If you can’t stand loud vacuum noises, it’s crucial to find one that balances low noise levels with strong suction and versatile performance. The best models keep sound to a minimum without compromising power. Our buying guide features three top-performing vacuums from an evaluation of over 99 models. We analyzed 151,329 reviews, filtering out untrustworthy sources to ensure accurate recommendations.
We assessed how well vacuums perform on different surfaces and their ease of use, focusing on low decibel levels during operation. Each selected vacuum demonstrated outstanding performance, verified through our rigorous scientific True Score system, ensuring a quiet and efficient cleaning experience.
How Did We Rank the Best Quiet Vacuum?
Finding the best quiet vacuum involves more than just looking at specs. We combed through over 200 sites, reviewing testing methods and customer feedback and analyzing expert opinions to distill what truly matters. Our True Score system highlights 2 required test results, focusing on what makes a vacuum not only quiet but efficient. Trust our guide to lead you to the perfect silent cleaning companion.
Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low-quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
? Test Criteria
- Noise Level: The vacuum operates at a noise level of less than 72 dB when in use.
- Bare Floor Performance: The vacuum sucks up 95% of debris when cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
Latest Updates
- 06/24/2024: Republished the list to include the best quiet vacuum cleaners based on our True Score system.
Top Quiet Vacuum For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Samsung Bespoke Jet
Best Apartment
The Samsung Bespoke Jet offers quiet, powerful cleaning with excellent performance across surfaces, making it perfect for pet owners in noise-sensitive homes.
True Score
87867Experts
91554Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $200$899.00$699.00Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- The cleaning station simplifies emptying the dust cup
- Two battery packs
- Lightweight design
- Turbo brush accessory
- Excellent performance on carpets and hard floors
Reasons to Avoid
- Doesn’t support wet cleaning
- Bulk two-in-one floor head
Specifications
Bagless Yes 
Bin Capacity 0.2 gal 
Brush Roll Shut-Off No 
Carpet Height Adjustments No 
Cleaning Path Width 9.8″ 
Compatible Floor Type All floors 
Cord Length Cordless 
Corded/Cordless Cordless 
Filter Type 5-stage, Cyclonic, HEPA 
Hypoallergenic Unknown 
Pet Yes 
Product Weight 6 lbs 
Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums 
Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 98 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 92 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 100 Noise Level (dB) 71 All Retailers
$699.00$899Save $200
$699.99
Our Verdict
The Samsung Bespoke Jet stands out for its robust cleaning capabilities. This vacuum has the best-in-class cleaning performance across various surfaces, clearing 97.71% of debris from bare floors, making it ideal if your home has lots of hardwood, laminate, or tile. It also removes 91.7% of debris from carpets to keep your carpets and rugs clean. Plus, with a 99.5% effectiveness in removing pet hair, it’s perfect for pet owners, helping to keep homes free from pet-related allergens and hair.
With a noise level of 70.525 dB, it’s louder than conversations but only about as loud as a washing machine, meaning it’s not overly disruptive. It also features a HEPA filter, which is fantastic for trapping fine particles and improving air quality.
However, its 0.2-gallon bin capacity may require frequent emptying during extensive cleaning sessions. If you have a larger home or need a bigger bin capacity, the Shark Ion P50 is cheaper and has a 0.54-gallon bin, reducing the frequency of emptying. However, the Shark’s carpet cleaning performance isn’t as good at 83.19%.
The Samsung Bespoke Jet combines efficient cleaning with a lightweight design—it weighs just 6 lbs—which boosts its usability and maneuverability around the house. It easily navigates under furniture, between rooms, or up and down stairs—the lightweight construction makes it perfect for daily cleaning. With excellent overall cleaning performance and effective pet hair removal, the Bespoke Jet is an ideal choice for those seeking a balance of performance and convenience in a vacuum cleaner.
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Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Samsung Jet 60 Pet
For a peaceful cleaning experience, consider the Samsung Jet 60 Pet. Its low noise level and effective pet hair removal make it an exceptional choice.
True Score
81813Experts
84743Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $150$329.99$179.99Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Great for pet dander
- Great battery performance
- Low noise output
- Standard 0.5-liter dustbin
- Anti-allergy HEPA filter
Reasons to Avoid
- Not great for stain cleaning
- Difficult to empty canister
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 0.2 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off Unknown Carpet Height Adjustments No Cleaning Path Width Unknown Compatible Floor Type Carpet, Hardwoods Cord Length Cordless Corded/Cordless Cordless Filter Type Disk Hypoallergenic Yes Pet Yes Product Weight 5 lbs Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 81 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 88 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 99 Noise Level (dB) 62 All Retailers
- $179.99$330Save $150
- $199.99$329Save $129
- $199.99$330Save $130
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a quiet vacuum cleaner, the Samsung Jet 60 Pet is an outstanding choice. It’s the lightest model on our list and boasts the lowest noise level. With the best-in-class noise level of only 61.7 dB and a weight of just 5 lbs, it provides excellent ease of use and portability. Its cordless design adds to its convenience, allowing for unrestricted movement during cleaning. Coupled with an effective pet hair removal rate of 98.66%, it’s a perfect option for pet owners prioritizing a peaceful and quiet home environment.
