Miele is perhaps one of the best-known vacuum cleaner brands in Europe. The brand offers many different vacuum cleaners: from compact lightweight stick vacuum cleaners to powerful vacuum cleaners on wheels. I have decided to test and compare Miele vacuum cleaners in the near future.
I start my Miele adventure with the Miele Complete C3. In this extensive review I discuss my experiences with the Miele C3.
Unboxing Miele Complete C3
You can buy the Miele Complete C3 with various accessories. For example, there is a Cat & Dog variant, where you get special accessories for removing animal hair. For my review I chose the entry-level model with the standard accessories.
See the photo below to see what you get as standard with the Miele Complete C3.
- Miele Complete C3: the vacuum cleaner in a curry yellow color
- Vacuum cleaner rod: a telescopically adjustable vacuum cleaner rod
- Vacuum cleaner hose: the vacuum cleaner hose
- Handle: the connection between the vacuum cleaner hose and vacuum cleaner rod
- Floor brush: a combination floor brush for hard and soft floor types
- Crevice tool: for vacuuming hard-to-reach places
- Dusting brush: a brush with soft bristles
- Furniture brush: for vacuuming textile furniture
- Manual: information on how to use the vacuum cleaner
- Vacuum cleaner bag: a free vacuum cleaner bag
Although the Miele Complete C3 can be purchased with different accessories, it is the same vacuum cleaner at the bottom of the line.
Suction performance Miele Complete C3
How well does the Miele Complete C3 suck? To test this, I tested the vacuum cleaner on three different floor types: hard floors (parquet), low-pile carpet and high-pile carpet. I spread 200 grams of dirt (rice grains) over each floor type and then checked how easily the Miele Complete C3 removed the dirt.
I have kept track of the time for each floor type, so that I can also compare the suction performance of the Miele Complete C3 with other vacuum cleaners.
The Miele C3 has few problems with dirt on wooden floors (hard floor types). I do notice that the dirt is pushed forward a bit, but if I lift the floor brush a little bit, it's not a big problem. I cleaned the floor tray within 16 seconds.
On low-pile carpet, I am forced to slide open the air slot at the handle to prevent the vacuum cleaner from getting stuck on the carpet. Vacuuming on low-pile carpet is then no problem at all. Here too I am done within 16 seconds.
The vacuum cleaner has a slightly more difficult time on deep-pile carpet. I have to vacuum back and forth over the carpet several times to properly remove the dirt. It took me about 20 seconds in total.
View the test results:
- Hardwooden floor: 16 seconden
- Low pile carpet: 16 seconden
- High pile carpet: 20 seconden
Miele Complete C3
Miele Complete C3 suction power (kPa) and AirFlow
In addition to the suction performance on different floor types, it is also interesting to test the suction power and airflow. I measure suction in kilopascals with a custom vacuum tester. The suction power of the Miele Complete is 16 kPa.
I measure the AirFlow with my airspeed meter. This indicates the airflow of the Miele Complete C3 in meters per second. I measure an AirFlow of 28.9 m/s.
Ease of use of the Miele Complete C3
How well can you vacuum with the Miele Complete C3? That depends on various factors. Consider, for example, the weight of the vacuum cleaner and the noise level. And because we are dealing with a corded vacuum cleaner here, it is also important to investigate the maximum vacuum cleaner range.
Noise level: not a silent vacuum cleaner
Miele promises a noise level of about 77 decibels. In my own noise measurement I measure a noise level of 77.5 decibels. This makes it not a silent vacuum cleaner, but that is not something that Miele promises.
Is a low noise level an important need for you? Then I recommend that you take a look at my research into the best quiet vacuum cleaner.
Weight: Heavy, but doesn't feel that way
The Miele Complete C3 has a weight level of 6.8 kilograms. This is not a lightweight vacuum cleaner. However, we are dealing here with a canister vacuum cleaner: a vacuum cleaner on wheels that you drag behind you.
