Window units aren’t the same. Some aren’t powerful enough, while others make more noise than necessary.
If you want less noise and more cold air in your living space, continue reading to know the quietest window air conditioners on the market, why they’re on the list, and how to choose them.
Comparison Table
| Product | Details |
| TOSOT Tranquility Series | Dimensions: 18.8” x 21.4” x 14” Noise levels: 42 - 49 dB Coverage: up to 350 sq. ft. Power: 8,000 BTU |
| LG LW8017ERSM | Dimensions: 19.6” x 19.4” x 12.4” Noise levels: 52 - 60 dB Coverage: up to 350 sq. ft. Power: 8,000 BTU |
| Keystone KSTAW05BE | Dimensions: 15.4” x 16” x 12” Noise levels: 49 - 56.5 dB Coverage: up to 150 sq. ft. Power: 5,000 BTU |
| Frigidaire FFRE123WAE | Dimensions: 19” x 21.5” x 14.5” Noise levels: 57 - 59 dB Coverage: up to 550 sq. ft. Power: 12,000 BTU |
| Emerson Quiet Kool EARC15RE1 | Dimensions: 35.4” x 23.6” x 17.9" Noise levels: 52 - 56 dB Coverage: up to 700 sq. ft. Power: 15,000 BTU |
| Soleus Air Saddle Window AC | Dimensions: 18.7” x 28.9” x 15” Noise levels: 38 - 49 dB Coverage: up to 275 sq. ft. Power: 6,000 BTU |
| Frigidaire FFRE1833U2 | Dimensions: 23.6” x 27.4” x 17.7” Noise levels: 55 - 59 dB Coverage: up to 1,020 sq. ft. Power: 18,000 BTU |
| Haier Serenity Series Ultra-quiet | Dimensions: 23.25” x 21.25” x 15” Noise levels: 43 - 52 dB Coverage: up to 250 sq. ft. Power: 6,200 BTU |
| TaoTronics TT-AC003 | Dimensions: 15.7” x 21.3” x 21.5” Noise levels: 38 - 43 dB Coverage: up to 350 sq. ft. Power: 8,000 BTU |
Best Quietest Window Air Conditioners
1. TOSOT Tranquility Series - Best Overall
| Cooling capacity: | 8,000 BTU |
| Recommended square footage: | 350 sq. ft. |
| Energy efficiency: | 12.0 |
| Noise levels: | 42 - 49 dB |
| Dimensions (WxDxH in inches): | 18.8” x 21.4” x 14” |
| Weight: | 71 lbs. |
Many don’t have enough time for research to find the best window air conditioners that are quiet. So, we’ve done the research for you and found the TOSOT Tranquility Series window air conditioner to be the best one on the market.
From an aesthetic perspective, this window AC unit is pleasant on the eyes. Its front-panel placement and modern mesh grill enable it to fit in any modern setting seamlessly.
The 8,000 BTU rating gives this window air conditioner enough power to cover 350 sq. ft. with ease. If you prefer a low energy cost in the long run, you’d be pleasantly surprised with its Energy Star rating and high EER rating of 12.
As you can tell from the series name, this window air conditioner is seriously quiet, reaching a noise level of only 49 dB at the highest fan speed.
This air conditioning unit is also packed with features. The adjustable air vents allow you to cool upward for your comfort. Plus, the smart remote control has a sensor that reads and adjusts the settings remotely.
The ac unit has many helpful modes, such as energy-saving mode, sleep mode, and fan-only mode.It also acts as a dehumidifier for those clammy days and removes 2.43 pint/h.
It’s also impressive how affordable this window AC unit is when you consider what it offers.
Yet, it has one downside, which is the lack of wi-fi; it just would make this already smart window unit more complete.
