Miele Robot Vacuums Reviewed

Let’s be honest: these bots are expensive for what they offer. You’re paying for quality, sure, but not necessarily cutting-edge features. At around $800–$1100, they compete directly with bots that offer self-emptying docks, LiDAR mapping, and advanced obstacle recognition. For loyal Miele customers or design-conscious users who want a simple, reliable robot with superb build quality, it’s worth the investment. But value hunters may find better tech elsewhere for less.

This is where Miele reminds you why their products cost more. The fit and finish are excellent across all models. From the matte exterior and soft bumper to the high-tolerance seams and silent brush gears, everything feels engineered to last. Even after weeks of testing, the RX3 models stayed whisper-quiet, rattle-free, and visually pristine. They feel more like a high-end appliance than a gadget.

As noted earlier, Miele sticks to a focused lineup. With just three Scout RX3 models in the U.S. — each sharing the same core design but offering different runtimes and features — the selection is streamlined, premium, and easy to navigate. You won’t find budget options or experimental models here, just a tight family built around quality and consistency.

Miele's Quattro Cleaning Power system is the star of the show here. It combines two side brushes, a main roller brush, and a decent suction motor that works best on hard floors and low-pile carpets. The RX3 and Runner models use a standard suction setup that delivers solid pickup on dust, crumbs, and pet hair, though it’s not in the ultra-powerful league of brands like Roborock or Narwal. That said, performance is balanced and methodical, and the robots rarely miss a spot, thanks to their edge-cleaning brushes and wall-following behavior. They won’t deep-clean thick rugs, but for everyday maintenance, they get the job done with quiet confidence.

Miele takes a camera-based approach here, and it works surprisingly well. Their 3D Smart Navigation uses stereo front cameras along with infrared sensors to detect and avoid furniture, walls, and objects in real time. Mapping is efficient, and while it doesn’t create fancy room labels or 3D renderings, the robots move with deliberate, intelligent patterns. You won’t see chaotic zigzags or random overlaps — it’s slow, steady, and strategic. However, it lacks the granular mapping features of top-tier bots like Ecovacs or iRobot, so zone editing and multi-floor mapping are fairly limited.

This one’s simple and manual. Miele’s robots return to their compact docking station to charge, but there’s no self-emptying or mop-washing mechanism in sight. You’ll need to empty the dustbin yourself after each run. For a brand as premium as Miele, this feels like a missed opportunity. The upside? The dock is very slim and discreet, easy to place anywhere without taking up much visual or physical space.

Thanks to its dual-camera setup, Miele’s obstacle detection is accurate and responsive. The bots gently slow down near furniture, glide around table legs, and almost never slam into objects. That said, there’s no AI-based object recognition here — so don’t expect it to avoid socks, cords, or pet messes like some newer bots do. It’s excellent at avoidance, but not at understanding what it’s avoiding.