Looking to hunt vermin, rodents, or squirrels in your backyard?
Or are you just looking to up your outdoor target shooting game in general?
I and my husband were certainly looking to.
The only problem?
With the loud noise coming from those gunshots, it became challenging to hunt without scaring away the prey.
Not to mention that we almost always get weird looks from our elderly neighbors. I brushed-off the issue at first, but I later realized that noise-induced hearing loss is a serious and irreversible issue.
Do to find yourself in a similar boat?
Well, after spending dozens of hours on research, I found and shortlisted some of the quietest air rifles in the market right now.
Let’s dive straight into it!
Note: While we’re on the topic of backyard hunting, I wanted to give you a quick heads-up that we also have a detailed guide to help you choose the quietest lawn mower without breaking the bank.
1. Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle
Are you looking for a .22 Caliber Pellet Rifle caliber for target shooting and small games? Well, the Benjamin Marauder might be worth a look.
This rifle generates about 74 decibels of noise which is one of the lowest values on my list.
In this Pre Charged Pneumatic Rifles or PCP, you get a total of 32 shots. For even higher values of shots per fill, you may try Hatsan BullBoss Quiet Energy PCP Air Rifle.
The velocity of this gun is 1000 FPS. Both left or right-handed shooters can use it comfortably due to the reversible bolt. If you need an air rifle with an even higher velocity, you may check out Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1.
Some other features include a 10-shot repeater with the auto-indexing feature. To improve the range and accuracy the gun is rifled. It also ensures resonance dampening with its shrouded barrel.
To load the magazine very easily it comes with a raised aluminum breech. The capacity of the magazine is 10. To maintain the optimum air pressure, it is furnished with a manometer. The manometer helps to measure the gas pressure that betters the accuracy.
The safety type is manual. The gun also comes with a limited warranty of 5 years.
There are a few downsides as well.
Firstly, it is slightly on the heavier side which may seem uncomfortable to some.
The barrel is quite large and hence you may need a sling to take it along with you when you go outdoors.
Also, pumping it may seem a bit energy-draining and the pumps are also not included in the pack which might add to the overall expenses.
Nevertheless, it is still a great pick due to its low noise and amazing accuracy.
Pros:
- Accurate
- Quiet
- Appealing looks
- Great for small games and target shooting
Cons:
- Slightly heavier
- A sling may be needed to carry it
2. Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1
Are you in need of a .177 caliber single cocking break barrel rifle that works perfectly in all weather conditions? Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 might just be what you’re looking for.
The Whisper Fusion technology effectively cuts a considerable amount of noise. The pellet goes through two different chambers compressing and preventing noise expansion.
This is a powerful, quiet, and accurate rifle with 1420 FPS. This is about 40% higher than Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle. Despite the high speed, the gun does not vibrate much and ensures smoother cocking.
The scope is sure to serve for long due to the Recoil Reducing Rail that absorbs most of the recoil. Also, the trigger can be adjusted as per your requirement with Custom Action Trigger or CAT that lets you adjust 1st and 2nd stages independently.
It is backed by a warranty of 5 years. It features a manual safety and an automatic cocking safety system. The set is also waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof.
It isn’t with its downsides though.
The cocking pull weight is a bit on the higher side. Hence, it may feel a bit uneasy to shoot, especially if you’re a beginner. Also, while it is not whisper-quiet, the noise levels are acceptable in most cases.
Many users may find the high magnification of the scope somewhat unnecessary since for small hunting practices such perfection is not needed.
Despite having a few flaws, I still think it’s a great pick with its unmatched accuracy and efficiency.
Pros:
- Weatherproof
- Powerful
- Accurate
- Whisper Fusion technology
Cons:
- Cocking pull weight is slightly high
- Higher magnification of the scope seems unnecessary
3. Hatsan BullBoss Quiet Energy PCP Air Rifle
Are you in search of a quiet air rifle for shooting in the neighborhood or the backyard? Well, the Hatsan BullBoss ticks all those boxes.
