Sound & Noise Monitoring Equipment: Rent or Buy
Occupational noise is one of the most prevalent workplace hazards, affecting millions of workers across manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, transportation, and entertainment industries. Prolonged exposure to high sound levels causes noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), a permanent and irreversible condition.
PICK HOW YOU NEED TO MONITOR
Monitoring Equipment to Rent for Noise
Personal monitors are worn by each worker and record that worker's own exposure. Area monitors measure at a fixed point, room or job site. Pick a style below, then compare every option in the table.
Add-ons, kits and consumables
COMPARE OPTIONS
Noise monitoring equipment side by side
| Instrument | Monitoring | Type / class | Measurement range | Exchange rates | Octave bands | Key extras | Est. battery run time | Intrinsically safe | Data logging | Starting at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worn on the shoulder all shift. Records each worker's own noise dose against OSHA and ACGIH criteria at the same time. | ||||||||||
| NoiseCHEK by SKCTop pick | Personal | Type 2 | 70 to 140 dB, with Peak up to 143 dB | 3 dB, 4 dB, 5 dB | Yes | 4 virtual dosimeters | 40+hrs | Yes | Yes | $70.00 / day |
| dBadge2IS by Casella | Personal | Type 2 | Linear operating range 54.0 to 140.3 dB(A) RMS; Peak 90.0 to 143.3 dB (C or Z) | 3 dB, 5 dB | No | Bluetooth | Typically 55hrs | Yes | Yes | $70.00 / day |
| Edge 5 by TSI Quest | Personal | Type 2 | 70 to 140 dB RMS, Peak 110 to 143 dB | 3 dB, 4 dB, 5 dB | No | — | 40hrs | Yes | Yes | $70.00 / day |
| CEL-633 Type 1 by Casella | Area | Type 1 | 20-140 dB RMS (143.3 dB peak) | 3 dB, 4 dB, 5 dB | No | Audio recording | 10-15hrs | No | Yes | $115.00 / day |
| SV971A by Svantek | Area | Type 1 / Class 1 | 27 dBA to 137 dBA (140 dBA Peak) | 2 dB, 3 dB, 4 dB, 5 dB, 6 dB | Yes | Bluetooth, triggered audio recording, TWA in dosimeter mode | 16-24hrs | No | Yes | $130.00 / day |
| Sound Examiner SE-401-IS Type 1 by TSI Quest | Area | Type 1 | 30 to 140 dBA overall (Max Peak 143 dBA) | 3 dB, 4 dB, 5 dB | No | Intrinsically safe; TWA on report | 8hrs minimum | Yes | Yes | $115.00 / day |
| SoundPro Type 1 with Octave Bands by TSI Quest | Area | Type 1 | 0 to 140 dB total measurement range; peak up to 143 dB | 3 dB, 4 dB, 5 dB, 6 dB | Yes | 2 virtual meters, F-weighting, TWA on display | >10hrs continuous | No | Yes | $130.00 / day |
| Sound Examiner SE-402 Type 2 by TSI Quest | Area | Type 2 | 30-140 dB | 3 dB, 4 dB, 5 dB | No | TWA on report | 18hrs minimum | No | Yes | $105.00 / day |
| SoundPro Type 2 No Octave Band by TSI Quest | Area | Type 2 | 0 to 140 dB total measurement range; peak up to 143 dB | 3 dB, 4 dB, 5 dB, 6 dB | No | 2 virtual meters, F-weighting, TWA on display | >10hrs continuous | No | Yes | $115.00 / day |
| SoundPro Type 2 with Octave Bands by TSI Quest | Area | Type 2 | 0 to 140 dB total measurement range; peak up to 143 dB | 3 dB, 4 dB, 5 dB, 6 dB | Yes | 2 virtual meters, F-weighting, TWA on display | >10hrs continuous | No | Yes | $130.00 / day |
Every sound level meter rental includes an acoustic calibrator at no charge, with calibration certificates for both the meter and the calibrator. Run times are manufacturer estimates and vary with configuration and conditions. Not sure? Talk to our team.
WHERE EXPOSURE OCCURS
Risks: Where Noise Exposure Occurs
Noise monitoring answers two different questions. A noise dosimeter is worn by the worker for the full shift and records their personal dose against OSHA and ACGIH criteria, which is the data a hearing conservation program needs. A sound level meter measures the level at a spot or source in the moment, which is how you find the loudest equipment, check engineering controls, or measure at a property line. Many surveys use both. Measuring hand-arm or whole-body vibration instead? See vibration monitoring.
Rent from RAECO Rents for fast turnaround, equipment calibrated the day it ships, a free acoustic calibrator for your field checks, and technical phone support.
Manufacturing & fabrication
Presses, grinders, compressors and production lines, where exposure changes by task and shift.
Typical setup: Personal dosimeters for a full shift, plus a sound level meter to find the loudest sources.
Construction
Saws, breakers and heavy equipment, with crews moving between tasks through the day.
Typical setup: Personal dosimeters worn for the full shift.
Mining & heavy equipment
Drilling, crushing and equipment operation, often in loud, enclosed spaces.
Typical setup: Intrinsically safe dosimeters where flammable atmospheres may be present.
Community & environmental noise
Measuring noise at a property line or around a job site.
Typical setup: A Type 1 sound level meter or an outdoor monitoring kit.
EXPOSURE LIMITS
Noise exposure limits
- TWA90 dBA
- TWA85 dBA
- TWA85 dBA
TWA = 8-hour time-weighted average (NIOSH RELs are 10-hour). STEL = 15-minute short-term limit. IDLH = immediately dangerous to life or health. Updated March 9, 2026.
Noise monitoring questions
All rental FAQs →Not sure which noise monitoring equipment fit your job?
Tell us where the hazard is and how many workers need coverage. We'll recommend the instrument, range and alarm settings.
For educational purposes only. Exposure limits are summarized from the cited agencies; confirm monitoring requirements for your site with a qualified safety professional.