Our best overall pick is the LG 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Remote Control, which is energy efficient, easy to use, and quieter than other models. Here are the best air conditioner units. The LG LW6019ER 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner is an unbeatable choice for most homes, as it has a sleek, energy efficient design that’s well-priced. While this particular model is rated at 6,000 BTU, the LW6019ER comes in seven sizes up to 24,500 BTU, which can cool down a space over 1,500 square feet, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your home. The unit offers three cooling speeds and three fan speeds, as well as a 24-hour on-off timer and an energy-saving function. This versatility makes it a great fit for almost anyone looking to cool down their space. On humid summer days, you’ll be glad that this window air conditioner can remove 1.8 pints of liquid from the air per hour, and you can also direct the cool air exactly where you want it with the four-way louvers. Plus, the air conditioner comes with a full-function remote, allowing you to adjust the settings from anywhere in the room. It operates at around 48 decibels on its lowest speed, which is roughly the noise level of a quiet office, and if the power ever goes out during operation, the AC will start back up when it’s restored thanks to its Auto Restart function. The LG LW6019ER Window Air Conditioner is a great all-around value, but it isn’t without its flaws. Many find that its installation instructions are vague, so it can be tricky to set up if you’re not familiar with window ACs. Additionally, the larger sizes (18,000 BTU and up) require a 230-volt outlet, which isn’t available in all homes. Price at time of publish: $310 Cooling Area: 260 square feet | BTU: 6,000 | Filter Type: Washable | Noise Level: 48–52 decibels | Window Size: 22–36 inches | Energy Star Certified: Yes This window air conditioner is controlled by two mechanical dials, and it offers two cooling speeds and two fan speeds. It comes with everything needed for installation, including an EZ mount kit, and its washable filter is easy to slide out, making maintenance a breeze. However, this GE window unit is a budget-friendly pick, so it doesn’t have an energy-saving mode, nor is it Energy Star-certified. It doesn’t have a remote control, either, so you have to make adjustments on the unit’s control panel. If you’re looking to keep your bedroom cool in the summer and can forego any smart features, this is an excellent pick. Price at time of publish: $189 Cooling Area: 150 square feet | BTU: 5,000 | Filter Type: Washable | Noise Level: 50 decibels | Window Size: 27.8–36 inches | Energy Star Certified: No This window air conditioner is a breeze to set up, as it comes with everything needed for installation, right down to insulation foam. It has three fan speeds and three cooling speeds, and its auto–dimming LED display makes it perfect for use in the bedroom. Plus, the Windmill AC features an activated carbon filter alongside its standard washable filter, helping to remove odors from your space as it cools. The unit isn’t Energy Star certified, unfortunately, but it does use an eco-friendly refrigerant and the brand works to reduce its environmental impact through a partnership with Pachama to reduce deforestation. Price at time of publish: $395 Cooling Area: 350 square feet | BTU: 8,300 | Filter Type: Washable mesh and activated carbon | Noise Level: 50 decibels | Window Size: 23–37 inches | Energy Star Certified: No This large air conditioner offers four cooling and fan speeds, as well as an auto cool setting, and its louvers can be adjusted in four different directions. The 3-in-1 design has fan and dry settings, in addition to traditional cooling, and you can program it with a 24-hour on/off timer. The control panel will remind you when the filter needs to be cleaned, and despite its size, this air conditioner can operate as low as 44 decibels on certain settings. However, keep in mind that this is a large unit—not only does it require a fairly large window for installation, but it also weighs more than 110 pounds. You’ll likely need assistance installing it, and it needs to be plugged into a 230-Volt outlet, which aren’t standard in most homes. Price at time of publish: $669 Cooling Area: 1,300 square feet | BTU: 22,000 | Filter Type: Washable | Noise Level: 44 decibels | Window Size: 29–41 inches | Energy Star Certified: Yes This air conditioner weighs under 40 pounds, making it easier to install than heavier models, and it has optional side panels that adjust to fit your window. It has an extra-long power cord that saves you from having to use an extension cord, and the unit’s filter can simply be removed and washed to keep the AC functioning at peak efficiency. The only real