They’re fantastic for making life more bearable by cooling rooms to a comfortable temperature of your choice, at just the touch of a button.
Unfortunately, choosing the best one for you and your requirements can be challenging, as there are hundreds of different window air conditioners on the market with a range of capabilities and prices.
If you require a window air conditioner for use in a small room, a basic – and budget – model may suffice, whereas those looking to cool large rooms will need to consider bigger, more powerful models.
Alternatively, for ease of use, some people may want to purchase a model with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities or compatibility with voice-activated software such as Alexa, while others many require a model with multiple functionalities, including a heater, a dehumidifier, and/or a fan.

With two independent motors that achieve the optimal balance between high performance and low noise, this fully customizable 10,000 BTU air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan is effective in rooms up to 460 square feet in size.
That’s why I searched the internet for the best window air conditioners available at a range of prices, then read hundreds of reviews to check that they actually match up to customers’ expectations. The result is this list of the 12 best window air conditioners on the market.
Things to Consider
There are hundreds of different window air conditioners available on the market, so trying to pick the best one for you can be difficult at the best of times.
While people’s requirements will vary, there are a few specific points that you should bear in mind to ensure that you spend your hard-earned cash on the right one for your requirements. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, here are a few things that you should consider before buying a window air conditioner.
1. The Area It Covers
It’s pretty simple, really – the bigger and more powerful the air conditioner, the larger the area that it will be able to cool. Some of the smaller options cover around 150 square feet or less – i.e., a small room – whereas others cover upward of 1,000 square feet for use in larger areas.
2. Capabilities
Of course, the capabilities are also important. Cheaper options tend to be fairly basic, with relatively few options regarding temperature and speed settings.
Other window air conditioners, however, can cool a much larger space and are full of tricks – for example, some are also heaters, dehumidifiers, and/or fans, and others even have built-in Wi-Fi capabilities for mobile operation.
You’ll have to ascertain exactly what you want to want from your window air conditioner before making a decision about which model to purchase.
3. How It Operates
You should also consider how the window air conditioner operates. Some have various buttons or a turn-knob on the unit itself, others have a full LED display on the unit, and others have one or the other as well as a remote control.
There are even window air conditioners on the market that are Wi-Fi-enabled and can, therefore, be controlled using smart devices, and sometimes even voice-activated software such as Alexa.
4. Energy Efficiency
It’s always worth considering the energy efficiency of any window air conditioner, especially if you’re planning on using it regularly or for a long time.
After all, it’s not only good for your bank balance but also the environment! Some companies provide the official energy efficiency rating, which is always useful – to be Energy Star certified, it has to have a rating of 12.0 or higher.
5. Warranty
As with any product, there’s a chance that something will go wrong with a window air conditioner, so you need to make sure that the model you’re buying comes with a warranty of at least one year.
You should also check exactly what’s covered on the warranty, as they’re usually ‘limited’ – plus, it’s not unusual for different parts of the unit to have different warranty lengths.
QUICK OVERVIEW
The Best Window Air Conditioners
Products | Features |
---|---|
EDITOR’S PICK
4.6 75+ 75+ |
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at Amazon
|
MOST REVIEWED
3.9 3,080+ 3080+ |
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at Amazon
|
TOP PICK
3.9 65+ 65+ |
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at Amazon
|
BUDGET PICK
4 335+ 335+ |
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at Amazon
|
BUDGET PICK
4.2 915+ 915+ |
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at Amazon
|
With two independent motors that achieve the optimal balance between high performance and low noise, this fully customizable 10,000 BTU air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan is effective in rooms up to 460 square feet in size.
Under $200
Frigidaire 5,000 BTU 115V Air Conditioner
Features
- Cools small rooms up to 150 square feet in size; can also dehumidify (up to 1.1 pints per hour) and be used as a fan
- Has 5,000 BTU and uses a standard 115V electrical outlet
- Has four modes and seven temperatures to choose from, as well as an ‘Effortless Restart’ feature
- Washable filter helps to create a cleaner, more comfortable environment
The Frigidaire 5,000 BTU 115V Air Conditioner is a great budget option for cooling small rooms up to 150 square feet in size. It’s also able to dehumidify up to 1.1 pints per hour and can be used as a fan as well.
There are four modes to choose from (low cool, high cool, low fan, high fan) and seven temperatures, with both controlled using a simple turn knob. It is 5,000 BTU and uses a standard 115V electrical outlet.
This model features mechanical rotary controls and a top, full-width, two-way air direction control. The washable filter helps to reduce bacteria build-up, odors, and airborne particles for a cleaner, more comfortable environment – plus, it easily slides out from the side.
