The Quietest Window Air Conditioner: 14 Cool Reviews

An air conditioner can be an incredible tool to keep your living and working spaces cool and has a larger capacity than others like for example, a tower fan. Unfortunately, the amount of noise put out by the average air conditioner can also be quite overwhelming. While some people are willing to put up with the extra noise for a little relief from the heat, there is another option. More and more air conditioners are now being engineered to run quietly, allowing consumers to stay cool without having to shout over their air conditioners when they want to be heard. 

If you’re in the market for the quietest window air conditioner, you’re in luck. We’ve done the hard work of not only finding where you can buy these appliances but also figuring out which models are worth your money. Read on to learn more about some of the window air conditioners available today and how their new features help them to operate more quietly. 

Quietest Window Air Conditioners In 2024

Though finding an air conditioner that operates quietly is definitely a big factor when choosing the quietest window air conditioners in 2024, it’s not the only factor that matters. We’ve taken a look at what makes a few of the quieter models on the market tick, looking not at just their decibel count but at what other features consumers love about them. If you’re interested in a great all-around air conditioner that happens to be quiet, you’ll definitely want to look at the models discussed below.

Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner

If you’re going to start your hunt for a good quiet air conditioner it’s usually a good idea to start with something that incorporates the newest technology. While you may end up with something simpler after you look at all of the options, simply knowing what is out there can help you to expand your search in ways that you might not expect. If you are on the lookout for a quiet air conditioner that also has some fantastic features that are still a little on the uncommon side, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this window air conditioner from Midea.

One of the most unusual features that you’ll see in this air conditioner is that it works with wi-fi. While remotes are very common in the world of window air conditioners, a surprisingly small number of them are wi-fi enabled. All you need to do is download the app to run this air conditioner from anywhere on your network, giving you a little more control over how your spaces are cooled. The unit even works with the more popular brands of virtual assistants, which means that this is one of the few window air conditioners that you can actually run via voice commands.

Even if you discount the wi-fi connectivity you’re still looking at a device that runs both quietly and efficiently. Not only is it Energy Star rated to keep your energy usage down during the year, but it’s so quiet that you can largely ignore the noise even when it’s cooling down your home. Though it’s not the biggest or most powerful window air conditioner on the market right now, it has a great combination of efficiency and usability to recommend it over many others. This is definitely the ideal window unit for anyone who is invested in having a smart home. 

Emerson Quiet Kool 10,000 BTU 115V Window Air Conditioner

Control is important when you’re buying any kind of appliance. It’s not just knowing how to use the device, but also knowing that you can set the device up in a way that meets your needs. If you are looking for a good window air conditioner that’s not going to be too loud for your space, you’ll definitely want to look for something that’s going to allow you at least some measure of control over how it works. This excellent unit from Emerson not only cools down rooms well, but it gives you plenty of options as to how you’ll experience its operation. 

Like many of the other air conditioners on this list, the Emerson Quiet Kool has a control panel. In this case, it allows users not only the opportunity to choose a fan speed – a factor that’s also going to impact the level of noise when the unit is operating – but also to choose a more precise temperature setting. With a range of around twenty degrees, it allows for you to determine exactly how cool you’d like your space and how much noise you are willing to put up within the process.

Another really unique feature that you’ll find in this unit is its ability to let you control the flow of the air. The unit is designed to give you eight-way control, which means that you can send the cool air forward in virtually any direction. This is ideal for those who might want to cool down very specific spots in a room that are far away from their windows and also a great feature for anyone who’s looking to enjoy a spot without air blowing directly at them at the same time. If you want more control, you’ll love this air conditioner. 

Haier ESAQ406T 22″ Window Air Conditioner Serenity Series

Sometimes it’s nice to have an air conditioner that can do more than one thing at a time. Sure, you’re definitely going to want to keep your rooms cool during the hottest months of the year, but what are you going to do with that air conditioner during the summer? If you really want more functionality, it makes sense to look for something that’s going to help keep air moving even without the cooling element. This particular window model from Haier stands out not only because it’s quiet, but because it can also function as a fan and as a dehumidifier even when it’s a bit colder outside.

