Just about everyone has come to terms with vacuum cleaners and loud noises. That’s because if you want a vacuum cleaner that’s worth the money, you’ll need suction power. And with suction power comes a power motor, which of course is probably going to be loud.
In previous decades this may have been true. But with design innovations and efficient motors, the “loud factor” has come down tremendously.
Because you can now buy quieter vacuum cleaners, you’ll want to know their features and benefits. Below we show you the six best quiet vacuums for your money, and give you tips on what to look for when buying one.
Why You Might Want a Quiet Vacuum Cleaner
Although we can usually cope with the noise a regular vacuum makes, let’s face it: there are situations when we’d prefer a lot less sound, like when you’re trying to clean up a mess while the children are sleeping.
Some traditional vacuum cleaners are so loud that the high noise level prevents you from being able to hear the doorbell or phone ring.
What Are the Benefits of a Quiet Vacuum Cleaner?
Quiet vacuum cleaners, especially the high-quality ones, can be expensive. So before investing, you should become acquainted with some of their benefits. How quiet is a quiet vacuum cleaner, actually?
A traditional vacuum cleaner has a noise level of 74 to 81 decibels (dB). This level of noise is the same as an alarm clock, the flushing of a toilet, or the garbage disposal.
With a quiet vacuum cleaner, you’ll find that the noise level tends to be less than 72 dB. This noise level is similar to a dishwasher or shower.
What Are the Best Uses of a Quiet Vacuum Cleaner?
All that may not be enough to convince you to buy one. What if you were able to make a quiet vacuum even quieter?
Like, reduce the noise level to that of the hum of a refrigerator or a quiet conversation by using the right settings or brushes? It’s enough to make anyone want to read the user’s manual.
What Features Should I Look For?
Now, not all quiet vacuum cleaners are created equally, so there are some features to keep an eye out for. The ones below are especially crucial.
Bagless vs. Bagged
The first decision when you go shopping for a vacuum is whether to opt for a bagless or bagged vacuum. This will of course depend on your personal preferences.
You should understand though that the construction of a bagged vacuum cleaner where the dirt and debris are collected inside the bag is usually made from less durable and lighter weight material. These are also typically poorly insulated as far as noise level is concerned.
Bagless constructions, on the other hand, are made with better materials and tend to be insulated in areas where dust and debris are collected, which helps make them quieter.
Design Factors
You might have already compared different vacuum cleaners and noticed that a vacuum cleaner rated as quieter is more expensive than a traditional one. But it isn’t just because they’re quieter that makes them more expensive.
It’s the fact they’re built better, with a higher level of engineering that goes into their design. Noise reduction engineering requires more time when it comes to designing quieter cleaners.
Noisier vacuums often have flawed designs and several openings and spaces where the sound can escape. Having a tighter design and higher-quality materials helps reduce the amount of space that sound can escape from and make the vacuum quieter.
Additionally, certain motors run quieter than other motors because they’re made from better materials. If a vacuum has a high-quality motor, you’re going to end up spending more money. So keep this in mind when you go shopping.
Additional Considerations
Like traditional vacuum cleaners, a quiet vacuum cleaner comes in electro-brush, upright, brush-bar, and canister models. But it’s quality of construction rather than model type that’s the deciding factor in noise level.
Here are some more considerations to keep in mind:
- Adjustable Suction Power: Turbo, high, and low options can make a big difference in the noise level.
- Floor Type Adjuster: Finding the right depth to use on your vacuum cleaner when cleaning different floor types can make a difference in the way your vacuum performs and the noise that comes from the vacuum.
- Attachments: There are various attachments for different cleaning tasks, all of which can make your vacuum run quieter and more efficient.
The 6 Quietest Vacuum Cleaners
Here are the top 6 quietest vacuum cleaners you can find today.
Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away
This vacuum is a two-in-one quiet vacuum cleaner. With this vacuum, you’ll have ultimate versatility and a quick, portable machine.
It features swivel steering, which makes the vacuum easier to move around your office or home. It also has a power nozzle with LED headlights so you always see what you’re vacuuming.

The HEPA filtration system captures 99.9 percent of allergens and dust. It comes with two foam filters to prevent 0.3 to 0.5-micron pollutants from reentering the air.
This vacuum cleaner’s operation is very quiet, so it won’t be disruptive when you use it.
The vacuum is a great choice if you don’t have several rooms with carpet, and if you like the idea of having a two-in-one vacuum. However, the power on this vacuum isn’t what you need for heavy carpet.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Great filtration system
- Easy to swap out accessories and heads
- Has a lift-out feature that turns it into a powerful portable vacuum
- Decent maneuverability
- Does a great job cleaning edges
Cons
- The pet power tool can become bound up with long hair
- Small canister
- Shorter hose
Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum
With this vacuum, going cordless has only gotten better. This is by far the most adaptable handheld, quiet vacuum cleaner you can find.
It features a Dyson V8 Digital Motor, Max Power Mode (providing you with 75 percent more power than average handheld vacuums), and Whole HEPA Filtration.

