9 Quietest Portable Air Conditioners (Ranked By Decibels) (2024)

Written By

Josh Mitchell

Expert Reviewed By

Holly Curell

Last Updated On

May 30, 2024

The Midea Duo is my top pick and, in my opinion, the best quiet portable AC around.

This whisper-quiet portable AC unit performed well in every category, showing that a premium AC does not have to be loud.

If you want a powerful cooling without any disruption, I recommend this unit.

The main reason it is so effective and quiet is the inverter compressor. It runs differently from your standard rotary compressor unit and basically never shuts off.

Instead, the inverter compressor runs continuously and continuously adjusts the speed.

The real benefit here is that there is no loud starting or stopping from the compressor. Instead, it maintains a consistently low noise level.

I tested the Midea Duo on the highest and lowest settings to compare the decibels. On the highest fan speed, it reached about 58 decibels, but on the lowest, it maintained around 40-45 decibels.

That's incredibly quiet for a home AC unit, and it's actually quieter than a normal conversation.

Don't let the quiet operation fool you, though, because the Midea Duo has more cooling capacity than most portable air conditioners.

The BTUs are impressive, but the cooling power comes from thedual hose unit.

The thick exhaust hoses funnel cold air in quickly and hot air out.

During testing, it cooled my medium-sized living room in under 60 minutes and then maintained the exact temperature continuously.

It was impressive for any AC, but even more so for a portable air conditioning unit.

The Midea Duo also has all the modern features to make it easier to use.

There are a range of cooling modes, 4 different fan speed settings, a timer, and a remote control. There is even an App so you can control it through your Wi-Fi.

The App itself is good, but it took me a while to connect, so I would allow some time to set it up.

The Midea Duo also has a built-in dehumidifying mode.

t's better than the dry mode on most portable ACs and can maintain a relative humidity of around 50%. This is an added bonus for anyone living in a hot climate.

The noise level, features, and functionality are all good, but what really impressed me about the Midea Duo was the energy efficiency.

It has a high EER rating and is much more energy efficient than even the SereneLife or Delonghi ACs.

The efficiency makes it a great choice for any homeowners who need continuous cooling during the hot summer months because you can run it cheaply.

The only slight issue I had with the Midea Duo was the positioning. The thick exhaust hoses make it difficult to direct properly, so it's harder to target one part of the room.

However, the fan is so powerful it doesn't matter too much.

The AC will blow a powerful stream of air 20 feet, so if you direct it into the middle of the room, it will still have a big impact.

The Midea Duo is not your standard portable AC.

It can cool a room much more quickly than other models, but the high-quality design also limits the noise.

This makes it the perfect choice for homeowners who don't want a loud portable air conditioner ruining the peace at home.

This is the quiet portable AC I recommend to anyone, particularly those who live in a hot climate and need continuous cooling.

I am often skeptical of combo air conditioner models because they often struggle to cool AND dehumidify a room, but the SereneLife portable AC is one of the exceptions.

I recommend this model to any homeowners that need cooling and dehumidification.

This 3 in 1 model doesn't have the same cooling capacity or coverage as the Midea Duo but can still manage a small-to-medium-sized space.

The single exhaust system offers a good amount of cooling capacity, and during testing, it reduced the temperature from 95 to 75 degrees in just 3 hours.

It isn't the quietest portable AC unit on the list, but it still has low noise levels.

It will reach about 62-64 decibels on the highest setting, but it should typically run at 52-55 decibels. That's roughly the same as background music or a quiet conversation.

This makes the SereneLife the perfect quiet portable AC for offices, living rooms, or even bedrooms.

This air conditioner has all the features you would expect, including a timer, various fan speed settings, and an auto temperature mode.

I was slightly disappointed that there’s no App controller option, but there is a standard remote control.

I really like the swing mode fan setting. This allows the AC to direct air around the room and provides faster cooling.

