Blenders are incredibly useful kitchen appliances that allow you to quickly and easily blend, puree, mix, and process foods and liquids. However, one common complaint about blenders is that they can be very loud when in use. The high-powered motors that allow blenders to handle tough ingredients like ice and frozen fruits also create a lot of noise.
If you use your blender frequently, the loud noise can be annoying, disruptive, or even damaging to your hearing. Luckily, there are some simple ways to help deaden the sound coming from your blender so you can continue enjoying smoothies, soups, sauces, and more without quite so much noise pollution in your home.
Use a Sound Dampening Mat
One of the easiest ways to reduce blender noise is by placing it on a sound dampening mat designed specifically for appliances. These mats are made from materials that absorb vibration and sound rather than amplifying it. Many are made from non-slip rubber or foam and have ridges to prevent the blender from sliding around.
Using a sound dampening mat can reduce blender noise by several decibels. They are very affordable, usually costing around $10-20. Simply place the mat on your counter and put your blender on top while operating. The mat will absorb much of the vibrations that lead to noise.
Add Sound Dampening Pads
Another easy fix is to use self-adhesive sound dampening pads. These pads are made from dense foam or rubber compounds that isolate vibration and dampen sound. They can be easily attached to the interior or exterior of the blender jar.
Apply the pads near high vibration areas, like where the blades attach to the jar bottom or on the jar walls. As your blender operates, the pads will decrease noise from the container. Make sure to clean the pads regularly. A 4-pack of blender sound dampening pads costs around $10.
Use a Silicone Blender Muffler
For a more heavy-duty noise reduction solution, consider using a silicone blender muffler. These fit onto the blender jar like a sleeve, covering the sides and bottom. The flexible, food-safe silicone dampens noise but still allows you to see inside the container.
Silicone mufflers can lower blender noise by up to 10 decibels. However, they may not fit all jar shapes and sizes. Mufflers designed for standard Mason jars are more universally compatible. Expect to pay around $15 for a blender muffler.
Operate on Anti-Vibration Mat
Another helpful tool is an anti-vibration mat designed for placing appliances on. These firm, engineered mats isolate and dampen machine vibrations rather than amplifying them like solid counter tops can. They are intended for heavy equipment like washers and dryers but also work great for blenders.
Anti-vibration mats cost a bit more than other solutions, usually between $30-60 depending on the size. However, they last a long time and provide noise reduction for any appliance. Place your blender on the mat when operating to keep vibrations from transferring into surrounding surfaces.
Maintenance Tips
In addition to products designed to cut down on noise, keeping your blender well-maintained can also help it run more quietly. Follow these tips:
- Tighten all jar parts before blending
- Avoid overloading the container
- Replace worn gaskets and seals
- Lubricate blades regularly
- Don’t blend for longer than necessary
- Clean dusty fans and vents
Doing this maintenance helps ensure your blender components are in prime working condition so less noise is produced from rattling, friction, and strain on the motor.
Use Sound Barriers
If the above tips aren’t enough, consider using sound barriers to block and absorb blender noise. For example:
- Place noise dampening panels, foam, or fabric on surrounding walls
- Put the blender inside an insulated box while running
- Operate the blender inside a soundproof enclosure
- Build a customized soundproof housing for the blender
These more extensive sound blocking solutions require some DIY work but are effective at drastically reducing blender noise.
Purchase a Quieter Model
If your blender is still too loud even after trying noise reducing products and maintenance, it may be time to consider upgrading to a quieter blender model. When shopping for a new blender, look for key features that lower noise:
- Enclosed motor housing
- Rubber coupling to reduce vibration
- Multiple layered jars
- Sound absorbing materials
- QuietMark Certification
Brands like Vitamix, Blendtec, and KitchenAid offer high-performance blender models designed to operate much more quietly than average blenders. Purchasing one of these can greatly reduce noise during use.
Adjust Usage Habits
Sometimes the easiest solution is to simply adjust the way you use your blender. Here are some tips for blending more quietly:
- Only blend during waking hours
- Fill jar fuller to dampen noise
- Pulse instead of continuous blending
- Slowly increase speed
- Use lower speeds when possible
- Blend for shorter durations
- Schedule noisy blending for less disruptive times
Being mindful of when and how you operate your blender can go a long way in reducing nuisance noise levels.
Comparison of Noise Reduction Methods
| Method | Estimated Noise Reduction | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sound dampening mat | 2-4 dB | $10-20 |
| Sound dampening pads | 3-6 dB | $10 |
| Silicone muffler | 8-10 dB | $15 |
| Anti-vibration mat | 4-8 dB | $30-60 |
| Sound barriers | 10-15 dB | Varies |
| Quieter blender | 10-15+ dB | $100-500+ |
As you can see, there are affordable and effective options for deadening blender noise ranging from small upgrades like a sound dampening mat all the way up to investing in an entire whisper-quiet blender. Finding the right solution comes down to your noise tolerance levels and budget.
Conclusion
Nobody wants to have to put up with excessively loud blender noise every time they want a smoothie. Luckily, with some simple upgrades and adjustments, you can continue using your blender without all the racket. Use sound dampening mats, pads, covers, and maintenance to reduce vibrations and noise levels by several decibels.
For even more significant noise reduction, containment and barriers can block sound from spreading. Or invest in a blender designed for ultra-quiet operation. Be mindful of how and when you blend to minimize disruption. With a few smart tweaks, you can enjoy delicious blended drinks, soups, and more without the headache of a deafening blender.
