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With the release of the new Miele S7 upright vacuum cleaners, our Miele experts have been fielding questions from fans about the benefits of the canister vacuums versus the new upright vacuums. Traditionally, there has always been a clear distinction between canister vacuum cleaners and upright vacuum cleaners. There are a myriad of other factors to consider before purchasing a canister or upright, but we have generally recommended upright vacuum cleaners for consumers with more carpeting in their homes. Uprights generally work better on medium to deep pile carpeting. If you needed a cleaner for hard surfaces, we recommended a canister vacuum. Miele’s introduction of the innovative S7 series of vacuums has blurred the distinction between these two types of vacuum cleaners. In an attempt to bridge the gap between canisters and uprights, Miele canisters have been adapted to better handle all cleaning situations; at the same time, with the new S7, Miele has addressed the weaknesses of traditional uprights and has turned them into strengths. Here are some of the differences to consider before purchasing.

Miele S5 Canister Vacuums

 Advantages:

• Miele canisters are quieter than the uprights
• The extension wand allows you to work high above your head on ceiling corners, book cases, and drapes—above the floor cleaning
• A flexible, crush-proof hose provides excellent versatility
• Low profile power brushes allow you to get around furniture, under beds, and into tight areas better than an upright--canisters reach all the way under the bed
• The power brush attachments for Miele canisters are excellent at edging
• Canisters work better on stairs, because they are lighter to carry and maneuver in tight spaces
• Because canisters tend to be smaller and within the line of Miele canisters there is a wide variety, canister vacuums are often better for small homes or large condos and apartments.
• Each canister is equipped with a retractable electrical cord that is stored inside the body
• Canisters are the best when cleaning car interiors
• The cleaning tools are stored inside the canister body
• If a turbo brush or power brush breaks, you can replace the attachment without having a repair shop fix the entire vacuum

Disadvantages:

• The canister is out of your sight while in use. You must pull the canister along behind you
• You have to lift canister to move over thresholds and into other rooms
• Most require a brush attachment change when switching from carpet to hard surface flooring

Miele S7 Upright Vacuums

Advantages:

• More powerful suction and cleaning action on wall-to-wall carpeting
• Better for use in larger, open spaces with carpeting and hallways
• More maneuverable and you do not have to constantly move the canister
• Uprights tend to be more convenient and save more time. Easy to use and to store. Just plug it in and you are cleaning. Wind the cord onto the handle and put away in the closet
• Vacuum is always in front of you to see where and what you are cleaning.
• Automatic height adjustment
• Dust bags are larger and require less changing
• LED Brush Light
• Exceptional 55 ft. cleaning radius
• Ability to turn the brush roll on and off to move easily between surfaces
• Has a strong, crush-proof, flexible hose for stationary cleaning

Disadvantages:

• The S7 does not have a retractable cord
• It is harder to vacuum stairs
• Uprights are heavier and harder to move up and down stairs and around a larger home
• If brush roller or another part of the vacuum breaks down, you must take the vacuum in for repair

The Miele S7 Uprights have addressed many of the consumer complaints with traditional uprights. Here are just some of the innovative new features that Miele has employed to bridge that gap between their canisters and their new uprights:

• The hose is long, fully retractable and crushproof
• Tthe vacuum is very stable when using the wand
• The swivel-neck design allows you to get around furniture more easily
• The slim 6 inch profile, while lying flat, means you can get under furniture
• All the accessory tools are on board and fully integrated
• The S7’s feature Miele’s Sealed System and Active HEPA filter which are designed for allergy sufferers

Because of Miele’s innovation and goal to create vacuum cleaners that will suit all of your cleaning needs, the division between upright and canister vacuum cleaners largely boils down to a matter of personal preference. We still recommend that you buy an upright if you have a large home with wall-to-wall carpeting. The canisters and uprights are comparable in durability. Each possesses the unique styling and modern color choices of the Miele brand. With both designs, you will find the core of Miele’s best features combined with their commitment to produce quality products. Miele has designed the canisters and uprights with overlapping features to perform any cleaning tasks in your home.

Shop Miele S7 vacuum cleaners or compare all Miele S7 uprights

Shop Miele S5 vacuum cleaners, or compare all Miele S5 canisters