Best Quiet Air Conditioner Reviews – Top Picks 2020

We’ve all been there – tossing and turning in bed, struggling to fall asleep when it’s too hot. There are few things worse than trying to catch some shut-eye in a hot, muggy room. But unpleasant temps are unavoidable for most of us at some point in the summer. So it might be time to start looking for a way to cool down your room so that you don’t roast over the summer months.

While you’re reading my article, I can only assume that finding a new air conditioner is your solution. If your home lacks central air conditioning, so window and portable air conditioners can be the effective and inexpensive ways to beat the heat this summer. However, with air conditioning comes the worry about noise levels because most air conditioners produce very much noise when running. If you don’t use an air conditioner during the summer, you can’t sleep well. If you use a loud air conditioner, you can’t sleep well too. So rather than looking at models with unnecessary features, try to find one that has enough capacity to cool your room without being loud.

In this article, we will give you reviews of the quietest air conditioners on the market. We also explain everything you need to know before choosing a model that can keep you cool without waking you up.

Quiet Air Conditioner Comparison Table

Best Quiet Window Air Conditioners

1. Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 Window-Mounted Mini-Compact Air Conditioner

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If you’re looking for a quiet air conditioner on a budget, then the Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is a good pick. Not only it is inexpensive, but it also offers some convenient features and quiet performance.

Pros

• Effective cooling
• Quiet operation
• Easy to install
• Affordable price
• Limited 2-year unit warranty plus limited 3-5 year sealed system warranty

Cons

• Fewer cooling settings than some models
  Won’t suit larger rooms

Our Review

Frigidaire is the US company was founded in 1918 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and developed the first self-contained refrigerator in 1916. Frigidaire is a giant in the world of window air conditioners. The brand offers a wide variety of window air conditioners for the air conditioner market. And this Frigidaire model is one of the most popular window air conditioners. It is quiet, reliable, relatively small, affordable. It is a great option for anyone who needs to cool a medium-size room, an office or college dorm room.

The Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 Window-Mounted Air Conditioner doesn’t have as many cooling settings as others, but many users actually like its simplicity and ease of use.  The white, boxy FFRA0511R1 looks like a typical window air conditioner. It has a height of 12 inches, a width of 16 inches, and a depth of 15 and a quarter inches. It also has expandable side panels that allow it to fit windows up to 36 inches wide.

This air conditioner features 5,000 BTUs of power to help cool spaces up to 150 square feet. This square footage range is about the size of an average bedroom in most homes. That said, if you’re looking for an air-conditioner to cool your master bedroom, you may want to consider other larger options. This model also has a dehumidifier that capable of dehumidifying a room up to 1.1 pints per hour.

At only 51.3 dB on the lowest fan speed, the Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 is so quiet that you should be able to sleep easier all summer. Not only is it quiet, this unit cools a room much faster than other 5000 BTU window air conditioners.

This air conditioner has two cool speeds, two fans speed and two-way air direction. Which means that the rate of air circulation will be high and your room will be cooled fast. While you expect an AC this powerful to be loud, it gets good marks for noise, particularly on low fan speeds.

The Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 Window-Mounted Air Conditioner includes a window mounting kit included. It features a temperature-sensing remote control and a low power energy-saving start, which helps save you money in the long run. It features a clean-air ionizer to please allergy sufferers. It also comes with a restart system, in case of power interruptions it will pick up from where it was so you won’t have to go back and rest it.

Of course, there are downsides to going for a cheaper unit – it doesn’t come with a remote, timer, or digital thermostat. However, this model is still one of the best out there when it comes to value-for-money.

See Price of the Frigidaire FFRA0511R1

2. SPT WA-1211S Window Air Conditioner

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If you’re looking for a quiet window air conditioner for cooling a medium sized room to a studio style apartment, consider the SPT Window Air Conditioner WA-1211S. Unlike many other models in this range, this unit comes with numerous additional features and settings that combine for impressive energy efficiency.