QuietEnergy fully shrouded barrel and Integrated Sound Moderator cuts noise by approximately 32%. At maximum, it produces about 95 decibels of noise. In the pack, you are also provided 2 magazines and Hatsan sling.
This pre-charged pneumatic power (PCP) has got an ergonomic design to facilitate perfect shooting by all users. Checkering on grip and forearm ensures better control and feel.
The velocity level for .177 caliber is 1170 FPS, for .22 is 1070 FPS and for .25 is 970 FPS. The maximum number of shots per fill is 40 which is about 25% more compared to Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle.
The product comes with a steel air cylinder tube of 230cc capacity and is detachable. The pressure of the cylinder is effectively monitored with the help of a built-in pressure gauge.
You can choose between both—manual and automatic safety. It makes use of an anti-double pellet feed mechanism to prevent more than one pellet loading into the barrel.
Despite being a great product, it has its fair share of flaws.
Firstly, it is somewhat less rigid and hence tends to flex in the bipod. Also, some users recommended that the quality of the sling could be improved to avoid dropping and damaging the rifle.
Nonetheless, it is a highly recommended rifle due to its precision, low noise, and a greater number of shots per fill (40 shots).
Pros:
- Ergonomic design
- Quiet
- Accurate
- Safe
Cons:
- Less rigid
- Mediocre sling quality
4. Bear River Pellet Gun Air Rifle
Looking for a pellet air rifle for small hunting game or target shooting that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket? Bear River Pellet Gun might be worth looking into.
This .177 caliber rifle can aim at fairly far off distances very well with high powered break barrel action. It comes with 4×32 scope with covers. The fiber optic sights help you use the rifle without the scope and are adjustable.
With the top-mounted 6-inch Picatinny rail, the optics can be customized as per your preference.
With the Spring Piston Technology and a smooth trigger pull, the consistency and power of the rifle can be incremented.
The rifle provides a maximum velocity of 1,350 FPS. For getting even better speeds, you might have a look at Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1. Apart from being appealing, another importance of such patterns on the rifles is that it helps to camouflage.
Consumers highly recommend this model due to its sturdiness and longevity. Cocking is easy and quick. It is also very quiet due to the noise suppressor.
Now for the downsides…
The scope is mediocre. It could definitely use some improvement in the next upgrade.
The piston creates a peculiar sound when shot using this rifle but that is under tolerable levels. The barrel alignment seems a bit off, too.
Despite its flaws, it is still a great competitor due to its easy and quick cocking, smooth trigger, and accuracy.
Pros:
- Accurate
- Quiet
- Great for long-range shots
- Comfortable
- Easy to handle and carry
Cons:
- Mediocre scope
- Barrel alignment slightly off
5. Raptor Whisper Air Rifle
If you aren’t willing to compromise even a bit when it comes to accuracy, the Raptor Whisper might delight you.
IGT (Inert Gas Technology) is used in this rifle to minimize noise and unwanted vibrations. It is one of the quietest on my list and about 20% less noisy compared to Hatsan BullBoss Quiet Energy PCP Air Rifle. The Whisper Noise Dampener cuts off the noise by 52%. At maximum, it only generates 90 decibels of noise. Besides this, the rifle is also known for its consistent power and a constant and smooth cocking effort.
It comes with a .177 caliber pellet single cocking break barrel. The maximum velocity is 1300 FPS which is about 12% more compared to Hatsan BullBoss Quiet Energy PCP Air Rifle.
In order to enhance the feel and grip, the rifle makes use of the SAT (Smooth Action Trigger) that gives a smooth trigger pull.
The 4 x 32 scope is shockproof and has a synthetic ambidextrous all-weather stock. In order to protect and increase the longevity of the rifle, the recoil is absorbed very well by the SWA (Shock Wave Absorber) along with the rubber inserts.
