Best Quiet Vacuum Cleaners 2021: 18 Different Ones Reviewed!
I had several days in a row in which I kept wanting to vacuum but could not due to interruptions. Not from others interrupting me, but I did not want to bother other people.
After work, my child was doing homework. Before work, my husband and apartment neighbors were still asleep.
On the weekend, I was expecting a few important calls and did not want to miss them over the noise of the vacuum.
After a while, I realized that one of the primary obstacles to vacuuming was its noise.
I decided I should look into quieter options and do some research into the best quiet vacuum cleaners in the market.
Read on if you’re searching for a solution just like me.
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Related: 6 of the Best Quiet Garbage Disposals
Contents: Skip to section
At a Glance: The Best Quiet Vacuum Cleaners
In a hurry? My choice for the Best Quiet Vacuum Cleaner is:
Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Click through to read the product details and reviews on Amazon!
Check out this Noise Levels Chart to learn decibel levels of different activities and objects
Should you invest in a quiet vacuum cleaner?
Vacuuming is generally part of any given routine if you have a house or an apartment. Crumbs, dust, dirt, and whatever you track in from outside – it all accumulates on the floor and deep in the carpet.
With already sp much to do, the last thing you want to do is spend much time cleaning the floors. Luckily vacuums can make you much faster and more effective.
However, one of the primary annoyances of vacuums in the constant noise. If you are vacuuming, you may not hear your family members talking to you; you will miss phone calls; frighten your pets; you may wake your kid or a neighbor.
Aside from blenders, few other appliances are as loud or unmistakable as the roar of the vacuum. Luckily, there are quiet versions of vacuum cleaners.
If you are not sure what kind of vacuum you need, or are not sure how to choose a quiet one, this article will help you.
Related: 5 Best Quiet Treadmills for your Home
Are quiet vacuum cleaners much quieter? Vacuum Cleaners Decibel Ratings
If you are going to invest in a higher end vacuum, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth.
You want the right type and power for your house size, but you also want something that is actually quieter.
I am very glad to let you know that there is a difference between regular and quiet vacuums.
Most vacuums reach over 80 decibels; quiet models are 45 decibels to 70 decibels or somewhat below.
To give you a sense of what that means, a normal conversation is around 60 decibels, and a truck driving by is 80 decibels. So, these vacuums fall right in the middle.
Related: 9 Best Quiet Juicers: Bye to Noisy Juicers!
What do they do and do they really work?
Vacuums work by creating negative pressure. It’s similar to when you sip soda from a straw. The motor spins a fan, which rather than blowing towards the floor, blows the other direction, and therefore sucks in air from the floor.
The air flows up through filters, which catch dirt and debris. Newer vacuums have even finer filters, which catch particulates almost too small to see, and they often have HEPA filters too. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arresting, which means the filters remove very tiny particles from the air. Quiet vacuums are much more insulated, have fewer openings, and have better designed motors, which are less noisy to begin with.
Related: 9 of the Best Quiet Hair Dryers: Turn The Noise Down!
Types of Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuums come in all shapes and sizes and serve a variety of purposes. Below I will briefly explain each type and the benefits of them. Keep that in mind when you are then reading about the quiet vacuums further below.
Upright
These have the foot on the bottom, hinge, and then motor and bag contained around the handle. If you’ve seen traditional vacuums from the 1950s, these are what they looked like—uprights. They tend to be very powerful and can be used on wood or bare floors as well as thick dense carpets. Some are cordless with rechargeable batteries. They usually do not have as many attachments and therefore are not as versatile. Among quiet vacuums, other than the small robotic vacuums, these tend to be the quietest because they motor and airflow is the most insulated.
Canister
These are similar to upright, but the body and motor are separated from the foot and handle by a long hose. Usually the arm can detach and receive different attachments, which can clean curtains, under sofas, cushions, and stairs. The biggest challenge is that you have to pull around the canister-body.
