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Miele has long been known as a leader in the vacuum industry with its powerful upright and canister models. However, with the release of the new Miele Triflex HX1 cordless vacuum, the company truly takes its stellar performance to the next level. The Miele Triflex HX1 family of vacuums is designed to give you the powerful cleaning performance you know and love without the heavy lifting of the past.

After all, a good cordless or stick vacuum shouldn’t make you feel as though you just completed a full body workout. Instead, it should help you to quickly and conveniently clean your home without sacrificing performance.

Over the past couple of weeks, my team and I tested the Miele Triflex against other popular brands like Shark vacuum, Dyson cordless vacuum, Bissell, and Moosoo in order to give you the most well-rounded review possible. We tested best cordless vacuums in our homes and on various flooring in our 12,000 sq. ft. showroom to get a feel for what the Miele Triflex can offer. Even my kids got in on the action as part of their weekly chores (don’t worry - they were paid well!)

Author's note: We've updated this review after using our Miele Triflex HX1 cordless vacuum on a daily basis for the past 12 months. Check out our first hand experience about battery life.

Miele Triflex HX1 Cordless Vacuum
Our Video Review of Miele Cordless Vacuum with Great Visuals

The Pros and Cons of Cordless Vacuums

Although they’re more convenient than traditional canister vacuums, cordless models often come under scrutiny from users over concerns like poor battery life and performance.

Pros Cons
Lightweight Runs out of battery quickly
Convenient Not efficient for all surfaces
Can quickly and easily move between spaces Can generate dust and allergens
Agile Does not reach under furniture

Many big names in the vacuum industry such as Shark, Dyson and Bissell have already spent years in the cordless vacuum market. However, many of their models still face a few of the issues listed above. Luckily, Miele stepped in to release the family of Triflex HX1 vacuums in order to solve many of the problems other brands have struggled with. When testing the Triflex against other popular cordless vacuums, it really became evident that Miele’s newest model is miles above the competition.

Why is the Miele Triflex HX1 a Good Option?

As a leader in the vacuum industry, Miele is known for providing unmatched service. The company has always been a popular choice for their powerful canister vacuums, but didn’t enter the cordless market until the release of the Triflex HX1 models. Each member of the Triflex family - including the Standard, Cat & Dog, and Pro models - is designed to quickly and efficiently clean your home without putting unnecessary stress on your body.

These vacuums were also created to run a long time without losing suction, making each of them a worthy investment for you and your family. Although it may have taken Miele longer to enter the cordless vacuum market, they’ve been able to successfully remedy many of the issues other brands couldn’t.

In terms of price, Miele's models are not inexpensive. However, considering their agility and reliability, these vacuums are definitely worth the investment. Cheaper options are great for a quick fix, but will likely end up having to be replaced after only a year or two.

The Miele Triflex HX1 also makes the cleaning process more enjoyable overall. When you’re happy with your vacuum’s functionality, cleaning begins to feel less like a chore and more like a form of self-care. With Miele, you might actually enjoy vacuuming for the first time!


How the Miele Triflex Stacks up Against the Competition

miele-hx1-vacuum-versus-dyson-bissel-moosoo-shark-2

With hundreds of cordless models on the market and many different manufacturers to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right one to fit your unique lifestyle. Whether you’re a parent of messy toddlers or a fur parent to dogs that just won’t stop shedding, your needs are most important when selecting a cordless vacuum.

This is where Miele comes in. In terms of comparisons to other brands, Miele wins in all the areas where it counts. The Triflex’s lightweight and customizable style allows it to stand up on its own and effortlessly clean all types of surfaces with powerful suction. It’s also a lifesaver for households with pet and allergy concerns, and has a large dust bin that makes dumping dust and dander a breeze.

Below, we’ll list eight important factors to take into consideration when shopping for a vacuum, and outline the ways in which Miele stacks up against the competition.


1. Convenience

Lightweight
The first thing most people take into consideration when choosing a vacuum is convenience - and weight is an important factor in this category. If you have a multi-level or large home, you may be concerned about carrying a heavy vacuum up and down stairs.

