Jeff Flowers on June 29, 2015 30 Comments When shopping for a new dishwasher, you may not realize the difference that a few decibels can make in terms of how loud your dishwasher is when you run a cycle. In fact, a low decibel rating is the most-requested features that people seek in a dishwasher. It makes sense, as nobody wants a loud appliance interrupting their family dinner. A noisy dishwasher isn’t just a nuisance that affects the kitchen, depending on its location it may be a disruptive distraction for many other day-to-day household activities. Waking up a sleeping baby or drowning out your favorite TV show are two scenarios that would likely play-out in my house, and depending on the layout of your home, you could probably think of a few situations where a loud dishwasher would be annoying. Before you buy a new dishwasher, let’s take a closer look at what a dishwasher “decibel rating” means and why you should be paying attention to it. What Is A Decibel? A decibel (dB) is a logarithmic unit that is used to describe levels of sound. Often decibels are measured as dBA units, which filter out higher and lower frequencies to be more representative of the way humans can hear. Using dBA units, sound monitors can accurately reflect what noise frequencies the human ear will be sensitive to. Most dishwashers range from about 46 to 60 decibels. On the surface, this decibel level may not sound like much, but in reality, this is loud enough to interrupt a normal conversation. To give you a better idea of how loud this may be, here are some common sounds with the average decibel rating for each: Decibel Levels of Common Sounds Noise Level Sound Noise Level Sound 10 dB Normal Breathing 88 dB Subway 20 dB Watch Ticking 90 dB Train Whistle 20 dB Rustling Leaves 98 dB Hand Drill 20-30 dB Whisper 100 dB Garbage Truck 50 dB Refrigerator 103 dB Jet Flyover at 1,000 ft. 60 dB Normal Conversation 105 dB Snowmobile 70 dB Vacuum Cleaner 110 dB Chainsaw 70 dB Hair Dryer 110 dB Symphony Orchestra 75-80 dB Dishwashers 110 dB Car Horn 78 dB Washing Machine 110 dB Jackhammer 80 dB Garbage Disposal 115 dB Loud Rock Concert 80 dB Telephone Dial Tone 120 dB Thunder 85-90 dB Blender 130 dB Shotgun Blast 85-90 dB Lawnmower 140 dB Jet Engine How Many Decibels Is A Quiet Dishwasher? As you can see, even just one decibel can make a difference. It is important to pay attention to the decibel rating of your dishwasher, because if your model has a dBA high of 60, you’ll likely end up competing with the dishwasher to hear your dinner conversations. A lower dBA range—around 38 or 40 dBA is considered a silent model—can mean that the dishwasher can run anytime of day or even night without disrupting normal household activities. Many newer model dishwashers, including portable and 18 inch models, even feature an indicator light to alert you that they are washing, because they can be so quiet that you may not even realize that they are running at all. 4 Factors That Determine How Quiet A Dishwasher Is Most manufacturers will provide the decibel rating for their dishwashers. However, below we have listed out the most common factors that can play a role in how loud or quiet your dishwasher is. 1. The Design When your dishwasher was built, how it was built, and what materials it was made of all play a role in the sound level it reaches when it is running. Even dishwashers from only 10 years ago are usually louder than newer models; this can be because of materials used, innovations in dishwasher design, and the way houses are currently arranged. With the popularity of open-floor plans growing around the world, manufacturers are forced to consider how loud their dishwashers really are. It’s one thing if you can hear the dishwasher running in the kitchen, but it’s entirely different if you can hear it from across the house. As such, designers are taking this into consideration when designing newer dishwashers, making today’s models quieter to run and less disruptive to the household as a whole. 2. Quality of Materials The decibel rating of a dishwasher goes way beyond the design. In fact, the biggest factor in lowering the decibel rating of your dishwasher lies in the quality of materials used within the assembly. Dishwashers contain insulation in the sides and front of the machine, and the higher the quality of the insulation, the lower the decibel rating will be. Likewise, the thicker the insulation is also plays a role in lowering the decibel rating. As an extra benefit, better insulation can also increase the energy efficiency of your machine. If you already own an older model dishwasher or a machine that is too loud, you can purchase sound-deadening material, similar to insulation, which is wrapped around the top and sides of the dishwasher, helping to reduce the noise and make a quieter kitchen. Dishwashers with stainless steel interiors are a popular choice, and although they can be more expensive upfront, they are much quieter than models with plastic tubs. Stainless steel tubs are more capable of absorbing sounds from the water spraying around inside the unit. On top of this, stainless steel is able to retain heat in as more efficient manner than its plastic counterparts. Not only does this help shorter the drying time, but it also helps you save money on energy costs and keeps the noise going at shorter durations. Stainless steel is also easier to clean, and won’t absorb odors as plastics can. 3. Construction is Crucial The basic construction of your dishwasher also matters in terms of sound quality. If your machine’s motor is attached to the base of your dishwasher, it is likely to be quieter than models where the pump and motor are attached to the tub. Unfortunately, dishwashers that have the motor built into the base of the unit tend to cost more, as the materials used cost more. 4. Extra Features Can Mean Extra Noise Supplementary convenience features in dishwasher models can also contribute to the overall noise level of the machine. Extra