Though summer doesn’t officially start for a few more months, it’s never a bad idea to get a head start on preparing for warmer days ahead. If you’re thinking about your plan to keep cool, the best window air conditioners can efficiently chill down spaces without making too much noise (or being disruptive in any major way). For most households, our top pick is the Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner, an ultra-quiet, Wi-Fi–enabled model that comes in three sizes.
The best window air conditioners are powerful, quiet and (relatively) sleek.
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While you can’t move around window-mounted units as easily as tower fans or portable air conditioners, they’re relatively convenient machines that don’t require permanent installation, making them best cooling device for most people. If you’re in the market for a new unit, start by considering the size of your space. If you’re seeking a model that can efficiently cool off a large room, look for one with a higher BTU rating, which measures the amount of heat a unit can remove from a room. (A model with a lower BTU, which stands for British Thermal Units, is a better fit for smaller spaces.) Some models also come with special features like Wi-Fi connectivity so you can operate the device using your smartphone; more commonly, models are paired with remote controls. Ahead, here are the best window AC units currently on the market.
Best Window Air Conditioner For Small Spaces: TCL 5WR1-A Window Air Conditioner
Best Window Air Conditioner For Large Spaces: Koldfront WAC25001W Window Air Conditioner
Best Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner: Whirlpool Energy Star Air Conditioner
Best-Designed Window Air Conditioner: July Window Air Conditioner
Best Budget-Friendly Window Air Conditioner: Midea MAW05M1BWT Window Air Conditioner
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Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner
BTUs: 5,000 | Coverage area: 150 square feet | Energy Star certified: Yes | Noise level: 54 dB
Not all air conditioners need to have Wi-Fi or be packed with enough BTUs to cool half your home. The Midea MAW05M1BWT checks all the important boxes and is an excellent performer for the price, which is among the least expensive true air conditioners you can buy. (You can find less expensive evaporative coolers—also known as swamp coolers—but they won’t perform nearly as well, especially in more humid climates.)
This model can cool about 150 square feet with seven temperature settings and a pair of fan settings, and you can keep it clean and efficient with a washable filter. It fits windows from 23 to 36 inches and sits a mere 13 inches high, with all mounting hardware included. You don’t get a remote control, but that’s probably not really needed if you’re planning to use it in a smaller space.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
If your house is too hot or too cold, it makes it difficult to sleep, work, kick back and watch TV—pretty much anything. That’s why we take heating and cooling so seriously at Forbes Vetted. To help you (and ourselves) maintain the ideal temperature in your home year-round, we’ve tested and reviewed everything form portable air conditioners to tower fans to space heaters. Additionally, we regularly refresh this story to ensure we continue to stand by our picks; it was last updated April 2024.
How We Chose The Best Window Air Conditioners
To determine the best window air conditioners in 2024, we started by identifying the most popular models from trusted brands in the space, such as Midea, Whirlpool and Koldfront. Then, we analyzed the quality of each of those units, taking a closer look at the models’ BTU ratings, energy efficiency, ease of installation, noise level and additional features. Lastly, we pored over customer reviews to get a better sense of how these units perform in the real world. If multiple customers complained about a window unit’s installation, for example, we then investigated further, as only models that meet our high standards make this list.
How To Pick A Window Air Conditioner
Keep these factors in mind when shopping for your perfect model.
BTUs
Window air conditioners come in a variety of sizes, from small-room models with as few as 4,000 British Thermal Units (BTU) to monster coolers with 18,000 BTUs or more. The higher the BTU rating, the more square footage your AC unit can cool. Just remember that more BTUs cost more upfront, as well as more to operate, so you want to match the air conditioner to the room size for the best deal.
Coverage Area
Figure out in advance where you plan to use your AC unit and how much space you want it to cool. Then, measure the size of the area. This will help determine the BTU rating you should look for in a unit.
Installation
If you find the process of installing a window unit to be daunting, you’re not alone—but that doesn’t mean you have to do without. Some air conditioners are easier to install than others, including units designed to sit conveniently atop your windowsill. Figuring out the installation process and knowing your comfort level in advance will go a long way.
Energy Star Rating
ACs that are Energy Star-certified (or otherwise identified as energy-efficient) are less expensive to operate. Most units will display this information on the label, so check there if you’re looking for an energy-saving model, which can save you several dollars a month.
Dehumidifier Function
Mold and mildew thrive in warm, damp environments, so if you live in a particularly humid environment, look into AC units with a dehumidifier function. That way, your machine can simultaneously cool your space and suck excess moisture out of your air. (Or you can always invest in a separate dehumidifier.)
Noise level
While all window air conditioning units make some amount of noise, some are louder than others. If you’re bothered by excess noise, look for models on the lower end of the decibel spectrum—around 40 or so decibels, which is what you can expect at your local library. The higher the decibels, the more noise the unit makes.
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