How to compare kitchen appliance noise

A blender seems louder than the dishwasher, but the dishwasher is closer to where you sit. Or a new range hood sounds quiet until the kitchen is otherwise still. To compare appliances, measure them in a consistent way rather than relying on memory.

The Noise Meter uses your device microphone to show sound level in decibels. It can help compare appliances in the same room, though it is not a calibrated sound meter for legal or professional measurements.

Compare the appliances

Open the Noise Meter on the device you will use for every reading. Allow microphone access when the browser asks.
Choose a fixed measuring spot. For appliances you can move, place the microphone about 3 feet away, at the same height each time. For installed appliances, mark a usual listening position, such as where you stand while cooking.
With the appliance off, check the room's background reading for about 20 seconds. Note the typical level, not a brief peak. Turn off other noise sources, such as a running faucet or television, if you want to compare the appliances themselves.
Run the first appliance in the mode you actually use. Wait for its sound to settle, then note the typical reading and any louder moments. Repeat the same process for the next appliance.

Write down the appliance, setting, measuring position, background reading, and typical operating reading. For a blender, use the same speed and a similar load each time. For a dishwasher, compare the same part of the cycle if possible, since filling, washing, and draining can sound different.

What the readings mean

One appliance has a higher typical reading

At your chosen position, it produced a higher measured sound level during the test. A difference is most useful when the room background was steady and the appliances were measured at the same distance. A higher reading does not necessarily mean the appliance is more annoying: a low hum, a high-pitched whine, and intermittent rattling can feel very different even at similar levels.

The readings are close

The meter did not show a clear level difference in that setup. The sound may still seem different because of its pitch, rhythm, or vibration. Listen for those qualities too, especially if you are choosing an appliance for an open kitchen or a room next to a bedroom.

The reading jumps around

The appliance may change its sound as it works, or a passing noise may have affected the result. Note the range and the loud events rather than selecting the highest number. Repeat the test at a quieter time if the room itself is busy.

The room background is nearly as loud

Your comparison is limited by other sounds in the room. A refrigerator, ventilation system, traffic, or a running appliance nearby can mask small differences. If you cannot reduce that noise, keep it consistent and compare only larger, repeatable changes.

Make the comparison fair

Keep the microphone position fixed. Mark the spot on the counter or floor, and keep the microphone at the same height and orientation. Even moving it closer can change the reading substantially.
Use the same device and browser. Microphones vary in sensitivity, and some devices adjust input levels automatically. A phone and a laptop may show different values in the same room. Use one device for all comparisons.
Measure the background each time. A passing car or a person speaking can raise the reading. If the background changes a lot between appliance tests, wait and repeat rather than treating the numbers as directly comparable.
Compare matching operating conditions. Use the same speed, cycle, or setting. For a range hood, compare the same fan level. For a refrigerator, listen across several compressor cycles instead of comparing one short moment.
Repeat each measurement. Take at least three readings at separate moments, then compare the usual levels. Repeated results are more useful than a single peak caused by a click, clunk, or sudden motor start.
Pay attention to sound character. Note whether the appliance hums, rattles, pulses, or produces a sharp tone. A meter gives you a level estimate, not a full description of how pleasant or distracting the sound is.

Decibels use a logarithmic scale, so the numbers do not work like ordinary addition. A difference of about 10 dB is often perceived as roughly twice as loud, but perception depends on the sound and the listener. Treat small differences from a phone or laptop microphone cautiously rather than using a strict cutoff.

If the meter does not respond

The browser needs microphone permission to read sound levels. If you denied the request, open the browser's site permissions for TooLab and allow microphone access, then reload the tool. On Windows 11, check Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone and allow microphone access for desktop apps. On macOS, check System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and enable access for your browser.

On an iPhone, check Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone, then check the browser's website permissions. On Android, check Settings › Apps › [your browser] › Permissions › Microphone. Menu names can differ slightly by device and software version. Close another app that may be using the microphone, then try the meter again.

What a browser noise reading cannot tell you

The Noise Meter estimates sound level from the microphone available to the browser. It cannot certify an appliance's noise rating, identify a failing motor, or separate the appliance from every reflection and sound in your kitchen. It also cannot make readings from different phones directly comparable, because microphone sensitivity and sound processing vary by device.

For a practical home choice, use repeated readings from one device and one position, then listen for the kinds of sounds you find distracting during normal use.