Stick
These are much smaller, lighter versions of uprights, and are best for quick clean-ups and vacuums. They are not deep cleaners of carpets, and often do not have extensions. These are something you would use after party to do a quick clean, or right before guests come over. If you have an apartment with shallow rugs or hardwoods floors, these may be exactly what you need.
Handheld
These are just what you would picture—tiny vacuums you hold in your hand. Best for vacuuming up dust bunnies, small spots in the kitchen, or if you spill coffee grounds on the counter—that sort of thing. They are almost always rechargeable
Robot
These are the newest type of vacuums. They’re usually small discs that glide around your floors automatically without anything from you except for some basic settings. You need to keep the floor clutter free, they can not go upstairs without your help, and they lack the power other vacuums have. Again, if you have one floor and mostly flat carpet or wood – they could be ideal.
Key Feature 1: Weight and Ease of Use
The weight and flexibility of vacuums vary quite a bit, particularly across styles. Uprights are the heaviest as everything is contained in a single line and does not truly disconnect. Stick vacuums are versatile and very light. Robotic Vacuums can be programmed and left on their own aside from an occasional bag change. If you don’t relish the idea of lugging something heavy around as you’re cleaning, have a lot of stairs, or have issues such as arthritis consider—carefully consider which model is best for your needs.
Key Feature 2: Vacuum Power
Consider what you will be cleaning on a regular basis—this will help you determine how much vacuum power you need. Sticks and Robotic vacuums are less powerful, but more convenient to use. Canisters and uprights are the most powerful vacuums. If you have a lot of thick dense carpet, pets, and family members who do not take off their shoes, chances are you will need a canister or upright vacuum.
Key Feature 3: Versatility
Some of these vacuums are really three vacuums in one. They work as a regular vacuum, a handheld, a stairs vacuum, or something that works great on upholstery and between furniture. Consider if you are just vacuuming carpets, or looking to catch dust in the corner. But if you’re looking at cleaning nearly everything (curtains, carpets, hardwood floors, stairs, upholstery) then you may want more than one vacuum or one that transforms for multiple needs.
Related: 9 Best Quiet Kettles for a Peaceful Morning Brew
The Best Quiet Vacuum Cleaners Reviewed
Now I will go through the various categories of vacuums and highlight some of the quietest vacuum in that category. Keep in mind, you may ultimately choose to get more than one vacuum.
A handheld and a robotic vacuum make good partners.
A canister for heavy vacuum and a stick for quick clean ups might be the perfect pair.
Worth noting is how versatile some of these are, as stick vacuums might convert to handhelds and that sort of thing.
Other than the robotic vacuums, newer, better models of vacuums come with HEPA filters and meet the newest of filtering expectations.
Miele Dynamic U1 Powerline Upright Bagged Vacuum Cleaner
This upright vacuum works on all flooring types. Its bag volume is 6 liters and it has a 200W Motor.
Miele U1 comes equipped with an Air Clean Sealed System and HEPA Air filter, making this a powerful vacuum suitable for everyone including asthma and allergy sufferers.
Design wise, it is built around a unique swivel neck, which enables it to maneuver and rotate around obstacles.
Rare among uprights, it also includes an integrated 12-foot hose, allowing you to clean stairs, drapes, and upholstery.
Accessories include dusting brush, upholstery tool and crevice tool.
- What I Like
- Hose is long and durable – as good or better than hoses on canister vacuums
- Long cord and adjustable hose makes for a very long reach
- Easy to maneuver
- What I Don’t Like
- Heavy to lift, particularly on stairs
- Bristles not large enough for deep carpet cleaning
- Long cord means a lot of winding up
Shark Rotator
The Shark Rotator comes with a dust cup that holds 1.3 quarts and it includes Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology.
The rotator at the neck allows for swivel stealing around and under furniture.
This product has three modes: upright, stairs handheld, and lift out hose and pipe for curtains and ceilings.
The lightweight model, at only 15 pounds, promises to be ultra-quiet, even with its included hose of 8 feet.
Accessories include pet tools and Ergo Cleaning accessories.