It measures 15.25 inches (depth) x 16 inches (width) x 12 inches (height) and weighs 41.4 pounds. This air conditioner is extremely quiet when on ‘low’ (51.3 dBA), which is perfect for use at night; plus, it’s energy efficiency ratio is 11.0, so it’s good for conserving energy and saving you money.
In the event of a power outage, the Effortless Restart feature automatically resumes operating at its previous settings as soon as power is restored. Lastly, the Frigidaire 5,000 BTU 115V Air Conditioner comes with a full one-year parts and labor warranty, plus an additional four-year limited warranty on the sealed system.
Under $250
hOmeLabs 5000 BTU Window Mounted Air Conditioner
Features
- Cools small rooms up to 150 square feet in size; can also be used as a fan
- Has 5,000 BTU and uses 110V or 120V electrical outlets
- Has four modes and seven temperatures to choose from
- Antibacterial washable filter helps to create a cleaner, more comfortable environment
This window air conditioner from hOmeLabs can effectively cool small rooms up to 150 square feet in size, with the company claiming it does so in 15 minutes or less.
There are four modes to choose from (low cool, high cool, low fan, high fan) and seven temperatures, with both controlled using a simple turn knob. It is 5,000 BTU and uses 110V or 120V electrical outlets.
This air conditioner is extremely quiet when on ‘low’, which is perfect for use at night; plus, it’s energy efficiency ratio is 11.1, so it’s good for conserving energy and saving you money. It features mechanical rotary controls and a top, full-width, two-way air direction control.
The antibacterial filter is washable and extremely easy to remove, and helps to create a cleaner, more comfortable environment – plus, it easily slides out from the side.
It measures 15.4 inches (depth) x 16 inches (width) x 12 inches (height). Lastly, the hOmeLabs 5,000 BTU Window Mounted Air Conditioner comes with leaf guards, window seal foam, and a one-year warranty.
Under $300
Keystone KSTAW08B 8,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner
Features
- Cools small rooms up to 350 square feet in size; can also be used as a dehumidifier (1.9 pints per hour) as well as a fan
- 8,000 BTU and uses a standard 115V electrical outlet; 11.3 energy efficiency rating
- Features three fan speeds, variable temperature settings, auto mode, energy saver mode, a programmable 24-hour timer, sleep mode, and “Check Filter” function
- Features electronic controls with an LED display, as well as a temperature-sensing LED remote control
Measuring 15.7 inches x 18.5 inches x 13.4 inches with 8,000 BTU, the Keystone KSTAW08B Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is able to cool rooms up to 350 square feet in size using a standard 115V electrical outlet.
It’s also able to dehumidify up to 1.9 pints per hour and can be used as a fan as well. The energy efficiency is a decent 11.3.
Electronic controls with an LED display allow you to easily select options with the touch of a button; plus, it also comes with a temperature-sensing LED remote control, allowing you to conveniently see, set, and maintain the room temperature from across the room.
There are three fan speeds to choose from (high, medium, and low), as well as variable temperature settings and auto mode, energy saver mode (the compressor turns on and shuts off according to room temperature, thereby saving energy), a programmable 24-hour timer, and a sleep mode.
Moreover, The “Check Filter” function will remind you to clean the washable filter (which is easy to remove) after 250 hours of operation.
Under $350
LG LW8017ERSM Smart Window Air Conditioner (Wi-Fi)
Features
- Able to cool rooms up to 340 square feet in size with 8,000 BTU using a standard 115V electrical outlet
- Can be used as a dehumidifier (up to 2.2 pints per hour) as well as a fan
- Built-in Wi-Fi capabilities allow you to use the LG SmartThinQ app to control temperature, scheduling, mode selection, and fan speed (all are customizable)
- Has an LED display as well as an auto-restart feature
Measuring 19.57 inches x 19.37 inches x 12.36 inches and with 8,000 BTU, the LG LW8017ERSM Smart Window Air Conditioner is able to cool rooms up to 340 square feet in size using a standard 115V electrical outlet.
It’s also able to be used as a dehumidifier (up to 2.2 pints per hour) as well as a fan.The energy efficiency ratio is 12.1, which means it is Energy Star certified.
This model has an LED display that allows you to easily select options with the touch of a button; moreover, it also comes with a remote control. However, what sets this air conditioner apart from others in a similar price range is its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.
You can use the LG SmartThinQ app (which is compatible with both iOS and android) to control all features, such as temperature, scheduling, mode selection, and fan speed, all of which have multiple options to choose from.
