If you’ve ever wondered how loud a vacuum cleaner is, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, standing in the middle of our living room with a screaming vacuum cleaner and wondering if maybe we should have just left the dirt on the floor.
But how loud is a vacuum cleaner, really? We decided to investigate.
A vacuum cleaner is a device that uses an air pump to create a vacuum, which sucks up dirt and dust from surfaces.
Yes, some vacuum cleaners are very quiet, while others can be quite loud.
The loudness of a vacuum cleaner depends on its design and the materials it is made from.
How does a vacuum cleaner work?
It is actually quite simple.
The vacuum cleaner has an electric motor that drives a fan. The fan produces suction, which pulls air through the machine and into the dust bag or canister.
At the same time, the brushes spin to agitate the carpet and loosen the dirt.
The suction created by the vacuum cleaner is strong enough to lift heavy objects, so it is important to be careful when using it on delicate surfaces such as curtains or upholstery.
As long as you follow the manufacturer s instructions, you will never have to worry about static charges when vacuuming.
What we found: loudness levels of different vacuum cleaners
We found that the loudness levels of different vacuum cleaners can vary greatly. Some are much louder than others.
But before we look at that, there’s one thing you need to know.
Sound is measured in decibels (or dB for short). The higher the decibel level, the louder the noise.
So, how loud is too loud?
For example, normal breathing is about 10 decibels, while an average dishwasher is around 75 decibels.
Our tests
We tested six vacuum cleaners. We used an industry-standard sound meter to measure the loudness of each vacuum cleaner at a distance of 1 meter away. We also tested how well they cleaned carpets, hard floors, and staircases.
The results were interesting, to say the least.
The loudest vacuum was the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2. It registered at around 90 decibels on our sound meter.
The next loudest was the Shark Rotator Lift-Away Speed, coming in at around 79 decibels.
Interestingly, the two quietest vacuums were also two of the less expensive models we tested.
The Hoover Commercial HushTone 13 registered at just under 70 decibels, and the Bissell Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum vacuum came in even lower at around 68 decibels.
| Vacuum Cleaner | dB Rating |
| Numatic: Henry 200 | 47–49 |
| Miele: C3 | 50–68 |
| Eufy: Robo Vac 11S | 55 |
| Miele: C1 | 57–68 |
| Hoover: Commercial Hushtone | 69 |
| Moosoo: K17 cordless stick vacuum | 69–72 |
| Sanitaire: SC9180B | 70 |
| Dyson: Original Multi Floor | 72–73 |
| Shark: SV75 | 74 |
| Sanitaire: (most of its models) | 79 |
So what does this all mean?
Loudness is only one factor to consider when buying a vacuum. If you want the quietest vacuum we tested, the models are worth checking out.
- Eureka RapidClean Pro Lightweight Cordless Vacuum
- Orfeld Cordless Vacuum
- Sebo Airbelt K3 Canister Vacuum
- Kenmore Intuition Bagged Upright Vacuum
Why it matters: health effects of noise pollution
Loud noise is not just annoying, it can be harmful to your health. Noise pollution has been linked to a number of health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, and more.
Exposure to loud noise can cause permanent damage to your hearing. It can also lead to tinnitus, a condition where you hear ringing or buzzing in your ears.
Noise pollution has also been linked to stress, anxiety, and depression. It can make it difficult to concentrate, and can cause irritability and mood swings.
If you are exposed to loud noise on a regular basis, it is important to take steps to protect your health. Wear earplugs or headphones when possible, and try to avoid noisy areas when you can.
How to reduce vacuum noise
If you have ever been bothered by the loud noise a vacuum cleaner makes, you are not alone.
Many people find vacuums noisy and disruptive, especially when trying to vacuum during the daytime or early evening. There are a few ways that you can reduce the amount of noise your vacuum cleaner makes.
a). Change the vacuum cleaner’s settings
One thing you can do is change the settings on your vacuum cleaner.
You see, many vacuum cleaners have different settings for different purposes, and one of those settings may be quieter than the others.
If your vacuum cleaner has a setting for hard floors and another for carpets, try using the hard floor setting first to see if it’s quieter.
b). Check the vacuum cleaner’s filters to reduce noise
Most vacuum cleaners have two filters: a dustbin filter and a motor filter.
The dustbin filter is usually located under the dustbin, and the motor filter is usually located near the motor. To clean the filters, follow the instructions in your vacuum cleaner’s manual.
Some vacuum cleaners have disposable dustbin filters that you can remove and replace with a new one.
If your filter is reusable, clean it regularly to keep it working properly. Vacuum cleaners designed for hard floors may also have a disposable motor filter.
c). Clean the vacuum cleaner’s brushes
If your vacuum cleaner is making more noise than usual, one other possible culprit is a dirty brush.
Over time, the bristles on the brush can become matted with dirt and dust, which can make the vacuum cleaner less effective and cause it to make more noise.
To clean the vacuum cleaner’s brushes, first remove them from the vacuum cleaner.
Then, using a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush, gently remove any dirt and debris from the bristles. Once the bristles are clean, reattach the brushes to the vacuum cleaner and test it out to see if the noise has been reduced.
d). Inspect the vacuum cleaner’s hose
A blockage in the hose can cause the vacuum to work harder and make more noise. Inspecting the hose is a simple task that can be done in a few minutes.
First, unplug the vacuum cleaner from the power outlet. Then, locate the hose and detach it from the vacuum cleaner. Take a look inside the hose to see if there are any objects blocking the path.
If you see something blocking the way, remove it and reattach the hose to the vacuum cleaner.
If your vacuum cleaner still seems to be making too much noise, there may be an issue with another part of the machine.
Consult your owner’s manual for troubleshooting tips or take the vacuum to a professional for further diagnosis.
e). Replace the vacuum cleaner’s parts
Another thing you can do is make sure that all of the parts of your vacuum cleaner are in good condition and not damaged.
If something is loose or broken, it could be causing your vacuum cleaner to be louder than usual.
Taking a moment to inspect your vacuum cleaner and make sure that all of its parts are in good condition will make your life easier. It will also ensure that you get proper use out of the vacuum cleaner when it comes to cleaning.
f). Use a vacuum cleaner with less noise
Loud vacuum cleaners can be extremely annoying, especially when you’re trying to clean during early morning hours or late at night. If you want to avoid excessive noise when cleaning, use a vacuum cleaner with less noise.
Some of the best vacuum cleaners that operate with little noise are made by brands like Miele, Dyson, and Shark. These brands have invested heavily in research and development to create quiet vacuums that still pack a powerful punch.
And I mentioned some of the quietest vacuums above, be sure to check them out.
Conclusion
In this article, we put six vacuum cleaners to the test to see how loud they really are.
We used an industry-standard test to measure the decibel level of each vacuum while it was running.
The results were surprising!
The vacuum cleaners ranged in noise level from 65 decibels to 92 decibels. That means that the loudest vacuum was as loud as a power lawn mower! If you’re looking for a quiet vacuum, be sure to check the decibel level before you buy.
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