister has, as all C1s, all of the common features I was talking about above. What differentiates the Capri from all the others are its 2 head nozzles: the STB 205-3 and the SBB Parquet-3. While the first one allows this unit to efficiently clean low pile carpets, the latter is perfect for vacuuming wooden floors and slick tiles. Thus, I would take the Capri over the Olympus if my home has more carpets and delicate floors, as purchasing the head nozzles separately would cost you more.

One thing I forgot to talk about is the way you store these canisters. Capri, like all the other C1s, can be stored in 2 positions, and it even has an auto shut-off system which kicks in when you park it in one of these.

Capri is a rather cheap Miele, make sure you check out this deal.

Miele Classic C1 HomeCare

As I was saying a few phrases above, the HomeCare line consists of special models promoted by Miele through its partners (i.e. Meissner). That means you won’t find HomeCare models in most retail stores, online of offline. All vacuum cleaners under this trademark have a vivid mango red color, and feature special functionalities. The C1 HomeCare makes no exception. Not only this model comes with 2 different head nozzles (the classic SBD 285-3 and the electric SEB 228), but it also features HEPA filtration, just like the top of the line (Titan).

Given its head nozzle, this model is suitable for medium pile carpets. Unfortunately, if you have high pile carpets, you should buy the SEB 236 attachment, which makes a huge difference but is also expensive.

The HomeCare comes with an additional accessory called the SUB 20 Universal Brush, which is a combination between the SBB Parquet-3 and a standard crevice tool. The result: an attachment which you can use to vacuum furniture, books and even art pieces.

Miele Classic C1 Delphi

The Delphi C1 model may be considered the second best within the C1 line. The manufacturer estimates the life expectancy of a Dephi vacuum to be somewhere around 1200 operational hours. This unit includes an electric attachment: the SEB 217 power brush. In order to support this, the C1 Delphi comes equipped with the SES 116 electric hose and the SET 220 electric telescopic wand. It may be a taste matter, but I’m not really excited by its strong Sprint Blue color. However, I like the well balanced handle, which comes with an on/off power switch especially designed for electrobrushes.

Unfortunately, if you have sensitive floors, you will have to purchase the SBB Parquet-3 or the SBB 400-3 separately, as none of these are included inside the box. Overall, the Delphi can be used with success on low pile carpets and bare floors. Find here a really small price for the Miele Classic C1 Delphi.

Miele Classic C1 Titan

The Titan is the most equipped C1; it has an aggressive brush roll (SEB 217), suitable for wall to wall carpets. The Titan is very similar to the Delphi, but comes with some extras. It also features the SBB Parquet-3 and a HEPA filter. I really like the powerful Mango red color, which is the same as the one used with the Homecare.

I think this unit is great, as it has everything it is supposed to have. However, if you need a bigger hose, a longer power cord, more insulation and a higher reliability, than you should focus on a Miele C3.

This vacuum cleaner is a bit more expensive than Dephi, and basically does the same thing. If you’re looking for a decent deal for a Titan, you should definitely take a peak at this offer.

Conclusion

Unless you want to clean deep carpets, you should save money by investing in a C1. Yes, it’s not the cheapest. Yes, it’s not the most powerful. But if you appreciate quality, or if you dislike stupid loud vacuum noises, this would be a great choice. I have listed virtually all the features that come with this vacuum, so now it’s time for a VGM (for Olympus, my recommendation):

Overall, I think this is one of the most successful canister models. What about you, what is your opinion on this? Do you feel the same or not? Why? Please share your thoughts bellow.

Update: Check out my review of the Miele Compact C1 – their new line which replaces the Classic C1.