Quiet Shop Vac: Top 6 Quietest Shop Vacs For Every Kind Of Cleaning Tasks
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Manufacturers make us think that louder vacuums are to have more suction power. We are deceived into suffering the high decibel rating to get more power. However, the loud noise can disturb you and your workflow.
Quieter models will definitely be as efficient to do the job while being gentle to your ears. You will be able to focus more on your work and finish it more effectively.
If you don’t know which models among thousands on the market are the quietest and suitable for your needs, we have a list of 6 best quiet shop vacs for every kind of cleaning task at home, in the garage and workshops.
If you’re a first-time buyer, feel free to check the buying guide first to know what to expect when purchasing a quiet shop vac.
DeWALT DXV09PBest Overall
Pros
- Powerful motor with good suction
- Outstanding build quality
- User-friendly
- Convenient accessory storage bag
- Casters are well built
- Come with a good number of hose attachments for your needs
Cons
- Power cord is short to some
- A little heavy and bulky to carry when the tank is full
If you need an all-round shop vac that can do a bit of everything everywhere, consider this powerful and versatile DeWALT DXV09P.
It comes with a sturdy 9-gallon tank that is perfect for large pickup, saving you from frequently emptying the tank if you have big messes. Featuring a powerful 5 peak horsepower motor and peak air watts of 251.7W, DeWALT DXV09P is able to suck up large debris such as leaves, wet drywall, larger wood chips, slivers, gravel and water with ease.
The unit has a fine-dust cartridge filter for picking up small, dry and wet debris. The durable casters are designed for easier transport over rough terrains and large areas. If you have some yard work to do or some hard-to-reach spots to vacuum, just attach the hose to the blower port and use it like a powerful leaf blower.
Packed with the machine are tons of user-friendly features such as large on/off switch, built-in accessory storage bag.
Features | |
---|---|
Container Capacity (Gallons) | 9 |
Peak Motor Horsepower | 5 |
Peak Air Watts (W) | 251.7 |
Power Cord Length (ft.) | 10 |
Hose Diameter x Length | 1-7/8" x 7' |
Highlight Features | Built-in accessory storage bag, Ultra durable rubberized casters, Large built-in tank drain, Built-in blower port |
Powerful, user-friendly, durable and versatile. DeWALT DXV09P has everything we can ask for in a shop vac.
Stanley 5 Gallon Wet Dry VacuumBudget-Friendly Option
Pros
- Easy to assemble and use
- Good value for the money
- Maneuverable and lightweight
- Great suction
- Easy to clean thanks to the stainless steel tank
Cons
- Short hose and power cord
- Bag can be made better
If you think that all quiet wet dry vacs cost a fortune then you’re wrong. This Stanley 5-gallon unit is what are you looking for if you want something budget-friendly but able to do the job well.
A decent 5-gallon tank is suitable for small messes in your garage or workshop and with 4 peak HP, you can rely on this lightweight shop vac to pick up wood chips, sawdust and other debris. You can also use it as a blower thanks to the built-in blower port.
I love how portable this little shop vac is. The top handle is well-designed and strong for easier carrying and 4 smooth caster wheels make rolling on different terrains simply.
It also has a large and water-resistant power switch and large built-in tank drain for easier water removal.
Features | |
---|---|
Container Capacity (Gallons) | 5 |
Peak Motor Horsepower | 3 |
Peak Air Watts (W) | N/A |
Power Cord Length (ft.) | 10 |
Hose Diameter x Length | 1/4" x 5’ |
Highlight Features | 4 swivel casters, Large on/off switch, Built-in tank drain |
With a tight budget, you can not find such a good-quality shop vac with good suction and versatile features as Stanley 5 Gallon Wet Dry Vacuum.
BISSELL Garage Pro 18P03Best Wall-Mounted
Pros
- Wall-mountable with kits included
- Lightweight enough to carry around if needed
- 32-foot extra long hose
- Bagless design
- See-through tank and LED full tank indicator
- Perfect for cleaning cars with 7 auto-detailing tools
Cons
- Just for light-duty tasks
- A bit more expensive than other models
Bissell Garage Pro 18P03 is a special shop vac because it frees up your floor space, so for those who live in a tiny apartment or small space can benefit from this wall-mounted wet/ dry vac.
