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6 Quietest Small Room Air Conditioners of 2024

By Eugene WilliamsLast update: 2024-12-02

Not to add more pressure, but buying a new air conditioner is one of the most crucial purchases you will make for your home. It needs to be capable of cooling the desired room and quiet to give you the best possible experience.

If you’re looking for the quietest small-room air conditioner, here we have it.

Here are the quietest small room air conditioners you can buy in 2024:

  • Energy-Efficient (Window Air Conditioner): LG LW5016
  • Fast Cooling (Window Air Conditioner): CHIONE 5,000 BTU
  • Powerful (Window Air Conditioner): Emerson EARC5RD
  • Easy To Clean (Portable Air Conditioner): MIDEA MAP05R1WT
  • Easy To Assemble (Portable Air Conditioner): BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT
  • Compact Design (Portable Air Conditioner): Whynter ARC-102CS
6 Quietest Small Room Air Conditioners
Energy-Efficient
LG LW5016
  • Window Air Conditioner
Fast Cooling
CHIONE 5,000 BTU
  • Window Air Conditioner
Powerful
Emerson EARC5RD
  • Window Air Conditioner
Easy To Clean
MIDEA MAP05R1WT
  • Portable Air Conditioner
Easy To Assemble
BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT
  • Portable Air Conditioner
Compact Design
Whynter ARC-102CS
  • Portable Air Conditioner

Energy-Efficient: LG LW5016

Pros
  • Energy-efficient – Energy Star certification & 12.0 SEER rating
  • Able to control the unit anywhere - the ThinQ app
Cons
  • Wish it had a separate remote controller

The LG LW5016 is the best choice for those with a small 150-square-foot room looking to properly cool it down with an unnoticeable increase in their energy bill.

Regularly, a 10 EER rated 5,000 BTU unit consumes 500W and requires around $65/year, according to EnergyGuide. But this one only requires 355W, meaning that it consumes approximately $44/year.

It meets the Energy Star’s standards and makes only 50 decibels of noise while operating – which is quiet enough for your sleep.

Designed with your convenience in mind, the unit features the ThinQ app for wireless remote control.

LG LW5016 Specifications

Dimension

14.38 x 17.31 x 11.13 inches

BTUs

5,000 BTU

Room Size

150 square feet

Highlight Features

Energy Star certification & 12.0 SEER rating

the ThinQ app

Verdict

Thanks to the Energy Star 12.0 SEER rated design, the LG LW5016 is nearly 30% more energy efficient than conventional models.

Fast Cooling: CHIONE 5,000 BTU

CHIONE 5,000 BTU
CHIONE 5,000 BTU
Pros
  • Fast-cooling - strong two-speed fan design
  • Offering the most comfortable cooling - seven temperature settings
Cons
  • No remote controller

Despite its small size, the CHIONE 5,000 BTU reliably and quickly cools a 150-square-foot room. It also offers two fans and two cooling speeds, seven temperature settings, and two-day directional vents to satisfy different cooling needs and point the airflow to the desired position.

In terms of energy efficiency, though this model is only 11 CEER rated, it significantly helps cut down on your monthly energy bills.

The removable and washable air filters are a big plus.

CHIONE 5,000 BTU Specifications

BTUs

5000 BTU

Room Size

150 Square Feet

Highlight Features

strong two-speed fan design

seven temperature settings

Verdict

The CHIONE 5,000 BTU is a fantastic option if you need a fast-cooling window air conditioner for a small room.

Powerful: Emerson EARC5RD

Emerson EARC5RD
Emerson EARC5RD
Pros
  • Extra convenience - a 24-hour on/off timer, a remote controller, and auto-restart
  • Easy to start - low-voltage startup
  • Superior versatility – three speed options
Cons
  • The button layout on the remote controller is a bit confusing
  • Installation is a bit tricky

At a little bit higher price, this window AC from Emerson is equipped with some belts and whistles like a 24-hour on/off timer, low-voltage startup, and auto-restart after a sudden power shortage. The included remote controller is a Godsent!

