Traditionally, one of the biggest drawbacks of vacuum cleaners has been the noise they make. The vacuum cleaner is one of the household appliances that generates the most noise pollution., far above other everyday appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers or microwaves. This is why many users want to buy a silent vacuum cleaner.
How is noise measured? What is meant by silent vacuum cleaner? What devices meet these parameters? How do you achieve greater silence? In short, what is the best silent vacuum cleaner?
At Mi Aspiradora we will try to answer these and other questions related to noise.
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What is noise pollution?
Noise pollution is the excess of sound that alters the normal environmental conditions in an area. Human activities generate a lot of noise: cars, trains, planes, industries, leisure... and this can be unpleasant for some people, to the point of having negative effects on physical and/or mental health, in some cases.
Inside our homes, there are several devices that are the “kings” of noise pollution: vacuum cleaners, drills, mixers or hair dryers, for example. They can generate annoying noise, not only for the inhabitants of the house, but also, sometimes, for the neighbors..
How is noise measured?
To measure noise, decibels (dB) are used. The decibel is one tenth of a Bel (named in honor of the famous inventor Graham Bell), and it is used to compare the intensity of noise.
Most sled vacuum cleaners are usually between 70 and 85 dB. As an example, dishwashers are usually between 45 and 60, the noise of a train can be around 80, the volume at a concert can exceed 110 and the engine of a plane taking off can be around 130.
According to some studies, the tolerable noise level is around 70 decibels (equivalent to a heavy traffic situation). From there, it can be annoying or even harmful to our ears in high noise situations for a long period of time.
Logically It is not always necessary for the noise to last a long time for it to be harmful. If the decibel level is very high (for example, a gunshot, which reaches 160 decibels), it can pierce the eardrum or cause other hearing discomfort.
When buying a vacuum cleaner, we usually have this information (if it is a corded dry vacuum cleaner, we will have the energy label). So we can compare and see which one makes more noise and which one makes less. But, What is the difference in noise, for example, between a vacuum cleaner with 70 decibels and one with 80?
Decibels are not measured on a linear scale, but on a logarithmic scale. What does this mean? That an increase of 10 decibels is equivalent to multiplying the noise by 10. Therefore, the 80 decibel vacuum cleaner is not a little louder than the 70 decibel one, it is 10 times louder. Graphically, it would look like this:
An increase of 10 decibels is equivalent to multiplying the noise by 10.
When is a vacuum cleaner considered quiet?
Up to 68 decibels, vacuum cleaners are considered silent. When it comes to sled vacuum cleaners, some sled vacuum cleaners are around 66, and the Electrolux UltraSilencer would be the reference to beat, with its impressive 61 decibels, in the Origin Plus model, or its 58 in the Zen model.
As well We have another very interesting alternative, if we do not want to disturb the neighbors, or we simply want to avoid excessive noise in our ears, and they are robot vacuum cleaners..
Robot vacuum cleaners are quieter than sled vacuum cleaners or stick vacuum cleaners. Most devices do not exceed 68, and even a good percentage of robots are below 60 decibels, so that it results in a much more acceptable noise level for our ears.
Furthermore, these geniuses not only clean the house themselves, but, In many cases, we can schedule them to do their work at times when no one is home, which would bother us even less.
If you want to take a look at the best robot vacuum cleaners, by price ranges, do not hesitate to visit our comparisons, the best models face to face:
Another interesting alternative, which we are not going to comment on in this guide, since we have dedicated a special article to it, is the water vacuum cleaner. Karcher DS6, a sensational device with an overall rating of 92 out of 100:
How has greater silence been achieved?
As you already know, the energy label not only provides greater information to the consumer, but is included in the energy regulations of the European Union, which seeks the efficiency of household appliances.
Thanks to the promotion of this regulation, Modern vacuum cleaners have achieved much lower consumption, with the same or greater efficiency than the old ones. (for example, 750 watt vacuum cleaners are equivalent to a 2.000 watt vacuum cleaner).
The energy label informs us of the efficiency of the device, the effectiveness it shows in cleaning different types of floors, and the average consumption. In addition, it tells us the decibels, which is what interests us in this case.
Because of this regulation and consumer demands for quieter appliances, Manufacturers have also focused part of their efforts on reducing the noise of the devices. To do this, they have done things like:
- Provide the vacuum cleaner with acoustic insulation.
- Suspend the engine to reduce vibrations.
- Use new, quieter materials.
- Improve machine adjustments and sealing to minimize vibrations and prevent noise from escaping.
- Redesign brushes and nozzles to improve absorption with a lower noise level.
How to choose a silent vacuum cleaner?
The quick answer is “by decibels.” If we want less noise, we will look for one that has lower decibels, right?
The slow answer is “because of the decibels and…”. Of course, we want a quiet vacuum cleaner, but we are looking for something more.
You should pay attention to aspects such as:
- Energy efficiency: consumption is a matter to consider. The vacuum cleaner is not a device that consumes a lot (since it is not used every day), the cost of consumption is just a few euros per year, but it is more of an ecological issue than an economic one (among all vacuum cleaner users, yes, we add many kilowatts, which can generate a large amount of air pollution).