Pros:
- Incredibly quiet at the highest fan speed
- Relatively affordable
- Energy Star certified and high EER
- Modern look
- Adjustable air direction
- Remote control and timer
- Smart AC sensor
Cons:
- No wi-fi connectivity
2. LG LW8017ERSM - Reliable Brand
| Cooling capacity: | 8,000 BTU |
| Recommended square footage: | 350 sq. ft. |
| Energy efficiency: | 12.0 |
| Noise levels: | 52 - 60 dB |
| Dimensions (WxDxH in inches): | 19.6” x 19.4” x 12.4” |
| Weight: | 58 lbs. |
Some people aren’t in the mood for experimenting and want to play it safe by buying the quiet window air conditioner from a brand that they already trust. Since LG is one of the most reliable brands in the AC industry, it only fits to introduce its best product, LG LW8017ERSM.
The dimensions of this window are conditioner are small enough to fit in most frames. More importantly, I like how lightweight it is, weighing only 58 pounds, which makes the installation process much easier. Also, its modern look matches its performance.
Thanks to its cooling ability of 8,000 BTU, it’ll cool air in any 350 sq. ft. room. More importantly, it’s an Energy Star window AC unit that also has a high EER rating of 12. At its low speed, it produces 52 dB of noise.
This window air conditioner offers three fan speeds and multiple modes, including auto mode. If you’re a technology enthusiast, you’ll like the fact that it connects wirelessly to your phone through a mobile application, giving you full control from a distance.
I also like the washable air filter, which ensures the circulation of clean air in the room. Even better, its low cost is great for anyone who wants to cool off without breaking the bank.
Yet, it has one flaw, which is that it has the loudest high speed on the list, reaching 60 dB.
Pros:
- Trusted brand
- Lightweight
- Highly affordable
- Modern look
- Energy Star certified and high EER
- Wi-fi control and mobile app
Cons:
- Loudest maximum volume on the list
3. Keystone KSTAW05BE - Budget Pick for Small Room
| Cooling capacity: | 5,000 BTU |
| Recommended square footage: | 150 sq. ft. |
| Energy efficiency: | 12.1 |
| Noise levels: | 49 - 56.5 dB |
| Dimensions (WxDxH in inches): | 15.4” x 16” x 12” |
| Weight: | 42.1 lbs. |
If you’re on the hunt for a quiet window air conditioner that’s affordable and quiet without compromising on quality? That’s exactly what the Keystone KSTAW05BE can do for you.
At first glance, you’ll notice that it has a very small size, so it’s perfect for small windows. In addition, it’s the most lightweight item on our list, weighing only 42.1 pounds, which makes the installation a breeze.
At 5,000 BTU, it has enough power to cover up to 150 sq. ft. like it’s nothing. The need for an efficient air conditioner is universal, which is why the fact that this window AC unit is certified Energy Star and has an extremely high EER rating of 12.1 matters.
Its low-speed noise level is 49 dB and 56.5 dB at its highest, which is incredible for a small room.
This window air conditioner boasts digital controls for the new age, with a built-in thermostat in the remote control and an LED panel. It also offers a programmable 24-hour timer, sleep mode, energy-saver mode, and auto-restart function.
If you need the cheapest best window AC unit, there’s nothing more affordable yet high-quality than this one.
However, this air conditioner has only one downside, which is that it’s not powerful enough to cover more than its recommended coverage.
Pros:
- Smallest dimensions on the list
- Most lightweight on the list
- Most affordable window unit on the list
- Energy Star approved and extremely high EER
- Remote control with built-in thermostat, LED display, and timer
Cons:
- Not powerful enough for more than 150 sq. ft.
4. Frigidaire FFRE123WAE - Quietest Air Conditioner at 12,000 BTU
| Cooling capacity: | 12,000 BTU |
| Recommended square footage: | 550 sq. ft. |
| Energy efficiency: | 12.0 |
| Noise levels: | 57 - 59 dB |
| Dimensions (WxDxH in inches): | 19” x 21.5” x 14.5” |
| Weight: | 70 lbs. |
If you’re a little bit ambitious and need an excellent 12,000 BTU air conditioner that doesn’t make too much noise, you’ll find what you need in the Frigidaire FFRE123WAE.
