Hi there! I’m planning to buy my first Miele vacuum. I’ve only used upright Shark and Hoover vacuums before, but I’m looking for something better. We recently bought a 3700 sqft house with mostly hardwood and tile floors, but we do have a large 900 sqft living room and a carpeted den. The house is from the 50s, so I’m worried about lead paint, which is why I’m diving into vacuum options. I want something that will pick up everything and help contain it for safety. We bought the Nilfisk Euroclean for wall and paint repairs, but this vacuum will be for everyday use. My budget is around $1,000, but I can go up to $1,500 if needed.
I’ve narrowed it down to three Miele models: the C3 Homecare, C3 Marin, and C3 Homecare+. The prices are $1,169, $1,369, and $1,569, respectively.
The Homecare models seem to come with more attachments and a 5-year warranty, so I’m leaning toward those. The extra $200 for the handle buttons, 2 extra tools, and 2 more years on the warranty make the Homecare+ a bit more appealing than the Marin.
My main struggle is between the Homecare and Homecare+. They seem almost identical, with the only difference being the handle buttons and the lighted power brush on the +. Is it worth the extra $400 for those features? Does the power brush really make that much of a difference? The dealer told me it gets closer to the edges, which covers more ground. The light is a nice touch too, but I’m not sure.
We plan to eventually replace the carpet with all hard surfaces or area rugs in 2-5 years, but for now, I want to make sure I’m getting as much out of my carpets as possible. Any advice or suggestions would be great! Thanks so much for your help! (I attached the spec/price sheet from the dealer for reference.)
I’d go with the regular Homecare. The SEB228 is a newer Miele design and doesn’t leave that awkward unvacuumed patch 2” from the edge like the 236 does.
Have you considered Sebo? They offer a 10-year warranty, which is pretty amazing. A Sebo E3 compares very well with a Miele C3 Homecare, and in some areas, it might even be better.
Thanks for the tip on the power head! I didn’t get a good look at the regular one under the SEB236, but the dealer made it sound like the 236 gets closer to the edge. I’m planning to visit another dealer to check out my options and see what they suggest.
I’ve read good things about both Miele and Sebo. The dealer I went to carries both brands and recommended Miele. I was leaning toward Miele myself, mostly because of the HEPA filtration, especially with concerns about lead dust and allergies.
I’ll definitely take a closer look at the Sebo model. If I’m spending this much on a vacuum, I want to make sure I’m making the right choice! What do you like more about Sebo? Appreciate the advice!
As a Miele C3 owner myself, I’ll say the Sebo is built more robustly. It’s a bit more utilitarian in its design, but it’s stronger than the Miele. However, the Miele does have a better look to it, in my opinion.
The biggest difference is the Sebo’s superior build quality and its 10-year warranty. Miele has better filtration, but the difference in performance is really minimal—99.97% for Miele versus 99.90% for Sebo at .3 microns. Unless you have extreme allergy concerns, I doubt the 0.07% difference would be noticeable.
I also love how easy it is to clean the Sebo’s brushroll—just pops out in seconds.
Both are great vacuums. It really comes down to personal preference. Test both and see which one feels right to you.
Good to know! I wasn’t sure if the auto power feature and handle controls were really worth the extra cost. I’m not completely set on Miele, but I’ve liked what I’ve read about them. I’m open to checking out other brands as well.
These are all great vacuums! If you don’t need the suction control on the hose handle, the Marin might be the best option with its improved power head. The SEB236 power head has a lower profile and a headlight, which is useful for getting under furniture and vacuuming in dim spaces.
There are some Miele Black Friday Deals this week, but they’re on different models. You can get up to 30% off, so it might be worth checking out, especially if you plan on removing the carpets later.
Thank you! It’s hard to pick with all the different models and options. I’m not fixed on the handle controls. They would be nice, but not a dealbreaker. Sadly, I didn’t find any deals on the models I’m looking at. The prices are a bit much, but I’ve never been happy with my other vacuums, so I’m hoping this will be worth it.
Do you have a specific Sebo model you recommend that’s comparable or better? I’m new to all of this and want to make sure I’m making a smart purchase. I’ve only had cheap vacuums before, so this is a big step for me. Appreciate your help!