Pros

• Cool room quickly
• Convenient remote control
• Relatively quiet
• Energy efficient
• Easy to install
• Easy to maintain

Cons

• Quite heavy
• A bit expensive

Our Review

SPT or Sunpentown has now been on the market for almost 20 years and they have a long list of products from air conditioners to power generators. Although SPT is not the most well-known air conditioning brand, you would not be disappointed with this SPT air conditioner.

This is one of the quietest air conditioning units on the market, at just 51.2 dB on the lowest fan setting. This is a noise level equivalent to something between whispering (40 decibels) and ordinary conversation (60 decibels). You probably can’t find any other 12,000 BTU window air conditioner that is quieter.

The SPT Window Air Conditioner WA-1211S is designed to fit windows from 23 inches to 26 inches wide, however, it can be installed in vertical windows that are just 15.5 inches in width. The unit can cool down a medium sized room up to 550 square feet with a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU. BTU (British thermal units) depicts the cooling capacity of an air conditioner. So the higher the BTU, the larger the room area it can cool. Some buyers even used this SPT air conditioner for rooms as large as 700 square feet without any problem.

SPT have not only made sure this window-mounted air conditioner is Energy Star Rated, they also install an energy saving feature. Which means this unit is guaranteed to run efficiently. It has an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10.8 so you will be spending less on your energy bill this summer.

The air conditioner has a thermostat that senses and adjusts the room temperature to keep your room cool during the summer. It’s also worth noting this unit can be pre-set to the desired temperature and the compressor will only run when that temperature is exceeded. Plus, there’s an adjustable air vent that allows users to direct air to any corners that they wish.

The product comes with an auto start that will preserve your settings if the air conditioner is unexpectedly turned off. The timer allows you to program the unit in half-hour increments for up to 10 hours or if preferred in one-hour increments up to 24 hours. You will also get a remote control with numerous options.

• Fan mode – This helps in bring air from the outside. This is perfect when it is chilly outside. This is also used to exhaust air or simply for effective air circulation.
• Cool mode – lowers the temperature to a minimum of 62 °F.
• Auto mode – Automatically selects either cooling or fan operation depending on the starting room temperature.
• Sleep mode – Which makes for a comfortable temperature whilst sleeping, ideal for the bedroom.
• Dry mode – Acts as a dehumidifier

One of the best parts of the SPT Window Air Conditioner WA-1211S is its convenience features, including electronic controls with a digital display to make the device easy to use. The air conditioner also comes with a washable filter, and it will alert you when the filter needs to be cleaned. Included in the package is a kit with everything needed for installation to make setup easy.

See Price of the SPT Window Air Conditioner WA-1211S

 

3. LG LW1216ER Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

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With great performance and impressive energy-efficiency, LG LW1216ER Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is one of the best quiet air conditioners. This model is ideal for anyone who wants to cool a large living room or loft space.

Pros

• Moderately quiet
• Cools quickly and efficiently
• Very simple to operate
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Heavy
• Installation is a bit difficult if you are planning to do it alone

Our Review

The LG LW1216ER Window-Mounted AIR Conditioner boats 12,000 BTUs of power to cool rooms up to 550 square feet. At rooms below 550, this powerful unit will be just a bit too powerful, and it likely stops and often restart which means less efficient power usage. Above 550, it may have a hard time creating your desired temperature.

At 52 dB, the LG LW1216ER is slightly louder than the SPT WA-1211S Window Air Conditioner, but it is still one of the quietest air conditioners and its estimated annual energy cost is lower than the SPT WA-1211S. With an Energy Efficiency Rating of 12.1, it is one of the most energy-efficient products you can buy. You will save even more with an energy-saving mode. When using this, the fan stops automatically when the condenser turns off and will then run every 3 minutes to determine whether cooling is needed.

This unit has three cooling and fan speeds that allow you to control the temperature of your room. It can be easily controlled with the help of the stylish full-function remote. It also features an auto restart function so that in the event of a power outage, it will restart automatically when power resumes.

The LG LW1216ER Window-Mounted AIR Conditioner can propel the air in 4 different directions. By adjusting the deflection, air is directed left, right, up, or down to move the air where it’s needed most. The filter of the window air conditioner easily slides out for quick and convenient cleaning. Moreover, the unit has a light that will tell you when the filter needs to be cleaned.

