Best Quiet Air Rifles Comparison

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Air rifles are quite useful in many ways. On one hand, it is a great tool for target practice or plinking, and on the other, it can also be effective for small to medium hunting. Whatever purposes you may have for getting such a device, there is a lot of options to choose from.

For the most part, having multiple models to canvass will give you higher chances of ending up with an air rifle that can match your shooting style and needs. However, combing through all air rifle brands can be daunting, especially if you are uninitiated. To help narrow down your search, below are several of the best quiet air rifles you can currently get in the market, and what to consider when choosing one.

Model	Decibel (dB)	More Info
Gamo Raptor Whisper Air Rifle	90	.22 cal .177 cal
Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 Air Rifle	89	.22 cal .177 cal
Beeman R7 Air Rifle	87	.20 cal .177 cal
Benjamin Titan GP Nitro Piston Air Rifle	88	.22 cal
Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle	74	.25 cal .22 cal .177 cal
Hatsan AT44-10 QE Air Rifle	86	.25 cal .22 cal .177 cal
Crosman Vantage Nitro Break Barrel Air Rifle	95	.22 cal .177 cal
Air Arms S510 Air Rifle	85	.25 cal .22 cal .177 cal

Test results of the decibel levels are stated for the smallest caliber and can vary with other rifles of the same model.

Best Quiet Air Rifle Reviews

Before proceeding, please keep in mind that the items below are not listed in any particular order, and that any of them can work well. It is up to you to know what strengths each of the entry has and see if those positives will appeal to your own personal criteria. Hopefully, the comparison section can assist in this regard.

• Gamo Raptor Whisper Air Rifle

The Gamo Raptor air gun is offered in both .22” and .177” caliber sizes. Its max velocities are 975 fps and 1300 fps, respectively. In terms of overall length and weight, the Raptor Whisper by Gamo measures 44.5 in. long, and is 5.64 lbs. light.

This rifle is also the first of several others on the list that comes with a break barrel action. With that said, this tool is only capable of shooting one bullet at a time. Moreover, the power source of the gun comes from a distinct Inert Gas Technology, which is basically a gas-piston.

The gun is built with a generic steel barrel with fluted polymer jacket, so it is not the most discreet. But, it is still quieter than most air rifles, especially with its whisper noise dampener.

Considering its cheap price tag, you can only expect a synthetic stock on this device, although it does provide a reliable shock wave absorber recoil pad and a textured pistol grip and forearm. Its default 2-stage adjustable Smooth Action Trigger (SAT) is also quite accommodating to beginners.

Click here to find the price of the Gamo Raptor Whisper .22 Caliber Air Rifle. The .177 Caliber version can be found here.

• Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 Air Rifle

The Whisper Fusion Mach 1 operates with the same gas-piston (Inert Gas Technology) power plant as the Raptor Whisper, but with improved power. If you choose the .22” cal. model, you can achieve up to 1020 fps of max velocity, whereas the .177” cal. version can reach as high as 1420 fps.

When it comes to overall build, the Gamo Whisper Fusion weighs 6.61 lbs. and measures 46 in. long. Its steel bull barrel also works superbly with the whisper fusion double-integrated noise dampener, which claims to reduce noise significantly.

Unlike the 2 previous Gamo lineups, the Whisper Fusion Mach 1 air rifle is equipped with a fiber optic sight right out of the box. However, you can still make use of its available 11 mm. scope rail. Shot capacity is still limited to 1 per load up, due to the break barrel action of the unit.

The butt plate is a soft rubber recoil pad, while the stock is made from synthetic materials. As for the trigger, it is a two-stage adjustable with manual safety.

Click here to find the price of the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 .22 Caliber Air Rifle. The .177 Caliber version can be found here.

• Beeman R7 Air Rifle

The R7 by Beeman sports a beech wood stock with satin finish. The butt pad on the other hand, is rubber. This 37 inch-long air rifle is a break barrel type with a double-jointed cocking lever, operating with a spring-piston power plant, which restricts you to only a single shot per load up.

