Page Contents
Finding the best rated window air conditioner for your home or office can be a time consuming task. Traveling from hardware store to hardware store looking at all of the different models and not knowing which ones have the best reviews can get you into trouble. It can be a miserable experience to purchase an air conditioning unit only to install it and find out that you don’t like how it looks, it’s too loud, or doesn’t really cool your home the way you would like it too.
One common problem a lot of people encounter is purchasing an AC unit and not realizing that they don’t have the proper wall outlet to plug these units into. Many of the larger models require much more power than your standard outlet is wired for. The units on this page all run on your standard wall outlet so you won’t have to worry about rewiring your wall outlet or having to take the unit back for a different model.
The units featured on this page have some of the best reviews and are loaded with features. Most of these units come with remote controls so you don’t have to keep going back and forth to change the settings or temperature. They are all very easy to install and easy to clean. Each unit is Energy Star Rated so you won’t have to spend extra money each month running these air conditioners. They are also some of the quietest models available on the market.
If you are looking for the best rated window air conditioners then look no further. Be sure to click on the links to see all of the product details and reviews.
Top 13 Best Window Air Conditioner Reviews
1. Frigidaire FFRE0533S1 5,000 BTU Window-Mounted Mini Room Air Conditioner Review
- Great for any bedroom!
The Frigidaire FFRE0533S1 is a great little unit for any small bedroom or office. This unit is rated at 5,000 BTU and can cool a room up to 165 square feet. This air conditioner very easy to install and can run on any normal 115 volt outlet. This machine is also very quiet. You could sleep right next to this unit and not have to worry about it waking you up. It comes with a great remote control so you can change your settings from across the room. This model is also Energy Star rated so you won’t have to worry about shelling out a lot of cash every month to run this unit. This is a fantastic cooling machine.
2. SPT WA-1223S 12000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Energy Star Review
- This Is One Seriously Powerful AC!
The SPT 12,000 is one of the best rated window AC units on the market. This unit is Energy Star rated and you can plug it into any normal outlet in your home. You don’t have to worry about buying a special outlet and having an electrician come in to run new wiring. This AC also comes with a great remote control. You will be able to control this unit easily from across the room. This unit has many different settings. Cooling, fan, auto and drying. In drying mode the air conditioner actually begins to act like a dehumidifier extracting moisture from the air. It also has 3 different fan speeds. The 24 hour programmable timer is another great feature. You can set the timer to have this machine go on and off at any time day or night. This machine is absolutely amazing. It will easily cool 1,000 square feet and more.
3. LG LW8016ER Energy Star 8,000 BTU Window-Mounted Air Conditioner with Remote Control (115 volts) Review
- Great AC For Apartments Or Small Homes!
The LG Energy Star is a great little window AC for bedrooms and small apartments. This unit can be plugged into any regular wall outlet so you won’t have to worry about doing any rewiring to your home. This machine is rated to cool areas up to 350 square feet but will easily cool larger areas. It comes with a great 24 hour timer which allows you to program when you want this unit to turn on and off. The remote control is nice added feature. This way you will be able to control the unit without having to get out of your easy chair. This unit is also very quiet. You will barely be able to hear the compressor when it kicks on.
4. Frigidaire FFRE1533Q1 15,100 BTU Window-Mounted Median Room Air Conditioner Review
- This Machine Will Cool Your Entire Home!
The Frigidaire FFRE1533Q1 Is a great AC unit for any home. It is rated to cool areas up to 900 square feet but will easily cool more. This unit is Energy Star rated and will save you money on your electricity bills. It is also very quiet and runs smoothly in all three fan speeds. The remote control allows you to operate this AC from anywhere in the room and it has a built in thermostat. So anywhere you leave the remote control the AC unit will adjust its settings so it will cool that section of the room to your desired temperature. This model is equipped with a sleep mode. While in sleep mode the AC will slowly increase the temperature in the room while you sleep. With this model you don’t have to worry about running new wiring to a more powerful outlet. You can just plug it into any regular outlet in your home. This is an excellent air conditioner for any home or apartment.
5. Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 5000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Mini-Compact Air Conditioner Review
The FFRA0511R1 is also designed for rooms up to 150 sq ft and is notable for its top of the line rotary controls. In addition to cooling air quickly, the FFRA0511R1 is also equipped with an antimicrobial filter that minimizes room odor, bacteria and other unhealthy particles that might be in the room.
6. LG LW8016HR Window Air Conditioner Review
This LG LW8016HR 7500 BTU AC unit is capable of cooling down rooms up to 320 square feet, and its dehumidifier is good for up to 2.1 pints per hour. There are three cooling speeds, perfect if you want the process to reach a certain level, and the fan has 2-speed options as well. In addition, this small window air conditioner has a four-way air deflection that points cool air where it has to go. Though the unit has a lot of functions, it’s still simple to learn and use.
7. Frigidaire FFRE0833S1 8000 BTU Window-Mounted Mini-Compact Air Conditioner Review
The Frigidaire FFRE0833S1 is an 8000 BTU is good for rooms up to 350 square feet, and one of the things you’ll notice immediately is how quiet it is. A common problem with most air conditioning systems is they’re too noisy and keep you up at night, but the FFRE0833S1 doesn’t. With its Ready-Select controls, you can choose the level you’re comfortable at. The unit also comes with a temperature readout which you can easily read.
