Professional’s Score
Execs
- Highly effective
- Excessive-quality construct
- Good vary of cleansing instruments
- Pet hair software glorious on upholstery
Cons
- Tiny 0.3-litre bin
- Quick battery life and battery not swappable
- No headlights
Our Verdict
This can be a highly effective, high-quality stick vacuum that’s prone to final you a very long time. However for its worth, its options are a bit restricted, as is its battery life.
Whereas Dyson vacuum cleaners are justly well-known, there’s one other model that makes equally efficient high-end vacuums. Miele’s flooring cleaners might not have the identical immediate identify recognition, however they’re among the many greatest we’ve examined, with clear, fashionable designs and quiet color schemes that would show engaging, particularly to individuals who must preserve 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 a couple of 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
- Fundamental battery life indicator
There are a variety of various Duoflex HX1 editions: the CarCare, the Whole Care and the Cat & Canine. The worth 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.
Every part is properly designed and all elements click on collectively and separate superbly
Within the field, you’ll get the vacuum cleaner physique, which may also be used as a handheld, a metallic wand and cleansing attachments. These embody the primary MultiFloor electrobrush (the primary, motorised cleansing head), which is able to detect and mechanically regulate 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. Every part is properly designed and all elements click on collectively and separate superbly.
The vacuum physique additionally has a matt end, with a textured sample under 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 scale at 0.77 litres.
This implies you’ll must empty it usually. 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, if you happen to vacuum up a number of pet fur, you’ll most likely must take away the hairballs manually.
The vacuum’s controls are easy. There are two buttons on high of the vacuum’s grip, effectively in attain of your thumb. One is the facility 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 finished.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
There’s no display on the HX1, which was a function I missed whereas testing it. Though a digital show would possibly look like 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 gentle 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 can be good however on the plus aspect, the HX1 has a most working time of 55 minutes – though that’s on the low setting, with no motorised brush head hooked up.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Nevertheless, in keeping with 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 possible get round half an hour of vacuuming from the battery nevertheless it’s laborious 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 you need to control the not-very-precise battery indicator as it might probably drop in just some minutes for a 3rd full to empty.
The vacuum additionally comes with a dock that you simply 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 software efficient
- Highly effective vacuuming
The HX1 weighs 3.1kg, which is lighter than the Gen5detect’s 3.5kg however not practically as gentle 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 gentle 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 sweet on each carpets and laborious 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 offer you 12 minutes of vacuuming time earlier than you might want to recharge.
The motorised pet hair elimination software is considered one of my favorite issues about this vacuum
Its efficiency on laborious flooring is superb however I discovered that it might probably scatter bigger particles, so if you happen to’re choosing 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, nonetheless, isn’t an excessive amount of bother as the comb roll pops out for straightforward cleansing.
Among the many remainder of the cleansing instruments, there’s accent for each job, though we did miss the jointed software 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 elimination software is considered one of my favorite issues about this vacuum. It’s very efficient in eradicating mud and pet hair from upholstery and may also be used to hoover your mattress. This software does carry up the value of the Canine & Cat mannequin, however in case you have pets, I believe it’s price it.
If you need the Duoflex however aren’t bought on the necessity for the motorised pet hair software, the Duoflex HX1 or HX1 Additional are cheaper choices. You’ll be able to see all of the fashions at Miele.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Value and Availability
At this stage, the Duoflex will not be accessible within the US. If you need a cordless Miele, take a look at our assessment of the Miele Triflex, the model’s flagship cordless mannequin, which you should purchase 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 worth 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, reminiscent of 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 great vacuum, it’s simply that within the present, crowded market, there are many various choices and it’s laborious to discover a compelling cause to spend a bit extra to purchase it.
Must you 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 whenever you purchase. However it’s nonetheless costly and also you’ll must compromise in relation to the scale of the dustbin, the battery life and the not-very-specific battery indicator. Ultimately, this may work greatest as a second vacuum or fast runaround to be stored within the kitchen.
If this isn’t the proper vacuum for you, take a look at our high suggestions in our round-up of the very best vacuum cleaners we’ve examined.
