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When thinking about the leaders in the cordless vacuum industry, two names probably come to mind - Miele and Dyson. With large and powerful selections of canister, upright, and cordless vacuums, it’s easy to see why both companies are viewed as leaders in the industry. However, this sparks the age-old question: Which brand offers the best cordless vacuum? Miele or Dyson?

Both the Miele Triflex and Dyson models are fan-favorites, with passionate customers on both sides of the argument. This question has even sparked many debates between members of our staff. There’s no cut-and-dry answer to this question, as the answer is largely dependent on what you’re looking for in a cordless vacuum. That’s why we decided to compile this guide to help you decide whether a Miele or Dyson cordless vacuum would make a better addition to your home.

Watch our exclusive Dyson vs Miele comparison video

Miele Cordless Vacuums Overview

Miele vacuums have been popular with US customers for the past 26 years with bagged canisters. The brand also excelled in accessory sales. especially the Miele vacuum bag has been a best seller on the market. Most recently, Miele entered the cordless vacuum industry with the Triflex HX1 series. This family of vacuums 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.

The Miele Triflex HX1 Standard

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 higher-priced counterparts. It comes in two colors (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.

The 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 upholstered areas. The Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog also includes a HEPA filter as well as a cleaning head lined with lights to make sure all pet dander and allergens are eliminated.

Miele Triflex Vacuum Models
Miele Triflex Vacuum Models

The 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.


Dyson Vacuum Series
Dyson Vacuum Series

Dyson Cordless Vacuums Overview

Because Dyson entered the cordless vacuum industry back in 2006, the company has a much larger selection to choose from than Miele does. Dyson currently offers four series of cordless vacuums: the Dyson v7, Dyson v8, Dyson v10 Cyclone, and Dyson v11. Each series comes in at a different price point and offers different features and levels of performance.

Dyson v8 Animal

Dyson v7 Cordless Vacuums:

The Dyson v7 models start at $299 and offer base-level suction. They have a runtime of 30 minutes, which is the shortest battery life of any of the Dyson cordless vacuums. Although the v7 models were innovative when they first came out, Dyson has since integrated much better technology in its subsequent models.

Dyson v8 Cordless Vacuums:

Dyson’s v8 cordless vacuums start at $399 and offer a slightly longer 40-minute runtime. These models also offer 15% more suction than the v7 models, making them worth the slightly higher price point. According to Dyson’s website, the models in this series are “certified allergy friendly” and have advanced filtration that can capture 99.99% of allergens.

Dyson v10 Cyclone Cordless Vacuums:

The Dyson Cyclone v10 models range in price from $499 to $549, depending on the features that are included. These models have 55% more suction than the base-level models and boast an impressive runtime of up to 60 minutes. There are four different models in the v10 family - the v10 Absolute, the v10 Animal, the v10 Animal Pro, and the v10 Motorhead. These models are also “certified allergy friendly” by Dyson.

Watch our exclusive video review of Dyson cordless vacuums

Dyson v11 Cordless Vacuums:

The v11 models, which range in price from $599 to $799, are the gold standard of Dyson cordless vacuums. They offer a whopping 85% more suction than the v7 models and come with two replaceable batteries for a total combined runtime of 120 minutes. These models work great on both carpet and hardwood flooring and feature automatic surface detection to allow you to easily move between spaces without switching gears. Like the v8 and v10 models, the v11 cordless vacuums are “certified allergy friendly.”

Another unique perk you get with some of the v11 models is the LCD screen, which gives a real-time reading of the battery levels based on what type of surface the vacuum is being used on. (Keep in mind: this feature is not available on the v11 Animal.) There are four different models in the v11 series - the v11 Outsize, the v11 Outsize Origin, the v11 Animal, and the v11 Torque Drive.

Dyson v11 Cordless Vacuums

Important Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Cordless Vacuum

When writing about cordless vacuums, we typically like to point out the strengths and weaknesses of each brand or model in six core areas: convenience, performance, allergen management, noise, customer service, and product testing. In this section, we’ll compare Miele and Dyson in each of these categories in order to help you make the best possible decision for your family’s needs.

Convenience

Ideally, cleaning your home with a cordless vacuum should be quick and easy. However, your experience is largely dependent on the features your vacuum offers. For example, if having a freestanding cordless vacuum is important to you, you’ll want to opt for a Miele over a Dyson. However, this feature might not necessarily be important in all households. Here’s how each of the brands stacks up in terms of convenience:

Feature Miele Dyson
Is it freestanding? Yes No
Do you have to hold the trigger to make it run? No Yes
Is it lightweight? Yes Yes
Is it easy to maneuver? Yes Yes

In terms of convenience, we’ve found that the Miele Triflex HX1 models offer more features than any of the Dyson models. With the Triflex HX1, you’ll never have to worry about it falling over when you take a quick break from cleaning. You’ll also have the added convenience of only pressing the trigger once in order to make it run.

Miele Triflex Vacuum Configuration
Miele Triflex Cordless Vacuum Configuration

Performance

In terms of cleaning performance, both Miele and Dyson are miles above the competition. However, certain Dyson models work better than others on different types of flooring. All three of Miele’s cordless vacuums, however, feature automatic surface detection. This means that the Miele Triflex HX1 can seamlessly move between all types of flooring without the need to manually shift gears. This feature is only available on some of Dyson’s newer cordless vacuums, including the models in the v11 series. Many of Dyson’s earlier cordless models are not suited for cleaning high-pile carpets, and work best on hard floors and area rugs.

