Top 5 Window Air Conditioners
Best for Small Rooms: Midea EasyCool Window Air Conditioner Most Powerful: Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner Best Smart Model: GE Smart Window Air Conditioner Best Design: TOSOT Window Air Conditioner Most Versatile: Koldfront Window Air Conditioner
Best For Small Rooms: Midea EasyCool Window Air Conditioner
This compact model has a three-in-one design that provides homeowners with air conditioning, dehumidification, and fanning to keep their space comfortable. The unit cools rooms up to 250 square feet and includes an LED remote control for controlling its unique cooling modes. The air conditioner also comes with a programmable timer that turns the unit on when you’re home and off when you’re away. Additionally, this air conditioner comes with an EcoSave function that adjusts its power output based on the set temperature.
Most Powerful: Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner
This window air conditioner offers 12,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of power to help homeowners cool large rooms. It has a unique U-shape design that blows air up to 20 feet away and has a support bracket for easy installation. Additionally, the unit works with voice assistants and operates at a noise level as low as 42 decibels.
Best Smart Model: GE Smart Window Air Conditioner
This efficient window air conditioner includes an easy-to-clean air filter and harnesses 10,000 BTUs of power to cool rooms up to 450 square feet. This smart unit also comes with Wi-Fi functionality, allowing you to connect the unit to your smartphone or voice assistant for easy remote control access. This air conditioner also acts as a dehumidifier and can remove up to 2.7 pints of water from your indoor air per hour. Additionally, the fan includes three unique operational modes, including cool, fan, and eco.
Best Design: TOSOT Window Air Conditioner
This window air conditioner cools spaces up to 450 square feet and has a remote control with a built-in thermometer to adjust the airflow based on where you are in your room. This window unit also comes with fan-only and dehumidifying features. Additionally, this 10,000-BTU window air conditioner has a sleek design that won’t take away from your room’s existing decor.
Most Versatile: Koldfront Window Air Conditioner
This window air conditioner cools areas around 350 square feet while offering homeowners supplemental heat through its 3,500-BTU built-in heater. The unit features three speeds and an automatic function for hands-free control. It also comes with a built-in display and control panel that makes operation simple. Additionally, this air conditioner has a check-filter light that lets you know when it’s time to change the machine’s filter.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Window Air Conditioner
Before purchasing a window air conditioner, it’s important to think about how each model’s design and specifications impact its user experience and performance. Here are four factors to consider when buying a window air conditioner.
Size
Window air conditioners are measured by their length, width, and height. Most models are 18–22 inches wide and 14–16 inches tall. However, the exact dimensions of your window air conditioner unit don’t have to match the size of your window opening. For example, the GE Smart Window Air Conditioner comes with a window cover that allows the unit to fit in windows between 25 and 36.6 inches wide.
Power
An air conditioner’s power is measured in BTUs, which denotes how much heat a unit can remove from a room. Typically, a high-BTU window air conditioner is more powerful than a low-BTU one. For example, the 6,000-BTU Midea EasyCool Window Air Conditioner is less powerful than the 10,000-BTU TOSOT Window Air Conditioner. While a unit’s BTU rating affects its power and size, it also affects the square footage the system can cool. For example, the GE Smart Window Air Conditioner is a 10,000-BTU unit that can cool rooms up to 450 square feet. Smaller models like the Midea EasyCool Window Air Conditioner offer 6,000 BTUs and can cool rooms up to 250 square feet.
Noise
A window air conditioner’s noise level impacts your overall comfort, with louder models disrupting your day-to-day activities. Thankfully, many models come with adjustable air speeds that allow you to have some control over the noise level. For example, the noise of the Midea EasyCool Window Air Conditioner fluctuates between 51.8 and 56.8 decibels based on the setting you choose, creating a noise level similar to that of a normal conversation or light traffic.
Additional Features
How many BTUs should my window air conditioner have?
Consumer Reports recommends that your window air conditioner have 20 BTUs for every square foot you want to cool.
Do window air conditioners fit all windows?
No. Window AC units don’t fit all windows. However, they do fit most standard windows between 24 and 36 inches wide.
Can a window air conditioner cool an entire home?
No. Window air conditioners are made to cool rooms between 150 and 550 square feet.
Which is better: a window air conditioner or a portable AC unit?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Window-mounted air conditioners are quieter and more powerful. However, they aren’t portable and can be a hassle to install. Portable air conditioners can be taken with you on trips, but they take up floor space, are loud, and don’t produce as much cold air.
How do I find the right size window AC unit?
Measure your window to find the right size. Start by opening your window and using a tape measure to measure the opening from side to side and top to bottom. When looking at a potential unit, read the guidelines on the minimum and maximum window sizes that the unit can fit to ensure your window’s dimensions are within that range.
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