Luckily for you, gone are the days of lugging around heavy canister vacuums - the new Triflex HX1 models weigh in at just under eight pounds and can be carried around your home with ease. The 3-in-1 design even allows you to rearrange the pieces and change the weight distribution to fit your preferences.

Miele Triflex Cordless Vacuum 3-in-1 Configurations
Here is a visual breakdown of the 3 configurations

Each piece of the Miele vacuum is easy to pull apart and reconnect within seconds, and can be adjusted based on the space you’re cleaning. With the power unit placed at the top of the stick, you’ll have the traditional look of a cordless vacuum. When rearranged to be at the bottom of the vacuum, some of the pressure on your arms is alleviated, allowing you to deep clean your home without putting unnecessary stress on your body.

The best part? If you detach the power unit completely, it can be used to spot clean surfaces, couches, and stairs. You can even bring the unit out to your car to quickly and easily clean your interior without having to worry about finding an outlet.

How does the Triflex’s weight stack up against the competition?

Although competitors like Dyson and Moosoo weigh a pound or two less, the Triflex’s flexibility to change the weight distribution really sets it apart. In fact, many reviewers found the Dyson V11 Torque to be too top heavy. This is a problem that could easily be remedied with Miele’s 3-in-1 design and detachable power unit.

Additionally, the few extra pounds on the Triflex are actually a good thing, as the weight helps to keep the cleaning head firmly on the floor.

Freestanding and Easy to Store

Having a big enough space to store your vacuum can also be a concern. The Miele Triflex HX1 models are compact enough to store in small spaces and also come with a wall-mount to keep your floors clear of clutter.

miele-triflex-hx1-standing-vacuum

A common concern when looking for a vacuum is whether or not it can stand up on its own. The Miele Triflex models do this with ease, so that you'll never have to worry about it hitting the floor when you run to answer the phone or take a quick break.

How does the Triflex “stand up” against the competition?
The Triflex quite literally stands up better than its competitors. When I tested the Shark ION F80 cordless vacuum, it fell on the floor when I tried to prop it up against my couch. The same happened when testing the Bissell ICONpet. You don’t realize how valuable a freestanding vacuum is until you have to repeatedly kneel down to pick it up off the floor.

Miele Triflex Cordless Vacuum Components

Unmatched Battery Life
But what about the battery life? After all, there’s nothing more frustrating than deep cleaning your house only to be cut short by a dead battery. The Triflex models have up to 60 minutes of cleaning time per battery and can be replaced mid-clean for bigger projects. Miele's battery technology comes from Varta, one of the best battery manufacturers in the world. The Triflex stick models are virtually the only credible cordless vacuums to have a replaceable, rechargeable battery. This allows you to move through your house without having to stop to recharge your vacuum. And when you’re done, the model can easily be plugged into the wall or charging station to ensure it’s ready for your next use.

Even after daily use over the past 12 months we are happy to report that our test models still have solid performance. Quick trivia - Verta, the company that makes Miele's batteries is also the main supplier of BMW automobiles.

How does the Triflex’s battery compare to that of the competition?
I tested the Miele Triflex HX1 against the Dyson V8 to see how the battery power held up when cleaning my 500 square foot office area. I was disappointed to find that the Dyson V8 battery lasted less than 15 minutes and had no extra juice to handle any other tasks at hand. This was discouraging, especially since I was looking forward to getting all the housework done at once. Dyson did seem to fix the problem with the new V11 and V11 Outsize (you can now change the battery on these new models. However, the V11 Outsize retails for $799, making it a very pricey alternative to Miele’s Standard model).

The Miele Triflex HX1 on the other hand, picked up even more dirt and debris that was left behind by the Dyson.

At the end of the job, the battery on the Miele Triflex still showed 2/3 of the power left. (For the record, the $699 Dyson V11 Torque Drive did a far better job than the Dyson V8 Animal. However, considering the $499 cost of a Miele, I don't see a reason to spend an extra $200 when it comes to having clean carpets.)