Like most window air conditioners, the LG LW1216ER Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is white and boxy. The unit itself is about 24 by 15 by 22 inches and weighs roughly 80 pounds. Although its slide-out chassis makes it easy to install, you may want to grab a friend for installation since it might be too heavy to install alone.

See Price of the LG LW1216ER

 

4. HOmeLabs Cold Window Air Conditioner

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If you need a machine to stir up a little breeze in a small space, this model is a simple air conditioner for rooms as large as 150 square feet, making it a good option for bedrooms or home offices.

Pros

• Light and Compact
• Easy to install
• Quiet operation
• Energy efficient
• Affordable
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Not ideal for use within larger living spaces

Our Review

While the hOmeLabs Cold Window Air Conditioner does not have a sophisticated design like other expensive models, it is an affordable and effective way to keep small rooms cool during the summer. Weighing in at 36.5lbs, this air conditioner measures 16 inches width x 12 inches high x 15.4 inches deep. It will fit windows between 23 inches up to 36 inches in width with a minimum high of 13 inches.

The air conditioner boasts 7 speeds and 2-way airflow, delivering excellent cooling speed. In fact, it can cool down your hot room in less than 10 minutes. Moreover, 2-way air flow paired with adjustable high and low fan settings allow you to better control the cooling power of the machine. This machine also features an eco filter which is easy to clean with water and soap, making it reusable season after season.

The HOmeLabs Cold Window Air Conditioner is rated at 11.1 for its Energy Star Efficiency ratio, meaning it won’t raise your energy bill an enormous amount during hot weather months. The air conditioner generates 58.4 decibels on the highest setting which is slightly louder than other models we reviewed but it’s quieter than most window air conditioners on the market.

This unit comes with an air conditioner kit which includes a filter, support bracket, side panel leaf covers, and window sealing foam. Using a level and screwdriver (not included), you will get this unit installed into any appropriately sized exterior window. Although it takes a bit of effort to set up the machine, the time it takes to install it is minimal compared to the hours of comfortable temperatures this air conditioner will provide.

Overall, this air conditioning unit comes with all of your standard features you would need in an air conditioner. It also comes with a 2-year warranty, so you can rest assured knowing that you will get a great air conditioning system for a great value.

See Price of the hOmeLabs Cold Window Air Conditioner

 

5. LG LW8016ER Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

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The LG LW8016ER Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is a top choice for living area or a home office since it’s pretty quiet, gives you more control than most models and tends to cost less than its competition.

Pros

• Runs quietly
• Cools the whole room
• Energy efficient
• Easy to clean
• Easy to mount or install
• Auto-restart after the power outage

Cons

• A bit heavy

Our Review

Portable air conditioners are convenient in that they can be moved around easily. However, window units still lead the way when it comes to energy efficiency and cost, so if you don’t specifically need a portable unit, then the LG LW8016ER  is worth considering. The LG LW8016ER is rated at 8000 BTUs which efficiently cools a space of around 350 square feet.

When it’s hot and humid, trying to sleep can be a challenge. The dehumidifier function on the LG LW8016ER solves this problem since it can dehumidify up to 2.2 pints of moisture from the room per hour, making it ideal for cooling in the humid climate.

Despite being a relatively compact air conditioner, the product can cool down a room from 82 to 70-72 degrees in around half an hour or so at medium fan speed. Running the machine on low speed will take somewhat longer. High speed will provide full area room cooling in 20-30 minutes.

Compared with other window-mounted ACs of the same BTU rating, this one is quieter at a lower pitch. Low fan speed is very nice to sleep with. Medium level is somewhat the same as the noise level from a central air system. At its loudest, with the compressor on and the fan at full speed, it is a bit noisy but still not a problem.

The LG LW8016ER comes with an energy saver mode which takes some getting use to do to the short cycle mode of every 2-3 minutes of air conditioner coming on to check room temperature. However, it does save on the electricity bill. It is also Energy Star Certified, making it economical in the long-run.