In the event of a power outage, auto-restart will turn the air conditioner back on as soon as possible; plus, it will remember the settings. Moreover, the filter is washable and easy to remove, and helps to provide the cleanest air possible.
Lastly, the LG LW8017ERSM Smart Window Air Conditioner comes with a one-year warranty.
Under $400
Keystone 10,000 BTU Window-Mounted Air Conditioner
Features
- Cools small rooms up to 450 square feet in size; can also be used as a dehumidifier (2.3 pints per hour) as well as a fan, with adjustable air flow direction
- 10,000 BTU and uses a standard 115V electrical outlet; 11.3 energy efficiency rating
- Features three fan speeds, variable temperature settings, auto mode, energy saver mode, a programmable 24-hour timer, sleep mode, and “Check Filter” function
- Features electronic controls with an LED display, as well as a temperature-sensing LED remote control
This is the second window air conditioner from Keystone on this list, but it’s larger and considerably more powerful compared with the smaller model.
Measuring 21.5 inches x 19 inches x 14.6 inches and with 10,000 BTU, it is able to cool rooms up to 450 square feet in size using a standard 115V electrical outlet. It’s also able to dehumidify up to 2.3 pints per hour, as well as being used as a fan. Again, the energy efficiency is a decent 11.3.
This model has the same signature electronic controls with an LED display as on all Keystone models, which allow you to easily select options with the touch of a button.
Moreover, it also comes with a temperature-sensing LED remote control, allowing you to conveniently see, set, and maintain the room temperature from across the room. Plus, adjustable air flow direction allows you to easily control the direction of the cool air.
There are three fan speeds to choose from (high, medium, and low), as well as variable temperature settings and auto mode, energy saver mode (in which the compressor turns on and shuts off according to room temperature, thereby saving energy), a programmable 24-hour timer, and a sleep mode.
Moreover, The “Check Filter” function will remind you to clean the washable filter (which is easy to remove) after 250 hours of operation.
TaoTronics TT-AC001 Window Air Conditioner
Features
- Has 10,000 BTU that is effective in rooms up to 460 square feet in size using a standard 115V electrical outlet; can also be used as a dehumidifier (up to 2.6 pints per hour) and a fan
- Unlike most window air conditioners, this is controlled by two independent motors, which achieves the optimal balance between high performance and low noise
- Fully customizable, with multiple fan speed and temperature options to choose from, as well as a sleep mode, 24-hour timer, eco mode, and auto mode
- Energy Star certified
Measuring 21.3 inches x 15.7 inches x 21.5 inches, the TaoTronics TT-AC001 Window Air Conditioner has a cooling capacity of 10,000 that is effective in rooms up to 460 square feet in size using a standard 115V electrical outlet.
It’s also able to be used as a dehumidifier (up to 2.6 pints per hour) as well as a fan with three different speeds. The energy efficiency ratio is 12.0, which means it is Energy Star certified.
This model has an LED display as well as an LED remote control. It’s fully customizable, with multiple fan speed and temperature options to choose from, as well as a sleep mode, 24-hour timer, eco mode, and auto mode.
Unlike normal window air conditioners, the TaoTronics TT-AC001 is controlled by two independent motors, which achieves the optimal balance between high performance and low noise, according to the company.
Furthermore, four-way air direction allows you to flexibly direct the air flow to where you want it, ensuring even distribution of cool air throughout your space.
The reusable and washable air filter is easy to remove; moreover, there is a ‘check filter’ function that allows you to check whether it needs to be cleaned for optimum performance. Lastly, the TaoTronics TT-AC001 Window Air Conditioner comes with a one-year warranty.
Under $500
Koldfront WAC12001W 12,000 BTU 208/230V Heat/Cool Window
Features
- Has dual functionality, with a cooling capacity of 12,000 and a heating capacity of 11,000 BTU 3,500W; effective in rooms up to 450 to 550 square feet using a 230V outlet
- Fully customizable, with multiple fan speed and temperature options, a sleep mode, energy-saver mode, and a 24-hour timer
- Air filter is washable and easy to remove; also features a ‘check filter’ function
- Can also be used as a dehumidifier and a fan
Measuring 16.1 inches x 22.6 inches x 23 inches, the Koldfront WAC12001W has dual functionality, with a cooling capacity of 12,000 and a heating capacity of 11,000 BTU 3,500W. It’s also able to be used as a dehumidifier as well as a fan with three different speeds.
It is effective in rooms up to 450 to 550 square feet in size; however, it must be noted that this does not work with a standard 115V electrical outlet. Instead, it requires a 230V outlet.
