Verdict

Pros

• Excellent cleaning on all surfaces
• Light and manoeverable
• Good pet hair pick-up
• Filter stifles pet smells

Cons

• Short 6.5m cable
• Turbohead too large for stairs

What is the Miele Compact C2 Cat & Dog Powerline?

Models in Miele’s Compact C2 range are smaller, lighter siblings of the C3 models. This Cat & Dog version weighs in at under 5kg, includes a Turbobrush head that’s ideal for picking up pet hairs and is fitted with an air filter with activated charcoal to keep unpleasant odours at bay. It’s not large enough for on-board storage, but it compensates with a handle mounted holster for the three detailing tools as well as a side clamp to store the telescopic metal tubes upright.

The key point you need to know, however, is that the Miele Compact C2 cleans just as well as Miele’s larger vacuum cleaners, and that’s great news because they’re great, too. If you want a bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner that won’t take up too much space, the Compact C2 Cat & Dog is a great option.

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Miele Compact C2 Cat & Dog Powerline – Accessories

We are never disappointed with Miele’s selection and quality of tools and the Compact C2 has plenty to offer. In addition to the long flexible hose and telescopic metal tubes, this model stores its crevice tool, dusting brush and an upholstery tool on a clip conveniently placed on the tube handle (see above).

Both main floorheads, the AirTeQ and the Turbobrush, are solidly made and well designed. The AirTeQ optimises airflow to improve suction efficiency, claiming the same performance of a traditional floorhead and a 2000W cleaner. The Turbobrush has an air-powered rotating brush bar to pick up stubborn grime and agitate dust from carpets.

To help keep pet based odours under control, the Compact C2 Cat & Dog comes with Miele’s HyClean dustbags, claimed to hold an additional 20% more dust than paper bags plus a two-stage Acitive AirClean filter. The activated charcoal layer collects organic molecules just like a charcoal filter in a cooker hood, which should ensure pet smalls are suppressed when cleaning.

The filter has a colour changing time strip integrated to remind you to replace the filter every year or so. The cable and hose give a claimed cleaning range of 10m and you can control power in six stages from full-power carpet cleaning to gentle suction for curtains and upholstery. This gives you plenty of control, which we like.

Miele Compact C2 Cat & Dog Powerline – Carpets and Hard Floor Cleaning

Miele’s AirTeQ floorhead is much smarter than its rather mundane function might suggest. Not only has the internal design been ‘gas-flowed’ to improve airflow, and hence suction efficiency, the base of the unit has been sculpted to give maximum suction and minimum stick-down. That said, with the Compact C2 on full power you can still feel the suction trying to pin the AirTeQ head to the carpet, but never so tight you cannot move it.

We found this head ideal for scooting around hard floors in particular, effectively picking up dust, grains of dirt brought in by the dogs and stray pet hair tumbleweed. Its innovative flexible neck makes it incredibly easy to steer and use, further assisted by its two large wheels. The hard floor / carpet switch, placed both side for convenience, brings down stepped nylon bristles that glide across hard surfaces.

For carpets the Turbohead is unbeatable as its fast spinning brush bar agitates dust from the carpet and picks up pet hairs with ease. The action of the brush also stops it sticking down to the carpet too much on full power, although the stiffness of movement does remind you that this is a potent cleaner despite its relatively compact dimensions and 1200W motor.

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Before

After

Both the AirTeQ and the Turbobrush floorheads are very good at cleaning right up to the edge thanks to small air channels in the base of each. It is such a simple yet effective solution we are amazed that more manufacturers do not incorporate this feature. Both brush heads cleaned the test carpet area covered in freshening powder with consummate ease and left precious little residue in just a couple of passes.

There is little faulting Miele’s flexible hose, telescoping tubes and supplied tools either, as all work faultlessly. The reach is easily capable of getting to high cobwebs without lifting the actual cleaner from the floor, and the cleaner’s three small wheels means it follows you around like a sheep on hard floors. The small wheels do struggle a bit on deep carpet compared to models with large wheels but as the Compact C2 is so light, a good tug easily gets it moving.

We found the Compact C2 model slightly quieter than Miele’s C3 models, even though they use the same motor. It produced around 78dB when using the Turbobrush head on carpet and around 75dB with the AirTeQ head on hard floors. Both figures are more than bearable even for an extended cleaning session.