Quietest Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

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Keeping your house clean has never been easier with all the cleaning appliances and vacuum cleaners available on the market.

As the name suggests, a handheld vacuum is any vacuum cleaner that you can hold by a single hand to clean small bodies like furniture and cars. They’re handy, easy to walk around with and get the job done without having to pull on a huge canister.

The quietest handheld vacuum cleaner would usually be weak. On the other hand, a capable one is significantly loud, which can cause chronic hearing problems if you use it every day.

Luckily, there are some options out there that are both powerful and relatively quiet. In today’s article, I’ll walk you through some of the best handheld vacuum cleaners that perfected these two crucial aspects. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Top 5 Quiet Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Finding a good handheld vacuum cleaner might not be a difficult task. But what’s really challenging is finding a handheld vacuum cleaner that’s quiet while staying relatively powerful enough to clean around your house and car.

To help you find the best possible options on the market, I’ve compiled this list of the best handheld vacuums as well as vacuums that can be transformed into handheld ones. Let’s check each one out and see what these vacuum cleaners have to offer!

1. MOOSOO Handheld Vacuum

Noise Level: about 68 to 70 dB | Motor: 90 watts | Weight 1.1 lbs | Suction Power: up to 12,000 Pascals

Kicking off the list with one of the best handheld vacuums out there with a remarkably low noise level.

MOOSOO Handheld Vacuum comes with an advanced brushless motor that offers up to 90 watts of power, which produces up to 12,000 Pascals of negative pressure.

This means that it has excellent suction power! However, you adjust the suction power and use it on the low setting for easier tasks, which is about 7,000 Pascals

Despite that, the vacuum cleaner is noticeably quiet. While most loud vacuum cleaners have a dB range of 80 to 90, this is less than 68 to 70 dB! This allows you to use it freely without worrying about disturbed neighbors.

MOOSOO is a battery-powered vacuum cleaner, which allows you to use it anywhere and can work for up to 5 hours. All that thanks to its 9 x 2,500 mAh lithium-ion batteries!

Additionally, the device comes with a charging dock and other accessories to help you clean with maximum efficiency.

What’s amazing about this vacuum cleaner is that it features a 13-level HEPA filtration system. This one eliminates even the tiniest particles, which improves the air quality for people with allergies and even eliminates pet odor.

2. Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum

Noise Level: around 74 dB | Motor: 115 watts | Weight 1.4 lbs | Suction Power: up to 13,000 Pascals

The Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum is an excellent alternative to MOOSOO’s vacuum.

It also has a premium brushless motor that delivers up to 115 watts of power for excellent cleaning. It has a slightly higher noise rating, ranging from 73 to 75.6 according to different testers.

As you can see, it has a similar loudness level of the MOOSOO vacuum with slightly more power. However, it’s noise is a much higher-pitched one. Despite not being too loud, it’s a bit annoying to some.

One of the vacuum’s greatest assets is its stylish and sleek design. Additionally, the Shark WANDVAC is noticeably lightweight at 1.4 lbs and is designed to fit right in your hands while cleaning.

The design of the nozzle also makes it quite handy while trying to reach difficult areas, as it’s tight enough to fit into crevices for a deeper clean.

Since it’s battery-powered, it comes with its own charging dock. The vacuum typically charges fully in 2 to 2.5 hours and has a capacity of about 0.08 quarts, which might not be the best but still decent enough.

3. APOSEN A7 Series Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Noise Level: Less than 70 dB | Motor: 100 watts | Weight: 2 lbs | Suction Power up to 7,000 Pascals

APOSEN is one of the most underrated handheld vacuum cleaner manufacturers. The A7 Series vacuum has one of the lowest dB noise ratings on the market despite being surprisingly affordable!

The handheld unit is remarkably lightweight, weighing only 2 lbs. It comes with a decent motor with 100 watts power, which produces 7,000 Pascals of suction power.

Although this isn’t as much as the previous entries, this one has the unique features of vacuuming both solid debris as well as liquids! So, it might be the perfect choice if you deal with this kind of mess more often.

