The quietest split systems in Australia
1,424
models on the register
Short answer
Ranked from the government Energy Rating register (1424 reverse cycle split systems). Lowest indoor sound first, size by size, so you compare like with like.
Prices are estimates, not quotes (how we estimate them). Rebate rules checked September 2026.
Compare 3 quotes for my houseThis ranking uses one number: the indoor sound level each manufacturer registers with the government Energy Rating scheme. It is measured to the same standard for every brand, which makes it the only noise figure you can fairly compare across a Daikin, a Samsung and a Kogan.
We rank the 1,424 reverse cycle wall splits that have a registered indoor figure, size by size, quietest first. The 57 without one are left out. The tables show the top ten at each size. Below is how to read them, and what else decides how loud a split is in your room.
At a glance
- Models1424from 26 brands
- Installed, estimate$1,400–$4,800
- Quietest indoorsSamsung AR50F09C1UHN46.9 dB(A), 2.5 kW
- Most efficient (average zone)AUX CAR3DI7 cooling stars, 2.6 kW
- Reverse cycle100%heat and cool
- R32 refrigerant99%the current low-GWP standard
2.0 kW : top 10
104 models · installed $1,400–$2,400 · see all 104
| # | Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB(A) | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | SRC20ZTA-W* / SRK20ZTA-WF* +6 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 2 | 2.7 | 5★ | 4★ | 47 | $1,400–$2,400 | Get quotes |
| 2 | TCL | TAC-06CHSD series +2 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 1.8 | 1.8 | 4★ | 2.5★ | 48.8 | $1,400–$2,400 | Get quotes |
2.5 kW : top 10
246 models · installed $1,500–$2,500 · see all 246
| # | Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB(A) | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samsung | AR50F09C1UHX / AR50F09C1UHN | Wall split | 2.5 | 3.2 | 4.5★ | 3★ | 46.9 | $1,500–$2,500 | Get quotes |
| 2 | Bonaire | CRC6911025/CRC6911125 | Wall split | 2.6 | 4 | 5.5★ | 2.5★ | 47.2 | $1,500–$2,500 | Get quotes |
| 3 | Hyundai | HYSSAC26PW* +4 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 2.6 | 4 | 5.5★ | 2.5★ | 47.2 | $1,500–$2,500 | Get quotes |
| 4 | Kogan | KASHSAC26T* +2 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 2.6 | 4 | 5.5★ | 2.5★ | 47.2 | $1,500–$2,500 | Get quotes |
3.5 kW : top 10
241 models · installed $1,700–$2,700 · see all 241
| # | Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB(A) | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonaire | CRC6911035/CRC6911135 | Wall split | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.5★ | 2.5★ | 47.7 | $1,700–$2,700 | Get quotes |
| 2 | Braemar | TCHV35T1S/TSHV35T1S | Wall split | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.5★ | 2.5★ | 47.7 | $1,700–$2,700 | Get quotes |
| 3 | Kogan | KASHSAC35T* +4 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.5★ | 2.5★ | 47.7 | $1,700–$2,700 | Get quotes |
| 4 | TCL | TAC-12CHSD/TPH11IT | Wall split | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.5★ | 2.5★ | 47.7 | $1,700–$2,700 | Get quotes |
| 5 | Teco | TWS-TSO35H3DVJT | Wall split | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.5★ | 2.5★ | 47.7 | $1,700–$2,700 | Get quotes |
| 6 | AUX | ASW-H35A4/FAR3DI | Wall split | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5★ | 2.5★ | 47.8 | $1,700–$2,700 | Get quotes |
5.0 kW : top 10
304 models · installed $2,100–$3,300 · see all 304
| # | Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB(A) | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonaire | CRC6911050/CRC6911150 | Wall split | 5.2 | 5.2 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | 49.4 | $2,100–$3,300 | Get quotes |
| 2 | Braemar | TCHV50T1S/TSHV50T1S | Wall split | 5.2 | 5.2 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | 49.4 | $2,100–$3,300 | Get quotes |
| 3 | TCL | TAC-18CHSD/TPH11IT | Wall split | 5.2 | 5.2 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | 49.4 | $2,100–$3,300 | Get quotes |
| 4 | Teco | TWS-TSO52H3DVJT | Wall split | 5.2 | 5.2 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 51.8 | $2,100–$3,300 | Get quotes |
| 5 | Midea | MFAG51VA-W/MFCS50VA-N | Wall split | 4.9 | 5.5 | 4★ | 2.5★ | 54 | $2,100–$3,300 | Get quotes |
| 6 | Mitsubishi Electric | MUZ-EF42VGD/MSZ-EF42VGDB +4 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 4.2 | 5.4 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 54.6 | $2,100–$3,300 | Get quotes |