Overall, if you’re looking for a quiet model for spaces measuring between 300 and 350 square feet, we recommend the LG LW8016ER 8000 BTU Window-Mounted Air Conditioner. It not only cools as efficiently as other window units, it is also quieter with a lower volume and deeper pitch.

See Price of the LG LW8016ER

 

6. Friedrich Chill CP06G10B 6000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

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If you’re willing to spend a little bit more on a compact small-room window air conditioner with advanced control and safety features, then you should consider Friedrich Chill CP06G10B. This window unit was designed for the small-to-medium rooms. Its great energy-saving mode will definitely please a family that is looking a durable and affordable AC to aid them through the hot season.

Pros

• Ultra-quiet operation
• High efficiency
• Great money saver
• Easy installation
• One-year limited on parts and labor plus an additional four years limited on sealed system

Cons

• Heavy
• There isn’t a sleep mode
• A bit expensive

Our Review

Friedrich is one of the best manufacturers of window air conditioners out there. Quality is one of the reasons why Friedrich rises above their competition. Friedrich’s Chill line of window air conditioners are the world-class options since the manufacturer uses commercial-grade materials and components for them. This Friedrich Chill model is no exception as it is one of the highest rated window ACs on most of the popular online retailers. It has a one-year warranty that extends to five years for the compressor. This is one of the best warranties we saw.

Friedrich Chill CP06G10B window air conditioner is capable of producing up to 6,000 BTUs, which is recommended for rooms from 150 to 250 square feet, making it ideal for those who don’t need the power consumption of an 8,000 BTU air conditioner but wants more efficient cooling than a 5,000 BTU AC can provide. This model has a lower rate of moisture removal than most other models at about 31.2 pints per day, but it’s enough to ensure you feel comfortable in your home.

The window air conditioner features four-way airflow for even air distribution. Its maximum airflow is 200 cubic feet per minute, which is stronger than most window AC units that have maximum airflows from 130 to 170 cubic feet per minute.

This Friedrich AC model generated less than 50 dB on the lowest fan speed setting, which is ideal in a bedroom for light sleepers. It is an Energy Star qualified device which doesn’t cost too much to run. It has a competitive Energy Efficiency Ratio of 11.2. It’s estimated this particular unit only costs about $45 to run each year. Your exact cost may be different since this estimate is based on using the machine eight hours a day for the three-month period.

The Friedrich Chill CP06G10B comes with everything you’d expect from an up-to-date window model: 24-hour timer, digital thermostat, digital remote. It also features an energy-saver mode, which turns the fan on every three minutes to check if the room requires cooling. In addition, there is a dry mode which pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Swinging feature is one of my favorite features. It allows the window air conditioner to distribute the air across the whole room. The remote control performs pretty well. The AC buttons are quite light, but some of the other symbols lack the light.

See Price of the Friedrich Chill CP06G10B

 

7. Frigidaire 10,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Compact Air Conditioner

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The Frigidaire 10,000 BTU Window-Mounted Compact Air Conditioner is not the best-looking model or even the high-tech product, but it’s the most compact and energy-efficient on the market of 10,000 BTU window air conditioner. It is very easy to set up and is a great option for those who need to cool a mid-sized room. It cools the room quickly and with its quiet operation, it keeps you cool without keeping you awake.

Pros

• Compact size
• Quiet operation
• Easy to set up
• Limited 2-year unit warranty plus limited 3-5 year sealed system warranty

Cons

• There are some concerns about the air vents that the unit is not able to disperse air to every corner of the room

Our Review

The Frigidaire brand has been around for decades and is a well-known name in the home electrical appliances world with a good reputation for quality. Included in the list of high-quality appliances are a full line of window air conditioners. The Frigidaire Window-Mounted Compact Air Conditioner is a good option for anyone who needs to cool a mid-sized room.

With 10,000 BTU, you can expect this unit to cool an area of 300 square feet. This makes it a great choice for small-to-medium rooms. At such size, the window air conditioner can quickly cool a room within two to three hours, unlike the case of other cheaper models wherein you have to wait longer.

The Frigidaire Air Conditioner features a dry setting to remove excess moisture from the room.
It can dehumidify a room at up to 3 pints of moisture per hour, this is a good piece of kit for drying out a room that’s prone to mold. In addition, it has a clean-air ionizer that cleans the air providing relief for allergy sufferers.

