Our goal in this review is to help find the best window air conditioner for you. Before the review, we cover several topics that will help you identify an air conditioning unit that meets your needs. You will learn about efficiency, noise levels and what makes some units better than others. There are also some tips to help you with the selection and installation phases. The units reviewed here are a good place to begin your search for your ideal cooling solution.
When it comes to energy usage, efficiency is good for the environment. When it comes to personal energy usage, it’s good for your budget. Air conditioners measure energy usage in watts and cooling performance in BTUs. Using these two completely different measures, it is nearly impossible for the consumer to determine which units are more efficient than others. For that reason the United States government requires that each air conditioner is assigned an EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) by the manufacturer. This ratio makes the comparison simple. An air conditioner with a higher ratio is more efficient than one with a lower ratio, saving money and the environment.
First, you want to make sure that the unit you choose has the cooling power necessary to cool the room where it will be installed. If it provides too many BTUs of cooling, you may be wasting money. If it provides too few, you may not be satisfied with the results.Second, it must fit the window in which it will be placed. The key dimensions are the width and the height of the open window. The height of the unit needs to fit inside the open window. The same goes for the width, although you might want to get a unit that doesn’t have a gap of more than a couple of inches on each side. This will make it easier to block the gaps and keep out insects and the elements. Also bear in mind that the unit needs to be tilted slightly downward, toward the outdoors, so that water can easily drain.
When you hear people talk about window air conditioners there is usually some grumbling about the additional cost of electricity or having to take it out for the winter and reinstall it for the summer. When it comes to noise, there is no grumbling. Perhaps the biggest complaint is that they are too loud. All the specifications for units reviewed here include their noise rating in decibels (dB). To help you understand how loud sounds are in decibels, here are the decibel ratings of some common sounds. The loudest air conditioner reviewed here is rated at 68 dB which is at the high end of the scale below.
The units reviewed here have been selected based on manufacturers’ specifications and customer reviews when available. Units that did not offer a decibel rating, EER or weight were not considered for this review. After size and BTU ratings, these are perhaps the top three criteria that customers look at when purchasing an air conditioner. The units listed are ranked by noise in decibels, with the quietest units first and the loudest units last.
This is unit makes significantly less noise than most of the other units reviewed here due to soundproofing material placed around the compressor. In addition to the remote control, it has a sleep setting and a 24-hour timer.
Features:
Price:
$281.25 to $349.95
Where To Buy:
Amazon, Home Depot, Goedekers
Warranty:
Manufacturer’s limited one-year warranty
Coupons/Deals:
None available
Pros:
Cons:
This unit’s remote control has a built-in thermostat. Set the temperature and put the remote in any part of the room, and the air conditioner will work toward achieving that temperature in that location. The unit also includes a programmable timer, an energy-saver switch and a sleep mode.
Features:
Price:
$169.99 to $229.72
Where To Buy:
Amazon, Rakuten, Electronic Express
Warranty:
12 months on parts and labor with in-home service
Coupons/Deals:
None available
Pros:
Cons:
This unit has a 24-hour timer. In addition to its regular operation, it has a sleep mode and an energy-saver mode. The remote control has a built-in temperature sensor and can completely control the unit from anywhere in the room. A remote control which completely controls the air conditioner makes the unit an excellent choice for someone who is bedridden or has mobility issues.
Features:
Price:
$157.98 to $159.99
Where To Buy:
New Egg, Home Depot, Walmart
Warranty:
Limited one-year parts and labor
Coupons/Deals:
None available
Pros:
Cons:
This unit comes with a 24-hour timer and has an automatic restart feature. It also has a sleep mode. The remote control gives the user complete control of the unit throughout the room.
Features:
Price:
$196.14 to $199.95
Where To Buy:
Amazon, Sylvane, Walmart
Warranty:
One-year material defects and workmanship
Coupons/Deals:
None available
Pros:
Cons:
This unit comes with a 24-hour timer and has a sleep mode. A dirty air filter impedes efficiency and performance, so this unit will notify you when it needs to be cleaned. The remote control permits you to adjust the fan and temperature from anywhere in the room.
Features:
Price:
$189 to $229.99
Where To Buy:
Amazon, build.com, Walmart, Abt
Warranty:
One-year full/five-year sealed system
Coupons/Deals:
None available
Pros:
Cons:
This unit includes a remote control, and when connected to a router via Wi-Fi it can be managed through a smartphone or other device using the LG SmartThinQ application.
Features:
Price:
$249.99 to $289.99
Where To Buy:
Sylvane, Home Depot
Warranty:
One-year parts and labor
Coupons/Deals:
None available
Pros:
Cons:
At 81 pounds this is the heaviest unit we reviewed. Some of that is due to the additional compressor weight that comes along with a 10,000 BTU air conditioner. It comes with a 24-hour timer and remote control.
Features:
Price:
$467 to $469
Where To Buy:
Amazon, build.com, Sylvane
Warranty:
Five-year limited warranty (original owner)
Coupons/Deals:
None available
Pros:
Cons:
This unit is a bit unusual in that it is only 12-1/4 inches high. It comes with a full-function remote control which includes timer and sleep mode controls.
Features:
Price:
$189.99
Where To Buy:
Amazon
Warranty:
Limited two-year warranty
Coupons/Deals:
None available
Pros:
Cons:
This unit includes a full-function remote control with both a sleep mode and a timer.
Features:
Price:
$284.99 to $299
Where To Buy:
Amazon, build.com
Warranty:
One-year limited warranty
Coupons/Deals:
None available
Pros:
Cons:
There are many models of window air conditioner on the market, even more when you consider that each model is available in multiple BTU ratings. Your challenge is to select the best window air conditioner for you. Unless you already know exactly what you are looking for, your local hardware or appliance store is always a good place to start. The sales associates can tell you about the different models the store carries, and because of this review you will understand what they are talking about. They should be able to help you find the one that is right for you.