8. Frigidaire FFRA0511U1 5000 BTU Window-Mounted Room Air Conditioner Review
This 5,000 BTU is a window-mounted air conditioning unit that offers a convenient way of removing warm air from any room and replacing it with something cooler. The FFRA0511U1 also has quality rotary controls as well as 3 fan and 3 cool speeds. Though the FFRA0511U1 is one of the more affordable AC units available, it’s also one of the most durable and can be used on a regular basis without any worry of the system breaking down. Like the other AC units featured on this list, the FFRA0511U1 is eco-friendly and has energy saving features built in.
9. LG LW1015ER 10000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Review
The LW1015ER 10,000 BTU comes with a remote control that allows you to access and change the several functions on the unit. With the LW1015ER you can cool the temperature in rooms up to 450 sq ft, and the package comes with a mounting kit so installation is straightforward.
The LW1015ER also comes with full-featured electronic controls, and its dehumidification is good for up to 3 pints per hour. The remote control moreover, gives you full control over the unit and how it works. Finally, the unit comes with an Energy Saver mode, a “clean filter” alert and a 24 hour on/off timer.
10. Frigidaire FGRC1244T1 12000 BTU Cool Connect Smart Window Air Conditioner Review
Despite the name, there’s nothing Frigidaire about the way this casement window air conditioner works. As the name makes clear, this is a “smart” AC that learns your habits and patterns so it runs accordingly.
The system has many of the same features as the other units on this list, but what makes this different is it learns your habits, budget, and usage so even if you don’t mess with the controls, the Frigidaire makes the proper adjustments and savings. If that’s not enough, you can use the Frigidaire app to control the unit from your mobile device.
11. Haier ESA405R 5000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Review
The ESA405R is Energy Star rated so whenever it’s running you’re assured that it’s not wasting energy. Apart from that, the AC has full electronic controls as well as a remote control so from across the room you can change the cooling and speed settings. There’s also a temperature display if you want to be specific about the numbers, and the time is displayed as well. You can also let the Auto Cool run on its own, but if you want to make manual adjustments, you can do so with the 3 fan speeds and 3 cooling speeds.
12. Friedrich Chill CP06G10B 6000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Review
This Friedrich window air conditioner isn’t just stylish and sleek, as it is also durable and built according to the rigid Friedrich standards. This Friedrich Chill CP06G10B Energy Star compliant AC has 6000 BTU and can cool rooms up to 250 sq ft.
The unit also has 3 cooling speeds and options for using a fan as well. Regardless of which setting you choose, the Friedrich runs quietly and won’t keep you awake at night. In addition, the unit uses the proprietary Auto Air Sweep that allows air to be distributed more evenly, and with its digital remote control, accessing the unit is always convenient.
13. GE AEM08LX 8000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Review
The AEM08LX is powered by 8000 BTUs and is perfect for rooms up to 300 sq. ft, and with the kind of power the GE AEM08LX has, it’s the ideal solution for those long summer days and nights. Once the unit is up and running you can pretty much leave it to work without any maintenance. But if you want to make adjustments to this unit, you can do so via its multiple cooling and fan speed options.
How to Install a Window Air Conditioner
Before you begin, you should arrange for a friend or family member to be present to assist you with the installation. Window air conditioners are large and heavy objects that can sometimes be difficult for one person to hold in place; you don’t want your expensive new appliance falling out of the window opening and smashing on the ground outside.
The following are general instructions just to give you the main idea of how to install a window air conditioner. Always thoroughly read the installation guide section of the instruction manual provided with your device in case of any model-specific requirements. If for any reason you do not have an instruction manual available for your device, you may be able to view a copy on its manufacturer’s website.
Some of these devices are fitted into a window opening with special brackets that need to be attached to the window frame. Others use extendable edges that slide outwards until they grip the sides of the window opening and hold the air conditioner in place.
If you’re dealing with a window air conditioner that uses special brackets, you will need to attach those to the window opening before doing anything with the air conditioner. If screws are needed for this, they will almost certainly be included with the brackets in the packaging, sometimes along with a small screwdriver.
If your window air conditioner uses extensions that slide out of the device to make it fit the window frame, then these will either be already integrated into the device or you will need to manually assemble and attach them to it yourself before you install the air conditioner. As with those devices that utilize holding brackets, any screws and other equipment needed to attach the slide out extensions should be included in the packaging.
When you’re ready to proceed, raise the window’s lower pane and have your helper place the device on the windowsill. Fit the device onto the holding brackets or slide out the extensions to fill the empty window space on either side, whichever is applicable (some models utilize both of these positioning methods). Lower the upper window pane onto the air conditioner to hold it in place. Most models will require you to secure the upper window pane in this position to prevent any movement.
Most window air conditioners will tip very slightly to the outside to allow them to drain condensation, but some units are not designed to do this. Set your device up in the window opening exactly as directed in the instruction manual and it will be immediately clear which of the two you have. Never try to force a tipping unit to lie straight or a straight lying unit to tip.
At this point, you’re ready to plug in the air conditioner and turn it on. These devices can use a lot of energy, however, so keep that in mind when connecting it to a circuit. If the circuit in question powers other high energy appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers or vacuum cleaners, consider plugging the air conditioner in elsewhere.
Best Space Heater