9 Best Quiet Vacuum Cleaners [Handheld, Upright, & Cordless]
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Choosing a quiet vacuum cleaner is an essential investment for your home and
overall wellbeing. What’s even harder is choosing the right one.
But don’t give up. I understand overwhelming features and needs for both your
personal and home needs is a constant struggle. It’s like a tug of war between your
pockets and head.
So allow me to shed some light on that struggle and especially the disappointment
when you don’t get what you paid for.
Deciding which are the best vacuum cleaners is what I’m here for.
Your struggle ends here.
Our Contenders for 2019
| Model | Type | Sound Level | Usability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Apex DuoClean AX951 | Upright - Cord | Below 60 dB | Best overall |
| Dyson V8 Stick Vacuum | Cordless | Below 70 dB | Best cordless |
| Hoover CH54113 Hush Toned Hard Bagged Vacuum | Upright - Cord | 69 dB | Best for commercial spaces |
| Miele Complete C3 Ecoline Vacuum | Canister | 64 dB | Best economical & energy saver |
| Eureka S500 Vacuum | Canister | 70 dB | Best budget eco-friendly |
| Electrolux EL4021A Silent Performer Vacuum | Canister | 65 dB | Best multi-level cleaner |
| EcoVacs Deebot N79S Vacuum | Robot | 67 to 70 dB | Best allergy remedy |
| Eufy Robovac 11 Vacuum | Robot | 55 dB | Best for tight space cleaning |
| Roomba 960 Vacuum | Robot | Below 60 dB | Best mid-range robovac |
Under 70 dB | Bagless | Upright – Cord | HEPA Filter | 7 Year Warranty |
Price: $$$
Think hassle-free heavy cleaning and a quiet vacuum cleaner
That’s what you’ll find in the AX951 vac. It makes your overall cleaning experience less of a burden and an all around cleaning tool with impressive capabilities for picking up dust, cat-dog hair, and dirt whether that’s on your carpet or hardwood flooring.
Features:
- Easy change for different floor mode settings (hard floor to carpet)
- Advanced Anti Allergen Seal to prevent microscopic particles from escaping
- Duo Clean Technology for effective cleaning combining two brushes into one
- Powered-Lift away mode to clean under your furniture, appliances, or above the floor
PROS
- Reduced Sound Levels
- Cleaning is 3x easier
- Better access to darker areas
CONS
- Expensive
- Maneuvering takes a while to get used to
Opportunities Using This Vacuum:
- Cleaning a lot of furniture & big spaces
- Your pets shed a lot
- Looking for a faster and efficient complete cleaning experience
- Wide choice of accessories & technology for a smarter way of cleaning
Consider A Different Vacuum If:
- You’re looking for cheaper upright vacuum cleaners
- Heavy lifting is an issue for you
- Your house/space doesn’t require heavy cleaning
Below 70 dB | Bagless | Stick – Cordless | HEPA Filter | 40 min. run time – Rechargeable
The Dyson V8 is your 2 in 1 vacuum performing its best in smaller spaces
This is your guy if you’re looking for strong suction power, cord hassle-free, and mobility in moving around your house or storing it just about anywhere. It’s definitely a big improvement from Dyson’s previous versions and time-saving on your part.
Sound level for the Dyson V8 is also fairly quiet but not exactly the best option for carpeting.
Features:
- Deep clean technology and various attachments that makes cleaning feel less like work
- Cordless, handheld design to store and move conveniently around your home
- Two cleaning modes for better suction in challenging areas
- Cyclonic brush design for improved capturing of fine dust & dirt
PROS
- Lightweight and versatile usability
- Easy swap of attachments
- Picks up more dirt compared to other vacuums
- Relatively more quiet than most vacuums
CONS
- Expensive
- Handheld grip has no comfort protection
- Weak battery life at highest setting
Opportunities Using This Vacuum:
- Cleaning small spaces in a jiffy
- Removes so much dirt you’ll wonder where it was settling this whole time
- Different attachments to select the best tool in cleaning different areas around your home
- Hassle-free storage and mobility
Consider A Different Vacuum If:
- You’re in need of cleaning a lot of pet hair
Your cleaning area is considerably large in size
69 dB | Bagged | Upright – Cord | HEPA Filter | 2 Year Warranty
Price: $$
Commercial cleaning just got easier and with a lot less noise
The Hoover CH54113 is most appreciated in wide cleaning spaces and suitable for most businesses thanks to its bare floor and heavy traffic cleaning settings. Hoover delivers effective and reliable cleaning applications added to the list of recommended quiet vacuum cleaners in the market today.
