These Are the Best Quiet Window Air Conditioners

In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at some of the quietest window AC units on the market, as well as explain the top features each one has to keep you cool and comfortable.

Ultimately, we put together everything you need to know to make a well-informed decision on buying the best silent window air conditioner for your home or apartment.

Before we get started, though, let’s dive into the fundamentals of buying a quiet window air conditioner so you can make the best informed decision for you and your family.

What is Considered a Quiet Window Air Conditioner?

Decibels are a unit of measurement regarding how much noise something makes. The lower the decibel level, the quieter something will be. Looking at window air conditioners when it comes to their noise level, you’ll need to take care to notice the decibel level that they offer. 

For some context, breathing reaches 10 decibels and a lively conversation can reach around 60 decibels. Quiet air conditioners will have a decibel level between 42 and 54 decibels. The amount of noise your window air conditioner will create directly relates to the BTU output (British Thermal Unit). 

The quietest window air conditioners typically range between 5,000 BTUs to 8,000 BTUs as these will need the least amount of power to work.

However, some brands have been able to maintain the same decibel noise level for all size units between 8,000 to 12,000 BTU. Examples of this include the MIDEA U Inverter and the TOSO Chalet. So it is possible to get a more powerful window air conditioner without having to endure a higher noise level.

Keep in mind that opting for a model with a BTU output any higher than 12,000 will increase the noise level too much to be considered quiet.

A little later in our buyers guide we will be looking at how BTU output relates to square footage so that you don’t buy a window air conditioner that is too noisy for your needs. 

What Makes a Window Air Conditioner Quiet?

Inverter Technology

Inverter technology is used to control the speed of the compressor motor in an air conditioner, allowing it to constantly regulate the temperature. The DC inverter units can vary the frequency drive that converts AC current to DC and then passes it through a modulation in an electrical inverter. 

This process produces a current with the desired frequency, which the microcontroller can then sample to ensure that it is the correct temperature. If the temperature is incorrect, a signal will be passed to the compressor to adjust its speed. 

Inverter technology allows window air conditioners to have varied speeds rather than just one constant speed with an on and off function. This means that the AC unit is not always running at its maximum capacity, making it quieter as well as reducing running costs and increasing its efficiency. 

On our list of the quiet window air conditioners, only the MIDEA and LG window air conditioners have inverter technology. The LG has dual inverter technology which promotes more stability while operating at full capacity. The better stability creates fewer vibrations and therefore less noise. However, both brands do run at low noise levels of 42 to 44 dBA.

U-Shaped Design

A U-shaped design reduces the noise levels of a window air conditioner by blocking the sound of the compressor from entering the room. The window pane acts as a sound buffer.

The U-shaped design also allows you to keep full control of your window, which other AC units don’t offer. You can choose whether you want to have the window open or closed, which contrasts with other models that require the window to stay in one position as it anchors the AC unit in place.

Only the best window air conditioner on the market, the MIDEA U Inverter, comes equipped with this innovative U-shaped design.

Insulation

It stands to reason that the better insulated your air conditioner is, the less noise you’re going to hear from the model. This isn’t to say that the window AC unit isn’t making a louder decibel output, but the insulation muffles the vibrations and causes it to appear quieter in your home. 

Over the years, people discovered that you can use sound dampening blankets to reduce the noise output of their AC units, which has forced the manufacturers to amp up the insulation that they use for their window air conditioners. 

Therefore, the newest models on the market often have the most effective insulation and therefore are quietest.

BTU Output

As we mentioned earlier, the BTU output will directly affect the noise level of an air conditioning unit. The lower the BTU output, the lower the noise level. 

This is because AC units with lower BTU outputs have smaller compressors which make fewer vibrations and therefore less decibel output.

Fan Speed

It doesn’t take an engineer to know that the slower the fan speed, the quieter a window air conditioner is. This is due to the vibrations that the compressor and fan makes at maximum capacity. 

The quicker the fan, the harder every component within the AC unit is working. 

This is a prime example of why an AC unit with inverter technology is better than without it. A variable speed will adjust the fan speed as it needs more power and prevent it from working at maximum capacity on a constant basis. This leads to lower noise levels and even a completely silent window air conditioner at times.