Its bare floor performance is decent at 81.25%, suitable for most types of bare floors. While it is the lowest on our list, it’s still effective for routine cleaning tasks. Its carpet cleaning performance is also good, clearing up to 87.66%, indicating its ability to handle most types of carpets effectively. However, the slightly cheaper Shark Ion P50 Upright may be a better choice if you don’t have much carpet, with a higher bare floor cleaning performance of 97.27%, although it is quite a bit louder at 70.2 dB, though that’s still quieter than many traditional vacuum cleaners.
The Jet 60 Pet’s bin capacity of 0.2 gallons may require frequent emptying. Despite this minor constraint, the Samsung Jet 60 Pet’s quiet operation, solid cleaning performance, and ease of use make it a fantastic option if you’re seeking a balance of tranquility and cleaning efficiency in your vacuum cleaner.
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Category Snapshot
Vacuum Cleaners
- Total Brands/Products Tested
31 Brands, 99 Products
- Top 2 Brands
Dyson, Miele
- Price Range (Budget-Premium)
$50-$400+
- Average True Score
75.70
- Important Test Criteria
Bare Floor Performance (%)
Carpet Performance (%)
- Most Trusted Testers
- Typical Warranty
1 year
- Covered by Insurance
Yes – Amazon, Best Buy
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Shark Ion P50 Upright
For spacious homes or less frequent emptying, consider the Shark Ion P50 Upright. Its large bin capacity and quiet operation offer convenience.
True Score
76773Experts
783Customers
Mixed Reviews
Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent for hard floor and carpet cleaning
- Standard size dirt canister
- Anti-allergy HEPA filter
- Low noise output
- Two power modes
Reasons to Avoid
- High user maintenance
- Limited attachment tools
- Low suction force
Specifications
Bagless No Bin Capacity 0.54 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off No Carpet Height Adjustments Unknown Cleaning Path Width 10″ Compatible Floor Type Carpet Cord Length Unknown Corded/Cordless Cordless Filter Type HEPA, Washable Hypoallergenic Yes Pet Yes Product Weight 12 lbs Vacuum Type Upright vacuums Wet And Dry Usage Unknown All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 97 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 84 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 98 Noise Level (dB) 70 All Retailers
Our Verdict
If you have a larger home or don’t like having to stop and empty your vacuum frequently, the Shark Ion P50 Upright is an excellent choice. It has the largest bin capacity on our list at 0.54 gallons, reducing the need for frequent emptying. Its noise level of 70.2 dB is moderate – louder than conversations but not ear-splitting or particularly disruptive to your home.
Its bare floor performance is excellent, cleaning 97.27% of debris from surfaces like hardwood and tile, making it a highly effective option for homes with these types of flooring. Additionally, its carpet-cleaning efficiency is decent, removing 83.78% of debris from low—to medium-pile carpets. While it may not be the top performer for carpet cleaning, it still does a commendable job. This model is a strong choice for pet owners as well, managing to clean 97.66% of pet hair.
This vacuum is cordless and weighs 12 lbs, which could be a drawback if you prioritize maneuverability and ease of use. If you prefer a lighter vacuum and don’t mind paying more, the Samsung Jet 60 Pet weighs just 5 pounds and is much quieter at 61.7 dB, but it has a much smaller bin capacity of 0.2 gallons.
The Shark Ion P50 Upright delivers excellent performance on bare floors and pet hair removal. It features a sizable bin capacity and operates quietly, making it a solid choice for those looking for a good mix of performance and convenience in a vacuum cleaner. Its strong cleaning capabilities and cost-effectiveness make it an excellent option if you value both performance and affordability in a quiet vacuum.
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Which Criteria Matters for Testing Quiet Vacuum?
By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these vacuum cleaners and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a vacuum cleaner that will meet your needs.
| CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Floor Performance | > 95% | Yes | How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors. |
| Noise Level | < 72 dB | Yes | How loud the vacuum is while running and in use. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 120+ vacuum cleaner reviewers and found that 27 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Score). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for vacuum cleaner.
- Dagobiet Morales Alfaro – RTings, LinkedIn
- Derek Hales – Modern Castle, LinkedIn
- Sabine Heinlein – Wirecutter, LinkedIn
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every vacuum cleaner review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Scores from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Vacuum Cleaner Test Data & Results
1. Bare Floor Performance Test Results
As the name suggests, bare floor performance references how well a vacuum does when it’s cleaning up tiles, vinyl planks, or hardwood flooring. Debris comes in a variety of sizes of course, and much of the testing revolves around picking up debris that ranges in size from cereal to bits of dirt to sand to a mix of everything above and more.
