Miele launches top-class S4 compact cleaner

Small but full of punch

Small, elegant, practical and full of punch: the new S4 from Miele is a compact vacuum cleaner which, although small in size and light in weight, has everything a top-class vacuum cleaner can offer. And more to boot – typically Miele!

Small, of course, is relative. But this vacuum cleaner fits into corners too tight for a big cleaner. Despite its size, it is still a fully-fledged, high-performance vacuum cleaner, ideal for small households and flats. Particularly striking are the machine's excellent cleaning performance and superior air hygiene; HEPA and TÜV certificates are pending. Weighing in at 6.5 kg including all accessories, the S4 is very easy to carry from room to room. The appliance itself weighs a mere 4.7 kg.

Design and convenience

The S4's elegant, aesthetic design speaks for itself. At Miele, good design is more than just an attractive exterior. The ultimate purpose of design is fitness for use. The elliptical design of the casing makes the appliance both appealing and easy to handle. The aluminium-look operating controls not only look good, they also make operation intuitively easy. This is a benefit for older users in particular. Evidence of the S4's user convenience benefits can be seen everywhere, as for example in the convenient DeLuxe handle. A swivel connection between the handle and the suction hose minimises the swinging action characteristic of a rigidly attached hose as one negotiates table legs and similar obstacles. This feature, which reduces strain on the wrist, is only available from Miele in this product category.

RF controls are also a Miele USP on compact appliances. The appliance is started and power selected at the handle using an ergonomically positioned, thumb-operated control – it really is that simple! The alternatives to high-end RF controls are no less convenient. Depending on the model, power selection is made by rotary selector or footswitches.

The TriScope suction tube adapts to the user, not the other way round. This tube can be adjusted from 55 cm to 115 cm which means it is both easy to stow away and easy for tall people to use. The special adjustment mechanism is patented – yet another feature exclusive to Miele. Also unique to Miele are the robust 360° swivel castors which turn smoothly on rugged steel axles.

Performance and production

The S4 sports a powerful 1800 W rating. The high-performance motors are manufactured in-house at a dedicated production plant at Euskirchen near Cologne. Here, durability and mean time to failure are the most salient criteria. High blower throughput is a result of optimum motor winding, high-quality carbon brushes and optimised vanes on the impeller.

However, even more important than brute wattage is cleaning performance. And in this respect, the Miele S4 is a cut above the rest. This appliance achieves excellent results thanks to optimum tuning of ducting, filter system, bag material and floorhead. This interplay of components can best be illustrated using the analogy of a car: A powerful engine alone is not enough. Only with the correct chassis and the right tyres can a motor's power develop to the full.

Bag and filter

As with all Miele vacuum cleaners, all components on the S4 are perfectly matched so that as much dust as possible is picked up and disappears into the bag. With a capacity of 3.5 l, this bag is not only big but also guaranteed dust-tight. This is also why it is called 'IntensiveClean Plus'. The bag consists of five plies of proprietary random-spun fibre with intricate internal structures. Compared with traditional paper dustbags, this improves filtration fourfold. An impact protection foil inside the bag lives up to its name, taking the brunt of the impact of bottle tops and nails. This means the dustbag will not burst even even under the most inclement conditions.

Pre-production tests

Vacuum cleaners are developed and manufactured at Miele's Bielefeld plant. Here, every effort is made to remain true to the company motto of being 'Forever better'. Endurance testing in custom-built test bays is an intrinsic part of quality assurance. As a matter of principle, Miele vacuum cleaners are tested to last a minimum of 1000 operating hours. By comparison, Germany's leading consumer watchdog, Stiftung Warentest, only tests for 600 hours. After all, ruggedness and durability are central to Miele's proverbial quality. Miele vacuum cleaners should last at least 20 years and are expected to be of a superior quality compared with all other brands. This is the benchmark and the S4 is no exception.

Floorhead quality

Quality is visible in every component – for example the floorhead: The base is made of metal to protect carpets. Two full-length pile parters separate carpet pile with each stroke to release trodden-in dirt and ensure deep cleaning action. Two velvety thread catchers pick up hairs and fluff. The S4 has especially wide thread catchers for effective cleaning along skirting boards. Even more thorough cleaning is provided by an electrobrush, a floorhead with its own motor-driven turbine. This particular electrobrush is something quite special. 'Accu Nova' is the name of the rechargeable electrobrush exclusively developed for Miele. This brush does not just provide deep cleaning without a bothersome cable, it also features an energy-saving function and additional safety thanks to a vacuum sensor which ensures that the beater bar only rotates when the electrobrush is in contact with the floor and the vacuum cleaner is switched on. An electrobrush is especially suitable for heavily soiled carpets. Indeed, some carpet manufacturers only honour guarantee claims when flooring has been cleaned using an electrobrush.

Wide range of colours and low entry-line pricing

Back to the S4: There is a wide range of colours to choose from, for example 'Mango red', 'Melon yellow' or 'Tealite blue metallic'. Compared to the 'you-can-have-any-colour-as-long-as-it's-grey' attitude prevalent in the compact sector, Miele customers are truly spoilt for choice. The entry-line price tag is well below EUR 200 which makes a decision in favour of the S4 easy. All seven models include a three-part accessory kit consisting of crevice nozzle, upholstery nozzle and dusting brush. The accessories are attached to the suction tube and are easy to remove.

The S4 does not pull any punches: it's as powerful as its bigger brothers while at the same time being aesthetic, ergonomic and reliable. And it is the first compact vacuum cleaner to offer high-end features, superior air hygiene and excellent cleaning performance. Typical Miele.
Source(Miele)