Vacuum Cleaners

As the most recent addition to our line of vacuum cleaners, Soniclean vacs are powerful and economical. With both uprights and canisters available, here's a quick rundown of the two sets.

The Soniclean uprights consist of two models, the Galaxy and VT Plus. Both work well on carpet, are very lightweight, and use Soniclean's patented sonic technology. A sonic bar vibrates hundreds of times per second, and it is this rapid vibration that helps to dislodge stuck-on dirt and debris. Powerful suction then removes dirt and allergens and stores it in an H13 HEPA filterbag. While the Soniclean Galaxy is a bit more in terms of price, it does offer a longer warranty, both in terms of parts and labor as well as on the motor. The VT Plus, though, is likely a better buy. Despite a shorter warranty period, as an AchooAllergy.com exclusive, with the purchase of a VT Plus upright you also get the Soniclean handheld vac for free.

The Handheld vacuum is a small canister style vacuum that also uses a HEPA filterbag. It is lightweight and fits over the shoulder with a strap. Included with this model are two wand extensions, a smooth floor tool, a handheld turbobrush (think PowerPaw), and three mini accessories - upholstery tool, crevice tool and dusting brush, all neatly stored away in a tote bag. You can literally fit everything (hose, wand, attachments, and tools), except the vacuum itself into the tote. This compact handheld unit is the perfect addition to either upright since it provides all of the above-the-floor cleaning ability that the uprights lack. Free with the purchase of the VT Plus, the handheld unit is great for quick spills in the kitchen, dusting through the house or simply as the perfect vacuum for garage projects.

In addition to the uprights and handheld model are two canisters. These use a filterbag, sealed system and separate HEPA filter to trap allergens and dirt. Keep an eye out for product reviews now that in-home testing is complete.

For anyone considering a powerful, lightweight and economical vacuum, Soniclean is well worth a look.

To see all Soniclean vacuums.

The Miele Topaz has recently received a make over. Gone is the almond color that has helped to define this unit for over a year. Instead, the new Topaz comes in Tayberry Red. A cross between raspberry and blackberry the Tayberry is a sweet fruit named after the River Tay in Scotland. The new color of the Topaz is deep and rich, the ideal compliment to this top-of-the-line Miele S6 canister vacuum.

With two included floor tools, the Topaz is ideal for most homes or apartments. The SEB 217-3 offers powerful cleaning ability on most types of carpet while the Twister is the signature Miele floor care tool for all types of smooth flooring. This powerful, compact vac also comes with a sealed system and can easily be upgraded to a HEPA or Active AirClean filter. Seal-sealing FJM bags make replacement a cinch and ensure that debris and allergens collected stay trapped. Lightweight, the Topaz stores easily and is a convenient solution to multilevel homes.

The Topaz is now available in the Tayberry Red color and comes with Free Second Day Delivery included (continental US destinations). To learn more about the Topaz or to view the entire line of Miele S6 midsize vacuum cleaners.

Author: KevvyG

Yesterday we rolled out the updated Staff Pick's of Miele vacuums, and today we're highlighting the Consumer's Choice Top Picks. Factoring in reviews, sales and overall interest in each unit, we've compiled the list of the top five most popular Miele vacuums. As a note, the S8's are the newest of all Miele vacuums and have only been available to the public for a relatively short time. Despite this, they are still well represented here.

1. Miele Onyx - First on our list in the Miele Onyx. Most people who are considering the Onyx find that it is perfectly suited for home with mostly smooth floors with some low to medium pile carpet and rugs. Quiet, powerful and economical, the Onyx is an easy choice for most.

2. Miele Callisto - An old mainstay, the Callisto is the most awarded Miele vacuum cleaner in history. Consistently ranking well in consumer reporting surveys, recipient of numerous Best Buy awards, the Callisto is a balanced HEPA vacuum cleaner that fits the cleaning needs of almost any home. Though it is retiring, the Kona is a direct replacement model. Though a new model, the Kona's features, price, and performance are all almost identical to the Callisto.

3. Miele Quickstep - Compact, lightweight and priced right, the Quickstep has been THE choice when it comes to having a second vacuum for the kitchen or laundry area. The slim design, ability to assemble and reassemble the handle, wand and body allow the Quickstep to go from an upright to handheld in seconds. Small apartment and loft dwellers love this compact vacuum.

4. Miele Alize - Though only available for a few months, the Alize has quickly become a very popular vacuum. Completely unique features like the sound-reducing DynamicDrive casters and Integrated Spotlight set the Alize apart while these features and the included floor tool makes this an ideal vacuum for anyone with smooth floors and a desire to remove allergens in the home. (Just a note, the UniQ was a close second amongst all S8 models, though the Marin is QUICKLY gaining ground on both .)

5. Miele Twist - Miele is known for canister vacuums, but since the introduction of the S7 uprights, these vacuums have been making serious headway in terms of popularity. Powerful, almost self-propelled, durable and very maneuverable, the Twist provides the largest cleaning radius of any Miele vacuum, works well all types of carpet and smooth flooring, and is far quieter than any comparable upright.

