Miele Callisto S5281 Vacuum Cleaners
The Callisto is the most popular of all of Mieles canister vacuums. It offers the conveniences and the basic advancements
of the S5 Galaxy series with a few notable improvements. The Callisto represents an excellent blend of outstanding value and price.
What I like about the Miele Callisto Vacuum
What separates the Callisto from the entry level Pisces is quite simply, upgrades. With the Callisto,
an electric powered SEB 228 Electro Plus Powerbrush comes standard. This is a significant improvement over the air driven brush. In addition to
this, the hose that comes standard with the Callisto is powered. This gives you a wider range of more versatile attachments you can use with this model.
When I ran this model through tests similar to those used on the
Pisces, I found for thicker carpet the SEB228 Powerbrush was better at extracting pet hair from thicker carpet. In previous tests, I
could notice the strain as the air driven brushed bogged down on more dense carpet. In contrast, the electrically powered brush cleaned our high pile carpet much easier.
The last noticeable upgrade with the Callisto is the handle. In lieu of the standard handle, the Callisto is equipped with a deluxe handle.
The design fits better in your hand and puts less strain on your wrist while you vacuum. Again, with Miele, sometimes it is all about the little things.
A more comfortably designed handle may not seem like the most important feature, but when you have to vacuum the first and second floors of a fully carpeted
house, little conveniences make a big difference.
The Callisto comes standard with Miele's Active HEPA filtration, a definite plus for allergy and asthma sufferers. This vacuum collects dirt, dust and pet
hair from the floors without polluting the air in your home. The Generally Activated Charcoal reduces odors and traps some chemicals. The sealed system rounds out
the filtration qualities of the Miele Callisto and makes it and ideal choice for those concerned with indoor air pollution.
In addition, the Callisto comes standard with all the features you normally find on a Miele canister, quiet operation, 7 year warranty on the motor,
self-winding cord, easy movement, and self-sealing bags.
What I do not like about the Miele Callisto Vacuum
The Callisto is a powered unit, which means it has electric features from the powerbrush to the vacuum itself.
To connect the hose to the vacuum is a minor inconvenience. There is a small, gray, plastic tab on the body of
the vacuum that must be removed before you can attach the hose. The end of a nail file or very fine-tipped, flat
head screwdriver will work. Without removing the cap, you may be left scratching your head as to how the hose
could actually attach to the vacuum.
Despite a standard HEPA filter, the Callisto does not come with a filter change indicator. A bag change indicator comes
standard with all Miele canister vacuums, but a good rule of thumb for the HEPA filter is to replace it once a year.
For those concerned with not only cleaning their floors but also the quality of the air inside their homes, the Callisto
offers the best on both counts. For both hard and carpeted surfaces the Callisto will get the job done, and the electric
powerbrush and deluxe handle are just two additional features that help make this unit one of Miele's most popular choices.
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