6 Best Quiet Vacuum Cleaners in 2021

A vacuum cleaner is one of the most basic, yet most important tools you can invest in.

Not only does it keep your home neat and tidy, but it also plays an integral role in the overall health and well-being of your family.

Vacuuming maintains your carpets, rugs, and hard floors, as it removes dirt, soil, hair, and other visible debris.

It also eliminates microscopic particles that you can’t see, such as dander, dust, skin cells, bacteria, pollen, mold spores, and various other types of allergens and irritants.

Without vacuuming, not only would your home look unkempt, but you and your health could seriously suffer.

In order to experience the full benefits that this exceedingly important chore offers, experts recommend vacuuming at least twice a week, while high traffic areas should be vacuumed even more frequently. Since it’s a tool that you’re going to be using often and because it plays such a crucial role in the cleanliness of your home and in your overall health and well-being, investing in a great vacuum is an absolute must.

There are so many different types of vacuums on the market and in order to choose the best one to meet your needs, you really need to take some important factors into consideration; the type of vacuum (canister or upright), the size of the motor, the capacity of the bag or tank, the filtration (for the best results, you should opt for a vacuum that offers a multi-stage filtration system, as they can capture the finest particles and will improve the air quality in your home), and the features and functions it offers.

In addition to the above-mentioned factors, there’s one more thing that you should consider when you’re shopping for a vacuum: the noise level.

Of course, all of the other elements are important, but many people get so caught up in focusing on those features that they often overlook noise level.

What are the Benefits of Using Quiet Vacuum Cleaners? What Qualifies as a Loud Vacuum?

All vacuum cleaners produce noise, but some are a lot louder than others.

Sound is measured in decibels (dBs).

Just like other appliances, vacuums can be very loud or quiet, depending on their design.

Vacuum cleaners that generate more than 76 dBs are considered very loud, those that generate between 71 and 75 dBs are considered loud, those that produce between 61 and 70 dB are deemed quiet, while those that produce less than 60 dBs are known as silent vacuum cleaners (though they still do make some degree of noise).

To give you a better idea of how you can estimate how loud your vacuum will be:

60 dB – Normal conversation

70 dB – Washing Machine/Dishwasher

80 dB – Power tools

85 dB – Heavy traffic

The difference between 60 and 70 dB might not seem like a lot, but the opposite is actually true. A 10 decibel increase equates to around 2 times the amount of sound! That’s quite a lot when you compare 60 to 70, and especially when comparing 60 to 80 dB!

It’s important to note that the amount of sound a vacuum makes does not determine the amount of power it generates!

Many people simply think a louder vacuum is stronger than a quiet vacuum, but they’re mistaken.

Quiet vacuum cleaners can be super powerful, while loud vacuums may offer little power. The power a vacuum cleaner supplies depends on the size of the motor.

The more amps the motor has, the more powerful it will be. Amps do not impact the decibel rating.

Why is the noise level (dB) that a vacuum cleaner produces important?

Because it determines how much your home will be impacted when you are vacuuming.

If it’s super loud, it could scare pets, wake sleeping babies, disrupt conversations, and if you’re sensitive to sound, discourage you from vacuuming is often as you should. If you’re on the market for a quiet vacuum cleaner, you’re in luck!

We’ve put together a list of the best quiet vacuum cleaners that are currently available on the market. Below, you’ll find an overview of our picks, which include a variety of different types of vacuums, such as the best quiet vacuum for pet hair, the best quiet upright vacuum cleaners, and the best quiet robot vacuum. Once you’ve finished reading through this guide, you should be able to select the best quiet vacuum for your specific needs.

Every vacuum on this list has roughly 70 or less dB!

So, without further ado, let’s jump in and take a look at some of the best quiet vacuum cleaners.

6 Best Quiet Vacuum Cleaners in 2021:

Best Quiet Stick/Cordless Vacuum – Moosoo Cordless Vacuum Cleaner 23Kpa Strong Suction 2 in 1 Stick Vacuum Ultra-Quiet Handheld Vacuum with Brushless Motor Multi-Attachments

With a noise output of 65 dB, the Moosoo K17 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is our pick for the best quiet cordless vacuum. While it isn’t considered a “silent” vacuum, it does generate minimal levels of noise and it shouldn’t disrupt your household too much.

In addition to the quiet operation, the Moosoo K17 offers a variety of features that make it a really reliable vacuum cleaner. With a four stage high-efficiency filtration system, which includes a HEPA filter, this vacuum cleaner captures up to 99.99% of microscopic particles. While it’s super quiet, it’s also super powerful. With two power modes – a 23 KPA and an 11K KPA – this 200W brushless motor, which spins at 50,000 rpm, can handle all types of dirt and debris with ease. The nylon bristles can easily dislodge embedded dirt and stuck-in debris without damaging your floors. Powered by an 8 cell 22.2 volt rechargeable lithium-ion battery, there are no cords to worry about plugging in or tripping over, so you can use it to clean any room in your house. The runtime is about 30 minutes and even though that isn’t the longest, it should be enough to get several rooms in your house clean, and when the battery runs low, it does takes around 4 hours to fully recharge it.