This unit comes with a temperature-sensing remote control so you will have an easy time operating and controlling it. It features functional modes for fan speed, sleep, timer, energy-saver. It also has a filter indicator that notifies you when the filter needs cleaning. This helps to make sure your room has a clean, fresh, and cool airflow. You can adjust the temperature setting according to your preference.

The Frigidaire claims that the window air conditioner produces 52 decibels on the lowest setting. Using a decibel meter, we were getting 62-65 decibels from this machine at a distance of 5-6 feet. This is considered one of the quietest window air conditioner.

When it comes to size, this window-mounted model showcases a much smaller design compared to most models. With its compact size, you can really enjoy a cool and clean airflow without sacrificing too much space. In addition, this 10,000 BTU model includes a window mounting kit installation which allows users to install the unit quite quickly with little or no help.

See Price of the Frigidaire 10,000 BTU Air Conditioner

Best Quiet Portable Air Conditioners

8. BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT Portable Air Conditioner

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Black+Decker is well known for its power tools such as table saws, sanders, drills,…but it seems as though the company wants to experiment in other areas as well. They also make home appliances such as an air conditioner. The BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT Portable Air Conditioner is one of the top portable air conditioners in our quiet category. It’s a bit expensive, but in comparison to other portable ice conditioners, this top performer shines and is worth the extra investment.

Pros

• Cools room quickly
• Operates quietly
• Easy to clean
• Reliable and versatile
• 1 year for labor/ 2 years for parts and 5 years for compressor part

Cons

• The hose/drainage system is prone to leaking
• Heavy

Our Review

The BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT Portable Air Conditioner is built with a bucketless design. It weighs slight 59 pounds, but caster wheels ensure that you will roll it around easily, as well as side carrying handles, which let you lift up the unit for transportation across stairs or place it in storage. Just like other portable AC’s from Black + Decker, this model can function as a dehumidifier or fan-only unit, and everything can be adjusted through remote control.

Although this portable air conditioner is powerful, it doesn’t produce much sound, topping out at 53 decibels on the low fan setting. Using 12,000 BTUs of power per hour, the unit is strong enough to cool a room of up to 500 square feet, a hundred square feet more compared to the BPACT10WT.

Unlike the smaller models, the air conditioner features largely adjustable air louvers along with 4-way air circulation, which facilitate a wider range of coverage for the cold air coming out of its vents. It’s got one of the highest automatic dehumidifying capacity of 136.7 pints a day. It is better at removing moisture than some other larger 14,000 BTU portable AC’s from Honeywell and Whynter, which is why we recommend the product for an extremely hot and humid climate, as well as storage rooms and basements.

The BLACK+DECKER model is equipped with a removable air filter that removes dust and dander from the air and can easily be rinsed out for dependable long-term and cost-effective use. Although the filter is washable, you should manually check it to see if it is dirty since there is no filter warning light.

Just set your desired temperature and fan speed through the remote control. It also includes a digital control panel with LED displays. The 24-hour timer allows you to preset the time to turn on or off the machine, so you can cool a room down before you arrive home or ensure your pets are comfortable throughout the day. The unit also offers a sleep mode that gradually increases the temperature over a period of time to maintain a cool room overnight while also reducing power usage.

See Price of the BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT

 

9. Honeywell MN12CES Portable Air Conditioner

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Honeywell MN12CES Portable Air Conditioner is a great appliance which meets every demand we have for a portable air conditioner. Honey has made this unit efficient, capable, and above all else – quiet.

Pros

• High-tech modern design
• Portability
• Cools a small room quickly
• Quiet operation
• Easy to install and operate
• 5-year warranty

Cons

• Kind of bulky
• A bit more expensive than other ACs

Our Review

Honeywell MN12CES Portable Air Conditioner design is what attracted us to this particular unit. This two-toned black-and-silver tower has dimensions are smaller than its competition, with measurements of 15.7 x 16.5 x 29.3 inches and a weight of 68.3 pounds. This allows you to keep it in your small rooms easily. It comes with four caster wheels that you can easily move it from room to room.