I have never seen a shop vac with a longer hose than this of Bissell Garage Pro 18P03. With a 32-foot hose, you will be able to reach your car or go around the garage without carrying it around. It also features a 4-gallon tank that is semi-translucent and a LED full water tank indicator, which means you no longer have to guess whether the tank is full or not.
The unit is engineered with a powerful 12-amp motor that is able to handle water spills and messes from your DIY projects like sawdust, workbench debris and food crumbs in your car and garage. However, don’t use this little vacuum to pick up large debris like leaves, gravel, or bolts and nuts.
Good news for those who frequently clean cars or do auto detailing business, this unit comes with 7 all-purpose tools that make the job and any kind of cleaning task a breeze. An accessory bag is included to store all your tools conveniently.
Features | |
---|---|
Container Capacity (Gallons) | 4 |
Motor Power | 12 Amps |
Peak Air Watts (W) | N/A |
Power Cord Length (ft.) | 10 |
Hose Diameter x Length | 1.25" x 32’ |
Highlight Features | Extra long hose, Blower port, Semi-translucent tank, LED full water tank indicator |
Free up some floor space in your garage with this long-hose, wall-mountable BISSELL Garage Pro 18P03.
CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595Most Powerful
Pros
- Amazingly powerful suction and large capacity
- Long power cord
- Quiet for its size
- Lightweight for its capacity
- Maneuvers well
- Large hose for picking up large debris
Cons
- Sloppy storage bag design
The more powerful a shop vac is, the louder it is. It is not actually the case with CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595. It is considered one of the least loud shop vacs in its size.
You know how strong this beast is? Take the look at the enormous air watts it comes with. With 1055 air watts and 6.5 peak horsepower, this Craftsman shop vac can pick up the heaviest debris you can imagine such as bolts, nuts and even rocks in a single pass.
The huge well-built 16-gallon tank can handle big messes in your garage, workshop and job site without having to be emptied occasionally. And consider how big and powerful it is, this unit is surprisingly quiet. It is by no means whisper quiet, but it is surely silent compared to other models of its size.
Its amazingly wide 2.5” diameter hose is not only perfect for sucking up heavy and large debris but also is built with Dual-Flex technology for 180-degree mobility at each end to avoid kinking and crushing. It also comes with a long 20-ft power cord and 2 extension wards for longer reach.
It is also full of user-friendly features such as on-board hose storage, power cord organizers, Qwik Lock Filter Fastening System for quick and easy wet filter changes, extra large drain for emptying liquids quickly and easily and a blower port.
Features | |
---|---|
Container Capacity (Gallons) | 16 |
Peak Motor Horsepower | 6.5 |
Peak Air Watts (W) | 1055 |
Power Cord Length (ft.) | 20 |
Hose Diameter x Length | 2.5" x 7' |
Highlight Features | Heavy-duty, Oversized top handle, Oversized drain, Dual-Flex technology |
CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 is the quietest powerful shop vac you can get for home projects & renovations.
Vacmaster VF408Best For Asthma & Allergy Sufferers
Pros
- Good suction for its size
- 2-stage motor for quieter operation
- Lightweight and compact design
- HEPA filter for folks who are allergic to dust
- Durable wheels provide excellent maneuverability
- Retractable long cord
Cons
- The flexible hose is a little thin and not crush-resistant
- Come with only 1 bag
Vacuuming might be the worst nightmare of asthma and allergy sufferers since the dust and dirt can trigger the symptoms. That’s why we offer you this Vacmaster VF408 that comes with a HEPA filter that can ease your suffering.
The HEPA filter takes up 99.97% of fine dust, leaving no allergen behind in the air inside your home. The unit features a powerful 2-stage industrial motor that provides great suction while keeping the noise to the minimal and prolonging the machine lifespan. It is claimed to operate at 72 dbA, relatively silent for a shop vac.
Vacmaster VF408 shop vac is straightforward to use. It is lightweight for you to carry around with ease and the large non-marring rear wheels make it easy to roll around.
There is a hose and accessory storage that allows all of the attachments to be kept organized and on-hand, while the automatic cord rewind allows you to wrap up the job without a hitch.
Features | |
---|---|
Container Capacity (Gallons) | 2 |
Peak Motor Horsepower | 5 |
Peak Air Watts (W) | 125 |
Power Cord Length (ft.) | 18 |
Hose Diameter x Length | 1-1/4" x 7' |
Highlight Features | 2-stage motor, HEPA filter, On-board storage, Automatic cord rewind |
Say goodbye to allergies and asthma when the air you breathe in is cleaned by Vacmaster VF408.