features such as disposal systems, additional spray arms, added jets, and certain dishwasher filters can all make a big difference in the decibel rating of your appliance. Dishwashers that contain a disposal system tend to be louder than those without, as the chopping and pulverizing of food particles will contribute to the noise level it achieves. Additional spray arms and added jets will also create more noise than other models simply because of the extra water shooting around inside of your machine. Certain spray jets are designed to shoot water only at your dishes and are engineered for the water not to reach the sides of the machine, but these specially designed jets also add cost. Dishwasher filters affect noise level as well. Every dishwasher has a filter that catches food particles and prevents them from attaching to just-washed dishes. If your dishwasher contains a self-cleaning filter, it also contains a motor that will pulverize any food bits and wash them down the drain. You won’t have to clean it yourself, but that extra process will also mean extra noise. Manual filters will have to be cleaned every few months, but they can help reduce the noise level of your machine. How Many Decibels Is A Quiet Dishwasher? There are many factors that go into how loud or quiet a dishwasher is. Unfortunately, when it comes to buying a dishwasher with the best decibel rating, it seems to be true that you get what you pay for. More expensive models predictably use higher-grade materials, contain better quality insulation, and feature stainless steel interiors that all work together to create a quieter, lower-decibel level dishwasher.
TGWOH says April 15, 2017 at 3:05 pm I just ran across this article. We bought a new dishwasher January 2016. Noise was my prime concern as the old one some, 30 years old, could be heard all over the house. We settle on a under $400 Whirlpool model that boosted a noise level max of 35 DB. I have a noise meter app on my phone and it indicated that the background noise level in the store was a little under 35 DB when there were no announcements going on. The store seemed quiet to me. When the machine was installed at home I immediately tested it’s noise level. It ran about 32 DB fluctuating somewhat, but never above 35 DB. 16 months of twice a week use, it is still running around 32 DB, and I have not seen it go above 35 DB. My measurements were taken at six inches from the machine and at 3 feet. Of course the further away I was, the lower the noise level. My home with no pets, no kids has 30 to 34 DB of background noise, so the dishwasher may actually be quieter than what I can determine. We cannot generally hear this machine unless we are up close or listening for it. It has a small row of lights that tell us what it is doing. When it is finished, there is a 3 to 5 second tone at approximately 50 DB. Reply
Ted says July 8, 2017 at 9:25 am After searching for quite awhile, I can find no such animal. Whirlpool models are generally 45db or above. Extremely quiet models (under 40db) normally cost over $1000. Reply
William says November 10, 2018 at 5:24 pm I have Whirlpool WDT920SADM at 46 decibels and it’s remarkably quiet without paying the premium to go to the silent models. Reply
Stacia says October 10, 2019 at 9:16 pm Hi TGWOH, I’m looking for a quiet dBA model, stainless steel inside, and good quality product. What model Whirlpool did you purchase and are you still happy with it and any complaints? Please advise. Reply
Vera Dibenedetto says August 1, 2017 at 7:53 am What would be a better choice in quality , cost, water usage, and would have a lower water bill, and is an energy star product; a kitchen aid full console dishwasher, 6 cycles, 5 options, including pro wash cycle, satinglide max upper rack , stainless steel tub with heated dry option, and a 48 dba sound level, priced at $629.98, or a frigidair fully intergrated gallery series stainless steel dishwasher with 7 wash cycles with orbitclean spray arm, 53 dba sound level, Saharadry performance priced at $538.98, a Bosch fully intergrated stainless steel dishwasher with 5 wash cycles/5 options, a silence rating of44 dba, flexible 3rd rack for additional loading priced at $809.98, or a beko 18″ fully intergrated stainlesss steel dishwasher , 5 wash cycles/ 5 options, sensor wash with brushless motor, 8 place setting and s stainless steel tub priced st $749.98. This is the first time I’m looking to purchase and have no idea which would be a better choice from these 4 options, and if there is one that you think is better than any if these even if there are other brands that I should look at please let me know where to start. Any advise would be greatly appreciated . These are just a few on sale at PC Richards. Even another store , brand or website that I should look at would be helpful. Also what does re-installation after mail in rebate mean and what dies “excludes benchmark” mean and is that a big issue I should lol out for. Thank you. Reply
Nick says December 22, 2017 at 9:07 am If you’re still looking i’d go with the LG LDP6797ST. i recently purchased it and couldn’t be happier with it. At 44 db, I can barely hear it running and has plenty of options. Reply
Eliz says May 2, 2018 at 12:42 pm Nick: Are you still happy with the LG 6797 model? That’s the one I’m considering to purchase. Thanks! Reply
William says November 10, 2018 at 4:59 pm Avoid LG. My sister has one and the main motor assembly has been replaced twice and should be replaced a 3rd time, the first time was under warranty. I replaced the main motor assembly the 2nd time (heater coil melted the plastic housing at bottom, which caused a leak all over the floor). It has since broken again, the heater simply stopped working so everything drip dries now. Reply
Virginia says September 8, 2019 at 1:13 pm I had a LG and the motor went on it also. Only 4 years old and the price was around $800. I will ever buy an LG dishwasher again. Going with a kitchenaide. Hope it lasts.
