The best window air conditioners of 2024, according to home experts

LG 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

Pros

• Superb cooling power
• Fairly quiet operation
• Intuitive controls

Cons

• Not Energy Star-qualified

Exceptional cooling power at a competitive price made LG's 8,000 BTU window AC the top overall pick in our latest round-up. It's the model we recommend most for consumers who are looking to cool up to 350 square feet of living space, whether it's a large family room or a small studio apartment. For larger spaces up to 850 square feet, this model line from LG comes in a 15,000 BTU unit that we expect to perform similarly.

I like that the unit comes with everything you need for installation, including side panels and foam insulation. At 53 decibels, it's also fairly quiet. LG includes a remote with the unit, nice for controlling temperature and fan speed from the sofa or bed. If you prefer the LCD display, our testers found its interface to be clean and intuitive, which is not the case with all units we tested, causing frustration when you're struggling to get the setting you want.

"The LG is also easy to maintain, since it has a removable filter that you can wash at the sink with soap and water," said Alec Scherma, test engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where he evaluates a wide range of equipment related to home comfort. The check filter signal is a helpful reminder, one that will keep this top-rated AC running smoothly all summer long.

On the downside, this model does not carry the Energy Star label, a government-regulated program that helps consumers identify the most energy-efficient products on the market.

Recommended cooling area: 340 sq ft | BTU cooling rating (ASHRAE): 8,000 | Dimensions: 19.6" x 19.4" x 12.4" | Weight: 58 lbs | Noise level: 53 dB | Energy Star certification: No

Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

Pros

• Great price
• Easy installation
• Best window AC for small rooms

Cons

• Not suited to large spaces

Homes without central air conditioning often require multiple window ACs, which can quickly add up. For the price of one premium-priced AC you can purchase a few units of this easy-to-install Frigidaire, without sacrificing much in the way of cooling power or performance.

It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles — no Wi-Fi capability, for example, or a remote control. Instead, its controls are completely manual. "The control dials don't tell you the exact temperature of the room," Scherma added. Instead, they let you choose from a 1-to-7 temperature setting. Because it's entirely manual, the AC defaults to the same settings each time it's turned off, and there's no timer to automatically shut it off after a set period of time.

While this 5,000 BTU unit isn't super powerful, it's suitable for a room around 150 square feet, like a bedroom or office. It's also available in strength up to 15,000 BTU if you need to cool a larger area. It comes with a washable filter and mounting brackets, so you can keep your air fresh and your AC securely in place.

Recommended cooling area: 150 sq ft | BTU cooling rating (ASHRAE): 5,000 | Dimensions: 16" x 15.25" x 12" | Weight: 41 lbs | Noise level: 52 dB | Energy Star certification: No

TCL 8K Window Air Conditioner

Pros

• Pre-assembled frame makes for simple installations
• Wi-Fi-connectivity
• Easy to maintain

Cons

• LCD display is quite bright (though it can be manually dimmed)

Between its lightweight design and pre-assembled frame, this 8,000 BTU window AC from TCL stood out in our tests for its easy installation. "Super quick and easy," said one tester who added that the AC is "extremely quiet compared with any other window air conditioner I’ve ever had."

That's a factor of the inverter technology, which also makes the Energy Star-qualified TCL one of the most efficient models on the market (for good measure, the sleep and eco models cut down on energy consumption when it's not needed). Maintenance is made easy by the washable air filter and the Wi-Fi-connectivity allows for remote operation via the smartphone app. (That same intelligent design helped land TCL's Smart Series Portable Air Conditioner on our winner's list for portable air conditioners.)

The only complaint from our tester was that the LCD display is quite bright, though she was happy to discover that it can be dimmed. So like many innovative products that pass through the Institute for testing, the TCL takes some getting used to, but all the features are there for a convenient, user-friendly experience.

Recommended cooling area: 350 sq ft | BTU cooling rating (ASHRAE): 8,000 |Dimensions: 22.99" x 13.97" x 18.81" | Weight: 57.3 lbs | Noise level: Not listed | Energy Star certification: Yes

Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner

Pros

• Extremely quiet
• Energy efficient
• Window can still open and close

Cons

• Unique installation is a little tricky

Inverter-powered ACs are one of the latest innovations in air conditioning, replacing conventional compressors. This 8,000 BTU Midea demonstrates the key upsides of the technology — precise temperature control, energy efficiency and quiet operation.

These benefits are due to the fact that the inverter controls how much power the AC uses to cool air, unlike a compressor-powered air conditioner that runs on full power the entire time. While this innovation increases the initial cost of the Midea, our experts say you'll get some of that money back in reduced energy costs.

