Ever wondered why vacuum cleaners seem to have a vendetta against our eardrums? They do tend to be the noisiest appliances in our homes, don’t they? But fear not, it’s not a conspiracy. Vacuum cleaners are loud for a few reasons.
First, they have powerful motors that create suction, and this power comes with noise. Second, the air rushing through the vacuum’s nozzle and filters can be loud. Manufacturers are making progress, though, with quieter models and noise-reduction technology.
So, yes, there’s hope for a quieter cleaning experience! Look for vacuum cleaners with noise-cancelling features or those designed to be quieter. Your peace and quiet can coexist with cleanliness – it just might take a quieter vacuum to make it happen.
Are Vacuum Cleaners Intentionally Loud?
It’s a common misunderstanding that vacuum cleaners are made intentionally loud. The truth is that many vacuums are designed to be as quiet as possible.
Honestly, from what I’ve seen, many manufacturers genuinely invest time and resources into making their vacuum cleaners less loud. They’re not out to get our eardrums!
So, if they’re not being made deliberately deafening, why are these devices naturally noisy? A few factors come into play here. Firstly, the motor type significantly dictates the noise level. Some motors are inherently louder than others.
Then there’s the vacuum’s design itself. Believe it or not, the very construction and layout of a vacuum can amplify or dampen its sound. And of course, how we use the vacuum – be it the settings we choose or the surfaces we’re cleaning – can either crank up the volume or keep it at a bearable level.
Make Your Vacuum Cleaner Quieter
From my own testing and a bit of common sense, there are definitely steps you can take to mitigate that ear-splitting roar from your vacuum cleaner.
When you’re in the market for a new vacuum, it’s really wise to consider the type of motor and its wattage rating. Often, a high wattage equates to more power – which is great for suction but, let’s be honest, it’s probably going to be louder.
On the flip side, some vacuums are designed with motors that are naturally quieter. And if noise is a concern, definitely keep an eye out for vacuums built with sound-dampening materials; they can be a godsend in preserving the peace of your home.
And, just a little tidbit from personal experience: using your vacuum the right way can make a world of difference in noise levels. Simple things can lead to unnecessary noise – like a clogged filter, tangled roller brushes, or debris obstructing the motor vents. Regular maintenance can extend the life of your vacuum and make your cleaning sessions much more pleasant on the ears.
Air Makes Vacuums Loud
There are a few factors that contribute to the noise level of a vacuum cleaner. First, the type of motor can have an impact on how loud the vacuum is.
Second, the design of the vacuum itself can make it louder or quieter. A shop vacuum will tend to be louder than your home vacuum, but then again the shop vacuum tend to have more power.
Third, it’s just simply the vacuum cleaner’s fan hitting air makes the noise. There is no good way to get around the motor’s fan blades hitting air and making noise.
And finally, the way you use your vacuum can also affect how much noise it makes. The things you suck up can make a vacuum cleaner louder, pet hair is quieter then the cereal and so on.
You will also find the cheaper vacuum cleaners tend to be louder and the more expensive ones will be quieter. This is because the more expensive vacuum cleaners will have better filters for noise and go to greater lengths to cut down on sounds.
Loudness = More Expensive
There is some truth to this, as some people consider a loud vacuum cleaner as more powerful.
The reality is that you can still make strong and powerful vacuum cleaners that are also silent, which we see with higher-end vacuum cleaners.
What’s interesting is how vacuum cleaner manufacturers are shifting from making the motor louder to making the dirt and dust you suck up louder. They go out of their way to make the things you suck up make as much noise as possible to make you think the vacuum cleaner is really cleaning the floor.
We’re even seeing manufacturers go a step further and measuring the dirt you suck up and showing you on a screen, as Dyson has done in their the latest vacuum cleaners. To be honest, it’s a nice feature that I wish more vacuum cleaners would adopt. Visually seeing what you suck up is a huge selling point and why most canisters on vacuum cleaners are now clear instead of being hidden in a bag these days.
Truly Silent Vacuum Cleaner
As technology improves, it’s possible that we’ll see more and more silent vacuum cleaners on the market.
But it’s important to remember that even the quietest vacuums will still make some noise. It’s just the nature of the beast of a fan blade hitting the air and making noise.
So while we may not be able to achieve true silence with a vacuum cleaner, manufacturers are constantly working on ways to reduce the noise levels of their products.
The next best thing you can do if you must have a quiet vacuum cleaner is to get a whole house vacuum cleaner unit. The vacuum cleaner is tucked away in your basement or any room you want, and you pull the hoses out of the sockets of the room and get to cleaning. The only thing you hear is the suction from the hose, which is not 100% quiet, but still better than having the vacuum cleaner motor in the same room.