Dewalt DCV580H 18/20V MAXBest Cordless
Pros
- Good suction for minor clean up or keeping vehicle clean
- Cut down the hassle of cables
- HEPA filter is adequate for picking up drywall dust
- Super light
- High-quality hose
Cons
- Only suitable for light-duty jobs
- Short hose
- Batteries have to be bought separately
Have you ever faced the problems of short cords and hoses or lack of power outlets in your garage, or at the job sites? Are you an electrician who wants a quick clean-up at a customer's home after finishing work?
Then this cordless Dewalt DCV580H is your best bet. Featuring a 2-gallon capacity tank and a peak HP of 1.85, this little shop vac is suitable for small messes, quick and light-duty cleaning tasks. If you’re a handyman who installs stuff in someone else’s home, this unit is a life saver since it is portable and has enough suction for most light debris.
It can be powered either on an 18 or 20V battery which provides up to 20-25 minutes of runtime. The selling point of this unit for folks who are suffering from allergies and asthma is the HEPA rated filter that comes with it. It can trap dust at 99.97% efficiency at 0.3 microns.
A 1.25” hose is heavy-duty and crush-resistant so that you can count on the durability of the hose. It also features on-board hose and accessory storage that makes the vacuum super simple and cluster-free to carry around.
However, it doesn’t have as much suction as other shop vacs on the list so heavy-duty cleaning jobs may not be suitable for this little shop vac.
Features | |
---|---|
Container Capacity (Gallons) | 2 |
Peak Motor Horsepower | 1.85 |
System | 18V , 20V MAX* |
Peak Air Watts (W) | N/A |
Hose Diameter x Length | 1.25" x 5' |
Highlight Features | HEPA rated wet/dry filter, Washable/reusable filter, Heavy-duty hose |
Dewalt DCV580H 18/20V MAX cordless shop vac is perfect for cleaning up small little messes with no electric cord to tie you down.
How To Choose The Best Quiet Shop Vac (Buying Guide)
Tank capacity
Before buying a shop vac, consider the size of messes you have to deal with on your job. Shop vacs’ tanks are classified into small (2-6 gallons), medium (6-14 gallons), and high capacity (14-18 gallons).
If you tend to use your shop vac only for light-duty cleaning tasks around home and garage or you want something light and portable for handyman jobs, go for a small tank shop vac.
The medium capacity will be suitable for most indoor and outdoor jobs while high capacity shop vacs are for jobsites and professionals. The higher the capacity is, the heavier and bulkier the shop vac tends to be.
Air power
Air power or air-watts, refers to the shop vac’s suction power. A higher air power figure is vital if you want to pick up heavy debris such as leaves, nuts or bolts.
Noise level
This is one of the most important things to consider when you are looking for a quiet shop vac. Noise level is measured by decibel (dbA). Shop vacs are generally a little louder than regular vacs.
Vacuum noise levels range from 55db for ultra quiet to 65-75 dB for medium. Any shop vac that is rated above 75 dB is considered noisy. So, any vac below 70 decibels should be fine if you need a quiet shop vac.
Filters
You should always go for a shop vac including a standard. There are two standard types of filters—foam and cartridge.
The foam type is ideal for liquid pick up while the cartridge filter can handle all kinds of messes. There is also a special kind of filter called HEPA which can trap fine dust such as drywall dust and allergen at 99.97% efficiency. So if you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies and asthma, HEPA filters are the best bet.
Hose length & diameter
Hose is the most important accessory that comes in the package. The longer the hose is, the farther you can reach without carrying the shop vac everywhere. If you need to clean up larger debris, make sure your hose diameter is wide enough.
How Can I Make My Shop Vac Quieter?
Use you your shop vac in an open space
Using a shop vac in a small close space like inside your garage can multiply the sound. The sound can bounce back when it meets the ceiling and the floor and create echoes. To avoid this problem, if you can, always use your shop vac in open space, outside.
If you have no choice but to use it inside, filling up the spaces with furniture and paintings can help absorb noise and echoes.
Muffle the shop vac
Vacuum noise mostly comes from the intake and outtake of air. So muffling the outtake can silence the noise. Here is the simplest way to do so:
- Measure the air outlet and cut a piece of cloth in the dimensions of the air outlet.
