It’s almost an accepted fact of life that vacuum cleaners make a lot of noise. However, this doesn’t have to be the case because quiet vacuum cleaners are becoming more popular as the technology becomes more accessible.
To help you get the most out of your cleaning while not having to deal with too much noise, here’s my list of the best quiet vacuum cleaners:
- Shark Rotator Professional Upright Vacuum Cleaner
- Dyson V8 Cordless Quiet Vacuum Cleaner
- Miele Complete C2
- Hoover Commercial Hush Vacuum Cleaner
- iRobot Roomba
- Bissell Natural Sweeper
- Orfeld Cordless Quiet Vacuum Cleaner
- Bissell Cleanview Swivel
- Eureka Whirlwind Vacuum Cleaner
I’ll review these in more detail below, but first, let’s take a look at what factors you should consider when investing in a new quiet vacuum cleaner.
How to choose the best quiet vacuum cleaner
Aside from noise levels, your main priority when choosing a vacuum cleaner should always be how well it performs its job. After all, there’s little point in buying a really quiet vacuum cleaner if it sucks at sucking.
Also, expect to have to pay a bit more, as many quiet vacuum cleaners are simply higher-end models that use better parts and more advanced technology. However, this goes both ways, as a pricier vacuum cleaner will inevitably last longer than a cheaper model.
So what factors should you consider? Here are my top suggestions.
Bagged or bagless?
You might think this doesn’t have much impact on noise levels, but you’d be wrong. For example, bagged vacuum cleaners will often just have an empty holder where the bag goes, and this empty chamber can realistically amplify any noises it makes.
Also, bagless vacuum cleaners generally have an insulated dust catcher, and the parts are usually made with more durable materials. At the most basic level, this is because you don’t throw the dust compartment away every time it’s full, so it needs to last as long as the rest of the machine.
Although this shouldn’t be the deciding factor, bagless vacuum cleaners will generally be quieter than bagged ones. However, it’s worth looking at the individual model in more detail, as some will be built differently to others.
How quiet is quiet?
It’s worth mentioning now that you’ll never have a truly silent vacuum cleaner. After all, it’s a machine with moving parts, and the process of sucking air is fairly labor-intensive and so, it generates a fair bit of noise.
Generally speaking, a vacuum cleaner will be around 80dB, which is the equivalent of a toilet being flushed. A quiet vacuum cleaner will be around 72dB or less, which is the equivalent of a shower.
A reduction of 8dB or more might not sound like a lot, but it will make a difference if you’re sensitive to noise. Also, some models will be quieter, so this is definitely something to look out for.
Vacuum cleaner design
Many of the best quiet vacuum cleaners aren’t designed this way, but it’s a side effect of their better construction. While this comes at a price, this price also comes with the potential for extra features, better materials, and more intelligent design.
Also consider the type of vacuum cleaner you want, whether it’s upright or has a hose. This doesn’t necessarily have an impact on noise levels, but obviously it needs to be suitable for your space and needs.
Another factor to consider is whether you’ll be using it on carpets, hard flooring, or both. Most vacuum cleaners are designed to work on both, but some will be more effective at some jobs than others.
The best quiet vacuum cleaners on the market
Now that we have some buying criteria, it’s time to look at the best quiet vacuum cleaners available. This list is by no means exhaustive but should be a good start to at least point you in the right direction.
1. Shark Rotator Professional Upright Vacuum Cleaner
While not specifically designed to be quiet, this vacuum cleaner has the advantage of having an insulated bagless dust canister, which means it makes surprisingly little noise.
It’s fairly lightweight and is easy to maneuver, making it a good choice for cleaning stairs and hard to reach areas. On top of this, it has a HEPA filter, which catches 99% of allergens, making it a good choice if anyone in your house has allergies.
Another useful feature is that the handle can be lifted out and used as a smaller vacuum cleaner, which improves its ability to clean difficult areas.
However, it falls short in its ability to clean carpets. While it can be used on thin carpets, it’ll find it difficult to extract dirt out of thick ones. However, if you don’t have any shag carpets in your house then this shouldn’t be a problem.
2. Dyson V8 Cordless Quiet Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson has been one of the leaders in bagless technology for a long time, and this cordless vacuum cleaner is no exception. It’s really easy to run around the home and the fact that its cordless means you don’t have to worry about not reaching anywhere.
Importantly, it’s really quiet, which is thanks to its small motor. It doesn’t lose much power as a result of its design and is able to pull pet hair out of carpets with little difficulty.
It also comes with a HEPA filter, which is another great feature, and a Maximum Power mode, which offers a lot more suction power than other handheld vacuum cleaners.
However, it only has 40 minutes run time off a single charge, meaning you might not be able to get the whole house done in one go. This is arguably more of a quick once over vacuum cleaner than a deep clean one.
