Good vacuums that are quiet include the Oreck Quest Pro or any of the Miele machines. LG has come out with the LUV300B that isn’t too bad for noise or price. The cheapest quiet vacuum I can recommend is a Shark Navigator or Lift-Away.

http://www.bestvacuumreviews.com/oreck-quest-pro.html
http://www.bestvacuumreviews.com/miele.html
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GZQ3FC?ie=UTF8&tag=besvacrev-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B003GZQ3FC
http://www.bestvacuumreviews.com/shark-navigator.html
http://www.bestvacuumreviews.com/shark-navigator-lift-away.html

I would truly give this vacuum 100 stars if I could. Do you know what it is like to receive something that exceeds your expectations 10-fold? This was not an impulsive or inexpensive purchase, but it was worth every cent to have everything I have wished I could have in a vacuum. I have had an Oreck for the last 7 years and knew I could never use a non-lightweight vac again. I was thinking I would “have to” buy another Oreck, then saw a commercial for this Hoover. After doing some research, I ordered one, never thinking it would be THIS good. It says it is a couple pounds heavier than an Oreck, but it feels lighter to me, and handles more easily. It is beautifully constructed, and has an exceptionally long cord. The handle is honestly comfortable to hold, and the vac easy to lift and use on stairs – especially with the special handles. But the AMAZING thing about this vac is it seems to propel itself effortlessly back and forth!!!! The Oreck was difficult to push on my dense, low carpets, but this machine feels like it does the work for you. The controls are conveniently placed, and the two speeds very useful. I have never been so excited over an appliance in my life. The portable canister & attachments it comes with are actually pretty nice, too, although I didn’t buy it for those. I will be telling everyone I know about this vacuum and highly recommend it.

By J. Becker (Seattle, WA USA)

Hoover Platinum Lightweight Bagged Upright with Canister (UH30010COM) (3/14/09)

Overall, this is a terrific vacuum. The person who will be happiest with this combination is the person who: (1) wants a lightweight vacuum, (2) has mostly carpet in their home, (3) has carpeted stairs, and (4) uses attachments.

I liked my old vacuum, so using the LBU has been an eye-opening experience for me: I didn’t realize how much effort I was exerting with my old upright with attachments – not only heavier, but so much bending and stooping to change settings or get tools.

At 11 pounds, the LBU is 2 to 3 pounds heavier- but less expensive – than competing models. Bonuses: it has a longer cord and a stair cleaning handle.

Competing models -
Hoover LBU, 11 lbs list $ 400/retail $ 400 (includes canister), 6 yr warranty
Riccar RSL5; 8 lbs list $ 710/ retail $ 500 (without canister), 3 yr warranty
Oreck XL Gold: 9 lbs list $ 600/ retail $ 500 (includes canister), 5/10 warranty
Oreck XL Platinum: 9 lbs list $ 800/ retail $ 600 (includes canister), 10 yr warranty

All of these uprights (including the LBU) are similar to commercial models, but you don’t get the same auto carpet height adjustment, lifetime belt, HEPA filtration, and warranty on commercial models.

The supplementary canister has a strap and a 25 food cord. I didn’t like it the first time I tried it, but the second time I adjusted the strap to fit me (DUH!), and then I LOVED it! The canister carries the crevice and brush attachments on board, so switching is easy, and the wand is extendable. (I don’t use the floor tool, because I use a stick vac on my hardwoods.)

If you want details about specific features, read on:

PROS

FINGERTIP CONTROLS – Wonderful. Many models have this type of control now, and now that I have used it I wouldn’t buy one that didn’t have it.

HEPA SYSTEM – Remarkable. My old vacuum was a HEPA model with HEPA bags, but there is no comparison to this model. The air on this vacuum comes out smelling fabulous. I bought and returned a top rated Kenmore canister that had the exact same amazingly clean exhaust (turns out I don’t like using a canister), so I think this is the new hallmark of quality vacuums.

AUTO CARPET HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT – Works beautifully. I used to have to stoop down to change the carpet height adjustment on different rugs, but the LBU self-adjustment really works – no problem pushing vacuum over even the thickest pile.

CORD PLACEMENT – Smart! It comes out the behind the top of the bag rather than the bottom. This means I have even more useable cord, because I don’t have to hold part of the cord up to avoid running over it.

CLEANING ABILITY – VERY effective carpet cleaner, my 15 year-old carpets look & feel (to bare feet) remarkably cleaner, and even look & feel newer. Excellent at removing pet hair from carpet. The upright is 5.5 amps with direct air flow, like the Riccar & Oreck models listed. The canister is 7 amps. (The combined total is listed in the product description – very confusing. I suppose that Hoover thought consumers want a 12 amp machine, but amps are like gas mileage; if you get more suction for less amperage it’s like getting better mileage. That’s good, not bad. Plus you won’t blow your fuses!)

EASILY MANEUVERABLE – One expects this of a lightweight model, and all the models I tried turned easily and so forth, but the Riccar & Orecks I tried had to be kicked or tipped up over the edge of an area rug placed onto another carpet. In my home I have area rugs in several rooms on top of the wall-to-wall carpeting, and the LBU moves seamlessly over the edges (even on my thickest area rug) without needing a kick or an extra hard push.

LIFETIME LED HEADLIGHT – Brilliant! (Literally!) It is brighter than any other light I have ever had on a vacuum, and is it actually aimed at the carpet! I think having the LEDs has allowed them to aim the light better than with a standard bulb. I am sure other LED equipped models are comparable, so look for this feature,

LIFETIME BELT – YES! I’ve replaced SO many belts over the years and I won’t have to do THAT anymore, thank goodness.

STAIR-CLEANING HANDLE – Finally. It is comfortably shaped & works well. To use competitors’ models on stairs, you have to hold them by the back tube, which I’ve tried, and it isn’t nearly as easy as using the handle. However, see cons below.