Miele Compact C1 PowerLine – shifting the gear in the canister vacuums market

A while ago, Miele launched three new models in the Compact C1 PowerLine series of vacuum cleaners. The new models (Pure Suction, Turbo Team, and HomeCare) come with capabilities that are more streamlined. This means you can select the type of Miele vacuum best suited for your floor or cleaning needs more precisely. It also means easier buying, without the usual dilemma of comparing features.

Miele C1s have always maintained quality, and have been my favorite all along. They perform exceptionally well even for entry-level models which means significant savings on your purchases. The German company that manufactures these vacuums is known for durable products. Their canisters were always way ahead of other products on the market. Although a little more costly, Miele vacuum cleaners are worth your money for the quality you get. The Compact C1 PowerLine features the entry-level models from the company and the most affordable compared to other Miele series or the earlier versions.

With the unveiling of the new models in the early months of last year, buying your Miele vacuum has become easier regarding affordability and selection. In today’s assessment, I will take you through the features that characterize the Compact C1 vacuum cleaners. The aim is to help you find the model that can better handle your cleaning needs or suit the type of floor you have.

You will also learn about why you need a Miele C1 vacuum to clean your home, the benefits this canister over others, and how you can go about finding the right one for your cleaning needs. To start us off, let’s have a look at the Specs of the Miele Compact C1 series.

The Specs

Suction/Cleaning Power

The Miele C1 vacuums are powered by a strong, high-performance Vortex motor that produces approximately 300 AW. The amount of power the motor requires should give you a hint of what suction power to expect from the units. 1200 W is enough to provide the airflow needs without compromising on cleaning capabilities. Miele C1 vacuums also come with features and tools to improve suction. The accessories include a dusting brush, a crevice wand and a tool to clean crevices and corners. All the models in this line feature a rotary type control for motor speed and which offers you 6 different power adjustments. With these settings, you can change the suction power to suit the kind of floor or surface you happen to be cleaning. It’s an important functionality, especially if you have different floors in your home, from bare to carpet.

Each of the models in the Compact C1 series comes with own cleaning prowess, and the one you choose depends on what you want to achieve or what floor you will subject it to. Don’t worry. We will compare all the three models later to help you determine the one suitable for your requirements.

Input Power

Being a corded canister vacuum, a Miele C1 has to be plugged to a mains power outlet. It runs on all types of sockets, including the 120V from US and the 240V from Europe. The motor consumes 1200 W.

Dust Capacity

The dust bag of a Compact C1 vacuum is 0.92 gallons (3.5 liters). This is enough to enable you days of cleaning without worrying about a bag that’s filled with dirt. All the Compact C1s are bagged canister vacuums that require the dust bag to be replaced from time to time. Bags are pretty cheap, costing under $1 if you buy OEM, and around $4 if you purchase the original 3D filter bag type FJM in a pack such as this:

Filtration

The Pure Suction, Turbo Team, and the HomeCare vacuums feature the AirClean filtration system. The system is one of the designs and technologies unique to Miele vacuums and consists of the following.

• Pre-motor filter: This is the motor protection filter and acts to ensure sucked up dust and debris do not reach the motor to cause damage. As a result, the motor remains efficient for long, performing optimally without the dangers brought by the accumulation of dust and debris.
• AirClean Dustbag: The vacuum’s dust bag also serves as a filter, helping to trap a lot of the tiny dust particles and dirt. It provides enhanced filtration by utilizing electrostatic charge to attract the dust particles. The bag also features an automatic seal that ensures trapped dust and other allergens don’t escape during the process of disposing of it. You will find this feature beneficial, especially if you’re prone to allergies and cannot afford to have dust fly out of the bag when changing it.
• Post motor/exhaust filter: This is the filter that ensures that the airborne contaminants passing through the vacuum are prevented from escaping back into the air of your home. According to the manufacturer, the filter in the Compact C1 is three-layered and can trap up to 99% of particulate matter that measures 0.5 microns or more in diameter. It means the filtration is almost on the same level of HEPA, even without its mention. Miele, nevertheless, offers you the option to change to a HEPA filter. Most people prone to seasonal or allergen-induced allergies would feel more at home with the type of filter they are used to or understand more about, and the company allows for an upgrade.

