How Loud is a Roomba in Decibels (dB)?

A few decades ago, the idea of robots taking over various domestic chores seemed like the stuff we’d only ever see in sci-fi films. However, thanks to rapidly evolving technology, various automatic appliances have found themselves in our homes, unburdening us from monotonous and tedious tasks to make our lives easier.

An excellent example of such appliances is the iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner. These are automatic cleaners that don’t require you to push them around. Just sit back and let them roam around your home, doing all the work for you!

Convenient, right? So what’s the catch?

Some users cite the noise levels of these automatic cleaners as their main weakness. Not many people are willing to trade the peace and comfort of their homes for anything, not even for robotic cleaning.

But exactly how loud is a Roomba in decibels?

How Loud is a Decibel?

A decibel (dB) is the standard unit for measuring the intensity of sound. The higher the dB rating of an appliance or machine, the louder it’ll be. It’s measured using a dB reader that pulses up and down depending on the noise level.

Put in perspective, 10–20 dB is a very soft sound, like that of someone breathing normally or leaves rustling. During a normal conversation, the noise level will range from 50–60 dB, whereas the sound of a noisy restaurant or heavy traffic ranges from 80–90db.

Above 90 dB is now what you can consider as loud noise, which includes the sound of power tools, motorcycles, and even rock concerts at 110 dB. At the top of the chart are events such as a rocket launch, with a rating of up to 180 dB.

Fortunately, no vacuum cleaner will reach the noise levels of a rock concert or rocket launch!

How Loud is a Roomba?

iRobot Roomba vacuums are relatively quiet, with an average dB rating of 48 to 71 dB. As such, the quietest model will be slightly lower in noise than a normal conversation, meaning you can go about your day without noticing it.

Even the loudest model at 71 dB is not too loud and should not interfere much with your home’s comfort. However, for these, you might want to leave the vacuum on when you’re away to reduce the level of interference.

Even the loudest Roomba vacuum cleaners are quieter compared to other upright models. Top models like Dyson can get a dB rating as high as 90 dB, which is a lot of noise compared to the measly 71 dBs of Roomba.

Noise Level Comparison for Different Roomba Models

Various factors determine how loud your Roomba vacuum cleaner will be, including the surface being cleaned, the design of the model, and the vacuum’s suction power.

In the table below, we compare the noise level of different Roomba models when used on carpets vs. hardwood floors to make it easy for you to decide.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Roomba models are not loud. At an average noise level of 60 dB, Roomba models are quieter than the industry average, making them an excellent choice of automatic vacuum cleaners.