Mielle vs Sebo - Driving myself crazy

[frazzledglispa]

I need a new vacuum, and I want it to be a canister. I've narrowed down to two options, but I can't seem to make up my mind.

Background: 1000 square foot apartment, synthetic closed-loop berber style low pile carpet over 80% with low pile throw rugs in each room. Ceramic tile in the kitchen, linoleum in the bathroom. 1 small low-shedding short haired dog, 1 short haired cat, one cockatiel. 10 foot ceilings that I would like to be able to reach with the wand for sucking up cobwebs. I can't do that with my upright, so I currently use a swiffer on the walls and ceiling to accomplish that.

Option 1: Miele Alize plus turbo-brush. I started out by comparing the Alize and Calima and decided on the Alize plus turbo due to the pause on park feature, automatic suction control, and comfort handle. I think that with the closed loop carpeting that turbo brush would be fine, and I don't really need a power head. I tested with the hand held turbo head on the extension wands with my current upright and it seemed to pick everything up well enough. With the Alize I have no option of adding a power head later

Option 2: Sebo D4 with turbo floor nozzle. This would cost the same as the Alize plus turbo brush, but would provide the option to add a power head later if necessary. The canister is larger, which I don't love, but the cord is longer and would allow me to vacuum the entire apartment without changing plugs. It doesn't have the automated suction of the Miele, and I prefer the icons for suction level over the changing LED speed on the Sebo. Not a deal breaker, but I would have to buy the red one to have the option to add the power head later - I prefer the ivory of the Alize, but it will spend most of it's time in the closet.

I'm not terribly concerned with the cost of consumables, the Miele bags are more expensive, but the Sebo bags seem to let more dust through into the dust compartment.

I'm torn between the two options. I feel like the Sebo is probably the wiser choice due to the fact that I could add a power head later, along with the longer cord and hose. I am more familiar with the Miele brand name, and I like the fact that it is smaller, and has icons for suction level.

I'm just looking for advice to help me make my decision. Thanks for reading my extremely long post!

 

[eurekaprince]

I have a Miele C3 which is similar to the Alize and I love it! And you can upgrade to an electrified hose and wands later - there is a little plug cover right near the hose port that comes off to reveal the outlet for the electrified hose.

Consumer Reports has not tested the Sebo D4, but it rated the Alize as the best suction-only canister among all vacs tested. The Alize received an "Excellent" score for Bare Floor Cleaning, Air-Flow through the hose for tool use, noise suppression, and air filtration. I chose the Miele over the Sebo because I loved the SpotLight handle! Also, I prefer having the small tools stored inside rather than on the rear of the machine.

 

[frazzledglispa]

Hmm, I was advised by a couple of sources that the S8 version of the Alize had the electro poet on it, but the C3 version removed it. I wonder if that wasn't true. The Miele USA website does list it in the specs, but I had thought that was an error as I was assured that it no longer has it.

Have you used the Miele turbo brush at all? If so, does it perform well - at least considering that it isn't a powered head. My understanding is that they are quite common in Europe, so they can't be terrible - other than some people can't abide the sound they make

Thanks for the reply!

 

[marks_here]

Right well

The Miele turbo head (or any turbo head) is great if you have very low pile carpet like commercial carpet used in office buildings other then that you'll need a power nozzle. I do have a Turbocat EX that goes with my central vacuum which works great on any pile carpet providing the motor is strong enough to pick up the debris & keep it spinning fast enough also contrary to popular belief is does not screach or scream loudly when it's used its the new version of it, not the older ones. Either machine is great as I have both, it's up to you whichever fits your cleaning needs. Happy hunting

 

[frazzledglispa]

Thanks, Mark. My landlord called it berber back when she installed it before I moved in maybe it is, but it is very thin berber if so, but to me it seems more like office style industrial carpet. I hate it like poison. I can't walk around barefoot as it rips my feet apart. I'm not a fan of rugs on top of carpet, but I have them in the seating areas, and under the bed to protect my feet from the horrible carpet.

I am leaning toward the Sebo in part due to the more comprehensive warranty.

 

[marks_here]

Eww yuck berber I had that in my home before it's vertually indestructible unless you pull a loop then watch it unravel around the beater bar which I've done before. A turbo nozzle or just straight suction works best on that kind of carpet or a set of very soft bristles on the beater bar. Like I said its up to you, they're both good machines, the Miele has short hoses on some models & small tools which don't bother me as long as it does the job. I've got the Felix Premium to some yes it is akward when you use the short hose but it does a great job on carpets & floors too. Long cord also 40ft. Am thinking about getting a canister too as they're piquing my interest all of a sudden LOL

 

[eurekaprince]

I find the Miele AirTeq carpet nozzle to work very well on low pile carpet. My Miele did not come with a turbo nozzle so I can't give any advice on how well it will clean your thicker rugs. I have paired my Miele C3 with a lightweight Hoover Platinum bagged upright which is excellent for deep carpet cleaning.

 

[panasonicvac]

I think they are both really good cleaners. Although my personal opinion, I like the Sebo canisters better because of their durability and cleaning performance. But overall it depends on which one you would like better.

 

[n0oxy]

I would probably go with the Sebo

Since you have carpet, I would go for an electric power nozzle, those will always clean better than a turbo nozzle. I have a Miele c1 Olympus and a Sebo airbelt D1, they are both very good vacuums, but I think the Sebo is slightly better, it's larger and the bag seems to hold more. Remember that with those vacuums that show icons and have electronic controls, that's more components that can go out. I have a few other suggestions that you might consider. You might get a straight suction Miele or Sebo, then get the volt power nozzle made by Tacony, it will turn those canisters in to tandom air cleaning machines. Also, you might consider the Riccar Prima canister, it's light, compact, quiet and cleans very well.

