Until today, I haven’t really tackled the canister vacuum cleaners segment. There are a few reasons to that and I’m not going to get into details, suffice to say that today I’m considering myself ready to talk about the Complete C3 models from Miele. Miele is an interesting brand. If you remember, a while ago I reviewed the Dynamic U1 upright from the very same manufacturer, and boy was I thrilled.
But now we’re talking about another fish in the sea. The Complete C3 line targets high-end buyers. The C3 canisters must be the flagship of Miele, as only canister vacuum cleaners are sold in Europe, Miele’s place of birth. There are 9 models in this line with prices raging from $600 to $1500, so I’m sure many of you are confused. Which unit should you buy? Why? What’s the difference between these? Don’t worry, I’m here to help, so here’s what you will learn from me today:
- why Miele is worth it
- what are the main features of these canisters
- which of the Complete C3 models suits you, from my definitive comparison chart
- where to find great deals for these models
The Looks
Pretty colored, aren’t they? From left to right, we have on the first line the Kona, the Alize, the Brilliant and the Calima. On the second line we have the Homecare, the Homecare+, the Limited Edition and the Marin models. I’ve made the Cat & Dog unit from right the biggest, since this is my main recommendation, but we’ll see about that later. All units measure the same dimensions: 15 x 17 x 23.2 inches, specs which are common among most of the canisters. But here’s where Miele clearly differentiates from the competition:
Features shared by all models
For starters, let’s talk about their motor. Miele has come up with a new 2015 low-noise, 1200-watt Vortex Motor, which is used by all these models. Why only 1200 Watts? To comply with the newest regulations imposed by the EU commission. There are 6 speed settings which can be controlled either by the plus – minus buttons located on the unit, or by the handle controls (only for Brilliant and Homecare+ models), allowing for seamless transitions from hardwood floors to carpeted areas.
All models use the same AirClean Sealed System for ensuring that all the dust and debris vacuumed stays where it belongs – inside the bag. By the way, the bag has a great storage capacity of 1.18 gallons. The G/N bag type is also an active component of the AirClean system. The bags are made out of an electrostatically charged material and are staying tight thanks to the spring-loaded mechanism and to the self-sealing collar. Last but not least, all the models (except the Cat&Dog and the Limited Edition) have a HEPA filter. But this is not an ordinary HEPA. This product part meets the European HEPA 13 standard, meaning that it will filter 99.95% of all airborne particles, down to 0.1 microns (vs 0.3 microns, which is common in standard HEPA filters). This part also comes with a TimeStrip indicator which shows you when it’s time to change the filter. The Cat&Dog and the Limited Edition have an Active filter, which is a HEPA filter with additional charcoal layers, for completely eliminating any unwanted odors.
Now, all the models have a stainless steel telescopic wand. You can connect a lot of attachments to this wand, including a set of 3 accessories which is stored on-board: the SFD 10 Standard/Extended crevice nozzle, the upholstery tool, and the SSP 10 dusting brush. The other attachments vary from model to model, but, we’ll see about that later.
A high-quality vacuum cleaner will help maintain your home not only clean but also safe from various bacteria and viruses, because treatment can be expensive, read more about covid treatment here.
The usability of the Complete C3 is enhanced by a 22 ft. long power cord, which contributes to the 36 ft. cleaning radius. With just a push of a button, you can automatically rewind the cord inside the appliance. All C3s glide smoothly thanks to the Dynamic Drive technology which uses specialized castor wheels with air-injected tires that absorb shocks. The light weight of only 11.9 lbs. improves the user interaction.
With the exception of the Brilliant and Homecare+ models, all units have a 7-year warranty on the motor and casing, and a 1-year warranty on all other parts. The Brilliant and Homecare+ have a 10-year warranty on the motor and casing and a 5-year warranty on all other parts, which I might add is pretty neat!
Specific features
As you can see from the first picture, not all head nozzles from all models are the same, which translates into the fact that not all vacuum cleaners are suitable for medium or high pile carpeting. Of course, all units can vacuum hard floors or low pile. However, the models Alize, Calima and Limited edition are not meant for thick rugs, whereas with the Homecare model, you’ll need to purchase optional accessories to compensate for this functionality. Since head nozzles are important, let’s discuss each in particular:
The STB 205-3 Turbo Comfort brush uses air to activate a rotating roller in order to agitate and loosen the dirt, hair and so on. It’s ideal for low pile carpets and comes as default with Calima and Limited Edition models. This is the standard attachment, improved with the following carpet nozzles.