Frigidaire is a reliable brand that you can trust, and you can see that in the build quality of this Frigidaire model. Its dimensions are small when you think of its coverage, as well.
This quiet AC is extremely powerful at 12,000 BTU, which is the ideal amount of power for small to large areas up to 550 sq. ft. Furthermore, it’s an Energy Star window AC that boasts an EER rating of 12, so it definitely cuts the energy bills.
It also has an intuitive remote control with a sensor, an easy-to-read LED panel, and a programmable timer.
This excellent window AC knows its worth, which is why it’s so expensive. While it’s quieter than most window air conditioners, it’s not the quietest window AC on this list, with 57 dB at its quietest.
Pros:
- Reliable brand
- Excellent build quality
- Suitable for small to large areas
- Extremely powerful
- Energy Star approved and high EER
- Remote control with built-in thermostat, LED display, and timer
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
- Not the quietest unit
5. Emerson Quiet Kool EARC15RE1 - Silent Window Air Conditioner at 15,000 BTU
| Cooling capacity: | 15,000 BTU |
| Recommended square footage: | 700 sq. ft. |
| Energy efficiency: | 11.9 |
| Noise levels: | 52 - 56 dB |
| Dimensions (WxDxH in inches): | 35.4” x 23.6” x 17.9" |
| Weight: | 118.3 lbs. |
Do you have a large room that needs some cooling but can’t find a window AC unit that’s powerful enough yet quiet? It’s time to introduce you to the Emerson Quiet Kool EARC15RE1.
The Quiet Kool is a large window AC unit that proves its existence in the room immediately, which is expected for its coverage.
This beast has cooling abilities of 15,000 BTU that effortlessly enable it to cool up to 700 sq. ft. of space. Even better, it’s efficient while doing so, thanks to its certifications and high ratings.
It’s impressive how it manages to have a noise level range between 52 and 56 dB when you think of its large size and wide coverage.
Like all digital window AC units, it comes with remote controls, a programmable timer, and a digital display. Plus, it offers eight-way airflow so that it covers the entire space.
As you can see, this window AC unit doesn’t come cheap at all. In addition, it’s quite heavy, weighing around 118.3 pounds, so its installation may be tricky.
Pros:
- Extremely powerful
- Suitable for large areas
- Energy Star approved and relatively high EER
- Remote controls, timer, and digital display
- Really quiet for its size
Cons:
- Extremely expensive
- Relatively heavy
6. Soleus Air Saddle Window AC - Quietest Air Conditioner With Saddle Design
| Cooling capacity: | 6,000 BTU |
| Recommended square footage: | 275 sq. ft. |
| Energy efficiency: | 12.1 |
| Noise levels: | 38 - 49 dB |
| Dimensions (WxDxH in inches): | 18.7” x 28.9” x 15” |
| Weight: | 80 lbs. |
If you’re interested in finding a window AC unit with an innovative design that combines the benefits of other designs, we highly recommend the Soleus Air Saddle Window AC.
This is the only AC unit that stands out in its design. It combines the benefits of a portable AC, a mini-split AC, and a mini-split AC. This way, you have an air conditioner that’s easy to use, quiet, and easy to install all-in-one.
It has 6,000 BTU, which is perfectly adequate for a 275-square-foot room. Even better, it has an extremely high EER rate at 12.1, so it’ll pay for itself the more you use it. More importantly, it’s extremely quiet, with a noise level that ranges from 38 to 49 dB.
If you love everything digital, you’ll love the smart remote controls, digital display, and programmable timer.
Nonetheless, its high price may push some shoppers away. Plus, its coverage isn’t the widest, so bear that in mind.