The rifle comes with a warranty of 1-year. In case, you wish to have a rifle that comes with longer warranty periods, then you may check out Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 or Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle that is backed by a 5-year warranty.
There are a few downsides too.
Firstly, as reported by customers, the magnification of the scope seems somewhat unnecessary. Moreover, they did add that the quality of the scope requires some improvement.
Single shot and hence the breaking barrel action is somewhat limiting. A few users also added that the pellet could have been more refined to get even more consistent shots.
Nonetheless, despite its flaws, I still think this is one of the best air rifles you can get today. Its high-accuracy, awesome grip and relatively low noise levels make it an absolute no-brainer.
Pros:
- Accurate and quick
- Cuts off noise and vibrations
- Ergonomic handle
- 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Limited barrel action
- Pellet needs more refinement
The Buying Guide: Factors to Consider Before Purchasing
1. What are You Going to Use It for?
The very first thing to determine is what’s your use-case for buying an air rifle. Not all rifles are made for the same activities.
Rifles can be used either for small hunting activities or target shooting. If you wish to perform such pursuits in your backyard, then special care needs to be taken with the noise that the rifle produces.
For small shooting ventures, Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle is a great pick. If you are looking for a weatherproof rifle that can serve you in the toughest of weather conditions, then you may try Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1.
If you are someone who loves to do shooting practice in the backyard, then Hatsan BullBoss Quiet Energy PCP Air Rifle is a great choice. It prevents noise from pervading the space of your neighbors.
If you desire perfection and accuracy while shooting then Raptor Whisper Air Rifle is worth mentioning.
2. Noise Level
Shooting can be a fun activity. But the noise that a gunshot can produce can be very earsplitting. This is a great concern for the ones suffering from chronic health issues.
It will also not be quite social to disturb the tranquility of the people living next to your house with loud noise from your backyard shooting activities.
To avoid such situations, it is important to bring home a rifle that can muffle the maximum amount of sound that is produced during gunshots.
From my list, some of the quietest models are Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1, Hatsan BullBoss Quiet Energy PCP Air Rifle and Raptor Whisper Air Rifle.
3. Rifle Type
Spring-Piston Air Rifles
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The other name for these rifles is springers. The make use of a lever to cock a spring and piston. They are quite powerful but with respect to the other two seem to be slightly on the lower end.
They are very easy to use and all it requires is just one cocking stroke to prepare the air rifle for shooting. They are somewhat accurate and produce less amount of noise.
In order to get the perfect shot with this rifle, airgun-rated scopes are important. In case, you would opt to go for these types of rifles then Bear River Pellet Gun Air Rifle is really a good choice.
Pre-charged Pneumatic Rifles (Less Recoil, Ideal for Elders/People with Disabilities)
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These types of rifles use air from a scuba tank or a high-pressure hand pump or compressor that is stored in a high-pressure reservoir. This rifle is used in the Olympics, hunting and long-range shooting practices.
Being almost recoil-free, it is ideal for elderly people and those who suffer from disabilities. They are highly accurate and consistent.
A major drawback of these rifles is that they are not self-contained and hence require scuba tanks and compressors to recharge the reservoir.
Hatsan BullBoss Quiet Energy PCP Air Rifle is one of the best PCP models that come with shrouded barrels to minimize noise.
Compressed Gas Air Rifles
In these types of rifles, the power source is basically a prefilled removable external gas cylinder. It is also referred to as CO2 guns due to carbon dioxide being used in the cylinders.
When the trigger is pulled, the compressed CO2 is released and it causes the pellet to move forward inside the barrel. These rifles are easy to cock and are very accurate.
They are ideal for consistent and repeated shooting. But a major flaw of these types of rifles is that with the variation of temperature the pressure of the gas also changes.
Nevertheless, its overall performance cannot be overlooked and in case you make up your mind to go for these types of rifles then you may try Raptor Whisper Air Rifle.