SEB 217-3 Electro Comfort is an electrically-driven tool with an auto-adjustable head and swivel neck, perfect for low/medium pile carpets. It’s a basic Miele brushroll for rugs, improved in the 228 and 236 versions, which can be bought as an optional accessory with the Homecare model.
The SEB 228 Electro Plus brush is 14 inches wide and offers a 5 setting height adjustable feature. It has swivel technology for flexible maneuverability and was built to conquer carpets both medium to plush in thickness. This means you’ll need it i.e. for vacuuming a frieze carpet.
The SEB 236 Electro Premium is an electrically-driven brush roll, especially designed for deep cleaning your carpets. It has a wide opening of 13 3/8″, and it also has 5 height adjustments (which you can vary, depending on your carpet type). It comes with a swivel neck, LED lights and an all-around bumper strip to protect your furniture. It can automatically shut-off if it is set in the parked position.
Another tool perfect for low pile carpets and bare floors is the SBD 285-3 AllTeQ Combination Rug/Smooth floor brush. As you can see from the image, you can quickly switch from had floors to carpets by using the foot switch. This is the default nozzle for the Homecare model.
The SBB 300-3 Parquet Twister floor brush is perfect for the hardwood floor in your house. The twister tool rotates a full 180 degrees and provides the ability to clean easily around table and chair legs, furniture, appliances, and other spaces. As its name states, is designed for flat wood surfaces such as parquet.
The SBB 400-3 Parquet Twister XL smooth floor brush has its bristles made out of a chemical composite named polyamide mixed together with natural hair, in order to provide a soft touch, helping you to clean tiles, hardwood and other bare surfaces. Also has the swivel neck, but offers a wider suction area, helping you to vacuum with up to 20% faster. Only comes with the Brilliant model.
SBD 650-3 AirTeQ floor brush is an improved version of the SBD 285-3. It’s perfect for low pile carpeting, rugs and bare floors, and comes as default on the Alize model. The flow of air is assured by a perfect floor contact, even when switching from bare floors to carpets. The control is also achieved by foot pedals.
Now that I’ve covered these, let’s check the specific features of each model:
Miele C3 Complete Cat & Dog
All pet owners struggle with the shedding patterns of their animals, unless of course they have hairless or well-shaven pets, and even then they still have to deal with the dirt tracked in, and not to mention pet dander and odors. If you remember, a while ago I was talking about how pet owners should clean their homes. It’s now time to present the proper tool for helping you with this chore: the C3 Complete Cat&Dog.
It comes with the SEB 228 Electro Plus and with the SBB300-3 Parquet Twister, helping you to clean all types of floors. What differentiates the Cat&Dog from the rest of C3s? The Active AirClean filter which I was previously talking about and the STB 101 Hand held turbo brush, which is ideal for vacuuming upholstery, stairs and furniture.
This is basically my main recommendation when it comes to Miele canisters and to top things, check out this deal I’ve found for this model.
Miele C3 Complete Alize
The Alize is the entry level of the C3 line, if one might even say that, considering Miele’s prices. You can recognize this model thanks to its distinctive Ivory White color. It is ideal for bare floors and low pile carpeting. Along with the common features, it only comes with the SBD 650-3 AirTeq floor brush. A nice touch is the LED spotlight integrated in the vacuum’s handle.
If you don’t have pets, high pile carpets or sophisticated cleaning needs that require additional accessories and attachments, this is the model to go with. It has almost all the features i.e. of the Marin model (including the same motor, the same filtration system, the same case), and cost almost half. But before you even consider buying this from anywhere else, make sure you’ve seen this offer.
Miele C3 Complete Calima
Calima is a vacuum with strong personality. The Canary Yellow color strikes you from the first glimpse. It comes with the STB 205-3 Turbo Comfort Turbobrush and the SBB 300-3 Parquet Twister floor brush. Considering the other models in the line, it’s very similar to the Alize model, as it is suitable for cleaning low/medium-pile carpets, rugs and bare floors. The only differences are the different head nozzles and the light in the handle, which is missing from this model.
The price is however the same as Alize’s, which makes it a great mid-range purchase, considering all that it has to offer. As you might guess, I would recommend Alize for people with more bare floors, and Calima for people with more low carpets. Both are working just as well, but their specific is a bit shifted. Once again, I have to emphasis on the extreme quality and the generous warranty of this product.
Miele C3 Complete Limited Edition
The Limited Edition vacuuming system provides versatility, as it works on low pile carpeting and hard floors, and is built to last a lifetime. As the other units, this model features Miele’s twelve stage AirClean system that was specially designed to keep the dust and debris out of the air and in the vacuum bags. It comes with the smaller STB 205-3 and with the SBD 285-3. If I would compare this model with any other, it should be the Calima. The racing green fits the unit nicely, the only difference is the lack of the SBB 300-3 attachment. What’s important about this product, it comes with an AirClean filter instead of a HEPA or an Active AirClean.
