Best Window-Mounted Air Conditioners Reviews & Prices
The sweltering heat of the summer can have adverse impacts on your productivity and health. It can also be a nuisance to your sleep, forcing you to wake up several times during the night to change your sweat-drenched shirt or pyjamas. One way of beating the hot and sticky summer temperature is using a window-mounted air conditioner. Unlike the central air conditioning system, a window AC is cost-effective, versatile, easy to install and use, energy-efficient, and best of all high-performance.
Our Top 3 Picks
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As is typically the case with most power machines/tools, choosing a suitable is a daunting, uphill task for most homeowners, what with all the misinformation out there. To make it easy, we’ve spent several hours souring the vastness of the Internet in search of ten of the best ones the market has to offer. Have a look.
10 Best Window-Mounted Air Conditioners
5. Friedrich Chill Series CP05G10B
It is capable of easily and quickly generating up to 6000 BTU of cooling power, more than enough for a 250 square foot room. The powerful performance of the unit is partly attributable to the fact that it has several fan speed settings and a robust 4-way airflow, which also make it one of the most versatile and highly customizable units you can get. On top of these add the confidence-boosting Energy Star qualification as well as the competitive EER.
You also get a convenient remote control for changing all the different settings. And the unit comes with an auto-restart feature to enable the AC to automatically resume with the last cooling settings when power returns. With a weight of 60 pounds and physical dimensions of 14 inches by 18.6 inches by 20.9 inches, the installation will be a little problematic if you don't have any reasonable upper body strength or an extra pair of hands to assist.
In all, the Friedrich Chill CP06G10B comes with a laundry list of beneficial features. It’s a high-performance machine boasting an incredible 4-way airflow and several modes to make it an energy-efficient option. Aside from being a little heavy, it works quickly and like a charm.
Energy-efficient
Provides great value for money
Has auto-restart for convenient use
Superb cooling power
A little heavy
7. Frigidaire FFRS1022R1
The performance of the window-mounted air conditioner easily rivals our previous pick, missing the mark by a paltry 2,000 BTU. Still, it packs a punch and is able to effectively bring down the temperature of a room of up to 450 square feet in size in no time at all. As for dehumidification, its rate stands at a superb 3.4 pints per hour.
Additional features include an Energy Efficiency Ratio (ERR) of 10.4 that’s low compared to those of other models on the market. The unit has three useful modes: auto cool, saver, and sleep, all of which are designed to provide the user with the best cooling experience. And you can take advantage of the 4-way air direction to distribute cool, fresh air all through the room. And to top it all off, it sports a washable mesh filter with a “check filter” alert.
To conclude, you can never go wrong with this pick, especially if you have a large room that would render smaller, cheaper air conditioner inept. It’s cost-effective and installs with remarkable ease.
Works smoothly and efficiently
Packs lots of cooling power
Perfect for casement and sliding windows
Has a dehumidifying mode
Cost-effective
Not compatible standard-window designs
3. Frigidaire FFRE0833S1
Patently, it has a plethora of features to provide you with nothing short of one of the best cooling experiences. While most features are standard across the board, it comes with an innovative temperature sensing remote control that just sets it miles apart from its closest competitors. Through the remote control, you can easily monitor the temperature, change and maintain it from across the room without leaving the comfort of your couch or the bed.
It is also an efficient dehumidifier that removes up to 1.7 pints an hour. It also incorporates a time-saving LED light that helps you monitor the status of the filter, and will promptly notify you when it needs replacing. Besides, the unit is both compact and lightweight and boasts a small chassis and even weight distribution, making it easy to install on the vast majority of window frames.
With the Frigidaire FFRE0833S1 in your room, you won't be suffering any more sweating episodes. It's pocket-friendly, easy-to-use and installs and works like a charm. You'll love it, that's guaranteed.
Its Energy Star certified
Gets rid of pollens and debris
Affordable
Easy to install
A cinch to use
A little loud
4. Keystone 5,000 BTU 115V
Signature features like the energy saver mode, the programmable 24-hour timer, sleep mode, and an impressive 5,000 BTU of cooling power makes the window-mounted air conditioner an ideal choice for rooms up to 150 square feet in size. You can easily choose any of the machine’s 3 cooling speeds and 3 fan speeds for cooling flexibility.
Aside from the incredible performance, it has a bunch of other convenience features to make it effortless to use. One such feature is the large LED display that comes with electronic controls for quickly and seamlessly selecting the different options. This model also comes with a temperature sensing LCD remote control for conveniently controlling the temperature from various parts of the room.
