Our Verdict: We think the Miele Complete C3 PowerLine is one of the best cylinder vacuums on the market. It’s powerful, has handy ease-of-use features, and is a capable vacuum cleaner on any surface. It doesn’t come with a pet tool though, so we recommend upgrading to the Miele C3 Cat & Dog if you have pets.
Miele Complete C3 PowerLine
Pros:
- High-powered cylinder with excellent suction power
- Relatively lightweight for a powerful vacuum
- Strong cleaning performance on all types of floors
- Automatic cord rewind and on-board tool storage
Cons:
- Can be difficult to push on its highest suction setting
- No pet tool or motorised brush bar
- The main floorhead can struggle with larger debris
The Miele Complete C3 PowerLine cylinder vacuum is a stylish model that’s one of the most popular vacs on the market. It’s got a powerful motor, which is effective at picking up dirt from carpets and hard floors, along with a large 12-metre operating radius. Not only that, but Miele has an excellent reputation for producing reliable and long-lasting vacuum cleaners.
We found the Miele C3 PowerLine to be an excellent vacuum cleaner. It generates strong suction, which means it’s great for cleaning carpets even without a motorised brush bar. We also love the on-board tool storage and automatic cord rewind.
In this review, we’re going to look at the Miele Complete C3 in more detail – including its suction power, ease of use, filtration system and much more. If you want to see our list of the best Miele vacuums then follow the link, otherwise let’s get started!
Note: This review has been updated for the SGDF4 version of the Complete C3 PowerLine.
Overview of Miele Complete C3 Features
- Powerful suction power and great cleaning performance on all surfaces
- 12-metre operating radius means you can clean bigger areas of your home without switching plug sockets
- AirClean filter and sealed casing are effective at reducing the allergens and dust released into the air
- Bagged vacuum with an automatic sealing system during emptying
- Three accessories – upholstery nozzle, dusting brush and crevice tool – and on-board tool storage
In-depth Review of the Miele Complete C3 Cylinder Vacuum
The Miele Complete C3 is a popular vacuum cleaner. But is that popularity deserved? Or are there better vacuums out there for the same price? Let’s take a closer look at how this vacuum performs.
Appearance, Features, and Design
From the moment you open the box, we have to say that the Miele Complete C3 is one of the best-looking cylinder vacuum cleaners we’ve reviewed. The sleek black finish of the body, and attractive silver hose and head, match the high build quality of the vacuum.
Miele has spent many years perfecting their cylinder vacuum design, and this experience really shows with the C3 series. We love the automatic cable rewind feature, as it makes the vacuum convenient to use. It’s also great to have multiple suction settings, as this is a feature that’s surprisingly rare on modern vacuum cleaners.
As you would expect from a Miele vacuum, we also found it simple to use. The buttons are easy to press, including the foot-operated cord rewind, and the wide cleaning radius means you won’t need to change plug sockets as often. We also like the onboard storage for tools.
Tip: The Miele Complete C2 is a similar vacuum that’s available for a cheaper price. To learn more, read our Miele C2 vs C3 comparison.
Dust Capacity
The capacity of the Miele Complete C3 PowerLine is 4.5 litres. This is less than the huge Numatic Henry, but still larger than many other vacuums – especially bagless vacs.
We don’t think you’ll need to empty the C3 after every cleaning session. The only exception is if you’re vacuuming lots of larger debris, such as a packet of spilt cereal or cat litter.
Of course, the downside of a bagged vacuum is that you’ll need to purchase additional bags. Miele bags are reasonably priced and readily available though.
Suction Power and Cleaning Performance
As you’d expect from a Miele vacuum, we found the Miele Complete C3 excels when it comes to suction power and cleaning performance.
The floorhead is a high-quality accessory that cleans close to the edge of skirting boards and walls. We also found that the Miele doesn’t tend to lose suction as the bag fills up, which can be an issue for cheaper bagless vacuums, and there are multiple suction settings.
During our research for this review, we found the C3 is effective on both carpets and hard floors. This is due to a combination of strong suction and optimised airflow throughout the vacuum.
In fact, you’ll often need to select a lower power mode when on carpets, as it’s often difficult to push and the floorhead sinks down into the carpets. This could be a big problem for people with thick carpets or mobility issues. It’s great to have this suction power available for stubborn dirt though!