Furthermore, four-way air direction allows you to flexibly direct the air flow to where you want it, ensuring even distribution of cool air throughout your space.
The reusable and washable air filter is easy to remove; moreover, there is a ‘check filter’ function that allows you to check whether it needs to be cleaned for optimum performance. This model has an LED display, as well as an LEDremote control.
It’s also fully customizable, with multiple fan speed and temperature options to choose from, as well as a sleep mode, energy-saver mode, and a 24-hour timer. Lastly, the Koldfront WAC12001W Window Air Conditioner comes with a two-year warranty.
Under $600
LG LW1217ERSM Window Mounted Wi-Fi Control Air Conditioner
Features
- Able to cool rooms up to 550 square feet in size with 12,000 BTU using a standard 115V electrical outlet
- Can be used as a dehumidifier (up to 3.8 pints per hour) as well as a fan
- Built-in Wi-Fi capabilities allow you to use the LG SmartThinQ app to control temperature, scheduling, mode selection, and fan speed (all are customizable)
- Has an LED display as well as an auto-restart feature
Measuring 23.62 inches x 22.20 inches x 15 inches and with 12,000 BTU, the LG LW1217ERSM Window Mounted Wi-Fi Control Air Conditioner is able to cool rooms up to 550 square feet in size using a standard 115V electrical outlet.
It’s also able to be used as a dehumidifier (up to 3.8 pints per hour) as well as a fan. The energy efficiency ratio is 12.1, which means it is Energy Star certified.
This model has an LED display that allows you to easily select options with the touch of a button; moreover, it also comes with a remote control. However, like the previous LG model on this list, what sets this air conditioner apart from others is its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.
You can use the LG SmartThinQ app (which is compatible with both iOS and android) to control all features, such as temperature, scheduling, mode selection, and fan speed, all of which have multiple options to choose from.
In the event of a power outage, auto-restart will turn the air conditioner back on as soon as possible; plus, it will remember the settings. Moreover, the filter is washable and easy to remove, and helps to provide the cleanest air possible.
Lastly, the LG LW1217ERSM Window Mounted Wi-Fi Control Air Conditioner comes with a one-year warranty.
Under $700
LG LW2516ER Window-Mounted Air Conditioner
Features
- Able to cool rooms up to 1,560 square feet in size with 24,500 BTU using a 230V electrical outlet
- Can be used as a dehumidifier (up to 7.7 pints per hour) as well as a fan
- Fully customizable, including variable temperature settings, scheduling, mode selection, and fan speeds
- Has an LED display and comes with a remote control
A powerful model measuring 25.98 inches x 28.11 inches x 17.68 inches and with 24,500 BTU, the LG LW2516ER Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is able to cool rooms up to 1,560 square feet in size using a standard 230V electrical outlet.
It’s also able to be used as a dehumidifier (up to 7.7 pints per hour) as well as a fan. The energy efficiency ratio is 10.3, so it’s Energy Star certified like previous LG models, but you have to take into account how powerful it is.
Unfortunately, unlike the previous LG models on this list, this air conditioner does not have built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. However, it’s controlled either using an LED display that
allows you to easily select options with the touch of a button, or a remote control. It’s fully customizable, including variable temperature settings, scheduling, mode selection, and fan speeds, all of which have multiple options to choose from.
The filter is washable and easy to remove, and helps to provide the cleanest air possible; moreover, the LG patented gold fin anti-corrosion coating on the entire unit provides aprotective shield to make it more durable. Lastly, the LG LW1217ERSM Window Mounted Wi-Fi Control Air Conditioner comes with a one-year warranty.
Under $800
Friedrich Chill Series EP12G33B Window Air Conditioner with Electric Heater
Features
- Able to cool rooms up to 550 square feet in size with 12,000 BTU and heat rooms with 11,200 BTU; can also be used as a fan
- Fully customizable, including variable temperature settings, scheduling, fan speeds, a ‘money saver’ setting, an auto-air sweep feature, and auto restart
- Four-way air direction ensures even distribution of cool air with a quiet operation
- Can be installed into a wall as well as a window
This is the first model from Friedrich featured on this list. Measuring 22.2 inches x 23.6 inches x 15 inches and with 12,000 BTU, the Chill Series EP12G33B is able to cool rooms up to 550 square feet in size.
It’s also able to be used as a heater with 11,200 BTU of power, as well as a fan. Moreover, it can be installed into a wall as well as a window. This model is controlled either using an LED display that allows you to easily select options with the touch of a button, or a remote control.
