Robot vacuums are great at keeping your home dust and pet hair free but some of them can be really noisy. Are there any really quiet robotic vacuum cleaners on the market?
What can you do to make a noisy robotic vacuum cleaner quieter? We’ve reviewed 5 of the quietest robotic vacuum cleaners on the market. We also cover some tips on how to make your quiet robot vacuum even quieter.
Quiet Robot Vacuum Reviews
OUR TOP PICK
The Coredy R380’s lightweight and thin design makes it capable of reaching all of those areas you wouldn’t be able to reach yourself without a struggle. While the robot vacuum cleaner is sucking up dirt, it makes a noise of up to 60dB making it noticeable but not loud enough to be distracting or unpleasant.
What features does the Coredy R380 robot vacuum cleaner have? This particular robot vacuum cleaner is both powerful and smart, meaning that you can have it on and not have to worry about whether it’s cleaning up your home.
The robot vacuum cleaner offers you powerful suction reaching 1700pa. With this kind of power, it’s able to vacuum up pet hair, dirt, dust and even debris.
What’s great about this vacuum cleaner is that it serves as not only a vacuum but also a mop. With its quiet operation and cleaning efficiency, this makes it one of the quietest robot vacuums with a mop.
What we like is that while the robot vacuum cleaner is doing its job it’s also been designed to take care of itself in a way that it’s able to clean your floors without doing damage to itself.
The robot vacuum cleaner’s drop sensing technology enhances its ability to navigate through your home which protects it from falling down or getting scratched.
Even though it has sensors, it has been known to get stuck when moving over carpets, doormats, and thick mats.
Don’t want to program the robot vacuum cleaner manually each time you need it to vacuum?
The Coredy R380 robot vacuum cleaner connects to a dedicated app, allowing you to set up a schedule that lets your robot vacuum cleaner know exactly when it needs to get to work. The robot vacuum cleaner can also be used with Alexa and Google.
This may not be the absolute quietest robot vacuum on our list but its feature set makes it the best robot vacuum we've reviewed.
Pros
Connects to dedicated app (includes Alexa and Google)
One of the quietest robot vacuum cleaners with a mop
Lightweight design (able to reach difficult to clean areas)
Designed with drop sensing technology
Powerful
Cons
Has been known for getting stuck from time to time
EDITORS CHOICE
The ILIFE V5S robot vacuum cleaner is one of the quietest robot vacuum cleaners we’ve reviewed so far, and it’s been specifically designed for vacuuming up pet hair.
It has a powerful suction and has been designed to suck up dog hair in a way that it doesn’t get tangled in the rollers and damage the vacuum cleaner.
The ILIFE V3s Pro robot vacuum cleaner is one of the quietest vacuum cleaners for pet hair, making only 55dB worth of noise when it’s on.
It has a good design and although your choice of colour is limited, it’s very pleasing to the eye. You get to choose whether your robot vacuum cleaner comes in either a champagne gold or white color.
One of the things we always like about robot vacuum cleaners is their sensors. The ILIFE V3s Pro robot vacuum cleaner has 5 sensors that enable it to move around without risk of colliding into something.
You can choose from different cleaning modes, each one designed for a specific purpose. These cleaning modes include auto mode, edge mode and space mode.
You can pre-set the robot vacuum cleaner's cleaning schedule and operate it with a remote, so you don’t have to be right next to the vacuum cleaner when you want to control it.
Its low-profile design makes the robot vacuum cleaner incredibly effective and ensures a thorough clean throughout your home. It's the quietest robot vacuum for pet hair.
Pros
One of the quietest robot vacuum cleaners for pet hair
5 sensors
Different cleaning modes
Scheduled cleaning
Powerful
Cons
Doesn’t connect to dedicated app
BEST VALUE
Producing only 59dB of noise when it’s on, the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S definitely falls under the category of, “quietest robotic vacuum cleaner”.
The noise the robotic vacuum cleaner makes has been likened to a running a quiet microwave. But even though it’s quiet, it provides you with continuous powerful suction, measured at 1300Pa/100 minutes.
One of our favourite features is the BoostIQ Technology. The technology lets this quiet robotic vacuum cleaner know exactly when to increase its suctioning power when additional vacuuming strength is needed.
This feature ensures that your floors get a good clean without much hassle. The robotic vacuum cleaner is slim and small in size, enabling it to reach areas that might otherwise be difficult to clean.
Sensors enable this robotic vacuum cleaner to navigate an area safely without bumping into obstacles that could damage or scratch it. But just to be safe, the robotic vacuum cleaner has been designed with anti-scratch tempered glass to protect it from getting scratched.
It also enables the robotic vacuum cleaner to return to its charging station when the clean is complete, meaning that you never have to manually recharge the vacuum cleaner and it’s always ready for action.