Pros:
- Innovative saddle design
- Extremely quiet
- Remote controls with built-in sensor, digital display, and timer
- Extremely high EER
- Easy installation
Cons:
- Extremely expensive
- Not suitable for large areas
7. Frigidaire FFRE1833U2 - Widest Coverage
| Cooling capacity: | 18,000 BTU |
| Recommended square footage: | 1,020 sq. ft. |
| Energy efficiency: | 12.0 |
| Noise levels: | 55 - 59 dB |
| Dimensions (WxDxH in inches): | 23.6” x 27.4” x 17.7” |
| Weight: | 129 lbs. |
If you’re sick of whisper-quiet AC units that are only quiet because they’re small and want something huge, check out the Frigidaire FFRE1833U2.
Once again, Frigidaire makes an appearance with a heavy-duty build quality that puts other air conditioners to shame. It proves once again how reliable the brand is.
It’s simply the most powerful air conditioner on the list, producing 18,000 BTU to cover the widest range on the list, which is up to 1,020 sq. ft. More importantly, it’s efficient while covering this large range, thanks to its certifications and high ratings.
You can choose the fan speed that you want from the smart remote controls. It also acts as a dehumidifier and ionizer to improve indoor air quality.
However, there are two downsides. Firstly, it’s the heaviest of all window units on our list, weighing 129 pounds. Secondly, it’s the priciest quiet window air conditioner that we found.
Pros:
- Widest coverage on the list
- Most powerful window AC unit on the list
- Reliable brand
- Excellent build quality
- Energy Star approved and high EER
Cons:
- Heaviest window AC unit on the list
- Most expensive window unit on the list
8. Haier Serenity Series Ultra-quiet - Most Energy-efficient
| Cooling capacity: | 6,200 BTU |
| Recommended square footage: | 250 sq. ft. |
| Energy efficiency: | 12.1 |
| Noise levels: | 43 - 52 dB |
| Dimensions (WxDxH in inches): | 23.25” x 21.25” x 15” |
| Weight: | 56.6 lbs. |
If you don’t want your energy bills to pile up just because you want cool air, get the efficient wonder that is the Haier Serenity Series Ultra-quiet AC.
To begin with, the air conditioner is pretty lightweight, weighing only 56.6 pounds. So, the installation process won’t be draining.
At 6,2000 BTU, it can easily cover a small area. Yet, it’s not just about coverage, but what you do with it. This Energy Star unit knows what it’s doing with an extremely high EER rating of 12.1, making it the highest beyond standard efficiency. This unit manages to impress with an extremely quiet performance of 53 to 52 dB.
Of course, it comes with remote controls, a digital display, and a 24-hour timer. Also, it’s relatively affordable because nobody wants to spend a fortune on a small air conditioner for small area cooling.
That said, realistically, this unit won’t cover much beyond 250 sq. ft.
Pros:
- Energy Star certified and extremely high EER
- Relatively affordable
- Extremely quiet
- Remote controls, digital display, and timer
Cons:
- Only suitable for small areas
9. TaoTronics TT-AC003 - Quietest Window Air Conditioner
| Cooling capacity: | 8,000 BTU |
| Recommended square footage: | 350 sq. ft. |
| Energy efficiency: | 12.0 |
| Noise levels: | 38 - 43 dB |
| Dimensions (WxDxH in inches): | 15.7” x 21.3” x 21.5” |
| Weight: | 71.8 lbs. |
There are many quiet window air conditioners on our list, but which one is the quietest? The TaoTronics TT-AC003 is the whisper-quiet AC you dream of.
It’s super impressive how this air conditioner manages to have an 8,000 BTU cooling effect that covers any medium-sized room while being whisper-quiet, as it only ranges from 38 to 42 dB. It also saves energy with a high EER rating of 12 and certification as an Energy Star unit.
In addition, the digital and remote controls surely make life much easier. As you can see, it’s also highly affordable, saving you even more money up front.
The only downside is that it’s a relatively new brand, meaning that fewer shoppers are willing to try it.
Pros:
- Quietest window AC on the list
- Relatively affordable
- Energy Star certified and high EER
Cons:
- Relatively new brand
How Many Decibels Is a Quiet Air Conditioner?
If you’ve ever wondered how to tell how quiet an air conditioner is while shopping online and reading some specs, here’s how.
