The 9 Best Air Conditioners of 2023

Best Overall

LG LW6017R 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

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The LG LW6017R Window Air Conditioner is an all-around solid choice for those seeking an effective cooling option at a reasonable price. It kicks 6,000 BTU, which can cool rooms up to 260 square feet. Though it lacks any of the smart features you’ll find on more expensive models, its control panel is extremely easy to use. A digital LED display and full-featured remote control further enhance its intuitive design, allowing you to adjust the settings from anywhere in the room. 

This unit has three cooling speeds and three fan speeds, as well as a timer that can be set for up to 24 hours. The two louvers can be manually adjusted to direct the air wherever you need it most. In the event of a power outage, this unit will turn on automatically once power is restored. Not only is this model Energy Star certified, it has an energy-saving mode for efficient operation. 

The LG LW6017R is relatively quiet, emitting 52 decibels at its lowest setting. However, it will be noisier when it’s cranked up to higher speeds. According to some reports, the lack of detailed instructions could make the installation a bit tricky, especially if you’re unfamiliar with window ACs. On a positive note, the filter is both removable and washable, which makes maintenance a breeze. 

Price at time of publish: $260

_{Dimensions: 17.31 x 14.38 x 11.13 inches | Cooling Area: 260 square feet | BTU: 6,000 BTU | Weight: 39.6 pounds | Window Size: 21 to 35 inches wide | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best Budget

GE 5,000-BTU Mechanical Window Air Conditioner

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The GE Mechanical Air Conditioner delivers an impressive performance at an affordable price point. While it lacks some of the advanced features you’d find on more expensive window air conditioners, this compact unit cools well in rooms up to 150 square feet. It offers ten different temperature settings, allowing you to achieve your ideal comfort level. 

This unit doesn’t have a remote control. Instead, it is controlled by two dial manual dials on the front. Although the design is fairly rudimentary, it is easy to operate and equally easy to set up. A mount kit is included for easy installation and thanks to a fixed chassis, it installs nicely in a double-hung window. The washable filter is removable, making cleanup a breeze. 

If energy efficiency is a top priority, this air conditioner isn’t the best option. Unlike most of our other picks, it lacks an energy-saving mode and is not Energy Star-certified. On the plus side, it’s a solid, budget-friendly choice for cooling smaller rooms like bedrooms, guest rooms, and home offices. 

Price at time of publish: $189

_{Dimensions: 16.44 x 15 x 12.56 inches | Cooling Area: 150 square feet | BTU: 5,000 BTU |  Weight: 36 pounds | Window Size: 21.88 to 36 inches wide | Energy Star Certified: No}

Best Splurge

Windmill Air Conditioner

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This Windmill Air Conditioner offers an array of smart features for nearly effortless operation. When using this model in a real-world setting, we found it to be very unobtrusive design-wise and quiet in operation. It is a sleek, modern air conditioner unit, complete with cosmetic side panels to create a seamless aesthetic in any room. With 8,300 BTU of cooling power, this window unit is an ideal choice for rooms up to 350 square feet. It can be controlled through your smartphone or by voice command when connected to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. According to a few reports, navigating the app isn't the most intuitive process—but we have found the app to be convenient for turning on the air conditioner remotely.

This air conditioner has three fan speeds and three cooling speeds, plus an auto-dimming LED display that won’t disturb your sleep in the bedroom. As it cools, air is filtered through an antimicrobial mesh filter and activated carbon insert, helping to keep your room fresh and odor-free. This air conditioner comes with the necessary hardware for installation, making the setup process a breeze. It is Energy Star certified to reduce its environmental impact and your utility bills. Considering its relatively small size, the Windmill is fairly pricey, but it is a standout performer with the latest smart features.

Price at time of publish: $415 

_{Dimensions: 19.4 x 19.3 x 13.2 inches | Cooling Area: 350 square feet | BTU: 8,300 BTU |  Weight: 71.3 pounds | Window Size: 23 to 37 inches wide | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best Window Air Conditioner

Midea U-Shaped Inverter Window Air Conditioner

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Midea Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner eliminates the hassles associated with window units–particularly noise. This AC is exceptionally quiet, running at a maximum of 42 decibels. Most of the unit sits outside, and the U-shaped design deflects noise coming from the compressor. Users have no trouble getting a good night’s sleep or watching television while it’s on. Another unique advantage is that your window can be opened while the unit is installed, providing fresh air whenever you need it. For added security, there is also a mechanism that locks the window. 

This 8,000 BTU unit cools rooms up to 450 square feet. With an Energy Star certification and a CEER rating of 15, it’s one of the most efficient options in our roundup. In addition to a remote control, the Midea Window Air Conditioner also comes with smart features to make operation a breeze. It can be controlled via the Midea Air app, Google Assistant, or Alexa–even if you’re away from home. It’s important to note that this unit can only be installed in hung windows. It’s also significantly pricier than other window air conditioners, but its ultra-quiet operation and smart technology are well worth the splurge. 

