Miele S251i - Works beautifully...and is just beautiful. My new favorite appliance
Written: Sep 05 '06 (Updated Sep 05 '06)
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Pros: Not only is it beautiful, but it really, really works on everything (even cat hair).
Cons: The most expensive vacuum I've ever bought (and I got a discount!)
The Bottom Line: The best, most effective vacuum that I've ever used. My allergies improved. My house is cleaner. And, it's so beautiful, I might just leave it out.
caroleg's Full Review: Miele S251i Plus Bagged Canister Vacuum
Call me someone who needs to get a life, I don't care. This vacuum cleaner is everything I ever wanted (in a vacuum.) I have coveted this vacuum cleaner (in cobalt blue) for years, but couldn't come up with a reason to buy it until I met Mr. Sweeper (vacuum repair man) who offered me a trade in on my old Miele. I love it. I can't stop vacuuming everything in sight.
Let me go back a ways
I live in an old apartment in Boston with wall-to-wall carpeting that has to be 20 years old. I have a long-haired cat that I'm allergic to along with some seasonal allergies. I've tried cheap vacuums and found them frustrating. My folks gave me an old Miele they had bought refurbished that they never thought worked quite right. Sadly, they were right. The attachment for carpets didn't work although the one for hard wood floors (that I don't have) did. After a year of inadequate vacuuming and lots of sneezing from allergies, I decided to take it into Mr. Sweeper, a local Miele vacuum cleaner fix-it guy, who diagnosed it as a Frankenstein vacuum with multiple parts from multiple Miele models. For $79, I could have had it fixed. But for $100 off the price of a new one, I could leave the old one behind and buy the vacuum I've coveted for years. You got it, I went from a white FrankenMiele to a cobalt blue S251i and I'm so happy!
What's So Great About the Miele 251i?
For one thing, it's so easy to put together that Mr. Sweeper's 10-year old daughter put it together for me in the store while I was discussing stain removal products with Mrs. Sweeper. The vacuum is light weight, relatively quiet and more effective than any that I've used to date. Friends who came over to dinner the other night asked me if my 20-year old carpet was new. While they may not have the best eye sight, I will say that the whole house just looks a lot cleaner and my allergies (from cats, dust, and hay fever) are much more under control than they have been in weeks.
The vacuum is easy to use. My favorite part is the Powerbrush which is recommended for cleaning and restoring crushed carpet pile on most type of carpets. The Powerbrush comes with its own operating instructions believe it or not. It's got its own electric hose that you can turn on and off on the hose itself even while the rest of the vacuum is running. You know it's on because it has its own indicator light. And, if you get something stuck in the Powerbrush like human hair or some yarn, you can open it with a screwdriver (or even easier a penny) to take the roller off to clean out the gunk.
Other great features
There are many great epinions on this vacuum that discuss the many features in great detail. I would encourage you to check those out along with this review. My favorites are the HEPA filter which helps filter out allergens. I like the ability to adjust how much suction I'm using as I move from one carpet type to the next. (Nothing is more of a drag than ripping the bathroom run out of the vacuum for the tenth time.) It comes with several attachments which handle dusty trim, curtains, and tight spaces. The three wheels turn easily and follow me around without a lot of tugging and pulling. And the fold-out suction wand holder makes it easy to stand the vacuum upright and hold the hose in place next to the vacuum so that it fits easily in my hall closet.
All this and a warranty?
This model of vacuum cleaner is guaranteed for seven (7) years from the date of purchase as long as you can prove that any problems occurred from normal wear and tear.
I can say that from the older refurbished models for sale at Mr. Sweeper's shop, Miele vacuums hold their value for a long time. You may get sick of your vacuum before it quits working for you.
Long story short
I never would have thought that one vacuum was so much better than another and that this new Miele would make my old carpeting look so darn good again. I'm a big convert. What's more, it can use all of my old vacuum cleaner bags so I don't have to throw out the eight sitting in my hall closet. If you are willing to make the investment in a great appliance, I think you'll really be happy with the results from the Miele 251i. After all, it's your home. Don't you want it to be as clean (and allergy free) as it can be?
A mid-size electric powerbrush provides the consistent agitation required to separate carpet fibers-resulting in the effective removal of deep down di...More at AJ Madison
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