8 Of The Quietest Performance Mufflers

A noisy car can be annoying, but it can also be dangerous to your hearing. If you drive long distances, the noise can make you more tired on the road. This is why it’s essential for your security to pay attention to the exhaust system of your car.

The right quiet performance muffler can make or break your driving experience. Not to mention keep your neighbors happy, especially if you tend to leave home early in the morning! 

These are the best quiet performance muffler options on the market right now:

Reviews of the Best Quiet Performance Muffler Models

1. Vibrant 1142 3″ Ultra Quiet Resonator

Vibrant 1142 3

One of the top picks for customers when it comes to quiet mufflers is the Vibrant 1142 resonator. 

This muffler has a 3-inch diameter that allows for even airflow and dampens sound effectively, according to drivers who installed it on their cars. It’s made from stainless steel and is built to last even with high exhaust temperatures. It also comes with a 5-year warranty. 

People who bought this resonator comment that it exceeded their expectations and works well at highway speeds as well as starting out cold in the mornings. And the design is straight-through, so it doesn’t take away from your engine’s performance. 

However, some people do find this design to be a little bulky and hard to fit on some cars. It’s also not the cheapest option on the market, but more of a high-end product.

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Pros

  • Dampens sound effectively.
  • Works well at different speeds and temperatures.
  • High quality design and 5-year warranty.
  • Customers report a decrease in sound of at least 15 decibels.

Cons

  • High price point.
  • Design is bulky, can be hard to fit.

2. MagnaFlow 4in Performance Muffler

MagnaFlow 4in Round Center/Center Straight-Through Performance Muffler 10416 - 2.5in Inlet/Outlet, 14in Body Length, 20in Overall Length, Satin Finish - Feel the Deep Sound & Powerful Performance

The MagnaFlow muffler is a great pick for those who prioritize performance instead of an ultra-quiet muffler. It doesn’t quieten the sound too much but instead makes it deeper and fuller. According to people who bought it, this muffler eliminates the drone you feel inside the vehicle, while maintaining some sound on the outside.

The model is a straight-through design for optimal airflow, and the diameter of the main pipe is 2.5 inches.

Some customers comment that this model isn’t necessarily ideal for a car you use every day, as it can bump up your fuel consumption. However, this depends on your vehicle and finding the right fit. It’s also not the quietest model on our list but perfect for those who want to maintain a low rumble.

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Pros

  • Full, deep tone.
  • Straight-through design for optimal airflow and performance.
  • Eliminates drone inside the cabin.

Cons

  • Not ultra-quiet.
  • Can increase fuel consumption if the fit isn’t right.

3. Borla 40842S S-Type Muffler

Borla 40842S S-Type Muffler

This high-quality Borla 40842S muffler is designed to increase horsepower and keep your fuel consumption low. It helps you keep the volume low and gives you a bass tone without drowning out the sound completely.

Most customers who bought this muffler comment that the sound outside is deep and rich, without the nasty drone. The material is quality stainless steel that people say lasts well even at higher speeds and temperatures, but it is a little more expensive than other models.

Some people have seen a little bit of drone in the cabin, but if you make sure to install your muffler well, you shouldn’t have problems. 

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Pros

  • Rich bass sound outside the cabin.
  • Designed for high performance and low consumption.
  • Doesn’t drown out all sound.

Cons

  • Some customers report light drone inside.
  • High price point.

4. Walker 18933 SoundFX Muffler

Walker 18933 SoundFX Muffler

This mid-priced option from Walker is a great choice for those who don’t want to splurge on their quiet performance muffler. It’s made from aluminum steel and is designed for durability and corrosion resistance, but it’s not among the most high-quality options on the market.

It comes with a bolt-on design that’s easy to fit on different vehicles. Just note that some people who bought this muffler report that the finish and welding feel a little sloppy and even sharp. This means you might want to handle it with gloves on, but it still dampens noise effectively, especially for the price.

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Pros

  • Great value for money.
  • Effective for dampening noise.
  • Corrosion-resistant design.

Cons

  • The finish can feel a little sloppy and sharp.

5. MBRP M2220A 31″ Aluminized Quiet Tone Muffler

MBRP M2220A 31

The MBRP muffler is ideal for small trucks that need to tone down the noise while maintaining a low, smooth growl. It has a straight-through design that increases airflow and keeps your engine cool. 

Keep in mind that this model might not drown out all sound if your vehicle is very loud, but according to customers, it does smooth out most of the drone nicely.

Also note that, despite the higher price of this muffler, the material is aluminum. It’s rust-resistant, but stainless steel can be a more durable option, especially if you’re spending more.

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Pros

  • Smooths out drone.
  • Maintains a low growl.
  • Good airflow helps keep the engine cool.

Cons

  • Aluminum body, may not be as durable as stainless steel. 
  • High price.

6. Walker Exhaust Quiet-Flow 22266 Exhaust Muffler

Walker Exhaust Quiet-Flow 22229 Exhaust Muffler

This Walker Quiet-Flow muffler is excellent for quieting down smaller engines, from lawnmowers to generators and cars. It’s a basic, round-body muffler with an inlet and outlet size of 1.5 inches, which fits a variety of vehicles.

