Best Reviewed
Canister Vacuums
- Best canister vacuum Miele S5281 Callisto *Est. $900
- Best-value canister vacuum Electrolux Oxygen Canister EL6988E *Est. $325
- Budget canister vacuum for hard floors Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G *Est. $65
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- Excellent performance on bare floors
- High-quality construction
- Quiet
- Expensive
- Fairly heavy
Reviewers say the Miele S5 Series outperforms most other canister vacuums; the catch is its high price. Miele vacuums do well overall in testing, and they excel at allergen reduction and performance on bare floors. Miele also makes less expensive models like the highly rated S4 Series (*Est. $400 to $600). Reviewers say the S4s clean just as well as the higher-priced models, although they're more limited in features and tools. On the other end of the price spectrum, the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040 (*Est. $220) strikes a good balance between cost and performance.
ConsumerReports.org includes the now-discontinued Miele S5280 in a thorough and recently-updated test of canister vacuum cleaners. This model is still available at some retailers. Its replacement, the new Miele S5281, is covered by both Which? magazine and AllergyBuyersClub.com. User reviews aren't plentiful, but there's some coverage of the older S5280 at both Amazon.com and at Epinions.com.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org includes the Miele S5280 (now discontinued) in its review of 22 canister vacuums. Scores, based on laboratory testing, are broken down into seven categories: carpet, bare floors, tool airflow, noise, emissions, handling and pet hair.
Review: Vacuum Cleaners, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
2. Which? magazineDetails/Subscribe
Which? magazine does a thorough job of testing dozens of upright and canister models in their latest vacuum roundup. Which? magazine rivals ConsumerReports.org when it comes to credibility; the downside is that coverage is limited to models available in the U.K. Editors review the Miele S5281 Callisto and the S5210, both members of the S5 line of vacuums. Only the S5281 Callisto is available in the U.S., however.
Review: Vacuum Cleaners, Editors of Which? magazine
3. Choice magazineDetails/Subscribe
Choice magazine is the Australian equivalent of ConsumerReports.org. Testing is well done, but coverage of U.S.-available models is very limited. Editors have included two Miele S5 canisters in their latest report: the TotalCare S5781 and the Cat & Dog M.A.X. S5361. Neither is sold in the U.S.
Review: Vacuum Cleaners: $549 to $1,099, Editors of Choice magazine, Nov. 16, 2008
4. Amazon.com
Amazon.com is one of the best sources of vacuum cleaner user reviews. Of the Miele S5 series canisters covered, the now-discontinued S5280 Callisto gets the most posts. Owners say it's expensive but powerful, durable and quiet.
Review: Miele S5280 Callisto Galaxy Series Canister Vacuum, Contributors to Amazon.com
AllergyBuyersClub.com is a retail site geared toward allergy sufferers. Editors praise the Miele S5981 Capricorn for its convenient suction controls, "exceptionally easy swivel action" and low noise level, but don't discuss the vacuum's performance.
Review: Miele Vacuum Cleaners -- When You Only Want the Best!, Editors at AllergyBuyersClub.com
6. Epinions.com
The Miele S5280 gets perfect scores on Epinion.com from each of the handful of contributors posting reviews. Owners here make the same comments as on Amazon.com: they highlight power, high durability and low noise.
Review: Miele S5280 Bagged Canister Vacuum, Contributors to Epinions.com
Canister Vacuums Runners Up:
4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000…
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