Airguns · Buyer's Guide
Quietest air rifles, ranked by measured noise
Researched by James · Updated · Editorial policy
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The noise figures are Pyramyd AIR's listed noise levels and loudness ratings, taken from each product page on October 15, 2026 and linked in Sources. Pyramyd AIR doesn't publish its test distance or method, so compare these numbers with each other, not with figures from other sites. The FX Impact M4 on this list is the rifle I hunt with, but its number here is Pyramyd AIR's, not my own measurement. Full methodology & editorial policy →
Quietest air rifles, ranked by measured noise
| Rifle | Type | Price | Noise level | Loudness rating | Sound control | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gamo Arrow | PCP, .177/.22 | $219.99 | 81.48 dB | 2-Low-Medium | Whisper Fusion suppressor | 775 fps with 11.9 gr in .22 (Pyramyd test), about 16 FPE |
| Umarex Fusion 2 | CO2, .177 only | $169.99 | 82 dB | 2-Low-Medium | SilencAir 5-chamber moderator | 650 fps lead, 700 fps alloy |
| Umarex Origin | PCP, .22/.25 | $399.99 with pump | 85.9 dB | 3-Medium | Integrated suppressor | Up to 1,075 fps in .22 |
| FX Impact M4 | PCP, .177-.30 | $2,395.99 | 86.58 dB | 2-Low-Medium | Shroud plus included FX moderator | Regulated, 270 shots per fill in .22 |
| Umarex Gauntlet 2 SL | PCP, .22/.25/.30 | $429.99-$529.99 | 90.6 dB | 4-Medium-High | 4-baffle shroud | Up to 1,075 fps in .22 |
| Air Venturi Avenger | PCP, .177/.22/.25 | $349.99 | 93.02 dB | 3-Medium | Fully shrouded barrel | Up to 45 FPE |
Rated quiet, but no decibel figure published
| Rifle | Type | Price | Loudness rating | Sound control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diana Stormrider Gen2 | PCP, .177/.22 | $219.99 | 2-Low-Medium | Integrated muzzle-brake moderator |
| Hatsan Flash QE Regulated | PCP, .177/.22/.25 | $329.99-$339.99 | 3-Medium | QuietEnergy shrouded barrel |
| Benjamin Marauder Gen 3 | PCP, .22/.25 | $829.99 | 3-Medium | Shrouded, regulated |
These three carry Pyramyd AIR loudness ratings but no listed decibel number, so they're kept out of the ranking above rather than guessed into it.
What the decibel numbers actually mean
- Every 10 dB sounds about twice as loud to the human ear. The 11.5 dB gap between the Arrow (81.48) and the Avenger (93.02) is the difference between a rifle your neighbor might not notice and one they will.
- About 3 dB is the smallest change most people notice. The Arrow and Fusion 2 (half a decibel apart) sound the same in practice.
- Ratings and decibels don't always agree. Pyramyd AIR rates the Impact M4 (86.58 dB) 2-Low-Medium but the Origin (85.9 dB) 3-Medium. Where a decibel figure exists, I rank by it.
- Distance changes everything. These figures come from one retailer's setup. Your neighbor hears the shot through a fence 30 yards away, not at the muzzle.
Why a shroud isn't enough: power is noise
An air rifle's report is mostly the air that leaves the muzzle behind the pellet. More air per shot, at higher pressure, makes more noise. Baffles in a shroud slow and spread that air, but they can't remove it. The Gauntlet 2's listing credits its four-baffle shroud with 8 dB less noise than the original Gauntlet, and Pyramyd AIR still lists it at 90.6 dB. Pyramyd AIR's own customer reviews on that page range from "not loud" to "not backyard friendly." Two more things decide how loud a rifle sounds:
- Pellet speed. A pellet faster than the speed of sound (roughly 1,100-1,125 fps) adds its own crack no shroud can stop. The Gamo Arrow is advertised at up to 1,200 fps in .177 with light alloy pellets, so the quiet way to run it is .22 with lead pellets.
- What the pellet hits. A pellet slapping a metal target or a fence board can be louder than the shot. A proper backstop and pellet trap fixes that.
The quietest air rifle for each job
Backyard plinking: Umarex Fusion 2
$169.99. It is CO2-powered and .177 only, with a SilencAir 5-chamber moderator, 82 dB on Pyramyd AIR's listing, and 650-700 fps. The listing claims 70+ shots on two 12-gram cartridges and up to about 250 on an 88-gram cartridge. It isn't a hunting rifle for anything bigger than the smallest pests, and it isn't meant to be.
Quiet small game and invasive birds under $500: Gamo Arrow (.22) or Diana Stormrider Gen2 (.22)
The Gamo Arrow ($219.99, or $299.99 with a G9 pump) has the lowest listed noise figure here. Pyramyd AIR's testing measured 775 fps with an 11.9-grain .22 pellet, about 16 FPE at the muzzle. That's inside the 12-20 FPE guideline for rabbits, squirrels and invasive birds (FPE chart). The Diana Stormrider Gen2 ($219.99) is rated 2-Low-Medium and fills to only 2,900 psi. Both are unregulated. More on both in best beginner PCPs under $500.