Top Quiet Window Air Conditioner Sizes

Below is a table of how much BTU output you should be looking for in regards to the square footage of your room. We’ve also included the decibels that will come with each AC unit depending on the BTUs. 

Room Area (Square Feet)	Capacity Needed (BTUs per Hour)	Average Decibels (dBA)
100 to 150 square feet	5,000 BTU	42 to 52 dBA
150 to 250 square feet	6,000 BTU	42 to 52 dBA
250 to 300 square feet	7,000 BTU	42 to 52 dBA
300 to 350 square feet	8,000 BTU	44 to 56 dBA
350 to 400 square feet	9,000 BTU	44 to 56 dBA
400 to 450 square feet	10,000 BTU	44 to 56 dBA
450 to 550 square feet	12,000 BTU	44 to 56 dBA

Why Correct Size is Important

There are a multitude of reasons why choosing the correct size of your AC unit is important. 

For starters, using an oversized unit will cause you to waste money on the initial purchase. There’s no need to buy a 12,000 BTU window air conditioner for a small 150 square feet room. A 5,000 BTU window air conditioner would be a better investment. 

Additionally, oversized air conditioners usually don’t run long enough for the dehumidification process to take place, resulting in cool but moisture-laden air that feels clammy and uncomfortable to most people.

On the flipside, using an undersized AC unit will cause you to spend more money than necessary on electricity as you’ll be using it for much longer periods of time than if you were to have a correctly sized unit. This also increases the risk of overheating and reducing the lifespan of your window air conditioner, as well as reducing its efficiency. 

As you’re looking for the quietest window air conditioner on the market, getting the correct size of AC unit is always ideal for better noise control too. 

An oversized unit will make more noise due to the larger compressor. Therefore, if you don’t need such a large unit, the louder noise will be unnecessary. 

While an undersized window air conditioner will be quieter than a model with a higher BTU, using it at its maximum capacity will require you to listen to it 24/7. Additionally, using it for prolonged periods of time will age the unit prematurely. Overworked components will make more noise as they work together, making the unit louder in the long run. 

What Is BTU Capacity?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, which is the international standard for heating and cooling appliances.

The higher BTU output relates to a higher amount of energy required to heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. However, in the HVAC industry, BTU measures the quantity of heat that an AC unit can remove from a room in one hour. 

One BTU per hour is equivalent to 0.2931 watts. 

The higher the BTU output, the larger the air conditioner size is. This also translates to heavier weight and more electricity usage. Therefore, the quietest and most silent window air conditioners have low BTUs and wattage use.

What is Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)?

The Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER is a unit of measurement that is used with heating or cooling equipment, such as an AC unit. It measures the ratio of the cooling output (BTUs) compared to the power input (watts per hour) while the unit is running. 

The higher the EER of an air conditioner compared to other systems, the higher the efficiency of the unit. Having a more efficient unit can save you money by requiring less energy to cool your room effectively.

However, the EER rating doesn’t necessarily correlate with the noise level of an AC unit. You can have an incredibly efficient window air conditioner that still has noisy components. 

Likewise, you can have a smaller, less efficient unit that is surprisingly quiet.

ECO Mode (Energy Saver)

ECO mode or Energy Save mode can make your AC unit quieter as it will be running at a slower rate. Eco mode can also reduce the cost of your unit and improve its efficiency in the long run. 

Many people look for an Energy Save mode as it improves the EER rating and saves you money without compromising the performance. 

Sleep Mode

Sleep mode is where the AC unit powers off or reduces its speed of the motor during the nighttime. This will reduce the noise level dramatically or stop it altogether, ensuring that you have uninterrupted sleep while still feeling some of the effects of your AC unit. 

Wi-Fi

Connecting your AC unit to your home Wi-Fi network allows you to expand its capabilities and use it alongside other devices. You can use your smartphone to control the unit or even a voice activated home assistant such as the Amazon Alexa or Google Home. 

Opting for a smart Wi-Fi window air conditioner does come with higher costs. But the added convenience is often well worth it for many people.

