How to measure washing machine noise
Compare room noise before and during a wash cycle, keep the microphone in one position, and learn what a change in decibels can tell you.
Your washer may sound louder during one part of a cycle, or a new vibration may be carrying through the room. A simple before-and-during measurement can show whether the room gets noisier and when the change happens.
Use the Noise Meter to see sound levels in decibels through your device's microphone. For a useful comparison, keep the same device in the same place and compare the washer with the room's usual background noise.
Measure the washer during a cycle
- Open the Noise Meter in a browser on a phone or computer near the laundry room. Allow microphone access when the browser asks.
- Choose a safe, stable spot for the device, such as a shelf or counter a few feet from the washer. Keep it away from water, heat, moving parts, and the washer itself. Do not put a phone or laptop on top of the machine.
- With the washer off, let the Noise Meter settle and note the typical room reading. Also notice whether nearby sounds, such as a fan or conversation, are changing it.
- Start the washer and watch the reading during different parts of the cycle. Note when the level rises, for example during filling, washing, draining, or spinning. Cycle stages and their order vary by model.
- When the cycle ends, check the room reading again. If you want to compare another cycle, keep the device in the same position and use similar room conditions.
Write down the usual background level and the readings you see during the washer's louder stages. A single moment can be misleading, because a passing vehicle, a person speaking, or a nearby appliance can affect the result.
What the readings mean
The level rises briefly during a cycle
A short rise can come from the washer filling, pumping water out, or changing its drum movement. The number alone cannot identify which part made the sound. Note when it happens and whether the same sound occurs in later cycles.
The level stays higher during spinning
Spinning often makes more noise than slower parts of a wash. If the increase is new, unusually strong, or accompanied by heavy shaking, check that the washer is level, the load is balanced, and the machine has the clearance its manual requires. Stop the cycle if the washer is moving across the floor or striking nearby objects.
The room reading changes only a little
The washer may not be much louder than the room's background sound at that location. A closed door, a wall, or distance can reduce what reaches the microphone. A small change does not prove that the washer is silent, only that the sound level at the device did not rise much.
The reading jumps around
Nearby speech, traffic, a fan, or automatic microphone processing can make the number fluctuate. Watch the typical level over a short period instead of relying on the highest moment. Repeat the comparison when the room is quieter, if practical.
The number is different on another device
Phone and computer microphones vary in sensitivity and sound processing. The Noise Meter is useful for comparing conditions with the same device, but its reading is not a calibrated professional sound measurement. Do not treat a small difference between devices as proof that the washer changed.
How to make the comparison more reliable
- Keep the distance fixed. Mark or remember one location and use it for every reading. Moving the device closer can change the level more than the washer itself did.
- Use the same device and browser. Different microphones and browser processing can give different readings, so avoid comparing a phone reading with a laptop reading as if they were measured by the same instrument.
- Compare similar room conditions. Close the same doors each time and switch off unrelated noise sources if you safely can. Do not change the room setup between the background check and the washer check.
- Observe more than one cycle stage. A washer can be quiet while washing and louder while draining or spinning. Record the stage next to each reading rather than saving only the highest number.
- Repeat a surprising result. If one cycle is much louder than usual, make another comparison under similar conditions. A changed load or an object touching the cabinet can affect the sound.
Decibels use a logarithmic scale, so the numbers do not behave like ordinary steps on a ruler. A rise of a few decibels can be measurable without sounding dramatically louder, and perceived loudness depends on the sound and the listener. Focus on repeatable changes at the same position, not on a single number as a verdict.
If the Noise Meter does not show a reading
- Allow microphone access in the browser. Open the site's permission controls from the address bar, allow the microphone, and reload the page. Every tool that uses a microphone needs permission before it can measure sound.
- Check system microphone access. In Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone and allow microphone access for apps and desktop apps. On macOS, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and allow access for your browser.
- Check phone permissions. On Android, open Settings › Apps, choose your browser, then check Permissions › Microphone. On iPhone, check Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and the browser's site permissions. Menu names can differ slightly by device and operating system version.
- Close another app using the microphone. A call or recording app may be using the input. Close it and try the Noise Meter again.
- Check for a physical mute or blocked microphone. Make sure a headset is not muted and that a case or cover is not blocking the device's microphone.
When the noise needs attention
A decibel reading cannot tell you whether a washer is mechanically damaged. Pay attention to the sound itself and to changes in how the machine behaves. Repeated banging, scraping, grinding, a burning smell, a leak, or violent movement are reasons to stop the cycle and consult the washer's manual or a qualified repair professional. If the sound started after installation, check that shipping bolts were removed and that the washer is level, following the manufacturer's instructions.
The Noise Meter uses your device's microphone to measure the sound around it, so keep the device still and avoid placing it where vibration or water could damage it.
