Quiet Vacuum Cleaners: Decibel Chart

The quietest vacuum cleaners run at about 47 to 65 decibels (dB), quieter than a normal conversation (about 60 dB) or a typical vacuum (about 70 dB). The quietest ones you can buy now are the Numatic PSP380 and PPR380 canisters (47 to 49 dB). Next come the SEBO Airbelt E1 and E2 canisters at 58 dB. The Windsor Versamatic 14, at 64.5 dB, is the quietest upright. Below are decibel ratings for current models, plus our full chart of more than 60 vacuums, including older models.

Updated October 2026. Decibel ratings are the manufacturers' published figures. Where two numbers are shown, the first is the motor alone (or the low setting) and the second is with the brushroll running (or the high setting).

Quietest vacuums you can buy now

See every model rated 70 dB or less in our quiet vacuum cleaners collection.

Vacuum cleaner decibel chart (all models)

This chart lists published decibel ratings for 64 vacuums, from 60 dB to 79 dB, including older and discontinued models. Linked models are available at eVacuumStore. Unlinked models are no longer sold here, but their ratings are kept for comparison. Some manufacturers don't publish decibel ratings, so not every brand is listed.

How loud is a vacuum cleaner?

Most household vacuums run at 70 to 80 dB. Every 10 dB increase sounds roughly twice as loud, so a 60 dB vacuum sounds about half as loud as a 70 dB vacuum.

What makes a vacuum quiet?

• Canister design: the motor sits in a body on the floor, away from your ears, and is often wrapped in sound insulation. That's why canisters top the quiet list.
• Brushroll: a spinning brushroll adds noise. Many models are several dB quieter with the brushroll off, which is why some ratings show two numbers.
• Power settings: variable-speed and quiet or eco modes, such as the Hoover HushTone backpack's Hush Mode, cut noise when you don't need full power.
• Commercial "quiet" models: vacuums built for hotels, offices and hospitals, such as the Windsor Sensor and Versamatic, Sanitaire QuietClean and ProTeam backpacks, are designed to clean during business hours without disturbing people.

Frequently asked questions

What is the quietest vacuum cleaner?

Of the vacuums we sell, the Numatic PSP380 and PPR380 commercial canisters are the quietest, rated 47 to 49 dB. For home use, the SEBO Airbelt E1 Kombi and E2 Turbo canisters are rated 58 dB.

What is the quietest upright vacuum?

The Windsor Versamatic 14 is rated 64.5 dB. Next are the Windsor Sensor S12, S15 and S2, the ProForce 1200XP and the ProCare 15XP, all rated 67 dB. For home use, the SEBO Felix 1 and SEBO Dart are rated 68 dB.

What is the quietest backpack vacuum?

The Numatic RSV150 is rated 63 dB, the EDIC Atlas 6 Quart 65 dB and the ProTeam FS 6 65.8 dB.

Is 70 dB loud for a vacuum?

No. 70 dB is about average for a vacuum cleaner, and about as loud as a TV. A vacuum rated 65 dB or less is noticeably quieter, and one under 60 dB is quieter than a normal conversation.

Are canister vacuums quieter than uprights?

Usually, yes. Most of the quietest vacuums on this page are canisters, because the motor is enclosed in an insulated body away from your ears. See our best canister vacuums.

What happened to the Electrolux UltraSilencer?

The Electrolux UltraSilencer line, once rated as low as 61 dB, has been discontinued. Its ratings are kept in the chart above for comparison. For a similar quiet canister you can buy now, look at the SEBO Airbelt E or Miele Classic C1.

Need help choosing a quiet vacuum? Call our vacuum experts at 866-972-8227, Monday–Friday 8:30am–6pm and Saturday 10am–5pm ET. Shop all quiet vacuum cleaners.