Notice the difference between the SF-AA 50 and SF-SAC 20/30 filters:

Weight and Dimensions

The Compact C1 PowerLine measures 18.2 inches long, 8.7 inches tall and 11 inches wide, weighting just above 6 lbs. With these dimensions, a Miele Compact C1 is not too big to store, if space is a concern in your home. Its cord is retractable and measures 18 feet. The cable’s length is on the shorter side, but it gets extended by the combination of the hose and cleaning wand’s lengths. The hose is 5.5 feet long and, together with the wand, forms a cleaning reach with a maximum length of 29.5 feet. This is pretty much what you would require for a standard home.

Warranty

The Miele C1 line comes with one of the lengthiest warranties you might have ever come across for a vacuum. A one-year warranty backs each of the models on the series for the motor and casing, plus a 7-year warranty for other parts and labor. This should give you peace of mind upon purchasing your Compact C1 unit, knowing that you’re covered for repairs and general damage. The lengthy warranty is also an indicator of how durable the product is. Only a company that’s confident of the lifespan and quality of its vacuums can offer such an extended warranty. I’m personally aware of how long Miele vacuums last, and can assure you that you will have a unit that will outlive most of the other vacuums on the market.

Accessories

Depending on the model, your new Miele Compact C1 vacuum comes with a variety of accessories or tools. The ones common to all the three models include the following:

• An upholstery tool, a crevice tool and a dusting brush, all of them stored on the VarioClip
• An AirClean filter
• An AirClean dust bag
• The user manual.

All 3 models from the Compact C1 PowerLine have however different options for the main cleaning head. This is in fact the main thing that differentiates these models and varies their price.

The Pure Suction C1 model comes with the AllTeQ Combination Floorhead SBD 285-3 as cleaning head. This nozzle allows the vacuum to clean hard floors with exceptional efficiency and safety. The tool also makes the unit suitable for low-pile area rugs.

If you want to purchase the AllTeQ nozzle separately, it will cost you about $70 on MieleUSA official website.

The bristles can be retracted by pressing the small pedal you can see in the image. The bottom is made of metal, which make it slide easily on carpets. The small  rubberized roller from its back prevents scratching your hardwood floors, tiles or any other kind of sensible hard surface.

The Turbo Team C1 model comes with 2 cleaning heads: the Small Parquet Floorhead SBB Parquet-3 which can be used on hard floors, and the Turbo Comfort Floorhead STB 205-3 which is meant to clean carpets. The brush from the STB 205-3 performs well on low and mid-pile carpet floors, while the Parquet brush allows you vacuum areas that are too sensitive for the Turbo brush.

The Turbo Comfort Floorhead STB 205-3 is ideal for pet owners who need to get rid of sticky pet hair. Short-pile carpet can be cleaned in seconds. The nozzle doesn’t stick to carpets, as Miele installed a special air valve that prevents this. However, the Turbo nozzle is not electric – it’s powered passively by the airflow. If you wish to have a powered nozzle, you should check out the Miele C3 line.

For the HomeCare C1 model, you get the TurboBrush found in the Turbo Team model, as well as the AllTeQ Combination Floorhead of the Pure Suction model. However, it doesn’t come with the Parquet brush which limits you when cleaning sensitive floors. The vacuum is suitable for hard floors and both low and medium-pile carpets.

After selecting the model suitable for your current needs, the cleaning requirements may later change to become more demanding. Should that happen, you don’t need worry. Miele provides a level of compatibility for its C1 vacuums to allow for a variety of attachments and tools that increase cleaning capabilities. Speaking of optional extras, I should mention the $150 CarCare or HomeCare practical accessory sets (4 in 1) and the Handy turbobrush – Turbo Mini, an attachment which allows you to vacuum pet hair even above the floor.

Special Features

One of the functionalities that set the Miele C1s apart is the 6-setting rotary dial. By rotating a knob, you get to change the cleaning power of the vacuum. It allows you to transition from one floor to another which is an advantage if your home is multi-floored. The variety of motor speed options in the Compact C1 models is exceptional and will allow you to clean any surface whether sensitive, requiring a more aggressive reach or high-traffic.

Miele also made the models in the C1 line compatible enough to allow for upgrades. You can always change from the AirClean filters the vacuums come with and instead use a HEPA one. This is if you or a member of your family is susceptible to allergic reactions caused by dust and other allergens and you feel that only HEPA can ensure safe filtration.