Air Filter

Air filters allow the AC unit to purify the air as it passes through the system. This makes the air in your home cleaner and free of harmful particles such as dust, pollen, allergens, and some bacteria.

Timer

A timer is a great feature to have when you don’t want to use your AC unit constantly throughout the day. You can program the timer to turn the air conditioner off when you leave the house as well as turn it on just before you get back.

Timers help to reduce running costs as you won’t be using the unit at maximum power all throughout the day. 

Remote

A remote can be very handy, although it’s not essential. Remote controls allow you to alter the settings of your AC unit without having to touch the unit itself. 

As the window air conditioner is going to be placed near the window, the placement will determine the urgency of needing a remote control or not.

Quiet Window Air Conditioners Reviewed in this Guide

Here’s a quick comparison chart showing the top quiet window air conditioners.

Image	Air Conditioner Details	Price
	MIDEA U Inverter Window Air Conditioner Best Overall Quiet Window Air Conditioner Has the best design, lowest noise, and functions Noise level: 42 decibels	Check Price
	LG LW1019IVSM Window Air Conditioner Quietest Window Air Conditioner for Large Rooms Best choice for rooms up to 250 square feet Noise level: 44 decibels	Check Price
	Haier ESAQ406T Window Air Conditioner Quietest Window Air Conditioner for Small Rooms Best choice for rooms up to 250 square feet Noise level: 44 decibels	Check Price
	TOSOT Tranquility Window Air Conditioner Best Quiet 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Great for medium-sized rooms up to 350 square feet Noise level: 42 decibels	Check Price
	Frigidaire Cool Connect Window Air Conditioner Best Smart Quiet Window AC Unit Lets you control the AC unit with smartphone Noise level: 54 decibels	Check Price
	LG LW8017ERSM Window Air Conditioner Best Selling Quiet Window AC Unit Has been in high demand since its release Noise level: 52 decibels	Check Price
	LG LW1216ER Window Air Conditioner Quietest 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Directs air four different ways to effectively cool a room quickly Noise level: 50 decibels	Check Price
	Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 Window Air Conditioner Best Budget 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Inexpensive to purchase and operate Noise level: 51 decibels	Check Price
	Frigidaire FFRE0533S1 Window Air Conditioner Cheap & Quiet Window Air Conditioner with Digital Controls Digital controls included to set the exact temperature Noise level: 50 decibels	Check Price
	TOSOT Chalet Window Air Conditioner Best New Brand of Quiet Window Air Conditioners Energy Star certified Noise level: 54 decibels	Check Price

What does 50 decibels sound like?

50 decibels sounds like a normal conversation at home. As a comparative reference, 20 decibels is the sound of rustling leaves and 70 decibels is roughly the sound level that a washing machine makes.

How can I make my window air conditioner quieter?

The best way to make your window air conditioner quieter is to maintain it well. Make sure that none of the components are loose inside, keep the fans and coils clean and free of dust, and ensure that all screws are tightened. 

If your air conditioner is making too much noise, the compressor might need to be upgraded to a new model. 

Another way to make your window AC unit quieter is to hang a sound blanket over the top part of the window above the air conditioner. Also, you can use foam insulation on the sides to fill in gaps around the window kit to help muffle the noise and vibrations from the compressor.

Are new air conditioners quieter?

The majority of new AC units are quieter than older models because the components are newer and more innovative technology has been developed to reduce the noise level. Look for single or dual inverter technology for the most silent window air conditioners. 

However, some budget air conditioners are not quieter than older models because their quality has been sacrificed to lower the manufacturing costs. 

Are portable air conditioners quieter than window units?

Portable air conditioners are not quieter than window units. Many portable air conditioners range between 54 to 65 decibels of sound. Compare that to the best window air conditioner models that can be as quiet as 42 decibels even on the highest fans speed setting.

One thing to note; however, is that portable air conditioners do not always run loudly. When the AC unit reaches the set temperature, the compressor turns off while the blower fan still runs. This reduces the noise level considerably, but there is still some sound from the fan blade moving.

If noise is a top concern for you, then a good window air conditioner will be a better choice.