7 Quietest Portable Air Conditioners (Ranked By Decibels)

1 - Haier HPC12XCR – Lowest Decibel Portable AC Unit

The Haier HPC12XCR was also named our top recommendation for small units, so it’s no wonder that the model excels in this area as well.

The Haier HPC12XCR was also named our top recommendation for small units, so it’s no wonder that the model excels in this area as well.

Haier did an excellent job keeping this single-hose model efficient: its dimensions keep the unit compact and less loud than most other portable air conditioners, but it still delivers excellent cooling power and performance.

This silent portable air conditioner can cool a room up to 450 square feet, though this depends on the room’s layout, orientation toward the sun, and the environment outside (humidity, direct sunlight, etc.). If you have a room larger than 450 square feet, the Friedrich PH14B (reviewed below) offers a stronger cooling power and performance that can work in rooms up to 700 square feet.

A remote control, digital panel, and air circulation features make the Haier HPC12XCR a good pick for today’s modern user. An auto-evaporative setup means you don’t have to manually drain the unit, which is extremely convenient for those who leave for extended amounts of time and still want the unit to run. Units without this technology will run until their water containers are filled and typically shut off.

The Haier HPC12XCR offers several fan speeds and has a top-flow design that keeps rooms cool. As with portable ACs in general, this model has its share of users who say it doesn’t cool the room as fast as possible, but this is often the result of higher-than-normal expectations. After all, a portable unit has all of its components in the room that it is cooling, so these are often less efficient than many users expect initially.

With all that said, this quiet portable AC unit is an excellent choice if you’re trying to keep your background white noise to a minimum. Because of its small size, it fits in easily to small bedrooms and the smooth aesthetics don’t make it stick out like many bulky home appliances do.

It’s easy to use and convenient, thanks to caster wheels. This is why it’s our top pick for the quietest portable AC units. Believe it or not, it’s the best portable air conditioner in town.

With all that said, the Haier HPC12XCR is an excellent choice if you’re trying to keep your background white noise to a minimum. Because of its small size, it fits in easily to small bedrooms and the smooth aesthetics don’t make it stick out like many bulky home appliances do.

It’s easy to use, easy to clean and quiet, and for those reasons the Haier HPC12XCR is our top pick for the quietest portable AC unit.

Related Article – More Small Portable ACs to Choose From

2 - SereneLife SLPAC8 – Best Quiet Portable AC For Small Rooms

SereneLife has manufactured this powerful portable air conditioner for people who are looking to bear the summer months in ill-ventilated apartments, measuring up to 300 square-feet.

The 10,000 BTUs portable room conditioner weighs only 55.1 pounds, and ensures your entire space is cooled down, whether you’re studying in the study room or cozying up in your bed.

This portable air conditioner makes sure consumers can adjust the cooling according to their need with 2 fan speed options, temperature select options, and an extensive 24 hour-timer that users can use to save power around the clock.

Featuring advanced dehumidifying technology, SereneLife’s air conditioner comes equipped with a built-in dehumidifier, like most other portable AC units, that extracts the moisture out of the atmosphere, at the rate of 1.5 liters per hour to provide maximum cooling efficiency.

SereneLife claims the noise level to be around 52-56 decibels, which is dependent upon the power mode you are using. If you are using the high power mode, expect your new portable air conditioner to make more noise. Sleep mode puts the air conditioner in a low power mode which also numbs down the noise levels.

While the noise levels stated may vary, the air conditioner unit’s noise is comparable to a normal window air conditioner which can be easily ignored.

The unit’s effectiveness is rounded up with a handy remote control, which means you can tinker with your desired cooling settings without needing to get up.

Its sleek design and comparatively low noise output have been standout features for SereneLife’s powerful portable AC. However, some users may face a leakage problem due to the hose.

Related Article – Best Portable ACs for Dorms

3 - Honeywell HL09CESWK - Quiet Portable AC For Medium-Sized Rooms

Honeywell’s portable air conditioner offers users a modern and attractive look, making for a great addition to the corner of your room.