However, for the price point, you’ll get a great vacuum. It’s not weak, but it is quiet!

The clear dust bin can hold up to 13.5 ounces of debris. When it’s full, all you have to do is pop it off, press a button, and the waste will fall out of the hinged bottom into a garbage can, so there’s no need to worry about getting dirty.

Weighing in at just 2.84 pounds, cleaning with the Moosoo K17 is effortless. It’s an exceptionally lightweight and quiet stick vacuum cleaner at a great price point.

The cleaning head pivots 120 degrees and has a 10 inch cleaning path, which is pretty impressive for a stick vacuum cleaner. The handle separates from the main stick, turning it into a handheld vacuum, and with an ergonomic handle, cleaning is a breeze. The durable construction can stand up to all types of wear, and it comes complete with a powered multi-surface floor head with LED headlamps, a combination cleaning brush, and a 2-in-1 square brush.

With so many features and benefits – and generating just 65 dB of noise – it’s no wonder why we chose the Moosoo K17 as our best cordless silent vacuum.

Pros

• 65 dB
• 2200mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• 4 stage high efficiency filtration system
• 200 brushless motor
• Powerful, yet soft nylon bristles
• Durable, yet lightweight construction
• Can be used as a stick or handheld vacuum
• Fast recharging
• No-touch dust bin

Cons

• With a 30 minute runtime, you may need to recharge before you clean your entire home
• Won’t be as powerful as corded vacuums

 

Shop now at Amazon.com

 

Best Quiet Vacuum for Pet Hair – Shark APEX DuoClean with Zero-M No Hair Wrap

Creating around 70 dB of noise, the Shark Apex Duo Clean with Zero-M No Hair Wrap is a lot quieter than most other vacuums for pet hair. With dual self-cleaning brushroll, this vacuum can pick up all types of debris, including large chunks of dirt and small, stuck-on particles from carpets, rugs, and hard floors. Thanks to the self-cleaning no hair wrap brushroll, it offers non-stop hair removal and the hair won’t get tangled, no matter how much your pets shed. You should have little to no trouble keeping your home clean.

Supercharged with premium technology, the Shark Apex offers incredible suction power. It also converts to a stick vacuum, so you can use it to clean overhead areas, stairs, and furniture too.

The XL dust cup has a 0.74 quart capacity, which isn’t huge, but will still allow you to pick up a good bit of debris before you need to empty. With super bright LED headlamps, you’ll be able to find hidden debris easily.

The advanced swivel steering makes maneuvering around corners and furniture and moving into and out of tight spaces a cinch.

With a 30 foot cord, you’ll have plenty of reach and won’t have to continuously unplug and search for new outlets. While it lacks a HEPA filter, it does feature powerful foam and felt filters that can trap the majority of small particles. The durable construction and 10 pound weight, combined with the 8.5 inch cleaning path, will make cleaning your floors a breeze, all without causing too much of a fuss.

Pros

• 70 dB noise output
• Zero M self-cleaning brushroll with nonstop hair removal
• Can be used as a stick or a handheld vacuum
• 30 foot long power cord
• Powerful filtration system
• Dual brushrolls are tough on dirt but gentle on floors
• Powerful LED headlamps
• Wide cleaning path
• Easy to maneuver

Cons

• The dirt cup capacity could be a little bigger
• It lacks HEPA filtration

 

Shop now at Amazon.com

 

Best Quiet Robot Vacuum – Eufy Robovac 11S

If you don’t want to be bothered with pushing a vacuum cleaner around, a robot vacuum is the perfect option for you. Generating less than 60 dB of sound, the Eufy Robovac 11S is our pick for the best quiet robot vacuum; in fact, it’s so quiet that you’ll barely even notice that it’s cleaning your floors!

In addition to the whisper quiet operation, this vacuum is quite powerful. With 1300a of suction and 100 minutes of runtime, this robot vacuum will keep your floors super clean. To further advance its power, the Eufy Robovac 11S features BoostIQ Technology, which automatically increases the suction power within 1.5 seconds when it detects that more power is needed.

With a super-low 2.85 inch profile, it can easily pass under low-lying furniture and the drop-sensing technology prevents it from falling down stairs and off of ledges.

It uses a triple filtration system, which includes a dual-layer filter and a high-performance filter, so you can have confidence knowing that your indoor air will also remain clean. Four side brushes are powerful on dirt, yet gentle on all types of floors, including high-pile carpets and hardwood.