The air conditioner comes with a single exhaust hose that extends, allowing you to fit spaces from 12 inches to 47 inches. You will need to place this model no more than 47 inches from the window used for installation.

Its short vent hose limits its adaptability to space you have available, but with its 12000 BTUs, it can cool an area of up to 450 square feet. This ensures that most of the rooms in your premises or your offices can be easily cooled with the help of this Honeywell MN12CES model. Besides cooling, this unit has dehumidification, up to 79.2 pints of moisture per day.

The Honeywell MN12CES air portable also has a fan-only mode. This feature can be helpful on days when you only want to move the air around. It circulates air at low, medium and high speeds but you should be aware that the fan runs constantly in all modes even after the desired temperature has been reached.

This unit uses an auto-evaporation system that avoids drips and bucket use so that you don’t have to drain water from it every few days. There are certain circumstances when the auto-evaporation system may not be able to keep up with the dehumidifier. One is if the weather is muggy for a period of time. And, two, if you live in a very humid region. If the auto-evaporation system does not keep up, the portable air conditioner will let you know by turning on an indicator light on the LED display. And at this point, you will need to manually drain water.

With this portable unit, you get the maximum noise level of 55 dbA – that’s the sound level of a normal conversation between two people in a quiet room. It is designed to run quietly with little disturbances, therefore it is suitable for users who want a cool and silent environment.

In addition to being quiet, the Honeywell portable air conditioner also boats solid build quality – crafted by a reliable manufacturer who has put their money where their mouth is with a five-year warranty on the compressor and a standard one-year warranty on all other parts of the unit including labor.

See Price of the Honeywell MN12CES

 

10. Whynter ARC-14S Portable Air Conditioner

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The Whynter ARC-14S is one of the great portable air conditioners that offers an impressive cooling capacity, high efficiency, and a variety of other convenience features. With its impressive cooling capacity, this unit is capable of cooling a large space within a short time. It is suitable for living rooms, classrooms, server rooms, classrooms, and more.

Pros

• Modern & Sleek
• Cools rooms efficiently
• Easy to use
• Quiet operation
• Powerful
• Environmentally friendly

Cons

• Lacks a sleeping model
• Heavy
• Expensive

Our Review

Whynter, a California company, is a new but successful competitor in the home appliance market. Whynter specializes in heating and cooling appliances, such as ice cream makers, air conditioners, freezers, and wine refrigerators. Most widespread have been their air cooling systems – of which the Whynter ARC-14S portable air conditioner is the stand-out product.

This Whynter model illustrates how Whynter combines design and performance. It has a sleek and modern design with platinum or black color options. The Whynter ARC-14S portable ice conditioner is engineered to offer a high cooling capacity of 14,000 BTU. With this capacity, it is ideal for rooms, home additions, and other spaces up to 550 square feet. It also features complete thermostatic control, a 24-hour programmable timer that makes this unit a very easy-to-use product.

Like everyone else, you wouldn’t like to contribute to global warming. With this product, you don’t need to feel guilty since it consumes minimum energy and uses ozone-friendly refrigerants. Use of ozone-safe R-410A refrigerant makes it environmentally friendly equipment that does not interfere with our surroundings. In addition, Whynter ARC-14S portable air conditioner utilizes components that are lead-free and RoHS-compliant.

Every air conditioner has its own mechanism for cleaning and freshening air. This unit uses a pre-filter for air filtration. The filter is washable and can be easily cleaned. This unit also features an automatic drain technology that brings moistures from the air and prevents accumulation of the condensate.

The ARC-14S is the quietest portable air conditioners available with a noise level as low as 52.5dB. It can function as a dehumidifier that pulls excess moisture out of the air at 101 pints a day. It also features a fan-only mode that circulates air without cooling it. This unit is one of the most energy-efficient portable air conditioners we reviewed, with a category-best EER of 11.1. However, this unit lacks a sleep mode to keep you comfortable at night while conserving energy.

