Wow it is definitely priced "premium". Didn't have the same issues as you though. TIL about the Sebo brand.

If a canister vacuum is not going to fit in you apartment, I think you'll have to find an intermediary solution, not something BIFL.. unless you plan to live in a small studio for the long term. I stuck my vacuum in my clothing closet while I lived in that studio.

Perhaps just get something cheap and fits the form-factor you are looking for? I doubt youll get the same cleaning power as a canister vacuum in any other form factor. When you have more space then you can reuse your Sebo or look into Miele if the Sebo's features/design are annoying you.

I started out living on my own like you - my studio's floor was polished concrete and we had some rugs. Invested in a Miele vacuum ... cleans well (better than any dyson on the market) but the mobility is a little bit annoying.

I believe I got one of the cheaper models (C1 at 300+) but if I had do to do this again I would have purchased of the more feature rich models (1000+). I think I'll have this vacuum far into the future. The build quality is impeccable across the board.

If you see professional maids/cleaners that clean peoples' apartments, they all have vacuums that have the same design as the Miele because they are the best at cleaning.

Hope this helps. Do some research and you'll find that Miele is the best.