- Air cleanliness: dust re-emission is one of the aspects to consider, if the device is well sealed and has HEPA or similar filters, you will get cleaner air (something especially important for people allergic to dust and/or mites).
- The type of surface to be cleaned: When buying a vacuum cleaner, take into account if your home has many rugs or carpets (and if they have long hair), if you have parquet or if ceramic floors predominate.
As we told you, the energy label gives you a lot of information. If you are looking for a vacuum cleaner that is as complete as possible in all areas, visit our guide to 4A vacuum cleaners. In it you will see examples of silent, effective and efficient vacuum cleaners on any type of surface.
The best selection of silent vacuum cleaners
And now (finally!), we are going to tell you which is the best silent vacuum cleaner or, at least, which are the most rated silent vacuum cleaners. In this case (and since we have already told you about the alternative of robot vacuum cleaners), we stick to the classic sled vacuum cleaners.
Vacuum cleaners from 6 manufacturers have been analyzed: Bosch, Electrolux, AEG, Hoover, Nilfisk and Rowenta.
At the brand level, We highlight the good work done by Rowenta, which has a wide variety of silent models, and Electrolux, which has achieved the quietest sled vacuum cleaners on the market., with its UltraSilencer range.
This is the winners' podium, the most valued vacuum cleaners in this comparison:
Powerful and silent
Easy to use
Amazon
Our evaluation: 95
HEPA13
Wide range of action
Amazon
Our evaluation: 91
HEPA13
Cyclonic bagless
Amazon
Our evaluation: 95
Rowenta RO7747EA Silence Force
Our assessment
La Rowenta RO7747 It is one of the best sled vacuum cleaners on the market, with a rating of 95 points out of 100. It is a 4A+ vacuum cleaner, silent, powerful and easy to use.
Presents high performance on all types of surfaces and very high efficiency. With only 450 watts of nominal power, it achieves performance equivalent to that of old 2.000-watt vacuum cleaners, with very low electrical consumption of only 22 kWh per year.
Technical sheet and characteristics of the Rowenta RO7747
- characteristics
Connection power (watts) | 450 |
Bag capacity (liters) | 4,5 |
Action radius (meters) | 11 |
Voltage (volts) | 220 |
Dimensions (length × width × height, in mm.) | 495 x 273 x 268 |
Noise level (decibels) | 64 |
Annual consumption (kWh) | 22 |
Energy efficiency | A+ |
Dust re-emission | A |
Cleaning hard floors | A |
Carpet cleaning | A |
Advantages of the Rowenta RO7747
- It is 4A+. It combines power, efficiency and good performance on all surfaces in the same device.
- Ideal for those who have pets in their home, its mini brush effectively collects animal hair, and the Hygiene bags + They eliminate odors and have a self-closing flap. In addition, they have 4,5 liters of capacity.
- Three levels of filtering, captures up to 99,98% of dust (HEPA 13).
- very easy to handle. The power can be controlled from the handle, and its four multi-directional wheels make it very maneuverable.
What do your users think?
This vacuum cleaner deserves a 10. Excellent cleaning on any type of floor. It is a device great for those who have animals at home.
Very good vacuum cleaner, has a consistent appearance, high quality.
This vacuum cleaner deserves 5 stars. It does what it's supposed to do, which is suck, and it's really, really good.
I've had it for a while and the result is very good, it is a powerful and not very noisy vacuum cleaner, and it also includes numerous accessories.
Rowenta RO7747
Overall rating: 95
Rowenta RO7691EA Silence Cyclonic
Our assessment
The Rowenta RO7691EA is the alternative to the RO6491 if cyclonic, bagless vacuum cleaners are your thing.. The rest of the characteristics are very similar to those of its sister, since it is also 4A+ and silent, cleaning very effectively on all types of surfaces, and very equipped.
La Rowenta RO7691 It achieves a rating of 95 points out of 100, with many satisfied buyers. It is a powerful, efficient and very complete vacuum cleaner, which scores high in all sections.
Technical sheet and characteristics of the Rowenta RO7691
- characteristics
Overall rating: 95
Connection power (watts) | 550 |
Tank capacity (liters) | 2,5 |
Action radius (meters) | 11 |
Voltage (volts) | 220 |
Dimensions (length × width × height, in mm.) | 333 x 300 x 435 |
Noise level (decibels) | 67 |
Annual consumption (kWh) | 21 |
Energy efficiency | A+ |
Dust re-emission | A |
Cleaning hard floors | A |
Carpet cleaning | A |
Advantages of the Rowenta RO7691
- Unlike the other two vacuum cleaners featured in this comparison, the Rowenta RO7691 is a bagless vacuum cleaner, so you will avoid suction losses and save on consumables.
- Real-time the highest grade in all sections of the energy label, since it is 4A+.
- Silent only 67 dB.
- It has a HEPA 1 filtration system3, which allows it to trap 99,98% of the microscopic particles that cause allergies and asthma.
- Es very easy to clean and empty.