It’s fully customizable, including variable temperature settings, scheduling, fan speeds, a ‘money saver’ setting (which saves money by operating the fan only when cooling), and an auto-air sweep feature (which provides consistent air distribution, for even cooling).
Furthermore, auto restart saves the settings if the power supply is interrupted. Four-way air direction allows you to flexibly direct the air flow to where you want it, ensuring even distribution of cool air throughout your space; plus, this model has an ultra-quiet operation.
The anti-microbial filter is washable and easy to remove, and helps to provide the cleanest air possible. Lastly, the Friedrich Chill Series EP12G33B comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor and a four-year warranty on the sealed system.
Under $900
Friedrich Chill Series CP24G30B Window Air Conditioner
Features
- Able to cool rooms up to 1400 square feet in size with 24,000 BTU; can also be used as a fan
- Fully customizable, including variable temperature settings, scheduling, fan speeds, a ‘money saver’ setting, an auto-air sweep feature, and auto restart
- Four-way air direction ensures even distribution of cool air with a quiet operation
- Can be installed into a wall as well as a window
This second Friedrich air conditioner featured on this list measures 30.3 inches x 25.5 inches x 16.9 inches and has 24,000 BTU; plus, it is able to be used as a fan with an ultra-quiet operation. It’s effective in rooms up to 1400 square feet and can be installed into a wall as well as a window.
It is controlled either using an LED display that allows you to easily select options with the touch of a button, or a remote control.
It’s fully customizable, including variable temperature settings, scheduling, fan speeds, a ‘money saver’ setting (which saves money by operating the fan only when cooling), and an auto-air sweep feature (which provides consistent air distribution, for even cooling).
Furthermore, auto restart saves the settings if the power supply is interrupted. The anti-microbial filter is washable and easy to remove, and helps to provide the cleanest air possible.
Moreover, four-way air direction allows you to flexibly direct the air flow to where you want it, ensuring even distribution of cool air throughout your space.Lastly, the Friedrich Chill Series CP24G30B comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor and a four-year warranty on the sealed system.
Under $1000
Friedrich Chill Series EP24G33B Window Air Conditioner with Electric Heater
Features
- Able to cool rooms up to 1400 square feet in size with 24,000 BTU and heat rooms with 12,000 BTU; can also be used as a fan
- Fully customizable, including variable temperature settings, scheduling, fan speeds, a ‘money saver’ setting, an auto-air sweep feature, and auto restart
- Four-way air direction ensures even distribution of cool air with a quiet operation
- Can be installed into a wall as well as a window
The final Friedrich air conditioner featured on this list – the Chill Series EP24G33B measures 30.3 inches x 25.5 inches x 16.9 inches and has 23,000 BTU; plus, it is able to be used as a fan with an ultra-quiet operation, and it also has 12,000 BTU of heating power.
It’s effective in rooms up to 1400 square feet and can be installed into a wall as well as a window. It is controlled either using an LED display that allows you to easily select options with the touch of a button, or a remote control.
Like the previous two models, it’s fully customizable, including variable temperature settings, scheduling, fan speeds, an auto-air sweep feature (which provides consistent air distribution, for even cooling), and a ‘money saver’ setting (which saves money by operating the fan only when cooling).
Four-way air direction allows you to flexibly direct the air flow to where you want it, ensuring even distribution of cool air throughout your space. Furthermore,auto restart saves the settings if the power supply is interrupted.
The anti-microbial filter is washable and easy to remove, and helps to provide the cleanest air possible. Lastly, the Friedrich Chill Series EP24G33B comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor and a four-year warranty on the sealed system.
Conclusion
So, now you have a definitive list of the 12 best window air conditioners available online for a range of prices.
There should be something here to suit everyone – whether you just need a basic model for cooling a small area or you require a powerful piece of equipment for use in a large space, or whether you want heating, dehumidifying, and fan capabilities, as well as built-in Wi-Fi and/or voice activation.
When it came to the Editor’s Pick, I had to choose the TaoTronics TT-AC001 Window Air Conditioner.
With two independent motors that achieve the optimal balance between high performance and low noise, this fully customizable 10,000 BTU air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan is effective in rooms up to 460 square feet in size.
However, if you’re looking for a budget option for use in a small room, the Frigidaire 5,000 BTU 115V Air Conditioner and the hOmeLabs 5000 BTU Window Mounted Air Conditioner are both great picks.
Although a lot of research and consideration has been put into this article, it’s still always important to read product specifications and reviews before making a purchase, just to ensure it’s the right model for you.
After all, you don’t want to waste your hard-earned cash on a product that doesn’t fit your requirements. Lastly, if you found this article useful, please share it for others to see!