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CoolCompare shortlist · Verified specifications

Quietest Portable Air Conditioners UK

A lower published dB figure can help narrow a shortlist, but compressor starts, fan changes and test conditions still affect what you hear in a room.

Published · Last reviewed

8 models compared0 paid placementsPublished method summary
A portable air conditioner correctly vented through a window in a British bedroomelectriQ EcoSilent 14000 BTU Smart Quiet Portable Air Conditioner portable air conditioner
DATA-LED SHORTLISTTop specification fitNot a product test or paid position
THE SHORT ANSWER

Match the room before choosing the first model.

Start with the lowest manufacturer-published maximum sound number among models that fit the room, then verify whether measurement type, distance and operating mode match. Check the minimum figure, compressor behaviour, cabinet placement and return terms; a sleep-mode label is not evidence of silent cooling.

AT A GLANCE

Compare the shortlist

Price evidence is labelled as current or last seen. Confirm the exact model, seller, delivery and availability before buying. The table scrolls horizontally on smaller screens.

Portable air-conditioner shortlist comparison
RankModelCapacityRoom guidancePublished soundRated inputPrice evidence
1electriQ EcoSilent 14000 BTU Smart Quiet Portable Air Conditioner14,000 BTU/hUp to 38 m²38 dB1,570 WNo recorded retailer price
2De'Longhi Pinguino Extreme PAC EX938,900 BTU/hUp to 85 m³42–46 dB810 WNo recorded retailer price
3Dreo Portable Air Conditioner 515S10,000 BTU/hUp to 20 m²46 dB1,125 WNo recorded retailer price
4De'Longhi Pinguino GentleJet PAC AP9811,500 BTU/hUp to 100 m³41–47 dB875 WNo recorded retailer price
5De'Longhi Pinguino GentleJet Inverter Portable Air Conditioner13,000 BTU/hUp to 130 m³43–50 dB1,035 WNo recorded retailer price
6De'Longhi Pinguino EM90 Silent9,800 BTU/hUp to 90 m³47–50 dB1,000 WNo recorded retailer price
7De'Longhi Pinguino EM93 Silent10,500 BTU/hUp to 90 m³47–50 dB1,000 WNo recorded retailer price
8De'Longhi Pinguino EM829,400 BTU/hUp to 80 m³47–50 dB1,000 WNo recorded retailer price

How this ranking works

Ordered by the recorded manufacturer-published maximum indoor sound number, then the minimum. Different sound-pressure, sound-power, distance and mode contexts are not treated as directly interchangeable; the numerical order is a source-review starting point, not a claim of silence or an independent acoustic test.

Last reviewed 1 September 2026. Commercial relationships do not change the order.

USE THE LIST SAFELY

Decision rules before following the ranking

A specification order is useful only after the product type and capacity match the room. Apply these checks to every model, including the first one shown.

  1. Compare maximum published sound first when night-time compressor operation matters.
  2. Check that figures use compatible sound-pressure or sound-power definitions and modes.
  3. Keep cabinet position, vibration, exhaust-hose routing and distance from the bed in the plan.
  4. Reject an apparently quiet model if its capacity or window setup is wrong for the room.
MODEL-BY-MODEL

Why each model appears here

Open the product dossier for exact source documents, verification dates and any current or historical retailer evidence.

01electriQ EcoSilent 14000 BTU Smart Quiet Portable Air Conditioner portable air conditionerelectriQ

EcoSilent 14000 BTU Smart Quiet Portable Air Conditioner

Noise
38 dB
Capacity
14,000 BTU/h
Rated input
1,570 W
Room
Up to 38 m²

Maximum-input illustration: about 39p/hour at 25p/kWh.

Why it appears here: Published indoor sound is 38 dB. This numerical position starts with the recorded maximum figure, then the minimum; it does not assume different measurement types or modes are directly comparable, or claim that tone and cycling were independently tested.

No current verified retailer priceUse the model dossier to check evidence and buying questions.

Open decision cardAdd to comparison
02De'Longhi Pinguino Extreme PAC EX93 portable air conditionerDe'Longhi

Pinguino Extreme PAC EX93

Noise
42–46 dB
Capacity
8,900 BTU/h
Rated input
810 W
Room
Up to 85 m³

Maximum-input illustration: about 20p/hour at 25p/kWh.

Why it appears here: Published indoor sound is 42–46 dB. This numerical position starts with the recorded maximum figure, then the minimum; it does not assume different measurement types or modes are directly comparable, or claim that tone and cycling were independently tested.

No current verified retailer priceUse the model dossier to check evidence and buying questions.

Open decision cardAdd to comparison
03Dreo Portable Air Conditioner 515S portable air conditionerDreo

Portable Air Conditioner 515S

Noise
46 dB
Capacity
10,000 BTU/h
Rated input
1,125 W
Room
Up to 20 m²

Maximum-input illustration: about 28p/hour at 25p/kWh.