 

[frazzledglispa]

I'm about 90% certain that I'm going to go with the Sebo, and do the power nozzle. I found a local shop that carries them - and charges the same price regardless of color. Oddly, looking around most online stores are charging $1300.00 for the white and black, and a little under $1000 including the power head, and I cannot figure out why.

I really want the white one, so I will just have to shell out for sales tax.

Thanks everyone for the great responses and advice!

 

[rvarley]

I would not choose a vacuum that didn't at least allow the use of a proper powered head. I've had several Mieles and used the turbo brush upholstery brush on one of them. Not good. Consumables on Miele, as you note, are expensive. And so are the add on parts (75 for turbo upholstery brush). Also, the Miele models I had came with a 6' hose which is a little short. With all that, you'd think I didn't like the Mieles. Not true. I agree that the small, onboard tools are nice, like the small size and love the quiet power. Can't comment on Sebo because I've never owned or used one. Were it my money, I'd buy the Miele that can use power attachments. No turbo brushes for me.

 

[n0oxy]

buying a sebo

Not sure where you are located but if you are in the U.S. I would just get it from sebo's site directly, http://sebo.us
You can get adapters for both Miele and Sebos that allow you to use other attachments which might be cheaper. I would avoid any turbo nozzle, they clog very easily and will reduce the vacuum's cleaning power in order to spin the turbine.

 

[frazzledglispa]

I thought about ordering from Sebo directly, I am in Colorado, and so are they, but they are charging $1299.00 for the white one, and the vacuum store near my office gave me a price of $989.00. No contest on where to buy it from. I went back to the store to buy the vacuum, and they were, of course, out of the white one that I really want, but they had the black in stock. I opted to have them order me a white one, which should be here on Tuesday. I'm very excited to get it, and a little bit proud of myself for overcoming my tendency toward instant gratification, and choosing to wait until I could get the color I actually wanted. LOL

 

[n0oxy]

cheaper price

Ah yes, if you could get it cheaper from a store, than doing that was the way to go. Interesting, I thought Sebos were the same price no matter where you got them, I guess dealers are allowed to give discounts. I think you will be very happy with it, it sounds like you are getting the airbelt D4, that should be a very nice vacuum for sure.

 

[tygar2]

I went with the Sebo

Had a similar dilemma and I purchased both a C3 and the smaller Sebo E3 Premium with ET-1 powerhead. I tried both out and ended up returning the Miele. My carpet is low pile as well with a large shaggy rug in the living room. Below are my observations.

Suction alone - Miele wins hands down. However the suction was so high I found it difficult to move even on lowest power setting. Im in the UK where the Sebo is 700w vs Miele C3 1200w. The Sebo feels a bit underpowered when using suction alone but does the job. A bit more suction and it would have been perfect. The Sebo non powered brush loses when compared to the Miele airtec one.

Build Quality - Sebo. No contest, the Sebo is far superior. The Miele plastics feel cheaper in comparison.

Using powerheads - Sebo. The ET-1 is a joy to use. Very easy and effective. Brush also removable for cleaning or replacement which you cannot do with the Miele Turbo brush.

Warranty - Sebo. 5 year warranty vs Miele 2 years.


Other point is the exhaust air dispersion. I personally did not like the Miele design where the air blasts out of the top of the machine towards your face. The Sebo airbelt dispersed exhaust air via the belt round the machine which I like. Same airbelt acts as a bumper of sorts. Just a personal thing - no biggie

See the thread where I was asking for advice. Hope it helps.
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREADM.cgi?33508

 

[frazzledglispa]

I got the Sebo today. I didn't get a chance to use it a lot, but I did test it out a bit. The cord is long enough to reach the farthest corner of the bedroom while plugged in in the living room, which means I can vacuum the whole apartment without changing the plug. The wand is long enough to reach the 10 foot ceiling without needing an extension or a stepladder. I also bought a wall and floor tool (without wheels like the parquet tool) and it did a great job at dusting the wall in the den where the birds live. Birds are the messiest creatures on earth, which is why I bought that tool - more surface coverage than the dusting tool.

The powerhead is great, and I had the opportunity to test the ease with which you can remove the brush roll as it sort of pulled away from me when I first turned it on and it ran over a squeaky toy my dog had left in the middle of the floor. The powerhead sucked it right in and then shut itself down with the toy wedged behind the roller. Being able to push a button and twist, pull out the brushroll and the toy, and then easily pop it back together made me smile and say "this was the right choice."

The upholstery tool did a great job on the navy velvet chair that I have in my living room that is a magnet for animal hair. Learn from my mistake, people, navy velvet, a cat, and a dog do not make a good combination. The Sebo did a much better job than my old Eureka.

I peeked in the bag and was amazed by how much I picked up. I used my old upright on Sunday, and the carpet didn't look that dirty, but there was an amazing amount of dirt and hair in the bag. I am looking forward to giving the apartment a thorough Hoovering this weekend. There is a cutout above the closet in the den that I just have not been able to reach with the hose and extension wands on my upright. Watch out cobwebs! The Sebo is coming for you!

Thanks, all, for the advice!

 

[tygar2]

frazzledglispa

Glad you like your new vacuum.

Am curious to know something - how many watts is your Sebo D4? Over here in Europe it is now sold as 700w so was wondering if it's the same over there.

 

[frazzledglispa]

It's 1250w in the US.