If you’re strategizing how to keep cool this summer, odds are you’re also deciding on what kind of AC to use. Window units are particularly convenient for many households because they don’t require permanent installation. The best window air conditioners, though, go beyond convenience—they also cool your space efficiently and at a lower cost to you. Our top pick is the Wi-Fi–enabled Midea U Inverter AC, thanks to its inverter technology that helps cool rooms efficiently—and exceptionally quietly. For small spaces, we like the no-frills TCL H5W33M model for its reasonable price point, speedy and efficient cooling and sturdy construction.
The most important consideration when shopping for window ACs is the size of your space. “[Ensure] your unit is appropriately sized to cool the area. I have witnessed firsthand an overworked air conditioning unit leaking condensation onto a wood floor,” says Andrea O’Brien, a licensed electrician and contractor with The Handcrafted Home in Northern Colorado. “Try to find the closest match to your square feet—not too far over or under.” Typically, the higher the window unit’s BTU (British Thermal Units) rating, the more efficiently it can chill down a larger room.
We also considered each unit’s measured energy efficiency when making our selections. Not only will more energy-efficient window ACs cool your space at a lower cost, but, according to O’Brien, “higher [efficiency] numbers also indicate a more eco-friendly unit.” With this criteria in mind—as well as dimensions, noise level and useful features—we found the best window AC units on the market.
Best Window Air Conditioner Overall: Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner
Best Window Air Conditioner For Small Spaces: TCL H5W33M Window Air Conditioner
Best Value Window Air Conditioner: Midea 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
Best Vertical Air Conditioner: Frigidaire 10,000 BTU Slider Casement Window Room Air Conditioner
Best-Designed Window Air Conditioner: July Window Air Conditioner (8,000 BTU)
Best Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner: Whirlpool Energy Star Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU)
Best Window Air Conditioner Overall
Quiet, Efficient—And Lets Your Window Shut While It's Installed
Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner
Size:21.9 x 19.2 x 13.3 inches| BTUs: 8,000 | Coverage area: 350 square feet | Energy Star certified: Yes | Noise level: 42 dB
Pros:
- Exceedingly quiet
- Setup lets you open and close your window
- Cools quickly
- Unique, attractive design
Cons:
- Tricky installation
- May need more sealing foam than what’s included
Hands down, the Midea U-Shaped Inverter Window Air Conditioner is the best unit on the market in almost all aspects. The first thing that stands out is its distinct U-shaped design, which relies on a special bracket to let you close (and open) the window while the unit is installed. In addition to letting you enjoy the breeze on cooler days, this unique setup also helps the machine run quietly—down to 42 decibels—while it runs, because the compressor noise is on the other side of the glass.
It also uses inverter technology that helps rapidly and efficiently cool rooms of up to 350 square feet. How efficiently? Along with its Energy Star Most Efficient certification, the Midea U-Shaped Window AC sports a CEER (combined energy efficiency ratio) rating of 16—the highest and most energy-efficient score a window AC can get. A bonus for those who want to remotely control the AC or use voice commands: This unit is Wi-Fi equipped.
Best Window Air Conditioner For Small Spaces
A Simple, Intuitive Unit With A Washable Filter
TCL H5W33M Window Air Conditioner
Size:16 x 12.5 x 12.8 inches | BTUs: 5,000 | Coverage area: 150 square feet | Energy Star certified: Yes | Noise level: 53 dB
Pros:
- Simple installation
- Washable filter to trap large airborne particles
- Intuitive operation
- 4-way vents for tailored airflow
Cons:
- Can’t set a specific temperature
You might know TCL for its televisions, but the brand has a successful AC product line, too. Case in point: This no-frills 5,000 BTU model is manually operated and cools rooms of up to 150 square feet. That’s not a lot, but for small-room dwellers who don’t want the extras of a smart AC, this has everything needed to cool your space—and do it well, according to several reviewers.