Undoubtedly, the best feature of this portable air conditioner is the high-quality dehumidifier. This is much more efficient than most portable combo units and can remove 1-2 pints of moisture from the air every hour.

I tested it in my bathroom, and it was able to maintain a relative humidity of around 40%, which is more than some portable dehumidifiers can achieve.

My one criticism of SereneLife is the quality.

It’s not bad by any means, but it’s not as high quality as the Whynter, Delonghi, or Midea portable units.

It should still work well for at least 2-3 years but don't expect it to last as long as some other models.

SereneLife is the solution to your heat and humidity problems. It isn't the biggest or toughest AC, but it works well in smaller rooms.

I recommend it to any homeowners who want to replace separate AC and dehumidifier appliances with one.

Black & Decker is one of my go-to brands, and I often recommend their home appliances. Their portable AC doesn't disappoint and provides quiet cooling at a low cost.

The Black & Decker AC runs between 52 and 60 decibels (depending on the fan speed setting), which is around the same sound level as a quiet office.

It isn't as quiet as the Midea Duo, but it is still far below the industry average decibel rating.

It has an integrated timer, remote control options, and simple controls.

I love simplicity, and I like that it's straightforward enough that you don't need to use the manual to get started.

The installation of the Black & Decker wasn't the easiest, and you should allow some time for it.

It took me about 30 minutes, but once I had the exhaust connection figured out, it was easy to set up and move as needed.

The whole unit is lightweight and easy to grip too. This made it easy to move between rooms, and it's definitely one of the best models for homeowners who need to move their AC frequently.

One thing that stood out for me during testing was the accuracy of the internal thermostat.

It reduced the heat from 93 degrees to 72 degrees in about 6 hours, which is fairly good, but it then maintained that temperature consistently.

If you love your home at a consistent temperature, then this AC will work well for you.

The Black & Decker air conditioner comes with a dehumidifier mode too.

It's not as impressive as the SereneLife AC, but it works well. It isn't powerful enough for extreme humidity but will regulate moisture levels up to 55% with minimal effort.

There are two things that really stood out for me with the Black & Decker portable AC unit.

Firstly, the design. It has a small and sleek design which is much shorter than other models. This allows it to fit inconspicuously into most rooms so that you can place it anywhere.

Secondly, the quality. The outer casing and internal components are all high quality, and they will stand up to heavy use.

Given that you can pick up this air conditioning unit for $300, it offers excellent value for money.

The only minor issue with this air conditioner was that the air filters didn't seem very effective at improving the air quality. It's not a big issue for an AC, but this unit is definitely no replacement for an air purifier.

Still, the combination of design, durability, and simplicity make this one of the best portable AC units.

If you don't have much experience with portable AC units and have a limited budget, then I would recommend the Black & Decker.

I love efficiency, so I was excited to test the Whynter air conditioner and see if it could heat, cool, and dehumidify a room properly.

I wasn't disappointed; I can see why this is one of the most popular portable air conditioners.

The Whynter AC functions like a cheaper and more portable mini split. The dual hose system cools quickly and effectively regulates the room temperature.

I found the AC more effective than the heating, but the heat pump can still get the temperature up to 105 degrees.

It's also got a powerful dehumidifier built in. The specs say it can pull 82 pints of moisture from the air a day, which I think is slightly exaggerating, but it can still pull 60-70 pints a day with no issues.

I recommend installing a drain line if you want to use the dehumidifier setting regularly, or you will need to empty the tank a lot.

Even though it's a dual hose, the installation is fairly straightforward. It took me about 20 minutes to set it up with the intake and exhaust vents, and the instructions were clear.

Just make sure you leave the unit for 24 hours after it arrives so the coolant can settle. This will prevent any damage to the refrigerator coils.

What impressed me most about the Whynter portable unit was how the noise level stayed low.

The heating mode was the loudest at around 60 decibels, but the air conditioner runs at only 50-55 decibels.

