Shower pumps, does more expensive = quieter?

The noise they make depends largely on what degree od accoustic isolation they have. Eg flexible connection hoses, rubber mounts etc.

You can fit/make up a lot of this stuff yourself and save money.

Also helps a lot if you can mount on a brick/concrete wall rather than on a timber floor.

Generally speaking the pumps using induction motors are quieter (& more expensive) mainly because they run slower than the universal motor type (same for pressure washers). IME they are also more reliable and long lasting - no brushes to wear out and generally built better.

You can usually tell by appearance - they tend to be cylindrical with an obvious motor cage & do not normally have a speed control.

Chris K

Where is it mounted, My neighbour moved his from under the floorboards to a wall and now I don't hear it in my house at all. Brian

In the airing cupboard in front of the cylinder almost suspended in free space by the flexible braided pipes that connect to it

Yes, definitely. A Stuart Turner has a much smarter impeller than the paddle wheel in basic shed models.

Also as other posters say, it might run slower too (havn't checked). Transmitted noise through pipes not an issue IME. Transmitted noise down into ceiling can be dealt with via flexible mounting. Both of mine are mounted in boxes / trays with drain to divert any leakage into the shower tray which also helps to cut down noise.

My 3 bar Stuart Turner is actually in my son's bedroom and it doesn't wake him up when I have my shower for work in the morning.