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Miele S4212 Polaris

*Est. $400

Reviewed

November 2009

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Excellent performance on bare floors
Good dust emissions control
Variable power
Lightweight

Cons

Expensive
Less effective on carpeting
Small bag needs frequent replacement
Relatively short cord

Where to Buy

for $449.00

Our Analysis
Specs
58 Amazon Reviews

Miele S4 Series canister vacuums perform very well in professional tests and receive fewer durability complaints than other models in user reviews at retailer websites like Amazon.com. The newest in this line of vacuum cleaners, the Miele S4212 Polaris, is identical in every way except for color -- light blue instead of yellow -- to its predecessor, the highly rated Miele S4210 Carina. At 11 pounds, the Miele S4212 Polaris is easy to carry up stairs. It includes a combination floor tool rather than a powered brush, so it may not be the best choice for carpeting. In tests, Miele S4 vacuums do an especially good job on hard floors, but aren't as effective as others for picking up pet hair on carpet. If you don't want to spend so much, the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040 (*Est. $230) is heavier and noisier but performs just as well on bare floors.

Australia's Choice magazine and the U.K.'s Which? magazine include Miele S4 Series canister vacuum cleaners in their most recent roundups. We also found a review for the older Miele S4210 Carina at ConsumerGuide.com, but there's no indication that the vacuum was actually tested. User reviews for the Miele S4212 are available at Amazon.com and Buzzillions.com.

Where To Buy

Miele Vacuum Cleaner Bags Type FJM AirClean

(3 reviews)
Buy new: $20.85 $18.95 127 Used & new from $17.56

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Our Sources

1. Choice magazine

Australia's Choice magazine tests 15 mid-priced canister vacuums on carpeting and bare floors. Included is the Miele Duoflex 4000 S4212, which is the Australian equivalent to the Miele S4212 Polaris.

Review: Test: Mid-Price Vacuum Cleaners, Editors of Choice magazine, April 15, 2009

2. Which? magazine

Which? magazine editors thoroughly test more than 100 upright and canister vacuums in this roundup, including a few different models from the Miele S4 Series.

Review: Vacuum Cleaners, Editors of Which? magazine

3. ConsumerGuide.com

This older review discusses the now-discontinued Miele S4210 Carina, but there's no indication the vacuum was actually tested. Instead, editors focus on the vacuum's features and on explaining the naming conventions of the Miele S4 line.

Review: Miele S4 Galaxy Series S4210 Compact Canister, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Nov. 10, 2006

4. Amazon.com

Half a dozen users rate and review the Miele S4212 Polaris at Amazon.com, all giving it a perfect score. Additional reviews are available for the Miele S4210 Carina, which is identical save for its color.

Review: Miele All New S4212 Polaris Canister Vacuum Cleaner, Contributors to Amazon.com

5. Buzzillions.com

Buzzillions.com has a handful of user reviews (so far) for the new Miele S4212 Polaris. All are positive overall, but a few owners note that the dirt bag is small and the cord is short.

Review: Miele S4212 Canister Vacuum Cleaner, Contributors to Buzzillions.com

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