It’s not as quiet as the Midea Duo, but the relatively quiet operation means you can use this portable unit in living areas or even bedrooms without causing any disruption.

The only drawback of the Whynter AC unit is that you need to clean the washable filter regularly. If you let the filter in these portable AC units get dirty, the noise level will increase noticeably.

However, if you stick to a good cleaning and maintenance routine, this quiet air conditioner should stay quiet.

This is an all-in-one solution that I recommend for homeowners who experience high and low temperatures.

It works well in basem*nts or garages, but it is also quiet enough for use in living areas or bedrooms.

The Delonghi is one of the most versatile portable AC units I have ever tested, and the range of programs and settings make it suitable for any part of your home.

If you frequently move your AC to cool different rooms, the DeLonghi is perfect for you.

The versatile nature of the AC starts with the installation process. It's very simple and far easier than some other portable ACs.

The single exhaust hose is almost 6 feet long, which means it can reach anywhere in your home.

This means you can place the AC in the best position to limit the noise and have the best impact.

The DeLonghi isn't as light as the compact Black and Decker, but the small dimensions still make it easy to move. The caster wheels are also good quality and can roll between rooms as needed.

It comes with a standard timer, programmable thermostat, and automatic cooling features that you would expect - and they all work well.

There is a remote control, but it's very sensitive and didn't work well for me.

Thankfully, the on-screen controls are easy to use, so I recommend just using those.

I like that the DeLonghi has a wide variety of settings, but I love that it stays whisper-quiet for all of them.

Sleep mode impressed me the most, and when I tested it, it produced just over 40 decibels (which is extremely quiet). Plus, the sleep mode draws even less power.

This feature makes the DeLonghi perfect for nighttime AC and great for anyone who wants to maintain a consistent temperature in their bedroom.

My only criticism of the DeLonghi is the cooling performance. It works well in a small room, but I found it could only consistently reach 62-64 degrees and no lower.

Most portable ACs won't go much lower than this, and it's generally cold enough for most people.

However, if you want an extreme cooling performance, I recommend you go with the Midea Duo or the SereneLife instead.

The Delonghi doesn't have Wi-Fi connectivity or all the impressive features of other models.

However, it has some great pre-set running modes, and it runs so quietly that you won't even notice it.

If you want an AC for use in a variety of big or small rooms, this is the perfect solution.

I love simple appliances, and that is just what the DuraComfort portable air conditioner offers.

This air conditioner is low maintenance and gives effortless cooling, perfect for homeowners who want a set-it-and-forget-it AC.

Installation is a breeze with the DuraComfort, and I had it set up within 5 minutes of it being delivered.

The instruction manual was one of the clearest I have ever used, and it's the perfect model for anyone nervous about installing an AC for the first time.

The simplicity keeps going with the operation too. It has a simple digital display which makes it easy to program the AC as needed.

I tend to use the automatic thermostat mode, but there is a timer too.

It also has a remote control and a Wi-Fi-enabled app to control it from a distance.

The DuraComfort has a BTU rating that makes it suitable for larger spaces, but the real cooling power comes from the dual motor system.

This massively improves the efficiency, and during testing, it took just 4 hours to reduce the temperature from 96 to 70 degrees. That's better than some fixed AC units can do.

The dual motors help to keep the noise level down too. The improved output and efficiency help to limit the strain on the air conditioner and keep it running smoothly.

It runs at around 52 decibels, but it can go below 50 decibels if you have it on the lowest setting.

That's about as quiet as light rain on your window, so it shouldn't disturb you.

One feature I really liked with the DuraComfort was the 'follow me' function. This allows the remote control to act as a thermostat, and the AC will adjust its settings accordingly.

This gives more precise temperature control and helps ensure that the unit is cooling the whole room to the right level.

I did notice a few small issues with the DuraComfort model during testing. The App is difficult to connect to, the remote is fairly poor quality (except for the 'follow me' function), and the outer casing is quite flimsy.

However, these are genuinely all very minor problems, and they don't impact the performance at all.

