Our Verdict: The Miele Triflex HX1 Cat & Dog is a powerful cordless vacuum that provides great performance on carpets and hard floors. It’s also relatively quiet, includes three configurations, and has multiple power settings. Our biggest complaint is the bin design, as it’s small and can be messy to empty.
Miele Triflex HX1 Cat & Dog
Pros:
- Excellent cleaning performance on all surfaces
- Three configuration options depending on the type of cleaning
- Long battery life
- Headlights for illuminating dust and dirt
- HEPA filtration
Cons:
- Relatively small 0.5 litre dust canister
- Expensive
- Doesn’t have an LCD screen like the Dyson V11
Thinking of buying the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog? Read our full review of this premium cordless vacuum cleaner to learn about its features, performance, and accessories.
Miele has finally joined the world of cordless vacuums with the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog. The 3-in-1 design, powerful motor, long battery life, and range of attachments make it a strong first vacuum – at least on paper.
We’re impressed by the Miele’s all-round cleaning performance. It’s effective on both hard floors and carpets, which isn’t true for all cordless vacuums. We also think it’s easy to use and the multiple configurations help to make it more versatile.
How does the Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog stand up to other cordless options though? The high price tag puts it in direct competition with the excellent Dyson V11, but can it match the Dyson’s performance? And how does it perform on different types of flooring? Read our Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog review to find out.
Overview of the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog Features
- Movable power unit to change between stick, upright, and handheld modes
- Motorised pet tool for cleaning up embedded hair
- Several other attachments including upholstery and dusting tools
- 0.5 litre dust capacity
- HEPA lifetime AirClean filter
- 25.2V Lithium-ion battery
- Freestanding when in “upright” configuration
- Powerful BrilliantLight on the main floorhead
- Up to 60-minute run time on the lowest setting
Appearance, Features and Design
Miele is a trusted vacuum cleaner brand, but their focus has traditionally been bagged cylinder vacuums. The Triflex is their first cordless model, and, like most other cordless vacuums on the market, it’s a bagless stick vacuum with a lithium-ion battery.
There’s no doubt that the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog is a great looking vacuum. The obsidian black colour scheme combines metallic graphite details that results in a sleek design. As we would expect from Miele, it also feels sturdy and durable.
A drawback to the design is that it weighs 3.6kg, which is above average for a cordless vacuum. We also think the 0.5 litre dust capacity is also disappointingly small when compared to the 0.76 litre capacity of the Dyson V11.
On the upside, we love the versatile 3-in-1 configuration system. It’s standard to be able to remove the wand and use attachments in handheld mode, but Miele has gone a step further by allowing you to change the position of the power unit.
You can have the power unit at the top like a traditional stick vacuum, place it at the bottom like an upright vacuum, or use it as a compact handheld vacuum cleaner. We’ll look at the pros and cons of these in the next section, but it’s fair to say it’s a versatile design.
There’s a focus on high build quality for the Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog, and this is demonstrated when swapping between setup modes. We think it feels sturdy when taken apart, and everything goes back together with a satisfying click. If we had a complaint, it’s that it can be quite fiddly to move between the various setups though.
Manoeuvrability and Ease of Use
The Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog is one of the most versatile vacuums we’ve reviewed, as it can reach just about every area in the home. There are three configurations, each with pros and cons.
The stick mode (Reach Mode) is great for manoeuvrability, reaching high locations, and cleaning under furniture. By attaching the bulky power unit to the top of the stick, you’re free to get the floorhead into those awkward gaps. The downside is that you have to hold most of the weight, and it doesn’t take long for wrist ache to creep in.
When used as an upright (Comfort Mode), by moving the power unit to the bottom of the stick, we think the HX1 feels a lot more balanced and less weighty, which is useful for cleaning large floor areas. But the bulky power unit at the bottom makes it tricky for anything other than open spaces. The vacuum is freestanding in this mode though, which is handy if you need to pause for a moment.
The handheld mode (Compact Mode) is great for stairs, furniture, and cars (or pet beds laced with embedded hairs!) It’s also a handy mode for quick cleanups. As you need to hold the entire weight, however, the vacuum can start to feel heavy during a long cleaning session.
For general use, the pivoting floorhead ensures the cleaner moves easily around the floor. And the automatic floor detection system means it can adapt the brush bar speed to different floor types (but only in medium or high power modes.) This isn’t quite as advanced as the system on the Tineco S12, which adjusts suction based on the density of debris, but we think it’s still a useful feature.
There’s a sliding switch that turns the vacuum on/off, and shifts between the three power settings. These are low, medium, and high, with battery life varying depending on which power mode you use. We’ll cover these in more detail a bit later.
