Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Miele S6270 Quartz Review: A Powerful Vacuum Without the Weight

When it comes to vacuums, power and maneuverability are important — and so is weight. Lugging around a heavy machine can make any task difficult.

The Miele S6270 Quartz is a reminder that powerful vacuums don’t have to be hefty.

A good fit for multistory homes with hardwood floors, the Quartz is easy to maneuver and doesn’t sacrifice suction for portability.

Check out our analysis of this vacuum, including its scores in a variety of categories, to see if it’s a fit for you.

2-Miele-S6270-Quartz-squareThe vacuum

The Miele S6270 Quartz, recently rebranded as the Miele Compact C2 Quartz, is a lightweight, quiet canister vacuum. Its compact, 14-pound body can handle most hardwood and low-pile carpet jobs, from the living room to the stairs. And its stainless steel wand and retracting electrical cord give it a 33-foot operating radius from the outlet.

All Mieles come with a 1,200-watt motor, so the less expensive models aren’t less powerful — but they do have fewer features. For example, the Quartz comes only with standard features, such as a floor brush, a dusting brush, an upholstery tool and a crevice nozzle; the more expensive Complete C2 Limited has duo floor brushes.

When not in use, all of the Quartz’s attachments can be tucked into its canister hull and held by a handy clip, called the VarioClip. It can clip onto the hose base and hold tools while they’re in use, too. This gives users quick access when switching from cleaning smooth floors to cleaning the couch.

The Quartz is listed for $429 on both Miele’s website and Amazon.

The Miele S6270 Quartz (or Compact C2) earned spots on three of our best vacuum lists: best canister vacuums, best vacuums for hardwood floors, and best vacuums overall.

The reviews

For this article, we looked at expert opinions from review sites, such as The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping. We then analyzed user reviews to see how the vacuum performs under various circumstances, such as on hardwood floors or thick carpet, and using certain settings.

The vacuum scores run from a low of 1 to a high of 10. In addition to performance, we considered factors such as noise level and durability.

The Miele S6270 Quartz was one of our top-rated canister vacuums, earning a 9.5 overall score, an 8.5 for how well it cleans and a 9.5 for ease of use.

The pros

The Miele S6270 Quartz won high marks in most areas, especially its suction power.

Its primary attachment is the AllTeQ combination floor tool, which helps users transition from cleaning a hardwood floor to a low-pile carpet without having to increase power. If users want more suction on any surface, they can easily up the ante by using the power selector on the vacuum’s body.

Many reviewers reported an improvement in home air quality after cleaning with the Quartz. Those with asthma or allergies noted that it even helped minimize their symptoms. That’s because the vacuum’s HEPA filter traps allergens — such as pollen, dust and pet dander — in the sealed bag.

The floor tool on the Quartz’s body is another handy feature. This attachment locks the wand in place when not in use. Many users said it was nice not to have the vacuum hose falling over when they were taking breaks.

The cons

Despite its high ratings, the Quartz did fall short in a few areas. Users’ main gripe was its lack of features. For example, some reviewers prefer models with a headlight on the vacuum head, which helps them see into dark corners — and the Quartz doesn’t have one. Many also wished that the on/off switch and power controls were located on the handle, rather than on the body of the vacuum.

Like the vacuum itself, the Quartz’s replacement bags can be pricey, though most users said that the bags and filters lasted for months. Some noted that the bag meter could be inaccurate, reading as full when the bag had room for another use.

Some users also said they had issues picking up pet hair with the Quartz.

Is the Miele S6270 Quartz right for you?

Lightweight, quiet and beneficial for those with allergies, the Quartz fared well in the most important areas shoppers consider when selecting a vacuum.

But some reviewers were unhappy with certain design aspects of the Quartz, or prefer a vacuum that works on all surfaces — especially if it costs more than $400.

If the lack of features and accessories is a concern, the Shark Rotator NV752 might be a good alternative. It’s a light, powerful vacuum that comes with attachments to handle any surface.

Users who like the Quartz’s lightweight body but have thick carpet in their home might opt for the Oreck Insight, which is easy to use and offers more versatility across all floor types.

More from NerdWallet:
Best vacuums for pet hair
Best upright vacuums
Best Shark vacuums

Nina Tabios is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: ntabios@nerdwallet.com.

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