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Head-to-head · Best Canister Vacuums

Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Canister Vacuum vs Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Canister Vacuum comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.3). Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Canister Vacuum is best for: Single-level homes with thick or high-pile carpet. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Canister Vacuum
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Canister Vacuums
Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Canister Vacuum
1 source$379.99as of Nov 8

TechGearLab scored the Kenmore Elite 81714 highest of the nine canisters it bought and tested, and named it the best for carpet: it was the only one that handled high-pile carpet well (69% pickup) and it cleaned 99.3% of a hardwood mess with the bare-floor tool. Despite the name, it was mediocre on pet hair, which wrapped around the brush roll, and at 25.3 pounds measured it was the heaviest model and a pain on stairs. It suits single-level homes with a lot of thick carpet.

Strengths
  • — Only canister in TechGearLab's lineup to handle high-pile carpet well: 68.7% pickup, plus 91.3% on low pile
  • — 99.3% pickup on hardwood with the bare-floor tool in TechGearLab's test
  • — The powered brush roll pulls the head forward so the heavy canister follows easily, per TechGearLab's lead tester
Watch-outs
  • — Heaviest in TechGearLab's test at 25.3 lb; a tester called it a pain to carry up and down stairs
  • — Pet hair results were weak for a 'Pet Friendly' model: 68% on low pile, with long hair wrapped around the brush roll
  • — The bag-full light does not warn of a missing bag and the vacuum runs without one, which caused a mess in TechGearLab's test
$379.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine
Ranked #3 in Best Canister Vacuums
Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine
3 sources$305as of Nov 8

TechGearLab named the Classic C1 Pure Suction its best overall canister after it picked up 99.5% of a hardwood mess, the most of any canister it tested, and measured the strongest suction in its lineup at 3,957 Pa. Bob Vila's tester found the suction excellent on carpeted stairs, and Reviewed calls it an easy recommendation for hard-floor homes. Its limits: no brush roll, so high-pile carpet is a struggle (53% pickup for TechGearLab), the suction dial sits on the canister, and replacement bags are expensive.

Strengths
  • — TechGearLab measured 99.5% pickup on hardwood, the most of any canister it tested, and near-perfect baseboard edge cleaning
  • — Strongest suction in TechGearLab's lineup at a measured 3,957 Pa
  • — Strong filtration without HEPA: TechGearLab's particle counter showed few particles escaping
Watch-outs
  • — No brush roll: TechGearLab measured 53% pickup on high-pile carpet, and Reviewed says it is not for wall-to-wall carpet
  • — Suction dial is on the canister, so you bend down to change it (TechGearLab)
  • — Replacement bags were among the most expensive in TechGearLab's test
$305 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Canister Vacuum

TechGearLab scored it 79 against 78 for the Miele Classic C1: the Kenmore led on high-pile carpet (69% vs 53%) while the Classic C1 cleaned more pet hair (90% vs 68% on low pile) and weighs about half as much (13.1 lb vs 25.3 lb). It has a HEPA filter, which the Classic C1 and Eureka Mighty Mite lack.

Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine

TechGearLab scored it 78, one point behind the Kenmore Elite 81714, and cleaned more pet hair (90% vs 68% on low pile) while the Kenmore led on high-pile carpet (69% vs 53%). At 13.1 lb measured it is lighter than the Guard L1 Cat & Dog (15 lb) and the Kenmore (25.3 lb). Reviewed found the Guard L1 more powerful but the C1's floor head swivels farther.

Specs side-by-side

SpecKenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Canister VacuumMiele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine
Weight22 lb (Kenmore); 25.3 lb measured by TechGearLab13.1 lb (measured by TechGearLab)
Cord Length26 ft (retractable)17.5 ft (retractable)
Bag/Dustbin Capacity2.8 L bag4.5 L bag
Filtration TypeHEPA (three filters, HEPA media)AirClean exhaust filter, AirClean bag and motor filter (no HEPA)
Motor Power12 amp, 2-motor system1200 W
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