- What I Like
- Filters easy to swap out without causing a mess
- Powerful suction but still quiet
- What I Don’t Like
- Advertising does not hold up to scrutiny: does not come with Caddy or keyboard brush
- Cord 25 not 30 feet
- Brush needs more cleaning than other models
Hoover Hush Upright
This vacuum sports a HushTone 2-Speed motor, letting it run at less than 70dB in low mode.
With its Sealed Allergen System and Hexaguard Technology as well as rinseable HEPA filter, they make it airtight to trap 99% of dirt, dust, and pollen.
Weight is rather acceptable at 19 pounds.
One of the cool features I like is the IntelliBelt, which will sense a jam and will stop movement if a jam occurs.
- What I Like
- Well-made and Durable
- Powerful suction deep cleans carpets
- Very Quiet
- What I Don’t Like
- Hose not covered in warranty
- Short hose, only 8′
- Wand does not extend
- No available attachments
Sanitaire EON Allergen
This vacuum’s features are somewhat rudimentary, and standard. However, its quality has been widely praised.
It was the first to be certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and it received the Gold Certification from the Carpet and Rug Institute and is LEED qualified due to its energy efficiency.
One of the positives is that that it Includes several attachments such as the extension wand, upholstery brush, and crevice tool.
- What I Like
- High-quality engineering and solid feel
- Wheels are great, giving the vacuum a lighter feel
- Forward thrust making it easier to push
- What I Don’t Like
- Bags hard to find, only from manufacturer
- Hard to empty without scattering dust
- Rollers will not shut off on hardwood floors, scattering dirt
Hoover Hush Tone Cannister
Hoover makes an entire series of the “HushTone” vacuums, and this one comes with a 9-quart capacity.
The Hush Mode runs at only 62dB, making it one of the quietest vacuum cleaners around.
It is very light at just over 10 pounds, but you can tell that it is well built.
The HEPA filter bag is very effective at trapping all the particulates, so you don’t need to worry about missing anything.
Comes with a 50-inch cord, meaning it will reach much further than other comparable vacuums.
- What I Like
- Lightweight and powerful
- Cord can be replaced
- Very quiet despite its powerful motor
- What I Don’t Like
- Hose disconnects too easily
- Cord slightly stiff, hard to roll up and hang
- Great on floors and light carpet, but needs a lot of push on heavier carpets
Henry Residential & Light Commercial
Love the cute design that is easily recognizable with its grinning face and hose for its nose.
The “Henry” vacuum is super quiet at only 47db.
In spite of its small size, it comes with a large 9-liters capacity and HepaFlo filtration.
There are also a number of swappable components, including hose, base, piping, dirty brush and upholstery brushes as well. Plus, the cord is long at 33 feet.
However, It weighs 23 pounds, which makes it a tad heavy.
- What I Like
- Durable and strong
- Very quiet
- What I Don’t Like
- Heavy for its size and build
- Plug is not 3-prong grounded
- More of a commercial than residential vacuum
Sanitare Quiet Clean Canister
The Sanitaire canister vacuum comes with several accessories to make it easy to vacuum both normal flooring as well as carpets.
It comes with extension wands, crevice tool, and dusting brush, and runs pretty quietly at 68 decibels.
Whether you choose to use it in a residential or light commercial setting, it does the job well.
With a long hose and wand, it gives you an extensive reach while doing your chores.
- What I Like
- Powerful yet quiet as it promises
- Works well on indoor and outdoor flooring
- What I Don’t Like
- Section parts come apart too easily
- Rough on hardwood floors – may cause scratches
- Clunky to carry around
Miele Electro+ Cannister Vacuum
The compact Miele Electro+ vacuum boasts a Miele-Made Vortex silence motor, which means it runs very quiet.
It’s small at 3.5 liters but includes a 6-Setting Suction control, allowing for optimal cleaning of different surfaces and materials.
The settings and extensions make it quite versatile to use on different scenarios, and the extensions include floorhead for carpets and for hard floors, dust, crevice, and upholstery brushes.
Finally, the filtration system includes a HEPA Filter and AirClean Sealed system.