Thanks to its lack of accessories, it’s one of the cheapest C3s, perfect for homes without pets. At the moment, I couldn’t find this model to be sold online. It seems like it has been interrupted, but I guess I’ll have to document myself better instead of jumping into conclusions. It’s back up on sale.
Miele C3 Complete Kona
The C3 Kona features a stylish obsidian black color, the kind you’ll definitely appreciate i.e. in a SUV car. Similarly to Cat & Dog, it comes with the SEB 228 ElectroPLUS and the SBB300-3 Parquet Twister. As the others, it has a five-level height adjustment which can really make a difference if you have different types of carpets. The price is just a bit lower than Cat & Dog’s, as the unit features a HEPA filter instead of the Active AirClean filter, which is a bit more expensive. In rest it is virtually the same: same warranty, same materials, same German quality build. You can control the Electrobrush using buttons located on the comfort grip.
If you own a big house, with different cleaning needs but no pets, than this vacuum is for you. You also might want to check out what other buyers are saying about this product, so make sure you’ve read all their comments.
Miele C3 Complete Marin
The Complete Marin comes with almost the same features as the Kona. However, instead of the cheaper SEB 228 ElectroPLUS nozzle, the Marin comes with the SEB 236 with LED lights, allowing you to tackle any kind of flooring. And if that isn’t enough, you can always purchase additional nozzle heads such as the SEB 228 or the SEB 217-3. As I was saying, this particular attachment (SEB 236) allows you to use it as a standby switch. Besides the SEB 236, Marin also comes with the SBB 300-3. Thus, this vacuum is ideal for any floor surface, from hardwoods to deep carpets. Another feature of the Marin is the filter replacement indicator, especially useful for people with allergies or asthma.
Marin has as expected a beautiful metallic navy blue color, and is as expensive as the Cat & Dog. Here’s the latest deal I’ve found for this product.
Miele C3 Complete Brilliant
The C3 Brilliant is the most complete vacuum of the series. Along with the SEB236 Premium Electrobrush and the SBD 285-3 AllTeQ Combination tool, you will also get the SBB 400-3 Parquet Twister XL floor brush. As in the case of Marin model, you’ll get notifications from the filter replacement indicator every time you need to change the filters. The Brilliant unit has an unique illuminated park system with LED under-body lights, making it perfect for a late night photo shoot session. Thanks to the SEB236 attachment, you can set it automatically on standby if you rear park it. The SFD 10 Extended Crevice tool aids in the cleaning of folds, corners, crevices, furniture cushions, and other tight places. Last but not least, you’ll enjoy one of the longest warranties I’ve seen in the world of vacuum cleaners: 10 years for the casing and motor and 5 years for the parts.
This model is perfect for any type of flooring. It’s bronze pearl finish is impressive, and so are the handle controls, the kind you can only find in the HomeCare+ model. Although it’s expensive, it’s one of the best canisters I’ve ever seen, and I warmly recommend it.
Miele C3 Complete HomeCare and HomeCare+
Although they do look a bit different in my picture and on the producer’s site, both these Miele have the same color: mango red, which is a vivid original touch to an appliance. If you didn’t know, the HomeCare models (including HomeCare C1 and C2, as well as Miele’s Dynamic U1 HomeCare upright) are only sold in Miele’s partner retail stores, so you can’t buy them online.
The purpose of these models is clearly described by their name: to completely clean your house. The cheaper model (HomeCare) comes with the SBD 285-3 head nozzle. However, you can optionally purchase the SEB 217-3, SEB 228 and the SEB 236. The HomeCare Plus also comes with the SEB 236, which is enough IMO to handle every vacuuming chore. The simple version comes with a Deluxe Comfort Grip handle. Both models offer on this handle direct electrobrush control, but the HomeCare Plus also allows you to control the suction power by using an advanced digital panel, as you can see in the left image. It comes with the bigger 10-year warranty for casing and motor and 5-year warranty for all other parts, and can standby automatically, if it is placed in rear park position.