- Attach the cloth to the outlet. Poke a few holes for a bit of air to go out so that the motor doesn’t overheat.
- Then turn on the Shop-Vac to see the magic.
Dirty filters
When was the last time you cleaned your shop vac? Cuz a dirty filter can not only cause loud noise but also breed diseases. Therefore, it is important to clean your vacuum filters correctly and here is how:
- Disassemble the shop vac. Empty the tank or throw away the bag you're using.
- Use warm water and detergent to wash the tank. Add a cup of bleach then let it sit for 60 minutes. Then scrub thoroughly the inside of the tank and rinse it using a garden hose.
- Use water and soap to clean the filters.
- Remove the hose and accessories and wash them with cleaning solutions to kill the gems. Don’t forget to rinse the lid of the tank too.
- Reassemble the parts then test the vacuum to see if it works correctly.
Get a longer hose
Shorter hoses mean you are closer to the source of noise. That’s why you should keep distance from the shop vac by getting a longer hose. It by no means reduces the noise level of the shop vac itself but it will surely go easier on your ears.
Unclog the shop vac
If your shop vac is making weird noise, it might have a clog inside. You might have accidentally picked up a small object such as a button that may cause the unit to work harder.
Check inside to see if there is any clog and if you detect one, try to remove it by hand or a stick if it is too far within. If it seems impossible, take the vacuum to a repair shop.
Purchase a quiet shop vac
If you have tried all the ways above and none seems working, consider buying a quiet shop vac. It is the ultimate solution which will give you peace of mind, and stay away from noise complaints from neighbors.
FAQs
Why did my shop vac get loud?
Dirty filter
If your vacuum starts running loud, it’s time to check the filter. When it becomes extremely dirty it has to overwork to create suction and the suction power is not that strong.
This problem is simple to fix. Remove the filter in the vacuum, get rid of the remaining dust and debris on it and rinse it with warm water. Put it back into the vacuum when it is dry, and your shop vac should run at its normal noise level.
Broken fan
When dirt goes through and gets accumulated in the vacuum engine, it can cause the fan to break. Then the fan will need replacing. You can do it yourself or if you’re not confident, take the shop vac to the repair shop.
Clog
While vacuuming, you can accidentally suck up large objects such as a button or a bolt, your vacuum might be clogged. This way, it will have to work harder and create a lot of noise.
Check for a clog in the tubes of the wet dry vacuum. If there is one, remove it either by hand or by a stick or knitting needle if it is a hard clog. You can always ask for the help of professionals at a repair shop if you can’t remove the clog yourself.
Broken brush bearing
If you have gone through your shop vac and it doesn’t have any above problems, the brush bearing may be broken. When that happens, the shop vac gets noisy and begins to vibrate.
To solve the problem, just remove the brush and replace it or ask a professional to do it for you.
Can you use a shop vac for drywall dust?
Yes totally, it is safe to use a shop vac to vacuum drywall dust.
Why does my shop vac have no suction?
Dirty filters and/or a clogged hose are the most common cause of loss of suction. If you doubt your vac has the problems, remove the hose from the vacuum, turn on the vac and use your hand to check if there is any suction at the beginning of the inlet.
If there is then the issue is with your hose or attachments. Check for a clog in them. If no clog is detected, check the hose for any rip, hole or crack, which can cause a loss of suction. Replace the hose you find any.
If there is no suction at the inlet, turn the vac off and unplug it. Go through the manual to follow the steps to clean filters. Check the filters for rips and tears. If there is any, replace them.
And remember to empty the tank or change the bag if it is full. Install the filters back properly and plug the vacuum in, turn it on and use your hand to check for suction.
Can you use a shop vac as a regular vacuum?
Yes totally. A shop vac gives more suction power that is suitable for both dry and wet messes and is cheaper than a regular vacuum. But there is something you need to consider before choosing a shop vac over a regular one:
- House vacuums are generally quieter
- Shop vacs don't come with accessories for bookcases, cabinets, etc.
- Shop vac hoses are bigger so it is more difficult to fit under furniture
- If you plan on using your shop vac in the garage or jobsite, you’ll bet it gets dirty and dusty and you don’t want to bring it inside.
- Emptying a shop vac is messier than a normal one.
Conclusion
I hope all the information above is useful for your next shop vac purchase. Thank you for reading and see you in the next post.