You can get the Beeman R7 with a .20” caliber, which is rated with a max velocity of 620 fps. If you are aiming to hunt small critters, such level will not be super effective, albeit plinking and target practice are sufficient.

The 2-stage adjustable Rekord trigger is assisted by an automatic safety, which may or may not appeal to you (more information on this below). Sighted and non-sighted models are selectable, but both are scopeable using a 11mm dovetail.

Click here to find the price of the Beeman R7 .20 Caliber Air Rifle. The .177 Caliber version can be found here.

• Benjamin Titan GP Nitro Piston Air Rifle

The Benjamin Titan GP Nitro air rifle comes with an air rifle sight. And, like with most of the other entries, another 11 mm. dovetail can be installed. Reloading is done via break barrel action, albeit the nitro piston (gas-piston) truly makes each shot count.

The .22” cal. can shoot up to 950 fps of max velocity. Plinking and small game hunting are two activities this rifle can perform best in.

The titan GP nitro piston has a length of 43.5 in., and has a heaviness of 6.75 lbs. The stock is hardwood quality, while the recoil pad is of ventilated rubber. As for the trigger and safety, it uses a 2-stage adjustable and manual type, respectively.

Click here to find the price of the Benjamin Titan GP Nitro .22 Caliber Air Rifle.

• Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle

In contrast to all previous models, the Benjamin Marauder is accessible in three different caliber diameters, namely: .25”, .22”, and .177”. The first two have muzzle velocities rated 900 fps and 1000 fps, individually. On the other and, the lattermost size can fire up to 1100 fps.

More importantly, the Marauder provides you with an adjustable power setting, regardless of caliber size. Therefore, the aforesaid velocity figures can greatly vary depending on what power level you are on. The safety is manual, and is matched with a 2-stage adjustable trigger.

The Benjamin Marauder is a PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) repeater equipped with a 215 cc. (2000-3000 psi) air cylinder, which is capable of expending up to 32 optimal shots. However, the maximum shot per clip only counts up to 8 for the .25 cal. and 10 for the other two units. The Marauder .25 cal. produces as much noise as many .177 or .22 cal. air rifles, while the Benjamin Marauder .22 cal is the most quiet air rifle of our air rifle comparison!

Reloads are handled via bolt action, which you can have installed either on the left or right side of the rifle. The rifle has a choked barrel, a soft rubber recoil pad, and is available in both hardwood and synthetic stocks.

Click here to find the price of the Benjamin Marauder .25 Caliber Air Rifle. The .22 Caliber version can be found here and the .177 Caliber version can be found here.

• Hatsan AT44-10 QE Air Rifle

Identical to the Benjamin Marauder, the Hatsan AT44-10 QE also has three caliber sizes, although each has slightly lower max velocity values. The .25” cal. rates 870 fps, 970 fps for the .22” cal., and 1070 fps for the .177” cal.

The overall length of the Hatsan AT44-10 is 45.4 in., and its total bulk is 8.0 lbs. Apart from a full shrouded barrel, the AT44-10 QE also uses an integral silencer. In addition, the stock is synthetic-based, while its recoil rubber butt pad is adjustable.

Shots per clip totals at 10 for the .22” and .177” calibers, whereas the .25” sort can only hold up to 9. Nevertheless, the two clips are equipped with an anti-double-feed mechanism, which prevents two pellets from being loaded all at once upon cocking.

Speaking of cocking, doing so is done via the right sidelever bolt action. Sadly, it is not transferable, unlike the Benjamin Marauder, which is something left-handed people have to deal with. The 2-stage adjustable Quattro trigger is also partnered with an automatic safety.

The default 180 cc. canister is removable and fillable up to 2900 psi, not to mention it has a built-in manometer. At optimum pressure level, you can get 30-40 effective shots. You can also install either a weaver scope or 11 mm dovetail on the unit. Just like the Marauder, the Hatsan AT44-10 QE .25 cal air rifle makes a lot more noise than the .22 cal. version.