Conclusion and VGM
To sum it up, the Miele Complete C3, no matter the model, is a great vacuum cleaner, one that will last you a long time. This is a vacuum that will clean hardwoods, bare floors, carpets from fine to plush in thickness, upholstery, furniture, and so on. Depending on the model you choose, you’ll finally be able to get rid of all that pesky pet hair, allergens, and other airborne particles out of the air you breathe. Miele took the time to engineer a handle to fit in the palm of your hand, gave you the tools for nearly all your cleaning needs, lightened the machine for easier maneuverability, and even designed a quiet running motor to please its customers. The company has an abundance of positive reviews for all of their various appliances, but this is one of their main hits. Here’s my VGM (for the Cat & Dog model, my favorite):
What do you think about Miele’s top line of canisters? Would you buy one? Have one already? Please share your thoughts with us!
Jason Roberts
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Patrick Kissane says
I recently purchased a Miele3 C3 Comfort total Care 1. 09983750.
I was greatly disappointed with the small head on the cleaner. Because of the small head, it takes a great deal of work to cover a decent-sized room. The existing head would be more suitable as an attachment for cleaning curtains etc
Also the wand is connected with plastic joiners. In a year to two these will have cracked and I shall have to repair the cracked plastic joints with a combination of wire, strong glue and electrical insulation tape.
I cannot regard C3 as a triumph of engineering.
Jason Roberts says
I’m sorry you feel that way Patrick. The C3 Comfort Total Care has the AirTeQ 285-3 floor head, which is indeed a bit small. But you can try to get one of the other heads, i.e. the SEB 228 which is much wider. And although some joints are made of plastic, it really comes down to the quality of the material. I definitely don’t think these will break in 1-2 years, by the contrary, I prefer these instead of heavy metal.
Patrick Kissane says
Thanks for the information,Jason.
I will try to get a better head.
Also, one of the first things I did was to attached a soft rope to the cleaner. I use this to pull the cleaner around the floor. Presumably Miele intends either the buyer a) manually lifts up the heavy cleaner each time or b) pulls the cleaner by the hose. If b) is adopted, the hose will soon break and the buyer will be having an argument with the seller whether a new hose is covered by the warranty.
Jason Roberts says
Well, I’m not really sure about your approach, but I believe the easiest way to use it is by the gripping the handle located on the stainless steel telescopic wand. The hose naturally follows the wand.
Patrick Kissane says
You are quite right Jason. The wand will follow the handle, the hose will follow the wand and the vacuum cleaner will follow the hose.
But the hose will develop a hole very soon from this handling.
Jennifer says
I have to add my 2 cents here about the hose issue. I’ve had a Miele Red Star since 2002 and have dragged that thing around my house by the hose, up and down stairs, and banged it into every wall we have and I have never, in all this time, had a hole develop anywhere in the hose. Perhaps you can exchange the one you have (manufacture’s defect?) or get another?? I can say, that after many years of dropping the plastic handle on the floor (or just thinking I’ve set it down and then hearing it bang on the floor), we had to replace that part, but so far, it’s held up! Can’t really say too much about the power head – some are bigger, some are smaller. Some better at getting under furniture, some not so good. Really depends on what you have in your house and how easily you’re able to get around it (or under it) with what you have. Still, I wouldn’t trade it for any other brand of vacuum. Just sayin’ . . . 🙂
David says
To back up what Jennifer wrote, I’ve also had a red star since 2001, and have never had a problem with the hose breaking or the plastic coming apart. I regularly drag the canister around by the hose (its designed to be dragged around as you vacuum, not picked up and carried.) Unfortunately, after almost 15 years of use, my unit met its demise today. I had repaired the cord reel several times to the point where it would no longer wind up, but the motor was fine so I figured I might as well keep using it. Today, while using it, I do what I always do and lifted the unit up by the hose to get over the cord, but when the front wheel landed, it made a very different sound than it usually does. I checked and sure enough, the housing around the wheel cracked and rendered the unit useless. I had just told myself that i didn’t need to buy a new vacuum until this one broke. Needless to say, I promptly went on Amazon and ordered a C3 Limited edition. I didn’t consider a different brand for one second. Miele’s are the best, hands down
Sharon says
Jason, thanks for this information. I was considering buying a Dyson, but was told that bagless vacuums do not perform well over time. The Miele C3 Complete Limited Edition was recommended to me as a better alternative and that’s how I came across your post. What are your thoughts on bag vs. bagless vacuums?
Jason Roberts says
Check out my round on this subject.
Ellie says
Your article has been so very helpful! I was wondering if you could answer a question for me? Can you attach the SB228 to all of the C3 cleaners? I am trying to get one of these within the budget my husband has given me for my new vac. And a limited edition is only $449 and the head is only $210!
Jason Roberts says
SB228 is an electric head, which can be attached to models with an electric wand, such as Cat&Dog, Kona, Marin or Brilliant. It doesn’t work with the Limited Edition.