Sound level is surprisingly quiet in spite of its heavy applications and design. But when it comes to the best vacuum cleaner, which rates highest in commercial settings, I recommend Hoover as a great option for upright vacuum cleaners.
Features:
- Hexaguard allergen system for cleaner air and improved trapping of dirt
- Intellibelt design to protect the belt in the event of a brushroll jam
- Hushtone 2 motor for quiet performance
- Quick change cord that allows easy replacement of cord when damaged to save cost and downtime
PROS
- Design construction is well-built
- Strong suction power and effective filtration
- Improved Usability
- Ease of assembly and maintenance
CONS
- Heavy weight
- Limited acccessories
Opportunities Using This Vacuum:
- Cleaning small spaces in a jiffy
- Removes so much dirt you’ll wonder where it was settling this whole time
- Different attachments to select the best tool for a complete cleaning experience
- Hassle-free storage and mobility
- Hush toned cleaning operation
Consider A Different Vacuum If:
- You’re in need of cleaning a lot of pet hair
- Your cleaning area is considerably large in size
4. Miele Complete C3 EcoLine Vacuum
64 dB | Bagged | Canister | HEPA AirClean Filter | 500 W power
Price: $$$
The quiet bagged cleaner that’s both user & eco-friendly
Energy-efficiency is a high expectation with this vacuum and boy is it efficient. For a bagged vacuum, Miele shows well-thought design in the flesh. Power efficiency, quiet operating, and a powerful suction in removing dirt are only the few impressive features that make this model one of the best vacuum cleaners in the market today.
Features:
- 500W of power used for energy efficient vacuuming
- Floorhead design allows cleaning for both hard floors and carpets in a single switch
- Dynamic Drive feature for greater mobility
- Telescopic tube easily adjustable to fit desired height and position when cleaning
- Cable rewind that easily keeps your cable by simply tapping on the foot switch
PROS
- Save Energy without compromising suction power
- Larger Bag Capacity
- Quiet even for a canister vacuum
- Beautiful design
CONS
- Removes pet hairs but head attachment removal is needed to pick up collected hair
- Taking the main head off requires slightly more force
Opportunities Using This Vacuum:
- An excellent choice for hard floors
- Looking to save electricity long-term on your cleaning operating costs
- Easy to store and good mobility
Consider A Different Vacuum If:
- You’re looking for effective suction power needed in deep pile carpets
- Your cat-dog pets shed a lot of hair
5. Eureka S500 Vacuum
70 dB | Bagged | Canister | HEPA Filter | 700 W power | Cyclonic Technology
Price: $$
Compact design. Universal Floorhead. Wide Range of Accessories. Economical. And Quiet.
The Eureka S500 could almost pass as a cousin vacuum of Miele’s Ecoline model. There are probably just about a few key features that make Eureka stand uniquely from Miele apart from falling as one of the more quiet vacuum cleaners.
Miele can boast in design and slightly more powerful cleaning capabilities, but the S500 vacuum offers a better bargain in price. While both Miele and Eureka fair well in the quiet standard, this depends on your personal preference for a vacuum.
Features:
- Energy Efficient Saver Rating of Grade A of 700W power
- Maze Noise Reduction system for a more quiet vacuum
- Easy park design where the floor brush clips to your vacuum allowing you to pause while cleaning
- Tools on board to shift your cleaning needs for different areas
- 8 meter operating cleaning radius
PROS
- Great bargain for price
- Easy & Simple Maintenance
- Decent suction power and an adjustable level
- Comes with 2 extra bags to use
CONS
- Maneuverability can be challenging
- Struggles in cleaning carpets
Opportunities Using This Vacuum:
- Vacuum cleaner best for saving energy costs long term
- You’re looking for light and general cleaning
Silent enough you can have a conversation without hearing it
Consider A Different Vacuum If:
- You prefer to spend more for complete cleaning around your home
- Cleaning requires you to move around a lot in different areas
- You have a lot of furniture needed to be cleaned
65 dB | Bagless | Canister | HEPA AirClean Filter | 5 Year Warranty
Price: $$
When it comes to cleaning an extra floor level in your house or building, Electrolux passes the job with flying colors
The Electrolux is a silent vacuum that does well in terms of suction power and with a less obstructive & wider area, it’s just right. The lightweight design is also a primary reason for why it’s easy to clean more than just one floor at home and although it’s relatively quiet at only 65 decibels, the brush tool is louder.
Regardless, Electrolux does a brilliant job against several quiet vacuum cleaners being sold today.
