SEBO is a German vacuum maker founded in 1978 in Velbert by two engineers, Klaus Stein and Heinz Kaulig. The company started out building commercial upright vacuums and began making vacuums for homes in 1991. Its current lineup in the United States includes bagged uprights, bagged canisters and one cordless model, plus the bags, filters, brush rolls and attachments that go with them.
Even their company name points back to those early days. The name “SEBO” is actually built from the first letters of SEmigewerbliche BOdenpflege, German for “semi-commercial floor care.” The first factory was a former weaving mill in Velbert, and the first machine, the SEBO 350, was an upright made to hold up to years of hard daily use by cleaning crews in hotels and institutional/commercial buildings. SEBO says that its machines have since been sold to hotels, hospitals, schools and even the White House.
Their first home vacuum, the Automatic X1, was built from commercial components and designed so its owner could service it. SEBO lists itself as the first vacuum maker to build a suction hose into an upright, the first to put a soft bumper on a canister and the first to offer electronically controlled automatic height adjustment. Today’s Automatic X and Essential G home uprights even take the same bags as SEBO’s commercial-grade 300 and 350 Mechanical.
Edison Vacuum has served Middle Tennessee since 1960, and its Brentwood vacuum cleaner store carries SEBO uprights and canisters along with the bags, filters, brush rolls and attachments for each series. The same vacuum shop that handles tune-ups and repairs for dozens of other brands works on SEBO vacuums too, so a SEBO owner can get supplies, advice and service from the same counter.
What Most SEBO Vacuums Have in Common
Every SEBO except the cordless Balance A1 uses a bag. SEBO’s bags are three-layer AeraPure filter bags, and each one has a hygiene cap that closes as the bag is lifted out, which keeps the dust sealed inside on the way to the trash. The bag also works as one of the machine’s filters, catching fine dust before the air reaches the motor.
SEBO rates its corded models for S-class filtration, a European standard for trapping fine airborne dust. The S stands for Schwebstoff, the German word for airborne particles. Air passes through the bag and at least two more filters before it leaves the machine, and several models accept an optional HEPA filter. Edison’s guides to HEPA vacuums for allergies and how sealed vacuums prevent dust leaks explain how these filtration systems work.
SEBO’s X, G, Felix, Dart and Mechanical uprights have an indicator light for a blocked brush roll, and a blocked brush also triggers an automatic shutoff. Their brush rolls come out without tools for cleaning or replacement, and each of them carries a crevice tool and a dusting brush on board, so edges and furniture can be cleaned without switching machines.
SEBO Upright Vacuums
SEBO’s corded uprights split into two groups by how they set brush height. The Automatic X models adjust brush height electronically as they move across different floors, and they compensate for brush wear on their own. The Felix, Dart, Essential G and Mechanical models use a manual height control with four settings.
Bag size and cord length follow similar lines. The X, G and Mechanical uprights hold a 1.4-gallon bag and run on cords of about 40 feet. The Felix and Dart hold a 0.92-gallon bag on a 31-foot cord, and their bodies lie flat to the floor and detach from the power head for handheld cleaning. SEBO also lists its cordless Balance A1 with the uprights.
Automatic X4 and X4 Boost
The SEBO X4 is the starting point of the Automatic X line. It has a 12-inch power head with a 10.5-inch cleaning path, edge cleaning on one side, a 40-foot cord and a 1.4-gallon bag. One indicator light comes on when the brush roll is worn, and another warns of a blockage.
The X4 Boost adds a second brush mode. Its standard mode suits most floor types, and Boost lets the brush work deeper into carpet before the height adjusts. Both models store a crevice tool, dusting brush and upholstery nozzle on board, with a wand and hose that reach about eight feet. A 9-foot extension hose brings that reach to 15 feet for stairs.
Automatic X7 Premium and X8
The X7 Premium keeps the 12-inch power head and adds an LED headlight and a Brush-mode button on the power head with two settings. It comes in several colors. The X7 Premium Pet adds a turbo brush for pet hair on upholstery and stairs, a 9-foot extension hose and an exhaust microfilter that absorbs pet odors.
