7 Best Window Air Conditioners For Your Home of 2023

A window air conditioner is truly a game-changer on a hot summer’s day. If your home or apartment is not equipped with central AC, a window AC unit is a quick fix for a complete cool-off.

Choosing the right window air conditioner for your space will depend on the size of your room, your preferred energy efficiency, your desired controls, and much more.

Window air conditioners are available in hundreds of types and sizes. We compiled this list of the best options available to help narrow down your search.

The Best Window Air Conditioners For Your Home

• Midea U-Shaped: Best Overall
• LG LW5016: Best Budget
• Soleus Air Hybrid: Best Saddle-Style Window Air Conditioner
• Toshiba Smart WiFi Touch Control: Best Smart Window Air Conditioner
• LG LW2217IVSM Dual Inverter: Best for Large Rooms
• Frigidaire Window-Mounted: Best for Small Rooms
• LG LW8016HR: Best AC Unit with Heater

1. Midea U-Shaped: Best Overall

The Midea U-Shaped Inverter Window Air Conditioner is an obvious top pick. It balances budget with energy efficiency and uses an innovative design.

The design of this unit allows you to mount it inside your window frame, yet still have the flexibility to open your window and let in fresh air as needed.

The 8,000 BTU MAW08V1QWT model is equipped with smart features and can cool rooms up to 350 square feet.

This window air conditioner is Energy Star certified, extremely quiet at a 42 dBa sound rating, and is likely to achieve 35% energy savings compared to other window AC units.

Key Features:

• Room Size: 350 sq. ft.
• BTU: 8,000
• Window Width: 22”-36”
• Remote Control: Yes

2. LG Electronics LW5016: Best Budget

To keep your house cool on a budget, consider the LG Electronics LW5016 Window Air Conditioner. This basic air conditioner will get the job done for less than $200.

With two cooling and fan speeds, this AC unit is fit for rooms 15 feet by 10 feet or similar with 5,000 BTU. The unit itself is small, therefore versatile, and easy to install and move around.

This window air conditioner is capable of cooling, circulating air, and dehumidifying. It comes with a slide-out mesh, washable filter. Windows ranging in width from 21” to 35” are compatible with this AC.

Unfortunately, this model does not come with a remote control and is not an Energy Star certified unit.

Key Features:

• Room Size: 150 sq. ft.
• BTU: 5,000 BTU
• Window Width: 21”-35”
• Remote Control: No

3. Soleus Air Hybrid: Best Saddle-Style

The Soleus Air Hybrid Window Air Conditioner is a saddle-type air conditioner. Rather than being positioned inside your window frame, this AC unit fits over window sills up to 11 inches in depth.

Saddle window air conditioners can be installed in single- and double-hung windows. For this model, your window should be between 24” and 48” in width.

The filter for this window AC is washable and reusable. In addition to a programmable timer, features include a filter light reminder, automatic shut-off, and is Wi-Fi enabled.

The Soleus Air Hybrid AC has an Energy Efficiency Ratio of 12.0, a 41 dBA sound rating, and offers three cooling settings and three fan speeds.

Key Features:

• Room Size: 550 sq. ft.
• BTU: 8,000 BTU
• Window Width: 24”-48”
• Remote Control: Yes

4. Toshiba Smart WiFi Touch Control: Best Smart Window Air Conditioner

The Toshiba Smart Window Air Conditioner uses smart technology to give you the most control over your AC unit. The smart Wi-Fi capability allows you to control this AC from your smartphone, Alexa, or Google Assistant.

This particular 8,000 BTU model uses 3-in-1 cooling, circulation, and dehumidification settings to treat rooms up to 350 square feet.

The Energy Efficiency Ratio is 11.4 and this unit is Energy Star certified, helping you save on your energy bills. The provided filter is washable and reusable and you will receive an alert when the filter should be cleaned.

At 61 dBa, this air conditioner is a little noisier than comparable models.

Key Features:

• Room Size: 350 sq. ft.
• BTU: 8,000 BTU
• Window Width: 23”-36”
• Remote Control: Yes

5. LG LW2217IVSM Dual Inverter: Best for Large Rooms

The LG Electronics Dual Inverter Window Air Conditioner is the perfect solution for large rooms or even entire homes.

This 22,000 BTU air conditioner can cool rooms or even homes up to 1,300 square feet. At that size, the unit requires ample power. You will need to use a 230-volt power outlet for this air conditioner, which requires a certified electrician installation.

The LW2217IVSM model is not short on features. It is Wi-Fi enabled, controllable by smartphone, and uses 3-in-1 operation to cool, fan, and dry.

You may assume this powerhouse operates loudly, but in fact, it is ultra-quiet with a 44 dBa sound rating. The unit is Energy Star certified.

Key Features:

• Room Size: 1,300 sq. ft.
• BTU: 22,000 BTU
• Window Width: 29”-41”
• Remote Control: Yes

6. Frigidaire Window-Mounted: Best for Small Rooms

If you just need to cool a room on the smaller size, the Frigidaire Window-Mounted Room Air Conditioner will do the trick. At 5,000 BTU, this is the perfect option for rooms up to 150 square feet.

The extra-long 72” power cord makes this the perfect AC unit for older homes with spare power outlets. It uses 3 different fan speeds, adjustable with manual controls.

This model uses a washable and reusable filter and is fairly quiet with a 51 dBA sound rating.

Being a smaller unit, some features are lacking. There is no remote control and the unit is not particularly energy-efficient.

