When I decided to buy a new vacuum cleaner, I read a lot of reviews on the Internet. I have many pets. 4 large dogs (Husky, Husky mix, Coonhound and German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix) and 4 large long haired cats (Maine Coon and Ragdoll). My only complaint about the vacuum is that the bags, great as they are, only last 2-4 weeks with the amount of pet hair I'm vacuuming. I've bought regular replacement bags to solve this small problem of changing bags frequently and will update when I see how they compare to Miele brand bags. I have had a Dyson vertical backpack for 7 years and it has always worked very well until recently. That year it seemed to be losing suction and it smelled so bad after years of sucking up dog hair. It doesn't matter if I changed or cleaned the filter. This odor has settled in the vacuum cleaner. This was part of my impulse to buy a bagged vacuum with multiple filters, it would help with my allergies and prevent the vacuum from smelling like a dog after a few years of use. So far, the ease of use of a vacuum cleaner has made me so happy that I made such an expensive purchase. It works MUCH better than my Dyson! And it's much more user-friendly, so it doesn't feel like a chore and takes less time. The Dyson was heavy and difficult to transport (not the ball model), it's inverted and a pleasure to use. The cable tensioner alone is a great convenience, and it's just a small feature. If you're hesitant it might be worth considering a cheaper model, but I can't imagine two things you can go without with this model: an electric rug and rug brush and a hardwood floor curler. Last but not least, I couldn't believe how QUIET it is and yet does a great job with my floors.