The 11 quietest heat pumps on the market, tested by the experts

The 11 quietest heat pumps on the market, tested by the experts

by Poppy Szkiler | The Sunday Times, March 12 2025

Keep your home cosy without disturbing your family - or the neighbours - with these cutting-edge models that are certified to be quiet.

Inevitably if there is an article on heat pumps there will be comments about the noise, both for the residents and neighbours. A well installed air source heat pump should be no more noisy than a fridge or moderate rainfall — soft background sounds that we are attuned to.

Above: 'The 11 quietest heat pumps on the market, tested by the experts'  | The Sunday Times

Heat pumps are generally quieter than fossil fuel boilers. An air source heat pump typically ranges between 40 and 60 decibels, depending on the manufacturer and installation quality. Quiet Mark, an international certification programme that identifies the quietest appliances and technology products on the market, has certified a number of air source heat pumps that achieved the lowest noise levels in market-wide comparisons.

Here are the Quiet Mark-certified air source heat pumps and the organisation’s tips on the best way to install them to minimise noise.

Note: Quiet Mark does not publish decibel (dB) levels — this is because the nature of sound transmission is complex, and the decibel level of a product may change depending on the context and conditions. In addition, two products may emit the same decibel level, however one may sound pleasant and the other unpleasant. This will not be reflected in the decibel measurement.

Vaillant aroTHERM Plus is one of the greenest heat pumps around. It is designed to exceed the heating requirements of today, using a natural refrigerant, which has an exceptionally low global warming potential (GWP). The model is available in 3.5kW, 5kW, 7kW, 10kW and 12kW outputs, which are suitable for most domestic properties and commercial use.

NIBE S2125 Air Source Heat Pump is an inverter-controlled heat pump, which means that it runs constantly, at variable speeds depending on the home’s needs, rather than shutting down when the desired temperature is reached, making it more efficient. It has a natural refrigerant for a sustainable impact. The sound level is low and it has built-in wi-fi, so you can control it from your smartphone.

Daikin Altherma 3 H HT, a single-fan outdoor unit, achieves some of the highest efficiencies and lowest sound levels on the market. It has been designed with lower acoustic levels in mind and incorporates a low-sound mode.

Grant Aerona 290 is another heat pump that uses a refrigerant with an extremely low GWP. It is available in outputs between 4kW and 15.5kW and comes with a seven-year guarantee when installed by a trained Grant installer.

5. Midea's high efficiencyair to water heat pump range operates silently, providing heating, cooling and domestic hot water. 

Worcester Bosch Compress 5800i AW is the quietest heat pump in Bosch’s UK range. It is sleek, compact and designed to look good in your garden.

Samsung EHS Mono HT Quiet is a high-temperature, low-noise heat pump. It has a durable, stylish design and uses innovative noise-reducing technology.

LG THERMA V R290 Monobloc   uses a refrigerant with a very low GWP. It has a monobloc design, which means that it is connected only by water piping, eliminating the need for refrigerant piping. It is one of the quietest models on the market.

Warmflow Zeno   is one of the most efficient appliances in its class. Unlike most others which produce heat at a fixed output, it makes use of the latest variable speed compressor technology to automatically modulate the output depending on your heat demands.

Mitsubishi Ecodan R290 is an innovative model with guaranteed operation range down to -25°C ambient temperature. It achieves water temperature up to 75°C and uses a low GWP refrigerant. Available in 5kW, 6kW and 8kW models.

Ideal Logic Air range from Ideal Heating are monobloc heat pumps designed to deliver efficient, reliable low-carbon heating. Combined with the company’s hot water cylinder and Halo Air thermostat it provides a simple, easy-to-install heat pump system.

Find more Quiet Mark Certified heat pump models

Installation tips for quiet heating

1. Get the site right

Choose the installation site carefully, considering the clearance around the unit and any materials or structures which may cause noise to be reflected. Most people prefer their heat pump to be as discreet as possible, away from doors and windows or entertainment spaces in the garden.

2. Choose a low-noise model

Quiet Mark-certified heat pumps, due to their low-level noise operation, will not require additional acoustic insulation.

3. Lay a suitable foundation

Fit the heat pump on anti-vibration feet or mounting blocks and make sure that the unit is set up correctly.

4. Service it regularly

Maintenance will ensure noise levels stay low. As with all home heating appliances it is recommended that they are serviced annually by a competent installation engineer.

Quiet Mark has teamed up with expert installers Heat Geek to help deliver low-carbon, low-noise heating for British homes: Get Heat Geek's help with Quiet Mark

Read the full unabridged article in The Sunday Times | Sunday 23rd March 2025