Sandy says November 2, 2019 at 9:00 pm I am looking for a dishwasher that will run quiet. Any suggestions anyone? Reply
Vera Dibenedetto says August 1, 2017 at 8:10 am Any advise or help again would be greatly appreciated because I do suffer from mental illness and have a learning disability as well as have suffered from carbon dioxide poisoning from breathing in fumes from a vehicle I once owned that almost killed me because of how high the level of poison I had ingested while driving that car for over s month; basically after I woke up after being treated with oxygen the doctors told me the damage to my brain was as if I was an alcoholic and had been drinking for 50 years. I used to be considered somewhat of a genius and now I suffer from short and long term memory loss and reading and comprehending what I read. I can’t read books any more or go to school to higher my education because once I read a paragraph to the next, not only can I not remember what I read and have to read the same material over and over, I have a really hard time comprehending and understanding what I just read and can’t even remember . So any help as you can see would make a world of difference , and the simpler the information and answer to my questions the better. Again thank you and have a great day! Reply
Karen says September 8, 2017 at 12:32 pm Go with the kitchen aid and ck out online prices at Home Depot or go to a local HD Reply
Gibson.Ken says December 31, 2019 at 10:17 pm The wire saw is broken and the water drops are worn Reply
Sherrie says November 28, 2017 at 10:34 pm I have a Bosch and it is extremely quiet. I can hardly hear it run except when it beeps it’s done. Stainless steel tub inside also helps. Reply
Lane J Poppe says May 28, 2019 at 8:06 pm We have a Bosch.. and it is very very quiet, so quiet, you do nto even know it is running! BUT we are plagued with constant e24 errors, .. a drainage issue, if we leave the slightest amount of food on the dishes it clogs and stops cycling. We end up hand washing teh dishes every 2 months or so. till we get around to trying to fix the issue ourselves. Look up E24 error Bosch.. you will be amazed at the number of issues. Reply
Dalia Cortez says March 25, 2020 at 12:21 pm Yes I bought one a Bosh 500 series on dec 26 2019 and had so many problems it worked two times in 3 months and had it service 3 times until I said I don’t want service any More it also gave me an E 24 drainage problem . Do not recommend it at all. Reply
Patricia Greene says April 28, 2018 at 8:59 am I have a Bosch and I hate it. The best thing I can say about it is that it is quiet. That’s because it has no soft food disposal. So one must practically wash the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Also the running time for a normal wash is 133 minutes. That’s a long time! I’ve complained to the Bosch people about this dishwasher a number of times. Apparently all my complaints have no merit. The cheap plastic spinning water jet arms constantly get clogged with stuff that gets in the dishwasher. I have to use tweezers to remove these little pieces of flotsom and jetsom. The reason I’m looking at this site is that I’m buying a new dishwasher WITH a soft food disposal like my tried and true former Kitchen Aid. No more Bosch EVER. Reply
Rick Davis says July 27, 2019 at 9:05 am Agreed. We tried a Bosch and I couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. Super slooooow. Food left on everything. Went to Kitchen Aid and have never looked back. Reply
Maher Abunamous says May 17, 2018 at 9:09 am I need to find out what is the dba sound rating of my dishwasher: bosch SHU43C02UC/17. I searched all over but could not find any information. If anyone knows I would appreciate. Maher Reply
Karen says August 24, 2019 at 5:41 pm Maher – The use and care manual for the Bosch SHU43C02UC/17 shows 54 db Reply
Valerie says November 4, 2018 at 1:29 pm Maher-If you didn’t fund out by now, all Bosch are 38 decibels Reply
Jane says April 7, 2019 at 12:15 pm I have to say i was just going around the internet trying to get an accurate decibel scale and holy christ are you people out of your minds, its a washer, they make noise, who cares, i can here the buttons on my jean buttons bouncing around in the washer right now, it doesn’t matter how loud it is as long as its not broken it still works right? My god some people are just insane. Reply
Peter B says November 19, 2019 at 8:29 pm Most BOsch dishwashers are in the 44 DBA range. Yes, they do have one (or more) in the 38DBA range but they are very, very expensive, somewhere around $2000. Reply