- What I Like
- Cord retraction works well and fast
- Bag changes are very easy
- Light enough to move around easily
- What I Don’t Like
- Canister easily tips over if you’re not careful
- Slightly pricey
- Suction is no stronger than most vacuums
Miele Complete C3 Marin Cannister
If the compact canister above is too small for you, but you want all the same features, then the Miele Complete C3 is what you are looking for.
It comes with a near silent motor with six speeds, several extensions, and a full Premium Electro brush with LED lighting.
The floorhead is mounted on a swilling rotating wand, allowing for flexibility and maneuverability.
Having a multi-setting motor allows you to transition from light carpet to dense to bare floors – all without changing the settings.
Between the telescoping wand and the extra-long electrical cord, the vacuum provides a cleaning radius of 36 feet, without having to change plugs.
- What I Like
- Arm design leans to easy clogging
- Bag to small for size of vacuum – fills quickly
- What I Don’t Like
- Canister easily tips over if you’re not careful
- Slightly pricey
- Suction is no stronger than most vacuums
Eureka 3 in 1 Swivel Stick
This is a very popular model that has gotten loads of praise by its users.
It has three modes that allow you to use it as a stick vacuum for all types of floors, to a hand-held, to a stair vacuum.
The three modes, attachments, and 18 feet power cord will allow you to clean nearly anything anywhere, proving its versatility.
- What I Like
- Great on hardwood floors and flat carpets
- Picks up visible debris and cat litter well
- What I Don’t Like
- Power button easy to bump off
- Drags throw rugs along with it
Moosoo Cordless Ultra Quiet Stick and Hand-Held Vacuum
Not only is this one of the quietest vacuums on this list, it is also a two-in-one vacuum.
You can assemble it as a stick vacuum with motor, wand, and floorhead, or it can be a handheld, with multiple extensions such as a hose, crevice cleaner, and multiple brushes.
If that were not enough, it is also cordless.
Set at maximum, the battery will last 15 mins, and double that in standard mode, and you can purchase an extra battery.
The high efficiency filtration system sports a high-density HEPA filter, which can be washed.
And guess that, the vacuum only weighs less than three pounds!
Configurations will work for hardwood, carpet, and other materials like upholstery and curtains.
- What I Like
- Very light and easy to maneuver
- Picks up even large debris
- What I Don’t Like
- Battery life does not match expectations
- Not strong enough to replace regular vacuum for large flat rugs or deep rugs
- Canister fills up quickly
Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Dysons are famous for their vacuums, quality, and performance. They offer many models, most of which are probably quieter than standard vacuums – but do not necessarily qualify as quiet per se. This one does.
It is essentially a cord-free stick vacuum, with up to 40 minutes of vacuum time.
This model is as configurable as the vacuum indicated above: with the ability to deep clean hard floors, carpets, and furniture.
The wand will allow you to reach ceilings and curtains and other trouble spots.
One minor drawback is the pricing, as with all Dyson products, but you know you are getting high quality in return. And of course, it helps knowing the design is super cool.
- What I Like
- Very lightweight and well-balanced
- Filter is washable and lasts a lifetime
- Works fast and is powerful
- Very quiet and versatile
- High quality build and long lasting
- What I Don’t Like
- Overheats after prolonged use
- Small dirt cup fills up quickly, particularly with pets
Tineco Pure ONE S12
The Tineco stick vacuum promises to be a “smart” vacuum. It partners with a mobile app, which displays reports, provides reminders, and help with troubleshooting.
The vacuum itself sports a sharp-looking LED display at the top of the handle showing you battery level, vacuum power, warning indicators, and mode display.
Tineco features iLoop Smart Sensor Technology that senses dirt automatically and adjusts suction power based on its need.
It converts to a handheld vacuum with additional attachments to reach corners, stairs and crevices.
Accessories include two floorheads (for hard floor and carpet), multiple dusting brushes, and two crevice tools.
