The inside scoop on Capricorn

There is some history behind your vacuum's name "Capricorn". Way back in 1890, this family-owned company in Germany sold cream separators and butter churners. Talk about wholesome roots! Fast forward to present day. The company's changed their name, spiffed up their products, and is still family-run. And they have fun naming their products. Like your new vacuum, the S5 Series Capricorn S5981. Typical traits include hard-working. Dependable. Focused. Competent. On bad days, Capricorns can be obsessed with rules and overly controlling, so if your vacuum starts telling your broomstick how to do its job, you may have to step in.

Anything else is a compromise

That's Miele's slogan. At first I thought, yeah yeah, another super duper dirt sucker . . . but as I researched this vacuum, I began to see why anything else (like my current 80 pound behemoth of a vacuum) is a compromise. Like any Capricorn, this vacuum makes a dependable — and considerate — house mate. For instance, the adjustable wand is good news for your back. Corner-dwelling dust bunny colonies are finally sucked away thanks to the 90° brush rotation. And while you motor from the carpet to the wood floor, simply push a level and/or speed adjustment button on the ergonomically shaped comfort handle. Or, if you really want to fly auto pilot, choose the Intelligent Automatic Setting. The power level adjusts automatically to suit the floor surface.

Kickstand and bumpers

I know what you're thinking. Kickstands and bumpers are for babies! Not so, my friend. As you know, your Capricorn is part of the goat family. It's got a hard head, which makes more than one glass vase cringe as you motor around the living room. The Miele family wouldn't send this cleaning machine into your home without a couple of safety tools. First, three smooth-running 360° castor wheels mounted on steel axles ensure maximum stability and maneuverability while you're cruising around from room to room. Second, the convenient park system (or kickstand, as I like to call it) is located on the back of the canister. Just park the wand and floor tool into the system if you need to answer the phone or jot down a poem.

Make it an IntensiveClean Plus&trade day

It doesn't surprise me that Miele's dust bag design takes after their innovative vacuum design. But of course, why not equip an already robust vacuum with good dirt bags? They're the ones that hold all the pet dander, crumbs, dust bunnies, etc. The Miele Air Clean-Filter system is made up of the IntensiveClean Plus® dustbag, the motor filter, and an air filter. Together this means: Longer suction performance. Fifteen percent improved filtration. Impact foil preventing sharp-edged objects, such as pine needles, glass, and sand from penetrating the bag. Automatic dustbag closure makes for hygienic removal and disposal. See, these dirt bags are keepers.

Included floor tools and accessories

SBB300-3 parquet floor brush, SES130 electric hose, SET210 electric telescopic wand, 2 IntensiveClean Plus&trade dust bags

Comparison Specifications

• 1200-watt, high-output Miele-made Vortex Motor System&trade
• Active H.E.P.A. (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter included
• IntensiveClean Plus&trade dust bags (2 included)
• Sealed System&trade canister construction
• Impressive 29.5 ft. operating radius
• Speed control for hose handle
• Dustbag change indicator
• Filter indicator, filter grill
• Overheating lamp
• Safety shut-off on overheating

Additional Specifications

• Space-saving storage bracket on each side of the vacuum
• Silence insulation
• Recommended for: medium to high-pile carpeting and smooth flooring

Dimensional Specifications

• Dimensions: 8.25" H x 10" W x 19" D
• Weight: 18lbs

Miele S5981 Capricorn Warranty Details

7-year suction motor, 1-year parts and labor

More reasons to buy the Miele S5981 Capricorn from Vanns.com

• Free Shipping!
• No Sales Tax!
• Vanns.com is a Fully Authorized Dealer (Learn More)
• The Miele S5981 Capricorn is Brand New
• The Miele S5981 Capricorn Ships in a Factory Sealed Box

Outstanding Vacuum Love the Handle Controls

Reviewed By: c scott - atlanta, ga

My son has allergies, and we have done a lot to reduce the allergen load in our house. This Miele Vacuum was part of the overall package to help with this task.
If you never owned anything Miele, your in for a treat. Everything they build feels, performs, and holds up with the best of any product.
On to the Vacuum the connections are smooth, well precisioned, and easy to make between the Vac and hose and attachments. Reminds me of the quality of Mercedes! I chose the Capricorn for the Handheld controls, makes it REALLY easy to use, but you pay a price for it. The only difference between the S5 series Mieles are convenience features. They all have QUIET insulation, larger capacity SEALED bags, ACTIVE HEPA filtration.
The Vacuum is EASY to move around. The swivel on the handle helps to keep the hose untwisted. The quality also helps, no kinked hoses here! Rolls nicely on carpet and bare floor, has a small rubber bumper to protect furniture if you get carried away. Its QUIET, much more that my previous upright. There is NO smell when vacuuming. The dust reduction in our house is HUGE, much less dusting needed. The vacuum picks up almost everything on first pass, handles berber carpet well as well as low pile. We have lots of hardwood floors, the unit came with the SEB236 powerbrush which works great on carpet, and the parquet floor attachment, which is fantastic on hardwoods. Light enough to tote up stairs.
Cons Expensive. But I believe the dust reduction, and quality make it well work it. If I add up the lesser vacuums I have owned over the past 15 years, the cost of ownership approaches that of this Miele. Wish I knew about these before!