Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL review: It's packed with tech, but is it worth the price?

As someone who has tested over 20 vacuum cleaners, I've been almost a stranger to a vacuum that's bagged, corded, and canister. That was until I was sent the Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL — which surprised me as being convenient in more ways than one.

I now think this could be one of the best vacuum cleaners to date. Think supercharged suction and WiFi control, all in one neat, easy-to-use package that's on wheels for easy maneuvering.

The Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL boasts brand-new technology, featuring a cutting-edge screen and an Auto mode, which is unusual for cylinder vacuums. What's more, it connects with the Miele app for status updates, so you know the exact lifespan of your dustbag and filter.

I've been testing the Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL vacuum in my busy family home for two weeks. And with a toddler and dog, I'm constantly tackling crumbs and pet hair scattered on my floors.

Here's what happened when I tried a corded canister vacuum for the first time to tackle my carpets and hard flooring.

Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL review: Price and availability

The Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL will become available to U.S. shoppers later this year, but it is currently available in the UK for £499 on Miele.co.uk and at John Lewis, which equates to around $680.

Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL review: Design

Unboxing the Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL was pretty straight-forward. My initial thoughts were positive, and I was surprised at how lightweight the main unit was, and its neat design.

Its retractable lead was handy as it works with the push of a button, though I know most canister vacs have these. Its telescopic tube also got immediate top marks as it extends depending on your height — which was handy for me and my husband as I'm a lot shorter!

Otherwise, the vacuum generally felt well-made and sturdy. I couldn't wait to turn it on and clean my floors, rugs, stairs, and sofa.

On the lid of the box, it explains how to assemble the vacuum, which I did in minutes. You do have to connect the handle to the remote so that the buttons work.

Initially, I didn't realize I had to do this, but it's very simple and is also explained on the box. Here you'll also find an overview of the buttons on the main unit. Scanning the barcode will lead you to download and sign up for the Miele app.

The instruction manual was, in one word: unhelpful. It's old, hard to digest, and has a distinct lack of photos. This put me off referring to them at all. I did flip through them quickly while writing this review to find out the names of certain parts, which was when I discovered the back page.

At the very back, you'll find that the last page unfolds to reveal diagrams on how to change attachments, replace the filter, and store the vacuum cleaner. Helpful, but also unhelpful, because it's hard to find.

Perhaps the Miele Guard L1's standout feature is its WiFi connectivity and range of modes.

You can use it to clean almost anywhere, from your curtains to your sofa and your rugs, and there are four settings. For example, suction is a lot less powerful in the curtains mode, and using the app, you can check which tool Miele recommends to use on your curtains. Handy!

App

Once downloaded to your smartphone, this app is super simple to connect to your vacuum. You need to ensure the vacuum itself is switched on at the socket and powered on at its lowest setting to connect the vacuum. This process is well-explained on the vacuum's screen.

On this app, you can check the life of your filter, it displays the lifespan of your bag and it will alert you when they both need replacing.

Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL review: Performance

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

(Image credit: Future/Annie Collyer)

Before connecting its handle or via the app, I gave this vacuum cleaner a good run around the downstairs of my home.

For testing purposes, I poured a line of oatmeal onto my floors, hard and soft, before using the Universal Floorhead to clean.

Additionally, I wanted to be able to compare using it without WiFi vs with WiFi. Mostly because some people might not have access to WiFi to connect this vacuum.

I can confirm that you can use it just as conveniently if you don't connect it to WiFi, as this only provides updates on the lifespan of your filter and bag.

The app can also tell you which attachment is best for what you're cleaning. I found that the Universal Floorhead was the attachment I used most of the time, as it worked on both hard floors and carpets, with only the press of a button (with your foot) needed to change suction power.

The smart handle, once connected, is super handy as it prevents you from having to bend down to switch mode or turn the vac on or off.

I did find that this remote handle was intermittent, as at times it wouldn't signal to the main unit that I was pressing the power button. However, it would always work to switch modes and turn it off.

What is it like to use on carpet?

First, I tackled the the low-pile carpet in my daughter's bedroom. It was easy to slide across the surface and picked up debris well, and didn't leave any carpet lines.

Despite reaching the corners of the room, the Miele Guard L1 suction wasn't particularly impressive in comparison to my stick vacuum.

Next on my cleaning to-do list: the long-pile carpet in my bedroom which is where I managed to create those oh-so-satisfying carpet lines—but not without a little hard work.

While cleaning this room I did find that the suction felt strong, but I noticed that the vacuum was struggling to pick up larger pieces of hair and dust. Again, I'm not sure I noticed a huge difference in performance on this carpet vs my stick vacuum.

My stick vacuum probably leaves this carpet cleaner, I just can't use it to create carpet lines. I also noticed that lots of hair and dust managed to make its way over the floorhead and nestled itself on top of it.

Next was my low pile rug in my living room which I'd often have to clean several times a day thanks to the tiny toes that are forever toddling around making mess.

I found the Miele Guard L1 very difficult to maneuver around this area, even when paired with the Universal Floorhead and pressing the rug mode on this head.

So, I switched to the Parquet XL Floorhead and found this job a lot easier. This bristled head glides over rugs with ease, but it does still offer some seriously strong suction as it was managing to pull the rug up as I was cleaning.

What is it like to use on a hard floor?

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

(Image credit: Future)

It's really simple to clean hard floors with the Miele Guard L1, and I actually preferred using it on hard floors than carpets. Additionally, both the Universal Floorhead and the Parquet XL Floorhead work well on hard floors.

It manages to reach right into the corners which is incredible, and I particularly loved the Parquet XL Floorhead, not only because it's wider so can cover more floor area in less time, but it's nice and slim so it can reach under furniture.