Key Features:

• Room Size: 150 sq. ft.
• BTU: 5,000 BTU
• Window Width: 23” min.
• Remote Control: No

7. LG LW8016HR: Best AC Unit with Heater

To keep the temperature of your home regulated year-round, consider an air conditioner coupled with a heater, like the LG Window Air Conditioner with heater.

With this window air conditioner, you can add a little extra warmth on those chilly days with supplemental heating. It will provide heat when the outdoor temperature is above 45 degrees F. It uses a 4-in-1 operation to either cool, heat, fan, or dry.

Additionally, this unit can act as a dehumidifier, removing up to 2.1 pints of moisture from the air per hour.

The LG window AC has an Energy Efficiency Ratio of 11, a 49 dBa sound rating, and comes with a remote. It has a mesh-type washable and reusable filter.

Key Features:

• Room Size: 320 sq. ft.
• BTU: 7,500 BTU
• Window Width: 22”-36”
• Remote Control: Yes

How to Choose the Best Window AC Unit

Whether you are planning ahead or need a window air conditioner to cool off now, here are the key features to consider before you purchase.

Air Conditioner Sizing

Choosing the right size air conditioner for your room or home is the most significant factor for your satisfaction.

An undersized AC unit will not keep up with cooling the air, leading to a room that still feels warm. An oversized AC unit will use more energy than needed, leading to an increased energy bill.

To purchase a correctly sized air conditioner, you should first determine the square footage of your room or home.

Air conditioners will range in capabilities from 100 square feet to up to 1,600 square feet, so you should determine if you need more than one AC unit to cool your home.

The square footage size of an AC unit is accompanied by a BTU rating. A BTU, or a British thermal unit, measures the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove from a room, starting at 5,000 BTU and increasing to 25,000 BTU.

Air conditioning units are offered in a range of BTUs and room sizes such as:

Air Conditioner Size Chart:

• 5,000 to 8,000 BTU 150 to 350 square feet
• 8,000 to 12,000 BTU 350 to 550 square feet
• 12,000 to 18,500 BTU 550 to 1,050 square feet
• 18,500 to 25,000 BTU 1,050 to 1,600 square feet

Energy Efficiency

Not all air conditioners perform at the same efficiency level. Some will use more energy to cool the same amount of air. In addition to properly sizing your AC unit, review the EER, or Energy Efficiency Rating.

EER is found by dividing the BTU by the electricity wattage to determine efficiency. Look for air conditioners with an EER above 10. Energy Star certified AC units must have an EER above 10.7.

Programmable Features

All AC units have manual controls for power, temperature setting, fan speed, etc. Additional features are available such as a programmable timer that allows you to set times for the unit to turn on and off.

This function is typically useful to lower the temperature when you sleep and raise it when you are not typically home.

Remote Control

To control the temperature and fan speed from another location within your home, opt for an air conditioner with remote control included.

This simple upgrade is sure to come in handy when you are sitting on the couch or laying in bed and want to adjust your AC settings. The unit will often have a magnetic strip that holds the remote control.

Smart Air Conditioners

For more programmable features and advanced remote control, consider purchasing a smart air conditioner. You will be able to program your AC unit remotely from your phone or smart device.

A smart air conditioner will also enhance your energy efficiency. As the unit approaches your desired temperature, it will slow down and ultimately use less energy.

Filtration

Air conditioners utilize a filter to improve air quality. You can choose a unit that requires disposable filters or one that uses washable filters that can be reused.

Your AC unit can also have a filter sensor that alerts you when the filter needs to be changed.

How to Install a Window Air Conditioning Unit

To install a window AC, follow the instructions below. If any of the steps are not compatible with your home, consult a qualified electrician or HVAC professional to complete the installation for you.

1. Measure the Size of Your Window

Using a measuring tape, measure the inside dimension of your open window. Use this dimension to ensure the window AC unit you purchase will fit properly.

2. Ensure You Have an Outlet Nearby

A nearby outlet will be needed to power your AC unit. Most manufacturers specify that an extension cord cannot be used. The specific circuit will need to be able to handle the electrical load from the air conditioner.

3. Open and Prepare Window

Make sure your window frame is clean and in good shape. Some AC units require a support bracket to be attached to the window sill. If required, install the support bracket now.

4. Lift AC Unit Into Place

With assistance from another person, lift the AC unit into place on top of your window frame. Center the unit in the window opening and ensure the front of the unit is flush with the window sill.

5. Secure the Window AC

Secure the AC in place by pulling the upper window sash down to the top of the unit. Install any of the manufacturer's recommended attachment screws or brackets.

6. Install Side Panels

Expand the accordion panels on each side of the unit to the edge of the window. Complete the attachment with the provided screws and tracks. Also, install any provided insulation or insulating strips to ensure an airtight seal.

Can You Install a Window AC Unit in All Types of Windows?

Window air conditioners will work with most types of windows, but you will need to purchase the correct type of AC to accommodate the window type.

The standard type of AC unit works with single- or double-hung windows that slide up and down to open and close.

If you have a slider window that slides to the left or right to open or if you have a casement window that swings open, you will need to purchase a different type of window AC unit. The air conditioners specialized for these window types are usually taller and narrower than a standard window AC.

What Is a Saddle/Over-The-Sill AC Unit?

Typical window air conditioners are installed inside of a window frame with the bottom edge resting on the window sill.

Saddle air conditioners, also known as over-the-sill AC units, are U-shaped with the unit resting over the window sill.

This innovative design obstructs far less of your view than traditional window AC units and is far easier to install. Additionally, most units are more energy-efficient and operate with less noise.