The quietest portable ACs are fabulous triple performing appliances. Not only do they work hard to cool down areas of the home, but they’re also easily transported from room to room. Best of all, though, is that they do all of this while operating at some of the quietest levels possible.
Many people consider AC units to be the noisier of appliances, especially when used in smaller spaces such as the home environment. However, due to the popularity of these models being purchased for home living, manufacturers are now starting to work on reducing the noise their AC units emit.
Therefore, to ensure that you can operate a portable AC in comfort, experts now suggest looking for those models that have a noise level of around 50 decibels.
Here we offer a selection of seven of the quietest portable AC models. Reviewing the specification of each unit, we also consider the additional benefits such products can offer.
Concluding with a little expert advice on selecting the best quietest portable model for your needs, we also offer some practical advice about AC units in general.
Quick Picks: Quietest Portable Air Conditioners Compared
| QUIET PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONER | FEATURES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
  | Haier HPC12XCR |
| Check on Amazon |
  | Honeywell HL09CESWK |
| Check on Amazon |
  | CCH YPLA-08C |
| Check on Amazon |
  | SereneLife SLPAC10 |
| Check on Amazon |
  | Avallon APAC140HC |
| Check on Amazon |
  | Friedrich PH14B |
| Check on Amazon |
  | Frigidaire Cool Connect |
| Check on Amazon |
  | Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP |
| Check on Amazon |
*All links above will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com or you can read our in-depth quiet portable air conditioner reviews below.
Why Choose the Quietest Portable AC?
There are several reasons why people opt for the quietest portable AC units for their homes. These include:
- Increased maneuverability. A portable unit can be moved where and when you prefer to all areas of the home to use.
- Quieter AC units can be lifesavers for those in smaller rooms, apartments, or even when you wish to keep them running throughout the night without disturbing your sleep.
- Portable AC units like these pose no restrictions – unlike typical window air conditioners.
- Quieter portable AC units are usually space-efficient. This means they don’t take up too much room and aren’t too visually distracting.
The Models That Have Made Our Best Quietest Portable AC List
We’ve searched the market and taken into consideration the many verified reviews of satisfied customers to bring you those best quietest portable AC units.
The results are some of the most powerful performing AC units that not only offer fantastic cooling relief to plentiful rooms in the home – but do so at a reduced noise than standard AC units.
These models are also the more transportable of units, making them some of the most practical appliances to have in the home environment.
The result is seven of the best rated and quietest portable AC units that can be purchased with ease online, therefore providing users with a cooling solution that will not disturb those in the immediate vicinity.
Seven of the Best Quiet Portable AC Models on the Market
- EER: 12.2
- BTU: 12,000
- Noise Level (dBa): ~50
- Cooling Area: Up to 450 sq.ft.
The Haier model HPC12XCR makes the top of our list here. This is not only our Editor’s choice but also a firm favorite for the most compact but ultimately most efficient of AC models on the market.
Emitting a noise level of just 50 decibels, this unit is certainly the more lightweight of AC models and indeed the more compact. This makes it ideal for transporting around the home to suit personal preferences.
Cooling a room space of up to 450 square feet, this is the appliance aimed at the modern consumer.
Boasting of a digital panel and additional remote control access, this is the unit that offers users fantastic air circulation features for today’s living. The most crucial feature here is the auto-evaporative set-up. This ensures no manually draining the AC.
With several fan speeds to select from, satisfied customers of the Haier claim it’s ideal at keeping background noise to a minimum, making it great for use in areas such as the bedroom and smaller home offices.
- EER: 11.2
- BTU: 10,000
- Noise Level (dBa): 52 - 56 dB
- Cooling Area: Up to 300 sq. ft.
Our second quietest and portable AC unit on the list for review here is the SLPAC10 from SereneLife. This is a fantastically reviewed and highly rated model by many satisfied customers because of its power.
A lightweight model, this provides cooling relief to areas of up to 300 square feet. Yet, with the noise level in the range of just 52 to 56 decibels in total, it does so with reduced background volume!
With similar features to that of our top pick, the ESAQ406P boasts of a 24 hour on and off timer, a dehumidify mode, a sleep mode, an energy-saving mode, and a fully functional remote control.
Featuring the most intelligent of designs, many customers also highly rate the look of this unit when used in the home.
- EER: 11.5
- BTU: 10,000
- Noise Level (dBa): 54
- Cooling Area: Up to 400 sq. ft.
Our third quietest portable AC unit on the list is one we feel is perfect for those more medium-sized rooms. This is the HL09CESWK model from Honeywell.
Offering a cooling solution to rooms of up to 400 square feet, this is the AC unit, which looks absolutely superb when placed in any room of the home. It boasts a more streamlined and stylish overall design and finishing.
As well as ensuring a powerful cooling solution, this is an AC unit that many customers claim offers a quieter operation process through its 54 decibels of noise level.
Alongside looking great, the Honeywell is also protected by its dual filters, which not only prevent dust and hair build-up – but can also be washed, thus prolonging their lifespan.
With additional features such as a built in-dehumidifier, a sleep mode that is low in energy usage, and digital controls, many satisfied customers find this ideal for keeping on throughout the night.
- EER: 12
- BTU: 14,000
- Noise Level (dBa): 54.7
- Cooling Area: Up to 525 sq. ft.
The Avallon makes the list for an AC unit that not only offers quieter running performance but is ideal for those larger of room types.