Additionally, the speed options are upgraded up to three to meet specific cooling demand at different times.

But what truly makes it stand out from other 5,000 BTU models is the powerful performance. It can cool down a 150-square-foot room in minutes and keep on chilly even at times.

Emerson EARC5RD Specifications

Dimension

15.2 x 15.98 x 12.52 inches

BTUs

5,000 BTU

Room Size

150 sq. ft.

Highlight Features

a 24-hour on/off timer

a remote controller

auto-restart

low-voltage startup

Verdict

The Emerson EARC5RD is a great option if you need a small-room air conditioner perfectly neutralizing powerful performance and quiet operation.

Easy To Clean: MIDEA MAP05R1WT

MIDEA MAP05R1WT
MIDEA MAP05R1WT
Pros
  • Easy to clean – removable and washable air filters & wheeled design
  • Multifunctional – dehumidifying mode
Cons
  • Not easy to set up smart features

Most portable ACs share one disadvantage in common – tricky maintenance, but this model from MIDEA isn’t the thing.

While the vents can be wiped off dust with a wet cloth, the air filters are removable and easily cleaned in a sink or bathtub. And, thanks to the wheeled design, it is easy to maneuver around for cleaning.

You don’t have to empty it as frequently as that on other portable ACs.

The MIDEA MAP05R1WT is also a good option for those who want more on their portable AC. With the 3-in-1 design, this model can dehumidify, circulate air, and cool a certain space area with no issues.

MIDEA MAP05R1WT Specifications

Dimension

13 x 12.6 x 25 inches

BTUs

6,000 BTU

Room Size

150 sq. ft.

Highlight Features

removable and washable air filters

wheeled design

dehumidifying mode

Verdict

The MIDEA MAP05R1WT is not only effortless to use but also easy to clean, making it one of our picks for this review list.

Easy To Assemble: BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT

BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT
BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT
Pros
  • No assembly required
  • Easy to install - clear user guide and manual & an installation kit
  • No bucket-emptying required – self-evaporating design
Cons
  • The power cord is too short
  • Wish the remote controller was a bit bigger

For inexperienced users, we believe the BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT is your best bet because it requires no assembly at all. Besides, the installation can’t be simpler and easier thanks to the clear user guide and manual plus the handy installation kit.

The unit is compact and lightweight, so if you intend to install it by yourself, rest assured that you can easily maneuver it.

About the functionality, it can quickly cool down the indoor air to 65 degrees F or run super-quietly at Sleep mode. Another good thing about this portable AC is its self-evaporating design, meaning that it has no water bucket at all.

BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT Specifications

Dimension

16.5 x 11.5 x 26 inches

BTUs

8000 BTU ASHRAE

4000BTU DOE

Room Size

150 Square Feet

Highlight Features

No assembly required

clear user guide and manual & an installation kit

self-evaporating design

Verdict

No assembly to be required with the BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT. So, if you're a newbie and looking for an easy-to-assemble portable air conditioner, pick it.

Compact Design: Whynter ARC-102CS

Whynter ARC-102CS
Whynter ARC-102CS
Pros
  • Easy to mobile or store away – compact design
  • Superior air purifying capability - Activated Carbon and Silvershield filter
  • User-friendly - patented auto-drain function
Cons
  • The remote is slow

The Whynter ARC-102CS is a rare portable AC that hits the sweet spot of powerful performance and compactness. Despite the modest size, it can provide up to 10,000 BTU (ASHRAE) and 206 CFM at the high speed to be capable of cooling down a room of 215 square feet.

The overall weight is only 53 pounds.

It features a patented auto-drain to automatically exhaust all condensate, so you won’t have to empty it.

The Activated Carbon and Silvershield filter works well beyond our expectation for superior air purifying capability to standard models.

Whynter ARC-102CS Specifications

Dimension

14.5 x 14 x 28 inches

BTUs

5,500 BTU (SACC)

10,000 BTU (ASHRAE)

Room Size

215 Square feet

Highlight Features

compact design

Activated Carbon and Silvershield filter

patented auto-drain function

Verdict

If you need a portable AC with a little more oomph with no compromise on its overall measurement, then try this compact model from Whynter.