Unlike the Dyson models, you don’t need to hold the power switch down when using the vacuum, which we think many people will be pleased to hear – although it does reduce the effective run-time of the vacuum.
Filtration
The Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog comes with a HEPA AirClean lifetime filter. This nifty bit of kit captures 99.999% of fine dust particles and other allergens, so they don’t recycle back into the room.
Even with a HEPA filter, bagless vacuums aren’t the best choice for allergy sufferers, as allergens can escape during the emptying process. But the HX1 does a good job of keeping dust and pet dander contained when cleaning.
The filter also doesn’t need to be removed or cleaned, so it’s low maintenance and easy to look after.
Emptying and Cleaning
The Miele HX1 cordless stick vacuum cleaner has a “Twist2open” dust canister. To empty it, you just twist to open a trapdoor, which allows dirt to fall into a bin.
While this is a simple system, it’s not the most hygienic we’ve reviewed. You need to remove the dust container from the cleaner before emptying, but if you twist too far you’ll open it and shower yourself in dust. Small particles can also escape when emptying, although this is an issue with all bagless vacuums
Being a pet vacuum, you’re likely to pick up lots of pet hair in your dust canister. Somewhat annoyingly, the HX1 is prone to pet hair and dirt getting stuck in the canister. You may need to pull it out by hand, as there’s no internal collar to push out stubborn hair.
Overall, the emptying process isn’t the easiest and could certainly be improved in future Miele vacuums. The bin is fiddly to remove, empty, and replace. This isn’t ideal when it’s a small capacity vacuum, so regular emptying is required.
On the plus side, the brush bar itself is easy to remove for cleaning. This is important for removing hair that gets wound around the bar. If you hate untangling hair, then a Shark vacuum with their “Anti Hair Wrap” technology might be an option to consider.
Battery Life
Miele claims the lithium-ion battery provides up to an hour of cleaning time. Whilst manufacturer claims aren’t always accurate, the Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog really does provide around 60 minutes of cleaning on the lowest setting. Of course, this drops when using higher power modes and motorised tools, but this is true for all cordless vacuums.
If you choose the highest suction setting with headlights, you can expect around 17 minutes from the li-ion battery. This might not sound like a huge amount, but it’s plenty of time to cover some serious ground. The 4-hour charge time is pretty swift, too. It’s even quicker than the 4.5 hours the Dyson V11 requires.
You can remove the battery to charge it, which also means you can replace the battery should it develop a fault. The power cord plugs straight into the battery, so you can do this wherever is easiest, be that on the counter or inserted in the vacuum.
Our small grumble with the battery is there’s no indicator to show how much it’s charging. You need to have it in the vacuum with the power on to be able to see how much life’s in it.
Tools and Accessories
The Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog comes with a range of accessories and a handy mount for storing them. Along with two motorised floorheads, there are some useful non-motorised attachments.
Floorheads
The primary Electrobrush floorhead (called the “Electric Brush Multi Floor XXL”) of the HX1 Cat and Dog has an extra-wide 28cm motorised brush bar with LED lights. It automatically adapts the speed of the brushes to the floor surface you’re on, which we think is a great feature for homes with different floor types.
With the Cat and Dog model, you also get the compact motorised pet tool (called the “Electric Brush Electro Compact.”) The extra-long bristles allow for deep cleaning, making it easy to remove even the most stubborn pet hair. Even if you don’t have pets, this smaller floorhead is useful for all sorts of jobs as it’s easy to get into those hard to reach spaces.
Other Tools and Accessories
Along with the two motorised floorheads, you’ll receive a crevice nozzle, dusting brush with synthetic bristles, and an upholstery nozzle. These easily attach to the vacuum in every setup style and provide the versatility you need for cleaning every nook and cranny in your home.
You’ll also get a plastic storage mount for all your accessories, so you can neatly store them away. There’s also a wall mount for easy storage of your Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog, but you can also store it in the freestanding upright position if you’d prefer.
Suction Power and Cleaning Performance
The Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog provides impressive cleaning performance. Regardless of the floor type or how you choose to configure the vacuum, the suction is seriously powerful for a cordless.
You can choose from low, medium, or high suction settings with a simple slide of the switch. We think the lowest setting is just about strong enough for day-to-day cleaning, although most people will use the medium mode for regular cleaning. The high suction setting provides a noticeable boost at expense of battery life, but it’s great for tackling stubborn dirt.
A bonus on the two higher settings is that the vacuum will automatically adjust the brush bar rotation speed to the type of floor. This allows the vacuum to deep clean carpets without sending debris flying on hard floors. The auto adjustment system doesn’t engage in lower power mode, however, which is another reason that you’ll use “Medium” most of the time.
In terms of the various setup modes, we’d say you probably get better results from having the power unit at the bottom. There’s not a huge amount in it, but the suction seems to be that bit stronger.