Click here to find the price of the Hatsan AT44-10 QE .25 Caliber Air Rifle. The .22 Caliber version can be found here and the .177 Caliber version can be found here.

• Crosman Vantange Nitro Air Rifle

This air rifle uses gas-piston for power. It can only fire one pellet at a time, since it is a break barrel model. The Crosman Nitro Vantage has a standard sight, and you can swap it with a weaver or Picatinny scope. Trigger is a 2-stage adjustable setup. In terms of locking mechanism, a standard manual safety is put in place.

The butt plate is ventilated rubber, and the stock is made of hardwood. The Nitro Vantage can be bought in either .22” caliber (950 fps) or .177” cal. model (1200 fps). Either way, both versions will sport the same 44.25-inch length, and 7.4-lbs. weight.

Click here to find the price of the Crosman Vantage Nitro .22 Caliber Air Rifle. The .177 Caliber version can be found here.

• Air Arms S510 Air Rifle

Air Arms furnished the S510 with a Lothar Walther Barrel, resulting in one of the most discreet firings among air rifles. It is purchasable in the following calibers: .25”, .22”, and .177”. The max velocity of each size rates 780 fps, 920 fps, and 1050 fps, in order. Moreover, all three variations are power adjustable.

If you put the Air Arms S510 at its lowest power level, you can fire up to 65 shots using the given 231 cc air tank (2900 psi). At optimal strength, however, you can propel 30-35 ideal shots per full reservoir, but only 10 pellets can be loaded per clip. This PCP air rifle also has its own in-built pressure gauge.

The Air Arms S510 rifle is 43.75 in. long, and is 7.65 lbs. in weight. The butt plate is ventilated rubber, but you can choose between walnut and beech woods for the stock. Action is sidelever-based, while the trigger is not only 2-stage adjustable, but it also has the manual safety input placed directly on it.

Click here to find the price of the Air Arms S510 .25 Caliber Air Rifle. The .22 Caliber version can be found here and the .177 Caliber version can be found here.

The Best Quiet Air Rifles Comparison

• Air Rifles Noise Levels

Since this comparison is about the best quiet air rifles, the noise level of each model is very important. Although all 11 air rifles are deemed very quiet compared to many other air rifles on the market, there are 3 models that stand out to be the quietest air rifles. These are the Air Arms S510, Hatsan AT44-10 QE and the Benjamin Marauder air rifles.

If you really want the most quietest air rifle, you should opt for one of these 3 abovementioned rifles. Especially if you live in an area or neighborhood that might not fully appreciate the noise air rifles make. Many other air rifles produce at least 100 dB (and some even well over 120 dB) so in that aspect our comparisons of the 11 best quiet air rifles are making a considerably less noise and disturbance.

To give you an idea about the noise levels; an increase of 10 decibel (dB) is doubling the loudness of the noise. Some of the air rifles already have a silencer (compressor) while on other models you can still fit one.

• Intended Use

Majority of the air rifles mentioned above can be used for both target practice and small game hunting. If you do more of the former, then you do not really have to bother with the more powerful models. Unless of course, you plan on doing some hunting in the future or if you have some ongoing pest problems.

Hatsan, Benjamin, and Air Arms, are quite versatile in terms of its gun use. Because all three brands can offer up to 3 caliber options in a single rifle, you will have more choices when it comes to power and firing speed. If you are looking for a good compromise between small game hunting and general plinking, look into the .20” or .22″ cal. models.

• Air Rifles Calibers

In general, the caliber of your gun will determine what size or type of bullet it can effectively shoot, but it can be more in-depth than that. The velocity and muzzle energy of the unit can also vary greatly based on its caliber size. Plus, the grain of the ammos also factors in on this.

Discussing all caliber sizes in detail is better done in a separate article. However, here is a brief yet concise overview of each common diameter available in air rifles, starting with the smallest.