With this quiet vacuum cleaner, you’ll get 40 minutes worth of action from the rechargeable battery and seven minutes of increased suction when you have it set to max mode. This model isn’t just quieter than other models. It’s also lightweight.
This quiet vacuum is a great pick if you’re done with vacuuming in less than 30 minutes and require the stick feature for special cleaning.
Pros
- Lightweight, controllable machine
- Has a couple of different cleaner heads that work on bare floors and carpets
- Small footprint
- Decent power—can get pet hair out of the carpet
- Exceptionally quiet
- Has a small-shaped nozzle which is great for vacuuming under tables, chairs, and beds
- Cordless
Cons
- You can’t expect it to run for the whole 40 minutes on one charge
- Recharge time is five hours
- Can’t swap out batteries
- Premium price
Miele Complete C3 Vacuum Cleaner
The Electro Premium brush that comes with this canister-style quiet vacuum cleaner works great with high and medium-pile carpet with ease and provides HEPA certified cleaning levels.

This has five height-level adjustments making it great for all types of flooring, along with 180 rotation that makes it agile.
It also has a telescopic wand with a Deluxe Comfort Grip that gives you six-stage suction control buttons right by your fingertips. It’s both incredibly quiet and powerful.
This is a great choice for anybody who wants a powerful vacuum that will perform as it’s supposed to, and you have the money to spend on it. If you’re on a budget though, you should keep looking.
Pros
- Powerful motor without a loud noise level
- Does a great job of getting dirt out of your carpet
- The floor tool rotates, so it’s easy to maneuver
- Versatile accessory setup
- Uses bags in a HEPA approved sealed system to keep pathogens and allergens inside the bag
Cons
- Expensive
- You have to purchase and change bags
- Short 22-foot cord
iRobot Roomba 690
Nothing is easier than turning your vacuum loose and walking away from it so it can vacuum on its own, and that’s what you’ll get with the iRobot Roomba 690. It has WiFi connectivity that works with Alexa voice control.

You can program this quiet vacuum cleaner to clean around clutter and furniture while you work on something else. It also gives you the same HEPA certified cleaning that your home needs, but it doesn’t make you stand and control it while it does its job.
This is a great choice for anyone ready to use artificial intelligence in their house cleaning, and who can afford the mid-range price tag.
Pros
- Programmable using the Alexa app and WiFi
- Programmable cleaning schedule
- Great at picking up dirt and pet hair
- Has great suction power
- Quiet
Cons
- No room mapping
- Can get stuck someplace and not return to its charging dock
- Can knock over things regardless of how powerful it is
Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Vacuum
This quiet vacuum cleaner feels like you’re wielding a magic wand in your hand that you can wave to quickly clean your house.
It features a motor that’s both cordless and lightweight, and can deliver enough power to help you clean quietly and with the most versatility.

It’s ideal for cleaning in impossible-to-get-to areas and can quickly transform into a portable vacuum. You’ll get around six minutes in max mode and about 30 minutes in regular mode, all from a single charge.
This is a great vacuum for anyone looking for a stick-type, rechargeable device for special cleaning situations and stairways. Still, you don’t want to pay as much as you would for a V8.
Pros
- Works great for all flooring
- Lightweight design
- A large range of attachments
- Can be converted into a portable vacuum
Cons
- You can’t expect to get the whole 30 minutes vacuum time on a single charge
- You aren’t able to switch out batteries
- The canister is small
Hoover Quiet Performance Bagged Vacuum
This vacuum features a technology called Wind Tunnel 3 that offers powerful suction that’ll get rid of 99.97 percent of 0.3-microns or larger airborne pollutants. The filtration system is HEPA certified.

It also features Steerable technology so you can control the vacuum with a simple flick of your hand. It has a five-speed control function that provides you with greater adaptability and the option for quieter and powerful performance.
This vacuum is great for anyone looking for a trusted brand name, and which offers plenty of functionality at a budget price.
Pros
- Very versatile with multiple power level control
- Features a retractable cord
- Great array of accessories and tools
- Easy to attach tools and assemble
- Works well on bare floors and hardwood
Cons
- You can’t adjust the height
- Shorter power cord
- You need to change and purchase new bags