For enhanced comfort, you can also upgrade to the SGC 20 Ergonomic handle with LED from Miele. This consists of a thinner handle that provides for a more comfortable grip for people with smaller hands. It also features a slight swivel mechanism that provides for improved maneuverability and easier vacuuming of tight places.

For enhanced performance, the Miele C1 vacuums feature telescopic wands that are made from stainless steel. The wand’s height is adjustable and features 18 adjustment settings. It means you can have it fit your height easily to enable for easier cleaning. It also comes with a collapsible mechanism to allow for easy storage. Made out of stainless steel, you can expect the wand to last for really long.

The C1 models can be used on virtually any floor without worry of damage. Apart from the different cleaning tools that can be attached for specific floors, the wheels are a soft rubber. They leave no marks, and won’t scrape the surface of your delicate floor during cleaning. The wheels also turn a complete 360 degrees, allowing you to guide the unit with ease. Because of the 360 degrees swivel, you’re able to move the vacuum in any direction you want, which is essential if you want to push it out of the way to give space when cleaning.

Despite the high powered motor, a Miele C1 will run quieter than most other vacuums. This has been the trend with Miele vacuums, and they ensured the same for this line. The low noise is made possible thanks to the well placed insulation and good case design, that serves to absorb the sound produced the motor and suction. The tight seal of the vacuum’s housing also ensures not much of the sound produced during operation gets to escape to the outside. Another feature that results in quieter running is the uninterrupted airflow characteristic of the Compact C1 models. Besides the construction to minimize noise, the Compact C1 models feature a “Silent Mode” on the settings dial. It allows you to vacuum quietly by lowering the power of the motor. Using this feature, you can even vacuum near a baby who’s asleep!

Some vacuum cleaners do not provide for a way to conveniently rewind the power cord. The result is that it runs all over and under the unit. Manually folding it also takes up much of your time apart from being tiresome. You won’t experience that with the C1 line of Miele vacuums. The units come with a retractable power cable, and all you need to do is press a button to rewind it. The switch is foot-operated which provides a convenient and less demanding way to do unwind or rewind the cord. With the cable going into the vacuum, you can expect easier and improved convenience to store the unit.

With the Compact C1 PowerLine vacuums, you won’t need to worry about a filled up dust bag. An orange glow indicator alerts you when it’s time to change it. The indicator is located on the vacuum’s front panel so you do not miss to see the warning light. Another automatic functionality will find useful on these models is the one that prevents overheating. A mechanism shuts down the motor when the unit has been running for a long time and heated up to dangerous temperature levels. Thus prevents further heating, and protects your Miele C1 vacuum from damage.

Usability

A Miele C1 vacuum features a sleek, compact design. Weighing just 6 pounds, it’s lightweight enough to move around your home when you need to. There’s a small easy-grip handle on the top of the unit which you can use when carrying the unit. Down the handle is the point where you insert the hose, and below it lies the motor speed control knob. Next to the knob are the power and cord rewind buttons. The buttons are made to be large enough to allow for foot operation. You will like this feature if you have a back problem because you won’t have to bend to work the vacuum. Switching it on and off or adjusting or retracting the cord then becomes a breeze.

Being a canister vacuum, a Miele C1 allows the use of a variety of cleaning tools and floor or surface options. The different cleaning options are indicated on the control knob dial by images. By rotating the knob, you can set the vacuum to clean in the mode indicated by the corresponding image. The modes are; energy saving or low-noise, curtains and other light fabrics, upholstery and cushions, hard floors, low-pile carpet, high-pile carpet, and rugs.

Apart from setting the cleaning mode, you also need to determine the kind of tool to use. This depends on the task at hand, or the surface to be cleaned. Attaching the specific tool to the vacuum’s hose changes the cleaning ability of the unit which can even mean safer vacuuming for sensitive floors.

The vacuums in the C1 line are easy to maneuver around your home. They come with a stable 3-wheel construction and an excellent alignment of the different parts for improved stability. With 360 degrees of rotation, your cleaning task is bound to be easy when using any of the models in the series. The total reach of the unit is also adequate. The combined length of the cord, horse, and cleaning wand goes up to 29.5 which offers flexibility when cleaning large spaces or different rooms. The rubberized wheels will roll effortlessly, too, allowing for unhindered movement of the unit as you go about cleaning various floors.