If you’re going to buy an air conditioner, it is vital that you make sure that the unit serves that purpose. This particular appliance stands out because it has two great air conditioning modes – a standard mode and an energy saver mode. The energy-saving mode is not only incredibly easy on your utility bills but it’s also much easier on your ears. The energy saver mode helps to greatly reduce the noise made by the air conditioning process, making it easier to have conversations or even to get some peace and quiet while the unit is running. 

This window air conditioner keeps working even when it does start to get a little colder. If you still like having some airflow in your home while the heat is on, you can turn on the unit’s fan and enjoy a breeze. If you’re more concerned about it getting humid, though, you can turn on the dehumidifier to take some of the moisture out of the air. The extra types of functionality help you to get more use out of this appliance throughout the year, which in turn really helps you to get your money’s worth.

LG LW1216ER Window-Mounted Remote Control 115V Air Conditioner

It’s always important to know the amount of space that you need to cool before you invest in any kind of window air conditioner. If you are working with a somewhat larger space, you really need an air conditioner that’s specifically made to deal with those spaces. Not only will a smaller unit be more inefficient, but it will also tend to be louder as it struggles to deal with your cooling demands. If you’re looking to cool a space of up to 550 square feet efficiently, though, you’ll want to take a look at this window air conditioner from LG.

Ensuring that your window air conditioner works efficiently is honestly one of the biggest factors in ensuring that it works quietly. Not only should your air conditioner be large enough for the space in which it works, but it should also run in a manner that reduces the noise from the mechanical parts of the device. This unit is rated as Energy Star compliant and has a low fan speed setting that not only really reduces energy use but that also absolutely reduces the noise from the unit at the same time. 

Though working quietly and efficiently is definitely a major selling point, there are also some other nice features to look at with this appliance. It has four-way air deflection, which makes it easier to channel cool air where it is most needed. The unit also has multiple fan speeds so you can determine exactly how cool you need your spaces. This is a great air conditioner that’s perfect for use in many bigger spaces and that certainly won’t overwhelm you with noise, making it a good fit for anyone who is looking for a bit of quiet comfort. 

MIDEA EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

One of the reasons that so many people avoid getting window air conditioners is because they are afraid of installing them incorrectly. Though these units are incredibly useful, it’s understandable to think about the consequences of improperly installing such a large investment. If you’re in the market for a good window air conditioner that doesn’t require a professional’s touch to install, you’ll absolutely want to take a look at this unit from MIDEA.

MIDEA’s EasyCool really is easy on consumers. It comes with everything you need to install the unit except for a screwdriver, so you won’t have to worry about borrowing power tools or going through any kind of intense installation process. Once it is properly in place, you won’t have to worry about it dropping from its perch. Instead, you can enjoy the fact that the unit really is designed to keep you cool without making a lot of noise.

This unit is also useful even when you’re not looking to keep the air conditioner function working. Capable of both running as a fan and as a dehumidifier, it’s a perfect choice for someone who wants his or her investment to keep running year-round. You can run all three modes through either an excellent LCD control panel or with the included remote, giving you more control over your air conditioner no matter where you are in the room. This really is an excellent choice for anyone who wants the utility of a quiet window air conditioner without the difficult installation process. 

TCL 5WR1-A 5,000 BTU Window-Air-Conditioner

Just as you’re definitely going to want an air conditioner built for bigger spaces if you have to cool off a bigger room, you should definitely make sure that you get an air conditioner that’s meant for a smaller space if you only need a smaller space cooled off. Going too big is almost always going to lead to too much noise, while the actual benefits that you’ll get are minimal. If you only need to cool off a space of around 150 square feet, you may want to look at this unit from TCL.

TCL’s air conditioner is small, but that’s not a bad thing. Designed for the kind of small spaces in which it excels, it operates quietly enough that you’ll quickly become too used to it as background noise. In fact, this really is the kind of air conditioner that you can set and forget – it can even turn itself back on after a power outage without losing track of its settings.

Though it only has two cooling settings and two fan speeds, this is still a very responsive appliance. Great for small bedrooms and small offices, it gives you the cooling power you need without overpowering the space. Remember, it’s always a good idea to make sure that the air conditioner you buy really is one that’s meant for the spaces in which it is meant to operate.

Frigidaire 5,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Mini-Compact Air Conditioner

It’s sometimes worthwhile to take a look at the basics before you start worrying about something more complicated. If you are in the market for a quiet window air conditioner, you do need to establish a baseline for the kind of product at which you would like to look. Frigidaire makes a great mini-compact window air conditioner that can help you to set your expectations for what you should find on the market.

