So, there is something better than the Miele; at least in terms of ease of use. Time will tell whether it's got the staying power of the Miele, but for ease of use, it can't be beaten. Gents (and your good womenfolk) - let me tell you this; once you go cordless, there's no going back!!! Ever!
So first I got this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gtech-AirRam-Cordless-Vacuum-Cleaner/dp/B0091FS0OS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407192528&sr=8-1&keywords=airram
It works, but not as maneuverable as I would like, and no attachments, so couldn't do stairs etc. and it gets caught up in the fringes on mats with fringes...and stops and also makes a loud scary noise when you go over uneven tiles...... So I wasn't over the moon about it, as still needed to drag the Meile out of cupboard and deal with the whole wire thing for half the job. But I was now totally hooked on wireless.
So then I got this http://www.dyson.co.uk/vacuum-cleaners/cordless/dc59/dc59-animal.aspx OMG! Yes, pricey, pricey. But very very nicey. For sure the most maneuverable hoover ever, fits under furniture better than anything, swivels here, swivels there, but best of all, you just grab and go. I can't tell you how much difference grab and go makes....but it's a lot.
So, the down sides; the attachment brush fittings are too soft, they need a bit more backbone. The battery life is a bit short - but hey, who wants to hoover for more than 20 mins?? The dust container is very small (but that's why the whole thing is light) so needs emptying often. Bit it's easy to empty, so no big deal. You can put it on boost for extra suction power, but that races through the battery pronto.
Other than that, this really is as close as I've come to Hoovering Heaven yet.
Did I say 'Grab and Go'? I think I did. Instead of procrastinating about just getting the Miele out of the cupboard and plugging it in and unplugging and dragging it from A to B, and it not quite reaching the top of the stairs so back down and up again to unplug/replug - I just grab this thing and do a bit here, a bit there, as and when.
Sorry for inordinately long post.....but hey, heaven is hard to describe.
I got mine from Currys, if you're interested you can go in the shop and try one out.