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Comparing the price of the Miele Compact C1 vacuums

The three models in the Miele C1 series are identical in design. Their main differences lie in the cleaning nozzles they come with and, therefore, their cleaning abilities. Miele did that to ease the challenge buyers faced when buying the older models. It was hard to group the different vacuums according to their capabilities to clean specific surfaces as there were many variations to consider. The new models not only made that easier but also brought affordability into the picture. If you’re the budget conscious buyer, these models should be among your top considerations. They’re among the lowest priced of Miele vacuums. This is despite their outstanding cleaning abilities and exceptional durability. The Compact C1 model performs adequately as a mid-level canister vacuum, perhaps even better for the level.

The lotus white Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction costs around $300, with the current discount. The obsidian black Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team is also reduced at the moment and is worth around $100 more than the Pure Suction. The mango red Miele Compact C1 HomeCare can be purchased only from Miele’s official website of from authorized resellers and costs around $500.

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Pros

The Compact C1 vacuum now comes with accessories that are more specific and well suited your home’s floor type. The dust bag is big enough to hold enough dirt for uninterrupted cleaning. You do not need to keep changing it, or even mind to check if it’s already filled up. You get an automatic alert when it needs replacing which relieves you of the burden of having to check it manually. The dust bag will also act as a filter and help to remove dust particles by electrostatic charge action. It improves the unit’s overall filtration efficiency. The bag is also adequately sealed and won’t leak dust into the air to pose a health risk.

Seeing the Miele C1 vacuum for the first time, you will notice how stable it appears to be. And it is, with the lying low enough and the parts properly aligned. The unit is also easy to maneuver around during your cleaning activities, with a cleaning radius that allows for unhindered vacuuming. You won’t need to unplug it unless the distance goes beyond 30 feet. With a cleaning path of 13 inches, the Compact C1 will not take you a long time to finish your vacuuming tasks.

Another feature I like about the Miele C1 line of vacuums is their quiet operation. Apart from the silent mode that allows for reduced noise, the sound produced by the unit is tolerable, ranging from around 62 to 75 dB at most. It’s not much to make the vacuum a roaring machine, and you may even find the noise produced by the C1 models blending with the normal background sounds in your home.

I hate it when an appliance I bought not long ago breaks down, which explains why I like Miele vacuums. Their products have a longer lifespan as evidenced by their lengthy warranties. Purchasing a Compact C1 model, you’re assured of a product that won’t break any time soon, which makes it a cost-effective option.

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Cons

Every product has its drawbacks, and the Miele C1 vacuums are no exception. While the models perform well on a variety of floors, you may find that they don’t do as well on deep-pile carpet. They lack a motorized and powerful brush roll on the cleaning head which limits the depth of cleaning they can achieve with carpet floors. But then, it isn’t powerful enough for the deep reach required of high-pile carpet floors and rugs. You should look into the C3 models if you need this kind of cleaning. The Turbo Team model comes with a rotating brush.

The C1 vacuums may have a powerful motor. However, without a rotating brush roll to provide an aggressive agitation and a deeper reach, their cleaning head isn’t useful on thick carpets. They’re pretty efficient on bare or hard floors, though. They are also safe on delicate surfaces such as hardwood and laminate since they do not feature an overly aggressive brush. Unless your home is heavily carpeted, the Miele C1 vacuums will do a good job picking up dirt off the surfaces.

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A comparison of the Miele Compact C1 Models

In the case you’re wondering which Miele C1 model is suitable for your floor, don’t anymore. It’s now time to look at what each model offers, the features, the cleaning capabilities and all there’s to know about each unit to make selecting the right one easier.

The Compact C1 Pure Suction PowerLine

This model is made specifically for homes with hard floors and area rugs that are low-pile. It won’t perform well on full-length high-pile carpeting or high-pile area rugs. The reason is the cleaning head lacks the passive brush roll found in the other 2 models (Turbo Comfort Floorhead STB 205-3) necessary to agitate the debris lying deep in carpet fibers. The unit comes with a combination floor tool as its main cleaning head, with a brush featuring natural fibers that safely agitate dirt on hard flooring. This model is the lowest priced of Miele vacuums and is the one I would recommend if your home’s flooring is mostly bare with no high-pile area rugs.