The DuraComfort AC is an affordable option that offers powerful cooling. It's a valuable asset for homeowners who want to quickly cool an apartment or large living space.

I've used a lot of LG air conditioners over the years, and I know they work well. What I didn't realize is just how quietly some of their smaller models, like this one, run. This combination of quiet and effective cooling is why it's on the list.

The LG runs at around 50-55 decibels, so it isn’t as quiet as the Midea or SereneLife units, but it is still quiet.

The blowing air actually acts like white noise and creates an almost unnoticeable background sound.

The LG is also a bit of a beast when it comes to cooling. The BTU rating isn’t the highest, and it won’t cover as big an area as the Delonghi AC, but it can make a big difference in a small room.

It creates a powerful stream of cold air that you can feel about 10-15 feet in front of the unit, and you can set it to oscillate. This improves indoor air circulation and flows surprisingly quickly.

During testing, it reduced the temperature from 93 to 78 degrees in just 2 hours which is a testament to the quiet power.

Like other models on the list, it has a 3 in 1 operation with AC, fan, and dehumidifier settings.

They all work well, but the dehumidifier setting can't handle extreme moisture, so I wouldn’t recommend it for very humid climates.

What I like most about this LG appliance is that it's very low maintenance. The installation is a breeze (it took me just 2 minutes to set up), the controls are basic, and it doesn't need much cleaning or upkeep.

In fact, the LG is one of the lowest-maintenance models out there. It’s perfect for busy homeowners who don’t have time to constantly check their appliances.

One thing to remember with this AC is that the exhaust hose gives off a lot of heat. I didn't notice it at first, but after an hour, I could feel the heat coming back from the exhaust into the surrounding air and back into the room.

I would recommend getting an insulation sleeve and fitting it over the exhaust. This will keep the heat flowing out of the room and improve the overall efficiency of the unit.

The LG is a powerful appliance in a small space. The small dimensions and noise output make these quiet units perfect for RVs, studio apartments, small bedrooms, or offices.

I would recommend this AC to those with small rooms that get very hot and stuffy.

hOmelabs make user-friendly products that last, so I was eager to put this AC through its paces.

I wasn't disappointed, and the high performance over large spaces is why I recommend it for homeowners who want powerful cooling without the noise.

The first thing I noticed about this model is the design. I know it's just an appliance, but the hOmelabs AC has a minimalist and sleek look that seamlessly blends into a modern home.

It isn't as small as the Whynter, but the design makes it easy to forget it's even there.

It's the kind of AC you don't feel the need to store either because it just fits in the space.

The quiet operation also helps to make this AC very unnoticeable. I tested it on all fan speeds and the dehumidifier mode, and the noise levels stayed low.

On the highest setting, it gave off about 55 decibels which is slightly higher than the specifications say).

However, on the lowest, it was a whisper quiet 45 decibels. This means you can place this AC anywhere, and it shouldn't disturb you.

What I love about the hOmelabs portable AC is that even though it’s small and quiet, it can still cover a big area.

It doesn’t have the same BTU output as the DeLonghi or DuraComfort, but it can cover almost the same size rooms.

I tested it in my open-plan kitchen living area (about 500 square feet), and it reduced the temperature from 93 to 75 in 5 hours.

That is powerful enough cooling for any home.

This powerful efficiency is because it has a larger exhaust pipe. This funnels more cold air into the room, reducing the temperature quicker than standard portable ACs.

Plus, it has an auto-swing mode so that the supply of cold air is circulated faster.

All of this makes it one fast-acting air conditioner.

What stood out for me about the hOmelabs portable AC was the quality. It has a tough outer shell and solid caster wheels, and the internal components are high quality.

It is clearly well-made and a big step up from your standard cheap, flimsy AC.

This means it will last longer and should keep running quietly throughout its lifespan with no creaking or rattling.