It works wonders picking up anything. From dust to pet hair and pieces of food, and it even accidentally sucked up a miniature chocolate bar when I was using the hose without any head on it.

The only thing I could complain about while using this on hard floors is that it's not the quietest. Its Universal Floorhead sounds slightly scratchy on hard floors, so some might prefer to use the Parquet XL Floorhead which has a border of bristles around it, to soften the noise of plastic on hard floors.

What's more, I have a pug who is currently shedding, ready for summer. While the Parquet XL Floorhead does do a nice job of gliding over floors, it came as no surprise to me to find my dog's hair stuck in the bristles.

However, it wasn't a major deal breaker, especially as this vacuum doesn't claim to be great specifically for pet owners.

Noise levels

I measured the noise level of this vacuum and noted that on its dedicated hard floors mode with the Universal Floorhead attached, it was roughly 82dB. With the Parquet XL Floorhead attached, the noise level was around 84dB.

The noise level of this vacuum on the carpet was surprisingly the lowest, at roughly 70dB, while cleaning in the carpet mode with the Universal Floorhead attached. While cleaning my living room rug with the Parquet XL Floorhead on the correct mode, I noted 81dB.

What are the hand attachments like?

The 2-in-1 Crevice & Upholstery Nozzle might be my favorite thing about this vacuum.

It's hidden away and this isn't made evident at all in the instruction booklet or on the box, so I found it when playing around with the vacuum during initial use.

This tool can be used one of two ways, and both are great for cleaning stairs, furniture, and corners.

I used this attachment to clean my stairs and I felt like it really deep cleaned this carpet. Admittedly, because of the type of vacuum, it is trickier to use it on my stairs as I had to carry it up the main unit when I got past the fifth step, but it deep cleaned the carpet here so well that I shouldn't have to do it again for another couple of weeks.

I also loved using the Dusting Brush tool because it offered the strongest suction out of all of the attachments. However, this also meant that it was the loudest while in use. Using this attachment, I cleaned my stair rails and surfaces (including my coffee table, and trash can lid) and for dusting my baseboards.

Surprisingly, the noise level of both of these tools is louder than the other floor heads.

I used the 2-in-1 Crevice & Upholstery Nozzle on the carpet mode and I measured a noise level of around 95dB when this tool was used flat.

And when cleaning the corners while the tool was vertical, it was roughly 90dB.

Nevertheless, these tools easily picked up dust and pet hair, and while using both of them I never found any blockages.

Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL: Ease of cleaning

The app alerts you when the dustbin is full, as does the screen on the body of the vacuum. You'll also get a handy notification on the app when the filter needs to be changed, usually after 50 hours of use.

Because it's bagged, this vacuum is very easy to clean, which is all explained on the box (so you might want to take a photo of that before throwing it in the trash!).

Otherwise, the app will run you through it, too. You simply need to disconnect the hose from the main unit to open the cover. Under here, you'll find the filter and the bag.

I used the Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL to clean my home for one week, once a day (sometimes even twice a day) and when returning this vacuum unit to Miele, it still had 90% of its dust bin capacity remaining, and the filter had 49 hours remaining.

If you're still undecided, check out our guide on bagged vs bagless vacuums.

Storage and maintenance

Unfortunately, this is where the Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL loses points. The reason I love my cordless stick vac so much is because it folds down to store.

I have a tiny under-stairs cupboard to squeeze my vacuum and other cleaning tech into, which also contains my dryer and my hefty collection of reusable grocery store bags.

The Miele Guard L1 can't be wall-mounted, but the main unit does stand upright for storage. The hose actually attaches to the main unit while not in use, too, which isn't explained on the box or at all obvious, unless you come across the hidden fold-out page in the instruction manual. I realized it did this thanks to Miele's photos.

When it comes to storing, it does take up a lot of floor space, as its hose is long and therefore bulky to store.

The one convenience is that its 2-in-1 Crevice & Upholstery Nozzle lives inside the main unit of the vacuum, and it has a retractable cord. What's more, you'll need to consider space for its extra floorhead, the Parquet XL Floorhead, to live.

Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL review: Comparisons

The Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL is part of a newly launched range — the Guard range.

The most basic option of the Guard vacuums is the Miele Guard S1, priced at a very reasonable £199. However, it doesn't have all the added features or bells and whistles.

In fact, the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog PowerLine was our best-rated cylinder vacuum, available to buy in the US from Amazon for $789. However, if you do have a pet household, the Shark Rotator Pet came tops for easily lifting stubborn hair.

Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL review: Verdict

Overall, the Miele Guard L1 Comfort vacuum cleaner is powerful enough to clean your hard floors, but falls short on its carpet performance.

Once I got used to the cord and the fact that it's bagged, the instruction manual was its biggest downfall. This is dated, hard to ingest, and isn't very helpful at all. It also wasn't the easiest vacuum to use on high-pile carpets.

However, the retractable cord and wheels mean it's easy to store and maneuver, though it does require more storage space than an average stick vacuum.

If, like me, you vacuum once or maybe even twice a day, this might not be the way to go. I did find it a bit inconvenient to keep plugging it in every time I needed to clean up a small spillage.

Personally, I'd use it as a second vacuum for deep cleaning, especially since I already own a handheld or stick model.

However, if you're someone who prefers a cylinder vacuum over a stick model, wants something updated, and easy to use and with a handy app, this is a great option.

Bear in mind, there's an extra expense for replacement bags and the filters as these are both single-use, so check those out before purchasing.

Plus, the Miele Guard L1 is more expensive than other bagged, cylinder Miele models. But this is all due to its cutting-edge technology, which is well worth the price tag.