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To select the best window air conditioner, we began by looking at cooling capacity. With air conditioners, capacity is determined by the BTUs. While BTUs can range from 5,000 to 25,000 we centered the bulk of our research between 5,000 BTU air conditioners and 12,000 BTUs to accommodate rooms ranging from 150 to 550 square feet. Although, we presently avoided the top 15000 BTU window air conditioners for this list. After BTUs, other features we prioritized included energy efficiency, temperature controls, and dimensions. These are features that can also be found in some of the most popular air conditioners.
Sale Frigidaire FFRA051WAE Window-Mounted Room Air… (12221) Sale LG 8,000 BTU Mounted Window Air Conditioner, Cools… (16078) Friedrich Chill Series Window Air Conditioner |… (349)
Because of these factors, we selected the Frigidaire FFRA0511R1E 5,000 BTU Mini-Compact Air Conditioner as the best window air conditioner in 2023. This easy-to-install air conditioner comes with a window mounting kit and is ideal for smaller spaces up to 150 square feet. With an EER of 11.1, you’ll appreciate the increased energy efficiency when it’s time to pay your utility bills. A simplified control panel, a built-in dehumidifier, and multiple cooling and fan settings help to highlight this air conditioner’s benefits. It will keep you cool this summer, which is also when you need the best WiFi smart air conditioner.
It’s wasteful to use an air conditioner with a higher BTU rating in small spaces. So, if you’re trying to cool a small room of 150 square feet or less, this Frigidaire FFRA0511R1E 5,000 BTU 115V Mini-Compact Air Conditioner is the perfect match. A simple installation process and included window mounting kit make set up a breeze. And the simplified control panel makes it easy for even the most tech-averse individual to use this air conditioner. Best of all, this model has an EER of 11.1 to keep your energy consumption at a minimum. If you also want to block the sunlight from entering your space, take a look at the best window shades too.
Other core features that we found useful included the dehumidifying mode which removes up to 1.1 pints of moisture from the air per hour as it cools a room. You’ll also like that there are two cooling settings and two fan speeds for easy customization. The removable filter is antibacterial to help maintain cleaner air. And pleated side panels help to create a secure fit and prevent air from leaking out of your window. Keep in mind the noise level of this unit, for it’s not the quietest model on the market, unfortunately. For an RV you want to check out the best RV air conditioner.
Related: The best windowless air conditioner will offer an excellent BTU rating.
LG is an established brand for appliances and their 8,000 BTU LW8016ER Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is our Honorable Mention because of its increased cooling capacity and easy to use control panel. With an EER rating of 12.1, you can quickly and efficiently cool rooms up to 340 square feet.
Another important aspect that caught our eye was the dehumidifying feature that removes up to 2.2 pints of moisture from the air per hour as it cools. Plus, with three cooling settings and three fan speeds, and the ability to precisely set the temperature, you can customize this air conditioning unit to create the perfect environment. You’ll also love the included remote that gives you the freedom to control the temperature from across the room or use the control panel on the unit. If you have a small area, read the best small portable air conditioner.
There’s no point in cooling a room that’s empty or during times of the day when you could just as easily open a window. The Friedrich Chill CP06G10B 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner gives you the freedom to program up to 24 hours of preset cooling to automatically raise or lower the temperature while you’re away or just before you return for a comfortable environment.
With 6,000 BTUs, this 11.2EER rated unit can cool rooms up to 250 square feet in size. And you’ll also like that you can choose from three cooling settings and three fan speeds. Plus the quiet operation keeps this appliance in the background — where it belongs. Pair an air unit with the best modern ceiling fan and you will be cool as ice.
You want your room to be cold, but you also don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it. With this Midea 6,000 BTU air conditioner, you’ll enjoy the fact that you can program up to 24 hours of temperature settings to save money while you’re away or while you’re sleeping. The sleep mode feature also ensures that your room stays comfortable but raises the temperature to reduce energy consumption. The best ventilation fans and the finest tower fans also help to keep you cool.
