Miele C3 Electro heads...

[markhenry]

Hello,

In the Miele C3 range of electric head vacuums...

They have 2 sorts I noticed (maybe 3)... 2 of them do not have the LED lights and one of them does.

I read some reviews, and someone wrote that the LED light one is too big and you cant get into corners/places that the smaller electric brush head could have...

Anyone got experience with both to be able to give some feedback?

If the LED light head is in fact larger... would it 'reduce' airflow/suction just because the hole is bigger?

Just trying to work out pros/cons between the 2. The 2 vacuums are $100 apart in price, but the LED head on its own here is $450 from Miele... so it would make sense to buy that one just because I would pay $100 more than the other style and get 2 better heads... if they are better.

So just after some thoughts on that, and then off to the shop!

 

[ocscott3085]

I'm not sure if this is helpful but here's my experience with the 3 heads -

My parents gifted me their Miele S528 Filtration Guard canister when I bought my first house ten years ago. It had the smallest head (SEB 217) as well as the TOL SEB 236. From what I understand they purchased the machine with the SEB 217 because it felt lighter but once they got it home it wasn't a match against our German Shepherd. I will say, for every day cleaning, it was really nice because it was smaller and could fit in tighter spaces. It really transitioned well to hardwood floors but you did have to toggle down the suction a bit on certain rugs because there wasn't a height adjustment. The SEB 236 was an absolute workhorse. You could hear the sand being drawn out from the carpeting.

Fast forward to my current home we built and installed a central vac. It came with the Wessel Werk Edge powerhead which is the white, lighted version of Miele's 228 nozzle. It feels heavier than the SEB 236 but it's highly maneuverable and does an amazing job on the rugs and carpeting. I bought a Miele Cat & Dog canister a few years ago and was surprised that the SEB 228 didn't seem to lift the nap as much as the central vac version. Perhaps it was the suction..not sure. I have since sold the Miele but if I were to do it again, I'd spring for the TOL SEB 236 on the Miele Marin.

 

[blackheart]

There are 3 heads for the Mieles

The SEB217 is the compact head, which in the US seems to have dissapeared as no current model uses it. it's brushroll is small and soft it's not a bad head but i'd rather go for a more aggressive head.

The SEB228 is the midline model This head is probably my favorite despite it lacking a headlight, it is the largest model narrowly beating out the seb236. It's belt is tucked away on the side of the nozzle. It's motor is also more powerful than the SEB236, and due to it's larger wheels it glides on carpet better than the seb236

The SEB236 is the only one to have a headlight. it has smaller wheels than the 228 so it won't roll as easy, which isn't a big deal it still rolls pretty well. it has a lower profile due to the more integrated control pedals. The biggest reason i prefer the 228 to the 236 is the belt path the 236's belt path is about 2" in from the side of the nozzle so there's a section of brushroll after the belt. I feel this small section will have reduced performance.

If it were me I'd purchase the 228, stronger motor, a belt path that doesn't interfere with cleaning ability, and larger wheels that cope with more types of carpeting.

 

[markhenry]

Thanks.

Our country does not offer the 228 head. We have either the model that comes with the 217 head, or the 236 head. Which would you take?

The machine with 236 costs $150 more but it comes with the airtech head (the slightly cheaper machine has a standard head) and comes with the $450 LED head instead of the 217 head (for $150 more total).

Choice?

 

[blackheart]

Oh

Between those two the 236. the 217's brushroll is soft and small the 236 will definitely clean better.

 

[photowizd]

SEB 228 stronger motor?

That's interesting to hear. I always wondered that I always assumed the 236 had a stronger motor and more torque. The belt on the 236 is more substantial. But I always wondered about performance between the two. I do own all three miele power heads but never did any testing. I mostly use the 236 with my Marin. Side not anyone know where I can find the clear plastic catch that holds the neck up inside the 236. That seemed to break off inside one of my 236's. My local dealer doesn't buy enough from Miele so he stopped selling much of anything.