The RoboVac comes with a remote control, allowing you to operate the robotic vacuum cleaner from a distance.
Does the remote come with the purchase of the robotic vacuum cleaner?
It does and along with the remote, you also get an AC power adapter, cleaning tool, an additional set of high-performance filters, 4 side brushes as well as a welcome guide.
Pros
- Quiet
- Powerful suctioning
- Automatic recharge
- Value for money
- Remote controlled
- Slim size for more efficient clean
- Great for sucking up pet hair
Cons
- No app control available
RUNNER UP
The ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 robotic vacuum cleaner is definitely one of the vacuum cleaners that stands out for its value and price besides being one of the quietest robot vacuum cleaners.
The robot vacuum cleaner has a lot to offer and has been designed with various features that make it easy to use and efficient.
What we love the most about this robotic vacuum cleaner is that when it’s being used it only gets as loud as 55dB.
The robotic vacuum cleaner is adaptable in that it has 3 specialized cleaning modes, including spot mode that focuses on targeted cleaning and edge mode, which tells your vacuum cleaner to focus on cleaning corners and edges.
The sensor protection keeps the robot vacuum cleaner from bumping into furniture and helps it navigate through your home.
Sounds complicated? While it might seem like the vacuum cleaner is difficult to use or complicated, it’s all made easy by an app that you can download on your device.
These app features allow you to schedule cleaning sessions, choose from the different cleaning modes, let you check on the robot and accessory status and location. The app can be used on both android and apple devices and requires a minimum amount of internet speed to operate.
One thing we really like about the ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 robotic vacuum cleaner is that it has been designed with a main brush that allows for a deep clean, along with dual wide-reach nylon fiber side brushes. These brushes all contribute to a deep and effective clean.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Can be used with dedicated app
- Different cleaning modes
- Very quiet robot vacuum
- Sensor protection
Cons
- Doesn’t automatically recharge
RUNNER UP
Roomba robot vacuum cleaner models are well known for their quiet operation, but some models are quieter than others. The iRobot Rooma 690 robot vacuum cleaner is actually one of the quietest models with a noise level of 60dB.
What’s surprising is that even though this robotic vacuum cleaner is an entry-level vacuum cleaner, it has a lot to offer.
It can be linked and controlled via a dedicated app, allowing you to clean and schedule from pretty much anywhere in your home. The app also works with Alexa and Google assistant.
The sensors enable the robotic vacuum cleaner to move around with ease, steering clear from anything that could interrupt its cleaning.
Patented dirt detector settings make the robotic vacuum cleaner work harder on sections in your home that need more work or areas that are used often.
To make cleaning even more effective, the robotic vacuum cleaner has dual multi-surface brushes that are able to clean small particles to large debris.
Its sleek design is also great because it complements the décor in your home. Unfortunately, there aren’t various colors to choose from, but the sleek look should match with just about any décor you have.
Pros
- Built-in sensors
- Patented dirt detector settings
- Sleek design
- Can be used with a dedicated app
- Quiet robot vac - 60dB
Cons
- Can only choose from 1 color
Quietest Robot Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
How loud is a robotic vacuum?
We can all agree that vacuum cleaners in general have a reputation for being loud. A robot vacuum cleaner is different in a number of ways but can be just as loud as a manually operated vacuum.
If you’re concerned about how much noise a robot vacuum cleaner will make, you need to keep in mind the robot vacuum cleaner’s dB rating. Most robot vacuum cleaners’ specifications will include a dB rating, giving you a good indication of just how noisy the vacuum is.
What dB rating would a quiet robot vacuum cleaner have? The majority of quiet robot vacuum cleaners will have a dB rating that ranges from 55-70dB. This is a lot quieter than even a quiet shop vac. If you want to know how loud is 60dB it's about the same as a quiet microwave.
Any robot vacuum cleaner that produces this level of noise can be as quiet as a floor fan, or a bit louder than a normal conversation you’d have with a friend.
Does it have different power levels?
This is actually another important question you’d want to ask yourself when you want to buy a quiet robot vacuum cleaner. A robot vacuum cleaner that has different power settings, allows you to be in control of how much noise it makes. It can make a lot of noise on a powerful setting but make hardly any sound on a lower setting. The majority of quiet robot vacuum cleaners will have been designed with at least 2-3 different power levels.
Is the robotic vacuum cleaner equipped with sensors?
Newer robotic vacuum cleaners have been manufactured with sensors that allow them to map out your home more easily and navigate its way through the house. These sensors also help the vacuum cleaner to understand when it’s approaching stairs or obstacles.
A robotic vacuum cleaner that has multiple sensors is especially helpful for parents who have children, because toys can very easily get in the way of the machines work. With these sensors, you have a better chance of your robotic vacuum cleaner not getting stuck.
Do you want to use an app with your robot vacuum cleaner?