- What I Like
- It is so quiet that you might think it is not powerful enough for your needs, but wait until you see the results
- Cleaning power and suction sensor both work very well
- Works fast and is powerful
- What I Don’t Like
- When using extension and accessories, needs to be set at max power
- Battery drains fast, particularly on Wi-Fi
Aposen Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
This handheld vacuum promises to be both quiet and powerful.
Its 100w motor works on both dry dirt such as dust, crumbs, litter, but also on liquids such as milk and water.
The washable HEPA filter traps particles from the air and liquid as well, and comes with a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 minutes of operation.
The three accessories include crevice nozzle, brush nozzle, and rubber nozzle for liquids.
In spite of its small size, and relative power, the vacuum runs below 70dB, making particularly quiet for a handheld.
- What I Like
- Multiple attachments make it very versatile
- Good balance between weight, speed, and noise
- What I Don’t Like
- Advertised as wet/dry, but instructions say do not use with liquid
- Battery life short; dust bin fills up quickly
Holife Handheld Vacuum
The Holife is a small but powerful vacuum cleaner with a 100w motor and it works on both wet and dry dirt.
Three attachments make it more versatile: the crevice tool, dust brush, and liquid nozzle, meaning it can clean regular dust and debris, pet hair, and liquids.
The cordless vacuum’s rechargeable battery will run for 30 minutes after a three-hour charge.
Also, this vacuum is designed to be a quieter system with its insulated motor.
- What I Like
- Battery life holds up well when fully charge
- Vents blow sideways, rather than at user at all
- What I Don’t Like
- Suction drops dramatically with a dirty filter
- Does not work well on pet hair, particularly on upholstery
Ecovacs Deebot
This disc-shaped robotic vacuum promises three hours of run-time, multi-floor mapping, and three levels of suction power for strong and quiet vacuuming.
It vacuums and mops simultaneously, and can sense carpets, and therefore avoid mopping your carpet!
The mobile app lets you adjust the levels of water with the mopping as well as the suction power, allowing you to control the noise level.
Deebot maps your house, giving you control over what and when to vacuum.
Compatible with Alexa and Google smart home systems, you can directly control it, schedule it, and control other aspects as well.
Accessories include charging station, side brushes, filter, mopping pads, and cleaning tool.
- What I Like
- Covers entire “map” very well
- Fast and efficient
- Very quiet; you won’t even realise it is there
- What I Don’t Like
- Gets stuck easily
- App is buggy and not intuitive
Eufy Anker
This robovac was engineered to be very slim (less than 3 inches high so that it can clean under nearly any piece of furniture).
It is also designed to have a very quiet operation that is no louder than a Microwave.
Moving at a speed of 10 inches per second, it operates and cleans quickly.
The “BoostIQ Technology” enables it to increase and decrease suction power as needed and the sensors will let it evade obstacles and avoid falls.
Eufy Anker comes with a remote control (and batteries), charging base, cleaning tools, four side brushes, and extra filters.
- What I Like
- Easy to use; app works well
- Very well balanced between mop and vacuum strength
- Very quiet and fast
- What I Don’t Like
- Has difficulty navigating around dark materials and rugs
- Needs emptying every time you use it
Roborock Robot Vacuum
It is compatible with Alexa and you can also control and customize its settings with your phone. With the Roborock, you are able to set its schedule and zone cleaning.
The suction is strong enough to lift AA batteries, and will clean carpets and hard floors.
Also standard is a mopping mode, which you can customize as well.
The vacuum has a quiet mode, which cleans at below 56dB levels (a conversation level sound). Sensors help it avoid falls and obstacles, and increases the suction on carpets.
- What I Like
- Fast and efficient
- Cleans up well even with large pets
- Powerful suction and quiet
- What I Don’t Like
- Mop action not strong enough for a full clean
- Needs recharging often
- Buggy app – docking station gets “lost”. Need to bring it close.
Customer Impressions
The opinions and thoughts on these different models cover quite a spectrum, however they are the most highly rated “quiet” vacuums in their respective categories.
The primary issue that customers seem to have is a disconnect between their expectations and the abilities of the type of vacuum.