The features this TCL window AC does have are actually useful. It’s controlled by two intuitive dials on the front panel that let you choose from among seven cooling settings and two fan speeds, and you can further customize the air flow with its four-way steerable cooling vents.
Best Value Window Air Conditioner
Cools Small Areas Quickly Without Any Extras
Midea 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
Size:16 in x 15.4 in x 12.1 inches| BTUs: 5,000 | Coverage area: 150 square feet | Energy Star certified: No | Noise level: 57 dB
Pros:
- Very easy to install
- Cools small rooms quite quickly
Cons:
- Not Energy Star certified
- Louder than our other picks
The Midea 5,000 BTU window AC checks all the important boxes if you’re looking for a solid performer for under $200. This model can cool up to 150 square feet with seven temperature settings and three fan speeds, and you can keep it clean and efficient by regularly washing its reusable filter. It fits windows from 23 to 36 inches and sits a mere 13 inches high, with all the mounting hardware included. You don’t get a remote control, but that might not be a big loss if you’re planning to use it in a smaller space.
While it isn’t Energy Star certified, it does have a CEER rating of 11, indicating that the Midea is an energy-efficient device that’s only one rating short of qualifying for the certification. But don’t take our word for it—several users claim they’ve seen a savings in their energy bill after switching over to this window unit.
Best Vertical Air Conditioner
A Quick-Cooling Option Designed For Sliding Windows
Frigidaire 10,000 BTU Slider Casement Window Room Air Conditioner
Size:20.3 x 14.5 x 23.5 inches| BTUs: 10,000 | Coverage area: 450 square feet | Energy Star certified: No | Noise level: 56-61 dB
Pros:
- Powerful and cools large spaces quickly
- Includes a remote control
- Also dehumidifies and includes exhaust vents
Cons:
- Not Energy Star certified
- Very loud (but some like it as white noise)
If you’re looking for a unit designed for casement windows (which slide left to right), consider this reliable vertical model from Frigidaire. With 10,000 BTUs of cooling power, this unit—which comes with a handy remote control—can tackle spaces up to 450 square feet. Bonus: It doubles as a dehumidifier that can remove up to 3.4 pints of moisture from your space per hour. Though it’s not Energy Star–certified, it features efficient features such as a 24-Hour On/Off timer, as well as Energy Saver, Sleep and Low Voltage Start-up modes.
Note that this model can fit in windows that are at least 21.5 tall and 15.5 inches wide (some users report that the included kit was a few inches too short for their windows). At 72 pounds, this is one of the heavier units on our list, so keep in mind you’ll likely need two or more people to install it.
Best-Designed Window Air Conditioner
A Decidedly Modern Unit With Optional Accessories
July Window Air Conditioner (8,000 BTU)
Size:17.9 x 19.9 x 14.8 inches|BTUs: 8,000 | Coverage area: 350 square feet | Energy Star certified: No | Noise level: 54 dB
Pros:
- Powerful operation without sacrificing design
- Wi-Fi and voice enabled
- Very easy to install
- Option to add air filter
Cons:
- Small version is sold out
- Not Energy Star certified
Most AC manufacturers just don’t try very hard when it comes to the design front. Virtually all window air conditioners present an ugly industrial grille of vents. Not the July Window Air Conditioner, a genuinely chic unit that comes in multiple muted colors and two sizes: a 6,000 BTU model and an 8,000 BTU version—though the smaller model is currently out of stock.
Of course, this model has more than just good looks. The AC can be controlled via a mobile app on your phone thanks to Wi-Fi and voice support, allowing you to turn it on and off remotely and schedule it from anywhere. (If you’d rather use a remote, the unit comes with one of those, too.) Adding to the draw, the unit is easy to install due to the brand’s patent installation frame. You can also add some handy extra accessories at checkout, including two kinds of air filters, three types of side panels and more.