Jennifer says
Hello! I just found your post and was really impressed with the thoroughness of your reviews! It was exactly what I needed to read.
We’ve had a Miele Red Star since early 2002, and it has been the best investment we have ever made when it comes to vacuums! Everything still works beautifully (yes, we’ve had to replace the power cord and gotten tune-ups over the years), but now I think it’s time we consider getting a new one as the electric power head for carpets is starting to shut off after just a few minutes of use. We’ve been told that it’s old and dying and needs to be replaced. 🙁 That part alone is $150. We have an opportunity to get the Cat & Dog that you’ve said is their “best” in the line for $600 (floor model, but who really cares?!) The question is: do we keep what we have and spend the $150 on a new power head, hoping it holds up another 10 years, or do we go with the new one, that will likely last 15-20 years. We have dogs, cats and teenagers all with LONG hair and LOTS of it! We also have tile, wood, and medium-pile carpeting in the house (3260 sq.ft.) and I vacuum 2x/week. It’s really nothing less than a miracle that the Red Star has lasted as long as it has!
Jason Roberts says
Wow, sounds like a real test for any respectful vacuum cleaner out there. I think it’s not worth spending more money on your 13 years old Red Star. It has done its job. I bet you can still get something for it over Ebay. You need something new and reliable, and a new C3 should last you at least 10 years under the same “working conditions”. Since you have medium pile carpets, you should get one with an ElectroBrush.
Jennifer says
Hi Jason!
Thank you for your reply! Yes, I agree that it’s time for a new vacuum, and inasmuch as I think the better Miele vacuums are very expensive, I know they are worth the cost. I’ve chosen the new Complete C3 Cat & Dog. Got a really great deal on it, too! It normally sells for $949.00, but I found a local vacuum store that had this as a floor model I could purchase for $600.00! The store even gave me a $100 credit for my old Red Star plus 2 boxes of new vacuum bags! I remember paying $600 for the Red Star in 2003! This new vacuum has more power than than the Red Star and a much bigger Electro Plus carpet tool. It’s all electronic and I love it! I’m looking forward to having it for the next 15-20 years!
tulay luciano says
I bought C3 Powerline Home Care a little over one month ago. I think this machine is not practical. The on/off button does not work for floor brush. I have to get back to the machine and bend over many times. On SEB228, there are height adjustments on which I must stomp on them to get the desired floor hieght. the other vacuum cleaner are handle this by a thumb push on the button on the wand. Vacuuming with this machine is too much time and effort consuming. Unfortunately, the local salesman does not take it back because I purchased it more than one month ago but he never told me that the on/off button on the wand does not work for the floor brush although I complained about it earlier many times. Now I am stuck with this horrible machine.
Jason Roberts says
I think you may have got a bad unit. If the button is not working, it’s under warranty and you may return it any time you like. But the unit ergonomics is very good IMO. Which model of C3 did you get?
tulay luciano says
Miele complete C3 Powerline. The attachment floor brush AllTeQ came with it.Because it is not electrical, It is not good for the wood floors. I cannot shut it off by clicking the on/off button on the wand. Small house with furniture I have to bend over the machine to click the button for on/off on the machine.
We have a combination of medium pile rugs, very low pile rugs, wood floor and tile.
SEB228 does not furniture strip, which makes vacuuming take longer. Is SEB236 food for our shag rugs?
Jason Roberts says
All of them are called Complete. The Powerline is sold mostly in EU, from what I know, it has lower quality than the C3’s sold in US, and it also costs much less. The AllTeQ works very well on wood floors. I don’t get why you would need an electrical nozzle for vacuuming wood or other type bare floors for that matter. Having a small house is not really the fault of the unit, and if your vacuum also has the SEB228, that means it has an electric head (the telescopic wand is also electric), which makes it great for vacuuming carpets, not furniture. You can use the crevice tool to tackle upholstery.
Susan says
Hi Jason,
Your article was so very informative, thank you for the great information. I have had a Miele that has come to the end of it’s life and it is time to get a new one. I don’t remember the name of the model I have, but it is red and cost about $1000 back in 2002. I have used it with one dog and three cats in the household and it has performed great. I am now down to one cat and one hypoallergenic dog (Bichon Frise) who does not shed. I was originally considering the C3 Marin due to Consumer Reports’ high score, but then I saw the C3 Brilliant. I’ve picked up a few negative comments on the Brilliant: 1) it is heavy to pull around and people seem to think it’s more tiring to use, 2) the SEB236 attachment gets clogged from the fibers of the newer high-end carpets and it was recommended to use the SEB228 on newer carpets. What is the difference between those two attachments? Also, do the different models basically weigh the same or are some heavier than others? I had not really heard much about the C3 Cat & Dog model or the C3 Homecare and Homecare Plus models until I read your article. I have hard wood and medium plush carpet and vacuum about 2-3x/wk. We are thinking of getting new carpet but don’t know what kind that will be yet. We won’t be buying another vacuum cleaner for quite awhile so I want to get the best that I can, while I have my husband in the spending mood. Thanks for your input.