Many manufacturers claim that they offer the quietest window air conditioner, but the noise level listed says otherwise. Sound or noise is measured in decibels or dB. So, the higher the decibel ratings of an air conditioner on a decibel scale, the louder the noise level will be.
Generally speaking, you want a window air conditioner with an operating noise level somewhere between 50 and 60 dB. This noise level is somewhere between a humming refrigerator and a quiet office.
Specs to Look For in Addition to Window Air Conditioner Decibel Levels
Cooling Power
The cooling power of a window air conditioner is measured in British Thermal Units or BTU. It gives you an idea of how powerful an air conditioner is in its ability to convert warm air into cool air. Larger window air conditioners tend to be more powerful than smaller ones.
It’s important to pick an air conditioner that has the suitable amount of cooling power in relation to the room that you’ll put it in. While it’s tempting to get a window air conditioner that’s as powerful as possible, an overpowered air conditioner may leave excess humidity in the room, and an undersized window air conditioner won’t be powerful enough for its space.
So, how can you decide? Well, according to the EPA, each square foot of the area you’ll cool needs at least 20 BTU. Applying this rule, you’ll need a window air conditioner with 5,000 to 18,000 BTU capacity to cool a room size of 100 to 1,000 square feet. This is the average cooling power of a quiet window air conditioner.
Nonetheless, exposure to direct sunlight will affect your calculation, as you’ll have to increase the needed cooling capacities by 10% and vice versa. In addition, the level of insulation in the room also affects the needed BTU capacity. If the room isn’t well-insulated, increase the needed BTU capacity of any HVAC system by 10% to 30%.
Energy Efficiency Rating
Considering how energy-efficient a window AC unit is before buying it is smart because it tells you how much it’ll cost you, in the long run, not just up front. There are two ways that help you confirm that a window air conditioner is energy-efficient before you buy it: the existence of an Energy Star certification and/or a high EER.
An Energy Star certified window air conditioner wears its Energy Star rating as a badge of honor because it’s at least 15% more energy-efficient than non-rated window air conditioners. So, if you care about reducing how much you pay on electricity bills, invest in an Energy Star rated.
Another vital efficiency rating is the Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER. When it comes to ERR, look for a quiet window air conditioner that has an EER rating anywhere from 8 to 13 for excellent cooling.
Coverage
Whenever you buy a window AC unit, regardless of its type of features, room size always plays a role. Due to its importance, most air conditioner manufacturers list the recommended square feet for their window AC units.
Since we’re discussing quiet window air conditioners, they typically cover anything from less than 150 to 1,000 square feet, which means that anything from very small rooms to large rooms can experience silent cooling. On the other hand, extra-large spaces need larger window air conditioners that are louder and more powerful.
Features
All quiet window air conditioners get the basic job of keeping a space cool done. However, additional features make the experience even more customized.
Most air conditioners that are worth your time offer multiple fan speeds. Of course, lower fan speeds are a plus for a quiet operation.
In terms of control, many models still offer manual control with straightforward rotary dials. However, most other models employ digital controls that are more intuitive. Do you prefer air conditioners with mechanical controls or ones with an LED display? You’ll find what you’re looking for anyway.
A handy remote control is your key to the convenience of controlling the window AC unit from afar. Some models go even a step further by offering wi-fi control, where you can adjust the settings from a mobile app while comfortably lying in bed.
Most modern window air conditioners provide different modes that tailor your experience. For instance, there are modes for sleep, energy-saving, auto restart, and so much more.
Conclusion
At this point, you have a clear idea of what the quietest window air conditioners on the market are. If you need extra help, here’s a recap of the best ones on the list.
Our top pick is the TOSOT Tranquility Series air conditioner. It checks off all the boxes: quiet, powerful, efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and convenient.
Some shoppers can’t risk trying out a new brand, in which case we recommend the LG LW8017ERSM from one of the most trusted brands for high-quality air conditioners.
Finally, if your small room needs a budget-friendly quiet air conditioner, look no further than Keystone KSTAW05BE.
