I clean houses for a living. I was beginning to get the sniffles whenever I vacuumed a house with my old vacuum cleaner. It was clearly time for a model with a HEPA filter. Other than an improved filter I needed a lightweight vacuum that I could carry with me. I also needed a vacuum that could hold up to working all day, every day.

My requirement for a vacuum that weighed under 15 lbs. eliminated the majority right off the bat. The need for solid construction left me with about 2 to choose from.

The Miele was easy to put together. When I plugged it in it had a quiet hum. Quite a change from the old one that sounded like a 747 taking off. The suction was excellent. The bags(6 quart)breathe so well that I use them until they are full without loss of suction. The sealed hepa filter system has eliminated my sniffles.

My first disappointment came when I flipped the switch to turn off the beater bar and tried to vacuum my kitchen floor. The air exhaust is located on the lower front of the machine and angled downwards. As I pushed it over the floor the dustbunnies were blown in front of the machine by the exhaust, and always just out of reach. Clearly enough to give a cleaning lady nightmares. My second disappointment was the length of the cord. Only the cheapest vacuums come with a 25 foot cord. But that is what Miele has on this machine. I will have to take it in to have a longer cord installed.

The suction hose detaches near the bottom of the machine to allow for attatchment of the included wand and crevice tool. The only other tool is a "radiator brush" which can be used for walls and lampshades but isn't useful for upholstery. You need to buy an adaptor to use 1 1/4 inch (american) tools on this european vacuum. The adjustable power switch is very helpful for vacuuming scatter rugs. It hasn't "eaten" a scatter rug yet.






Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): $379.00