Chances are that when you’re doing some product research for certain appliances (dishwashers, range hoods etc.) you’re also looking into just how loud, or quiet these appliances are. A sone or sones are an internationally recognized measurement unit for loudness that can provide an accurate indication of what humans can hear. It’s definitely an important consideration to make when looking for appliances.

What are sones?

From Wikipedia (for a more detailed definition) “The sone is a unit of loudness, the subjective perception of sound pressure. The study of perceived loudness is included in the topic of psychoacoustics and employs methods of psychophysics. Doubling the perceived loudness doubles the sone value.”

How loud is a sone?

Here is a chart that outlines the amount of sones that various products emit doing use.

How loud should my range hood be?

The size of the range hood will also affect the noise level. Range hoods with larger motors will have stronger suction power and generally produce more noise. Check the sones level of the range hood prior to purchase. Look for a multi-speed setting so you can easily control the noise and power level of the appliance.  Generally, somewhere between 4-10 sones would be appropriate for a residential range hood

What are some range hood features to help control sone levels?

The right sone rating depends on your preferences and cooking style. If you do a lot of heavy-duty cooking with high temperatures, you’ll need a range hood equipped to handle the heat, fumes, and steam. These models will likely produce more noise than one designed for light cooking.  You can control the noise level through the settings and regular maintenance. Explore the multi-speed settings to find the ideal balance between suction power and noise control. Range hoods with a delay shut-off feature can also help as they will turn off the appliance after a set amount of time.

Help! I’ve got more questions!

We’re here to do JUST that! Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions you may have about selecting the proper range hood for your home.