Miele vs. Dyson: What is better, a Miele or a Dyson?
If you're torn between picking a Miele or Dyson vacuum cleaner, you should know where to begin your comparison into each brand.
Both brands are very popular among home owners and have useful features on every product built by them.
And while there are some similarities between each, there are many differences between their vacuums.
Fundamentally, Miele and Dyson have everything you need in their vacuums, which is to keep your floors, carpets, and furniture clean.
But cleanliness today is more than just removing the top layer of dirt off your floors and sofas.
You need a vacuum cleaner that will last longer, has good wattage, or will hold battery power long enough for you to finish your cleaning session without having to look for a recharge.
Below is an in-depth comparison of Miele vs. Dyson, along with some of the best products from each brand.
Keep reading!
How are Miele and Dyson vacuums different?
Let's go over the main benefits of Miele and Dyson vacuums:
Miele
- Products have excellent build quality.
- More vacuums to choose from.
- Vacuums with high-quality dust bags.
- More space for debris containment.
Dyson
- Has better priced high-end models.
- Bagless debris containers.
- Easier to move around.
If you didn't know, Miele vacuums and accessories are produced in Germany.
Dyson is spread out more, having factories throughout most areas where their products have a good size clientele.
For that reason, you may run into more Dyson vacuums in brick and mortar stores than you will Miele. This isn't to say that Miele can't be found, because the brand most certainly can.
Dyson's main headquarters is located in the UK, with a majority of products manufactured in Asia.
Miele has been around for much longer than Dyson, by nearly 100 years.
The company builds many electronics other than vacuums, including laundry machines, dishwashers, and coolers.
Dyson in recent years has increased its product range, selling dryers, lights, and public bathroom fixtures.
Did you know that Miele built the first certified HEPA filter? It was created approximately 30 years ago.
Dyson, on the other hand, pioneered vacuum cleaners without bags around the same time.
Range
Range in itself encompassed different comparable aspects of Miele and Dyson.
Keep in mind that both companies built more than one vacuum unit, with ranges between them each contrasting between every individual model.
When looking at the range of products that they both retail, Miele leads Dyson. Just with their canister vacuums alone, Miele outnumbers Dyson by 17 models.
There are 20 for Miele and just 3 for their competitor. Dyson also lags in upright models, though only by one model higher than Miele's eight.
The reason that Miele has more vacuums than Dyson is due to them having a large clientele, at least budget-wise.
The company has vacuums that are discounted, mid-range, and top-shelf. This is reflected in their variety more than Dyson, which begins at an identical starting price for the cheapest models, around $300.
Here are some of the style ranges offered by Miele and Dyson.
Upright Vacuums
If you want an upright vacuum, you're good with either a Dyson or Miele. Each has multiple choices for you to pick.
Miele's uprights are bigger and weigh more than Dyson. This is without the added weight of the debris that they take on.
They're also bulkier, so some users may want to think twice before settling with an upright Miele, particularly if suffering from disabilities that impede lifting. Dyson's uprights are built without bags, so debris is collected in plastic containers.
By comparison, every Miele upright has a bag. The question of which is better relies more on your preference for a bag or bagless designs, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.
Check out some of the upright vacuums sold by Miele:
- Miele Dynamic U1 - Has 1200 watts of power in the motor, durable HEPA filters, an extension cord that curls itself automatically, plenty of accessories including a dusting brush, and tools for vacuuming corners.
- Miele Dynamic Maverick - 1200 watts motor power, dusting brushes, and crevice tools all included in the package.
- Miele Dynamic Cat and Dog Vacuum Cleaner - Specifically for people with pets, the cleaner also outputs 1200 wattage, is bagged and has an air purifying filtration system. It's designed to eliminate pet odors from getting up their hair and freshening the air after the debris is in the bag. And a lot of debris it's capable of holding. The limit before dumping is necessary is six liters. The cleaning attachments are adjustable, confining to the height that you desire. All standard accessories are included.
Here are Dyson's upright vacuum cleaners:
- Dyson Ball Animal 2 - This one is best for pet owners with more than one dog or cat. The filters are very strong, able to last long after the warranty expires. It has a turbine on the inside, along with an attachment for you to better vacuum stairs. Every accessory is geared toward eliminating pet smells and keeping your house clear of any fine hairs from their shedding.
- Dyson Animal 2 Multiple Floor - Another upright model, the Multi Floor 2 is slightly smaller in weight than the other standard Animal 2. The filter is washable, so you won't have to throw it away after using it a couple of times. The front head of the unit cleans itself, though it's still recommended that you clean it when detailed the rest of the vacuum's parts.
- Dyson Small Ball Vacuum - This upright vacuum is also very light, weighing three pounds less than the one just mentioned. It's also smaller in weight than all of Miele's upright vacuums. The handle has a swivel that helps you maneuver easily and store fast when the machine isn't in use. The filter is washable and other attachments featured with the unit are a cleaning head, stairway cleaner, and multi-tool.
