I hate vacuum cleaners because they're so loud and I'm sensitive to loud noises.
My central vac is very quiet. The unit is in the garage. I don't know how easily you can install one in a home that isn't being built.
Hi Tessa, I haven't come across one yet. Some are quieter than others though. Have the sales person plug it in before you buy a new one. Check several before you make your decision. I make the salesperson dismantle the brush roller, put on a new belt ,if it has one, you name it. I'm very sensitive to fighting a vacuum just to change a belt, or to clean the brushes! I guess I'm just plain old mean. Bye
The Miele S5 Canisters are the quietest vacuums ever created! They have special sound insulation that makes them very quiet. The new silence setting combines the lowest noise output with the ideal power level for optimum cleaning results. If you were to put the machine on the silence setting (two notches below the highest setting) the machine would be still pick up great, and be extremely quiet. When I am on the silence setting it is quieter than a pot of boiling water! I have a Miele Callisto right now and I am so surprised by how quiet it is. I got my Callisto from Mr. Vac and Mrs. Sew for only $699 (Phone Special You have to Call to Get that Price) ($799 everywhere on the internet) and that handled everything professionally. The man on the phone was nice and it came with free fast shipping and no tax because I am out of state (They are in NY).
I'm a Vac Tech! Wow this is the first time I can say this. You have gotten a lot of good answers. The Central Vac is the quietest, because its mounted out in the garage. You can barely hear it, and it is the absolute cleanest way to vacuum. 100% of what you vacuum is removed from the living area. You can install C-vacs in most existing homes with very little if any at all damage to your walls. Its rare for us to have to do a patch job. Beam is the best brand. Good advice, have the dealer run the machines. Make the dude sell it to you. Run every machine in the shop if you have to, thats what they are there for. If I had to recommend a portable unit, Kevin nailed it. The miele S5 series. Thats it! Thats the one you want. Super quiet. Best on the market. One of the most durable units out there. German built, and here's an interesting fact. Miele is the only company that hepa rates the exhuast on the vacuum itself and not just the filter. It really does what it claims. I've tested it with a particulate counter myself. No other company can boast that.