This easy-to-install air conditioner is rated for rooms up to 250 square feet and is also designed to act as a dehumidifier, or fan-only to help with air circulation. You’ll also like the EcoSaver setting which automatically shuts the unit off when it reaches the preset desired temperature.
If you have sliding windows, you know that the average window air conditioner unit isn’t compatible with your type of window. This Frigidaire model is ideal for those with sliding windows as it features a vertical design for a perfect fit. With 10,000 BTUs and an EER of 10.4, it’s rated to cool rooms up to 450 square feet. Best of all, it comes with the ability to program up to 24 hours of temperatures so you can reduce energy consumption during times when you’re not home or overnight.
Other key features we liked included a large-capacity dehumidifier that can remove up to 3.4 pints of moisture from the air per hour. Auto cool and energy saver modes help you quickly cool spaces and reduce consumption. And a sleep mode shuts off the air conditioner when your desired temperature is reached. Plus the included remote makes it easier to control this unit or you can opt to use the control panel to manually change the temperature and settings. You may also want to think about the best space heater for a large room.
A common complaint with window air conditioners is that they’re pretty useless in cold weather. But not everyone wants to keep installing and removing a unit as the seasons change. This Koldfront air conditioner unit pulls double duty since it cools in hot weather and can double as a supplemental heater when the weather turns cold. The unit is rated for 12,000 BTUs for cooling and 11,000 BTUs for heating. Use this unit in a room up to 550 square feet.
Additional features such as 24-hour programmability ensure that you’re maximizing energy efficiency, which makes this unit a top energy-efficient window air conditioner candidate. Options such as sleep mode, a dehumidifier, four fan speeds, and a remote give you added functionality. Note that to use this air conditioner as a supplemental heater, you need to have an electrical outlet rated at 230 volts. Other great options are the best portable air conditioners and the leading ventless portable air conditioners.
We’re rounding out our list with the budget-focused entry, the Arctic King WWK05CM91N Window Air Conditioner. This 5,000 BTU air conditioner is ideal for small spaces up to 150 square feet and features an EER of 11 which is optimal if you’re trying to keep your energy consumption to a minimum.
If you’re the type who loses remotes or struggles with complicated control panels, you’ll like that this model features straightforward manual controls. With two knobs, you can control the temperature, cooling, and fan speed. Choose between seven temperatures, two cooling options, and two fan speeds. This window air conditioner comes with a complete installation kit for easy setup. It’s definitely a great A/C, much like what we see in the best inverter air conditioners.
If you’re in the market for a window air conditioning unit, there are going to be multiple factors that you must consider so that you get the right product to meet your needs. With this in mind, we started by reviewing the BTU rating. This outlines how much space a unit can efficiently cool. Since window air conditioners can come in a range of capacities, we focused on options that were between 5,000 and 12,000 BTUs. The bulk of our options are between 5,000 to 6,000 but we did include a few high-capacity options with BTUs that ranged between 10,000 and 12,000.
After BTUs, we looked at energy efficiency. Of all the ways that you can cool a room with air conditioning, window models tend to be the least efficient options. So we looked for models that featured Energy Star window units and, where possible, listed their energy efficiency rating (EER) to help you make an informed decision.
While it isn’t a requirement, we focused on window air conditioner units that offered enhanced functionality that make them more efficient and help reduce energy consumption. These features ranged from preset options such as sleep, auto cool, and energy saver modes as well as programmable capabilities. In particular, models with programming capabilities allow you to set up to 24 hours of temperature controls so that you aren’t wasting energy cooling an empty room during the day or running a temperature too low while you’re sleeping. And added functionality like a remote control makes operation easier and more convenient versus having to cross a room and manually using the control panel.
And finally, we kept in mind that not everyone’s home features hanging windows where the window panes slide vertically up and down. However, most window air conditioner models are designed for these types of windows. So, we included the Frigidaire FFRS1022R110,000 BTU 115-volt Slider Air Conditioner because it’s one of the best air conditioners specifically designed for slider windows where the panes move horizontally in a right to left direction.
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