The Compact C1 Turbo Team PowerLine

The Turbo Team does better than the Pure Suction model on a variety of floors. It comes with a power brush to help agitate the dirt and debris that other models in the series are unable to. As a result, it does well on both hard flooring and medium-pile carpets or rugs. The Turbo Team derives its name from the kind of power brush it uses on carpeting. The airflow created within the suction path when the unit is in operation drives the brushroll.

The vacuum also comes with a parquet brush to allow you clean delicate flooring such as hardwood. With these tools, you can use this model on a variety of surfaces, from hard floors, low or medium carpeting, to sensitive flooring. I would advise you to pick the Turbo Team if looking for a vacuum that does not limit you to a specific flooring or if your home features both bare a carpeted surfaces.

The Compact C1 HomeCare PowerLine

This model comes with the main cleaning nozzles from the other two models: Turbo Comfort Floorhead STB 205-3 and the AllTeQ Combination Floorhead SBD 285-3 (it lacks the Small Parquet Floorhead SBB Parquet-3 which is made obsolete by the SBD 285-3). It means the vacuum will efficiently clean hard floors as well low-pile carpeting but will not safely vacuum sensitive floors. It still has the same suction power of the other Miele C1 models, featuring a 1200W powerful Vortex motor that provides adequate airflow to pick up dirt. If you don’t have a sensitive floor in your home, you can pick the HomeCare and have your cleaning needs taken care of.

More About the Cleaning Head Tools of Miele C1 Vacuums

Because the three C1 vacuums differ in the type of tool for the cleaning head, it’s good to look into the detail what each tool does. It will help you to understand what benefits you stand to get from the model you choose.

The Combo Floor Tool – AllTeQ Combination Floorhead SBD 285-3

This tool found on the Pure Suction model features no rotating brush. It makes the vacuum gentle enough for use on delicate flooring as well as efficient on smooth floors and low-pile carpets. When transitioning from a bare floor to an area rug or carpet, you use a foot button on the unit to change the tool’s height.

The TurboBrush Tool – Turbo Comfort Floorhead STB 205-3

It consists of a rotating brush that’s worked by a small turbine, and that adjusts to flooring heights automatically. To rotate, the turbine itself depends on the power of the suction airflow created by the vacuuming system. The spinning turbo brush acts to dislodge dust, pet and human hair, lint, and other debris from the floor. This makes the C1 vacuum that features this rotating brush roll efficient at cleaning carpeted areas. At the same time, it means the vacuum will not be gentle on delicate floors which can be a disadvantage.

The Parquet Brush – Small Parquet Floorhead SBB Parquet-3

This brush features no motorized parts, making it suitable for delicate floors such as hardwood, laminate, and others. It also comes with bristles that are entirely natural which makes it even gentler on floors that are prone to scratches. It workers by softly agitating dirt on the surface of hard flooring for easier pickup by the suction system. Unfortunately, this tool doesn’t produce good results when used on deep-layered carpeting.

It’s good to note that apart from the cleaning accessories or tools the Miele Compact C1 vacuums come with, there are others you can order for later. These vacuum cleaners allow the use of various attachments to improve cleaning capabilities.

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Closing Thoughts

Having looked into detail about the C1 models, it’s now time to sum up everything. The Miele Compact C1 is a line of entry-level vacuums designed for a normal household cleaning. Coming from a company known for quality products, they assure you of durability and excellent performance. I would recommend them if your cleaning needs are not too demanding. That’s if your floor is not carpeted end to end with high-pile. And this comes from someone who has had personal experience with Miele vacuums and can attest to their quality. Based on your type of floor or budget, you can choose the model most suitable for your needs or situation.

If looking for a vacuum you can use on your hard floor and a bit of low-pile area rug or if the flooring is too sensitive to clean with a motorized brush roll, the Pure Suction model would be your best bet. For a floor that has an occasional medium-pile rug or carpet, I would advise that you go for the Turbo Team. The other model, HomeCare, would be suitable if you want to make use of all the options given by Miele with their Compact line.

I hope that you can now select the best Miele C1 vacuum for your home. I also believe that now you know what to expect regarding performance, ease of use, and durability. The C1 models are affordable and will not harm your pocket, which makes them suitable when looking for a quality vacuum on a tight budget.