As many of the UK collectors on here who are on that wonderfully, and certain other FB group may know already, I have purchased a SEBO E1 Airbelt Eco 700. So I thought I would give my first impressions of this vacuum, rather than just leave it up to the couple of videos I have uploaded to You Tube. I shall try to be brief!

Firstly, this is a very well made vacuum cleaner that doesn't feel like it has been built to a budget. A very smart design with simple controls cited together at the top just like the existing K and D models. Soft start aided electronic twist dial with permanent blue neon LED is a nice touch. Comfort auto cord rewind button is unlit but has a white decal that stands out. 7.5 metre cord length; impressed and happy that it wasn't going to be too short. Again, floor head locks to all brushed stainless steel tubes (taken from the D series) as does the handle at the top. Height adjusting is easier than the old stainless/plastic combined tube from the K series.

General performance wise, Excellent in terms of noise supression; seems to be quieter than the K1 Eco 700 with same 700 watt rating. Seems to have more airflow noise than motor noise! Easier to turn around corners thanks to larger, better built castors, 3 of which are on the E like the K. Light gliding achievable with the heavier floor head on wool carpeting and hard floors with brushes down. Pick up is excellent though EU label rating is marked "E" for carpet performance which I don't agree with. "C" rated for hard floors, but again I don't agree - the Kombi floor head picks everything up in one or two sweeps.

However - I did test the floor head initially on a really tough short pile velour mat that I have and the heavy floor head took some time to pick up everything. I have shown this in the "unboxing" video I have done.  An air driven turbo brush would be better in this respect. The removable sections on the dust channel of the Kombi are a good idea in theory since dust gets sucked in from all sides of the floor head from the front anyway. I haven't noticed much difference with the plastic sections removed or put in place.

Filtration: "A" rated for efficiency, "B" rated for dust emissions. New dust bag and filters are easy to install and replace once you get the hang of it. Good to see SEBO are offering a conventional lift out and lock in motor protection filter inside the bag chamber behind the bag; like the SEBO Felix in terms of grid design, like mostly all other brands with a filter behind the bag. Main filter is hospital grade but like a "bag" on appearance. Quite strange, but then so was the felt like filter basket in the D series.

The Airbelt is now fixed onto a frame which comes off the body independently; this will make it easier to refit a new airbelt in time, if required. 

No dust brush is added to E1 Airbelt 700, it is the starter model after all; SEBO sell this part and a special clamp designed to fit the smaller section of the telescopic tube at the top, independently. It may well be offered as a standard tool on other higher priced models in the range/dependent on country. 

Final conclusion: Would I consider a Miele S6 over the SEBO E1 Airbelt? No. 

The E1 Airbelt is far better designed and far better made in my opinion.  Has a tough and reinforced small lid unlike the lighter, longer lid on the S6.  I find the E1 Airbelt to be powerful but quiet enough with its 700 watt motor in general and to top it all, the new model still comes with 8 Ultra dust bags at a similar cost than Miele charge 4 for in a box.

The E1 Airbelt will definitely be a good seller for SEBO. It reinforces all the good things about SEBO in general. I don't mind the brushed stainless steel tubing; it reinforces quality, but I do miss the old plastic wand/metal tubing from the K series; perhaps SEBO may bring those tubes back.

Models in the U.S may well get the same kind of motors seen in the D series. Certainly on the basis that the models in the U.S are unaffected by the EU laws, the 1250 watt/1200 watts will probably be offered as base models.