Sebo vs Miele – Germany’s Finest Vacs Compared - Home Vacuum Zone

Sebo vs Miele – Germany’s Finest Vacs Compared

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Sebo vs Miele

In this comparison of SEBO vs Miele vacuums you will find the latest models from these highly rated German brands. If these two premium vacuum manufacturers have caught your eye, then after reading this review you will know which one is for you.

There are both similarities and differences between SEBO and Miele vacuums and we highlight these in our review. For instance, both brands only produce bagged vacuum cleaners, but Mieles have a longer warranty than SEBOs.

We've paired up specific models for this SEBO vs Miele comparison by matching the same vacuum types that are similarly priced:

  • Upright vacuum cleaners - SEBO Automatic X4 vs Miele Dynamic U1
  • Canister vacuums - SEBO Airbelt K2 Kombi vs Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team
  • Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners - SEBO Felix 4 vs Miele Swing H1

A quick background on the two companies whose vacuums we will be comparing:

  • SEBO’s products are made in Germany and they pride themselves as the maker of the finest pet vacuum cleaners on the market. 
  • Miele, is another German manufacturer but they have a wider range of appliances. Aside from vacuum cleaners, Miele also has other products such as ranges, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, as well as other cleaning products and accessories.
the world's best vacuum brand

Sebo vacuum cleaners

The SEBO brand name is actually an acronym for SEmigewerbliche BOdenpflege, which is German for semi-commercial floor care.

SEBO claim to make the world's best vacuum cleaners for pet hair removal, allergy and asthma relief, ease of use and reliability.

Their vacuum range includes uprights, canisters and power heads whilst they also make dry carpet cleaners and suction floor polishers.

It's interesting to note that SEBO are responsible for a number of Vacuum Cleaner World Firsts, including the introduction of:

  • An integrated suction hose on an upright vacuum;
  • A dust bag that fills from the top, followed by a micro filter and then the motor;
  • An electriconically controlled automatic height adjustment.

In addition to the above features, all SEBO vacuums come with the following as standard:

  • Tight seals throughout to ensure dirty air does not escape through the body of the machine;
  • Reliable commercial grade components;
  • Rubber wheels and soft bumpers to protect homes;
  • Advanced brush roller technology uniquely designed to funnel hair and debris into the powerheads' airflow channel;
  • 5 year warranty on the motor and all non-wear parts.

You can find full details of all Sebo's cleaners in their product catalogue

Miele vs Dyson

Miele vacuum cleaners

We looked at the Miele vacuum brand in detail in this article and we also put them to the test against Dyson here.

Miele are a much older company compared to SEBO and have been making vacuums since 1927. You can therefore have faith that their machines are tried and tested.

Miele vacuums have also received consistent awards in consumer tests: since 2005 alone they have been voted test winners more than 60 times! We think that is pretty impressive. Their latest Ecoline models have done particularly well in energy efficiency tests.

Another commonality between Miele and Sebo is that their vacuums are made to have tight seals that ensure none of the dust you suck up can escape back into the air. This is essential if you have allergies or asthma, however is not a feature of cheaper vacuum brands.

Miele make all the common types of vacuum cleaner including uprights, canisters, lightweight stick models and also robot vacuum cleaners.

SEBO vs Miele Upright Vacuum Cleaners

SEBO 9559AM AUTOMATIC X4 PET

VERSUS

MIELE DYNAMIC U1 AUTO ECO

Filtration

Hospital-grade S-class filtration - 99.9% effective to 0.3 microns (HEPA optional)

AirClean Sealed System® with Filterbag and active HEPA filter

Cord length

40ft

39ft

Hose length

9ft 2"

12ft

Suction Power

1300W

1200W Vortex Motor

Bag Capacity

1.4 gallons

1.35 gallons

Weight

18.3 lbs

21.4lbs

Warranty

7 years on Motor, 5 years on non-wear parts & labor, Lifetime on belt

7 years Limited Warranty

Sebo vs Miele

SEBO Automatic X4

Sebo Auto X4 vacuum on carpet
Sebo Auto X4 vacuum on hard floor

The Sebo Automatic X4 can be described as strong, versatile, and intelligent because it is technically advanced.