The X8 moves up to a 15-inch power head with a 14.5-inch cleaning path and edge cleaning on both sides. It has one brush mode and the same LED headlight, and its wider head covers more floor with each pass, which suits large open rooms and long hallways. Edison’s X7 vs. X8 comparison looks at which homes fit each model.
Felix Premium
The Felix Premium lies flat to the floor with a 6-inch profile, which lets it reach under beds and low furniture. The suction unit detaches from the power head and works as a handheld vacuum for stairs, upholstery and car interiors. The handle adjusts to three heights, suction is adjustable from the handle, and a side handle is built in for carrying.
The Felix has its own 175-watt brush motor, and the brush can be switched off for suction-only cleaning on delicate rugs and hard floors. Brush height is set by hand across four levels. It holds a 0.92-gallon bag, runs on a 31-foot cord and comes with a crevice nozzle, a dusting brush and a parquet brush for hard floors.
Dart
The SEBO Dart is built on the same design as the Felix, with the same 12-inch power head, flat-to-the-floor body, detachable handheld unit, brush motor and four manual height settings. It holds the same 0.92-gallon bag and can also switch the brush off for suction-only cleaning. The Dart has a fixed handle and no variable suction control, and it carries a crevice nozzle and dusting brush on board.
Essential G4 and G5
The Essential G models combine the 1.4-gallon bag, 40-foot cord and onboard tools of the X series with a manual height control that has four settings. The G4 has a 12-inch power head with a 10.5-inch cleaning path, and the G5 has a 15-inch head with a 13.25-inch cleaning path. HEPA filtration is available as an option on both.
SEBO lists the G series with its home uprights. The G4 and G5 also appear in Edison’s guide to commercial vacuum cleaners as options for business use, and both models take the same bags as the Automatic X uprights.
300 and 350 Mechanical
SEBO describes the 300 and 350 Mechanical as commercial-grade uprights. The 300 has a 12-inch power head with a 10.5-inch cleaning path, and the 350 has a 14-inch head with a 12.5-inch cleaning path. Both hold a 1.4-gallon bag and run on a 39-foot external cord that can be replaced without tools.
Their controls are mechanical. Brush height has four settings and is changed by pressing a button with the tip of the wand, and the brush roll runs in a sealed, heavy-duty housing. An optional HEPA exhaust filter is available. Edison carries the X/G/C/300/350 bags and the X/G/300/350 microfilter these machines use.
Balance A1 Cordless
The Balance A1 is SEBO’s cordless model and its only vacuum without a bag. It weighs 5 pounds and runs on a lithium-ion battery for up to 48 minutes at power level one or up to 20 minutes at power level three. A main cyclone and six smaller cyclones separate the dust before the air reaches a motor protection filter and a micro-hygiene filter.
Its LED power brush has a headlamp and anti-hair-wrap technology, with one brush roller for hard floors and another for all floor types. The kit includes a mini power brush, an LED crevice nozzle, a dusting brush, a combined dusting and upholstery nozzle and an extension hose, and the charging station comes with a stand and a wall mount.
SEBO Softcase
Edison also carries the SEBO Softcase, a lightweight upright with a soft textile housing that helps prevent scuffs on furniture and baseboards. It’s a compact option for apartments and smaller homes, and Edison stocks Softcase bags for it as well.
SEBO Canister Vacuums
SEBO’s canisters all belong to its Airbelt line, which comes in three series. The D series is the full-size canister, with the largest bag and the longest cord. The E and K series are smaller, with bodies that weigh 11.4 pounds (E) and 12 pounds (K), and SEBO describes the K series as about four pounds lighter than the D.
