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Originally Posted On: We Found the BEST Quiet Portable Air Conditioner | Appliance Accreditor
Are you bothered by a noisy air conditioner that wakes you in the middle of the night? Or perhaps you’re looking for the quietest portable air conditioner so that you can enjoy a comfortable night of sleep without the disturbance of loud fans.
Either way, you’re in luck – because we’ve found the most quiet portable air conditioner. The Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner 9,000 BTU is an excellent option for anyone looking to cool their home without the noise disturbance that many other appliances create.
Why You Need a Quiet Portable Air Conditioner
People forget all too often about the noise levels that portable air conditioners can generate. All portable air conditioners produce a certain degree of noise, and this means that a noisy appliance could disrupt you and your loved ones from sleeping or resting, especially if you are planning to use it in a bedroom.
The benefits of a quiet portable air conditioner obviously include better sleep, but there are other benefits, as well. You will also experience less interference while talking to family members, relatives, friends, and guests. Also, a quiet portable air conditioner won’t bother you while you are listening to music or watching television.
How to Determine Portable Air Conditioner Noise Levels
To better understand noise levels and to measure the level of what we can actually consider as quiet, we have to discuss decibels (dB). Decibels are used to measure the noise level of a portable AC or any appliance that produces ambient noise. This measurement will tell us how much noise they will produce under normal operation.
Here is a comparison of different decibel ranges for your reference:
| Decibel | Description |
| 10 | Breathing |
| 20 | Quiet room |
| 30 | Whisper, light snoring |
| 40 | Moderate snoring |
| 50 | Conversation |
| 60 | Alarm clock |
Nowadays, most portable air conditioners have decibel levels in the 40-60 range. To get the quietest portable air conditioner, you’ll want to purchase one that is as low on this scale as possible.
If you are new to the concept of portable air conditioners and need more information about these appliances, take a look at our Portable Air Conditioning Buying Guide to learn more about this appliance and how it works.
The Best Quiet Portable Air Conditioner
At Appliance Accreditor, we’ve reviewed a handful of portable air conditioners and we found that Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner 9,000 BTU is the most quiet portable air conditioner, without compromising on quality and reliability.
With the help of its dual-motor technology, it is able to operate at lower noise levels than other air conditioners. Even at its highest speed, it only produces between 49-52 dB (depending on the BTU), which is around the sound level of an average conversation between two people in a quiet room.
In addition to offering superior noise levels to other portable air conditioning units, its other features include:
- Energy efficient—Honeywell has always been a reliable choice for fast and effective cooling
- Built to last—dual filtration system will protect and extend the life of this portable AC
- Clean and breathable space—this portable AC conveniently filters dust, pet dander, and hair
- 3-in-1 function—this is an appliance that is an AC, fan, and dehumidifier at the same time.
The Honeywell portable air conditioner is also well designed, easy to maintain, and easy to store. Like all appliances, portable air conditioners do need power for it to run, and how you use it will change how it affects your electricity bill. To learn more about the energy costs associated with portable air conditioners, check out our guide here.
5 Quietest Portable Air Conditioners Ranked
We understand that our recommended portable air conditioner might not necessarily work for everyone. If you want more features, you may want to consider other air conditioners. Fortunately, we’ve ranked the quietest air conditioners on the market to help you select the best ones.
Below is a table showing the quietest portable air conditioners by their dB levels, features, and BTU ratings for you to choose from:
| Decibel | Product name | Other feature(s) | Amazon Link |
| 49 | Honeywell Portable AC 9,000 BTU | See above | https://amzn.to/3gpQPG5 |
| 51 to 53 | Black+Decker Portable AC 12,000 BTU | Easy to install/move | https://amzn.to/37Puiyv |
| 54 | Vremi Portable AC 14,000 BTU | Great for 500-600 sq ft. | https://amzn.to/36XjKOw |
| 55 | Midea 3-1 portable AC 8,000 BTU | Convenient remote sensor | https://amzn.to/2K2d2ha |
| 56 | SereneLife 12,000 BTU portable AC | Modern style/sleek body housing | https://amzn.to/3ozXyQn |
Don’t forget to consider the portable air conditioner size that will work best for your space. Refer to our portable air conditioner size guide for more information.
How to Choose a Quiet Portable Air Conditioner
While a lower decibel rating will direct you to a quieter air conditioner, don’t forget that there are other factors to also look at. Before looking at dB, you should also size the portable air conditioner relative to the room you are going to use it with. This ensures that your appliance runs properly, without being underpowered and ineffective or overpowered and costly to run.
Other factors you should look into when shopping for portable air conditioners are:
- Energy efficiency—an energy-efficient portable AC will consume less energy and thus translate to lower monthly bills
- Functionality—certain portable ACs also act as a fan and/or dehumidifier
- Remote control—conveniently change settings without moving an inch
As a recap, it is vital to pay attention to BTUs as it is the primary factor in buying a portable AC, noise levels are measured in decibels (dB) and portable ACs ideal dB ranges from 40-60 and lastly, features are also a deciding factor in buying a portable air conditioner.
We hope we’ve helped you find the best quiet portable air conditioner for your needs! For more information on home appliances, be sure to explore our in-depth appliance buying guides. Or, leave us a comment below and let us know how we can help you with your home appliance selection!