To be honest, my only criticism of the hOmelabs portable AC was in the installation. Most of it was straightforward, but I found the dehumidifier drain line difficult to attach.

The instructions are ok, but I actually had to remove the exhaust pipe to fit the drain line.

This is a minor issue, but I advise you to take your time to set it up properly, especially if you want to use the dehumidifier a lot.

The hOmelabs portable AC performs well and is a cut above your standard portable. The variety of settings, large coverage, and high build quality make it an asset in any home.

If you're a homeowner who wants a long-lasting portable AC to help you stay cool, this model is for you.

The Airo Comfort is one of those small portable ACs that packs a punch. It offers reliable cooling but is small and quiet enough for use in bedrooms, RVs, and other small rooms.

The Airo Comfort looks unassuming, but don’t underestimate the cooling power that it can produce.

It doesn’t have the coverage of the DeLonghi, but in a small-medium sized room, it will lower the temperature quickly.

I tested it in my bedroom, which had soared to 97 degrees, to see how it would perform. It brought the temperature down to 85 in just 3 hours and then down to 78 in another 3.

That is impressive cooling from such a small model.

It comes with a window installation kit that's simple to hook up, and it's perfect for beginners. It shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to set up, even if it's your first time.

The exhaust pipe is fairly short, which can limit the placement of the AC, but in a smaller room, it shouldn't be a big problem.

The Airo Comfort is one of the lighter units, and it's easy to lift from room to room. It has good-quality wheels on the bottom, too (unlike many cheap portable units), so you can roll it if you prefer.

This, combined with the easy installation, makes it one of the most portable options.

It has 3 different fan speed settings, a dehumidifier, and various running modes. These all perform well, but I found the sleep mode the best.

It runs virtually noiselessly (about 45 decibels), but you can still feel the cold air. If you're a light sleeper in a hot room, this is the AC you need.

Airo has installed oscillating vents on top of their device to spread cold air faster. This stops the cool air from only blasting in one direction and improves the overall efficiency of the appliance.

I also found that I didn't have to run it for as long to feel the cooling effects, which means you save money on energy bills!

What I like the most about the Airo Comfort is the consistency. It doesn't matter if it's cooling an 80-degree room or a 100-degree room; the performance stays the same.

In fact, it can manage temperatures above 110 degrees (hotter than most other portable ACs can manage) without overheating.

This makes it the perfect AC for homeowners living in very hot climates.

The consistency of the Airo is also clear from the noise level. I tested all the fan speed settings and modes and found that it never got above 55-58 decibels.

It isn't as quiet as the Midea Duo, but the sound level stays the same regardless of how it's being used.

My one criticism of the Airo air conditioner was the thermostat. It’s not very precise, and it’s only accurate to about 3 degrees on either side. This can mean that your AC is running for longer than it should be.

It's not a huge problem, but it does make the AC slightly less efficient. You may also want to manually control the air conditioner a bit more.

However, I can’t fault the Airo portable AC’s performance or design. It is clearly well made, and no matter what I threw at it, it just kept working.

This AC is perfect for hotter temperatures and works well in bedrooms or offices. I recommend it to any homeowners who want an AC that keeps working no matter what.

FAQs

Yes, even though there are a lot of loud portable air conditioners, it is possible to find a high-quality, quiet portable AC.

All the portable air conditioners on the list above run quietly and should give you cooling with minimal disruption.

Portable air conditioners can appear to be louder than window units, but that is usually because window units direct some of the sound out of the building.

However, quiet portable AC units will usually produce less noise output than window air conditioners.

You can make portable air conditioners quieter by cleaning the filters and running them on a lower setting.

You can also place them on carpets or rugs, which will absorb some of the sounds and limit how many decibels reach you.

Yes, a higher BTU portable AC unit will generally be louder than a low BTU model.

However, portable air conditioner noise levels are influenced by a number of other factors, and some high BTU models can run quietly.

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4. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/units-and-calculators/british-thermal-units.php
5. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/room-air-conditioners