This air conditioner really is fairly simple. Only designed to cool down spaces of up to 150 feet, it’s a small unit that’s easy to install and easy to keep in good working order. It has basic rotary controls that are easy to use and easy to understand, eschewing the kind of electronic controls that have become more common in recent years. It only has two fan levels and two cooling speeds, so the operation process is far simpler than you might imagine.

While basic, this unit does have an effortless restart feature that puts it back to working order after a power outage without using its setting and the entire unit runs at a remarkably low level of sound. This appliance might be missing some of the fancy features that have become more common in recent years, but it still cools off small spaces incredibly well. If you’re looking for a window air conditioner that is going to get the job done without much hassle, this might be the perfect air conditioner for your needs. 

GE Profile PHC08LY 22″ Window Air Conditioner

There are a handful of things that can make a good window air conditioner a better buy for most consumers. The first is an easy installation process, which can help make most consumers less afraid to place an air conditioner in their windows. The next is an efficient operation, which helps to keep the bills down. Finally, there’s easy controls – a factor that makes it easier to use the unit. If you’re looking for all three, you might love this air conditioner from GE.

One of the nice things about this air conditioner is that it will fit in the vast majority of windows. Once you slide out the accordion slides, it should fit snugly without requiring much extra installation. This not only helps you to get the unit working more quickly, but it also helps consumers to feel safe knowing that they’ve got an air conditioner that actually fits in their homes. This may be a feature you only have to worry about once but it is still quite important.

Once it’s installed, the unit works both quietly and efficiently. Able to be controlled through a smartphone app, you’ll never have to approach the machine to make sure it is working correctly. Thanks to the Energy Star compliance in its design, you’ll also rarely have to deal with it making a dent in your energy bills. This is an all-around winner in the world of window air conditioners. 

FRIGIDAIRE White FFRA051ZA1 17″ Window Air Conditioner

Sometimes it’s the little things that really matter when you’re looking at a window air conditioner. While having all the extras is definitely great, there are times when you just need something that’s going to solve simple problems. If you find yourself in such a situation, you’ll definitely want to look at this window air conditioner from FRIGIDAIRE to solve your problems. 

One of the things that this air conditioner does particularly well is cooling down rooms quickly. It actually has a quick cool feature that’s going to kick up the fan speed a bit to help rapidly chill the air, something that’s great for those days when you need to cool off quickly. At the same time, the unit also has the ability to run a little more slowly so that you can eliminate some of the unnecessary background noise from your life.

One of the best little features, though, is that the unit has an extra-long power cord. While this isn’t necessarily a make or break feature in any sense of the term, it’s something that can make your life much easier as a consumer. This allows you to set up the unit without having to pull out an extension cord or to install it in a space that’s close to an outlet, giving you a little more freedom with your new air conditioner. It’s a little feature to be sure, but it is one that can matter. 

Soleus Air Exclusive 6,000 BTU Energy Star Over the Sill Air Conditioner

Window air conditioners can certainly seem scary. Too many movies and television shows have featured them falling out of apartment windows, shattering on the street, and hurting passersby. If you’ve got recurring nightmares of the same sort of situation, it makes sense to invest in something about which you can feel a little safer. That’s exactly one of the biggest selling points of this unit from Soleus Air.

Soleus Air’s window air conditioner is designed to be installed saddle style. That means that the bulk of the unit actually hangs inside your home, with the rest of the weight distributed over the saddle that crosses your window. Not only does this mean that it can’t fall out of your house, but it also means that you can still open and close your windows all you like with the air conditioner installed.

This unit also has some great control features. The MyTemp Sensor remote allows the unit to set its thermostat at the location of the remote, keeping the room at a comfortable temperature no matter what it’s like by the window. It also has a great 24-hour timer so that you can set the unit and forget it, letting it turn off at the right time to preserve energy and to give the unit a rest. This is a great choice for those who are looking for an alternative to a typical window air conditioner design. 

TOSOT 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

If we’re honest, it’s hard to say that most window air conditioners look great in most homes. They’re functional at best, but they can tend to be real eyesores. If you’re looking for something that’s a little bit different, you might want to take a look at this window air conditioner from TOSOT.