- Dyson Cinetic Big Ball - Being a large unit, the Big Ball doesn't have a filter and is one of the easiest filters to dispense on most modern vacuums produced today. If your concern is getting a vacuum capable of reducing particles in the air, the Big Balls are your best friend. It releases no particular out of the vents, reducing odor in the chances that you vacuum something with an unpleasant smell.
Read More: Dyson vs. Bissell Comparison
Stick Vacuums
Let's take a look into Miele and Dyson's stick vacuums.
How do the stick vacs from each brand compare?
Overall, Dyson leads in this department, having more for customers to choose from than Miele.
Dyson's stick vacuums are called the V series, which in itself has lots of similar models.
Unfortunately, Miele has just one stick vacuum, which is called the Swing.
On top of this, the stick units produced by Dyson are all wireless, while the single one manufactured by Miele uses an AC cord for power.
Here are more details on Dyson and Miele stick vacuums:
Miele
- Miele Swing - Also called the H1, it's corded but makes up for this by having a good-sized bag. The most you can fit inside is about two and a half liters. The tools that you expect on a Miele are here, crevice tool and all. There are two variable speed options for the machine, which puts out power to the tune of 1000 watts. It weighs nine pounds.
Dyson
- Dyson V11 Outsize - This is Dyson's novel stick variation. As with every stick vacuum produced by the brand, it has no attached cord. The reach is well-suited for people that like to clean fast. You can cover a longer width in cleaning span than what was possible for previous stick vacuums made by Dyson in the past. The bagless debris container carries close to 2 liters of material. This is the highest debris capacity of any Dyson vacuum.
- Dyson V11 - Not to be confused with the Outsize, this stick vacuum has a tremendous amount of power in the motor, which can run for about an hour with nonstop use. A display on the back lets up check stats at you clean, such as battery power left and the mode of vacuuming that you're on.
- Dyson V10 - The V10 is all about battery life. With it, you can get it to last about 1 hour, no different than the V10 models. If you go with the Absolute, your vacuum will come with different cleaning accessories like carpet and floor heads, crevice tools, and a turbine.
- Dyson V8 - The V8's battery power isn't as strong as the models detailed already, but it's still recommended. It's a combination of two types of vacuum cleaners, a stick and handheld. They detach the handheld cleaner whenever you need it, or take it with you when you require cleaning for transport. The V8 will hold a little over half a liter of debris.
- Dyson V7 - The V7 will power for about 30 minutes on a full charge. Suction is gauged at 100 air watts, the measurement for suction power. You should plan on picking up pieces of trash that are larger than a pebble with this tool. Instead, consider it for general purpose cleanings, such as in the office or individual rooms.
- Dyson V6 - Stacked next to the other V-Series models by Dyson, this one might seem a bit rudimentary to some. Suction power is the same as the V7. Take off the portable head for cleaning areas that are hard to reach.
Related: Best Corded Stick Vacuums
Related: Shark vs. Dyson
Robot Vacuums
Since robot vacuums haven't been around for very long, it should be no surprise that Dyson and Miele both have a limited number of products defined as such.
But of those that are sold, they're considered to be high end and come packed with some impressive attributes.
Miele's has the RX models while Dyson's is called the 360. Is one fair better than the other?
Dyson 360
If you're on a budget, the price of Dyson's 360 could be a bit high.
You can control it with your smartphone using iOS or Android OS systems. The body of the vacuum cleaner is noticeably higher than other similar robot cleaners.
The result of this is that it won't have the clearance to go underneath some furniture pieces.
If you own lots of furniture that rests lower than 4.7 inches, you might want to look at another robot vacuum that's lower in profile. 4.7 inches in the exact height of the 360.
The alternative to the standard 360 is the 360 Heurist. The build is the same but it only retails in select locations.
Since the standard can also be difficult to find, it might be feasible to look at other robot vacuums unless this is what you really want.
Miele Scout RX1
The RX1 has plenty of battery life, lasting on a continuous run for about two hours.
It can map out your entire house using infrared and has multiple cleaning variations for you to pick.
One of them is turbo, which is a battery saver and moves quicker over problematic areas that you set for the machine to operate.
In corner mode, the RX1 focuses on the perimeter of your house, which is the floor closest to the walls.
Do you own pets? The bristles on the brush for the RX1 protrude out a bit.
This could become problematic when the machine attempts to pick too many strands of hair simultaneously.
Price
Again, Miele has more vacuums overall than the Dyson does, with more alterations in between the different models built by them.
Because of this, their range is a bit larger than Dyson. You'll find the cheapest Miele sold at around $300.
The same applies to the Dyson as far as entry-level prices. But where they differ is in the highest prices for their top cleaner.
Miele ends at about $1000, whereas Dyson's ceiling is about $600. Miele has a more expensive line of vacuum cleaners than Dyson. But is there a reason for this?
If you're familiar with Miele, you may have seen them promote their vacuums by showing how they test out their machines.
This isn't just a show for the cameras. Miele products undergo multiple tests to see how far they can last. Since testing on a large scale can raise the value of the product being sold when it performs well, the cost of their retail value is higher.