3. Miele Complete C2
Although I mostly suggested staying away from bagged vacuum cleaners, this one made its way onto the list because it’s actually surprisingly quiet. The bag area is fairly well insulated, meaning not much noise escapes.
Similarly, as you can see from the price, it’s a fairly high-end model. As mentioned, this means the materials and components are better, so there’s less rattling and overall noise.
Along with it being quiet, it’s also got very good suction. It can remove pet hair from carpets and does a great job of cleaning hardwood floors too. It has several attachments and is really easy to maneuver about the house too.
The obvious downside of this vacuum cleaner is that you’ll have to repeatedly buy bags, which is not only a cost but isn’t great for the environment either. However, I know some people still prefer bagged vacuum cleaners, and if you’re one of them then this is the one for you.
4. Hoover Commercial Hush Vacuum Cleaner
Hoover is obviously one of the leading brands in vacuum cleaners, and this model is no exception. It’s an upright, bagless vacuum cleaner that’s specifically labeled as being very quiet.
It still provides excellent levels of suction, though, and is fitted with a HEPA filter. It has a removable hose and several attachments, meaning you can use it to reach all those difficult areas.
However, this machine falls short when you move from hardwood floors to carpets. It does fine on both, but it’s best when you turn it off and switch modes before continuing. While this isn’t a massive issue, it can disrupt your flow while cleaning.
5. iRobot Roomba
How could we look at a list of the best vacuum cleaners and not include a Roomba? Although not one of its main design features, Roombas are surprisingly quiet, mainly because they don’t have a particularly strong motor.
You can set up a cleaning schedule, and this particular model comes with Wi-Fi connectivity and an app. This allows you to set everything up in advance and then just leave the machine to do its business.
Importantly, it does a good job of keeping things clean, but you can’t rely on it to remove stubborn or ingrained pet hair in carpets. However, it works great on hardwood floors and is fine for cleaning minor dirt off carpets.
A downside of this machine is that it doesn’t have room mapping, although it does have sensors built-in, meaning it’ll avoid hitting furniture. However, if it does bump into something, it does have the strength to knock light objects over.
6. Bissell Natural Sweeper
If you’re looking for the quietest way to clean a room, then don’t overlook this sweeper. The reason it’s so quiet is that it doesn’t have a motor; it’s just two rotating brushes inside the head.
It still does a good job of cleaning carpets but is obviously better on hard floors. You’ll be able to clean up pet hair and other debris, but don’t expect it to be able to pull out hair from a carpet, as it effectively has no suction.
That said, this product is ideal for a quick, everyday sort of cleaning. If you just need to run it around to clean up after the kids, then it’ll do the job fine. However, don’t expect it to do everything you need and more.
7. Orfeld Cordless Quiet Vacuum Cleaner
If you like the sound of the Dyson V8 mentioned earlier but don’t want to pay that kind of money, consider this model as it’s a third of the price. It generally performs well and is particularly quiet.
It’s cordless and lightweight, making it great for running around the house. It’s also got a HEPA filter fitted, making it ideal for those with allergies, and it comes with a number of different nozzles.
Much like the Dyson, though, it’s held back by its short run time. This vacuum cleaner can only go for 30 minutes off a single charge, meaning you might have to charge it multiple times to clean the house.
That said, it’s a good choice if you do your cleaning as and when rather than the whole house at once. Considering how much quieter this model is than a corded version, it’s a good choice if noise levels are your top priority.
8. Bissell Cleanview Swivel
This is another great upright model vacuum cleaner that makes very little noise while in use. What’s more, it’s considerably cheaper than some other models but still does a great job of cleaning.
Considering it’s an upright vacuum cleaner, it’s much easier to maneuver than some other models and is really easy to move around furniture. It also has an extendable hose and several attachments, allowing you to clean all areas of your home with this one machine.
It has a 1-liter dust canister, which is plenty, and all the parts are easy to remove and clean. It also has a HEPA filter, making it ideal for people with allergies. When combined with its ability to pick up pet hair, this makes it a great model.
However, its major downside is how bulky it is. While this won’t be a problem for many, it’s not the easiest to use on stairs and won’t be suitable for smaller homes or apartments.
9. Eureka Whirlwind Silent Vacuum Cleaner
This kind of canister model is ideal for smaller homes and combines all the benefits of an upright with the ease of use of a cordless vacuum cleaner. It’s fairly quiet and all of its components are well insulated.
It has a 3-liter dust canister, which is enough to clean the house several times before emptying. It also comes with several attachments, and can easily reach the most difficult places around the home.
While it’s very quiet, its issue is with how well it pulls animal hair from carpets. If this is an issue for you, look at an upright model with more suction. However, if your home is mainly hard floors, then this model will do the job well.
Some final thoughts
Finding the best quiet vacuum cleaner will take some shopping around, but there are plenty out there. Hopefully this list will have covered a model that’s right for you, or at least given you the right information to find a good one.