Our Exclusive Review of Miele Triflex Vacuum

Allergen Management

If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma, you know how important allergen management is. This is one area where the Miele Triflex HX1 really excels. The HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) 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. Miele’s filters are washable and easy to clean, and the company even offers lifetime filters for its cordless models. However, one drawback is that the Miele Triflex HX1 does not feature a sealed system.

All of Dyson cordless vacuums come with a sealed system, which means that the air they release is cleaner than the air they take in. Some models also include the all-important HEPA filter. According to Dyson’s website, the v8, v10, and v11 models are “certified allergy friendly” and have “advanced whole-machine filtration that captures 99.99% of dust and allergens as small as 0.3 microns.”

An added bonus? When you register your cordless vacuum with Dyson, the company will send you alerts when it’s time to clean or change your filters.

Noise

When comparing the decibel levels of Dyson and Miele cordless vacuums, the numbers are pretty similar. Dyson’s numbers are only slightly higher than Miele’s, but these vacuums produce a higher sound frequency. This is where you can hear a real difference, as the sound frequency makes the Dyson models seem much louder than they actually are.

Customer Service

Miele offers a nationwide service network with an ample amount of replacement parts available. The factory warranty on the Triflex HX1 is two years - which is double that of other manufacturer. In comparison, Dyson offers 30 and 90-day money-back guarantees on their vacuums, in the off chance that you are dissatisfied with your purchase.

However, in 2019, Dyson’s stick vacuums were stripped of their Consumer Reports recommendation after a high volume of owners reported significant problems with their models within five years of purchase. This means the vacuums were not lasting as long as they should, causing a considerable problem for Dyson’s reputation.

Product Testing

Miele 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. For example, before Miele can certify that 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 of weight
  • 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

Dyson also subjects its vacuums to rigorous testing protocols. According to the company, during testing:

  • A vacuum is dropped up to 5,318 times to ensure durability.
  • Vacuums are pushed back and forth for the equivalent of 21 years of use

Dyson also states that “it'll take 120 engineers 50,000 hours and 550 tests to be satisfied that it's tough enough.”


Best Miele vs. Dyson Vacuums Compared

Because Miele just released their first three cordless vacuums in mid-2020, they do not have as wide of a selection as Dyson. Dyson, on the other hand, has been a dominant force behind cordless vacuums for many years. Over the years, the company iterated on its technology in their quest for excellence.

However, Dyson does not phase out its old products. This creates confusion among customers who simply expect the same result from all Dyson vacuums on the market. To make the comparison fair and easy, we decided to select three of Dyson’s newest models and compare them with the latest Miele Triflex HX1 cordless vacuums.

1) Best Overall: Miele Triflex HX1 ($499) vs. Dyson v11 Torque Drive ($699)

Miele Triflex HX1 in Gray

The Miele Triflex HX1 and the Dyson v11 Torque Drive are two of the best cordless vacuums on the market. They’re both comparable in cleaning performance and really only differ in a few small details. Unlike the Triflex, the v11 Torque Drive is not freestanding and requires the user to hold down a trigger on the handle to make it run. Another perk of the Miele Triflex HX1 is the 3-in-1 design, which allows you to rearrange each piece of the vacuum to change the weight distribution.

Both models feature automatic surface detection to allow you to move through your home with ease, regardless of the type of flooring in each room. The Dyson v11 Torque Drive also has an LCD screen, which gives a real-time reading of the battery levels based on what type of surface it’s being used on. Overall, both vacuums are great and offer their own unique features. But because both models offer similar cleaning performance, the Miele is better in terms of convenience, and is overall a more cost effective choice.

Dyson v11 Torque Drive
Miele Triflex HX1 in White

2) Best Battery: Miele Triflex HX1 Pro ($799) vs. Dyson v11 Outsize ($799)

Miele Triflex HX1 Pro

Both the Miele Triflex HX1 Pro and the Dyson v11 Outsize are a step up from the previously mentioned Miele and Dyson models. These cordless vacuums both come with an extra replaceable battery and can run for up to 120 minutes, making them great for deep cleaning.

The Dyson v11 Outsize has all of the perks of the v11 Torque Drive with the addition of a larger cleaning head, which allows you to cover more ground in less time. It also has slightly stronger suction power than the v11 Torque Drive. Another perk of this model is the larger dustbin, which allows you to go longer without having to dump out dust and debris.

The Miele Triflex HX1 Pro also comes with all of the features on the standard model, with the addition of lights on the cleaning head. This helps to illuminate any dust, dirt, or dander you missed with the naked eye.

The fact that these vacuums retail for the exact same price makes this battle a tough call! When it comes to these two models, it really comes down to user preference.

Dyson v11 Outsize
Miele Triflex HX1 Pro

3) Best for Pet Hair: Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog ($699) vs. Dyson v11 Animal ($599)

Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog

As their names suggest, the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog and Dyson v11 Animal were both made with pet owners in mind. The Dyson v11 Animal is virtually identical to the other models in the v11 series. However, it does not have the LCD battery status screen, and instead, features a less advanced LED screen.

The Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog comes with lights on the cleaning head to illuminate pet hair on the floor. It also comes with a motorized mini brush attachment, which is perfect for cleaning pet hair off of furniture and upholstery. The Miele Triflex Cat and Dog also operates at a lower sound frequency than the v11 Animal, making it more pet-friendly. Therefore, if we had to choose between these two models, we would go with the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog.


Conclusion

Miele and Dyson are two of the most respected names in the vacuum industry. Both companies are known for their rigorous product testing protocols and excellent customer service. It’s easy to see why both brands have passionate fan bases who prefer one over the other. Here at Designer Appliances, many of our own team members are split between Miele and Dyson. However, we recommend the Miele Triflex HX1 because of its superior performance, low frequency sound, and innovative 3-in-1 technology.