Mobile, flexible, and cost-effective – there are plenty of reasons to choose a portable A/C unit over a fixed or central system. But some can be loud. So what’s the quietest portable aircon?
What you’ll get from this article is the decibel levels of some of the quietest portable aircon units around.
We’ll discuss what makes them quiet, as well as other notable features that may impact your buying decision.
You can find many portable air conditioners with an operational noise of around 50-60 decibels (dB). That’s around the same noise level as a microwave, but quieter than a washing machine or smoothie maker.
You can skip straight to the quiet portable A/C units on this list below:
- Cooper & Hunter Portable Air Conditioner
- LG Portable Air Conditioner
- PQH Portable Air Conditioner
- Midea Duo
- Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier
- LG Dual Inverter Air Conditioner
Before we dive in, here are some stats:
# 1 – Cooper & Hunter Portable Air Conditioner – 42 dB
A powerful portable air conditioner with one of the quietest operational noise levels on the market and 4-in-1 functionality.
This portable air conditioner from Cooper & Hunter is capable of cooling medium-to-large size spaces – but more importantly, it’s quiet.
The Estonian brand, with headquarters in Miami, has excelled in bringing the noise level down on portable A/C. Its optimized air duct duo system and inverter technology can reach full cooling speed in just 5 seconds. The 42 dB operating level marks it out as one of the very quietest portable A/C units on the market; suitable for bedrooms or living rooms where it is important to keep the volume down.
There are also 14000 British thermal units (BTU) of power which makes this an efficient cooler of larger spaces thanks to the compact dual hose design.
Pros
- Very quiet (42 dB)
- Powerful (14,000 BTU)
- Offers cooling, heating, dehumidifying and ventilation (4 in 1)
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Too powerful to be energy efficient in small rooms
Best for: Quiet and powerful A/C for medium-to-large space
#2 – LG Portable Air Conditioner – 51 dB
Ideal for smaller bedrooms and spaces; this portable LG A/C unit is excellent value and offers auto-swing for optimum air distribution.
OK, so it’s not as quiet as the Cooper & Hunter A/C unit above, but it’s not as expensive, either.
The truth is, with a noise level of 51 dB in low mode, this LG Portable Air Conditioner is a great quiet option for those who want to cool or heat a smallish bedroom.
You can choose between cooling, ventilation, and dehumidifying, giving you 3-in-1 functionality. There are 2 cooling and fan speeds which allow you to adjust the power, as well as the noise. A 7000 BTU capability mean that this LG Portable Air Conditioner has the muscle to control the temperature in bedrooms, kitchens and small living rooms, but probably not bigger spaces as well.
And as you’d expect from more expensive wall air conditioners, there is an auto-swing air vent which helps to distribute air evenly, avoiding ‘hot spots’.
Pros
- Fairly low noise (51 dB) for great value
- Good functionality and adequate power
- Auto swing
Cons
- Not powerful enough for large rooms
Best for: Small bedroom, living room or kitchen
#3 – PQH Portable Air Conditioner – 46 dB
Low noise level from this Chinese-made budget-friendly portable A/C unit that offers a range of functionality; including child lock and Sleep Mode.
PQH is a name you may not have come across before. It’s a Chinese manufacturer that has built a solid reputation selling its air conditioners online. They are not flashy but do the job… and this one is quiet.
At 46 dB, the noise of this PQH Air Conditioner has been described as similar to a “trickle”. That doesn’t mean that this A/C unit is weak. With 10000 BTU to call on it can easily cool medium size rooms.
For the price, there’s an impressive amount of functionality, too. There are 3 modes, giving you fan and dehumidifier as well as cooling. Then there’s a 24-hour timer and Sleep Mode, allowing you to save money by having your aircon automatically turn off.
We also liked the child lock to protect kids and pets. First and foremost, this option is excellent value and is quiet.
Pros
- Low noise (46 dB)
- Outstanding value
- Ample power (10000 BTU)
- Good functionality
Cons
- One year warranty not as long as others
Best for: Quiet, budget-friendly portable aircon
#4 – Midea Duo – 42 dB
Super-low noise level, smart app connectivity and tons of functionality – not to mention power – make the Midea Duo a true box ticker.
42 dB is as low as it gets on our list of quiet portable A/C units. Don’t just take our word for it, the Midea Duo was highlighted as quiet in a New York Times round-up of the best portable aircon systems.
Ultra-quiet operation at 42 dB means that you won’t be disturbed when sleeping or relaxing, and the 14000 BTU wielded by the Midea Duo makes it quite capable of cooling medium-to-large rooms.
Efficient A/C is thanks to – as the name suggests – a dual hose design that offers balanced air circulation. Inverter technology makes it energy efficient; 40% more than the US federal standard according to the manufacturer. It cools fast with an optimized air duct system and is wifi-enabled for smart connectivity – you can control it using the MSmartHome App for Android and Apple phones.
Pros
- One of the quietest on the market (42 dB)
- Powerful
- Smart connectivity with phone apps
- Also offers heating
Cons
- May require periodical draining
Best for: Super-quiet, versatile A/C
#5 – Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier
Superb value from this refurbished unit, with its low noise level commented on in the reviews of buyers online.
If you want the most value from your portable A/C unit, why not go for a refurbished one such as this Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier?
We’ve included it because of the excellent price, decent cooling power (8000 BTU), and quiet operation that several reviewers mention. We couldn’t find the exact operational noise of this one online.
What else? Well, there is also a dehumidifier feature, and a washable filter makes this unit very easy to clean.
Pros
- Quiet operation backed up by reviewers
- Excellent price
Cons
- Not new
Best for: Quieter A/C unit on tight budget
# 6 – LG Dual Inverter Air Conditioner – 44 dB
Powerful cooling allied with Sleep Mode that brings the noise down to 44 dB – you’ll also get smart connectivity with your mobile device.
Another LG entry in our list, with noise down to 44 dB in sleep mode. You can use this portable A/C unit to easily cool a medium room, attic or basement because it offers 10000 BTU.
Inverter technology means that it’s supposedly 40% more energy efficient than traditional models. For those who are into their smart technology, this unit gives you LG ThinQ technology that lets you control it from your mobile device
There are three functions – cooling, fan, and dehumidifier. Reviewers with large spaces in hot climates report that the LG Dual Inverter Air Conditioner does the job very well. All in all, a very solid product from this trusted manufacturer.
Pros
- Quiet with Sleep Mode (44 dB)
- Powerful
- Smart technology
Cons
- Pricier than some
Best for: Reliable quiet cooling