Features:
- Silence Pro System for a lower sound level and quiet operation
- 3 in 1 cleaning tool for hard-to-reach areas
- Easy empty system
- Multi-surface cleaning for a more thorough result of your cleaning time invested
PROS
- Easily cleans wide, unobstructed area
- Decent suction power
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Long handle prevents you from slouching or hurting your back
CONS
- 3 in 1 tool is flimsy – attachments are a preferable design
- Mobility is difficult around obstacles
Opportunities Using This Vacuum:
- Great for capturing fine dust and decent for pet hair
- Easy to carry around different floors of your home
- Covers a lot of ground work cleaning open spaces
- Highly beneficial for allergy sufferers
Consider A Different Vacuum If:
- You have a lot of furniture in your home
Maneuverability is highly important to you
67 – 70 dB | Robotic | 0.3 L bin capacity | Android & Apple Compatibility
Price: $$
Budget and basics make great companions and Ecovacs strikes that balance
Robot vacuum cleaners hit the market fairly well in cleaning capabilities and as the more quiet vacuum cleaners. What you’re looking at here is a price-friendly vacuum cleaner. Ecovacs Deebot navigation system might not be as sophisticated but you’ll have access to 3 cleaning modes open to experimentation that still delivers a decent job in cleaning hard floors & low-pile carpets.
Features:
- 90 minute runtime enough to cover a medium sized floor area
- Android and Apple Compatibility
- Can operate on a Max mode for better suction power
- 3 cleaning modes suited for specific needs and areas (whole floor, small area, or edge of area)
PROS
- Great budget cleaner & value for money
- Decent Cleaning
- User Interface works well with app connectivity
- Quiet in operation
CONS
- Navigation system could be improved
- Gets stuck when there are a lot of obstacles
Opportunities Using This Vacuum:
- Good cleaner for a low price
- Smaller spaces or areas fit this robo-vac’s profile adequately
- Good voice assistant support for both Apple and Android
- Silent vacuum cleans at a max loudness of only 62 decibels
Consider A Different Vacuum If:
- You’re looking for a smarter navigation system
- You prefer a more efficient cleaner
55 dB | Robotic | 0.6 L dust bin capacity | Infrared Sensors
Price: $$
A solid option in cleaning, budget, and ultra quiet
The Eufy Robovac 11 delivers a higher sophisticated navigation system in comparison to the N79S where it features a drop sensor technology and infrared sensors for better performance. It’s not a bad robot, and with many cleaning options, it’s exciting to watch this handy vacuum clean its way through. Small obstructions, however, can be a challenge for this one.
Features:
- Drop Sensor technology useful when cleaning by stairs to avoid falling/ tipping over
- Triple filter system for maximum cleaning performance
- Various cleaning modes for a thorough sweeping and suction
- Larger dustbin allowing lesser need of frequent emptying
PROS
- Excellent value
- Solid cleaning for both dust and pet hair
- Great battery life
- Larger storage capacity for dirt
CONS
- No Wireless compatibility
- Small obstacles can disturb its path
- Not great in corners or dark areas
Opportunities Using This Vacuum:
- Solid, budget, quiet cleaner
- Effective dust & pet hair collector
- Quiet cleaning performance
- Works best for hardwood floors and low pile rugs & carpets
- You prefer the traditional method of using a remote instead of wifi connectivity
Consider A Different Vacuum If:
- You prefer voice assistant support and wifi compatbility
- You have a lot of high pile carpets at home
Below 60 dB | Robotic | 70 minute run time | High Efficient filter | Alexa and Google Compatibility
Price: $$$
There’s a lot of hype when it comes to Roomba especially between this model and the 980. But I must say, for a mid range priced robot, you get more than what you paid for.
The Roomba 960 comes with a smarter way of cleaning that focuses on areas that require most attention. Its navigation system along with integrated camera function makes the 960 a seamless cleaner without the disruption of any obstructions. The only downside is its battery life but because obstacles don’t affect this robot vac, your cleaning time is maximized, spotless, and quiet while at it.
Features:
- iAdapt 2.0 Navigation for seamless tracking, maneuvering, and cleaning
- Dual Multi surface rubber brushes capture dirt and pet hair with ease
- Aeroforce 3-Stage cleaning system gives 5x the air power for better suction
- Advanced Dirt Detect technology to allow more focus on concentrated areas of dirt
PROS
- Superb Navigation
- Seamless & quiet cleaner
- Integrated camera for improved mapping layout
- Great features
- Transitions between obstacles with ease
CONS
- Short battery life
Opportunities Using This Vacuum:
- Excellent quiet cleaner for your home
- Do less manual work and rely on its robotic charm
- Get more than your money’s worth
- Slightly expensive yet great investment for a cleaning device
Consider A Different Vacuum If:
- You’re looking for a cheaper alternative
- You don’t need a lot of advanced cleaning features
- You prefer a solid, decent cleaner with longer battery life
Choosing A Quiet Vac That Fits Your Lifestyle/Living Situation
I understand quiet lives at the top of your priority list; however, there’s still so much more you can benefit from a quiet cleaner.
