Miele C3 or Sebo Airbelt E3 or D4

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jumby75

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Joined
Sep 6, 2017
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Location
Los Angeles, CA
Howdy!

First post here and I'm hoping I can get some help deciding on a new vacuum. Recently, I purchased a Kenmore Elite 81714 Ultra Plush vacuum. It's great, but I'm worried about the reliability and the filtration. Not to mention, I feel like there are a lot of parts on there that could break. I've had Kenmores in the past (this would be my 3rd Kenmore canister in 20 years) and while I love them, they inevitably crap out. So with that said, I'm focusing on three models and am thoroughly confused which will be the best for me. They are:

1. Miele C3 Marin (possibly the Brilliant if there is a good reason to spend more)
2. Sebo Airbelt E3
3. Sebo Airbelt D4

I've tried all the vacuums and I'm stuck, although I'm leaning towards the Sebo brand mainly because I feel the wands on the Miele are much heavier than the Sebos and the brush roller is easily accessed. But I like the fact the Miele's have the headlight and they seem a bit more user friendly. With that said, I'm focusing on the following (no particular order):

1. Reliability - If I'm spending this much, this needs to last A LONG time.
2. Air Filtration - I would like the best filtration possible
3. Warranty - Who offers a better warranty
4. Quality - Needs to be well built with quality parts.

One thing I'm stuck on is the fact it doesn't seem any of these vacuums have a 360 degree swivel hose where it connects to the vacuum. Actually, I have no clue about the Miele because the model I tested was just below the C3 (can't remember which one), but I know the E3 does not. Has anyone found this to be an issue?

Anyway, any help would be great and apologies for the scattered post. I'm open to suggestions and if anyone thinks there's a better alternative, feel free to let me know.

Thanks!
 
Well

Here's my 2c between Sebo and Miele I'd usually take Sebo? Why? Warranty! Most miele models have a 7/7/1 warranty meaning the motors and body casings have a 7 year warranty while the other components like your hose and wands have a 1 year warranty. There are two exceptions to this which would be the brilliant and the C3 homecare+ which is a dealer exclusive both have a 10/10/5 warranty. But the brilliance runs at 1499. Sebo's warranty is 7/5/5 7 years on the motor 5 on non-wear parts 5 on labor. The marin has the 7/7/1 warranty. So comparing the two Sebo has the better warranty. The cost of bags and filters will be less and the hose is longer on the Sebo.

In terms of filtration i'd give the edge to Miele. Hepa filtration is slightly better than S class filtration, but either would be just fine.
Quality? Sebo definitely feels more solid.

I think you should also take a look at the Riccar Prima or Simplicity Wonder tandem air canisters. They have a 10/5 warranty 10 on the body 5 on components I also feel their performance, on carpet, is better than Miele or Sebo. Plus unlike Miele or Sebo you can purchase a handheld electric brush for cleaning upholstery stairs and cars.

I can't tell you what's right for you, try them out and see what you like. I purchased a D4 a few weeks ago, choosing it over the E3. It's a very nice machine! I do prefer the carpet cleaning performance of my Wonder tandem air premium though. I'll also be getting a Miele in a few months.

blackheart-2017090617363404871_1.jpg

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One issue I think you should consider: the very small button on the Sebo power nozzle. With Miele, you can turn on/off the power nozzle at the hose handle with your finger and you don't have to bend down. Sebo really should provide a larger foot-operated power button on their power nozzles.
 
Sebo

Sebo,very well built, lower cost of consumables, easier to service. Brushroll comes out with a twist. Clean hair and string replace with another twist. You can get a HEPA box for cleaner exhaust.
 
Miele, quiet, light, many versitile accessories, SEB236 powerbrush has LED light and foot controlled/adjusted, a box of bags will last a year, can be stuffed and not lose suction, zero filtration emissions, 1 touch foot controlled cord rewinder, static shock diffuser strip on handle, timer strip on HEPA filter, just darn good looking.
 
my suggestion

Both Miele and Sebo are good machines, if you decide to go with the Miele, I would not spend the extra money for the brilliance unless you really want the extra bells and whistles, the next model down will clean just as well. I would suggest going with the Sebo D4, the Sebos are better made than the Miele. The D4 is a full size canister with a 40 foot cord, I have the D1 which is the straight suction model and it's a real beast. While I have not experienced this, I have read several posts about issues with the Miele power nozzles having issues with the neck where it attaches to the wand.
The Prima and Wonder are also great machines, especially if you get the Tandom air model, that will clean better than any other power nozzle canister.
Mike
 
Before getting my Miele C3, I definitely considered the Sebo D4. The D4 detractors for me: quite large and heavy... I maintain 3 floors (including finished basement) and did not want to consider lugging it up and down steps. Also, I have bad allergies and the exhaust on the Miele was more clean... although certainly the Sebo is not bad. I did not like the idea of having to bend over to adjust the various Sebo controls on the machine and powerhead. I live in an old dark house with a lot of tight spaces to vacuum and greatly value the LED lit SEB236 powerhead. Finally, really liked the Miele accessory options... very long bendable crevice device (SFD10), highly adjustable large duster (easy to dust the tops of my ceiling fans)(SUB20), and mini-turbo - ideal for vacuuming my carpeted stairs (STB101). Beyond the powered hose/nozzle, I also have the non-electric versions which makes the unit super-light for vacuuming stairs and dusting above ground.
 
Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your recommendations. This is going to be a tough decision, but I have an opportunity to try these out at home, which is great. It's really a toss up right now because there are definitely some pros and cons to both. While warranty and filtration are a concern, the ease of use is also something I want to give a lot of consideration.

Anyway, with that said, I'm trying to narrow this down some more and hoping to get some additional help. I agree with n0oxy that the Miele Brilliant or Homecare is not worth the extra money for the upgraded handle control. I haven't tried it, but I did try out the Marin and was fine with the control. I really do like the ease of turning it on and off, along with the height selector, all with the tap of a toe which is an advantage over the Sebo.

However, I'd like to narrow down my decision between the Sebos and was hoping someone could tell me the difference between the D4 and E3. Other than the larger bag, longer cord, and the fact the hose can swivel 320 degrees where it connects to the vacuum, is there really any other advantage? Is the D4 worth paying extra?

Thanks!
 
sebo models

The sebo models you mention do have the controls on the handle so they would provide you that feature at a cheaper price than Miele does. The E3 uses a lower watt motor, 700 watts I think and as you said, it uses a smaller bag and has a shorter cord. I'm not sure what price difference you are looking at but I would get the D4 if you can afford it, otherwise, the E3 would also meet your needs, you just might have to change the bag a bit more often.
Mike
 
Hi Mike,

I don't think you can control the power nozzle from the hose handle on any Sebo. All you can do is adjust the speed of the suction motor in the main canister. It would be great to know that I am wrong, though! But I have yet to read of a Sebo hose handle that has a power nozzle switch.
 
I tried out the Miele C3 again today and it is a pretty easy vacuum to use. It's too bad the suction control can't be adjusted on the handle, but since I'm looking at the Marin model, the suction is automatic as well as manual. The vacuum itself is pretty lightweight and quiet. The SEB-236 powerhead performs pretty well. I thought it might have a problem with edge cleaning, but the sales guy did a demo and I was pretty impressed.

The Sebo E3 is not altogether out just yet, but the D4 is probably out because I think it is really just too big. One of the reasons I didn't like the Kenmore Elite is that it was big and a bit klunky. The D4, while it provides a longer cord, might just be too big. The small on/off button on the SEBO powerhead does concern me because it is small and I can't see how you can use your foot to tap it. But I like ET-1 powerhead with its low profile and the fact I can control the suction on the SEBO handle is a plus. .

I'd like to get the SEBO and MIELE in my house together at the same time to really compare. In the meantime, I'm printing the manuals to read up on the functions.

Also, I wanted to ask if anyone had any experience with evacuumstore.com or bestvacuum.com. While I prefer to go to a dealer, these sites offer some pretty good risk free deals.
 
Bought the C3

So I decided to take the plunge and buy the Miele C3 Marin from an online retailer who offered a 60 day trial period. While I still like the SEBO for the warranty, the the longer suction hose and ease of changing the brush roller, something about the Miele seems more convenient to me at this point. The SEB236 head has a light and foot controls to turn it on and off.

The ONLY downside is I'd rather be able to control the suction from the wand, but since the C3 Marin has the auto suction feature with the option for manual adjusting, I should be fine. Not to mention, the only time I would change the suction is when I'm using attachments and I can manually adjust it when I put on one of the tools.

It's ships overnight, so I'm excited to get it tomorrow and play around with it. I'll let everyone know the outcome.
 
the blue "Marin"

does everything the top line model does. It has a head light, that the Kona lacks, and only not the canister side bottom led lights of the top line, and the felt lined tool compartment for $200 less.

Not many Miele fans here, but you will like it I'm sure. You are bound loyal to a Miele dealer for bags and filters at the price point premium of course, but hey, you spent about $1,200 for it, and you get the cleanest possible air exhaust in the industry. Is there also not a quieter machine made? Maybe Sebo comes closest at both.
"Spitzenklasse"
 
I am with you,VacuumDevil-I have this Sebo E3 vacuum and very pleased with it.Use it as one of my favorite canisters.I DON'T like the awkward dust brush-but otherwise that vacuum is excellent.Will have to take my IQAir particle meter to my E3-have one of those meters I bought from a vac shop that went out of business.The powernozzle is unique-like how you can replace the beater bar in it yourself-and there are other types you can choose from depending on what kind of carpets or rugs you have.I also have Sebo C and D canisters.Like the D as well.The C not as much.Still a high quality vacuum.The C is uniue that it uses the same bag as the X uprights.Use their Filtrete style bags in mine.
 
Sebo K-series canister here.
I use the ET-1 ph from the Felix (when I am not using the Felix).
Originally motor was 700 watt "EU" motor, but I upgraded it to genuine 1200 watt Sebo motor.
Quality definitely is good, great suction, quiet and very maneuverable.
ET-1 powerhead is the best ph I have used.

mike811-2018071608554907840_1.jpg
 

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