Overall there's a lot of variation in the list. Some people prioritize price, others performance or size. All of the most popular models, as chosen by consumers and visitors to the site, feature the sealed system. Two are HEPA equipped while all five are HEPA capable. Regardless of which model you're interested, each has a unique set of qualities and features, and all have the quality, durability, and versatility that has come to personify the Miele brand.

Author: Kevin Gilmore

Some of the new Miele S8 vacuums are brand new, but a couple are direct replacements for models in the popular S5 line. The Miele Kona fits into the latter category. With many of the same features and color, the Kona is the direct replacement for the S5 Miele Callisto. Think of it as an updated version with a couple new features at the same price point. As the center of the new S8 line of canister vacuum cleaners, the Kona represents the best value and most balanced vacuum in the line.

The Kona shares many of the features of the retiring Callisto, including,

• HEPA Filter to trap 99.99% of particles 0.3 microns or larger
• Sealed system with self-sealing filterbag
• Two floor tools - SEB 228 for all types of carpet and the SBB 300-3 Twister for all types of smooth flooring
• Three included mini accessories and a 7 year warranty

In addition to these, the S8390 Kona has several noticeable upgrades. First, the Vortex motor is encapsulated. So in addition to the silence insulation, this second layer reduces noise even further. The S8 vacuums are quiet enough to hear a child, the doorbell, phone, or even to carry on a conversation (without having to yell) while you clean.

Second, the older style rotary dial suction control is gone. Instead, the Kona features +/- buttons on the body of the vacuum that allow you to adjust suction with a tap of your foot. In addition to this, the cord will now fully retract simply by tapping the button (instead of having to hold it down). So after you plug the Kona in, you have full control, with your hands and feet, without the need to have to bend down when you change cleaning tasks.

Third, instead of the integrated flush rubber bumper that the S5's had, the S8 line has a raised rubber bumper. With a raised profile, this small strip cushions and protect the Kona and your furniture better.

And lastly, each of the new S8 canisters are about 20% lighter than the S5 line. The Kona offers the same great suction and cleaning performance but in a slimmer, more lightweight package.

These features are all upgrades without any increase in the price (compared to its predecessor). In all, the Kona retains the balance that not only made the Callisto the most popular S5 vacuum but also made it an award winner. In the coming months and year, we fully expect the Kona to pick up right where the Callisto left off. For more detailed information about the Miele Kona or to compare all of the Miele S8 vacuums.

Author: Kevin Gilmore

With the new S8 line of vacuum cleaners slowly rolling out, one of the most striking top-end models is the Miele S8590 Marin. Versatile and dependable, the Marin provides all of the tools to vacuum, dust and clean every nook and cranny of your home.

One thing that Miele heard back from dealers and customers alike was how much people prefer some choice. With the S5 Capricorn, you have your choice of two powerheads. Have really thick carpet or pets? Go with the SEB 236. Medium pile carpet or only a couple rooms with carpet? The SEB 217-3 is your better option. Along with the choice in powerhead is also a difference in price, which means you can not only match your floor cleaning needs but also tailor a price point that fits your budget. The Marin offers your choice of either the SEB 236, 228 or 217-3.

For anyone who has allergies, asthma or a respiratory condition, it’s important to try to improve your indoor air quality while possible. Many vacuum cleaners fail to even meet the “do no harm” criteria in this category and spew millions of microparticles and ultrafine particulate back into the air as you vacuum. The Miele Marin is a different. With the AirClean system, the Marin uses a sealed system and 12 stages of filtration to not only “do no harm” but do better by trapping 99.99% of all particles 0.3 microns or larger. That’s more efficient than most air purifiers!

Like other Miele canisters, the Miele is extremely versatile. Vacuum flooring of all types, dust hard to reach areas like on top of ceiling fans and doors, between and under furniture, clean out vents and registers, remove dust from drapes, clean your furniture and even your car. The three included attachments when combined with the Miele's powerful suction and the length of the hose and wand provide the ability clean nearly any space or mess in and around your home.

For those wanting a few extras with the vacuum, this S8 model has filter and bag replacement indicators, one-touch cord rewind, a raised bumper strip, and full foot pedal control, as well as the automatic suction setting. Aside from the functionality, two of the things I like most is that it is really quiet for a vacuum cleaner and honestly, the color. Call me a color snob, but some Miele colors are more appealing than others, and this is one of my favorites. In terms of noise level, Miele vacuums are some of the few that you can actually run and not worry about missing a doorbell, phone call or child yelling in the background about how they made Peeps explode in the microwave.

Named after the mild, humid breeze that comes in off the coast of France, the Marin strikes the perfect balance between cleaning ability, air filtration and appealing features. As the second model in the new S8 line, the Marin is available and in stock.

Author: K. Gilmore

With the introduction of the new Miele S8 line of vacuum cleaners, there are some models that are brand new while others are direct replacement of S5 models. The Miele Calima is the latter - a direct replacement for the Miele Pisces. Though it replaces the Pisces there are some notable differences between these two vacuum cleaners.

