The lowest decibel portable ACs can be as quiet as 42 decibels, but most of them run closer to 50 to 53 decibels. We’ve researched portable air conditioners from 8000 to 14000 BTUs to find those that:
- Run quietly
- Have high ratings for dependability and customer satisfaction
A portable AC, aka a standing air conditioner or room AC, with a noise level in the 40s to low 50s is quieter than the noise level you experience riding in most cars, and the noise should not affect your sleep.
In fact, some consumers consider the sound “white noise” that can block out noise from other sources and make it easier to sleep.
What Are The Main Sources Of Noise For a New Portable Air Conditioner?
There are a few main sources of noise for any AC including portable air conditioners – the fan motor and the compressor.
Here are common sources of portable air conditioner noise.
1). The compressor turning on and off: When the AC begins to cool, the compressor kicks on, and that usually makes a small buzzing or jolting noise. And once the air conditioner has effectively cooled the air to meet the thermostat setting, the compressor turns off, which can also cause a sudden noise.
If you choose a portable air conditioner that isn’t too big for the area you want to cool and it has an inverter compressor, the unit might run most or all of the time. That’s OK. It won’t harm the AC. In fact, an air conditioner compressor that runs all or most of the time will last longer than one that turns on for a while, and then shuts off, and repeats the on/off cycle frequently.
2). The compressor running: The AC is loudest when the compressor is functioning and the unit is in cooling mode. Some refer to it as the compressor humming and buzzing when running. Even though it is a constant noise, it might be loud enough to bother some people or wake up a light sleeper.
3). The fan running. Most portable ACs have at least two fans speeds, though some have three. Setting the fan speed to low or medium rather than high will keep the noise level to a minimum.
Tips for Choosing a Quiet New Portable Air Conditioner
When it is important to have a quiet floor air conditioner, you have a couple good options.
1). Choose an Inverter Portable Air Conditioner
An inverter AC refers to the type of compressor. There are three things to know about an inverter compressor portable air conditioner.
They:
- Run about 7-10 decibels (we analyzed 1,500 portable ACs on the market) quieter than units with a standard compressor.
- Make less sudden jolting or buzzing noises because the compressor runs longer – even most of the time if the unit is properly sized or undersized for the room.
- Are more efficient, so your energy costs will be lower.
- Cost more than portable air conditioners with standard compressors.
So, you pay more upfront, but less in monthly electricity costs. And for the extra money, you also get a quieter unit with a compressor that doesn’t kick on and off as often.
2). Buy An Evaporative Cooler, Which Is Also Called A Ventless Portable Air Conditioner.
These units don’t have a compressor. Instead, they cool the air with evaporation – just like your skin feels cooler as water evaporates off it on a warm day.
Evaporative coolers cost less than most portable air conditioners. They work pretty well in dry climates – not so great in humid climates because water doesn’t evaporate as quickly when the air already has a lot of moisture in it.
They’re called ventless ACs because they don’t use a vent hose to exhaust warm, humid air from your home. In fact, they won’t contribute to an overall cooler room, but if you sit in front of a ventless portable AC, aka an evaporative cooler, the air that the fan blows on you will be noticeably cooler than the surrounding air. They are a cost-effective way to stay cool in a dry climate.
Is a High BTU Portable AC Noisier?
Generally speaking, the larger the portable AC, the more noise it will make. But if the units are pretty much the same size and have the same internal technology, the noise level might increase by only 1 or 2 decibels (as noted, our research team analyzed specs of 1,500 portable ac units) for every 1000 or 2000 BTU increase.
Bigger isn’t always louder. For example, the LG 6000 and 7000 BTU portable ACs have the same noise level – a very quiet 51 decibels.
Noise level really depends on the compressor type.
A small portable air conditioner with a traditional compressor will be noisier than a large unit with inverter technology.