Miele offers various vacuum cleaners. From the Miele Classic C1 to the Miele Complete 3. I have already tested quite a few Miele vacuum cleaners, but the one that was still on my list to review was the Miele Classic C1.
I have decided to buy the Miele Classic C1 and test it extensively. I'm curious to see how it differs from the other models in the range. Let's start!
Look & Feel: Miele Classic C1
The Miele Classic C1 comes in a large square box, on which the vacuum cleaner is depicted. Although a white Miele vacuum cleaner is depicted on the box, I discover a red variant in the packaging.
Design: looks like a real vacuum cleaner
The Miele Classic C1 looks like a vacuum cleaner should look like. It is a vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner bag. The vacuum cleaner is not huge and is made of plastic. At first glance it looks okay, but nothing special.
Accessories: must-haves only
I don't discover a lot of accessories in the packaging. View the complete content in the image below.
- Miele Classic C1
- Vacuum cleaner bag
- Combi floor brush
- Furniture brush
- Dusting brush
- Crevice cleaner
- Accessories clip
- Handle
- Vacuum cleaner rod
- Vacuum cleaner hose
- Manual
As you can see, you don't get a lot of accessories with it. But, what you get with it are the must-have accessories for regular cleaning activities.
Build quality: Feels a bit cheap
As I mentioned earlier, the Miele Classic C1 is largely made of plastic. This is clearly noticeable: the vacuum cleaner feels a little cheap. The buttons on top of the vacuum cleaner could be operated with your foot, but I think this could eventually cause them to break.
Also, do not discover any rubber bumpers around the vacuum cleaner, which could prevent damage to the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner is equipped with small rubber castors at the bottom.
The vacuum cleaner looks like a vacuum cleaner should look like. You only get must-have accessories. The vacuum cleaner itself feels cheap.
Miele Classic C1
Suction performance Miele Classic C1
The Miele Classic C1 is the cheapest vacuum cleaner from the Classic series. I am therefore very curious to what extent the suction power differs from the more expensive Classic C2 and the Classic C3. To compare, I test the suction power in kilopascals and the airflow in meters per second.
Suction power: higher than expected
The suction power of the Miele Classic C1 can be adjusted using a button on the top of the vacuum cleaner. You will also discover an air slot on the handle to reduce the suction power. When I put the vacuum cleaner on the highest mode, I measured a suction power of 20 kPa.
There is a very high suction power. In fact, compared to the more expensive Miele Classic C2 and Classic C3, this is the highest suction power I've measured.
AirFlow: in line with similar vacuum cleaners
In addition to the suction power, I also measured the airflow of the vacuum cleaner with an anemometer (in meters per second).
The airflow of the Miele Classic C1 is 2.5 meters per second. This is an excellent average compared to other vacuum cleaners.
It is very striking that the Miele Classic C1 has the highest suction power of the Classic series. The airflow is average and in line with other vacuums of this caliber.
Miele Classic C1
Cleaning result Miele Classic C1
How well does the Miele Classic C1 clean? And how suitable is it for wooden floors or for carpet? I have tested the Miele Classic C1 on different floor types. I also looked at the filtration, in order to assess the state of the dust emissions.
Floor test: suitable for all floor types
The Miele Classic C1 comes with a multi-surface brush. With the push of a button you can convert the floor brush for carpet or sensitive wooden floors. This should make the vacuum cleaner suitable for both floor types.
The vacuum cleaner has no problem with hard wooden floors: the dirt is removed well. The multi-surface brush glides well over the parquet and I don't have to use any force. The floor tray is clean in 18 seconds.
I notice that it is a bit more difficult with short-pile carpet: I have to open the air slot on the handle to be able to push the multi-surface brush forward. The dirt is pushed forward a little more than with wooden floors. On low-pile carpet I need 14 seconds. I also notice some trouble on deep-pile carpet: the dirt is also pushed forward here. It takes me 25 seconds to clean the floor pan.
Pet hair: no motorized brushes
I did not discover any motorized brushes in the accessories. In my opinion, this is a requirement if you want to remove animal hair. You do get a small furniture brush with which you can vacuum hair from furniture. However, this is not enough if you have a dog or cat walking around your home.
Filtration: motor and exhaust filter
The vacuum cleaner is equipped with two filters: an exhaust filter and a motor filter. In the Miele Classic C1 I discover an AirClean HEPA filter. This filter has a filtration level of 99.95%. And this is of course a vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner bag.
