Miele Vacuum Cleaners

Buying a Miele Vacuum Cleaner

Miele as a Manufacturer

Miele was Founded in 1899 by Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann in a small wooden barn in the community of Herzebrock, Germany with just eleven staff. The company's philosophy "Forever Better," has guided it through over 100 years to its present day form with some 15,000 staff. Miele added vacuum cleaners to its household appliance range in 1927, and has been considered a leader in the international floor care industry since. Miele continues to deliver vacuum cleaners with powerful performance, advanced filtration systems, convenient features and enduring quality.

Upright versus Cylinder Vacuum Cleaners

This is a major element of the decision when purchasing a new vacuum cleaner. Cylinder vacuum cleaners are usually smaller and lighter than their upright counterparts and thus easier to move around. Their accessory tools are usually stored inside them for ease of retrieval. The suction head is separated from the main unit which provides for a wide cleaning area. Most cylinder models include a power cable rewind feature and foot operated controls.  All of these features make a cylinder cleaner ideal for cleaning difficult to reach places and particularly good for stairs. Cylinder cleaners are more than adequate for large floor areas although usually offer fewer head and brush options than an upright. Upright vacuum cleaners are generally heavier and harder to manoeuvre. They are not as effective at cleaning difficult areas and other tasks suited to a separate suction head, including upholstery cleaning. Although many current uprights include a set of tools for most purposes, these are usually awkward to use in comparison with a cylinder.  Not least of the constraints is the length of the suction hose and the propensity to pull the machine over when reaching out. The upright's strength thus remains in its carpet cleaning. This is particularly noticeable in larger floor areas where multiple cleaning head options come into play. These usually include a carpet height selector available allowing you to adjust the height of the vacuum above the floor based upon to the length of your carpet pile. If pet hair is an issue, the rotating brushes on an upright are likely to be more effective than the (rare) option of a motorised brush head attachment on a cylinder vacuum cleaner.

Bagged versus Bagless Vacuum Cleaners

Both upright and cylinder vacuum cleaners are available in bagged and bagless forms in today's market. Bagless cleaners are generally more costly because of the technology required but the additional purchase cost may be offset by lower running costs including the cost of purchasing replacement bags.  Bagged cleaners, in contrast, may suffer from performance degradation as the bag fills but can however be more hygienic because dirt and dust is collected in a sealed bag. Since a bagless machine must have its container emptied, if you or anyone in your house is asthmatic or an allergy sufferer then it may be advisable to opt for a bagged cleaner - ideally one with the British Allergy Foundation seal of approval.

Other Key Features and Things to Consider

Power Rating

The power of a vacuum, measured in Watts (W) is a reasonable indicator of its cleaning performance. In general, the higher the wattage the better. A good power rating for a cylinder cleaner is some 1400 Watts, and 1300 for an upright.

Filtration

Filtration determines the size and quantity of particles in the air expelled from vacuum cleaner. Miele has long been a market leader in filtration technology. The filtration level does not indicate how much dirt the vacuum sucks up but it matters a great deal to asthma and other allergy sufferers. There are three main types of filtration. Standard filtration is found on budget models and is unsuitable for allergy sufferers. If you go for standard filtration, look for a cleaner with microfiltration which is standard filtration with at least 4 levels.  S-class and HEPA filtration is designed to minimise the number of microscopic allergens emitted, resulting in a cleaner outflow of air that is safer for those with allergy problems. S-class is the standard adhered to by vacuum cleaner manufacturers to achieve this aim, and HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are the technology most models use. Most filtration methods require changes of filter over time. Some more expensive models feature Lifetime filters which never need replacing.