downside of this air conditioner is that it’s louder than many other, operating at 56 decibels, which is fairly noisy when you’re in a small room. Price at time of publish: $219 Cooling Area: 150 square feet | BTU: 5,000 | Filter Type: Washable | Noise Level: 56 decibels | Window Size: 23–36 inches | Energy Star Certified: Yes The biggest downside of this stylish air conditioner is that you’ll have to wait to get it—you have to reserve a unit with a $50 deposit to guarantee a delivery in a few months, as the ACs sell out extremely quickly. Additionally, you’ll be paying a premium price for these high-end units, which are quite a bit more expensive than standard units with the same BTU ratings. Price at time of publish: Starts at $399 Cooling Area: 350 square feet | BTU: 8,000 | Filter Type: Washable or air-purifying | Noise Level: 50–54 decibels | Window Size: 20.4–39 inches | Energy Star Certified: No Because the design is unconventional, it can be a bit tricky to install this air conditioner—you’ll likely want to watch the brand’s installation video to get a better idea of how it works. Additionally, the display doesn’t dim or turn off, which can be a bit bothersome in dark rooms. Price at time of publish: $399 Cooling Area: 350 square feet | BTU: 8,000 | Filter Type: Washable | Noise Level: 42 decibels | Window Size: 22–36 inches | Energy Star Certified: Yes One of the coolest features about this wall air conditioner is its temperature-sensing remote, which has a built-in thermostat. You can place the remote on the other side of the room, and the air conditioner will monitor the temperature across the whole space, not just in its immediate vicinity. Other useful features include a front-access washable filter and four-way air flow direction, as well as a programmable 24-hour timer. The unit has an energy-saver mode, as well, but keep in mind that it’s quite loud as far modern ACs go, operating at around 60 decibels. Price at time of publish: $700 Cooling Area: 550 square feet | BTU: 12,000 | Filter Type: Washable | Noise Level: 60 decibels | Window Size: N/A | Energy Star Certified: Yes This portable air conditioner has rolling casters, and it’s much easier to set up than a window unit—all you have to do is install the window vent kit. Keep in mind that the hose is only 35.5 inches long so it will need to be fairly close to your window. It offers three cooling and fan speeds, as well as an auto-swing air vent, and you can set it to turn on and off automatically with its built-in timer. The AC even comes with a built-in accessories tray that allows you to keep the vent hose and window kit neatly stored when it’s not in use. Price at time of publish: $689 Cooling Area: 500 square feet | BTU: 14,000 | Filter Type: Washable | Noise Level: 44-53 decibels | Window Size: N/A | Energy Star Certified: No Another major perk of this air conditioner’s saddle-shaped design is that the condenser is located outside your window, making it extremely quiet during operation. In fact, you’ll barely be able to hear it on sleep mode. Additionally, the AC has a temperature-sensing remote control that helps ensure your room doesn’t have any hot spots. The unit has a 24-hour timer, as well as energy-saver and auto modes, but make sure to measure your window before you buy, as it only offers 11 inches of clearance over the sill. It’s not listed that you need to drain the AC, but some customers in high-humidity climates reported that they had to manually drain it. Price at time of publish: $570 Cooling Area: 375 square feet | BTU: 8,000 | Filter Type: Washable | Noise Level: 41 decibels | Window Size: 24–48 inches | Energy Star Certified: Yes This evaporative cooler has three fan speeds and an oscillation option. It works by pulling hot air through a water-soaked filter using a fan to decrease the ambient temperature. It offers air flow up to 3,100 cubic feet per minute (CFM), and its 10.3-gallon water tank offers up to four hours of operation if you choose to manually fill it. While the Hessair Cooler is certainly a great value, it won’t work well if you live somewhere with high humidity levels, and it’s also somewhat of an eyesore with a large, clunky design. Price at time of publish: $371 Cooling Area: 950 square feet | BTU: N/A | Filter Type: Not listed | Noise Level: 59 decibels | Window Size: N/A | Energy Star Certified: No Two of the most common options for occasional users are portable and window air conditioners. Both of these options are fairly inexpensive and can be easily installed without professional help. However, the downside of these options is that they’re typically only powerful enough to cool one room at a time, which means you’ll need multiple units if you want air conditioning throughout your home. “Window ACs can be temporarily installed,” explains Chris Roth, CEO