Will Stepper Motors Produce More Noise at Low Speeds?

Typically, stepper motors tend to be more noticeable at low speeds. This is primarily determined by their working principle. A stepper motor operates by dividing a full 360-degree rotation into hundreds of tiny steps (for example, a motor with a 1.8° step angle requires 200 steps per revolution). This type of motion is inherently discontinuous, and noise is mainly generated due to the following two reasons:

The "stepping" nature of stepper motors: With each step, the driver sends a pulse of current to the motor's coils, causing the rotor to "jump" from one position to the next. This movement is not smooth but is accompanied by acceleration and deceleration. At low speeds, the time interval between steps is longer, allowing you to clearly hear the "clicking" or vibrating sound produced by each step. When these individual pulse sounds accumulate, they form a noticeable noise. At higher speeds, the stepping frequency exceeds the sensitive range of the human ear, and the individual step sounds blend into a higher-frequency "buzzing" noise, which is perceived as quieter.

Resonance phenomenon: Stepper motors and the mechanical systems they drive have a natural resonant frequency (typically in the range of tens to hundreds of RPM). When the motor operates near this resonant speed, even minor vibrations can be significantly amplified, leading to substantial noise and vibration. In severe cases, this can even cause the motor to lose steps. This is one of the main sources of low-speed noise issues.

In summary, the noise produced by stepper motors at low speeds is an inherent characteristic. It is not a malfunction but rather an intrinsic feature determined by the motor's working principle and control method.

Updated on: 26/09/2025