In terms of recharging the battery, the Triflex’s freestanding capabilities make charging it a breeze. With other models, I’ve had to lean the vacuum up against a counter if I didn’t have access to a charging station. However, this was not a problem with the Triflex.

Touchless Dust Bin
Having a touchless, hygienic dust bin is important. After all, no one really wants to touch the dust and debris that were picked up from the floor.

Miele’s Vortex motor first separates the fine particles from the larger debris. When the time comes to empty the dust bin, all you need to do is quickly rotate the switch on the top.

How does the Triflex’s dust bin stack up against the competition?
Dust bins on less expensive vacuums are clumsy and messy. More and more manufacturers are taking this into account when designing their vacuums. Even Dyson came up with a smooth discharge after the v10 model series. In fact, clunky dust bins are one of the top complaints cited on Amazon reviews for other brands.

Miele has designed a system to hygienically empty the bin without residual dust kicking back into the air. Another nice feature is that you don't have to worry about discharging the bin and dumping debris with an accidental touch of the trigger.

2. Cleaning Performance

The most important factor in choosing a vacuum is performance. All of the bells and whistles mean nothing if the vacuum doesn’t work as it should. When talking about performance, it’s important to talk about how the vacuum performs on all different types of surfaces.

Automatic Surface Detection Saves You Time
It’s not uncommon to have more than one type of flooring in your home. From hardwood floors and wall to wall carpets to area rugs and tile, it can be time consuming to change the cleaning head as you move between spaces. Miele’s family of cordless vacuums is designed to automatically detect the type of flooring they are being used on and apply the appropriate amount of suction for an effective clean.

miele-triflex-hx1-multiple-surfaces

The Miele Triflex HX1 models can even be used on medium and high-pile carpets (which is a rare feature in most cordless vacuums!) In fact, they’re just as powerful and efficient as traditional heavy duty canister vacuums. Miele’s cordless models also have an extra large cleaning head to help you cover lots of ground quickly.

How does the Triflex's cleaning performance stack up against the competition?

I tested the Miele Triflex side-by-side with Dyson's V8 Animal when cleaning my family room. While the Dyson model stopped at times and struggled to pick up debris on long pile carpet and around my couch, the Miele Triflex HX1 did not miss a beat. It was more agile and picked up what the Dyson model simply couldn't. It also did a great job at picking up crumbs under the coffee table.

I also tested a Shark ION F80 and Bissell ICONpet which I purchased from Amazon at $335 and $316. Neither the Shark, nor the Bissell, were comparable in terms of carpet performance to Dyson or Miele. I noticed the Bissell was too light to attach itself to the carpet to give it a good, solid clean. The Shark was a nuisance as it seemed to have a life of it's own, pulling me ahead without control.

Finally, I tested the best-selling Mossoo cordless vacuum ($100) after purchasing it on Amazon. It worked great on the hardwood floors in my kitchen, but picked up virtually nothing on my carpeting. Overall, it felt like exactly what it was - a cheap vacuum.

Typically, cordless vacuums have a tough time picking up things like Cheerios or dog food on hardwood floors. This is an example of when the suction power becomes less important than the overall performance. While some powerful cordless vacuums just disperse coarse elements instead of picking them up, the Miele Triflex is able to pick them up with ease. And there's no need to worry about the occasional Lego that slips in (it happens!) The Miele Triflex is built with adequate protection so that the motor remains unscathed.

Agility
Let's talk a bit more about the agility of the Triflex vacuums. These models can easily tackle hard-to-reach surfaces that other models cannot. When using the Miele Triflex, you'll never have to worry about getting a good clean around the couch or under the kitchen table. Just a simple twist of the handle gets the cleaning head underneath furniture without sacrificing power. You can even clean dusty window sills and cobweb covered wall corners with the flick of your wrist.

miele-triflex-hx1-agility

Is the Triflex more agile than its competitors?
Of the vacuums we tested, only the latest Dyson V11 Torque Drive has slightly better agility than the Miele. However, with the Dyson, you don't have the option to change the motor mount for added flexibility. You can find more on this topic in our comparison of Miele vs Dyson cordless vacuums.