It has an automatic height adjustment which ensures optimum performance on any surface and even on carpets.

If there is one thing that the X4 is best in, that would be pet hair removal. That is why this is the perfect choice if you have pets in your house to avoid the buildup of pet hair. It should really be in our pick of the best bagged vacuums for pet hair.

Aside from those mentioned, the Sebo Automatic X4 Pet Upright Vacuum has many great features. It has three on-board tools included, the dusting brush, crevice nozzle, and upholstery nozzle. It also has hospital-grade S-class filtration, which helps for allergy and asthma relief.

The Automatic X4 has a forty foot cord so it can be easier for you to cover more area without an extension cord or changing power outlet.

Its 12” power head width also allows enhanced maneuverability. The SEBO at 18.3lbs also weighs slightly less than the Miele, which comes in at 21.4lbs.

This video review of the SEBO Auto X4 provides an overview of the vacuum and all of its key features.

Miele Dynamic U1 Auto Eco

Miele Dynamic U1 on carpet
Miele Dynamic U1 side view on carpet

On the other hand, the Dynamic U1 Auto Eco is one of Miele’s high end upright vacuums.

It has a unique SwivelNeck technology feature which allows you to steer the vacuum with less effort and with just a turn of your wrist. Like the Sebo Automatic X4, the Dynamic U1 Auto also has an automatic height adjustment for different carpet depths and surface coverings.

It also includes a dusting brush, upholstery tool, crevice nozzle and an LED headlight system which allows you to see the dirt under furniture and other hard to see areas. By comparison, the SEBO Auto X4 doesn't feature a headlight.

Its AirClean Sealed System® features an AirClean filter bag and an Active HEPA filter. This system keeps the air clean as you vacuum because the filters capture and retain 99.9+% of dirt, dust, and allergens.

It also has a 54 foot reach so you can cover more areas at a time.

This video from Miele provides a deep insight into the Miele Dynamic U1 Upright vacuums. If you want to learn everything there is to know about this fantastic vac it is worth spending five minutes watching this.

Customer Feedback

Both vacuums are upright, corded, and technically advanced. Customers who purchased them have positive things to say about each of the product and here are some:

SEBO Auto X4

  • It is lightweight and seems to pull itself around the room.
  • The noise level is surprisingly low.
  • The handle and hose makes it easy to clean corners and crevices.
  • It transitions well between different floor surfaces.
  • It can go fully flat, making it easy to vacuum under furniture.

Miele Dynamic U1 Auto Eco

  • It may be heavy, but it is well balanced that it feels almost self-propelled.
  • It is quieter than most vacuums.
  • The suction is great and can also remove pet hair.
  • It automatically adjusts to new surfaces, from carpet to tile or hardwood. The brush roll can also be switched off if required.
  • It can go fully flat, making it easy to vacuum under furniture.
  • The headlight is very bright and illuminates well.

However, as expected, not all comments were positive. Some of the areas that need improvement for both products are the following:

SEBO Auto X4

  • The standard hose is quite short that it cannot be used to clean edging and stairs. It is much shorter compared to the one on the Miele.
  • Cost of ongoing replacement of dust bags and filters. However, the dustbag is extra large so you can vacuum a long time without having to replace it.
  • No headlight.

Miele Dynamic U1 Auto Eco

  • The Miele Dynamic U1 is fairly heavy. It is quite a bit heavier than the SEBO. Although this doesn't affect its function, it is a consideration particularly if you need to lift it up and down stairs.
  • Cost of ongoing replacement of dust bags and filters. Although the HyClean dustbags are as large as the SEBO dustbags and last a long time between changes.