The newer robot vacuum cleaners allow you to connect with dedicated apps. These apps make your life a little bit easier, especially if you have a busy schedule. For example, some dedicated apps allow you to set up a scheduled cleaning session that your robot vacuum cleaner automatically follows. This saves you the hassle of having to turn the vacuum cleaner on and off every time it needs to be used. But besides creating scheduled cleaning sessions, these apps allow your robotic vacuum cleaner to map out your home. This assists your vacuum cleaner in understanding where to go and increases the efficiency of the clean.
How big is the robotic vacuum cleaner?
Size often affects how easily an object can move around. A smaller sized robotic vacuum cleaner will be able to reach tight spots in your home and areas that bigger robotic vacuum cleaners can’t reach. But one thing to keep in mind is that if you buy a small robotic vacuum cleaner, it will have a small dustbin which means you have to refill it often.
Does the robotic vacuum cleaner allow you to set up boundary blockers?
A robotic vacuum cleaner that’s been designed to respond to boundary blockers is one you’ll want to have if you want the vacuum cleaner to stay away from certain objects or out of specific rooms. You can either use a magnetic strip to steer a robotic vacuum cleaner away from a specific area or place or you can set up the boundaries virtually. Either way, you’ll be able to control more specifically where the robotic vacuum cleaner goes.
Quiet Robo Vac - Pros and Cons
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a robot vacuum cleaner?
Advantages:
- Can be used as a mop and vacuum cleaner
There’s very few of us that look forward to cleaning our floors. A robot vacuum cleaner makes the task of cleaning our floors so much easier by doing it for us. Not all robot vacuum cleaners are equipped with mops though. The (state robot vacuum cleaner) both vacuums and mops floors efficiently.
- Can reach areas we struggle to clean
Sometimes a vacuum cleaner or broom head just won’t get into the corners like we need them to or they’re incapable of reaching spots under our furniture because of being too big. The majority of robot vacuum cleaners are made in such a way that they’re small enough to reach these areas and can even clean effectively in corners.
- You get to schedule cleaning sessions
Unfortunately, you can’t just tell your broom or vacuum cleaner to get up and sweep the floors and if you do, you’ll be met with silence – hopefully. When it comes to a robot vacuum cleaner, you can program it to clean each day at specific times or whenever you want it to. It actually means that you have to worry very little about cleaning the floors and can leave your robot vacuum cleaner to do its job.
- It’s not as loud as a manually operated vacuum cleaner
Manufacturers are well aware of how loud manually operated vacuum cleaners can be, so they kindly kept this in mind when manufacturing the robot vacuum cleaners. They can still be noisy but will very rarely be louder than manually operated vacuum cleaners, making them great cleaning companions.
Disadvantages:
- It’s pretty expensive
In this day and age, you really can’t get something for nothing and when it comes to robot vacuum cleaners the situation is no different. Robot vacuum cleaner prices range from 250$ and up. While spending that amount of money may be worth it to you, it’s not always affordable. Some find that even after using their robot vacuum cleaner, they still have to use their old manually operated vacuum cleaner because it didn’t do its job. While this isn’t always the case it does highlight an area of concern and is something to consider when you’re buying a robot vacuum cleaner.
- Needs to be emptied often
A robot vacuum cleaner is a lot smaller than a traditional vacuum cleaner. This is a huge advantage but at the same time it can be a great nuisance. Why do we say that? Well, you have to empty the robot vacuum cleaner bin frequently because it’s so small.
We must mention though, that it’s worse for some than it is for others. If you have pets, or you live in a windy area you’ll most likely have more dirt in your home and so you’ll have to empty the vacuum bin more frequently.
- The robot vacuum cleaner gets stuck sometimes
When you’re in control of a vacuum cleaner you pretty much control where it goes and what it does. But a robot vacuums cleaner ventures off on its own without you and has to find its way around the house. Sometimes, a robot vacuum cleaner can get stuck depending on how big or small it is. A big robot vacuum cleaner might get stuck in small places, whereas a small robot vacuum cleaner will get stuck just from trying to move over a mat. So, you can’t always be sure that when you tell your robot vacuum cleaner to go and clean, that it will actually be able to do that without getting stuck.
- You have to keep the floor clear of items
So, this can be a bit of a nuisance because you need your vacuum cleaner to clean your floors, but it actually can’t do that effectively unless toys and other small items have been moved out of the way. So, in this case robot vacuum cleaners are more of a disadvantage to parents than those who don’t have children in the house.
- The device can get lost
This is not the biggest disadvantage, and it doesn’t happen all the time. The majority of robot vacuum cleaner models come with a charging port. The robot vacuum cleaner is programmed to return to its charging station when it’s done cleaning. But sometimes, the robot vacuum cleaner gets lost and can’t find its way, “home”. The result is that the robot vacuum cleaner is left stranded and uncharged.