Carpets
The Triflex HX1 packs a punch on carpets, and we think you’ll be amazed at how much dirt it pulls out of seemingly clean surfaces.
In fact, on the highest power, it can feel like it’s going to pull the carpet right off the floor. It may be satisfying to see the dirt coming out, but it can make it tricky to push around on high pile carpets. We noticed a similar issue with the Dyson V10 Absolute.
However, the medium power mode is still great for your day-to-day cleaning, so you probably won’t often find yourself moving up to the higher setting too often.
Hard Floors
Miele has used Vortex technology (which is also found in the Miele Blizzard CX1 cylinder vacuum) with a single cyclone to promote added airflow. The result is a vacuum with enough suction power to easily pick up dirt and debris from hard floors. It even picks up all those little bits from between the cracks, while the headlights make it easy to see all the dirt in your track.
Although it’s worth noting that it can struggle somewhat on uneven tiled floors.
Stairs
We found using the smaller floorhead with the handheld mode to be the easiest for stairs. You still get plenty of power, but it’s small enough to get into those tight edges. It is a bit on the heavy side, though, so you may find your wrists start to ache by the last few steps.
If you want to follow up your vacuuming by whizzing around the edges with the crevice tool, then you’ll start to notice the weight by this point.
Pet Hair
The motorised pet tool attachment makes quick work of pet hair, even when it’s thick and deeply embedded into fabrics. It’s easy to reach all areas, so it doesn’t matter where your furry friends have decided to make their bed.
The main floorhead will also pick up pet hair with ease, but it can be a bit of a messy task to get it back out of the dust canister. We recommend you empty it regularly, so it doesn’t get too condensed in there.
Price and Value for Money
The Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog is a premium vacuum cleaner with a price tag to match. It’s right up there at the highest end of the spectrum, next to the Dyson V11.
This model sits in the middle of the Triflex range, with the HX1 being the entry-level version, and the Pro the next step up. If you want to downgrade to the standard HX1, you’ll be missing out on the motorised pet tool and the LED lights. So is the Cat and Dog version worth the money?
For Miele’s first go at a cordless, this vacuum offers a strong performance. The powerful suction and high build quality combine to make it an enjoyable and effective cleaner.
It might need emptying more often, but this feels like a small drawback when it’s powerful enough to replace (most) traditional corded vacuums. Being able to also use it as a handheld is a big plus, so we think it’s good value for money.
Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog Vacuum Cleaner Specification Table
| Ninja Column 1 | Ninja Column 2 |
|---|---|
| Price Range | £££££ |
| Maximum Run-Time | 60 minutes |
| Weight | 3.6kg |
| Capacity | 0.5 litres |
| Type | Bagless |
| Motorised Tool | Yes |
| Hose | No |
| Filter | HEPA Airclean |
Comparison With Other Vacuums
Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog vs Dyson V11
These powerhouses are two of the best on the market right now, so how do they compare?
Well, the Dyson V11 is lighter, has a bigger dust canister, and is slightly flatter for getting under furniture. It also has an LCD screen showing real-time battery life and various other settings. But the Miele is quicker to charge, freestanding when in “upright” mode, and you don’t need to hold the power button down.
The main pro of the Miele is that it’s quieter than the Dyson, which pet owners may find handy for any anxious furry friends. We think the Dyson still just about edges this comparison though, due to its marginally better cleaning performance and more advanced features.
To find out more, read our full review of the Dyson V11 Absolute.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does the Cat and Dog Version Differ From the HX1 Pro?
The fundamentals are very similar, so it’s the accessories that make the difference. With the Triflex HX1 Pro, you’ll get an extra battery and a charger cradle for it, but you won’t get the motorised pet attachment.
On the flip side, the Cat and Dog version only has one battery but you also get the pet tool. If you want the best of both worlds, you can buy components separately from Miele.
Can You Switch Off The Brush Bar?
No, the HX1 doesn’t provide the option of completely switching off the rotating brush bar. You can adjust the power setting, but the bar always rotates.
Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog Verdict
Despite being Miele’s first cordless cleaner, the company has built an excellent vacuum. The Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog is easy to use, has a range of setup options, and comes with multiple power settings. The cleaning performance is strong on all floor types, even when on the lowest power setting, and it’s also a quiet cordless.
Our biggest complaint is that the dust canister is relatively small and can be messy to empty. The HX1 certainly isn’t recommended for allergy sufferers, despite the excellent filter. It’s also pricey, so if you want a cheaper cordless pet vacuum take a look at the Dyson V8 Animal.
Even so, we think the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog is an outstanding cordless vacuum. It’s powerful and versatile, so it offers value for money if your budget can stretch to it.