SEBO vs Miele Canister Vacuum Cleaners

SEBO 9679AM AIRBELT K2 KOMBI

VS

MIELE COMPLETE C2 LIMITED EDITION

Sebo vs Miele

image credit: www.sebo.us

Miele vs Sebo

image credit: www.miele.com

Filtration

Hospital grade S-class filtration for allergy and asthma relief (HEPA optional)

AirClean Sealed System® with Filterbag and standard AirClean filter (HEPA optional)

Cord Length

25ft

21ft

Operating Radius

37ft

29.5ft

Suction Power

1250W

1200W

Bag Capacity

0.8 gallons

3.7 qt (approx 0.925 gallons)

Noise Level

Minimum 63dB

Min 50dB, Max 68dB

Weight

body weight 12lbs (handle weight 1.5lbs)

14.8lbs

Warranty

7 years on Motor, 5 years on non-wear parts & labor

7 years Limited Warranty

Price

Sebo Airbelt K2 Kombi Canister

The Sebo Airbelt K2 Kombi is a traditional canister vacuum with a basic design and weighs only 13.5 pounds. It includes a Kombi nozzle, dusting brush, crevice, and upholstery nozzles. It may not have a power brush, but it picks up more than 50% of the dirt on carpets and hardwood floors.

Although it is lightweight, the K2 Kombi is durable and maneuverable. It also comes with a 25-foot cord so you do not have to move the plug very often. Not only that, it also has a tug and retract cord rewinder.

Miele Compact c1 turbo team

The Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team is one of the manufacturer's latest canister models.

It is slightly heavier than the SEBO but still only weighs 14.8 pounds.

Furthermore with this model you get two main cleaning heads - the Turbo Comfort Floorhead (Air Driven) plus the Pure Suction Parquet Floorhead (SBB Paraquet-3).

Miele STB205-3 Comfort Turbo Brush

STB205-3 Turbo Comfort - Turbo Brush

Miele Parquett Twister SBB 300-3

Pure Suction Parquet Floorhead (SBB Parquet-3)

It also includes a dusting brush, upholstery tool, and crevice nozzle which are all held in place by a VarioClip. This canister model is best suited to low pile to medium pile carpeting, area rugs and hard floors.

The Compact C1 Turbo Team has a 29.5 foot operating radius, which provides you with a wide reach, although not quite as long as the 37 foot reach on the SEBO.

It also has a one touch cable rewind which fully retracts the cord without having to stand on the switch.

Customer Feedback

Many customers have purchased both of these canister vacuums and they have the following to say about each of the models:

Sebo Airbelt K2 Kombi

  • The brand may not be as popular, but the quality of construction is very competitive.
  • Easy to use and can be easily stored in both vertical and horizontal positions.
  • It is very quiet and can be used even under low bed frames.
  • Premium S-class filtration.

Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team

  • It is so compact and lightweight that it would not cause any back pain even after prolonged use.
  • The double parking is great that you can attach the wand to the back or the side of the canister and then have it sit either flat or upright.
  • It is very quiet on the low power setting.
  • Has very strong suction and plenty of floor tool choices.
  • Small and compact in look, but large and omnipotent in function.

As expected though, there are still some things that customers did not like in both products.

Sebo Airbelt K2 Kombi

  • Works great on hardwood but not really good on carpeted floors. Recommended for homes with mostly hard flooring with some area rugs.
  • The dirt bag is not as large as on the Miele.

Miele Compact c1 turbo Team

  • Like the SEBO, the Miele is better suited to homes with majority hard floors and some short pile carpets or rugs.
  • Could be improved by having suction controls on the wand to reduce or increase suction. However these are only located on the body of the vacuum.

Both of these vacuums are at the mid price point for vacuum cleaners, but you are getting premium quality and performance for the price. 

However, based on customer reviews, both do not work well on carpeted floors. So if you have carpets at home, you might want to consider other models to fully maximize your purchase. Uprights are better than canister vacuums for homes with carpeted floors.

In summary, there isn't much to separate these two vacuum cleaners and either one will provide exceptional, long lasting cleaning performance. They are also 2 of the quietest vacuum cleaners you can buy.

However if we had to make a choice we think the Miele C1 Compact Turbo Team has the edge because it has an additional floor tool compared to the SEBO plus a larger dirt bag and longer warranty.