Jason Roberts says
1. Don’t really agree, since you can adjust the product in height.
2. SEB236 is one of the best vacuum nozzles out there, it works better than SEB228 and I like it a lot. No clogging what so ever.
3. All models weight the same.
4. Get a low pile berber carpet. They are so easy to maintain.
Mary Beth Crocker says
Hi Jason!
I’m interested in purchasing a Miele canister, and I found your guide to Miele canisters extremely informational and detailed. However, I do have a question. We have three cats and a dog, and all hardwood/tile floors, and although I’d love to purchase the Miele Dog & Cat model, it is really expensive. I didn’t really see any others that you thought were comparable to handle pet hair. Any suggestions on another Miele that is less expensive? Thank you!
Jason Roberts says
Since you have mostly bare floors, you may get the C3 Limited edition. You should also check out the Miele C1 line. The Olympus model is the cheapest one, but still suit your needs.
Mary Beth Crocker says
Thank you for your suggestions!
Todd says
Hi and thanks for the info!
Are the C3 Marin and the C3 Homecare+ the exact same machine? I am confused, many reviewers like the Marin but when I went into my local dealer they only had the Homecare+ and was not sure they are the same. They look the same but can’t find a side by side comparison.
Also why do you like the cat & dog over the Marin they are close in price and you get the better power head?
Jason Roberts says
Unlike the Marin, HomeCare+ comes with digital handle controls (just like the Brilliant model). All 3 C3 versions (Marin, HomeCare+ and Brilliant) have the best head nozzle (which is SEB236). Depending on your local dealer, the HomeCare+ may come with additional attachments (or by contrary, with less attachments), so make sure you ask about this. The Cat & Dog is about $150 cheaper than the Marin and uses active charcoal layers in its filters (which of course, you can install in the Marin too), these are the main reasons which made me pick the Cat&Dog over the Marin. Of course, if money wasn’t an issue, I would have picked the Marin/Brilliant.
Todd says
Ended up with the C3 Homecare+ and am really happy with this vacuum. It’s a big purchase, over a grand, but my carpets have never been cleaner. Completely filled a bag in three vacs which tells me my Eureka wasn’t doing the job. Quiet and powerful.
Really is worth it.
Ranjan says
Mine is a complete carpeted house. will Miele C3 Complete Limited Edition work in it. if not which one will be good in cheap models as I have budget below $450.
Thanks,
Jason Roberts says
At this budget, you won’t get a C3 with an electric nozzle, and that is what you need. Check out the Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog, which is on sale at the moment. If you have only low pile, check out the Miele C1 Delphi. Both are within your price range.
Anna says
Do the Calima and the Limited vacuums take the same bags? What exactly is the bag for each?
I was told the Hepa filter on the Calima costs about$45, where as the Limited green model C3 complete you just need to replace the fabric material filter at much less cost. Is that correct?
Jason Roberts says
There are 3 types of bags (for a Miele): GN, FJM and U. The C3 line uses GN bags. Calima comes by default with a HEPA AirClean filter which costs indeed around $40. However, you can install the same filter in the Limited Edition if you like, and vice-versa, if you want to buy cheaper filters, you can install those in your Calima. A pack of original Miele made 4 bags and 2 filters (1 pre and 1 post motor) is less than $20.
Joseph Leos says
I’ve had my Miele Uniq (equivalent to the Brilliant today) for about two years now and have not encountered one problem with this machine! It’s been wonderful around the house and really has kept my carpets clean and looking like new. I normally don’t spend a lot on vacuums and was hesitant about the purchase….but have to say it was the best investment made.
Helpful hint: I first purchased a Meile S7 upright from a Miele showroom. The Miele store/showroom not willing to negotiate on price. Only problem with the upright is that is so damn heavy to maneuver, I decided to to get the canister instead. So I went to an independent dealer who is always willing to drop prices by a couple of hundred dollars. So go to an independent dealer instead if you’re looking for a better deal.
