Not all air conditioners have the same quality when it comes to the noise they make.
Some are barely noticeable, while others can create a racket that can become annoying, to say the least.
Through-the-wall air conditioning units are no exception and are the loudest, along with window-mounted units.
They are the loudest because the main noisy component is the compressor located inside the packaged unit.
Traditional HVAC units that have the compressor located outside, away from the home.
With that said, some through the wall A/C units are quieter than others.
Keep in mind that there are also other options to get a quiet air conditioning unit, such as a mini-split unit that locates the compressor outside and is very quiet.
Mini-split units require more work to install and set up than a through-the-wall unit but are a good option for a knowledgeable do-it-yourself type of person.
What are the Quietest Through the Wall Air Conditioners?
With the many units available, there is no doubt many good options, but in my opinion, the Emerson Quiet Kool is the most silent.
Through the wall air conditioners are not completely silent, but the Emerson Quiet Kool works well.
With that said, some online reviews say the opposite and have other opinions on which is the best.
The best way to find the quietest A/C unit is to read reviews online such as Amazon and forums.
Below are the best picks we have found for the quietest through-the-wall A/C unit options.
As always, be sure to read the reviews on Amazon, forums, or elsewhere to be sure a unit is a good fit for you.
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Our Picks for Best Quietest Through the Wall Air Conditioners
- Emerson Quiet Kool
- LG Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner
- Keystone KSTAT Units
- LG Standard Through-the-Wall Units
- Koldfront WTC10002WCO
- Frigidaire 10,000 BTU
- Friedrich Uni-Fit Series
- PIONEER
The Emerson Quiet Kool through the wall air conditioner is a good unit with a lot of nice features.
It cools in the summer but also has supplemental heating for the winter along with built-in WiFi.
Dedicated sleeves can be bought for the unit to slide into, making an installation easier compared to many other units.
The Emerson Quiet Kool is a dedicated solution for through the wall A/C units that comes in three different sizes, including 10,000, 12,000, and 14,000 BTU’s.
Koldfront Wall sleeve on Amazon
Koldfront WTCSLV Through the Wall Air Conditioner Sleeve – White
The LG Dual Inverter inverter units are very nice efficient units that have low energy usage.
They come in different sized packages, from 14,000 BTU to 22,000 BTU.
They also come with different voltages with 110-Volt and 220-Volt units.
LG Dual Inverter units are set up to operate very quietly at 44 decibels.
The one downside is it is not a dedicated through-the-wall unit, but with some modification like any window unit, it can work.
Of course, be sure to check the measurements of your walls and the size of any unit bought.
Keystone has been around for many years and builds the KSTAT Units, which vary in size from 10,000-12,000 BTU and use 115-Volts.
It is rated to cool a space up to 450-550 square feet; of course, climate and how well insulated a home is should be taken into consideration.
While all packaged A/C units make noise, the Keystone KSTAT Units are well built that, when installed properly, it keeps the noise minimal.
Available Here on Sylvane
LG also builds several dedicated though-the-wall units that work very well.
They have 8,000, 9,800, and 11,800 BTU with the 8,000 BTU unit able to cool a space up-to 330 square feet.
The units have a SEER and ERR rating of 9.8 to 10.7 which is how efficient a unit will operate when running.
Available Here on Amazon
This unit from Koldfront is very popular and can cool a space up-to 450 square feet.
It is a 10,000 BTU 115 Volt unit built to slide into a wall.
The dimensions are listed as 14.5 inches High, 24.2 Inches Wide, and 20.3 Inches Deep.
Koldfront also has 8,000 and 12,000 BTU units if less or more cooling power is needed.
Frigidaire is a well-known manufacturer and makes this 10,000 BTU 220-Volt model.
One of the reasons this unit is quiet is that a compressor can run much more efficiently on 220-volts than 115-volts.
220-volts is not common in most homes and is usually only used for hot water heaters or dryers. While running a 220-volt line is always an option, it may not be for everyone.
Available Here on Amazon
The Friedrich Uni-Fit Series has three sizes including 8,000 BTU, 9,800 BTU, and 11,500 BTU.
It is made to be a universal unit to fit into almost any existing wall sleeve.
Of course, be sure to measure a unit to be sure it will fit.
The vents allow the air to flow in six different directions, making it easy to get the air where needed.
Available Here on Amazon
While packaged units are the easiest to install mini split units are by far the quietest and low cost to operate.
Mini split units are very silent and can barely be heard and have very high SEER ratings, usually 17-23 SEER.
They are more work to install but have several DIY mini splits kits that come with most everything needed.
I have installed many mini split units and always recommend them as they are very quiet and can reduce electrical bills drastically from a packaged unit.
They also heat and cool, so they can be used during the winter and summer.
Pioneer is one of the more popular options that come in different sizes and voltages.
Quietest Through the Wall Air Conditioners Comparison Chart
| Name | BTU | Voltage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson Quiet Kool | 10,000-12,000 | 115 Volt | Package |
| LG Dual Inverter | 14,000-22,000 | 110/220 volts | Package |
| Keystone KSTAT Units | 10,000-12,000 | 115 Volt | Package |
| LG | 8,000-11,800 | 115 Volt | Package |
| Koldfront | 10,000 | 115 Volt | Package |
| Frigidaire | 10,000 | 230 Volt | Package |
| Friedrich Uni-Fit Series | 8,000 | 115 Volt | Package |
| Pioneer | 12,000 | 110/220 volts | Mini Split |
Summary
Installing a through-the-wall-air conditioner can be more of a challenge compared to a standard window unit. While harder to install, they can be necessary when there is no window to place a standard unit into.
The noise level can vary, and the installation can often make a big impact on how loud a unit is.
A badly installed package can vibrate, which can lead to higher noise levels.
Be sure to install a unit level and follow the instructions that come with the package.
There is no completely silent wall air conditioner with the best option to have low noise levels.
All package-type units will always make some noise, with a mini-split the best long-term quiet option.
They also don’t require a huge hole to be cut out, with usually a 3-inch hole through the wall for the line-set.
Of course, they do require more skill to install, but there are many DIY kits along with YouTube videos showing the steps.
Do you know of a quiet through-the-wall-air conditioner? Let us know in the comments below.
I have a Fredrick 18000 btu thru the wall..I sounds like a freight train…it’s ridiculously loud. THEY are made in China
Spend the extra money and buy American made.
I don’t think any air conditioner is American made. I think it’s hard to find much that is American made nowadays.
I just purchased (Summer 2022) a FRIEDRICH Thru- the-Wall AC Model # WCT 1DA 30A based solely on what my wall sleeve could accept and dealer availability, and not only is it NOISY AS HELL , but Friedrich’s so-called “Tech Support” is the worst I’ve ever had to deal with.
I wish I could return it but that date has passed so I’m stuck with it. It’s 10x LOUDER than my 15 year old non-digital unit was. Called Friedrich’s so-called phone “support” and the guy on the other end barely spoke English! and apparently had never even serviced this unit before. Overpriced crap!
Thanks for the info. I need to replace a wall ac unit and loudness is an important factor for me.
What would be a quiet ac for the bedroom wall? About 5,6,7000 btu