The 0.6 liter dustbox can accommodate plenty of debris and reduces the frequency of emptying. When this vacuum cleaner starts to run low on power, it automatically returns to its charging base, so it’s always ready to clean. With infrared sensor technology, it will navigate its way around obstacles, and the tempered glass top cover ensures durability.

To further simplify cleaning, the eufy RoboVac 11S comes with a remote control, so you can deploy it from any location.

It’s also a solid contender to iRobot (Roomba) vacuums!

Pros

• 1300Pa suction power
• Boost IQ Technology automatically increases the suction power within 1.5 seconds when it detects more power is needed
• Infrared sensor allows it to navigate obstacles with ease
• Drop-sensing technology prevents falls down stairs and from ledges
• Anti-scratch tempered glass top cover
• 100 minute runtime
• Automatically recharges
• Remote control operation
• 60 dB sound level is no louder than a microwave
• Large dust cup
• Backed by a worry-free 12 month warranty

Cons

• While it does automatically recharge itself, it takes a long time to charge
• Not as powerful or feature-rich as other more expensive robot vacuum cleaners

 

Shop now at Amazon.com

 

Best Quiet Canister Vacuum – Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction

Canister vacuums are known for being more powerful than upright vacuums; however, the downside is that canister vacuums also tend to be louder than upright vacuums. However, this isn’t always the case!

The Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction definitely offers plenty of power, but it’s a lot quieter than most canister vacuums, which is why we chose it as our pick for the best quiet canister vacuum.

Emitting less than 50 dB of sound during normal operation and 68 dB of sound when used on the highest stetting, considering the fact that it’s a canister vacuum, which, as noted, are known for being loud, the Miele Compact C1 is impressively quiet!

Outfitted with a 1,200 watt Miele-Made Vortex Motor, this vacuum cleaner offers impressive power.

Remember, just because this vacuum isn’t 1440 watts doesn’t mean it isn’t extremely powerful!

The suction power can be easily adjusted to the surface that you are cleaning via the 6 setting rotary dial, so you’ll be sure to get the best possible cleaning results.

The combination floorhead is well-suited for cleaning low pile carpets and rugs, as well as hard floors; just tap the switch with your foot and you can instantly switch between carpeting and hard floor cleaning. The metal sole plate allows the cleaning head to easily glide across floors, while the rubber wheels prevent any scratches or dings.

With the Miele AirClean filtration system, which features a genuine Miele dustbag, a motor protection filter, and an AirClean exhaust filter, you’ll have confidence knowing that this vacuum will always deliver reliable filtration. The wand, which is constructed of durable stainless steel, has a cleaning radius of 29.5 feet, so you’ll be able to reach all corners of rooms and stairs without having to worry about wrestling with the canister. It also comes complete with additional accessories, including a dust brush, an upholstery tool, and a crevice tool, all of which are stored onboard, making this canister vacuum the only tool you’ll need to clean virtually every surface in your home!

P.S. – There are plenty of different vacuums from Miele Complete lineup.

Check out our comparison of the C1 vs C2 vs C3 here!

Pros

• Features a Miele-Made 1200 watt vortex motor that increases the power efficiency depending on the power level selected
• Six setting rotary dial easily adjusts suction power
• Combination floor head with a metal sole plate and rubberized wheels can be used to clean low pile carpets and rugs, as well as hard floors, including wood, tile, and laminate
• Boasts a Miele AirClean filter system, which is comprised of a Miele dustbag, a motor protection filter, and an AirClean exhaust filter to ensure maximum filtration
• Large dirt capacity
• Almost 30 foot cleaning radius, so you’ll be able to access those hard-to-reach corners and overhead spaces with ease
• Comes with several accessories, including an upholstery tool, a dusting brush, and a crevice tool, which are all stored right on-board
• Weighs just 12 pounds, which is quite light for a canister vacuum of this capacity

Cons

• Few said that they had issues with the plug falling out of the wall
• More expensive than other canister vacuums

 

Shop now at Amazon.com

 

Best Quiet Handheld Vacuum – VacLife Handheld Vacuum

For those spot cleaning jobs that don’t require a full-sized vacuum – like a spilled bowl of chips or potting soil, or even for your car – a handheld vacuum is a versatile and fantastic choice.

While the compact size of handheld vacuum cleaners certainly make them convenient to use, they do have a tendency to be quite loud; however, the VacLife Handheld Vacuum is the perfect solution to convenient and quiet handheld cleaning.

Generating 69 dB of noise, it’s louder than some of the other vacuums that are featured on our list, but for a handheld, that’s pretty quiet; hence why we chose it as our pick for the best quiet handheld vacuum.