Within each series, the model name signals which floor tools come in the box. Kombi models come with a combination nozzle that has retractable bristles for rugs and hard floors. Turbo models come with an air-driven turbo head for rugs and a parquet brush for hard floors. Premium models come with the ET-1, a 12-inch electric power head for carpet and hard floors, plus a parquet brush. Kombi and Turbo hoses have no built-in power cord, so they can’t run an electric power head.
| Detail | D series | E series | K series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Models | D1 Turbo, D4 Premium | E1 Kombi, E2 Turbo, E3 Premium | K2 Kombi, K2 Turbo, K3 Premium |
| Body weight | 15.9 lbs. | 11.4 lbs. | 12 lbs. |
| Bag capacity | 1.5 gal. | 0.92 gal. | 0.8 gal. |
| Cord and range | 40 ft. cord, 52 ft. range | 25 ft. cord, 37 ft. range | 25 ft. cord, 37 ft. range |
| Cord rewind | Push-button | Push-button | Tug-and-retract |
| Suction motor | 1,250 watts | 1,200 watts | 1,250 watts |
| Sound level | 63 dBA | 58 dBA (E1, E2), 62 dBA (E3) | 63 dBA |
| Optional HEPA | No | No | Yes, pre-motor microfilter |
Airbelt E1 Kombi, E2 Turbo and E3 Premium
The E1 Kombi and E2 Turbo run on suction alone, with no electric power head, and their suction control sits on the canister body. At 58 decibels (dBA), they’re the quietest vacuums in SEBO’s lineup. The E1’s combination nozzle covers rugs and hard floors, and the E2’s air-driven turbo head adds brushing action on rugs.
The E3 Premium adds the ET-1 electric power head, with four height settings, a brush on/off switch on the handle and a slider for suction control. Edison’s comparisons of the E1 and E3 and the E1 and E2 go further into how the three models differ.
Airbelt K2 Kombi, K2 Turbo and K3 Premium
The K series follows the same naming as the E series. The K2 Kombi comes with the combination nozzle, the K2 Turbo comes with the air-driven turbo head and parquet brush, and the K3 Premium comes with the ET-1 power head and a parquet brush. SEBO lists the K3 for carpets, hard floors and pet hair.
K models hold a 0.8-gallon bag and use a tug-and-retract cord rewind. They’re also the only Airbelt canisters that accept an optional HEPA pre-motor microfilter, which cleans the air before it reaches the motor, and Edison carries a K-series HEPA box. The E3 and K3 share the ET-1 power head, and Edison’s E3 vs. K3 comparison covers how the two canisters differ.
Airbelt D1 Turbo and D4 Premium
The D series is SEBO’s full-size canister. It holds a 1.5-gallon bag, runs on a 40-foot cord with a 52-foot cleaning range, and rolls on four rubber-coated castors with bearings and steel axles. Its tapered 7-foot hose rotates 320 degrees.
The D1 Turbo comes with the air-driven turbo head and parquet brush, with its controls on the canister body. The D4 Premium adds the ET-1 power head, two soft-touch suction buttons on the handle and an LED suction indicator. Edison’s overview of the Airbelt D4 Premium covers SEBO’s flagship canister in more depth.
SEBO also lists an Onyx Collection under both its uprights and its canisters. SEBO sells Onyx machines through stores only, and Edison’s X7 Premium Pet is part of that collection.
Choosing Between a SEBO Upright and a Canister
A SEBO upright keeps the motor, bag and power head in one machine that rolls in front of you, with tools stored on board for edges and furniture. A SEBO canister puts the motor and bag in a body that follows on wheels, and the cleaning happens through a wand and floor tool, so the weight in your hand stays low.
Stairs, drapes and the space under low furniture are often easier to reach with a canister’s hose and wand. Wide stretches of carpet tend to go faster with an upright, especially the 15-inch X8 and G5. Edison’s comparison of SEBO uprights and canisters looks at which homes suit each type.
| Feature | Corded uprights (X, G, Felix, Dart, 300/350) | Airbelt canisters |
|---|---|---|
| Body weight | 15.4 to 20 lbs. | 11.4 to 15.9 lbs. |
| Power head width | 12 to 15 in. | 12 in. (ET-1 on Premium models) |
| Bag capacity | 0.92 to 1.4 gal. | 0.8 to 1.5 gal. |
| Cord length | 31 to 40 ft. | 25 to 40 ft. |
| Brush height | Automatic on X models, manual on the rest | Manual, four settings on the ET-1 |
| Above-floor cleaning | Onboard hose and tools, or a detachable handheld on the Felix and Dart | 7-ft. hose and wand |
| Quietest models | Felix and Dart, 68 dBA | E1 and E2, 58 dBA |
Edison also carries Miele and Riccar vacuums. Its Miele vs. SEBO comparison, its look at whether a SEBO is right for you and its roundup of long-lasting vacuums from Miele, SEBO, Riccar and other brands cover how SEBO compares with other premium names.
