In January 2026, The Star ran a story on noise between neighbours in Malaysian homes. It listed the sounds that cause the most trouble in landed and strata homes. Heavy footsteps and loud television were on the list. So was "the whirr of a blender in the morning".

If you live in a condo or an apartment, that line may feel familiar. The early morning is when most people make juice. It is also when your neighbours are still asleep.

So is your juicer machine too loud? This guide explains why juicers make noise, which type is quieter and what you can do today to keep the peace.

Why some juicers are so loud

Most of the noise comes from the motor. The faster it spins, the louder it usually is.

A fast juicer, sometimes called a centrifugal juicer, spins a blade at very high speed. It shreds the fruit and throws the juice out. That speed makes a high, sharp whine that carries through walls.

A slow juicer works differently. It turns a screw-shaped part called an auger at low speed. The auger crushes and presses the fruit instead of shredding it. You hear a low hum and some crunching, but no high whine.

Blenders are often the loudest of all. Their blades spin fast, and ice or frozen fruit adds a rattling crash.

Age matters as well. An older machine with worn parts can get louder over time, as parts loosen and rub.

Vibration travels through the building

In a condo, noise travels in two ways. Some goes through the air. Some goes through the building itself.

A machine on a hard stone counter can shake the counter. That shaking passes into the wall and floor. Your neighbour may feel the hum through the wall even when the sound itself is not loud. This is why the same juicer can seem quiet in a house and loud in a flat.

Is a slow juicer machine quieter?

Usually, yes. Because the motor turns slowly, a slow juicer is often much quieter than a fast one. Many people can use one early in the morning without waking others in the home.

A slow juicer is not silent. Hard fruit like carrot or apple still makes a crunching sound as it is pressed. But that sound is lower and shorter than the whine of a fast machine.

If you are choosing a new machine for a condo, this is the single biggest thing you can change. Ask the shop to run each machine before you buy, and listen from a few steps away. You can compare juicers for quiet home use with this in mind.

Seven ways to make your juicer quieter

If your machine is suddenly much louder than it used to be, something may be worn or out of place. Our juicer troubleshooting guide covers the common causes. Whatever machine you own, these steps help.

1. Put a rubber mat under it. A thick mat soaks up vibration before it reaches the counter.
2. Move it away from the shared wall. If your kitchen backs onto a neighbour's unit, use the other side of the counter.
3. Cut hard fruit smaller. Small pieces take less force, so the motor works less hard.
4. Do not overfill the chute. Feed fruit steadily. Pushing in too much at once makes the machine strain.
5. Check for loose parts. A loose lid or bowl rattles. Make sure every part clicks into place.
6. Clean it well. Old pulp stuck in the parts can make the machine work harder and louder.
7. Juice a little later. If you can, move juicing from 6am to after 7am, when more people are awake.

Know your building's rules

Every strata building in Malaysia has by-laws. They usually include a rule against causing a nuisance to other residents. Many buildings also set their own house rules, such as quiet hours at night and early morning.

These rules differ from building to building. Ask your management office for a copy, or check the notice board. It is easier to follow the rules than to deal with a complaint later.

If a neighbour does complain, talk to them first. Explain what you are doing and offer to change the time or move the machine. Most noise problems are solved with a short, friendly chat.

Noise and other home types

Terrace houses have the same problem, since they share walls too, and sound carries in older homes with thin walls.

People who live alone in a studio unit often feel this most, because the kitchen is a few steps from the bed. Our guide to choosing a juicer when you live alone covers size and noise for small homes.

Cafés face a similar issue on a bigger scale. When the counter is close to the tables, a loud machine running all morning is hard on customers. Our guide on what a café needs from a commercial juicer covers that side.

What to ask when you choose a quieter machine

Noise is hard to judge from a product page. Many listings say "quiet" without a number you can compare. So test it yourself.

Ask the shop to run the machine with hard produce, such as an apple or a carrot. Soft fruit makes almost no sound in any juicer, so it tells you little.

Stand a few steps back while it runs. That is roughly how far the sound travels to your front door or shared wall.

Put your hand flat on the counter next to the machine. If you can feel it shaking, your neighbour may feel it too. Rubber feet under the base help with this.

Ask about the motor. A slow juicer's motor turns at a much lower speed than a fast juicer's blade. Lower speed usually means a lower, softer sound.

Fitting juice around the people you live with

Neighbours are not the only ones to think about. In many Malaysian homes, several generations or housemates share one kitchen.

If someone works night shifts, they may be sleeping when you make breakfast. A baby may nap in the room next to the kitchen. In a shared rental, a housemate's bedroom may be one wall away.

Talk about it once, and agree on a time that suits everyone. You can also make juice the night before for a morning when the house must stay quiet. Keep it in a sealed bottle in the fridge and drink it early the next day.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my juicer machine so loud?

Most noise comes from the motor. Fast juicers spin a blade at very high speed, which makes a sharp whine. Loose parts, hard fruit and a hard counter can make it louder.

Is a slow juicer quiet enough for a condo?

Usually, yes. A slow juicer turns at low speed, so it makes a low hum rather than a high whine. Hard fruit still makes some crunching sound, but it is short.

What time can I use a juicer in a condo?

It depends on your building's house rules. Many buildings set quiet hours at night and early morning. Check with your management office.

How do I stop my juicer vibrating on the counter?

Place a thick rubber mat under it. Move it away from any wall you share with a neighbour. Make sure every part is locked into place before you start.

Is a blender louder than a juicer?

A blender is often louder than a slow juicer, because its blades spin very fast. Ice and frozen fruit make it louder still.

Can a neighbour complain about kitchen noise?

Yes. Strata by-laws usually ban causing a nuisance to other residents. If a neighbour complains, talk to them first and try changing the time or place you use the machine.