Out of all the other calibers, the .177” has the highest potential to fire the fastest, which is usually represented by the max velocity achievable, or fps (feet per second). If you paid enough attention to the product descriptions above, you may have probably noticed that the smaller the caliber goes, the higher the fps levels gets.

Because a .177” cal. can fire faster, it is ideal for competitive target shooting. However, due to its limited ammo size, power is relatively lower compared to models with a larger bore. You might also want to invest in a grainier pellet because a lightweight one will suffer in accuracy, due to the higher velocity. The Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 .177 cal has an amazingly high 1420 fps.

The .20”caliber models on the other hand, offer a bit more balance between speed and power, which is why they are normally classed as dual-purpose air guns. If you occasional swap between recreational shooting and targeting small pests, these items will work well.

Moving on. The .22” caliber air rifles are usually the choice of many hunters. Although they do not shoot as fast as smaller cal. units, they sure pack a punch. However, they only have enough power to properly take down small games.

As for the .25” cal., it shoots the slowest, but it can be the most destructive, albeit gun and ammo qualities can still influence it. Plus, the bigger the caliber size the louder the shooting will likely be. Therefore, you may be forced to move closer to your target.

• Power

Firing power is not as big of an issue in recreational shooting as with hunting. Why, you ask? Well, almost every hunting state will require its hunters to shoot and kill a game as humanely as possible, meaning the target should not get away wounded, only to suffer afterwards.

Although muzzle energy (ft/lbs.) plays a huge role in determining the air gun’s firing strength, factors like velocity (fps) and ammo grain, among others, also matters. Explaining each value, along with the computations involved would take too long. But, typically, muzzle energy of 12 foot/pounds is the lowest value recommended for small game hunting.

The right bullet grain and velocity (fps) needed to achieve such energy level differs for each caliber size. Luckily, you can find a calculator for it online, or a formula in hunting guide materials.

Take note that there are also air rifles that offer a built-in power adjuster, giving you more freedom to set the max velocity and muzzle energy values you need. Such feature is commonly found in the Benjamin and Air Arms brands.

• Power Source

The power source of an air rifle can denote which type of air gun it is. You can choose between PCP (pre-charged pneumatic), spring-piston, and gas ram/gas-piston. CO2 rifles also exist, but none of the products above uses it, thus will not be included in the comparison.

Both spring-piston and gas-piston operate somewhat the same, in a sense that rifles using them are designed to be cocked and shot. This is why most of the aforementioned models employing such mechanisms come with either an under lever action or break barrel.

The difference between the two pistons, however, is that the former takes in new air with each cock, whereas the latter already has air sealed inside a tube, which is then further compressed upon cocking.

Furthermore, dry-firing a spring-piston is ill advised because it could damage the piston and compression tube. On the other hand, operating a gas-piston is smoother and safer, since no coil is inside the unit, and the compressed air can last for years.

If you prefer no hassles, except for the occasional refilling of canisters, then PCP is the way to go. Plus, a lot of PCPs are also repeaters and have ammo clips, meaning you get multiple shots in one load up, or in some models, you can continuously refill as you fire. PCPs also have a tendency to be more powerful, and have access to cheaper scopes.

• Trigger Quality and Safety

All products listed above use a 2-stage adjustable trigger, in one form or another. Although default sensitivity may still vary between brands, this type of trigger will more than suffice for most users, especially beginners. Be advised that adjusting such trigger require experience, so seek expert help or study it thoroughly beforehand.

In terms of safety, there are only two common choices: manual or automatic. Manual is the most widespread, and locking/unlocking will be completely handled by you. On the flipside, automatic safety will lock the trigger after each cock. This is advantageous, safety-wise, but having to release the instrument each time you want to fire may not be your cup of tea.

Hopefully, you will be able to find the air rifle(s), among the 11 listed above that will match your own shooting style. Just use the information in the comparison section to know what feature and other nuances you should take into consideration.