Both the Calima and Pisces are straight suction models, meaning there is no electrically driven powerhead. Included is the STB 205-3, an air-driven carpet cleaning tool that is ideal for low pile carpet and rugs. Also included is the Parquet Floor Tool, Miele's signature smooth floor tool. Other similarities include the complete Miele AirClean systems (sealed system, HEPA filter), self-sealing G/N dust bags, 1200W motor, and fully integrated mini-accessories.

What sets the Calima apart are a few key things.

• Encased Motor - While both have silence insulation, the encased motor reduces noise even further, so while you vacuum, you can easily carry on a conversation or hear the phone, doorbell or possibly your child telling you from another room that he has just fed the DVD player oatmeal.
• +/- Suction Controls - The Pisces uses a rotary dial to control suction. Now instead of having to bend down to adjust, you can now simply use your foot to increase or decrease suction with two foot pedals (buttons).
• One-touch cord rewind - Instead of holding the foot pedal in, you simply tap it once and the cord fully retracts.
• Raised Bumper - Though the S5 models do have a rubber bumper, it is flush with the body of the vacuum. The Calima features a raised bumper that acts more like a true bumper to protect your furniture and your vacuum from the inevitable cleaning collision.
• Price - Despite these upgrades, the S8 Calima is actually priced lower than the Pisces.

So is the Calima right for you? Generally, the S8390 Calima will be a good fit for homes with a lot of smooth floors or a mix of low pile carpet and smooth floors. With the sealed system, HEPA filter and filtration of 99.99% of particles 0.3 microns or larger, it is also an excellent fit for allergy or asthma sufferers looking to reduce pet dander, dust, dust mite, pollen and other allergens in the home. So if you are looking for a vacuum similar to the Pisces, the Calima is certainly worth a look, and though you cannot purchase the Calima online, if you have any questions drop us a line!

To Compare all Miele S8 Vacuums.

Author: K. Gilmore

For decades, Electrolux has been a brand associated with caring for your carpet, and as technology and needs evolve, so too do the Electrolux vacuum cleaners available to you. We've recently added two new Electrolux models, each with unique features and suited for cleaning different areas of your home.

When it comes to living in an apartment, having kids or pets buzzing around the house, there are bound to be spills. For sucking up the Cheerios that Jr. spilled or dirt that Max just tracked in on the kitchen floor, it can sometimes be a hassle to pull out the full size vacuum. This is where the Electrolux Ergorapido comes in handy.

The Ergorapido is a compact stick vacuum that doubles as a handheld vac. While this lightweight sidekick isn't as powerful as a full size vac, it makes up for that with convenience and versatility. With no bags to replace, no cords to rewind, and about twenty minutes of run time, the Ergorapido is ideal for quick spills and tidying up when time is at a premium. It's also ideal for bachelors who, let's face it, generally aren't prone to bouts of deep cleaning.

The second new model in our Electrolux offering is the Electrolux Nimble. As a full size upright vacuum, the Nimble features HEPA filtration, cyclonic suction and maneuverability that blends the Dyson Ball with the Miele Swivel Neck designs.

A brushroll control switch allows you to quickly transition from carpet to smooth flooring, and a sealed system ensures no air leakage. So instead of kicking up allergens, you actually remove them. The included 3-in-1 Versa-tool is a unique add-on unlike most other vacuum attachments available. Designed for several purposes, this one tool makes cleaning carpeted steps or crevices easier. Like the ErgoRapido, the Nimble is well-priced to fit nearly any budget.

So for quick spills, smaller living spaces or as an additional tool in your cleaning arsenal, the ErgoRapido is a great fit. And for full size and more powerful cleaning throughout the home, the Nimble is a vacuum worth checking out.

If you've spent time on this site investigating indoor air quality or simply looking for ways to relieve allergy symptoms, you have likely come across specific characteristics we suggest that you should look for in a vacuum cleaner.

For years we have recommended that allergy, asthma and MCS sufferers invest in a quality HEPA vacuum cleaner that features a sealed system. The reason was because only this type of vacuum can truly remove allergens and the ultra fine particles in the air that can trigger asthma attacks or allergic reactions. Researchers in Australia recently published findings confirming what we have long recommended.

In testing 21 different types of vacuum cleaners, researchers concluded that the models tested allowed between 40,000 and 1.2 billion particles to pass completely through the vacuum. The size of the particles in this range was .5 to 20 microns, which means that in a typical household it could include common allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust.

Some of the models tested include Dyson, Hoover, iRobot, and Sanyo. The ages of the vacuums tested also ranged from 6 months to 22 years old.

An article from WebMD highlighted this study, pointing out other practices and products we have recommended for allergy sufferers, including the use of HEPA filters, microfiber or electrostatic dust cloths and the removal of carpet.

While the testing did not cover a comprehensive sampling of models, there are a few important take aways. First, vacuuming with a traditional vacuum cleaner that lacks a sealed system or HEPA filter will NOT help to remove allergens and fine particles. Secondly, using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter can improve indoor air quality while cleaning your floors. Lastly, and most importantly, this study highlights the link between vacuuming and its relationship to indoor air quality in the home.

To read the Study's Abstract