Despite being a budget-friendly option, it comes with dual HEPA filters that are washable and reusable.

Not only that but it also comes with a cyclonic filtration system that filters out even the tiniest particles in the air.

4. VacLife Handheld Vacuum

Noise Level: less than 69 dB | Motor: 0.3 amps | Weight: 1.9 lbs | Suction Power: up to 8,000 Pascals

Another inexpensive option that you may consider is the VacLife Handheld Vacuum. This one is a cordless vacuum model that utilizes a powerful 0.3 amp motor to produce about 8,000 Pascals of suction power.

However, contrary to the APOSEN A7, the VacLife is intended for dry use only. This makes it an excellent choice for a budget buyer who’s looking for the highest level of suction for a low price without making a lot of noise.

VacLife’s handheld vacuum also comes with 3 different nozzles as well as bright LED lights to help you get rid of all kinds of debris and dust no matter how tight and dark the spot is.

The only drawback of this handheld vacuum cleaner is the low battery life. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to charge fully but it can continuously work for up to 30 minutes.

While this can be enough to clean an entire room, it’s still a bit less than the market’s average. That’s why it’s only recommended for light-duty users who are looking for a powerful and quiet option.

The vacuum cleaner comes with a washable and reusable HEPA filter to ensure the highest level of air quality after vacuuming.

5. Hwook Portable Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Noise Level: less than 70 dB | Motor: 120 watts | Weight: 1.78 lbs | Suction Power: up to 8,000 Pascals

If you’re on a strict budget and looking for a quiet handheld vacuum that works significantly well without breaking the bank, consider this one!

Hwook handheld vacuum cleaner comes with a 120-watt motor that offers decent suction power of about 8,000 Pascals.

According to Hwook, this vacuum cleaner can clean both wet and dry mess, which can come in handy in case of spilled beverages and similar accidents.

It has an adjustable extension hose to help you avoid bending over and eliminate the back pain caused by vacuuming in such an awkward position.

Similar to the VacLife model, this vacuum cleaner comes with a 2,200 mAh that can also last for up to 30 minutes.

Why Would You Need a Quiet Handheld Vacuum Cleaner?

Vacuum cleaners are now available in all sizes and designs to suit different needs. So what makes a handheld vacuum cleaner a good choice to consider?

In the following section, you’ll find all the benefits you’ll get from opting for a handheld vacuum cleaner that doesn’t produce loud noises!

Eliminates Hearing Damage

The level of noise is measured using the Decibel rating (dB). Ideally, the majority of medium-sized vacuum cleaners on the market have a noise level of about 75 to 90 dB depending on a lot of factors.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to loud noises (120 dB or higher) can cause immediate harm to your ears.

However, a lot of studies have been conducted to assess the amount of hearing damage due to long term exposure.

One study found that exposure to a source of noise that’s rated at 80 decibels or higher can actually cause “profound hearing impairment” in the long run.

For that reason, opting for a relatively quiet vacuum cleaner (75 decibels or less), such as handheld vacuum cleaners, can help in reducing the harm caused due to loud noises.

Handheld Vacuum Cleaners Are Highly Portable

Being a quiet vacuum cleaner is a great asset. However, there might be some medium to large vacuum cleaners that are also quiet.

What makes handheld vacuum cleaners special is that they’re the most portable kind of vacuum cleaners.

These vacuum cleaners are usually ultra-lightweight, with most of them about 2 lbs or even less, so you don’t have to worry about arm fatigue.

Not only that, but they’re also cordless and work using batteries. This gives you the opportunity to use them anywhere regardless of the availability of electricity sources. You can use vacuum cleaners in your house, office, or even your car!

Allows You to Clean for Longer

Opting for a handheld vacuum cleaner that is quiet is a blessing for anyone with a busy schedule.

Let’s say that you’re at work all day and only have a limited time window to clean the house. However, this time window is too early or too late for loud vacuuming.

In that case, you’ll have to skip the vacuuming for the day and wait for a more suitable time to do that noisy job.

But with a quiet vacuum cleaner, using the machine might not pose a problem because it won’t disturb the people around you, whether they’re kids or adults.

