Tech Solutions: Quiet Mark

Tech Solutions: Quiet Mark

Ideal Home Magazine, May 2025

WANT YOUR APPLIANCES TO BE SEEN BUT NOT HEARD? DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING AND LOOK FOR THE QUIET MARK…

When buying a new appliance, your budget will usually narrow down the options available to you. Functionality is often the next important factor in helping you choose your ideal model, followed by its aesthetics. So whereabouts does ‘noise’ come on your list? For many, the noise a machine makes might not even be something that is spared a thought, but ignoring this important factor can leave you with a machine that is at best disruptive, or worst, maddening.

What is Quiet Mark?

In short, Quiet Mark is an independent body associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society. They test and analyse the sound performance of a wide range of household appliances and technology, as well as building and commercial products. If a product operates below a certain decibel threshold for the product category without sacrificing on functionality, it will receive Quiet Mark certification.

Why is it important?

While it’s fairly easy to understand the benefits of having a quiet appliance, there are many reasons why looking for the Quiet Mark might need to be top of your wish list. Take open-plan living for instance. The kitchen might be the heart of your home, but if your washing machine makes a racket during the spin cycle, you might have to postpone putting a wash on when you’re watching TV or having dinner. If you live in a flat, you won’t make friends with your neighbours if you have a habit of making 6am smoothies in a noisy blender.

‘It’s not just loud sounds that infuriate,’ says Poppy Szkiler, founder and CEO of Quiet Mark. ‘The low constant hum of a boiler in the bedroom may also have a similar effect of irritation and possible sleep deprivation. By choosing quieter technology and effective acoustic solutions a peaceful backdrop can be created to de-stress and rebalance well-being at home, work, and in every living space.’

Image credit: Ideal Home Magazine, May 2025 Issue

What to look for

Surprisingly, creating quiet appliances isn’t high on most manufacturers’ lists of must-haves. Currently, approximately 9% of models on the market achieve Quiet Mark certification. So if you’re keen on having a machine that does the job without making a song and dance about it, look for the purple Quiet Mark Certified badge on packaging, or online.

Super quiet models

Ideal Home’s top-rated appliances with Quiet Mark

MAGIMIX 4200XL FOOD PROCESSOR

Despite its mighty 950-watt motor, our reviewer noted that ‘…while it’s not a quiet machine I did agree that the noise it makes is not annoying and does not create much of a disturbance in the kitchen.’

DUALIT CLASSIC KETTLE

Unlike many kettles that can sound like an aeroplane taking off, the Dualit Classic boils water in almost hushed tones, with our reviewer saying... 'we found that the noise this kettle makes isn’t disruptive.’

BLUEAIR BLUE MAX 3250i AIR PURIFIER

With many machines, the process of extracting polluted air and recycling it for purified air can be noisy. Our sleep editor Amy Lockwood personally tested this model, describing it as ‘very quiet’.

This article is adapted from the Ideal Home Magazine, May 2025 issue.