SEBO vs Miele Stick Vacuum Cleaners

SEBO 9824AM FELIX 4 KOMBI

VS 

NEW MIELE SWING H1 QUICK STEP

Filtration

Hospital grade S-class filtration for allergy and asthma relief

AirClean filter + Intensive Clean Plus FilterBag

Operating Radius

37ft

28ft

Cord length

31ft

26ft

Suction Power

1300W

1000W

Dirt Bag Capacity

0.92 gallons

2.6 quarts (0.65 gallons)

Weight

18.5lbs

9.78lbs

Warranty

7 years on Motor, 5 years on non-wear parts & labor

7 years Limited Warranty

SEBO Felix 4 Kombi Upright

The SEBO Felix 4 Kombi Upright Vacuum is a machine that is quick, easy, lightweight, and powerful.

The neck of this vacuum is very flexible that is has 180 degrees steering ability. As a result, Its flexibility allows you to maneuver around and under furniture easily.

It comes with Kombi combination floor nozzle, crevice tool, and upholstery tool. It has a telescopic handle which means it can be adjusted to make it comfortable for anyone to use it, regardless of the height.

The Kombi nozzle makes it suitable for cleaning both hardwood and carpeted floors. However, the main drawback with this floor head is that it doesn't have a rotating brush and so will not agitate carpets.

It is possible to fit one of the SEBO power heads to the Felix 4, either the ET-1 or the ET-2 for even more effective floor cleaning. 

You can also remove the nozzle and transform it into a handheld portable vacuum which can be used to clean the stairs, upholstery, and even car interiors.

With its 31 foot cord, you will be able to clean a large space at a time without having to switch plugs.

Sebo Et-1 Electric Power Head (Black) 9951am by Sebo

SEBO ET-1 Power Head

Sebo 9958AM ET-2 Power Head by Sebo

SEBO ET-2 Power Head

Miele Swing H1 Tactical

The New Miele Swing H1 Tactical Upright Vacuum also has a combination floor tool which is ideal for light and quick cleaning of all smooth flooring and low pile carpets.

Its integrated glide feature is designed specially for hard floors so there's no worries about any damage even on the most sensitive solid floors.

It also comes with a stainless steel telescopic wand as well as crevice tool and upholstery brush which are attached via a tool caddy.

Furthermore, it has a 28 foot operating radius which is a bit less than the Sebo Felix 4 but can still allow you to reach a large space.

Customer Feedback

Customers who bought these lightweight SEBO and Miele models have these things to say about the product:

Sebo Felix 4 Kombi

  • Lightweight convertible design makes the unit super versatile.
  • Optional ET-1 or ET-2 power head conversion if bought separately.

Miele Swing H1 Tactical

  • Can transform into several configurations for ultimate flexibility. 
  • All parts show outstanding workmanship.
  • It has excellent suction and is super powerful given its size.
  • It makes cleaning the stairs so much easier.
  • Very quiet.

Meanwhile, there are also some areas that customers did not like about these products.

Sebo Felix 4 Kombi

  • No suitable for carpeted homes - the Felix 4 Kombi doesn't have a roller brush (power heads can be purchased and fitted as an optional extra).
  • Cord has to be manually coiled.
  • Although 18.5lbs is quite lightweight, it is not super lightweight for a vacuum. Check out our Best Lightweight Vacuum Reviews for some great alternatives that are (nearly) as light as a feather!

Miele Swing H1 Tactical

  • The vacuum does not stand up on its own.
  • Better on hard floors than carpets.
  • It is slightly awkward to use for cleaning furniture due to the weight distribution.
  • Smaller sized bags require replacing more often, which can be expensive.
  • Like the SEBO Felix 4, the Miele H1 only has a manual coil cord.

To summarise our comparison of these two, it seems that the SEBO Felix 4 is the better choice. Although it is more expensive than the Miele Swing H1, the one made by SEBO offers more flexibility and is more powerful.

However, given the price difference, if you are looking for a second vacuum for quick cleaning or have a smaller home then the Miele might be perfect for you if you don't want to spend too much.

Both upright vacuums are great products and affordable too. If you are looking for a vacuum which you can use for quick cleaning, you will never go wrong with these two.

Conclusion

After reading the comparison of some of their products, you have probably made a choice or maybe leaning towards one manufacturer. There are a lot of similarities as well as differences so it all depends on what you are really looking for in a vacuum.

Now that you have some significant information, if you are to choose between Sebo vs Miele – which vacuum is best?

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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