A Stick vacuum will not be as quiet and powerful as an Upright; a handheld’s battery may not last long enough progress through your entire house in one charge.
As long as you carefully consider your priorities and the vacuum category’s abilities, you will find a good fit.
There are a lot of vacuums to choose from—and even quite a few on this list. There are several standouts that I will go over here. Keep in mind, that these are all solid options, and if any one particularly strikes your interest, then it is a safe bet.
Quietest vacuum cleaner
The Miele Dynamic vacuum is considered the quietest on this list. It is a “classic” upright: sturdy and well-designed, insulated, and thoroughly filtered, catching potential allergens. The primary complaints that people had about this model was a complaint that is often seen about uprights – they are heavy to carry and sometimes extra effort to push along due to their weight and suction. If you can handle the heft and want quiet, this is probably the best option.
The Sanitare Cannister seemed to be the standout product in this category. Nice and quiet, but better balanced between weight and flexibility than the uprights, this gives you the power of the vacuum thanks to its head and canister design, the quiet of a well-designed vacuum, and also the flexibility. It’s detachable wand and extensions make it a versatile vacuum to meet all of your needs.
Overall standouts
The Stick and Robotic vacuums stand out in terms of convenience and ease where the others above stand out in terms of power quiet. Dysons will almost always stand out when they create a product. This is certainly the case here.
The Dyson Stick was highly reviewed for its quiet and power, even though it is a stick vacuum. However, the battery life and ability to handle pet hair was not quite what people hoped for.
The Eufy robotic vacuum was praised for its quiet and power as well as versatility. It balances mopping and vacuuming and self-adjusts suction based on your flooring. The main issue was that the app was found to be somewhat buggy.
Related: 6 Best Quiet Coffee Grinders (Updated 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I dispose of my old vacuum cleaner?
Always consult local regulations first, but you likely have several options. If it stopped working, it could be reparable, even if you still want to get a new one. Consider seeing if it can be repaired. If it is still working, check to see if any of your friends, Goodwill, or local community centers would like one. If it is not working, check with your local recycling center and see if they will take it. You might also be able to share with DIY groups on social media who would take an interest in it.
Should I dust or vacuum first?
You should dust first, and then vacuum. When you dust your furniture, you stir up particles and allergens, which need to settle on the floor then be vacuumed up.
Do they cost more and how do they manage to be so much quieter?
Quiet vacuum cleaners are somewhat more expensive than regular vacuum cleaners. This is because they need to be carefully designed and well built. They are not much larger than their regular, noisy, counterparts. However, the have vacuum-sealed walls (meaning no air between them) to prevent sound transference and layers of insulation to keep the quiet.
Why are vacuum cleaners so loud if it’s just air passing through?
The motor and fans need to work hard to create a vacuum strong enough to suck up any debris on the floor. The rush of air is not silent; Both of them vibrate along the various parts of the vacuum cleaner, the rush of air is not silent; all of which amplify the noises. Most traditional vacuums have an inexpensive motors, which tend to be on the loud side. Due to the air passing through the vacuum, there are usually many open vents on it. Each of these let out noise.
How quiet are quiet vacuum cleaners?
Lawnmowers are 70 to 100 decibels. Washing machines range from 50 to 70. Vacuums tend to range from 70 to 80. Most quiet vacuums are below 70 but do not get much below 60 or 55 decibels. Imagine if you were sitting in one room and two people were haven a normal, low-level conversation. That’s about how loud the quiet vacuums tend to be. However, they are an unwavering hum, which is easier to tune out than a conversation, making them seem quieter.
Quietest Vaccum Cleaners: Conclusion
I may be biased, but I highly recommend the Dyson Stick Vaccum, only because I have used it and I know how effective it is. While it is not the quietest machine in the world, the balance between its soft hum and its usefulness makes it an easy choice for me.
While you are searching for the best vacuum cleaner for your home, remember the main features that are most important to you. There isn’t a perfect one, but there will be a model suitable for you for sure.
Hop over to Amazon through the links above to read more specifications and check out their prices.
I’m sure you will find the right one for you!
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