Pixy says
HI Jason,
Thank you so much for your review….so much good info. I am trying to get new vacuum cleaner and i am overwhelmed with choices. I am stationed in Germany and will be here for some time so i want to buy the appliance here. I have an apartment, combination of tiles and “wood” floors and 3 types of carpets….sisal, wool and thick shaggy carpet. Also, i really don’t want any of this dust out in the air on the other side of the vacuum cleaner, so the filter has to be great. What is a difference between between Miele Complete C3 Electro Plus EcoLine and Miele Complete C3 Electro EcoLine (one is cheaper and i cant figure out why)……or Miele C3 Comfort Electro Ecoline?
Please help
Jason Roberts says
All of these are European units which are different from units selling in US. Since I assume all of these don’t have electric brushrolls, the difference should be in head nozzles and accessories, just like their American cousins.
Melissa says
Hello,
I am getting loop pile wool carpet. I was looking at getting the Calima. Will this be the best one for my needs? Most of the house is carpet and the rest is cork. I need a vacuum that won’t cause fuzzing on the wool. Thank you!
Jason Roberts says
Calima is great for low to medium thickness, so it should work in your case.
Candice says
Hello
Thanks for this review, it’s the only one I’ve found that clearly outlines the details of the Miele range.
I’m in Australia and the heads are slightly different here. I’ve narrowed down to the cat and dog and what I think is the equivalent of the kona. C&d comes with the Alltec combination head, the turbo comfort and a mini turbo. The kona comes with the AirTech combination head and the 300-3 parquet twister, it’s about $20 cheaper. My house is half hardwood floors, half low pile carpet and carpeted stairs. Do you think given these head options I should go the kona? Or is the turbo a shame not to have? The other option is to buy the C&d and get the parquet twister separately for about $50. I don’t have pets, just kids! Thank you. Candice
Jason Roberts says
If you don’t have carpets, don’t worry about the turbo, it’s not such a big deal. From what you’re saying, the Kona in your place is the equivalent of a Calima. So get the Kona if you have mostly bare floors.
Des says
They have one major design flaw. when used on carpets the wheels are too small resulting in them sinking into the carpet pile. you will spend your life dragging them after you like sleds.
Halley P. says
Hello! Great article. I wondered if the cat & dog model has a filter that is as good as the others? I understand it is more for odors with the charcoal component but one article said Hepa is “optional” with the cat & dog. Does this mean you would have to purchase an additional filter to upgrade it to Hepa on this unit? Thanks!
Jason Roberts says
The Cat & Dog comes with the Active AirClean 50 (AAC-50), which besides the similarities with the HEPA AirClean 30 (HA-30 – which is mounted on the other C3s), also features the charcoal layer. The AAC-50 is however not as good as the HA-30. Healthy people would not distinguish among these 2, but people with allergies can certainly tell the difference. The smell is most of the times absorbed by HA-30 without a problem. Unfortunately, the HA-30 costs $10 more than the ACC-50. Well worth it IMO.
Zeljko says
Hello, being allergic to dust mites I intend to buy a C3 Allergy PowerLine (European model) but I can’t find any info if it’s a true sealed HEPA. Can you help me there? Is there any better option for dust allergy? Would you recommend another model?
Thank you
Jason Roberts says
I can’t speak for EU models, but C3 units from US are all true sealed HEPA (supposing they come with the HEPA filter, of course). My guess is that the C3 Allergy PowerLine maintains this quality.
Scooby says
Just purchased the C3 Brilliant today as a replacement for my Rainbow which is having issues after 8 years of service. The vacuum is heavy, but compared to the Rainbow full of water is much lighter.
Here are my observations after one vacuuming:
– The unit is extremely quiet
– The power head does a nice job picking up pet hair among other things. Turn it off and you can continue on the hardwoods and tile no problem
– I am fond of the controls in the power head handle. Nice and convenient
– The “auto” feature seems to work when transitioning from pile to low carpet
– Although we never had a lighted powerhead, it was convenient when vacuuming under tables and sofas. Nice touch
– Unit has a nice bumper around it to protect it and your furniture from damage. I Rainbow was like a bumper car ramming anything in it’s way
– LED lights on unit was a nice touch, but not required
I will come back in a few months and provide a review after we have used it for a while.
Finally, we paid $1,399 at a vacuum store in Raleigh and that was $100 cheaper than anything I could find on the internet.
Thanks for the article, it was informative and helped us make our decision!!
Jason Roberts says
Thank you for sharing!
Rohit Jain says
Great article! But I am still confused on which unit to buy. Our entire two floor house is mostly laminate and tile in the foyer, kitchen, and bathrooms. We have area rugs covering the laminate in various rooms. We have two dogs and one sheds a lot.