One of the advantages of such strong suction power is that the C3 is great for removing dust from between floorboards or on laminate. We also found it to be a decent choice for removing pet hair, although you probably want to consider the Cat & Dog version if you have pets, as this comes with a turbo brush for improved pet hair performance.
The only drawback in terms of performance is that the C3 can sometimes struggle with larger debris when using the primary floorhead. If it starts to push the debris around, you’ll need to either switch to a different tool or slightly tilt the head.
It’s also not a pet vacuum. The main floorhead is fine for removing most hair, but it can’t match the cleaning performance of models with an agitating brush bar.
A Brief History of the Miele C3 Series
There have been multiple iterations of the C3 PowerLine. The original version had a 2200W motor, which was then reduced to 1600W to meet EU regulations. In 2017, Miele then released a 900W C3 vacuum due to stricter EU regulations. The good news is that the vacuum still provides excellent performance, due to improved filters and bags, while using less than 50% the power of the original.
Ease of Use
With the C3, we think Miele has designed a cylinder vacuum that’s both versatile and easy to use. Here’s a brief run-down of some of the usability features:
- With a weight of 5.4kg, the Miele C3 isn’t as light as cordless vacuums, but it’s also not heavy. Still, people with mobility issues may struggle to carry up it up the stairs, and it can be difficult to push on thick carpets.
- The vacuum has a cleaning radius of 12 metres, which is much larger than many other models. This radius includes the stretch hose, which was found useful for cleaning stairs.
- The C3 has a “Single Touch” cord rewind function. This is one of our favourite extra features of the Miele.
- The bags automatically close when the vacuum is opened, so dust doesn’t escape. This is significantly more hygienic than bagless models.
- Unlike circular vacuums, such as the Numatic Henry, the design means it can stand on steps without falling over. We still found it a little tricky to balance though, so it’s often easier to just clean from both the bottom and top of staircases.
Aside from specific features, we found the C3 to be easy to manoeuvre around the home. It’s also easy to adjust the height of the telescopic tube, which is great for getting rid of cobwebs or if different members of the family will be using it.
Filtration
The C3 PowerLine doesn’t come with a HEPA filter. It does, however, include an AirClean exhaust filter which helps remove dust and other allergens from the air. Like other Miele vacuums, the C3 also has a sealed design to prevent air leakage.
We think these features, combined with the automatic bag closing and hygienic emptying, make the C3 PowerLine a solid choice for people with mild allergies. For severe allergies, we recommend looking at models with a HEPA 13 filter though.
Price and Deals
The RRP of the Miele Complete C3 is £250, which is relatively expensive for a cylinder vacuum. However, we believe that the excellent performance, design and features of the C3 make it worth this price. It’s hard to beat the C3 when it comes to cylinder vacuum performance – and it’s still considerably cheaper than high-end cordless vacuums.
Tools and Accessories
Several accessories are included with the C3. These are an upholstery nozzle, dusting brush and crevice nozzle. While these tools are useful, they are the standard accessories you would expect to be included with most vacuums.
Each of these accessories can be easily stored on the body of the vacuum, so you’ll be less likely to lose them. It’s always useful to have the tools available when you need them!
There’s no powered turbo tool, however, which may be an issue for homes with pets. That’s why we recommend paying a bit extra to get the Cat and Dog version if you can afford it.
Miele Complete C3 PowerLine Specification
| Ninja Column 1 | Ninja Column 2 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cylinder |
| Bag | Bagged |
| Filter | AirClean |
| Price Range | £££ |
| Weight (kg) | 5.4 |
| Capacity (Litres) | 4.5 |
| Motorised Tool | No |
| Hose | Yes |
Verdict
We think the Miele Complete C3 PowerLine is amongst the best cylinder vacuums on the market, which is why we’ve awarded it a high overall rating. It’s powerful, looks fantastic and has a reasonable dust capacity. We also like the onboard tool storage and wide cleaning radius.
The only real letdown is the lack of a HEPA filter, but the AirClean filter and sealed system should be good enough for most people. It also doesn’t come with a motorised pet tool and isn’t the best option for hair, so people with cats or dogs may want to consider the C3 Cat & Dog.
Even with these small drawbacks, the C3 PowerLine is a brilliant vacuum cleaner that’s definitely worth considering.
excellent review without being too technical
Thanks Sean!