Best Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner
A Well-Built Unit That Quickly Cools Living Spaces Up To 550 Square Feet
Whirlpool Energy Star Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU)
Size:21.5 x 19.8 x 14.7 inches| BTUs: 12,000 | Coverage area: 550 square feet | Energy Star certified: Yes | Noise level: 60 dB
Pros:
- Includes remote control and intuitive LCD display
- Easy to install with included mounting kit
- Also dehumidifies at 2.6 pints per hour
- Ideal for cooling entire small apartments or condos
Cons:
- Very loud
Whirlpool’s Energy Star Air Conditioner prioritizes cooling down your apartment or condo while making a concerted effort to limit its impact on the environment. The air conditioner features a 12 CEER rating, making it an exceptionally highly energy-efficient choice. The unit’s 12,000 BTU compressor can cool rooms up to 550 square feet, and the built-in dehumidifier can extract up to 2.6 pints of moisture per hour.
One thing to watch out for, though, is that the somewhat smaller footprint of this unit means it might not fit in larger windows. Otherwise, the air conditioner is well-equipped with efficient features like an Eco mode, a Sleep mode, a “clean filter” alert and a 24-hour timer to automatically shut the AC unit off for you. We also appreciate the eight-way directional vents for achieving ideal airflow.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home team has published dozens of heating and cooling stories based on our editorial expertise, extensive research and firsthand testing.
- We’ve tested and reviewed home cooling devices ranging from portable ACs to window and tower fans.
- Each pick on this list has been vetted by three experienced home and kitchen editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
- We consulted Andrea O’Brien, a licensed electrician and contractor based in Northern Colorado, to inform our picks and reporting. She has worked in the construction industry for nearly 30 years and has operated numerous rentals.
- We regularly refresh this story to ensure we continue to stand by our picks’ performance and energy efficiency. It was last updated June 2024 by home updates writer Fran Sales.
How We Chose The Best Window Air Conditioners
To determine the best window air conditioners in 2024, we identified the top-rated, best-reviewed models from trusted home-cooling brands, including Midea, Frigidaire and Whirlpool.
- To analyze the quality of each window unit, we took an especially close look at the models’ BTU ratings and energy efficiency (in the form of both Energy Star certifications and CEER ratings).
- We also evaluated crucial features to keep in mind when shopping, including dimensions, ease of installation and operation, noise level and extra useful features.
- We interviewed an experienced heating and cooling professional for further insights on the most important considerations when buying a window AC unit.
- We scanned customer reviews to get a better sense of how these units perform in the real world, focusing on models with an average of 4-star ratings and above and making special note of recurring problem points.
What To Look For In A Window Air Conditioner
If you’re looking to install a new window AC in the coming months, keep these factors in mind when shopping:
BTUs And Coverage Area
Window air conditioners come in a variety of sizes, from small-room models with as few as 5,000 BTUs to monster coolers with 18,000 BTUs or more. According to licensed contractor and electrician Andrea O’Brien, the most important consideration when shopping for a window AC is ensuring it’s properly sized (in other words, it has the appropriate BTU rating) for your space.
“It’s important to measure the square footage of the area you want to cool. Once you have this figure, you can easily find a unit that matches your needs, as most units have a square footage coverage range readily available,” she explains. While window ACs with higher BTUs cost more upfront, you minimize the risk of your unit overworking (and thus sucking up more energy) because it’s properly sized.
Energy Efficiency
ACs that are Energy Star-certified are typically less expensive to operate, because they tend to have a higher CEER (combined energy efficiency rating) than non-certified devices—and are approximately 10% more efficient than the U.S. Department of Energy’s minimum standards.
That’s why looking at the CEER of a window AC gives you a more accurate view of its energy efficiency. O’Brien shares, “The higher the CEER number, the more efficient the unit is, and it will cool your property more efficiently and at a lower cost. The higher numbers also indicate a more eco-friendly unit.” CEER numbers range from 9 to 16. Most window units display this information on the label or product page, so check there if you want to save 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 decibel rating, the more noise the unit makes.