SEBO Models for Common Needs
Several SEBO models line up with specific household needs because of their power head width, onboard tools, sound level or design. The pairings below are based on SEBO’s published specifications for each machine and the floor tools it comes with.
Large, open rooms
The X8 and G5 have 15-inch power heads, the widest in SEBO’s lineup, so long hallways and open floor plans take fewer passes.
Homes with pets
The X7 Premium Pet adds a turbo brush, an odor-absorbing exhaust microfilter and a 9-foot extension hose. Among the canisters, SEBO lists the K3 Premium and D4 Premium for pet hair. Edison’s pet hair vacuum guide covers more options.
Stairs, upholstery and cars
The Felix Premium and Dart detach into handheld vacuums, and the Airbelt canisters reach stairs with a 7-foot hose and wand.
Quiet cleaning
The E1 Kombi and E2 Turbo run at 58 dBA, the lowest sound level in SEBO’s lineup. Other low-noise models are covered in Edison’s look at the quietest vacuum cleaners.
Hard floors and area rugs
The Kombi and Turbo canisters, such as the K2 Kombi and D1 Turbo, come with tools for rugs and bare floors, and the Felix and Dart can switch the brush off for suction-only cleaning on delicate surfaces.
Cordless cleaning
The Balance A1 weighs 5 pounds and runs up to 48 minutes on its first power level, with tools for stairs, furniture and above-floor dusting.
SEBO Bags and Filters by Model
SEBO bags come in families, and each family fits a specific group of machines. The X, G and Mechanical uprights share one bag, the Felix and Dart share another, and each Airbelt canister series takes its own. When the exact model isn’t known, Edison’s walkthrough on finding a vacuum model number shows where to look.
The Felix, Dart and Airbelt canisters have an indicator that lights when the bag is full or the airflow is blocked. Edison’s guides on how often to replace a vacuum bag and Miele and SEBO replacement bags cover bag timing and fit in more detail.
| SEBO bag | Fits these models |
|---|---|
| X/G/C/300/350 bags | Automatic X4, X4 Boost, X7 Premium and X8; Essential G4 and G5; 300 and 350 Mechanical |
| Felix bags | Felix Premium and Dart |
| E bags | Airbelt E1 Kombi, E2 Turbo and E3 Premium |
| K bags | Airbelt K2 Kombi, K2 Turbo and K3 Premium |
| D bags | Airbelt D1 Turbo and D4 Premium |
| Softcase bags | SEBO Softcase |
| No bag | Balance A1, which separates dust with cyclones |
Filters follow the same series lines. Edison carries exhaust filters for the X4, exhaust microfilters for the X7 and X8, the microfilter for the X, G, 300 and 350, a Felix filter and Felix microfilter with textile cover, E filter sets, D filter sets and the K filter kit. Edison also stocks SEBO vacuum bag fragrances.
SEBO Attachments and Replacement Parts
The X, G, Felix, Dart and Mechanical uprights carry a crevice tool and a dusting brush, and the X, G and Mechanical models add an upholstery nozzle. The Airbelt canisters carry a crevice nozzle, an upholstery nozzle and a dusting brush. Edison carries additional SEBO attachments and parts that extend what each machine can reach or clean:
- 9-foot extension hose, which brings hose reach to 15 feet on the X, G, Mechanical, Felix and Dart uprights
- Extension wand for added reach
- Parquet floor tool and Twist parquet floor tool for bare floors
- Turbo brush tool for upholstery, stairs and pet hair
- Kombi tool, the combination nozzle for rugs and hard floors
- Wall and floor brush and crevice tool extender
- Replacement brush rolls in 12-inch (blue and soft green) and 15-inch sizes
- Airbelt filter cover for K and D canisters
Some parts and attachments fit only certain SEBO models or series, and Edison’s guide to finding compatible parts, bags, filters and supplies explains how to match a part to a specific vacuum before ordering.