6.0 kW : top 10
118 models · installed $2,400–$3,600 · see all 118
| # | Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB(A) | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | DXC21ZRA-W / DXK21ZRA-WF1 +2 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 6.3 | 7.1 | 3.5★ | 3★ | 57 | $2,400–$3,600 | Get quotes |
| 2 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | DXC21ZRA-WF/DXK63ZRA-WF +2 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 6.3 | 7.1 | 3.5★ | 3★ | 57 | $2,400–$3,600 | Get quotes |
| 3 | Mitsubishi Electric | MUZ-AP60VG2/MSZ-AP60VG2 Series +3 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 6 | 6.8 | 4★ | 2.5★ | 58.5 | $2,400–$3,600 | Get quotes |
7.1 kW : top 10
193 models · installed $2,600–$3,900 · see all 193
| # | Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB(A) | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kogan | KASHSAC70T* +4 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 7 | 7 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 52.7 | $2,600–$3,900 | Get quotes |
| 2 | Teco | TWS-TSO70H3DVKT +1 variant with the same ratings | Wall split | 7 | 7 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 52.7 | $2,600–$3,900 | Get quotes |
| 3 | Bonaire | CRC6911071/CRC6911171 | Wall split | 7.2 | 7.2 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | 53.7 | $2,600–$3,900 | Get quotes |
| 4 | Braemar | TCHV70T1S/TSHV70T1S | Wall split | 7.2 | 7.2 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | 53.7 | $2,600–$3,900 | Get quotes |
| 5 | TCL | TAC-24CHSD/TPH11IT | Wall split | 7.2 | 7.2 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | 53.7 | $2,600–$3,900 | Get quotes |
8.0 kW : top 10
148 models · installed $3,000–$4,300 · see all 148
| # | Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB(A) | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonaire | CRC6911082/CRC6911182 | Wall split | 8.2 | 8.5 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 52 | $3,000–$4,300 | Get quotes |
| 2 | Braemar | TCHV80T1S/TSHV80T1S | Wall split | 8.2 | 8.5 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 52 | $3,000–$4,300 | Get quotes |
| 3 | Kogan | KASHSAC80T* +4 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 8.2 | 8.5 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 52 | $3,000–$4,300 | Get quotes |
| 4 | TCL | TAC-28CHSD/TPH11IT | Wall split | 8.2 | 8.5 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 52 | $3,000–$4,300 | Get quotes |
| 5 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | DXC28ZRA-W / DXK28ZRA-W | Wall split | 8 | 9 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 58 | $3,000–$4,300 | Get quotes |
| 6 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | DXC28ZRA-W / DXK28ZRA-WF1 | Wall split | 8 | 9 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | 58 | $3,000–$4,300 | Get quotes |
9 kW and up : top 10
70 models · installed $3,400–$4,800 · see all 70
| # | Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB(A) | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrier | 38QHB090N8-1/42QHB090N8-1 | Wall split | 9.1 | 10.1 | 3.5★ | 2★ | 51 | $3,400–$4,800 | Get quotes |
| 2 | Hyundai | HYSSAC88PW* +4 variants with the same ratings | Wall split | 8.8 | 8.8 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 53.9 | $3,400–$4,800 | Get quotes |
| 3 | Teco | TWS-TSO88H3DVJT +1 variant with the same ratings | Wall split | 8.8 | 8.8 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 53.9 | $3,400–$4,800 | Get quotes |
| 4 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | DXC33ZRA-W / DXK33ZRA-WF1 | Wall split | 9.5 | 10.3 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | 61 | $3,400–$4,800 | Get quotes |
| 5 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | DXC33ZRA-W /DXK33ZRA-W | Wall split | 9.5 | 10.3 | 3★ | 2.5★ | 61 | $3,400–$4,800 | Get quotes |
Every model on the Energy Rating register marked available in Australia. Stars are the zoned label for the average climate zone (average zone); indoor noise is the registered sound power level, measured the same way for every model. Installed prices are estimated 2026 supply-and-install ranges, not quotes (how we estimate them); your installer confirms the number. Browse and filter everything in the full catalogue.