This is the APAC140HC model that can provide effective cooling relief to rooms of up to as large as 525 square feet in total!
Yet, even though this is a most powerful and larger of AC units, it can still be transported around the home with ease on its rollers while employing its incredible Invisimist Technology.
With practical features as standard, the APAC140HC benefits from an intelligent mode, remote control, multiple fan settings plus an advanced user interface.
However, the feature that captures our attention the most is how this unit boasts of a mere 54 decibels of noise level even when on full speed – despite being the larger and bigger of portable models on this list!
Furthermore, many customers mention they believe this to be one of the quietest AC units on the current market.
- EER: 12.1
- BTU: 13,500
- Noise Level (dBa): ~51
- Cooling Area: Up to 700 sq.ft.
Selected for its astounding high power, the Fredrich AC Unit is so powerfully designed that it can supply cooling relief to rooms sized up to 700 square feet!
The PH14B model also works to deliver on cooling rooms up to 40 times faster than that of rival AC units – all the while doing so at an unbelievable 51 decibels as it operates!
Though one of the largest and indeed most powerful of models on this review list, this model is still portable enough to be wheeled to whatever room you require instant results in.
Also featuring a washable air filter and self-evaporation technology, this is an AC unit that comes from a supplier who many consider the expert in air conditioning solutions.
As an added bonus, the Friedrich also benefits from the construction of a dual-house design. This means it can work more efficiently than most single-hose AC units. With this design, the unit can vent air warm air outside before it circulates the room.
- EER: 12.1
- BTU: 12,000
- Noise Level (dBa): 56
- Cooling Area: Up to 550 sq. ft.
The Frigidaire Cool Connect model makes our portable AC list here for the simple reason – it’s the quietest Smart Wi-Fi option model on the market.
Thus, those looking for a more modern type of device can select the Cool Connect for a thoroughly effortless way to cool rooms of up to 550 square feet in total.
A smaller and visually modern-looking device, though this doesn’t resemble the standard makings of an AC unit, it certainly works to reduce the volume of them. The Frigidaire has a good low level of noise at just 56 decibels.
What’s more, with this vastly reduced and more streamlined design, transporting it to anywhere in the home is easy.
With a 360-degree airflow mechanism, three cooling and fan speeds, plus a 24-hour timer, this appliance certainly fits well with modern-day living.
- EER: 9.4
- BTU: 12,000
- Noise Level (dBa): 52
- Cooling Area: Up to 400 sq.ft.
Our final product on the list for review here is one with a difference. This model is the Whynter-Elite, model ARC-122DHP, and it’s a dual-hose option.
Though it’s a slight alternative to the other six models reviewed above, it can still hold its own in terms of its many beneficial additions.
Here you can cool an area of up to 400 square feet, all the while getting that all-important reduced volume of just 52 decibels while doing so.
A fantastic portable device, this reduces the amount of energy necessary for the cooling process and boasts of all the standard features you expect.
Finding the Best Quietest Portable AC Unit for your Needs
Before you make your final purchasing decision, it’s worth ensuring you have as much information about these products before parting with your money.
This means checking that the quietest portable AC model you select is the best appliance for your specific needs:
- Look at the decibel ratings of your preferred model. We’ve made sure that the models we’ve chosen for review are around the 50-decibel rating. Experts suggest that anything between 40 to 60 decibels will produce a satisfactory quieter runner.
- Consider the size of each model. These models are all designed to work on certain rooms in the home. Therefore, make sure you compare the size of the room you wish to cool with the recommended cooling area served by each appliance. Those smaller models will struggle to cope with large rooms, whereas those larger models may be too overbearing for extremely small rooms.
- Consider the maneuverability of your chosen model. This includes the weight, shape, design, and of course, whether it comes complete with wheels! This is especially important if you want to be transporting it from room to room but don’t want to be carrying it. Portable AC units should be the lighter of models – but understandably the larger they are, the heavier they will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aren’t quieter AC units silent?
No AC unit will be absolutely silent in operation. However, some models are well known for their incessant humming or vibration when in operation. By working tirelessly to reduce the noise levels, the manufacturers of quieter AC models have been able to design a compromise. This means that those looking for such appliances that actively reduce the noise levels they emit can find some relief in those AC units claiming decibels of around 40 to 60. Thus, you can expect a minimal amount of noise, but at such reduced levels, it isn’t enough to disturb those in close approximately.
Can quieter portable AC units be used in any room in the home?
The great thing about portable units such as these is that they can be wheeled to almost anywhere in the home. However, for them to be vented correctly, the room they’re set up in needs a window. This is so you can run the hose out of the window to allow the unit to function correctly. You’ll also need to be able to situate the unit near a socket.
Our Final Thoughts on the Quietest Portable AC Units
In concluding, the Haier HPC12XCR gains our award for the overall best quietest portable AC unit. This is due not just to offering a greatly reduced noise level in operation but ultimately because of its vast satisfied customer reviews.
However, we believe that every model reviewed on our list can offer a quieter running process as well as fantastic maneuverability for all looking for such solutions in the home.
Therefore, if you’re searching for the quietest portable AC unit for your living environment, each one of these seven models can provide effective cooling relief in an instant to many a room with complete quieter operations all-round.
About the Author
Dave Miller is a HVAC technician with over 10 years in the industry. Dave created HeatTalk with the ambition for it to become a resource for individuals looking for answers, whether they be a layman, student or a professional.