The auto-start feature, on the other hand, saves you the trouble of adjusting the fan speed settings again when the power comes back after an outage. The programmable 24-hour on/off timer, on the other hand, enables the window-mounted air conditioner to run on your schedule, and coupled with the energy-saver mode, helps save money and energy in the long haul. Other outstanding features include the adjustable 2-way air flow direction, sleep mode, easy to remove and clean mesh filter, and energy saver mode.
The innovative design makes monitoring, setting, and maintaining a specific temperate painless and convenient. It’s a perfect choice for cooling a room up to 150 square feet in size.
Inexpensive
Generous warranty
Installation is quick and easy
Very compact and lightweight
Not ideal for large rooms
1. Frigidaire FFRA0511R1
Despite being a no-frills choice, packing only the most essential features and specs, it easily cools down any room up to 150 square feet in space, which also means it’s one of the best choices for use in offices or bedrooms. With the machine properly installed, the days of waking up with your pyjamas all drenched in sweat or having to wake up three times every night to change your shirt are well behind you.
As for ease of use, it should be up your alley if you’re a fan of simplicity and convenience. It might lack the bells and whistles of high-end models but this one is a breeze to use. For one, it’s highly customizable, giving you the liberty of choosing between 7 temperature settings, 2 fan speed settings, and 2 cool settings, all controllable from the user-friendly dual dials. Also, it installs quickly and with minimal effort and packs a generous 60-month warranty to cater for deficiencies in material or craftsmanship.
In all, the Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 is a solid choice for the homeowner working on a budget but doesn’t want to compromise on performance. It works quickly, effectively, and quietly. Together with the generous warranty and ease of installation, it’s one of the best the market has to offer.
No-frills design
Lightweight and compact for easy installation
Effortless and quick performance
Cost-effective
Lacks energy star rating
6. LG LW1216ER
With a cooling power of up to 12,000 British Thermal Units, it is the most powerful window-mounted air conditioner on our list. It's, therefore, a perfect choice for cooling down the largest room that are up to 550 square feet in size. In light of its performance, and the fact that it weighs 85 pounds, it's surprising that the machine is quiet, even when working at optimal speeds. At the lowest speed settings, it runs so smoothly and quietly you won't even think it's there.
To the outstanding features above add the product’s energy-saver function, 24-hour on/off timer and an impressive 12.1 energy efficiency ratio. It also features a corrosion-resistant coating and is a breeze to install as it comes with an installation kit. In a nutshell, it provides a quick and efficient performance at a reasonable and justifiable price.
Relatively inexpensive
Quick and efficient cooling down experience
Easy and quick installation
Quiet
Not energy-efficient
2. LG LW8016ER
When the heat wave finally becomes unbearable and unconducive, it’s high time to invest in a quiet, cost-effective option. It runs quietly, posing minimal risk of harming your hearing sensitivity even after several years of continuous use every summer. Running at full speed, the machine produces some 66 dBC, dropping to a convenient 61 dBC at the lowest speed. These figures make it an ideal choice to use in the bedroom or the office, though it might be a little loud for some people.
Additional features that stand out include the ease of installation, a remote control for convenient customization of the settings, 3 useful fan settings, as well as a round-the-clock on-off timer to ensure efficient use of energy.
Overall, it is a powerful window-mounted air conditioner that provides powerful performance without denting your pockets. It’s perfect for large rooms, considering its impressive 5,000 BTU rating, customizable cooling and fan speeds, and energy-saver option. Plus, it installs quickly and with ease.
Runs quietly and powerfully
Easy to use
Very customizable
Boasts Energy Star 12.1 EER
Could be quieter
8. Koldfront WAC12001W
It manages an outstanding 12,000 BTU of cooling power, more than enough for the bedroom. It’s more suited for larger spaces such as the living room where it leaves no hot spot even as the summer reaches unbearable levels. It has a recommended coverage of 550 square feet, which, as indicated earlier, qualifies it for use in large rooms like the dining area.
The ingenious design allows you to choose between 3 fan speeds for controlled airflow. Additionally, there is a useful dehumidifying mode for when the climate becomes chilly. The only downside of the window-mounted air conditioner is its poor ERR of 10.9. It will dent your pocket slightly. Installation is a snap though, especially considering its lightweight and compact design and its compatibility with most window designs.
For the best cooling experience for large rooms, consider going with the Koldfront WAC12001W. It’s a workhorse that’ll keep you cool all summer.