Simply put, Miele builds high-quality machines that last long and can be run for long working hours without breaking down over things that low quality vacuums couldn't hold up to. Many of Miele's cleaners are made to last up to 20 years, and that's with nominal use.
Dyson's highest priced vacuum is the Big Ball, which isn't touted to last two decades but is considerably cheaper than the most expensive Miele. Even with a $400 price difference between them, they're often compared with one another.
Although price might be a factor into the decision of a shopper to buy a Dyson, things like their bagless debris containers and their wallet-friendly appeal often sell customers over to their brand of vacuums.
Read more: How Much Do Vacuum Cleaners Cost
Battery Life
Dyson vacuums have recently been outfitted with LCD panels that indicate vacuum settings such as battery power.
Which makes sense with more cordless models existing with the brand than what's available with Miele.
The battery life on the best Dyson is about one hour. Truth be told, that's about the same as the Miele's battery on their cordless models, the HX1.
Dust Bin
When you want a vacuum that can store plenty without you having to make multiple stops just to empty the debris inside, a Miele is your best choice.
Dyson has good containers, but even while many6 are bagless, Miele vacs are usually capable of holding more of what you pick up.
One downside to this is that the potential for odor to develop is highest with a Miele, since having a higher debris capacity may indirectly encourage the user to leave the trash inside for longer than they should.
Filtration
Filters are common in most vacuums now, helping them to keep fine particles from escaping out of the cleaner's ventilation, thereby purifying air to an extent.
HEPA filter quality isn't always the same. Miele has HEPA filters known as AirClean. They're certified to rid the majority of pathogens and allergy-inducing elements from your home.
Is the Dyson about the same? Yes in the sense that they also contain HEPA filters on the Big Ball models. They're reusable, save for the Cinetic line of cleaners.
To summarize each, Dyson has better HEPA filters for longevity while Miele's are made to remove more allergens from vacuumed areas.
Read more: Best HEPA Filter Vacuums
Warranty
As stated earlier, Miele has a more extensive testing policy than Dyson.
Therefore, their warranty is a bit longer than their competitor. Regardless, Dyson's five-year warranty remains a good deal.
A Miele vacuum will last about 20 years and a Dyson about ten, according to both manufacturers.
However, Dyson's cordless vacuums have a short warranty period, lasting only two years. Miele provides the same period for their cordless model.
Features
Features are one reason that consumers choose one product over another. Technology-wise, each has excellent filters and pushes out clean air as they clean.
They're almost equal in this regard. No particles will ever escape from either brand, the interiors to their vacuums having a seal that allows nothing to escape until you're ready to dispense their trash yourself.
Miele and Dyson both have good vacuum attachments. Some models could have better compatibility with cheaper accessories, but it's difficult to tell which is more compatible with aftermarket attachments since it may vary according to location.
Miele features vacuum bags while Dyson doesn't. It's a feature that could be good for some, but problematic and expensive for others.
Miele bags must be replaced, so buying new bags will certainly add up in price over time. There's no need for any of that with a Dyson.
The lack of sound in a motor is another feature for vacuums that's often overlooked. Miele's emits less of a whine than Dyson's do, making them easier on the ears when running.
Make no mistake, you'll hear both of them when in a room that's adjacent to the one being cleaned with the vacuum. The decibel level of a Dyson is a bit louder in sound, therefore creating more noise pollution.
Miele refers to their lack of sound as the Silence System. The motor's sound is reduced from insulation placed in strategic spots around the turbine. Dyson vacuums lacks this feature.
Final Verdict
Let's go over the main benefits of Miele and Dyson vacuums:
Miele
- Products have excellent build quality - Miele ensures that every product that comes off their assembly line is made to a standard that most other vacuums retailed to consumers can't compete with.
- More vacuums to choose from - More models translates to more for potential buyer's to pick, meaning that there's a good chance someone will see a Miele that they admire enough to consider purchasing.
- Vacuums with high-quality dust bags - This could be more preferential, but it remains a strong selling more for Miele.
- More space for debris containment - Miele's vacuums are larger in space than the Dyson's are, allowing more room to store debris. This can speed up the cleaning process exponentially.
Dyson
- Has better priced high-end models - Everyone loves a good deal, even with top shelf vacuum cleaners. With Dyson, you'll get that more than with a Miele. Their most expensive are hundreds of dollars cheaper, which could be hard to ignore when on a budget.
- Bagless debris containers - They're easier to work with and need no replacement. Dyson's vacuum models make good use of them ore the Miele does.
- Easier to move around - Even with both vacuums having lightweight and heavy-duty cleaners, Dyson vacuums are generally lighter than Miele's, therefore easier to move up and down stairs. Easier storing is another advantage from having a catalog of less weight.
With these considerations, go for the Miele when you want longevity and power.
Choose the Dyson when prioritizing control and savings.
But above all, buy what you know will be something you can look at years from now and be satisfied with your purchase.