Trust me, there’s still room for value to kick in and I want you to be a part of it.
Let’s begin.
Lifestyle: Budget & Reliability Pickers
Best Choice for You: Upright Vacuum Cleaner (Bagless)
Here’s why:
- Upright vacuums last longer for at least 4 – 5 years and that’s great return on your money spent
- They’re effective in almost any kind of flooring and carpet from fine dust to pet hairs
- A bagless vacuum means less recurring cost on purchasing bags every month
- Price is lesser compared to most vacs which means twice the return on your investment
Go Upright & Bagless If:
- What matters to you is quality cleaning while maintaining a budget
- You have a lot of pet hair at home. Pet hair tends to fill your dust bin quickly and if that’s the case, a bagged vacuum doubles your cost
Feel Free to Have an Alternative When:
- You’re living in a cozy apartment, room, or home. Going with an upright vac is too bulky for your space. Handheld or cordless vacuums are safer choices if this is your living situation
Lifestyle: Convenience & Solid Cleaning Go-Getters
Best Choice for You: Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Here’s why:
- They’re easy to store, move around, and easy to carry. Perfect for cramped spaces
- Cordless cleaners usually rely on batteries or charging as a power source, which can be costly in larger homes. But with a smaller area, battery life shouldn’t be a big issue
- You’ll worry less about untangling the cord or when it gets stuck. A plus feature is conveniently docking it anywhere without causing obstruction
Go Cordless If:
- Your cleaning area or living space is relatively smaller
- You dislike plugging to an outlet every time you clean or you simply just don’t like cords. That’s fine. You prefer the grab and go convenience. Even better.
- You like having a backup cleaner at home for light cleaning
Feel Free to Have an Alternative When:
- You need deep cleaning and prefer stronger suction in capturing dirt
- You want the best value that comes out of your pockets since cordless vacuums don’t last very long either
Lifestyle: Durable and Deep Clean Dynamic Duo
Best Choice for You: Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Here’s why:
- Investing in high-quality canister vacuums make your flooring spick and span just the way you like it
- They last for a really long time, even longer than an upright vacuum
- Overall design is sturdy, well-built, and carry powerful motors
- Canister vacuums have great filtration & deep clean properties perfect for those with allergies and also, carpet cleaning
Go Canister If:
- You’re in the market looking for HEPA filters or at least something that removes any pollutants and allergens effectively
- Capturing fine dirt in a high-pile carpet is a recurring problem
- You want a vacuum you can keep for a long time. Roughly say, longer than 7 years?
Feel Free to Have an Alternative When:
- You’d rather not deal with having to constantly purchase bags and spend additional cost
- You don’t enjoy the responsibilities that come with a canister vacuum that requires you to clean the unit regularly and do maintenance store checkups
- You have a lot of pets since pet hair fills up your dust bin quickly
Lifestyle: You Love Pets, But Cleaning is Too Much Work
Best Choice for You: Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
Here’s why:
- Robots get a solid job done efficiently with minimal effort on your part
- Robots aren’t lazy to pick up dirt or pet hair
- You can pre-set a schedule with ease leaving you free of any hard labor
- Robots come closest in lower decibels to the “ultra quiet” standard
Go Robotic If:
- You prefer your room to be tidy all the time efficiently
- You’re busy most of the time and have your hands full that cleaning already feels like cramming it
Feel Free to Have an Alternative When:
- You prefer more power for a thorough carpeting cleaning operation
- You have no problem adding a little effort on your behalf to clean minus the big expense
Our Strongest Contender
That might be less of a priority for some but when it comes to thorough cleaning and an all around vacuum cleaner for furniture, floors, and carpets, power came second on my list next to quiet.
Robotic vacuums are an interesting species though. I can’t wait to see how innovation transforms these vacuums into maybe even stronger cleaners than a human-driven vacuum. So keeping a robotic vacuum is definitely handy on days I feel exhausted or lazy to go through every edge and corner.
Sometimes, tidy is more than enough. And most of the time, a fresh atmosphere free of pollutants isn’t just about how clean your home is, it’s essential for maintaining your home in tiptop shape.