Quiet and regulated on a budget: Hatsan Flash QE Regulated
$329.99. It has a QuietEnergy fully shrouded barrel, a regulator and 55 shots per fill in .22. Pyramyd AIR rates it 3-Medium with no decibel figure. It's the pick if you want consistent velocity as well as a moderated report.
Quiet with serious power: FX Impact M4
$2,395.99. It's regulated and ships with an FX moderator; Pyramyd AIR lists it at 86.58 dB and rates it 2-Low-Medium. It's also the rifle I hunt with (full review). Of the rifles on this list with a published noise figure, it's the only one built to run heavy slugs at long-range hunting power. It is premium money, though, and not a backyard plinker.
Make any air rifle quieter
The order of operations matters more than the rifle. Choose a factory-shrouded or moderated rifle. Run it at the lowest power that still meets the energy your quarry needs. Keep pellet speed under the sound barrier. Shoot into a trap with a solid backstop. The four-layer setup, and what is and isn't legal to add to the muzzle, is in how to quiet an air rifle legally.
Quietest picks
- Gamo Arrow .22: lowest listed dB, real small-game energy
- Umarex Fusion 2: quiet .177 plinker
- FX Impact M4: quiet and powerful, at premium cost
Shrouded but not quiet
- Air Venturi Avenger: 93.02 dB listed
- Umarex Gauntlet 2 SL: 90.6 dB listed
- Any rifle shooting light .177 pellets above 1,100 fps
Verdict
For a quiet rifle that can still take rabbits, squirrels and invasive birds, buy the Gamo Arrow in .22, shoot lead pellets and use a pellet trap. For quiet plinking only, the Umarex Fusion 2 is cheaper and just as quiet. If you need quiet and power for farm work at distance, the FX Impact M4 is worth the money. Don't pay for a shroud and expect silence: the decibel numbers show the high-power shrouded rifles are still the loudest on this list.
Quieter shooting accessories
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FAQ
What is the quietest air rifle?
Of the rifles with a published noise figure on Pyramyd AIR, the Gamo Arrow PCP is the quietest at 81.48 dB ($219.99), followed by the Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 rifle at 82 dB ($169.99). The quietest premium hunting rifle on the list is the FX Impact M4 at 86.58 dB with its included moderator.
What is the quietest air rifle for the backyard?
For plinking, the Umarex Fusion 2: a .177 CO2 rifle with a 5-chamber moderator, 82 dB on Pyramyd AIR's listing, and low power (650-700 fps). For small game and invasive birds, a .22 Gamo Arrow (81.48 dB) or Diana Stormrider Gen2 (rated 2-Low-Medium) gives you hunting energy at a low noise rating. Check your local discharge rules first.
Does a shrouded barrel make an air rifle silent?
No. A shroud with baffles takes the edge off the muzzle blast, but the amount of air dumped per shot still sets the noise. The Umarex Gauntlet 2 SL and Air Venturi Avenger both have shrouded barrels and still list 90.6 dB and 93.02 dB on Pyramyd AIR, the loudest on this page.
Are PCP air rifles quieter than spring rifles?
A shrouded, low-power PCP usually is, because a springer adds the noise of its spring and piston to the muzzle report. But power matters more than powerplant: a full-power, unshrouded PCP can be louder than a modest springer. Compare listed noise figures where you can, not powerplant labels.
Is .177 or .22 quieter?
At the same air use, a .22 is usually quieter in practice, because heavier .22 pellets stay below the speed of sound (roughly 1,100-1,125 fps) more easily. Many .177 rifles are advertised at 1,000-1,200 fps with light alloy pellets, which can produce a sharp crack as the pellet breaks the sound barrier.
How loud is too loud for shooting in a backyard?
There's no single decibel limit for airguns. What counts is your city or county's discharge rules and your neighbors. A quiet rifle, subsonic pellets and a pellet trap with a solid backstop keep the noise down. Can you shoot a pellet gun in your backyard covers the legal side.
Is it legal to put a silencer on an air rifle?
Factory shrouds and moderators built into airguns are sold openly in the US. A device that could also suppress a firearm is a different legal matter, and some states restrict airgun moderators. The legal breakdown is in how to quiet an air rifle legally.
Is the Benjamin Marauder quiet?
Pyramyd AIR's quiet-airgun roundup credits the Marauder's factory depinger and baffled, fully shrouded barrel. Its current Gen 3 listing ($829.99) carries a 3-Medium loudness rating but no decibel figure, so it isn't in the measured ranking here.
Sources
- Pyramyd AIR — Gamo Arrow multi-shot PCP air rifle (noise level 81.48 dB, specs)
- Pyramyd AIR — Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 rifle (noise level 82 dB, specs)
- Pyramyd AIR — Umarex Origin PCP air rifle (noise level 85.9 dB)
- Pyramyd AIR — FX Impact M4 (noise level 86.58 dB, moderator)
- Pyramyd AIR — Umarex Gauntlet 2 SL (noise level 90.6 dB, 8 dB reduction claim)
- Pyramyd AIR — Air Venturi Avenger (noise level 93.02 dB)
- Pyramyd AIR — Diana Stormrider Gen2 (loudness rating, moderator)
- Pyramyd AIR — Hatsan Flash QE Regulated (loudness rating, QuietEnergy shroud)
- Pyramyd AIR — Benjamin Marauder Gen 3 (loudness rating, specs)
- Pyramyd AIR — Best quiet airguns roundup