According to customers who bought this muffler, it works effectively, is easy to install, and doesn’t require welding. It’s made from stainless steel and has an internal drainage system for moisture, which helps avoid rusting.

As a negative, this muffler might not make the loudest engines completely silent, but people who bought it are generally happy with their purchase. It also comes at a very affordable price.

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Pros

  • Internal drainage system to avoid corrosion.
  • Made from stainless steel.
  • Ideal for smaller engines.
  • Easy to install.
  • Affordable.

Cons

  • Doesn’t silence all engines fully.

7. MBRP M1004A Universal Quiet Tone Muffler

MBRP M1004A Universal Quiet Tone Muffler

This MBRP universal muffler has a 4-inch outlet that’s ideal for a pick-up or other small trucks. It has dual-core technology to increase the power of your engine while quieting it down effectively. People who bought it also love that as a universal model, it’s easy to install on most cars.

One important thing to note with this quiet performance muffler is that, according to customers, you’ll still feel a low rumble outside. This happens especially when you’re accelerating, but inside the cabin, it’s usually effective against drone. 

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Pros

  • Silences drone well on small trucks.
  • Effective dual-core technology to increase your engine’s power.
  • Universal fit, easy installation.

Cons

  • Maintains a low rumble outside.
  • May not work on all vehicles.

8. Walker 17886 Economy Pro-Fit Universal Muffler

Walker 17886 Economy Pro-Fit Universal Muffler

This universal option from Walker might be one of the more affordable quiet mufflers you can find, but it’s also of decent quality. The construction is aluminized steel to prevent rusting and includes spot-welded bushings to add strength to the build. It’s surprisingly sturdy and very effective at silencing your engine.

The model is a universal fit, with a 2-inch inlet and 2.125-inch outlet. Still, depending on your exhaust system, you might require a specialist to customize it to your car. 

As a possible negative, some customers have seen leakage at the seams after a while. However, most people are happy with this muffler, especially for the affordable price.

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Pros

  • Affordable.
  • Effective noise reduction.
  • Surprisingly sturdy for the price.

Cons

  • May start leaking at the seams over time.

What To Look For in a Quiet Performance Muffler

So, what is a muffler exactly?

It’s a part of the exhaust system that allows airflow from the engine. It needs to let high-pressure gasses flow out without restriction, and when it works properly, it alters the sound of the exhaust. It can also make your car more powerful and lower your fuel consumption.

Not all mufflers are silent, though. There are mufflers that will give you a louder, fuller sound, as well as models that make your engine run more silent. But how do you pick the right one?

quiet performance mufflers

Here are some tips to get you started.

Noise Level

When you’re buying a muffler, especially if you have a high-performance car, you might want to still maintain a low bass sound or rumble. 

In these cases, you’ll just want to get rid of the drone inside the cabin. Or maybe you just want to tone down the high-pitched noise a bit, to not bother your neighbors? If this is you, an option like the Borla 40842S S-Type Muffler might be ideal for your needs.

If you want your muffler to be ultra-quiet, keep in mind that the design and how many chambers it has inside impact the noise. The more chambers, the more silent the muffler usually is.

Performance

While a good muffler will help you drown out unwanted rumbles, many straight-through designs are better for performance than noise reduction. They’re made to reduce backpressure, but this often leaves your exhaust system with a low growl.

On the other hand, you’ll usually lose a little bit on performance when you go for a quieter muffler. You’ll just have to find the right balance for you before you make your pick.

Material

Many high-end mufflers are made from top-quality stainless steel. When you’re looking for a lower-priced option, you might also see aluminum or a mix of the two materials. 

Both materials generally have good resistance against rusting, but stainless steel is harder than most common aluminum alloys. It’s also usually more expensive, while aluminum has the benefit of being more lightweight.

Price

Mufflers come at all different prices. If you’re looking for a really durable muffler for a high-performance vehicle, we recommend opting for the more expensive models. But some of the affordable options on our list are also customer favorites and can last for a long time in normal use.

Fit and Installation

Some quiet performance muffler models are designed for a universal fit; others are specific to your exhaust system size. It’s always good to check with the manufacturer if the muffler will work on your car.

Note that even the universal ones usually require some bolting or even welding, depending on your vehicle. If you don’t have experience with muffler installation, we recommend you take it to your local mechanic. They’ll be able to make sure everything is working as it should, and you’ll get the most out of your purchase.


Also Read:

How To Soundproof A Car
16 Of The Best Car Sound Deadening Materials


The Top Pick

The winner in our review of the best quiet performance muffler options is the Vibrant 1142 3″ Ultra Quiet Resonator

It has a wide, 3-inch diameter that lets the exhaust fumes flow out, keeping your engine cool. Drivers love how well it dampens noise, whether you’re driving at high speeds with a warm engine or just getting the car started in the morning. 

This model is a little higher-priced than some of the other options, but the overall quality is great. And it comes with a 5-year warranty, so your investment is guaranteed.

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