and owner of National Technical Institute and a licensed HVAC technician. “If you are renting, this may be a good choice as you can take the unit with you, when you move. You will, however, need a frame to secure the unit in a window which could require hiring some outside help.” “A portable unit can be on wheels and rolled from room to room and includes a tube to exhaust heat out of a window or through an opening in a wall,” he says. “It is usually easy to store and is very versatile. It will however, take up floor space and the exhaust tube must be re-positioned every time it is moved.” Another option is a through-the-wall or built-in air conditioner, which is a permanent style. These styles are installed into a “sleeve” in an exterior wall of your home. This is ideal if your room doesn’t have an acceptable window. However, as you may have guessed, this style of air conditioner requires a more complex initial installation, since you’ll need professional help to cut an appropriate-sized hole in the wall. For more comprehensive air conditioning, you may want to consider a ductless mini-split system. This style of air conditioner has gained popularity lately, as it’s a good permanent alternative for homes without central HVAC. As its name implies, there are no ducts required, and these units are typically more powerful than window units. However, mini-split systems are also fairly expensive and complex to install. Finally, there are central air systems, which require ductwork throughout your home. These are the most expensive and complicated to install and, as such, are typically most common in newly constructed homes.
Unit Size
If you’re going with a window or wall unit, measure the height and width of the opening to ensure you pick a compatible unit. It’s also beneficial to consider the weight of the unit, as this will determine whether you’ll need help moving and installing it. Don’t assume the most powerful unit is the right one for your space, as installing an oversized unit can negatively affect your room’s humidity, and you’ll have to constantly turn it on and off.
Room Size and Location
Next, you’ll want to consider where you plan to put the air conditioner and how much square footage it needs to cool. “The size of the room or house dictates the size of the air conditioner,” explains Roth. “The right-sized air conditioner is important for the efficiency and lifespan of your AC.” The amount of heat an air conditioner can remove from a room is measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units—larger rooms require a unit with a higher BTU. Here’s a general breakdown of the recommended room size and BTU:
100-300 square feet: 5,000-7,000 BTU per hour300-450 square feet: 8,000-10,000 BTU450-550 square feet: 10,000-12,000 BTU550-700 square feet: 13,000-14,000 BTU700-1,000 square feet: 18,000 BTU1,000+ square feet: 20,000 BTU and up
You’ll also want to consider the location of the room as you decide what BTU is best. For instance, a room that has several large windows and gets direct sunlight for several hours a day will likely be hotter and therefore need a more powerful air conditioner. In this situation, experts recommend increasing the BTU by at least 10 percent. Similarly, if your air conditioner will be in the kitchen—and, as a result, will have to combat the heat from the stove—you’ll want to bump up the capacity by about 4,000 BTU.
Noise Level
If you plan to use your air conditioner in your bedroom or living room, you may be concerned with how much noise it produces. The noise level of appliances is typically measured in decibels, but since we don’t use this measurement in our daily lives, most people don’t know what “40 decibels” sound like. This can make it tricky to pick the best option for your needs. In general, a standard air conditioner operates between 40 and 60 decibels. For reference, TVs usually operate at around 70 decibels, and normal talking falls between 40 and 60 decibels. So if you buy an air conditioner that operates at 60 decibels, it may interfere with your conversations or TV show. The quietest air conditioners out there operate at around 35 to 40 decibels, and their noise level is compared to that of a desk fan.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. While researching air conditioners, she spoke with Chris Roth, CEO and owner of National Technical Institute and a licensed HVAC technician, for insights on selecting the best model for your home. Based on his recommendations, she vetted each air conditioner for its cooling power, noise level, settings, and energy efficiency, and she scoured dozens of user reviews for insights on the installation and operation of different units. She personally owns and loves the Windmill AC, which she uses in her bedroom during the summer thanks to its quiet operation.