3. Allergen and Dust Management

One area that Miele really excels in is air filtration. This is important to note because dust management and air filtration are the two factors that really separate a good vacuum from a bad one (especially if you suffer from allergies or asthma!) Unlike lower quality cordless vacuums, you’ll never smell dust in the air after cleaning your floors with a Miele cordless.

Allergy and Asthma Concerns
The HEPA filters in the Pro and Cat and Dog models pick up 99.999% of small particles and allergens. Even the entry-level Triflex eliminates 99.98% of these particles, making it the perfect option for households with allergy concerns.

But wait! What is a HEPA filter? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the term HEPA filter stands for "high efficiency particulate air filter." These filters are able to trap at least 99.97% of particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, bacteria and mold - making them a must for those with allergy concerns.

The best part? The filters are easy to clean. Miele even offers lifetime filters for its cordless models.

And when it comes time to dump the dust the vacuum has picked up, you can simply rotate the switch on the top to avoid dumping the mess back onto your floor.

How does Miele do compared to cheaper options?
Overall, you get what you pay for. Options like the Moosoo are cost-efficient, but have small bins that are difficult to empty. Clumsy dustbins can cause dust and allergens to scatter on the floor and back into the air. However, in addition to its top-of-the line filters, the Miele Triflex has a much larger bin that’s easy and hygienic to open.


4. Performance on Pet Hair

If you have pets, you probably love them like your children. Something you may not love is the fur they shed all over the furniture and floor. All of Miele’s stick vacuums are equipped to pick up pet hair, but this is where the Cat and Dog model really shines.

Upgraded Cleaning Head with LED Lights on Miele Cat and Dog
Upgraded Cleaning Head with LED Lights on Miele Cat and Dog

What is different about the Cat and Dog Model?

The Cat and Dog model comes with an additional motorized mini brush to clean pet hair off of furniture and upholstery. Another added bonus on this model is that the cleaning head has lights to illuminate any fur you may have missed. This model also comes with a HEPA filter so that those with pet allergies don't have to worry about dander on the floors or carpets.

Miele Cordless Vacuum Cat and Dog pet hair brush
Standard cleaning tools plus the motorized pet hair brush for Cat and Dog model

How does the Cat and Dog perform against other competitors?
I tested the Bissell ICONpet after reading a number of Amazon reviews that said this model left dog hair behind on the carpet. Sadly, this was true. The cleaning head also seemed to get clogged with hair rather quickly. However, the Miele Triflex was much more efficient at picking up pet hair on both carpet and hardwood floors.


5. Noise Level

Your vacuum is probably the loudest appliance in your house. While vacuuming, conversations are usually cut short and the volume on the TV probably skyrockets. However, compared to other manufacturers, Miele’s vacuums are actually quite quiet. When operating on the lowest setting (70dBs), the vacuum’s hum is only slightly louder than the volume of a normal speaking conversation.

How noisy is the Triflex compared to the competition?
In comparison, Dyson’s V11 model has excellent noise ratings -in line with Miele’s noise levels - but only when running on eco mode, which limits the motor’s power. With Miele, you’re getting the same volume with more power.


6. Form Factor

In addition to being a powerhouse on all surfaces, the Miele Triflex models are also sleek and presentable. There’s no need to be embarrassed if it’s left out after cleaning - the model’s ability to stand upright only compliments its already stylish design.

How does the Miele Triflex compare to other cordless models?
It’s clear to see that the Miele Triflex is more visually appealing than canister or upright vacuums. But how does it compare to other cordless models? The Shark ION F80 boasts its compact storage capability, but leaves the user with a bulky eyesore. When the model is folded in half, it is much wider and almost looks more like a traditional upright vacuum.


7. Service and Reliability

Miele has been in the U.S. market with its vacuum cleaners for over 25 years. The company is known for testing its products more than any other manufacturer, and releases new products in global markets before making them available in the US. It’s not exactly a secret that Miele takes a while to release a new product. But who could blame them when you look at the time the company takes to test the models for quality and perfection?