4. Caliber Options
The caliber indicates the size of the bullet that can be shot from the rifle. For some really quick and accurate shots, I recommend going for a gun with .177 caliber. This is so because it is light in weight. But it is not able to tackle high speeds quite well. One of the best .177 caliber rifles on my list is Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1.
.20 caliber is a perfect blend of speed and power.
Another option is .22 caliber. This is ideal for small hunting activities. They do not have very high speed but the impact it has on the material is undeniable. Thus, they can easily kill down small prey.
In case you choose to buy a .22 caliber rifle, I would recommend you to go for Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle.
5. Budget
It is important to gauge your requirements and set a budget to get your perfect rifle.
The best part is that rifles come in a range of different prices and hence, you get a whole lot of different options.
If you’re looking for the absolute best air rifle that money can buy, you should have a look at Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle and Hatsan BullBoss Quiet Energy.
If you are on a budget, I’d recommend you have a look at Bear River Pellet Gun Air Rifle.
6. Speed of Shooting
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The different rifles available in the market specialize in a special shooting venture. Some are good for shooting practices in the backward whereas some other rifle is excellent for conducting small hunting programs.
For carrying out different activities, purchasing riffles with appropriate speed is necessary. The speed of the rifles is measured in FPS which stands for feet per second.
In case you need a high-speed rifle, you may try Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 which has a maximum speed of 1420 FPS. this is also the highest value on my list. If you are looking for a moderate speed rifle then you may like Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle. It can provide a maximum velocity of 1000 FPS.
7. Trigger and Safety
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The most common type of trigger that most of the products listed in this research follow the 2-stage adjustable trigger. This is great for beginners.
In order to get the perfect shot, it is necessary to have some skill and knowledge to be able to adjust the trigger optimally.
One of the products that makes use of a 2-stage adjustable trigger is Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1.
Rifles are not toys for kids and require careful handling to avoid any mishap. There are basically two types of safety offered by rifles – manual and automatic.
Manual safety offered by rifles like Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle involves manual locking and unlocking.
Whereas in the case of the rifles featuring automatic safety, the trigger gets locked automatically after every cock. Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 features both manual and automatic safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ll be constantly updating this section, so make sure to stick around!
1. What Makes an Air Rifle Quiet?
Air rifles, if equipped with sound dampening technologies, can attenuate a considerable level of sound. A noise dampener, at the tip of the barrel, is very useful in reducing the overall noise.
Some products like Raptor Whisper Air Rifle make use of patented whisper noise reduction technology that makes them very quiet.
2. What is the Quietest Air Rifle in the Market?
According to the reviews and noise ratings of the products, it can be concluded that Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle is one the quietest of all the other models available in the market.
3. What is the Quietest .22 Air Rifle?
Out of the different products of my list, Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle is the quietest .22 air rifle.
4. What is the Quietest .177 Air Rifle?
The quietest .177 air rifle, with Whisper Fusion technology, from my list, is Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1.
5. How Many dB is a Gunshot?
Without any sound insulation, a gunshot emits about 140 – 190 decibels of noise which is very damaging. But if the rifle is furnished with sound dampening materials or the latest sound reducing technologies, it will emit approximately 75 to 100 decibels of noise.
The Bottom Line
In my opinion, the best overall is the Hatsan BullBoss Quiet Energy PCP Air Rifle. It seems to be the perfect choice if you are looking for speed. Its ergonomic design gives a great feel. The velocity level for .177 caliber is 1170 FPS, for .22 is 1070 FPS and for .25 is 970 FPS. It has a comparatively greater number of fills too.
The first runner up is Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle. It is one of the quietest on my list. Both left- or right-handed shooters can use it very easily. It also gives you the choice of improving the range and accuracy as per your requirement.
The second runner up is Bear River Pellet Gun Air Rifle. It’s great if you’re looking for a great pick on a budget. Despite being inexpensive, it allows customization of optics and provides good accuracy.