How To Choose The Quietest Small Room Air Conditioner?

Check The Decibel Rating

Any air conditioner rated under 60 decibels is arguably quiet.

Look to the decibel rating of the AC to get its noise level as well as to compare it with other models. Besides, here are features that influencing on the noise level of an AC:

Symmetrical Design

A symmetrical air conditioner prevents rattling noise caused by vibration.

Airflow

The airflow of an air conditioner is measured in cubic feet per minute, which shows the total amount of cool air releasing to the outside per minute.

The higher the CFM rating, the higher the noise level.

If you want a quiet AC for a small room without compromising cooling effects, choose a model with high cooling – low airflow.

Type Of Compressor

There are two types of AC compressors: rotary compressors and inverter compressors. The second type is considered to be quieter because it doesn’t kick in with a noisy thumb. In comparison, inverter compressors are 3-6 dB quieter than the other.

Other Features

But take note that low decibel rating isn’t everything! There are a lot of small-room air conditioners at an incredibly low noise level but short in lifespan and insufficient in cooling effects, which is not a good buy at all.

Therefore, you should consider some other features, aside from noise level, when considering a small-room AC.

Power Output

Small rooms are varied in area and there’s no universal air conditioner for all of them.

Picking a too-small AC for your room will force it to overwork, which shortens the lifespan and increases the noise. Therefore, it’s worth measuring your room carefully plus checking the insulation level of the space to find a model with the right power output.

Below is rough estimation of the small-room AC’s power required for a specific room size:

Room size

(square feet)

AC Power Output

(BTUs)

600

18,000

500

15,000

400

12,000

300

9,000

200

6,000

But we recommend choosing a bigger capacity air conditioner for quieter operation if your budget is available. Why?

Suppose that you need to cool down a 300-square-foot room. According to the table above, you would buy a 9,000 BTU air conditioner with 52-55 decibels of noise level. It’ll emit 56 decibels as you’ll run it at high speed.

But when switching to a 10,000 BTU model with 53-58 decibels of noise levels, the unit is capable of cooling down the room at low setting, emitting 53 decibels.

Energy Efficiency

Why not choose a small-room AC that’s both quiet during operation and energy-efficient? The cost is unnoticeable, by the way.

A model that’s at least 10 EER rated is considered energy-efficient.

Which Brands Make The Quietest Small Room Air Conditioner?

LG

LG has currently been one of the world’s best multinational conglomerate corporations, known for plenty of patented technologies to make their products superior in performance.

Speaking of their AC lines, LG is famous for the Revolutionary DUAL Inverter Compressor™ technology for quieter operation and efficiency.

MIDEA

MIDEA is younger than other brands here, but they are the fastest-growing during recent years for the unbeatable price competitive advantage. At a time, their products are high-quality, vast in options, and aesthetic to the look. They are the perfect choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

BLACK+DECKER

Not only proud to be an American company but BLACK+DECKER is also one of the oldest in the home improvement products field. They stand out for superior functionality, durability, and support.

FAQs

Do quiet air conditioners exist?

Yes, they do. These days in the market, there are numerous options of quiet AC that reduce that operation noise to a distant memory without compromising their cooling effects.

How many decibels is a quiet air conditioner?

An air conditioner that’s considered quiet is rated between 50-60 decibels.

Why does my air conditioner sound like a helicopter?

If your air conditioner sounds like a helicopter, there might be mechanical problems with either the outdoor blower or the indoor one.

How can I make my air conditioner quieter?

Here are the most effective ways to make an air conditioner quieter:

  • Erect a fence around the AC condenser
  • Plant shrubs or bushes
  • Buy and install a compressor blanket

Are new air conditioners quieter?

Yes, they are. Compared to the conventional ACs, new models are quieter and more energy-efficient.

Conclusion

Our team recently reviewed this post in January 2022 and has not found anything out there that can defeat these six recommendations of the quietest small-room air conditioner. We hope the given information is helpful to you. Thanks for reading!


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