TOSOT’s air conditioner eschews the typical metal grill for something that’s a little more restrained. It tends to look a little bit more like more standard appliances, fitting into most rooms without overwhelming them. While aesthetics probably aren’t high on the list of every shopper, they do matter to many people. If your goal is to find a good air conditioner that’s not going to mess with the look of your room, you might want to take a look at this model.

Of course, this is a good window air conditioner even for those who don’t care so much about looks. It features a thermostat on the remote instead of on the air conditioner, which allows the unit to cool to the temperature of the remote’s location. This little feature can help you to set your temperature more accurately while making your air conditioner more efficient – a nice touch for the environmentally conscious. With a unique look at great features, this air conditioner can be a great fit in many homes. 

Friedrich Chill 10,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner 

Efficiency matters when it comes to any air conditioner. Not only does efficiency help to keep your energy bills down but it also helps to ensure that the appliance operates a bit more quietly. If you want to prioritize efficiency, you should look for an air conditioner that tackles common problems in clever ways. Once such a unit at which to keep an eye on is this window air conditioner from Friedrich. 

This window unit does a few clever things to keep itself running efficiently and quietly. The first is shutting off the fan any time when the unit isn’t actively cooling. There’s no idling fan sound here – it’s either working to keep your room cool or it’s conserving energy with no middle ground in the way. The unit also has an excellent 24-hour timer that ensures that you can leave the unit running only when necessary – a fantastic feature for those who often forget to turn their air conditioners off. 

Another unique feature that really helps this unit to stand out is the auto air sweep function. By sweeping air across the room, it helps to cool things down a little more quickly while also keeping the air from getting too stagnant. Features like this really help to show what an efficient air conditioner can do for consumers. 

Haier QHQ06LZ 6,000 BTU 115-Volt Window Air Conditioner

Middle of the road isn’t a bad thing when you’re talking about those units that vie for the position of best of the best. While there are certainly bare-bones units that satisfy those who crave simplicity and advanced units that are for those who need to be on the cutting edge, there are also units made for those who like standard features and who still want great functionality. If this sounds like your kind of air conditioner, you’ll want to look at this window unit from Haier.

Most of the features that you’ll find in this air conditioner look fairly standard, but that’s because this is a good air conditioner. If you find it here, you’re going to find it on any unit that deserves to vie for the title of the quietest window air conditioner. It runs quietly and smoothly, not just because it has multiple control speeds but because it is designed to be quiet.

This unit also keeps your energy costs down with an energy saver mode. This mode also keeps the unit running quietly, so it is ideal for those times when you just need a little less noise. Though there’s not much to write home about here, this is still the kind of unit you’re going to want to check out as a good example of what to buy. 

Frigidaire FFRS1022R1 10000 BTU 115-volt Slider/Casement Room Full-Function Remote Control Window Air Conditioner

Most window air conditioners are made for standard windows. This is great for most homes, but not for those that have casement or sliding windows. If you’re looking at that kind of design, you’re going to need a special kind of window unit. Fortunately, Frigidaire makes a great casement window model that happens to be very quiet.

This full-function air conditioner might be installed a little differently than most other window units but it works in the same way. Rated for spaces of up to 450 square feet, it has multiple modes to keep operational costs and noise down at the same time. The sleep mode is especially good for reducing noise, especially in those spaces where having even a standard air conditioner running could feel a bit loud.

The other great feature here is the dehumidifier. Capable of removing up to 3.4 pints of water from the air every hour, it’s ideal for those spaces that need moisture control. The combination of the great cooling power and the excellent drying power make this a formidable air conditioner for any space, but it is by far the best for those who have casement or sliding windows. If you have ever been stymied in your search for a quiet air conditioner because of your windows, this might be the appliance for which you have been searching.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many decibels is a quiet air conditioner?

Generally speaking, a quiet window air conditioner is going to run somewhere between 24 and 50 decibels on its quietest setting. This is equivalent to being somewhere between the ambient noise in a library and the sound of a running refrigerator. Note that this is the sound that most of these units run at low settings or on special sleep settings, so the actual operational sound experience could end up being quite different. 

How can I make my window air conditioner quieter?