Why it appears here: Published indoor sound is 46 dB. This numerical position starts with the recorded maximum figure, then the minimum; it does not assume different measurement types or modes are directly comparable, or claim that tone and cycling were independently tested.

No current verified retailer priceUse the model dossier to check evidence and buying questions.

Open decision cardAdd to comparison
04De'Longhi Pinguino GentleJet PAC AP98 portable air conditionerDe'Longhi

Pinguino GentleJet PAC AP98

Noise
41–47 dB
Capacity
11,500 BTU/h
Rated input
875 W
Room
Up to 100 m³

Maximum-input illustration: about 22p/hour at 25p/kWh.

Why it appears here: Published indoor sound is 41–47 dB. This numerical position starts with the recorded maximum figure, then the minimum; it does not assume different measurement types or modes are directly comparable, or claim that tone and cycling were independently tested.

No current verified retailer priceUse the model dossier to check evidence and buying questions.

Open decision cardAdd to comparison
05De'Longhi Pinguino GentleJet Inverter Portable Air Conditioner portable air conditionerDe'Longhi

Pinguino GentleJet Inverter Portable Air Conditioner

Noise
43–50 dB
Capacity
13,000 BTU/h
Rated input
1,035 W
Room
Up to 130 m³

Maximum-input illustration: about 26p/hour at 25p/kWh.

Why it appears here: Published indoor sound is 43–50 dB. This numerical position starts with the recorded maximum figure, then the minimum; it does not assume different measurement types or modes are directly comparable, or claim that tone and cycling were independently tested.

No current verified retailer priceUse the model dossier to check evidence and buying questions.

Open decision cardAdd to comparison
06De'Longhi Pinguino EM90 Silent portable air conditionerDe'Longhi

Pinguino EM90 Silent

Noise
47–50 dB
Capacity
9,800 BTU/h
Rated input
1,000 W
Room
Up to 90 m³

Maximum-input illustration: about 25p/hour at 25p/kWh.

Why it appears here: Published indoor sound is 47–50 dB. This numerical position starts with the recorded maximum figure, then the minimum; it does not assume different measurement types or modes are directly comparable, or claim that tone and cycling were independently tested.

No current verified retailer priceUse the model dossier to check evidence and buying questions.

Open decision cardAdd to comparison
07De'Longhi Pinguino EM93 Silent portable air conditionerDe'Longhi

Pinguino EM93 Silent

Noise
47–50 dB
Capacity
10,500 BTU/h
Rated input
1,000 W
Room
Up to 90 m³

Maximum-input illustration: about 25p/hour at 25p/kWh.

Why it appears here: Published indoor sound is 47–50 dB. This numerical position starts with the recorded maximum figure, then the minimum; it does not assume different measurement types or modes are directly comparable, or claim that tone and cycling were independently tested.

No current verified retailer priceUse the model dossier to check evidence and buying questions.

Open decision cardAdd to comparison
08De'Longhi Pinguino EM82 portable air conditionerDe'Longhi

Pinguino EM82

Noise
47–50 dB
Capacity
9,400 BTU/h
Rated input
1,000 W
Room
Up to 80 m³

Maximum-input illustration: about 25p/hour at 25p/kWh.

Why it appears here: Published indoor sound is 47–50 dB. This numerical position starts with the recorded maximum figure, then the minimum; it does not assume different measurement types or modes are directly comparable, or claim that tone and cycling were independently tested.

No current verified retailer priceUse the model dossier to check evidence and buying questions.

Open decision cardAdd to comparison
ROOM-BY-ROOM JUDGEMENT

How the shortlist changes with the situation

The same model can be a sensible fit in one room and a poor fit in another. Use these scenarios to decide which evidence to collect next.

For a bedroom

Treat a low published minimum as a starting point, not a sleep guarantee. The compressor can cycle above fan-only sound, while tone and vibration are not described by one dB value. Compare maximum figures, timer behaviour, sleep mode, placement and the return policy before relying on a night-time setup.

For calls and concentrated work

Steady fan sound may be less distracting than repeated compressor starts. Check whether the source states the operating mode and measurement distance. Leave enough space around the appliance and keep the hose short and correctly routed; never restrict airflow to reduce sound.

When quietness is the first priority

A correctly designed split system moves the compressor outdoors and may offer a different indoor sound profile, but it introduces professional installation, outdoor-unit noise, permission and cost. Compare the whole route rather than assuming every portable unit is suitable for sensitive sleep.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Questions about this comparison

Is the lowest dB model automatically best for sleep?

No. Confirm measurement type and operating mode, then consider compressor cycling, vibration, placement and room capacity. A minimum figure can represent a quieter fan mode rather than continuous cooling.

Can CoolCompare compare sound power and sound pressure directly?

No. They describe sound differently. The source and measurement context must be compatible before a numerical winner is meaningful.

Match the room before choosing a rank

A shortlist position cannot tell you whether a product fits your room, window or tolerance for compressor noise.

Find the right cooling route