- It has extensive equipment, including a rectangular nozzle special for parquet.
What users think of the Rowenta RO7691
This Rowenta works very well, It is a perfect device. It is quite quiet, we recommend it, its suction power It is more than enough.
It is a quieter vacuum cleaner than other models, and we are satisfied with its suction power. It seems from solid manufacturing.
It is such a quiet vacuum cleaner that We don't need to turn up the television to be able to listen to it.. The suction power is very good. The tank can be removed with one hand. Excellent quality device.
Rowenta RO7691
Overall rating: 95
Electrolux UltraSilencer Zen
Our assessment
The range of vacuum cleaners Electrolux Ultra Silencer (and especially the Zen) are the quietest stick vacuums on the market, just a few decibels behind the competition. They are complete vacuum cleaners, which can be purchased at a reasonable price, especially considering their high level of quality..
This Electrolux obtains a high score, 91 out of 100, based on 58 opinions. Furthermore, their satisfaction rate is very high, since 87% of its buyers are satisfied or very satisfied.
For all this, it has obtained the My Purchase award, for its exceptional quality-price ratio.
Technical sheet and characteristics of the Electrolux UltraSilencer
- characteristics
Connection power (watts) | 650 |
Tank capacity (liters) | 3,5 |
Action radius (meters) | 12 |
Voltage (volts) | 220 |
Dimensions (length × width × height, in mm.) | 402 x 308 x 266 |
Noise level (decibels) | 58 |
Energy efficiency | A |
Dust re-emission | A |
Cleaning hard floors | A |
Parquet brush | Yes |
Mini turbo brush | Yes |
Advantages of the Electrolux UltraSilencer Zen
- It is a super quiet sled vacuum cleaner, the Origin had only 61 decibels, but the Zen surpasses it, with only 58 decibels, due to Silent Air technology, which reduces noise thanks to the design of the air flow inside the device, the motor suspension technology, the points anchoring, the insulating layers that cover the engine and the design of the bag and engine filter compartment.
- It is triple A, since obtains maximum energy efficiency, in dust collection on hard floors and in dust re-emission.
- Its E12 filter allows you trap up to 99,5% of microparticles of dust, mites and other allergens.
- Very wide radius of actionIts 12 meters allow you to vacuum the house without having to change plugs.
Opinions about the Electrolux UltraSilencer
It is a vacuum cleaner with good performance, a wide range of action and ultra-quiet.
Sucks well on hard floors and carpets. The sound it makes is not comparable to that of a normal vacuum cleaner, really much smoother.
It is a very quiet super vacuum cleaner, for me it is a real pleasure to be able to clean while listening to music, without having your ears occupied by the vacuum cleaner. An excellent product.
AEG VX9-2-ÖKO
Our assessment
The German brand AEG has more than 100 years of history had offered us, manufacturing functional and robust products. Currently, it is integrated into the Electrolux group, so this vacuum cleaner has some similarities with some models of the Swedish brand.
The AEG VX9-2-ÖKO has obtained a rating of 91 points out of 100, offering high performance and very balanced operation, at a reasonable price.
Technical sheet and characteristics of the AEG VX9-2-ÖKO
- characteristics
Overall rating: 91
Connection power (watts) | 850 |
Bag capacity (liters) | 5,0 |
Action radius (meters) | 12 |
Voltage (volts) | 220 |
Dimensions (length × width × height, in mm.) | 307x502x255 |
Noise level (decibels) | 65 |
Annual consumption (kWh) | 28 |
Energy efficiency | A |
Dust re-emission | A |
Cleaning hard floors | A |
Carpet cleaning | A |
Advantages of the AEG VX9-2-ÖKO
The 15 best-selling silent vacuum cleaners
In this analysis, we have told you which are the most valued silent vacuum cleaners.
But at MiAspiradora we want you to have all the information, so we show you below the complete list of the 15 silent vacuum cleaners analyzed, so you can review it and make your own choice.
If a + appears in green, you can see additional features.
The rating is a score established by MiAspiradora based on its own algorithm, which can serve as an indicator of satisfaction.
The number of users can tell you the “popularity” of that robot vacuum cleaner, which is also a good sign that it offers adequate value for money.
On the other hand, the price range offered (from – to) is indicative. If you want to see the current price, you can click on the corresponding button, as it may have changed.
Bestsellers: Today's best-selling sled vacuum cleaners
Below, we show you the 7 best-selling sled vacuum cleaners currently on Amazon, in case you are interested:
Would you like to know more about the best-selling bagless vacuum cleaners? Do you want to expand your information about 4A vacuum cleaners, the most complete? Visit our articles:
Updated on 2024-05-11
Interesting, I wonder who actually makes them, the AEG VX82-1-4MB is exactly the same as the Electrolux d8 PD82 – 4m. I have the Electrolux and it is silent when vacuuming the floor, with the other applications the noise is louder.
Hello, Matias, thank you for coming to our website and for your comment.
In 1994, Electrolux acquired AEG's appliance business (purchase that ended in 2004), so you can see that they share not only the know-how, but also many designs, so that there are practically identical models in both companies.
All the best