I have a Dyson Animal and it have be my primary vacuum for the past 6 year . about 2 year ago the Dyson begin to be less effective in vacuum we carpet , which be low pile . we dust & vacuum several time per week as we have 3 kid , two husky and a long hair cat , so have a strong reliable vacuum be paramount . to give you a idea of how much we use we vacuum , we vacuum almost daily during shed season on both hardwood , area rug , stair & carpeting . we have about 1600sf of hardwood with a variety of rug . we household be a true test for a vacuum . I clean the Dyson - all port and point - regularly but figure maybe it need a `` tune-up '' as the suction seem almost nil . it be better upon a professional maintenance but not as great as it seem to have once be . I `` test drive '' some new Dyson model and really like the ball with the ability to get under cabinet but find the much shorter cord a hindrance and the smaller dust bin a pain to empty twice as much . I like the Electrolux but it be bulky and I have stair , so that be not a consideration . I have two neighbor who have sing the praise of Miele for year but I resist due to the cost . I have a Miele dishwasher and it do a incomparable job , so I decide to research the Miele . I read a few negative item , but predominantly the review be strong . so I `` test drive '' the Miele twist for a week . I be completely impress with so many feature I will never go back . here be the item I think make it superior to Dyson : 1 . the bottom of the vac be metal , the base have a full rubber bumper and the beater bar have a indent make it easy to cut off any string , hair or impediment . 2 . the dust bin do not need empty - no fun with pile of dog hair . while a bit more costly , the bag really contain the dirt , dust and hair and reduce my cleaning time . intially I love the fact the Dyson have no bag to buy and a easy-to-empty canister , but after a while it be not just a easy chore . empty the canister also mean clean the dust when you dump it , clean the rubber gasket prior to reassembly to be sure suction be maintain , and be sure that all the dust get empty and be not stick in the hole of the central perforated cone . 3 . the Miele vacuum have a short `` nose '' so it can reach under cabinet & furniture easily and it can lay flat . the Dyson can not do this . 4 . the Miele have a amazing ability to turn & swivel and be very easy to push . 5 . the Miele have a 35 foot long cord - can reach everywhere without unplug ! 6 . this Miele do not come with the hepa filter like the model that be $ 300 more , but the supply filter be a good one and can easily be replace with the same $ 50 filter the other model come with . 7 . the beater brush can be turn off leave only suction , which be great if you have a delicate surface to clean . so I splurge and keep the Miele . have have this Miele for over month now , I can truly say that this Miele be a much better quality machine physically and performance wise . I will keep the Dyson as a back up - to use on another floor in the house . but this Miele be now use daily because of its ease of use & the clean path it leave in its wake ! I highly recommend this vacuum .