Indirectly Gives You Better Results

You might think that a quiet vacuum cleaner will most likely be weaker than one with a loud and powerful motor. However, even with that case, a lot of people rush through the vacuuming because of how loud their vacuum cleaners are.

In addition to the time window, quiet vacuum cleaners will allow you to take your time while vacuuming and focus on getting everything as clean as you like because you’re not as annoyed with the loud sound.

If you’re a neat freak who has a slightly above average vacuuming duration, opting for a vacuum cleaner might be a handy choice for you!

Allows You to Communicate While Vacuuming

One of the old but not so practical solutions to loud vacuuming is wearing hearing protection devices and earplugs. However, wearing their earpieces comes with a lot of drawbacks:

• They may cause irritation to your ears
• They come loose with time
• They might not be able to block the noise completely

In fact, even for the ones that work well, they’ll still block communication while vacuuming. For example, you may not hear the doorbell or the phone ringing.

Replacing this old remedy with a relatively quiet vacuum cleaner seems to be a much more convenient solution.

Less Pet Anxiety

If you have a pet in the house, you’ve most likely seen how terrified and stressed they get when the vacuum cleaner is on.

The main cause of that is the loud sound of the device. Unfortunately, such stress can develop into serious physiological issues if you use the vacuum frequently.

By replacing your old and loud vacuum cleaner with a relatively quiet and less stressful handheld vacuum, your pets will be much more comfortable and less stressed out around vacuum cleaners.

No Neighbors Complaints and Noise Regulated Neighborhoods

Some people live in noise-regulated neighborhoods. In such cases, homeowners can face legal problems and fines if they exceed the maximum allowed level of noise.

A lot of people buy vacuum cleaners without giving a thorough look at how noisy it can be, which ends up with neighbor complaints and other noise-related legal issues. Getting a quiet handheld vacuum cleaner is an easy way to dodge that bullet.

Things to Consider While Shopping for a Quiet Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

While shopping for a handheld vacuum cleaner, there are some crucial points that you need to keep in mind in order to land the best possible pick for your needs. Let’s have a brief overview of these aspects.

Noise Level

Since you’re looking for a quiet vacuum cleaner, the noise level measured in dB should be your major concern.

Ideally, all vacuum cleaners will make noise while operating. However, for a vacuum cleaner to be dubbed “relatively quiet”, it needs to be about 65 to 75 dB.

Wet and Dry

Depending on the kind of mess you usually have to deal with, you may need to consider the type of vacuum cleaner you buy.

Most vacuum cleaners on the market can deal with dry conditions. Yet, some of the modern vacuum cleaners are designed to work in both wet and dry conditions.

If you happen to deal with a lot of spilled beverages accidents, getting a wet and dry vacuum is more convenient than having to wipe the liquids first before vacuuming.

Suction Power

Suction power is measured in many units, such as CFM, Pascals, and others. The problem with CFMs is that they’re inconvenient and not constant and may vary depending on the latitude where you use the vacuum cleaner.

On the other hand, Pascals and KiloPascals are more reliable methods to measure the suction power.

As a rule of thumb, having a suction power of at least 7,000 Pascals or 7.0 KPa is usually enough to work with small-sized dust specks.

For larger specs and stubborn pet hairs, you may need a vacuum with higher suction power (about 10,000 Pascals or more)

Wrap Up

There you have it. A complete guide that walks you through everything you need to know before buying a quiet handheld vacuum cleaner.

As you can see, I pick MOOSOO Vacuum Cleaner as the winner for this round because it’s the quietest handheld vacuum cleaner on the list with about 68 to 70 dB noise rating.

Not only that, but it’s also one of the most powerful vacuum cleaners in its category, with up to 12,000 Pascals of suction power.

However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, you may want to consider Hwook Portable Handheld Vacuum Cleaner.

Despite coming at a price that won’t poke a hole at your wallet, it has a powerful 120 watt motor with up to 8,000 Pascals suction power and a noise rating of less than 70 dB!

Further Reading

• Back to Quietest Vacuums