Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction
- Details
Avg. consumer rating = 91/100
The Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction canister vacuum is popular and it is a good fit for homes with mostly hard flooring – hardwood, tile, linoleum, etc. However the vacuum does not have a brushroll in the cleaner head so it is not very good at cleaning carpet. Owners like that the unit is made in Germany and that it quiet and has very powerful suction. They are also pleased with the variable suction feature that allows you to adjust the strength of the suction (6 settings). On the downside, the power cord is a bit on the short side and Miele vacuum bags are not inexpensive.
Quick Specs | |
Type | Canister |
Bagged/Bagless | Bagged |
Best for... | Hard Floors & Very Low Pile Carpet |
Pet Hair Features | No |
Approx. Weight | 13 lbs |
HEPA Level Filtration | No |
Power Cord Length | 21 feet |
Motor Driven Brushroll | No |
Warranty | 1 Year P&L, 7 Years motor/housing |
This is a popular Miele canister vacuum and we were able to find well over 600 owner ratings – see table below. When we applied a weighted average to these ratings the C1 Pure Suction got a score of 91.3 out of 100. This is an excellent score. You can compare it to other vacuums in our vacuum cleaner finder application.
Source | Consumer Rating | # Ratings |
Amazon | 4.6 stars out of 5 | 487 |
Bed Bath & Beyond | 4.4 stars out of 5 | 112 |
Overstock | 4.6 stars out of 5 | 46 |
Wayfair | 4.6 stars our of 5 | 17 |
Sylvane | 5 stars out of 5 | 3 |
Abt | 3.5 stars out of 5 | 2 |

A thorough review of owner comments has provided the following pros & cons.
- Made in Germany
- Very quiet
- Automatically retracting power cord
- Strong suction
- Variable suction
- Not too heavy
- Feels sturdy
- Great on hard floors
- Power cord is a little short
- Bags are not cheap
- Not really designed for carpet
- System for on-board tools is average
There are several “themes” regarding the Pure Suction that are expounded upon by owners. One of these is that the vacuum is made in Germany – as opposed to being made in China. There are no specific issues highlighted that indicate the German-made machine is better, but owners seem very pleased with their European vacuum cleaner.
Another popular characteristic owners like to highlight is the unit’s suction. Many folks report that the Classic C1 Pure Suction has very powerful suction – more than you generally require for basic cleaning. It is also very handy that the vacuum comes with variable suction controls that allow you to dial down the suction if you want to. You can essentially tailor the suction to your cleaning needs.

Classic C1 Pure Suction OR Compact C1 Pure Suction?
We’ve reviewed both the Classic C1 Pure Suction and the Compact C1 Pure Suction and they are similar in many ways (they are also both supposedly designed for hard floors and low-pile carpet). However there are some important differences.
Bag capacity = 3.7 quarts
Air filtration system is sealed
Made in China
Bag capacity = 4.76 quarts
Air filtration system in not sealed
Made in Germany
- Classic C1 Pure Suction canister vacuum
- Crevice Tool
- Upholstery Tool
- Dusting Brush
- Clip for attaching tools to hose
- AirClean Filter
- 1 Type GN AirClean Filterbag
- Vacuum Cleaner Manual

Three fairly generic tools come with the vacuum:
- Crevice tool
- Dusting brush with synthetic bristles

This Miele canister has variable suction – a very handy feature when you want to dial down the suction to vacuum more delicate items (or sometimes to help the floorhead move easier across some surfaces). A rotary dial on top of the canister body has 6 suction settings:
- Upholstery & cushions
- Deeper pile carpet, rugs & runners
- Energy saving mode (low noise)
- Low pile carpet & rugs
- Hard floor (or heavily soiled carpet & rugs)

There are three levels of filtration:
- A pre-motor filter
- The vacuum bags (9 layers thick)
- An exhaust filter (AirClean filter - (SAC 20/30))
Miele often refers to vacuum bags as filterbags or sometimes dustbags. The Classic C1 Pure Suction uses a Type GN AirClean filterbag. This vacuum bag is fairly large and has a 4.76 quart capacity. It also has a special spring loaded collar with a rubber seal that snaps shut when the bag is removed. This approach ensures that dust and debris do not escape the bag when it is being replaced.

The power cord on this unit is a bit short. The manual states that it can be pulled out to a maximum of 18 ft (although many sources claim it is closer to 21 ft). We usually like to see a longer cord than this and indeed quite a few owners lament the length of the cord. A short cord can be annoying as you may find the machine unable to reach certain parts of the area you are cleaning, and you will have to hunt about for another power outlet. It is just inconvenient.
The vacuum weighs only about 13 lbs and the telescopic wand that comes with the Classic C1 Pure Suction is made of stainless steel. The vacuum also has a convenient built-in carry handle. In addition, a temperature limiter will kick in and shut the machine off if it detects the motor heating up. This can happen if, for example, there is an air flow blockage. The temperature limiter can save the motor from being damaged.

7-year manufacturer’s warranty on motor and casing
1-year manufacturer’s warranty on parts and labor
The manual for the Classic C1 Pure Suction is not particularly long or detailed but it covers the basics. The manual we provide here is written in both English and French. It covers operation and maintenance, and there is an FAQ section as well as warranty information and some other details. You can see a copy here: Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Manual