Packing 10,000 BTUs of cooling power, this AC unit provides consumers a stylish yet powerful cooling alternative that can cool down spaces averaging 400 square-feet – the best portable air conditioner for medium-size rooms.

In addition to being powerful, the unit is also equipped with thermal overload protection technology to ensure consumers can remain carefree when using it in the summers.

Honeywell’s portable air conditioner is protected by dual filters, designed to keep out dust and hair, which guarantees a durable unit that performs brilliantly throughout its useful life. The filters are easily washable for added convenience.

Honeywell addresses user convenience by introducing 3 fan speeds in this unit, alongside a convenient low energy ‘sleep-mode,’ digital controls, and a 24-hour timer for added feasibility. The unit is equipped with a digital remote to ensure consumer comfort.

The unit has been noted to make a ‘humming’ sound when operating, which is a common trait among air conditioners of various types. There is negligible vibration when the air conditioner functions at full speed, but that is a signature trait across most portable AC units.

Honeywell rates the voice level at 54 dB and the unit lives up to its reputation, decreasing further when switched to the low energy sleeping mode.

The usit also features a built-in dehumidifier capable of removing up to 38 liters of moisture in 24 hours. Unless you’re living in a highly humid region, there is no need to manually empty the bucket as the unit consists of a continuous drain option for long unattended operation.

While the easy installation and quiet operations have been well received, some consumers might face difficulty with the considerable weight of Honeywell’s portable AC unit.

Related Article – How Long Can You Run a Portable AC?

4 - Avallon APAC140HC - Quiet Portable AC For Large Rooms

The Avallon Dual Dose is a powerful portable air conditioner that packs in a significant amount of power with its 14,000 BTU powered engine. This makes it a reliable option for cooling your room, lounge, office – or all 3 due to its easy portability.

This unit is designed for all year use and comes equipped with a heating function, which means you can use it through the summer as well as the winter season. Laced with the latest Invisimist technology, this model ensures an uninterrupted cooling experience without the need for consumers to manually empty the unit’s reservoir.

Avallon’s dual hose portable air conditioner features a dual hose (separate intake and exhaust hoses) design that allows for more air intake and enhances cooling capacity– a 40% faster cooling rate than single-hose units.

With an advanced user interface, the unit consists of multiple fan and noise settings complete with an ‘intelligent’ mode, and a remote control to ensure easy usability without the need to walk to the unit.

The manufacturer has labeled the unit to create only 53 decibels worth of noise at full speed, which is considered fairly quiet for air conditioners. The air conditioner caters to large spaces, which means unless you are sitting right next to the unit, it is difficult for you to notice the noise. This is one of the quietest air conditioners available in the market.

The unit consists of multiple fan and power settings which can increase or decrease the level of noise being created, but users are unlikely to notice the difference as it is negligible.

The low noise levels and the included window kit add to the features of this unit. However, users may have reservations regarding its weight and price point.

5 - Friedrich ZoneAire PH14B 

For rooms larger than 450 square feet, or rooms with direct sunlight that need better cooling, consider the Friedrich PH14B, a 13,500 BTU rating unit from “the experts in air conditioning.” The company was started in 1883, and today they make some of the finest air conditioning products because of their rigorous field tests.

Friedrich claims that the PH14B cools rooms up to 40 times faster than normal units, and although it’s one of the more powerful models on the market, it’s still quiet at 51 dBA. Those looking for a hybrid of quietness and cooling capacity will find the PH14B more than capable.

Where the Haier model above uses only one hose to vent hot air, the PH14B is a dual-hose AC that works more efficiently because the air that’s warmed by the unit’s components is vented outside before it can circulate in the room, which is a common design flaw (though unavoidable) with single-hose units.

This makes the Friedrich AC units more efficient than the Haier, though it is larger and more powerful, which is why it’s still slightly louder than the Haier. The negligible difference in decibels, however, means that for those with more demanding cooling needs, the PH14B is an excellent choice.

The PH14B is even more useful than most units as well: it also functions as a heater (as well as fan and dehumidifier). The heating capability of the unit is 10,700 BTUs, so if you live in a climate that has harsh summers and winters, then the PH14B can help eliminate the need for multiple appliances.

