Knowledgeable’s Score
Execs
- Highly effective
- Excessive-quality construct
- Good vary of cleansing instruments
- Pet hair instrument wonderful on upholstery
Cons
- Tiny 0.3-litre bin
- Brief battery life and battery not swappable
- No headlights
Our Verdict
It is a highly effective, high-quality stick vacuum that’s more likely to final you a very long time. However for its value, its options are just a little restricted, as is its battery life.
Value When Reviewed
Not presently obtainable within the US
Whereas Dyson vacuum cleaners are justly well-known, there’s one other model that makes equally efficient high-end vacuums. Miele’s flooring cleaners could not have the identical on the spot title recognition, however they’re among the many greatest we’ve examined, with clear, trendy designs and quiet color schemes that would show enticing, particularly to individuals who must hold their vacuum on show.
On this assessment, we’re taking a look at Miele’s new cordless mannequin, the Duoflex HX1. It’s a extra budget-friendly mannequin than the model’s flagship cordless, the Miele Triflex, so there are just a few compromises to be made the place options are involved, however its construct and efficiency are top-notch.
Design and Construct
- Two energy settings
- Most 55-minute battery life
- Primary battery life indicator
There are a selection of various Duoflex HX1 editions: the CarCare, the Complete Care and the Cat & Canine. The value and attachments range relying on which you purchase.
We’re testing the HX1 Cat & Canine, which comes with a specialist attachment for eradicating pet hair from upholstery and automobile seats.
The whole lot is properly designed and all components click on collectively and separate superbly
Within the field, you’ll get the vacuum cleaner physique, which can be used as a handheld, a metallic wand and cleansing attachments. These embrace the principle MultiFloor electrobrush (the principle, motorised cleansing head), which is able to detect and mechanically alter to flooring sort, a dusting brush, upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle and the electro compact brush (the motorised pet hair attachment).
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
The wand is gunmetal gray and the cleansing attachments all have a matt black end. The whole lot is properly designed and all components click on collectively and separate superbly.
The vacuum physique additionally has a matt end, with a textured sample beneath the grip. The clear, easy-open dustbin has a 0.3-litre capability. In comparison with rivals, this actually is tiny. For example, Dyson’s flagship mannequin the Gen5detect, has a bin that’s over twice the dimensions at 0.77 litres.
This implies you’ll must empty it typically. On the very least, that’s simple to do, with a quick-release button on the bottom of the bin. Nonetheless, like all smaller bins, when you vacuum up plenty of pet fur, you’ll most likely must take away the hairballs manually.
The vacuum’s controls are easy. There are two buttons on prime of the vacuum’s grip, properly in attain of your thumb. One is the ability key and the opposite switches from low to excessive vacuuming energy. More often than not, I discovered that low energy was sufficient to get the job completed.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
There’s no display screen on the HX1, which was a function I missed whereas testing it. Though a digital show would possibly seem to be a little bit of pointless tech on a vacuum, battery life countdown timers are genuinely helpful on cordless vacuums.
As a substitute, the HX1 has a 3 mild battery indicator, so that you’ll know in case your battery is full, has two-thirds, or one-third of its life left. Extra element could be good however on the plus facet, the HX1 has a most working time of 55 minutes – though that’s on the low setting, and not using a motorised brush head connected.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Nonetheless, in response to Miele, when utilizing a motorised attachment, you’ll solely get 12 minutes of vacuuming time on the excessive setting. More often than not, you’ll doubtless get round half an hour of vacuuming from the battery however it’s arduous to be precise.
What’s a disgrace is that the HX1’s lithium-ion battery can’t be swapped out, which suggests there’s no choice to purchase a spare and double the working time. This implies it’s essential to keep watch over the not-very-precise battery indicator as it could possibly drop in only a few minutes for a 3rd full to empty.
The vacuum additionally comes with a dock that you just mount to the wall with the help of two included screws, though you possibly can cost the vacuum with out utilizing it, simply by plugging it in.
Efficiency and Options
- 3.1kg weight
- Pet hair instrument efficient
- Highly effective vacuuming
The HX1 weighs 3.1kg, which is lighter than the Gen5detect’s 3.5kg however not almost as mild on the Halo Capsule X’s 2.6kg. (The Capsule X additionally has an enormous, 2-litre bin and several other different excellent options.)
It feels mild when vacuuming on the ground, however I did discover it heavy on the wrist in handheld mode when utilizing it overhead to wash blinds.
The principle motorised cleansing head (the Multifloor electrobrush) is nice on each carpets and arduous flooring – with a few caveats. If you wish to give carpets a deep clear, you’ll want to make use of the excessive setting, which is able to solely provide you with 12 minutes of vacuuming time earlier than it is advisable recharge.
The motorised pet hair removing instrument is considered one of my favorite issues about this vacuum
Its efficiency on arduous flooring is great however I discovered that it could possibly scatter bigger particles, so when you’re selecting up cat litter, you’ll must go over the world a few occasions.
I additionally discovered that lengthy hair tends to wrap across the brush roll and must be pulled away by hand. This, nevertheless, isn’t an excessive amount of hassle as the comb roll pops out for simple cleansing.
Among the many remainder of the cleansing instruments, there’s accent for each job, though we did miss the jointed instrument that top-flight Dyson and Samsung vacuums have, which helps you to create a 90° angle for cleansing excessive cabinets and hard-to-reach spots.
The motorised pet hair removing instrument is considered one of my favorite issues about this vacuum. It’s very efficient in eradicating mud and pet hair from upholstery and can be used to hoover your mattress. This instrument does carry up the value of the Canine & Cat mannequin, however when you have pets, I feel it’s value it.
If you would like the Duoflex however aren’t bought on the necessity for the motorised pet hair instrument, the Duoflex HX1 or HX1 Additional are cheaper choices. You may see all of the fashions at Miele.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Value and Availability
At this stage, the Duoflex is just not obtainable within the US. If you would like a cordless Miele, take a look at our assessment of the Miele Triflex, the model’s flagship cordless mannequin, which you should buy within the US and the UK.
Within the UK, you will get the Duoflex from John Lewis, Currys, Marks Electrical or direct from Miele, for £449. This places the vacuum firmly within the mid-range value bracket. It’s not as costly as top-tier Dyson fashions, such because the flagship Gen5detect (£750+) or the V15 Detect, each of which surpass it by way of specs and options.
The issue is that it’s pricier than similarly-featured fashions, equivalent to the wonderful Halo Capsule X (£399.99) or the budget-friendly Shark Detect Professional (£229). Ultimately, it’s not that the Duoflex isn’t a very good vacuum, it’s simply that within the present, crowded market, there are many different choices and it’s arduous to discover a compelling cause to spend a bit extra to purchase it.
Do you have to purchase Miele’s Duoflex HX1 Cat & Canine?
The Duoflex HX1 Cat & Canine is a sturdy, well-made vacuum – and that’s what you’re paying for once you purchase. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless costly and also you’ll must compromise relating to the dimensions of the dustbin, the battery life and the not-very-specific battery indicator. Ultimately, this might work greatest as a second vacuum or fast runaround to be stored within the kitchen.
If this isn’t the fitting vacuum for you, take a look at our prime suggestions in our round-up of the very best vacuum cleaners we’ve examined.