A big difference between a vacuum cleaner with or without a bag is that there is a lower dust emission. This is because the vacuum cleaner bag also serves as a filter.
Thanks to the multi-surface brush, the Miele Classic C1 is suitable for all floor types. It is less suitable for removing animal hair. Thanks to the HEPA AirClean filters in combination with the vacuum cleaner bag, there is low dust emission
Usability Miele Classic C1
It's time to experience the vacuum cleaner now. Because, how well can you vacuum with the Miele Classic C1? This depends on various factors. I cover all of them below.
Noise level: makes a lot of noise
The Miele Classic C1 is a noise maker: it makes a lot of noise. In my noise measurement I measure a noise level of no less than 77.8 decibels.
If you think the noise level is an important factor, I recommend that you take a look at my research into the best quiet vacuum cleaner. You will discover vacuum cleaners with a noise level below 60 decibels. And yes, that is a big difference with the Miele Classic C1.
Weight: Not a lightweight choice
We are dealing here with a canister vacuum cleaner: a vacuum cleaner on wheels that you drag behind you. Although the weight of this type of vacuum cleaner is less important than, for example, a stick vacuum cleaner, I will check it for now. A low weight can be desirable if you want to use the vacuum cleaner for several floors or for storage.
The Miele Classic C1 weighs 5.8 kilograms. This almost corresponds to what the manufacturer promises: 5.54 kilograms. This is not very heavy for a canister vacuum cleaner. You can lift it easily.
Maintenance: empty and replace filters
The Miele Classic C1 is a vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner bag with a capacity of 4.5 liters. You can throw the vacuum cleaner bag in the trash when it is full, after which you simply hang a new one in it. The vacuum cleaner bag closes itself when you open the vacuum cleaner cover, so you come into contact with dust as little as possible.
The filters are not washable: you should replace them regularly. With the help of an indicator strip you can see exactly when you need to replace the exhaust filter. Replacing it is simple and requires no technical knowledge.
Working range: very short cord
The vacuum cleaner is equipped with a cord of only 5.5 meters. This means a small working range: from plug to floor brush I measure a total radius of action of 9 meters. With larger spaces you have to take into account that you will have to change the plug more often.
The Miele Classic C1 is easy to use: it weighs light, is easy to empty and the filters are easy to replace. The vacuum cleaner is not suitable for large spaces due to a cord of only 5.5 meters. Unfortunately, it also makes a lot of noise.
Testrapport Miele Classic C1
| Specification | Test Result |
|---|---|
| Suction power | 20 kPa |
| AirFlow | 25.5 m/s |
| Hardwood Floors | 18 seconds |
| Low pile carpet | 14 seconds |
| High pile carpet | 25 seconds |
| Noise level | 77.8 decibels |
| Weight | 5.8 kilograms |
| Dust capacity | 4.5 liters |
| Working range | 9 meters |
Performance test video: test in pictures
I recorded all performance tests of the Miele Classic C1 on video. Watch the video below. Tip: subscribe to my YouTube channel for interesting vacuum cleaner videos for free.
Conclusion Miele Classic C1 review
The Miele Classic C1 is a simple vacuum cleaner. Don't expect a robust vacuum cleaner: unfortunately it has no bumpers and the material feels a bit cheap. You don't get a huge amount of accessories, but enough to speak of a versatile vacuum cleaner. Do you have pets? Then it is good to know that unfortunately no motorized brush is supplied.
The vacuum cleaner is suitable for all floor types, has good suction power and low dust emission. It is also easy to use: the vacuum cleaner is compact, light and easy to empty. Unfortunately, the vacuum cleaner has a high noise level and is not suitable for larger spaces. In that case, it is better to opt for the Miele Classic C3, which has a longer cord.
Price/quality assessment
Now that we have reviewed the vacuum cleaner, I am able to reflect on the price / quality of the vacuum cleaner. With an average price of 200 euros (in Europe), the Miele Classic C1 is the cheapest Miele Classic vacuum cleaner. I think this price fits this vacuum cleaner well, but it shouldn't have been much more expensive.
Robbert Tigchelaar
Robbert Tigchelaar is the founder of Vacuumtester.com and is a true vacuum cleaner guru. With more than 10 years of experience in the world of electronic devices, he knows better than anyone what is important in a vacuum cleaner. When a new vacuum cleaner appears, he is eager to test it extensively.