This portable ice conditioner has a three-year compressor warranty, which is not quite as long as the five-year warranties on Friedrich, Frigidaire units. The Whynter ARC-14S has one-year warranty coverage on other parts, which matches the parts warranties of other models.

See Price of the Whynter ARC-14S

11. Quiet split air conditioner: Pioneer WYS012-17 Air Conditioner Inverter

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The Pioneer WYS012-17 air conditioner is one of the best mini split ductless air conditioners available. It was built with the latest technologies for powerful performance and superior efficiency. One thing that makes the Pioneer WYS012-17 stand out from the other air conditioner units is Pioneer provides you with 2 options for 110V and 220V electric systems.

Pros

• Wireless remote controller
• Super efficient
• Quiet operation
• Cool rooms very quickly

Cons

• Installation is complicated
• Needs a little routine maintenance
• Expensive

Our Review

Split system models are different from standard window ones since they have 2 major parts – an outdoor unit and a ductless indoor unit. The ductless indoor unit has a sleek modern design with a big backlit LED display which will make an attractive addition to any room. This indoor unit can be mounted on the wall to where needed. This such type of air conditioner does cost more than standard window units, but the advantage is that you don’t have a cumbersome appliance in your window all summer.

The Pioneer air conditioner is a highly-rated split system air conditioner with a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU. It is ideal for rooms, offices up to 500 square feet. It’s considered that air conditioners with a SEER higher than 16 are highly efficient, so with a rating of 17.2, this split ductless air conditioning system is designed to use every watt effectively.

A nice feature about this unit is it can act as a heat pump so it can meet your needs whether you want a warm space during winter or a cool space through the summer months. It has a heating capacity of 12,000 BTU, and an HSPF of 9.0. The HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is used to measure the efficiency of air pumps. And with an HSPF of 9.0, this heat pump is very efficient.

As for the latest technologies, the Pioneer air conditioner has worldwide remote access through WiFi. This feature can be useful if you are often away from home. You can connect to your AC from all over the world as long as you have Internet access, and you will be sure to get a cool room when you get home. The remote control allows you to select from four different modes: cooling, heating, ventilation and dehumidifying. Unlike other AC units, the Pioneer WYS012-17 can act as a dehumidifier without cooling the air. The great part about this function is all the water is drained directly on the outside of your home so you don’t have to worry about using a water bucket.

Like other inverter air conditioners, the Pioneer WYS012-17 air conditioner is quieter than its ordinary counterpart. The loudest fan is placed outdoor, so you will only hear the indoor fan but it is extremely quiet. It is virtually noiseless which makes it ideal for bedrooms. You can install it in the nursery and even turn it on while your baby is sleeping.

One of the downsides to buying an inverter air conditioner is the cost, these models are priced higher than ordinary ones. Although it is true that you have to spend more money initially, it can help you save energy and reduce electric bills every month.

Another drawback of this kind of air conditioner is that installation is more complicated than the window-type ACs, so if you have no experience with wiring or HVAC in general, you might be better off paying for someone to install it.

See Price of the Pioneer WYS012-17

How To Choose The Best Quiet Air Conditioners

3 Types Of Air Conditioners

There are three main types: portable air conditioner, window air conditioner, and split ductless air conditioner. To figure out which type of air conditioner that meets your needs, you have to consider these following things:

• Room type: office, living room, bedroom
• Your room size
• Frequency of use
• Whether it will be permanent or temporary
• Whether it will be in a room with a lot of sun exposure or a living room with many appliances
• What is your budget?

Window air conditioner

Window air conditioners are self-contained units that are typically installed inside a window or through a prepared wall hole. They come in many different sizes to fit a variety of window types. They can be a good option if you want to cool a single room rather than the whole house.

Pros

• A convenient way to cool individual areas of the home
• Cheaper than whole-house air conditioning systems
• Relatively quiet
• Easy to install

Cons

• Limited cooling area
• Some installation is needed

Portable air conditioner

Like window air conditioners, this type of air conditioners is designed to cool only one room. However, they offer more flexibility than window units since they don’t require permanent installation, they can be moved to new areas of the home easily.