Like the Haier, the PH14B has self-evaporating technology that doesn’t require you to empty and fill water containers. It has a remote, 24-hour timer and auto-start capability in case it’s turned off by a power outage or user. Installation is easy with Friedrich’s quick-install kit, and the window kit works about as well as most industry-standard kits do. To make the unit work even better, consider sealing the air around the window kit with a simple tape seal.

A fully washable air filter kills pollutants, makes the air quality better and provides cool air. The only downside of the PH14B is its weight and size: at 78 pounds, you may not be moving the unit very often, though it does come with casters that make it mobile.

6 - Frigidaire Cool Connect – Smart AC with WiFi

This is one of the most advanced, sophisticated and quietest portable ACs released by Frigidaire. Aptly labeled the Cool Connect ‘Smart’ portable air conditioner, its powerhouse can channel 12,000 BTUs, enabling it to cool down a room of up to 550 square-feet. with relative ease.

What’s more, this heat pump packs in a built-in dehumidifier capable of controlling the humidity of a room by capturing up to 34 liters in 24 hours of usage. Frigidaire has made sure that consumers benefit from a comprehensive air conditioning unit, which provides ample cooling across the room through its 360-degree airflow mechanism.

The unit also offers extensive user customization with 3 different cooling and 3 fan speeds, as well as a 24-hour timer for around-the-clock usage. That’s not all – the unit also comes equipped with an auto cool function, an energy efficient mode, and a sleep mode for flexible efficiency and cooling.

The noise level for this unit is measured to be 56 dB, which is well within the range for a portable air conditioner. The vast area that it covers means the person on the other end would be unable to hear the noise. The fan does make a low sound, but that is understandable as the compressor powers this 12,000 BTU rating machine.

Compared to other quiet portable air conditioners, this one is one of the quietest models available, with a negligible noise production at its low energy mode and a low pitch noise when working at full capacity.

However, the most significant feature of Frigidaire’s latest manufactured unit remains to be the Wi-Fi controlled setup that only asks consumers to download Frigidaire’s application on their smartphones and conveniently operate the air conditioner according to their needs.

The enhanced user convenience and flexibility offered by the air conditioner is worth the acclaim, but some consumers may object to the high price point, and face issues with an inaccurate thermostat.

7 - Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP – Quietest Dual Hose AC Unit

As an alternate recommendation, we found the Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP is an excellent model that focuses on cooling performance while minimizing background noise. This quiet and energy efficient AC unit’s decibel ranking of 52dBA is still lower than average, and it’s difficult to beat Whynter’s performance and reputation in the industry.

The Sweet Home recently named the ARC-122DHP its model of choice, stating that it was a clear winner in energy efficiency and overall user satisfaction.

“We think this dual-hose energy efficient AC unit will cool a room faster than other portable ACs, using the least energy, even in extreme heat,” said the editors at The Sweet Home, which is now owned by The New York Times.

The ARC-122DHP offers 12,000 BTU cooling and 10,000 BTU heating capabilities and comes with the standard features of most good units: remote, timer, digital settings and multiple functions (cools, heats, dehumidifies).

A window kit makes installation relatively easy, though we still recommend using tape or some sort of seal to keep the air in your room. The unit cools rooms to between 61° – 89°F and has a self-evaporating feature that doesn’t require draining in most environments.

The ARC-122DHP isn’t quite as heavy as the Friedrich, but it is still hefty at 63 pounds, so size should be a consideration depending on how much space you have to work with. Nevertheless, it still saves enough floor space than many other models.

Related Article – DIY Tips on Hiding a Portable Air Conditioner

At 52 dBA (stated), and potentially higher in real-world settings, the ARC-122DHP does get closer to the standard noise level for most quiet portable air conditioners, which we found to be around 53 dBA. If the humming of a regular home refrigerator doesn’t bother you, neither will the ARC-122DHP, though this may seem louder at night when getting ready to sleep.

Still, the ARC-122DHP offers industry-leading cooling performance at a noise level that’s below par for the course, so for those reasons we recommend it as a smart alternative to the Haier and Friedrich models above.