So, is the Cat & Dog the best for us or Alize, or one of the other ones. Money is not an issue if there is value. We can go with the top of the line but don’t want to spend the money if we don’t have to since we have no carpets at all. Also, it may be that a certain model with an accessory we pay extra for works the best. Would appreciate your recommendation.
Thanks!
Jason Roberts says
Since you have no carpets, we can exclude the Marin and the Brilliant models. If I were you, I would go with either Kona or Cat & Dog, and I would also get the SBB 400-3 Parquet Twister XL attachment separately.
Chris Outlaw says
Great article Jason the Miele C3 range are a great range and we have an article here which is our guide to the three complete C3 powerline models. Including the Cat and Dog C3 and the Toal Allergy C3. Feel free to reference this above if you think it to be any use and let me know if you do and i will reference this article in ours regards.
Jason Roberts says
Sure Chris, posted. I hope people searching for more insight on the Powerline units find what they are looking for.
rdharris says
Jason, Thanks for this very comprehensive overview of the Miele canister vacuums. Until finding your web site I had a hard time figuring out the difference between the models and why I might want one model vs. another. Having read through it all, I still have a few questions about the best option for our house. First I’ll provide a few details. Our house is mostly hardwood floors with oriental rugs, a little tile and a one room with Berber carpet. No pets today, but could be a dog in the future. Our primary interests are: gentle vacuum for oriental rugs, versatility to clean hard wood surfaces, rugs and Berber. We have a budget of $500, but would naturally prefer to spend less if there is a model that meets our needs.
I’m thinking that the Miele C3 Complete Limited Edition might be a good option because it comes with the SBD 285-3, though I may eventually want to also have the SBB 400-3 or the SBB 300-3. Another interesting option might be the Miele C2 Onyx because it comes with the SBB 300-3. Can you comment on the primary differences between the C2 and C3, and well as what you view to be the most suitable option including others that I have not listed/considered? Thank you!
Jason Roberts says
I’m planning to do a cover story on C2s very soon. Both the Limited edition and the Onyx have the same brushroll (STB205-3). The only difference is that the C2 comes with the SBB 300-3 and the C3 comes with the AllTeQ combo tool. These are very similar. If I were you, I’d get the C3. They have a larger cleaning radius (36 ft. instead of 33ft. power cord) and a foot switch for selecting a different type of floor (instead of the rotary dial). You can always get the SBB 300-3 separately for about $50.
Lorraine says
Thanks for your informative article. I am in need of a new canister vacuum and want to buy a Miele and when shopping in the past I just found all the choice of options too confusing so ended up not doing anything. I have no pets and only have low pile oriental rugs and lots of exposed hardwood flooring. My children are grown up and gone, so I have no messy children living in the house. I want a vacuum that can easily move from carpet to floor without the need to change the cleaning head or do complicated adjustments. I was worried by some reviews regarding the weight of the cleaning head. I’ve had shoulder surgery this year and it is important to not have a vacuum that will put a lot of stress on my shoulder. It seems like from your review either the Alize or the C3 Limited Edition might be good choices, do you concur or would you make a different recommendation?
Jason Roberts says
You are right, from what I see, you should either go with the Alize or with the Limited Edition. The SBD 285-3 weights about the same as the SBD 650-3 AirTeq, so it’s only a matter of personal taste.
Dan says
What an insanely complicated and confusing line up.
I mean really!? I want a high quality hoover to clean my floor and don’t want to have to take a year our to do a Masters in hoover engineering to decide what to buy.
It wouldn’t be so bad if they had a half decent website, but they don’t. Given the vast number of options and confusing array or options and jargon that is banded around they really need to do a better job.
Someone needs to have a serious word with their product and marketing department.
In the mean time stick to Henry …. affordable, hard working, dependable simplicity and with a friendly smile.
Jason Roberts says
Buying any appliance these days is a complicated process. There are so many options. So many things to consider. I’m trying here to logically structure things. While Henry vacuums are great, they are not in the same league with the C3s. Not even close.
nonyhaha says
This was one of the articles that I read before buying my vacuum cleaner. I am happy I decided to go for a Miele, it is a great equipment. I just wanted to inform other potential buyers to try and look for older models, especially in Europe, where Miele came with new motors of just 750W, and the remainings from the past, in some stores, get sold very VERY cheap. I ended up buying a Miele Complete C3 TotalCare that comes with over 10 accessories for 799 lei in Romania, that is about 200 us dollars and just under 180 euro. I think I got a great deal, the vacuum comes with an extendd warranty by Miele of 10 years.