For example before Miele can certify a Triflex is ready for the market, the company tests the product for endurance:

  • The handle is loaded 120,000 times with over 11 lbs
  • The dust bin is opened and removed from the base mount 3,000 times
  • The battery is replaced 6,000 times
  • The model is snapped into the parking position 20,000 times

These testing standards are pretty much unheard of! But they really do go to show that Miele puts painstaking effort into each and every product they release on the market.

Cordless vacuums are, by design, super simple to maintain. As a user, you're able to see if something is stuck on the cleaning head or in the dust bin. In the off chance that you do need help, Miele offers a nationwide service network with an ample amount of parts available. The factory warranty is also two years - which is double that of other manufacturers.

8. Comparing the Price Points

In addition to all of the considerations above, there is one more important factor to take into consideration - your budget. At the end of the day, your choice will most likely be guided by your budget. Cordless vacuums can range anywhere from $100 to over $450.

Miele’s Triflex models are broken down into three price points:

The Standard: $499
The Cat & Dog: $699
The Pro: $799

Vacuums sold at lower price points will get the job done. However, if your budget allows, it is wise to invest in a model that will give you the most reliable service for years to come.


Comparing The Miele Triflex HX1 Models

The Miele Triflex HX1 family is made up of three models - the Standard, the Cat & Dog, and the Pro. All three models come with a two-year warranty, which is double that of most other manufacturers.

Miele Cordless Vacuum
Here is our comparsion of Miele Triflex Cordless Vacuums

1) Best Overall: The Standard in White, Gray, or Red

Miele Triflex HX1 in Gray

This vacuum is Miele’s entry-level Triflex model. It’s the least expensive of the Triflex family, but is just as powerful as its more expensive counterparts. It comes in two colorways (gray and white) and is lightweight and easy to clean. The highlight of this model is its replaceable battery, which lasts up to 60 minutes per charge.

There is a 3rd model in the standard series which comes in ruby red color. Miele reserved the sale of this cordless vacuum to a select number of stores. The company highly encourages its sales team to make an effort to give the best product presentation. In exchange it extends the standard parts and labor warranty on cordless vacuums by one more year to make it 3 years in total. This is an important advantage especially considering that the warranty covers the replaceable battery.


2) Best for Pets and Allergies: The Cat and Dog in Obsidian Black

Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog

This model is without a doubt the best option if you have animals at home. It includes all of the features of the Standard, plus it comes with a motorized mini brush head, designed specifically to pick up pet hair on furniture and in hard-to-reach areas. It also includes a HEPA filter as well as a cleaning head lined with lights to make sure all pet dander and allergens are eliminated.


3) Best Battery Performance: The Pro in Gray Pearl

Miele Triflex HX1 Pro

The Pro is basically the gold standard of cordless vacuums. It includes all of the features of both the Standard and Cat and Dog models, but also comes with an extra replaceable battery so that you can vacuum for up to two hours without having to recharge.


Conclusion

Miele’s Triflex HX1 is one of the best cordless vacuums on the market. These stick models bring the convenience and agility of a cordless vacuum, along with the power to quickly and efficiently clean your entire home. The only downside to the Triflex is that the battery does not come charged….so you’ll have to wait a few hours before enjoying all of its features.


Our Video Review of Miele vs Dyson Cordless Vacuum

FAQs

Is Miele better than Dyson?
This depends on what you’re looking to achieve with your vacuum. Both Dyson and Miele are trusted names in the vacuum industry, but the Miele models tend to do better on high and medium-pile carpets. Miele’s cordless models also have a competitive battery life, as they use world-renowned VARTA batteries.

Is Miele a German company?
Yes, Miele is a German company that has sold its vacuums in the US market for over 25 years. It is known for testing its products more than any other manufacturer and releases new products in global markets before making them available in the US.

Are cordless vacuums easy to maintain?
Yes, cordless vacuums are by design, easy to maintain. As a user, you're able to see if something is stuck on the cleaning head or in the dust bin.