How Loud Is A Food Processor? [With Tips On How To Choose A Quiet One!]

Do you have a noisy food processor in your kitchen, and you find yourself wondering how many decibels an average food processor projects? Maybe you are interested in purchasing a new food processor, and you would like guidance regarding how to find a quieter brand or model? We've researched these questions and have found informative results to share with you!

While shopping for a quiet food processor, it is important to remember that all food processors will create some noise level while processing. Even the quietest models will still make some noise, especially when chopping dense foods. Apply the following suggestions to help assist you while shopping for a quiet food processor:

• Read the product description for details about decibels.
• Compare brands. 
• Read product reviews.
• Visit a kitchenware shop and ask to demo a few of the models.
• Keep wattage above 600 when searching for quieter models.
• Look for brands that advertise lower decibel food processors.

Are you interested in learning more about how to find and purchase a quiet food processor? Curious about the brands that are deemed the quietest options on the marketplace? Please continue reading; we have helpful answers to these questions.

How to choose a quiet food processor

Firstly, determine how many people you will be cooking for regularly and tailor the cup capacity around that number. Suppose you cook for four people in your home, then purchasing an 11-cup capacity food processor should provide plenty of space

. Seven cup and smaller food processors are considered choppers or mini processors that can perform the same tasks as the larger models, only with a smaller mixing bowl.

Secondly, compose a list of ideal features your new food processor must have--such as a dough blade, multi-speed, and pulse features. Having a solid idea of what type of food processor and features you want will help you find the best option for your culinary needs.

Thirdly, read the manufacturer's information and customer reviews. Obtaining an idea of what the appliance is designed for paired with how customers worldwide reviewed the appliance is a great way to learn more about individual brands and models. Also, consider reading consumer reports to see how the general public has felt towards the products.

Fourthly, always check the wattage and make sure that the model you chose is 600 or above. The higher the wattage, the quieter the motor will be when it is running. Also, check the decibel range stated by the manufacturer for accuracy.

Curious about the longevity of food processors? Head over to this post: How Long Does a Food Processor Last?

How many decibels is a food processor?

Generally, a running food processor is 95 decibels when processing foods. For comparison, an ambulance siren is 110 decibels, and the average concert is somewhere around 131 decibels. Needless to say, food processors are loud! However, some brands and models are a few decibels higher and lower than 95 on the market.

According to the CDC, any noise above 80 decibels after two hours of exposure can contribute to gradual hearing loss. Although there are several everyday occurrences the surpass 80 decibels, such as the passing of a motorcycle, an approaching train, or a car horn-- it is important to understand how easily the human ear can be damaged by noise. Another reason choosing a quiet food processor is more than an investment in your kitchen; it is an investment in protecting your ears.

Wondering what options are best for storing food processor blades? Click here to read our article that examines this topic in great detail!

Why are food processors so loud?

Food processors can perform an array of prep tasks that often can replace the need for a sous chef. Chopping, dicing, mincing, pureeing all require force from the motor to power through the toughness of raw vegetables and other food materials. These small appliances have a rather high decibel range because of the 20,000 RPMs that propel the appliance's internal motor, resulting in the propulsion of the sharp blades.

Another factor that contributes to the loudness of these appliances is the wattage of the motor. The power of the appliance is determined by the strength of the motor's wattage. To avoid early appliance burnout, try to purchase a food processor that is 600 watts or higher. Generally, the higher the wattage, the better quality of the appliance and quieter it is when the motor is running.

The level of noise will also be determined by the type of food you are processing. Suppose you are chopping walnuts to a fine powder, and next up, you are blending eggs. There will be a considerable difference between the noise levels for processing both of those types of foods.

Which food processor makes less noise?

According to Sound Proofable, the leading resource for soundproofing homes and providing researched information regarding products that offer lower decibels, there are five reputable lower decibel food processor models on the marketplace in 2021.

Cuisinart 14-Cup

The Cuisinart 14-cup food processor was deemed the quietest food processor currently available. This versatile processor is complete with 720 watts motor and has seven working modes- kneading, dough mixing, slicing, chopping, pureeing, shredding, and emulsifying. You can easily switch between modes with the touch buttons. 

Click here to view the Cuisinart 14-cup food processor at Amazon. 

Breville Sous Chef Pro

The Breville Sous Chef Pro 16-cup food processor was named second for the quietest food processor. This model is equipped with a 1,200-watt motor that has the power to tackle nearly any task with ease and minimal noise. Also, it is accompanied by two BPA-free mixing bowls and five multifunction discs, and three blades. 

Click here to view the Breville Sous Chef 16-cup food processor at Amazon. 

Braun 12-Cup

The Braun 12-Cup food processor has a 600 watts motor paired with ultra-quiet German-engineering technology to provide the most silent food processing experience. This powerful processor has 11 speeds to chop, mince, knead, or whisk your favorite ingredients. 

Click here to view the Braun 12-cup food processor at Amazon. 

Cuisinart 7-Cup

The Cuisinart seven-cup food processor with a 600-watt motor is considered a cost-effective option that offers both quality and quietness for the cook. It is accompanied by a medium slicing disc, shredding disc, and a stainless steel chopping blade. Also, this model is BPA-free and dishwasher safe. 

Click here to view the Cuisinart 7-cup food processor at Amazon. 

Cuisinart Elite Collection 14-cup

Cuisinart Elite Collection 14-Cup food processor is powered by a 1200 watt motor that is able to process nearly any type of food with ease. The model arrives with a stainless-steel slicing disc, shredding disc, and one multi-purpose chopping/mixing blade. Also, this food processor has a button control pad and a blade locking system for added protection. 

Click here to view the Cuisinart Elite Collection 14-cup food processor at Amazon.

Additional thoughts

If you are looking for a quiet food processor, protecting your hearing is probably important to you. Consider wearing ear protection when operating your food processor or any appliances that have medium to high decibel ranges. Earmuffs or earplugs help reduce loud, harmful sounds and can be worn by adults and children.

Suppose you have small children; consider operating the food processor without them in the kitchen to protect their developing ears.

Click here to view ear protection muffs with Bluetooth at Amazon. 

Safety precautions for food processor usage

• Don't wear loose-fitting clothes while operating the food processor
• Keep hair tied back or tuck it under a cap
• Never wear a tie or long necklace while operating the food processor
• Keep small children and pets out of the kitchen while using the food processor
• Do not leave the food processor plugged in unattended
• Keep the cord away from stovetops or other hot surfaces
• Do not allow the processor to sit near any standing water
• Wear cut gloves when washing or handling the blades
• Never use silverware or fingers to push foods through the feeding tube
• Do not plug the food processor into the outlet if it has visual damages to the cord

Click here to view food-grade cut gloves at Amazon. 

In Closing

For decades, food processors have been an essential small appliance in the kitchens for home cooks and professionals alike. There are very few culinary prep tasks that this brilliant appliance can't tackle in a matter of seconds or minutes. We truly hope this article has helped you feel more confident about shopping for a quiet food processor to add to your busy kitchen. Please visit Kitchenseer.com soon for further culinary inspiration! Happy cooking and creating!

Please, be sure to check out some of our other posts to help further your culinary knowledge base:

Can You Shred Chicken In A Food Processor?

How Long Can You Run A Food Processor?

11 Types Of Food Processor Blades And How To Use Them