Join the quiet tech revolution

Silence is golden. According to the World Health Organisation, noise is an ‘underestimated threat’ to health, which affects our sleep, work and school performance and even our cardiovascular health. With bouts of working from home mixed in with home-schooling sessions for the kids, quiet time might be in short supply. But getting a bit more of it could help you get a better night’s sleep, reduce your stress levels, improve your blood pressure and even boost your brainpower – research suggests that silence can encourage the growth of new brain cells.

Finding easy ways to limit noise where we can and reduce our exposure to it when we can’t, is key. Noisy household appliances are major contributors to the noise pollution we experience on a day-to-day basis, whether we’re working from home or winding down at night, so picking Quiet Mark-certified tech is a great place to start. John Lewis & Partners works closely with Anderson Acoustics and the Good Housekeeping Institute as part of the Quiet Mark approval scheme. This means we test sound levels in our own labs to help you choose quieter products based on independent, expert assessments.

Whether you’re juggling household chores with childcare and work calls, or putting an overnight wash on to take advantage of off-peak energy prices, quiet appliances are a must.

‘So many people live in open plan spaces now, so it is crucial to have appliances that won't disturb the peace in your home, particularly if you are working from home and are on calls,’ says Partner & Buyer Georgia Bear. ‘With the Quiet Mark stamp of approval, these appliances will work discreetly without disrupting the tranquility of your home.’

Perfect for work calls, late nights and anyone sharing a home workspace, the Logitech MX Keys Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard has been designed to limit typing noise while optimising responsiveness. Working late? The backlit keys automatically adjust to suit changing lighting conditions. Preserve that all-important tranquility with the Quiet Mark-approved Logitech M330 Silent Plus Mouse, which automatically puts itself to sleep to save energy.

If restless kids, workout-mad housemates or noisy neighbours are the issue, noise-cancelling headphones could be the answer. Available in six stylish colourways to suit every WFH ensemble, Beats Solo Pro Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones come with two listening modes. Active Noise Cancelling works to block out external distractions, but if you need to keep an ear out for the kids or the postie, you can select Transparency mode, which allows ambient sound to filter in. After something more discreet? Sony’s WF-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling True Wireless Bluetooth NFC In-Ear Headphones feature Adaptive Sound Control, which automatically optimises listening settings based on your behaviour and environment.

With so much time spent at home, keeping our living spaces safe, healthy and comfortable is crucial. Air purifiers help to filter toxins, dust particles and irritants like smoke, pollen and pet dander out of the air we breathe. Especially useful for those struggling with seasonal allergies or asthma symptoms, they can also improve sleep quality by reducing nighttime congestion, and even help with blood pressure and heart health.

Opt for a Quiet Mark-approved model to help you enjoy an undisturbed night’s sleep – even if you choose to leave your air purifier running overnight – and work or relax without distractions while it gets to work during the day.

Whipping up a nutritious smoothie or cup of freshly ground coffee might be a surefire way to get the day off on the right foot. But with some food processors, blenders and even coffee grinders producing as much noise as your average power tool, our favourite kitchen appliances don’t always make for harmony at home.

Turn the volume down with Dualit’s Classic Kettle. It’s equipped with Whisper Boil technology and a superfast, replaceable 3KW element. Coffee lover? The Sage SES500BSS Bambino Plus Coffee Machine is Quiet Mark-approved and has a heat up time of just three seconds. Just want to make a refreshing smoothie or freshly pressed juice without waking your neighbours up? The Magimix 5200XL Premium BlenderMix Food Processor has a Quiet Mark-approved commercial grade induction motor with a 30 year guarantee. Ideal for dicing, slicing, grating, whisking and making bread as well as blending, it’s a definite contender for ultimate kitchen timesaver.