Caring for a SEBO Vacuum
Several SEBO indicator lights signal when maintenance is due. The brush roll lights flag a blockage and, on most uprights, a worn brush or the wrong height setting. The full-bag indicators on the Felix, Dart and Airbelt canisters signal a full bag or blocked airflow.
Bags, filters and brush rolls wear at different rates, and Edison’s guide to vacuum maintenance and part replacement lists typical timelines for each. A basic routine for a SEBO looks like this:
Change the bag
Replace the bag when the indicator lights or the bag is full. The hygiene cap closes as the bag comes out, and the steps for swapping a bag are laid out in Edison’s guide to changing a vacuum bag.
Replace the filters
Filters are replaced less often than bags. The filter sets and kits listed above cover each SEBO series, and a fresh filter helps the machine hold onto fine dust.
Check the brush roll
SEBO upright brush rolls come out without tools, so hair and thread can be cleared quickly. On models with manual height control, a lower setting can make up for shorter bristles until the brush roll is replaced. If the brush stops turning, Edison’s troubleshooting post on brush rolls that stop spinning covers what to check.
Schedule a tune-up
Edison’s service shop offers tune-ups and cleaning for SEBO vacuums. Typical service intervals are covered in Edison’s post on how often to service a vacuum.
When a SEBO loses suction and nothing seems clogged, Edison’s article on suction loss without a clog covers the possible causes. For anything beyond routine care, Edison’s service shop handles diagnosis and repair.
Frequently Asked Questions About SEBO Vacuums
Q: Where is SEBO based?
A: In Velbert, Germany, where Klaus Stein and Heinz Kaulig founded the company in 1978. SEBO’s US office is in Englewood, Colorado, and the brand’s first US shipment went to commercial cleaning customers in 1979.
Q: Which SEBO vacuums adjust brush height automatically?
A: The Automatic X models: the X4, X4 Boost, X7 Premium and X8. The Felix, Dart, Essential G, Mechanical and Airbelt Premium models use manual height controls with four settings.
Q: Can a SEBO clean hard floors?
A: Yes. SEBO lists bare-floor cleaning across its corded lineup. The Felix and Dart can turn the brush off for suction-only cleaning, the Turbo and Premium canisters include a parquet brush, the Kombi canisters use a combination nozzle with retractable bristles, and the Balance A1 comes with a dedicated hard-floor roller.
Q: Do all SEBO vacuums use the same bags?
A: No. One bag fits the X, G and Mechanical uprights, another fits the Felix and Dart, and each Airbelt canister series takes its own. The bag table earlier on this page lists every match.
Q: Does SEBO make a bagless vacuum?
A: The Balance A1 is the only one. It’s a 5-pound cordless model that separates dust with cyclones.
Q: What do Kombi, Turbo and Premium mean on a SEBO canister?
A: The names describe the floor tools. Kombi models come with a combination nozzle, Turbo models come with an air-driven turbo head and parquet brush, and Premium models come with the ET-1 electric power head and a parquet brush. Only the Premium models have a power cord running through the hose.
Q: Does Edison repair SEBO vacuums?
A: Edison’s service shop in Brentwood repairs SEBO vacuums along with dozens of other brands. Repairs can be requested through the service and repair page.
Some things about a vacuum are easiest to judge in person: how it feels in your hand, how it turns around a table leg, how much room it takes up in the hall closet. So if you’re in the Greater Nashville Area, stop by and see the SEBOs for yourself. Edison Vacuum is at 202 Wilson Pike Circle in Brentwood, TN, and the team is always happy to help match a model to your floors, your stairs and the way you clean.
Already have a SEBO at home? Bring it in for a tune-up, pick up fresh bags and filters, or call Edison at 615-255-3292 with any questions. You can also browse the vacuum lineup and SEBO supplies online. Either way, the Edison team would love to help!