Another smart feature of this window AC is its Wi-Fi-connectivity, which allows you to control it via the smartphone app, or even by voice commands through your Alexa or Google Assistant smart speaker.

One important note: The Midea installs differently from traditional window ACs, which can be a bit tricky to figure out. Instead of the window sash resting on top of the installed unit, the U-shaped window AC has a built-in cavity for the window, enabling you to close the window almost all the way. This is a big benefit over other window ACs because it reduces the amount of air that can leak through the side panels. It also lets you open the window to allow in fresh air on days when you don't want to run your AC. And it reduces the amount of noise coming from the interior of the unit.

Recommended cooling area: 300 sq ft | BTU cooling rating (ASHRAE): 8,000 | Dimensions: 19.17" x 21.97" x 13.46" | Weight: 55.6 lbs | Noise level: 42 dB | Energy Star certification: Yes

Friedrich Kuhl Series 12,000 BTU Smart Air Conditioner

Pros

• Exceptional cooling power
• Easy-to-control airflow direction
• Smart controls

Cons

• Very heavy and bulky

Got a lot of house to cool? This 12,000-BTU unit from Friedrich is up to the task. The model line goes all the way up to 35,000 BTUs, though that’s geared for commercial use, a category that Friedrich has influenced since the company was founded in 1883. As our test results of this model show, the brand makes superb ACs for homes too.

Make no mistake, this is a massive unit, weighing a hefty 116 pounds, so you’ll definitely need a hand with the installation. At 26 inches wide, it’s also too big for some window frames. But if your window is adequate and you're looking to cool 500 square feet or more, the Friedrich will not disappoint. “It was able to cool our entire main floor in under 10 minutes,” one consumer tester said. (Note: We also tested the 10,000 Kuhl and were impressed by its ability to quickly cool rooms measuring up to 450 square feet.)

As for features, we like that the premium-priced AC has four fan speeds to choose from, as well as the ability to direct airflow to the right or left and up or down. “Since it is so powerful, it’s nice to be able to point the cool air in the other direction when we’re seated nearby,” added our tester. It's also Wi-Fi-connected, so you can control it via the smartphone app, maybe turning the unit on shortly before you return home, so it will be nice and cool when you arrive.

One thing to note: All that cooling power made this Friedrich one of the noisier units we tested, so it’s not a great fit for bedrooms or TV rooms.

Recommended cooling area: 550 sq ft | BTU cooling rating (ASHRAE): 12,000 | Dimensions: 15 15/16" x 25 15/16" x 29" | Weight: 116 lbs | Noise level: Not listed | Energy Star certification: Yes

Windmill Modern Air Conditioner with WhisperTech

Pros

• Quiet, efficient operation
• Sleek design

Cons

• Not suited to larger spaces

The Windmill is another inverter-powered window AC that boasts all the same benefits of the technology — quiet operation, energy efficiency and pinpoint control. It's also incredibly easy to install (which we couldn't say about the Midea). "It took maybe 15 to 20 minutes to remove the old AC and install this one," noted one consumer tester. Credit the built-in frame that makes it a cinch to attach the Windmill securely to your window.

Not for nothing, the Windmill is also easy on the eyes, with a sleek front panel and discrete control panel that minimizes any flashing lights or other visual noise. That's another reason why we like the Windmill for small spaces. As our tester put it, "It’s the perfect AC for our small living room – not only is it sleek and simple in design, but it’s also so much quieter than our old model, which means we don’t have to blare the volume to watch TV or yell at each other when we have something to say."

Recommended cooling area: 350 sq ft | BTU cooling rating (ASHRAE): 8,000 | Dimensions: 19.3"D x 19.4"W x 13.2"H | Weight: 55.6 lbs | Noise level: 42 dB | Energy Star certification: Yes

Frigidaire Inverter Air Conditioner

Pros

• Smart apps with Wi-Fi connectivity
• Inverter technology

Cons

• Display can be a little tough to see

This 8,000 BTU unit is both smart and energy efficient, thanks to its inverter. The technology also makes for quiet operation — all the way down to 41 decibels in quiet mode, which our experts say is just a tad louder than a quiet library.

The Frigidaire also has many usability features that we look for, including the ability to control it by remote or via the app on your smart phone. That's handy, since a few reviewers noted that it can be frustrating to see the front display at certain times of the day due to the light.

The AC can crank out 12,000 BTUs of cooling power, which is ideal for a living room or larger bedroom. Based on our engineer's analysis of the installation instructions, the unit should fit most windows.

Recommended cooling area: 350 sq ft | BTU cooling rating (ASHRAE): 8,000 | Dimensions: 23" x 19.45" x 13.9" | Weight: 55 lbs | Noise level: 50 dB | Energy Star certification: Yes