This cordless handheld vacuum is outfitted with a strong power that provides powerful suction, so it can easily suck up all types of debris at lightning speed, delivering a reliable deep clean. With HEPA filtration and innovative durable and washable wraps, this vacuum will deliver an exceptional clean. The main cleaning head features powerful LED lights to reveal hidden dirt. For even more cleaning power, it comes with a collection of tools, including a dust brush, a crevice tool, a rubber jar tool, and an extension hose that extends the cleaning range. The battery has a runtime of up to 30 minutes and when it’s time to recharge it, just place it back on the charging dock and it will be ready to use again in just a few hours.

With a large dust bin, advanced filtration, exceptional power, and so many cleaning tools, with the VacLife Handheld Vacuum, you’ll be able to spot-clean your floors, your stairs, your car, your furniture, and even your upholstery. With so many benefits and because it generates just 69 dB of noise, it’s no wonder why it’s our pick for the best quiet handheld vacuum.

Pros

• Powerful motor for super-strong and reliable suction
• Very affordable
• Comes with a collection of different cleaning nozzles, as well as an extension nozzle
• HEPA filters and washable wraps provide advanced filtration
• 30 minute runtime and fast recharging
• Bright LED light illuminates hidden dirt
• Large capacity dust cup
• 69 dB sound output

Cons

• Some users said that it didn’t hold the charge as long as they expected it to
• Documentation is difficult to understand

 

Shop now at Amazon.com

 

Best Quiet Upright Vacuum Cleaner – Hoover Commercial HushTone Hard-Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner

The last vacuum on our list of the best quiet vacuums is the upright Hoover Commercial Hushtone Bagged Upright Vacuum.

Hoover is a well trusted name that’s been in the industry for quite a while now. They’re good at making vacuums that are reasonably priced and last.

You might be wondering to yourself why we listed a commercial vacuum cleaner. That’s perfectly reasonable! Believe it or not, many commercial vacuums are built very well and made to last. Not only that, but they are typically strong, well-designed, and get the job done.

This isn’t the first time we’ve recommended a commercial vacuum cleaner either.

This vacuum is packed with plenty of features that make it well worth your money.

Coming in at just under 70 dB, (69) this upright vacuum cleaner features a two speed motor which offers you plenty of performance at a relatively quiet noise level.

It comes with plenty of features that you should look for in a vacuum cleaner. You’ll be able to trap 99% of dust, dirt, and allergens with the sealed allergen system combined with Hexaguard technology. There’s no need to put anything together, as this vacuum comes pre-assembled right out of the box once you get it.

The thought out and useful features don’t end there either.

With a washable HEPA filter and a long 40 ft quick-change cord that you can easily swap out in the event that it frayed or is damaged, you’ll be able to save plenty of money in the long run. It also features an “IntelliBelt” which will automatically shut down the vacuum in the event of a brushroll jam.

You also have the option of choosing between a 13 inch and 15 inch model, dependent on your cleaning requirements and preferences.

Pros

• No assembly required
• Trusted Hoover name
• 40 ft user replaceable cord
• 2 year warranty
• Powerful two speed 1200 Watt motor coming in at about 69 dB
• IntelliBelt Technology
• HEPA filter

Cons

• Fairly heavy at 18.5 lbs
• Not self-propelled

 

Shop now at Amazon.com

 

Summing It Up

Finding a vacuum that you can rely on to provide a powerful cleaning but also operates quietly is no easy task.

There are so many different types of vacuum cleaners on the market and unfortunately, a lot of manufacturers fail to mention the decibel level of their products on the labels, which can make it hard to figure out which vacuum cleaners are actually quiet and which are obnoxiously loud.

If you’re on the market for the best quiet vacuum cleaner, the last thing you want to do is take a shot in the dark and end up purchasing something that is deafening loud to the point where you hate using it.

Since we know how difficult it is to find a vacuum cleaner that you can rely on to offer great cleaning power but won’t scare the dickens out of you when you’re cleaning, we took the liberty of doing the research for you.

After conducting extensive research – including the decibel levels – we were able to compile a list of the best quiet vacuum cleaners. Our list includes a variety of different types of vacuums to meet everyone’s cleaning needs – including pet hair, cordless, stick, robot, canister, upright, and handheld vacuums.

Each of the vacuums listed in our review operate very quietly, yet they also deliver incredible cleaning power. All models are also outfitted with great filtration systems and offer a variety of features that will make cleaning your home a lot easier.

Whether you have pets and you need a vacuum that will rid your home of their hair, you want a robot vacuum that will do the work for you, or you’re looking for a handheld vacuum for convenient spot cleaning; no matter what type of vacuum you’re looking for, when you choose one of the models mentioned above, you can have confidence knowing that you will be investing in one of the best quiet vacuum cleaners on the market.