Quiet Robotic Vacuum Cleaner FAQ
How can I make my robot vacuum quieter?
- Try to remove as much clutter from the floor as possible
A lot of robot vacuum cleaners are designed with sensors that help them to not bump into objects such as walls, furniture. This prevents the robot vacuum cleaner from getting stuck and even breaking. But the problem is that robot vacuum cleaners are not programmed to recognize and avoid smaller objects or clutter. So, things like socks, cloths, small toys, or other tiny objects could get stuck inside the robot vacuum cleaner.
When the vacuum cleaner is clogged it will make more noise than usual so you can prevent the noise by removing as much clutter as you can from the floor. Also, keep in mind that if your robot vacuum cleaner does get clogged it’s going to damage the vacuum cleaner and that will also increase the possibility of it making more noise than usual.
- Clean out your robot vacuum filters
We have to clean just about any product we own at home to keep it clean. For some vacuum cleaners, if you don’t clean out the dirt bin after a long period of use you can actually end up putting too much pressure on the vacuum cleaner and it will either break or cause the vacuum cleaner to make a lot of noise. Of course, robot vacuum cleaners are made to be much more resilient and quieter than mechanical vacuum cleaners, but the same principle applies to the filters.
A dirty filter will cause a robot vacuum cleaner to make a lot of noise, particularly because when the filter is dirty, it blocks the air vents the robot vacuum cleaner uses to ensure that no dirt, dust, or allergen is released into the air once vacuumed. When the air vents are blocked, the robot vacuum cleaner will make a lot of noise.
So, the simple solution for this problem is to clean the filters.
You can do this by:
- Locating your robot vacuum cleaners filter and removing it
- Shaking off the dirt and dust (do not wash the filter with any liquids)
- Remove difficult dirt with tweezers, being careful to not touch the fibre mesh
- Throw away and replace the filter if it’s turned a dark colour, since this is an indication that the filter is overused
- Use the “quiet clean” setting (applicable mainly to newer Roomba models)
The newer Roomba robot vacuum cleaner models gives you the option of choosing from a “quiet clean” setting. When you choose this setting, the robot vacuum cleaner will use less power, and this makes it a lot quieter while cleaning. The only issue with this is that it will take a lot longer for the robot vacuum cleaner to clean your home.
- Lubricate your robot vacuum cleaners’ wheels
Your robot vacuum cleaner might be making a lot of noise because the wheels are not lubricated enough. The wheels will have difficulty turning when they’re not well lubricated and this can cause the robot vacuum cleaner to make a lot of noise.
You’ll want to use a dry lube since it’s easier to handle. The instructions for how to apply lube to your robot vacuum cleaners’ wheels will differ depending on what kind of model you own, so we would suggest taking a look at the user manual.
How do I clean my robot vacuum cleaner?
Robotic vacuum cleaners help keep our floors clean, but it also needs cleaning itself. This requires some human intervention on our part. Here’s how to keep a robotic vacuum clean and performing at its best:
- Remove hair
Removing any hair from the brush role and surrounding crevices is especially important because it can block airflow and weaken suction power. Flip the vacuum open on a flat surface. Then use a knife or scissors to cut the hair and carefully pull it out.
- Clear up the sensors
Since there’s no human at the helm, robotic vacuums use sensors to navigate and clean a room. Keeping those sensors clean is key. You can check out the owner’s manual to find out where the sensors are located on your specific vacuum. Then wipe gently with a dry cloth. For stubborn dirt, try dampening the cloth just a bit.
- Give wheels a once over
Sometimes debris can get stuck in the wheel or wheel cavity, making it harder for your vacuum to move around. Almost all robotic vacuum wheels are suspended, so it should be simple to wipe away or fish out anything.
If there’s something stuck, try carefully using a knife or tweezers to pry it out.
- Clean your filter every 5 to 10 cleaning sessions (or every other week)
Remove the filter from the vacuum and gently tap it into the garbage to remove dust. You can use a hand vacuum to clean the filter or a tweezers to get rid of dirt. If it gets wet, it’s best to replace the filter. You’ll want to perform these checks and tasks at least once a week.
Which Robot Vacuum Is The Quietest?
The ILIFE V3s Pro is the quietest robot vacuum on the market. It's worth considering some of the other models we've reviewed if you want certain features or app options.
Conclusion
In this article we’ve reviewed 5 of the quietest robotic vacuum cleaners. If you’re looking for a really quiet vacuum cleaner that’s powerful enough to continuously clean up dog hair we'd recommend the ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner.
On the other hand, if you’d prefer one of the quietest robotic vacuum cleaners with a mop as well, the Coredy R380 Robot Vacuum Cleaner will do the trick. Just make sure that the model you choose gives you the app control you're after.