The key to making your window air conditioner run quietly is to make sure it’s installed correctly and that you’re performing regular maintenance. If you hear rattling or buzzing, you will want to make sure that there’s not too much space between the unit and the sides of the window. Loud noises can be a sound of mechanical failure as well, so make sure that your unit is running as it’s supposed to in order to keep it as quiet as possible. 

What is the cost of running a window air conditioner?

This one varies a good bit depending on the size of the unit, how often it is used, and the climate of the space in which it is used. Most sources say that you’re going to end up spending somewhere between forty and one hundred dollars per year running a window air conditioner, with those on the lower end either only using them during the summer or choosing to use Energy Star rated units. As you might imagine, the cost of running one of these units jumps significantly the longer that you keep the unit running. 

What are the advantages of window air conditioners?

Window air conditioners are great because they give users the benefits of having an air conditioner in a space without having to worry about installing a central air unit. This means a much lower price to purchase the unit and fewer maintenance problems as well as the ability to take the window air conditioner with you if you choose to use it. Though these units aren’t as powerful as central air, they’re incredibly useful for those who just need to cool down smaller spaces. 

Window Air Conditioner Buying Guide

When you’re searching for the quietest window air conditioner, there’s a good chance that you’re looking for something more than just a decibel count. Instead, it’s very likely that you are looking for the quietest window air conditioner that also has all of the other features that you really need. Before you start shopping, it’s a good idea to make a list of those important features and to figure out which ones are the most important to you. If you’re not sure about which features to look at quite yet, you should take a look at a few of those that are important to shoppers like yourself. 

Room Size/Power

The first feature at which you should definitely take a look is the size of the room for which the air conditioner is rated. Air conditioners will show you a number of different power ratings, ranging from BTUs cooled to wattage used but it’s almost always more important to know if the unit is going to be able to cool down the room in which it is used efficiently. Measure out your space before you buy the air conditioner to get a good idea of roughly what you might need.

There’s definitely a tendency of many buyers to get an air conditioner that’s too big for their spaces, with the thought that doing so is going to cool down the room more quickly. Not only is this terribly energy inefficient but making this kind of choice almost guarantees that you’re going to end up dealing with more noise than you like. While it is fine to go with something that might be rated for a hundred square feet or so more than what you need, you definitely should try to get as close as possible to the real dimensions of your space. 

Unit Installation

Another good thing about which you should think is the way that the unit is going to be installed. Stop and think about your windows before you do anything else, as the vast majority of window air conditioners are made for standard-sized windows that slide up. If you have casement windows or sliding windows, you’re going to need to look for a unit that is specifically designed for that kind of space. If you have windows of unusual size, you may also need to look into special installation kits. 

It’s a very good idea to stop and think about how comfortable you are with the installation process. There are definitely some units out there that install more easily than others, so read reviews to figure out which type of installation is best for you. If you plan on using your windows, you may also want to look for a unit that can be installed in such a way that it doesn’t interfere with raising or lowering the moving part of the window. It’s not always easy to find, but those who need that kind of access will find the extra time spent searching worthwhile. 

Sound Levels

If you’re looking for the quietest window air conditioner, it does make sense that you would want to look for something that operates quietly. The truth, though, is that there’s not often all that much difference between the unit that operates at the absolute lowest level of noise and those that are slightly louder. Most of the units that we’ve discussed run somewhere between the 24 and 50 decibels at their quietest settings, which still means that they’re quieter than the average refrigerator. Actually differentiating between sounds in that range can be more difficult than you might imagine, so a decibel or two in one direction or the other may not really matter to you.

It is, however, important to look at how the unit operates at its advertised sound level. Many quiet units are only whispering quietly when the fan is in a special sleep setting. This is fine if you only need quiet operation when you’re asleep, but you might need something that has a relatively low decibel level even when the fan is turned to its maximum settings. Don’t be fooled by clever advertising – look at how loud the units are at every level of operation. 

Controls

Finally, make sure that you look at how you control the unit. Most older and cheaper units have manual controls, which are less precise but more dependable. Most units now have digital controls that allow you to set the temperature easily but they are a bit more finicky. There are even units that have remote controls or that work via wi-fi, which gives you the same level of utility as digital controls without ever having to be near the air conditioner. All of these control schemes work, so it’s up to you to decide which one is the best fit for your home.