You need to vacuum. But it’s a drag. And it’s loud! So…. can you get a silent vacuum?
In this age of technological progress, you would have thought somebody had invented such a thing. The short answer is: No, you can’t get a silent vacuum. But some are pretty quiet.
In this article, we explain why silent vacuums aren’t possible yet, give you the best quiet vacuums, and flag the low-noise features you should look out for.
Skip to:
- Why can’t I buy a silent vacuum?
- Best quiet vacuums: 3 models to lower the volume
- Low noise vacuum features to look for
Why can’t I buy a silent vacuum?
The bottom line is this: Advances in technology, engineering, and design have made it possible to find vacuums that are significantly quieter than traditional models. However, it isn’t possible currently to vacuum in silence.
Why are vacuum cleaners so loud? It’s probably down to the following factors:
👩🏻🦯 Motor noise
The most significant contributor to vacuum noise is the motor. The motor is responsible for powering the suction, and the higher the motor’s power, the louder the noise it produces. The faster the motor runs, the more noise it generates.
👩🏻🦯 Airflow
As a vacuum cleaner pulls in air to create suction, it has to move that air through the hose, filter, and various parts of the vacuum. The faster the airflow, the more noise is generated. The friction of the air against the vacuum’s components, such as the hose or the filter, can also contribute to the overall noise level.
👩🏻🦯 Brush bar or roller noise
Many vacuum cleaners use a rotating brush or roller to agitate dirt and debris from carpets. These moving parts create additional noise, especially if they are working at high speeds or are designed to clean thick carpet fibers.
👩🏻🦯 Design
The overall design of a vacuum cleaner plays a role in how loud it is. Models with poor insulation or poorly designed soundproofing materials will amplify the noise, making them louder.
Best quiet vacuums: 3 models to lower the volume
Vacuum cleaners typically range in noise from 60 to 85 decibels (dB).
To put this into perspective, the average conversation is about 60 dB, while a normal vacuum can reach 70 to 80 dB, which is lower than the noise level of a blender, but louder than an appliance such as a microwave or washing machine.
Quiet vacuum cleaners usually fall somewhere in the 50-60 dB range. Here are four models to choose from, including their decibel (dB) level:
1. Miele Complete C3 Marin – 60 dB
One of the quietest vacuums around from this trusted German manufacturer. It will give you powerful suction for all flooring types at a mere 60 dB. That made us sit up and take notice:
Best for: Low noise, powerful suction
2. Electrolux Ergoapido – 60 dB
This cordless stick cleaner is exceptionally quiet. You’ll get all the advantages of a maneuverable, slim cleaner that can get into those nooks and crannies, and crucially, a really low operating noise that users are impressed by. Battery life is long enough, too:
Best for: Low effort, quiet vacuuming
3. MUTGOF Cordless Vacuum – 68 dB
Decent power and low noise, all on a very tight budget? It’s possible, and you’ll have to look to China for that. The MUTGOF brand ships all over the world, including to the US, and has come up with a quiet vacuum for a very reasonable price.
Best for: Quiet vacuuming on a budget
Low noise vacuum features to look for
We’ll repeat it one more time – a vacuum cleaner cannot be entirely silent.
But… there definitely are models that prioritize quieter operation. You can see these in the next section, but first, what are the features you should look out for that make a vacuum silent?
Many manufacturers have developed technologies and designs specifically aimed at reducing the noise produced during cleaning. These vacuums are often marketed as “quiet” or “low-noise” models. Here are some of the features that contribute to quieter operation:
👉 Low-noise motors
Certain vacuum cleaners are designed with specialized low-noise motors that run more quietly without sacrificing suction power. These motors tend to use advanced engineering techniques to reduce vibrations and the noise produced during operation.
Some models also feature sound-dampening materials around the motor to reduce overall noise.
👉 Improved airflow design
Quiet vacuums typically incorporate designs that reduce airflow friction. Using wider hoses, more efficient filters, and other optimized components, these vacuums can move air more efficiently, resulting in less noise.
The air intake and exhaust design can make a big difference in how much sound the vacuum produces.
👉 Advanced filtration systems
HEPA filters and other advanced filtration systems are designed to trap fine dust and allergens, but they also help reduce noise. By optimizing airflow, these systems can lower the vacuum’s operational sound while still maintaining suction power.
👉 Insulated housing
Many quiet vacuums come with sound-dampening or noise-reducing insulation in the body of the vacuum cleaner. These materials are strategically placed inside the vacuum housing to absorb and deflect noise before it escapes into the environment.