Pros

• Easy and quick to install
• Relatively quiet
• Low upfront cost

Cons

• Short cooling range
• Takes up floor space

Ductless/ mini-split air conditioner

No ductwork in your home? No problem! This type of air conditioners is a common cooling solution for homeowners with no ductwork in their homes. Like central air conditioning systems, the ductless air conditioner comprises of two parts: an outdoor condenser/compressor and an indoor handling unit. Ductless air conditioners are quieter than window units since their noisiest part is the compressor that’s placed outside the building.

Pros

• Quieter than window and portable units
• More energy-efficient than central ACs
• Don’t take up as much as space a window unit

Cons

• More expensive than window or portable units
• Requires professional installation

Best Small Portable Air Conditioner Reviews 2019

Noise / Decibel levels

Like all sounds, the sound air conditioning units produce is measured in decibels (dB). The decibel scale is a little odd since our ears are incredibly sensitive. We can hear sounds between 0 and 140 decibels. 0 decibel does not mean no sound, it is the so-called hearing threshold for the human ear. While we can hear more than 140 decibels, it can be too painful for our ears and any exposure to 140 dB sound can cause permanent damage to your hearing.

The first thing we did to look for quiet air conditioners that come with a low decibel level. The lower the decibel level, the quieter the unit is. The decibel scale is exponential, so a little difference on paper can feel like a lot more in real life! On the decibel scale, each increase of 10 dB doubles the loudness so 70 decibels is 10 times louder than 60 decibels and 100 times louder than 50 decibels.

A great way to get a feel for how loud an air conditioner is going to be by understanding what different decibel levels sound like. Here we give you examples of noise sources for each decibel level.

So how many decibels is a quiet air conditioner?

Whenever you use a window or portable unit, you should expect some noise. Most of it is made by the compressor of the air conditioner, but even the air blowing from the machine will make some. An air conditioner generates more noise when it runs on higher fan speed. Most units fall somewhere in the 50’s, depending on the fan speed you’re using. In general, the quietest air conditioners produce between 40-60 dB.

Keep in mind that the distance between the unit can the listener directly affects how loud it sounds. The further away you stand from it, the lower the sound level will be. An air working conditioner on the other of a bedroom won’t appear to be as loud as one right next to your head while you’re sleeping.

BTU

In air conditioning units, the BTU (British Thermal Unit) is used to measure the amount of heat that the unit can remove from a space per hour. The more BTUs a unit has, the larger is the quantity of heat which the machine can remove from a room.

When it comes to choosing the right AC, it is important to determine the BTU that you would need in your desired room in order to get the most energy-efficient cooling system for your home. If you get a unit without enough cooling capacity, it may not be able to cool a large space efficiently. If its BTUs is too big, the unit will cycle on and off, wasting energy and decreasing the unit’s ability to adequately dehumidify the room.

To help you determine the BTU power that you would need, we’ve made the following estimation based on different room sizes:

• 100 – 300 square feet: 5,000 – 6,000 BTUs
• 350 – 450 square feet: 8,000 – 10,000 BTUs
• 450 – 650 square feet: 12,000 – 14,000 BTUs

However, there are some other factors that can increase or decrease the load on the unit:

• Increase your required BTU power by 10% if your room is very sunny
• Decrease your BTU power by 10% if your room is heavily shaded
• Add 2,000 BTU if your room has a lot of electrical equipment such as computers
• Add 4,000 BTU if placing a unit in the kitchen
• For rooms that regularly contain more than 2 people, you should add an additional 600 BTU per person.

Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER)

Energy Efficiency Rating is the ratio of the cooling capacity (in BTU per hour) to the power input (in watts). For example, if a 10,000 BTU unit consumes 1,200 watts to run, its EER rating would be 8.3. The calculation would be 10,000 divided by 1200, which equals 8.3.

The higher the EER, the less energy the air conditioner consumers in order to produce cooling and the more energy efficient the air conditioner.

Since the average household spends 15 percent of its monthly electric bill on cooling, so it’s important to choose the energy-efficient unit. Generally, an EER of 10 or above is considered energy efficient. Energy Star air conditioners, which have an EER of 10.7 or higher, use 15 to 20 percent less energy than units without that certification.