Why the register figure and not the brochure
The register records sound power: the total acoustic energy the indoor unit puts out, measured under a standard test. Brochures usually quote sound pressure, measured at a distance on the lowest fan setting. Sound pressure always comes out much lower than sound power for the same unit, so a brochure figure and a register figure can't be compared, and two brochures measured different ways can't either.
Use the register figure to compare models. Use the brochure's lowest-fan figure only to compare speeds within one model.
Why compare noise within one size
Bigger units move more air and make more noise. Ranking every size together would just list 2 kW units. The median indoor figure climbs by about 12 dB(A) from the smallest wall splits to the 8 kW class.
| Size | Models ranked | Quietest registered | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 kW | 104 | 47.0 dB(A) | 52.4 dB(A) |
| 2.5 kW | 246 | 46.9 dB(A) | 54.5 dB(A) |
| 3.5 kW | 241 | 47.7 dB(A) | 57.0 dB(A) |
| 5.0 kW | 304 | 49.4 dB(A) | 60.0 dB(A) |
| 7.1 kW | 193 | 52.7 dB(A) | 63.8 dB(A) |
| 8.0 kW | 148 | 52.0 dB(A) | 64.6 dB(A) |
As a rule of thumb, 3 dB is double the sound energy and 10 dB sounds about twice as loud. A bedroom unit 5 dB under the median is a real difference at 2am.
Why several budget brands share the same figure
Look at the top of the 2.5 and 3.5 kW tables and you'll see Bonaire, Braemar, Hyundai, Kogan, TCL and Teco registering identical figures, down to the decimal point and across star ratings too. Across the register, 26 sets of figures are shared by three or more brands. That usually means the same unit built in the same factory under different badges. That says nothing bad about the unit. It does mean the badge tells you less than the price suggests, and the service network behind each badge is different.
What else decides how loud a split is
- Size. An undersized unit runs flat out and loud on hot nights. An oversized one cycles on and off. Get it right with the size calculator.
- The outdoor unit. The register lists it too. The median runs from about 58 dB(A) at 2.5 kW to 67 dB(A) at 8 kW. Keep it away from bedroom windows, including the neighbours'.
- Installation. A level bracket, a solid wall and a properly sloped drain avoid rattles and gurgles. That's on the installer, which is why you get up to three local quotes and ask how they mount it.
- Night and quiet modes, which cap fan and compressor speed.
For a bedroom shortlist with installed prices, see our quiet bedroom air conditioner guide.
FAQ
The quietest split systems in Australia: common questions
What is a quiet decibel level for a bedroom air conditioner?
On the register's sound power figure, anything in the low fifties is quiet for a 2.5 kW bedroom unit; the median at that size is 54.5 dB(A). The much lower figures in brochures are a different measurement, usually at the lowest fan speed, and can't be compared with the register.
Are more expensive split systems quieter?
Not reliably. At 2.5 and 3.5 kW the quietest registered units are mostly mid-tier and budget brands. At 7.1 kW the premium brands are quieter at the median by about three decibels. Compare the figure for the exact model, then get up to three local quotes for the quietest units at your size.
Why are some split systems missing from the quietest ranking?
Only reverse cycle wall splits with a registered indoor sound level are ranked. 57 wall splits on the register have no indoor figure, so they can't be compared fairly and are left out. Cooling-only models are left out too.
How much does a split system cost installed?
Typically $1,400 to $4,800 supplied and installed in 2026, depending on size and the job. 2.0 kW: $1,400 to $2,400; 2.5 kW: $1,500 to $2,500; 3.5 kW: $1,700 to $2,700; 5.0 kW: $2,100 to $3,300. Pipe runs, a new circuit or a second storey add to it. Get up to three local quotes for your actual job.
Which is the quietest split system?
On the registered indoor sound level, the Samsung AR50F09C1UHN (2.5 kW) is the quietest at 46.9 dB(A). Compare within the same size: bigger units are louder. See the quietest split systems ranking.
Which is the most energy efficient?
For the average climate zone, the AUX CAR3DI (2.6 kW) has the highest cooling rating here at 7 stars. Star ratings on the zoned label run to 10, and a star is worth more in a hot zone than a mild one. For cold-climate heating, the ActronAir WRE-026DS leads at 3.5 stars.
What size split system do I need?
Roughly 2.5 kW for a bedroom, 3.5 kW for a large bedroom or small living room, and 5 to 7.1 kW for open-plan living. West glass and poor insulation push it up. Use the size calculator for your room.
Sources
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