Vacuum cleaner action radius: large working range
Where I look at the maximum battery life in a stick vacuum cleaner review to assess the range, I check the cord length with canister vacuum cleaners. The vacuum cleaner's range is the total distance from the plug to the floor brush. The Miele Complete C3 has a cord of 8.5 meters. The total range is 12 meters. This makes the vacuum very suitable for medium-sized living rooms.
The Miele Complete C3 has a cord of 8.5 meters. The total range is 12 meters
Versatility and flexibility
The Miele Complete C3 comes with a number of accessories. This allows you to use the vacuum cleaner for much more than just vacuuming the floor. An overview of the possibilities per accessory:
- Combi floor brush: vacuuming hard and soft floors
- Dusting brush: vacuuming small sensitive surfaces (for example a cupboard)
- Furniture brush: remove pet hair from furniture and cushions
- Crevice tool: vacuuming hard-to-reach places.
You can store the various accessories at the top of the vacuum cleaner. Very handy, because that way you always have everything at hand.
Ergonomic vacuum cleaner
The vacuum cleaner is equipped with a telescopic vacuum cleaner rod. This allows you to adjust the vacuum cleaner to your body size to vacuum without getting physical complaints. But that's not the only ergonomic advantage.
The vacuum cleaner is equipped with large buttons on the top, which you can easily operate with your foot. For example, you can adjust the suction power by pressing the + or – button with your foot.
Maintenance Miele Complete C3
The maintenance of the vacuum cleaner is an important part of my vacuum cleaner reviews. How easily can you empty the vacuum cleaner? And what about the filters: are they washable and how well do they filter polluted particles from the air.
Emptying: dust capacity
The Miele Complete C3 is equipped with a dust bag. This is 4.5 liters in size, which is a great capacity for a canister vacuum cleaner. Keep in mind that you will have to replace the vacuum cleaner bag for a new one about every 2 to 3 weeks. An indicator has been incorporated at the top of the vacuum cleaner, which indicates when the vacuum cleaner bag needs to be replaced.
The vacuum cleaner bag is a so-called S-Bag: a sealed vacuum cleaner bag. The vacuum cleaner bag closes automatically when you lift it out of the vacuum cleaner. This reduces the chance that you will come into contact with dust or that the dust will be spread further when you throw the vacuum cleaner bag in the trash.
Cleaning: cleaning and replacing filters
Under the hood of the Miele Complete C3 I discover two types of filters: a motor filter and an exhaust filter. The filters are not washable and must be replaced. You need to replace the motor filter approximately every four vacuum cleaner bags. The exhaust filter should be replaced approximately every year.
Test report Miele Complete C3
Now that I have carried out all the research, it is interesting to list all the test results of the Miele C3.
| Specification | Test result |
|---|---|
| Suction power | 16 kPa |
| AirFlow | 28.9 m/s |
| Hardwooden carpet | 16 seconds |
| Low pile carpet | 16 seconds |
| High pile carpet | 20 seconds |
| Noise level | 77.5 decibels |
| Weight | 6.8 kilograms |
| Dust capacity | 4.5 liters |
| Working range | 12 meters |
In the video below you can see all my different tests I have performed with the Miele C3 Complete.
Conclusion Miele Complete C3 review
The Miele Complete C3 is a powerful vacuum cleaner. With the multi-surface brush, the vacuum cleaner is suitable for all floor types: from hard floors to high-pile carpet. Thanks to the included extras – which you can conveniently store in the top of the vacuum cleaner – you can also vacuum furniture and remove pet hair from fabric furniture.
The vacuum cleaner is not light: with more than 6.5 kilograms, it is a heavy vacuum cleaner. However, you won't notice much of this if you drag it behind you: the vacuum cleaner is equipped with three swivel wheels that allow you to drag the vacuum cleaner flexibly behind you. The Miele Complete C3 has a noise level of 77.5 decibels: unfortunately it is not a silent vacuum cleaner.
With a cord length of 8.5 meters, the vacuum cleaner is suitable for the average living room: there is a maximum radius of action of 12 meters.
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.