Highly customizable and easy to use
Cost-effective
Very efficient and smooth performance
Perfect for large rooms/spaces
A little expensive to run
9. hOmeLabs
It lacks all the bells and whistles of its costly, high-end counterparts, which partly explains why it features a budget-friendly price tag. It's a perfect choice for use in a room up to 150 square metres such as the bedroom, the RV, or a small apartment. Even at full blast, the machine works quietly and efficiently with minimal risk of startling noise-conscious users inches away. Instrumental performance features include the already mentioned 7-speed fan, 2-way airflow that leaves no hot spot, and adjustable fan settings for maximum versatility and customizability. The unit works quickly and powerfully, providing almost instantaneous results.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective, quiet, highly customizable window-mounted air conditioner, take another look at the hOmeLabs option. It quickly and effectively gets rooms up to 150 square feet comfortable and conducive in under 10 minutes, making it a perfect choice for RVs, bedrooms, and other small rooms.
A cinch to use
Effortless maintenance
Energy-efficient
Easy and quick to install
Few customization choices
10. Haier ESAQ406P
For the value-conscious homeowner in search of an energy-efficient, easy to use, extremely quiet, and powerful window-mounted air conditioner, the window-mounted air conditioner comes highly recommended.
In addition to its industry-best cooling, the conditioner also boasts dramatically quiet and smooth operation, thanks to the compressor blanket. According to the manufacturer, the air conditioner is remarkably 9 decibels quieter than most window ACs, including the ones from industry doyens such as Frigidaire. The advantage of this is that it won’t startle you in your sleep. Neither will you have to raise your voice while conversing with the person next to you or raise the TV volume.
To the above features add the machine's four useful modes that aim to provide you with the best cooling experience. The modes are Cool, Fan, Energy Saver, and dehumidify. Also, there is a useful and convenient Sleep mode that pairs perfectly with the 24-hour timer to make the window AC easy and convenient to run and control. Also, installation is a breeze as the unit is lightweight and compact, weighing just 55.6 pounds with corresponding dimensions of 21.2 inches by 9 inches by 12.4 inches. And to cap it all off, you get to take advantage of a generous warranty to cover you against possible deficiencies in material and craftsmanship.
Highly efficient and powerful
Energy efficient
Easy to install
Quiet operation
Perfect for medium spaces
Few customization choices
Criteria for Choosing the Best Pick
Performance
It’s worth mentioning from the onset that the best window air conditioner is the one that best meets your cooling needs, not the one with the highest BTU (British Thermal Units). With that in mind, BTU is indicative of the unit’s cooling capabilities vis-à-vis the size of the room. As a rule of thumb, a unit with a BTU rating of about 6,000 is ideal for rooms up to 250 square feet in size while an 8,000 BTU option is perfect for up to 350 sq. ft. and lastly, anything with an upwards of 12,000 is optimized for around 500 sq. ft. of space.
Additionally, keep in mind that models with higher CFMs (cubic feet per minute) provide quicker and more efficient performance than their weaker counterparts.
Efficiency
No one wants to be stuck with a window AC that consumes lots of electricity, and we bet neither do you. A value-conscious and logical consumer would, therefore, focus on acquiring a unit with the highest energy efficiency ratio (ERR) as it’s indicative of the unit’s energy consumption rate.
For most window ACs, the rating stands at 11.7, with the most efficient going up to 12. To get the most efficient, ensure your model is Energy Star certified, as this would mean it’s 20 to 30% more efficient than the threshold requirement.
Installation
You don’t require a science degree or working knowledge of physics to install a window-mounted air conditioner. The process typically should last a couple of minutes, even without assistance, depending of course on whether the model is lightweight and compact or not. Models with small profiles install in a snap, and with lots of ease.
Heavier ones, on the other hand, will require an extra pair of hands. Also, ensure your model has the right installation kit for a perfect fit on the window.
Ease of Use
The best window AC should be both powerful and easy to use. To this end, look for a unit that’s highly customizable to enable you better meet your cooling preferences. A model with several cooling modes, adjustable fan speeds, and diverse airflow pattern perform better. Other features you can consider as a programmable 24-hour on/off, remote control, and sleep and energy saver modes, among others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a window-mounted conditioner better than a central air conditioning system.
A: In several ways, yes. A central conditioner is not only expensive and costly to run, they also hog lots of space. Window ACs, on the other hand, are inexpensive, efficient, and boasts small and lightweight profiles.
Q: How do I maintain one to ensure optimal performance?
A: Maintaining the units is quite a cinch and straightforward. Cleaning and replacing the air filter every once a while and cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils should do the trick.
Conclusion
A window-mounted air conditioner is a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to the central air conditioning. And our list features ten of the best models available on the market currently. They are powerful, quiet, efficient, reliable, easy to use, long-lasting, and budget-friendly.
And in the off-chance that our choices don’t meet your cooling needs, you’re now armed to the teeth with the info to enable you to make an informed, independent choice