We recommend that a vacuum be able to pick up at least 95% of debris from a bare floor to ensure you end up with clean floors. Hitting a perfect score is obviously ideal, but the worse a vacuum performs here, the more work you need to do sweeping up or re-vacuuming. Missing debris is frustrating, and can invite pests if you miss bits of food, or annoyance if you step on something barefoot and hurt yourself.
Bare Floor Performance
> 95%
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
Units of Measurement: % (percentage)
Tools to Measure: Scale
Why It’s Important:
A vacuum is supposed to clean, so if it can’t pick up most of the debris on a floor, it’s not doing its job.
Bare Floor Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)
2. Noise Level (dB/dBA) Test Results
Noise Level (dB/dBA)
< 72 dB
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How loud the vacuum is while running and in use.
Units of Measurement: dB (decibels)
Tools to Measure: Sound pressure level meter
Why It’s Important:
Vacuums make noise, and if you live in a home with skittish pets, young children or thin walls, lower volume makes vacuuming less disruptive.
Every vacuum will make noise, but some make less than others. If you have to deal with thin walls, or skittish pets and very young children, lower levels of noise are going to be more attractive. There is, however, a limit to how quiet vacuums can get, and at some point, lower noise levels are going to come at the cost of suction.
Aiming for a noise level of 72 dB or less is generally ideal, as this puts the vacuum cleaner right around the noise of a washing machine, which isn’t terribly disruptive. Lower is good if it doesn’t come at the cost of performance, and higher volume isn’t terrible if the noise won’t bother you or anyone else. For reference, 60 dB is the noise level of a typical conversation, while 80 dB is around the sound level of a lawnmower.
Noise Level (dB/dBA) (lower is better; 0 = No Data)
Best Quiet Vacuum: Mistakes To Avoid
- Choosing the Wrong Type for Your Needs: Selecting a vacuum type that doesn’t suit your cleaning needs can result in inefficiency. For instance, stick vacuums are typically quieter and more maneuverable, making them ideal for hard floors and light cleaning, while canister vacuums often offer stronger suction for deep cleaning carpets. Make sure to choose the right type of vacuum for your specific cleaning requirements.
- Overlooking Suction Power: Focusing solely on noise reduction and neglecting suction power can result in a vacuum that doesn’t clean effectively. While having a quiet vacuum is important, it should not come at the expense of cleaning performance. Suction power determines how well the vacuum can pick up dirt, debris, and pet hair from different surfaces. Look for vacuums that balance low noise with strong suction power to ensure that they can handle your cleaning needs efficiently. High suction power is particularly crucial for homes with carpets or pets.
- Not Considering the Type of Flooring: Choosing a vacuum that is not suited for your specific flooring type can significantly affect cleaning performance and the longevity of both your floors and the vacuum. Different vacuums are designed for various surfaces, such as carpets, hardwood, tile, or a combination. For instance, some vacuums have adjustable brush rolls for transitioning between carpet and hard floors, while others might excel in one area but perform poorly in another. Ensure you select a vacuum that is designed to handle the predominant flooring in your home to maximize cleaning efficiency and protect your floors.
- Neglecting Filtration Systems: Forgetting about the vacuum’s filtration system can impact the air quality in your home, which is especially important for allergy sufferers or households with pets. High-quality filtration systems, such as HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, trap fine particles, dust, and allergens, preventing them from being recirculated into the air. A good filtration system ensures that the vacuum not only cleans your floors but also improves the overall air quality. When choosing a vacuum, consider models with certified HEPA filters or advanced filtration systems to ensure a healthier home environment.
ADDITIONAL Vacuum TIPS
When choosing a new vacuum, consider our insights on stick vs upright vacuum and robot vacuum vs regular vacuum to find the best fit for your home. Considering a central vacuum system? Check out our comparisons of the best central vacuum systems and central vacuum vs upright vacuum to make an informed decision. For those with outdoor needs, learn how a lawn vacuum works for efficient yard maintenance.
To improve efficiency, learn how to increase your vacuum’s suction and understand how to unclog a vacuum hose effectively. When it comes to cleaning, understanding the differences between a steam cleaner and a vacuum cleaner can help you choose the right tool for the job. If you’re new to steam cleaning, this guide on how to use a steam vac can be quite helpful.
If you experience a malfunction, refer to our vacuum motor repair guide. Addressing specific maintenance tasks, such as fixing a vacuum hose or removing hair from the vacuum roller, can significantly improve performance.
Robot vacuums have become increasingly popular, but they come with their own set of challenges. If you encounter issues, our robot vacuum troubleshooting guide can help. Additionally, discover ways to prevent your device from getting stuck with tips on keeping a robot vacuum from getting trapped under furniture. For those opting for a robotic cleaner, know how long to charge your robot vacuum to ensure it’s always ready to go.
The Best Quiet Vacuum Tests Compared
Product |
True Score
|
Bare Floor Performance
|
Carpet Performance
|
Pet Hair Performance
|
Noise Level
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 |
|
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|  $699.00 $899 $200 |
81 |
|
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| $179.99 $330 $150 | |
76 |
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