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You might know a friend (or perhaps it’s you) who gets the itch to either vacuum first thing in the morning before half the neighborhood is awake or at 11:50 p.m. when everyone is getting ready for bed. While having a clean space helps with anxiety, it shouldn’t come at the detriment of others. No matter how great your vacuum is, a good rule of thumb for gauging its loudness is to see if you can hold a conversation without screaming over it. If you can’t hear yourself or the other person, then it’s probably time to consider trading it in for something a little less noisy — like a quiet vacuum cleaner.
What to Look For When Shopping For a Quiet Vacuum
The best way to determine whether or not a vacuum is truly quiet is to compare the device’s noise level to other models. Sound is measured in decibels (dB) and most vacuum models and brands will make note of the noise level omitted from each vacuum via this measurement. For context, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the sound of a normal conversation will register at about 60 dB, while the sound of a motorcycle engine might clock in at 95 dB. With regard to noise level, most vacuum cleaners will fall somewhere in the range of 60 dB to 80 dB.
With all this in mind, we took the liberty of rounding up the quietest vacuums on the market based on their high-performance noise-level technology and customer reviews. From robotic cleaners to cordless models and even a few editor-approved vacuums, these vacs are sure to prevent any noisy headaches — and keep your home looking seriously clean. Best of all, they’re available to shop at a number of a big-name retailers and come at a variety of different price points, so you’re bound to find the best one for your budget and home.
— Additional reporting by Kyley Warren