Price at time of publish: $399

_{Dimensions: 19.17 x 21.97 x 13.46 inches | Cooling Area: 350 square feet | BTU: 8,000 BTU |  Weight: 55.6 pounds | Window Size: 22 to 36 inches wide | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best Wall-Mounted Air Conditioner

Keystone 12,000 BTU Through-The-Wall AC

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This through-the-wall air conditioner from Keystone is a more permanent alternative to a window unit. With a 12,000 BTU output, this unit can cool rooms up to 550 square feet. It comes in multiple sizes, ranging from 8,000 to 14,000 BTU, and a heating function is optional on all models. This unit can dehumidify up to 2.5 pints of moisture per hour. One of the best things about this wall air conditioner, however, is that the thermostat is built into the remote control. This unique feature allows you to monitor the temperature of the entire room, not just the immediate vicinity of the air conditioner. 

Other helpful features include a front-access washable filter, three cooling modes and fan speeds, and a programmable 24-hour timer. Once the desired temperature is reached, this unit can be set to energy-saver mode for maximum efficiency. A trim kit is included, but take note that a wall sleeve is required for installation. You can purchase one from the manufacturer at an additional cost. Operating around 56 decibels on its lowest settings, this unit is fairly noisy compared to other options on this list. 

Price at time of publish: $560

_{Dimensions: 20.3 x 24.2 x 14.5 inches | Cooling Area: 550 square feet | BTU: 12,000 BTU |  Weight: 78 pounds | Window Size: Not applicable | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best Portable Air Conditioner

Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner

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This portable air conditioner from Whynter utilizes a dual hose to efficiently cool rooms up to 500 square feet. Unlike a window or wall-mounted air conditioner, this unit allows for versatile placement within a room. Plus, it has an exhaust hose that extends up to 60 inches. This AC can also be used as a fan or dehumidifier to remove excess moisture on muggy days. The activated carbon filter eliminates chemical fumes, smoke, and other toxic odors to keep air fresh.  

Thanks to automatic draining technology that eliminates condensation and a washable pre-filter, this air conditioner is easy to maintain. Keeping noise under 56 decibels, it's also notably quiet for a portable unit. Other convenient features include easy setup, a protective cover, window kit, and remote control.  At 73 pounds, this unit is quite heavy, but it has castor wheels for portability on smooth surfaces. However, it could be a challenge if you have carpeted floors. 

Price at time of publish: $600

_{Dimensions: Cooling Area: 500 square feet | BTU: 14,000 BTU | Weight: 73 pounds | Window Size: Not applicable | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best for Small Rooms

Frigidaire FFRE053WAE Window Air Conditioner

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With a 5,000 BTU rating, the Frigidaire FFRE053WAE Window Air Conditioner is an excellent choice for small rooms up to 150 square feet. This unit is compact and weighs under 40 pounds, making it an easy-to-install air conditioner. Plus, there are adjustable side panels to ensure the best fit in your window. Maintenance is a breeze thanks to a washable filter, and you will receive an alert whenever the filter needs to be cleaned. The extra-long power cord eliminates the need for an extension cord and allows for more versatile placement options. 

This air conditioner offers an array of useful features, including a remote control, programmable 24-hour timer, and digital control panel. However, you will have to forgo any smart technology. In addition to traditional cooling, there are auto, dry, fan, and eco settings, giving you plenty of options to achieve the ideal temperature. To top it all off, this unit is Energy Star certified, so you can keep it running at peak efficiency. According to reports we read, the only major complaint is that it’s fairly noisy at 56 decibels, especially in a small space. 

Price at time of publish: $219

_{Dimensions: 16 x 13.19 x 12.06 inches | Cooling Area: 150 square feet | BTU: 5,000 BTU | Weight: 38.2 pounds | Window Size: 23 to 36 inches wide | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best for Larger Rooms

Whirlpool 24,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

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The Whirlpool 24,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner is powerful enough to cool up 1,500 square feet, making it an excellent choice for large rooms and open floor plans. Despite its force, this unit is highly efficient and has an EER rating of 10.4, saving you money on electricity. With three cooling speeds, as well as eco, auto, and sleep modes, you can achieve just the right temperature. Plus, eight-way louvers allow you to direct the air for more precise cooling. This unit comes with a remote control, LCD display, and 24-hour timer for nearly effortless operation.  

With noise levels as low as 67 decibels, this air conditioner is relatively quiet considering its size. However, we read some reports that say it’s noisy. A window-mounting kit is included, allowing for simple installation. The air filter is removable and washable for easy maintenance, and an indicator light will alert you when the filter needs to be washed or replaced. Note that this unit requires a 230-volt outlet for operation; it will not work with a standard 120-volt outlet. 

Price at time of publish: $825

_{Dimensions: 18.7 x 26.9 x 26.4 inches | Cooling Area: 1,500 square feet | BTU: 24,000 BTU |  Weight: 130.1 pounds | Window Size: 30 to 41 inches wide | Energy Star Certified: Yes}