By Liam McCabe

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After half-dozen summers of researching, testing, and recommending window air conditioners, we've learned that quiet and affordable ACs make most people the happiest—and we think the LG LW8016ER will fit the beak in well-nigh rooms.

This 8,000 Btu unit cools every bit efficiently and effectively as whatever model with an equal Btu rating, and runs at a lower volume and deeper pitch than others at this cost. Petty extra features similar a fresh-air vent, two-axis fan blades, and a removable bleed plug assistance fix it apart, too. The LG LW8016ERis a top choice for an office or den, and some people will find it repose enough for a sleeping room, too.

If our principal pick is sold out, grab the Frigidaire FFRE0833S1. It'southward a fiddling scrap louder and college-pitched than our new pick, but it's an equally capable performer that's usually around the same price. The Frigidaire is also a little bit easier to install because it'southward smaller and lighter.

If you're buying an air conditioner for your bedchamber and don't mind paying a little extra, care for yourself to the Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1. It'due south the quietest window Air conditioning nosotros've tested over the past few years. It's also easy to install, and it comes with plenty of extra cream for insulation. In cooling operation, information technology'due south on a par with our pick and runner-upwards; in price, it's normally higher than our pick by every bit much every bit $100. By June 2017, this model had sold out for the season, so you may need to act fast if yous're interested in it this yr.

We're too recommending the Frigidaire FGRQ0833U1 equally a backup in example the L3T1 goes out of stock. The 33U1 is more expensive, and we haven't tested it ourselves, merely Frigidaire confirmed to u.s. that the 2 models are substantially the same. Both are eight,000 Btu rated, have Energy Efficiency Ratios of 12, and are designed to cool rooms upward to 350 square feet. We think this model's a decent option if our other picks are unavailable—information technology beats sweating through the summertime with a subpar model.

The Haier Serenity Serial ESAQ406T, our former upgrade pick for the latter role of summer 2017, is a pretty skillful selection if our other picks exit of stock. It'south a vi,000 Btu model, so it'south meant for small rooms, and it's a lot pricier than our other picks—but information technology's and then tranquility that you should exist able to sleep easier all summertime.

This guide as well includes our current thoughts on "smart," Wi-Fi–controllable air conditioners (and a smart AC accessory), plus recommendations for other kinds of air conditioners, including portable ACs (in a split up guide), through-the-wall units, and casement-window models.

Why you should trust the states

This is our sixth twelvemonth recommending window air conditioners, and my quaternary year on this beat, personally. We've put in about 115 total hours of research and spent more than 40 hours doing real-earth testing, forth with more than one,000 hours of being cooled off by the models we've recommended. Our practiced sources include a representative for the Environmental Protection Agency, which administers the Free energy Star program, likewise as Max Sherman, an HVAC+R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) engineer who works every bit a staff senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

The right air conditioner size for you

Measure out the square footage of the room you need to cool, then await at this Free energy Star nautical chart to notice the appropriate cooling capacity, every bit measured in British thermal units (Btu). Dominicus exposure, ceiling height, appliance heat, and the number of people that'll usually be in the room tin impact the capacity you'll need, but floor size is the near important factor. You lot won't always be able to discover an AC with the perfect Btu rating, and so you might have to circular upwardly. For example, nobody makes a 9,000 Btu window AC, so a 10,000 Btu window Ac is the next-best option in that case.

Don't autumn into the trap of buying a significantly under- or overpowered air conditioner. Smaller units price less, so you lot may be tempted to size down if you're looking to save a few bucks. Just an underpowered Ac will run constantly, trying and declining to get the room down to the target temperature and a comfortable humidity. That'south a waste matter of energy, and yous won't even be that comfortable. If you become a unit that's too large, it can leave your room feeling clammy because it reduces temperature faster than it removes wet from the air. "It'due south going to bicycle on and off more, and then y'all're going to lose some of your humidity control," said Sherman.

Need to absurd multiple rooms? Information technology's more effective to get several smaller air conditioners and put one in each room, rather than to buy one big unit. When two rooms are separated past a doorway, they're "thermally separated," as Sherman put it. That means an AC in your living room won't practice much to absurd your bedroom. Certain, y'all'll have to spend more money to buy ii 6,000 Btu ACs than yous would to only get a 12,000 Btu Ac. But you get much more accurate, comfortable climate control when yous use the correct auto for each room.

How we picked

The air conditioners nosotros tested in 2017. Annotation: Stacking them in this way does not constitute a proper installation. Photo: Liam McCabe

The best window air conditioner makes you the nigh comfortable in your domicile. For nigh people, that means picking a placidity AC without jarring whines, whooshes, or whirs, and with as much control over climate settings and air direction as possible. Ideally, the best air conditioner will pass the bedroom test: If it's good enough to slumber virtually, it's good plenty for whatsoever other room in your business firm.

Everything else is much less important. Installation and maintenance should be like shooting fish in a barrel, merely they don't vary also much from model to model, and you have to deal with them but a couple times per year. And cooling power and free energy efficiency are and then, then similar for window ACs at a given Btu rating that it'south barely worth worrying about. When comparing models, the difference in reaching a target temperature is never more than than a few minutes, and the difference in an annual toll to operate is never more a few dollars.

For this guide, we focused on 8,000 Btu window air conditioners because it'south the most popular size at retail, which implies that it's what most people need. These ACs are suited for spaces between 300 and 350 square feet, roughly the size of a comfy living room or large master bedroom. (Sticking to a common Btu rating too helped us make apples-to-apples comparisons between our elevation contenders.) Air conditioners at this size can cost anywhere from $180 to $730, only yous tin can get a good-plenty model for $220 on sale, and the best model you'd reasonably desire costs around $370.

If you lot're looking to cool a larger or smaller room than the average, almost of our picks are available in several dissimilar sizes. We didn't consider the other sizes, only we're pretty confident that our findings hold up for models between 6,000 and 12,000 Btu.

How we tested

Video: Liam McCabe

In 2017, we began our testing by tracking downward about 45 current-model window air conditioners with that cooling capacity. Based on specs, features, price, and our experience with older versions of some models, we settled on eight finalists, divide into three subgroups.

The first group is simply standard, affordable, Energy Star–qualified window units, including the LG LW8016ER, our top pick from 2016; the Frigidaire FFRE0833S1, our runner-up from 2016; and the newer GE AHM08LW.

The next grouping is fabricated up of quieter models, including the Friedrich Chill CP08G10B, i of our upgrade picks from 2016; the Haier Serenity Serial ESAQ406T, a 6,000 Btu model; and the Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1, our upgrade pick from 2017.

Finally, the smart ACs, which have Wi-Fi antennas that let them work with smartphone apps or other smart-home systems: the GE AEC08LW, which works with an app also every bit Alexa, and the LG LW8017ERSM, which is essentially our master pick simply with app control.

Among those finalists, nosotros focused on noise as the main distinguishing gene. Window air conditioners tin exist pretty damn loud these days, louder than they used to exist. Some people find that the hum of the compressor and whoosh of the fan make it difficult to sleep in the same room as a window AC. If it's in a living room, expect to heighten your vocalisation and turn upwardly the TV. Co-ordinate to this Energy Star memo (PDF; page 2), manufacturers claim that this book creep is a side effect of stricter efficiency standards. (That'southward probably true, though it'due south likewise a fourth dimension-honored tradition for industry groups to drag their anxiety and whine about regulations.) But some models are easier on the ears than others, and we heavily favored air conditioners with a lower operating volume and a smoother frequency response.

Nosotros developed our noise test with the help of audiovisual skilful and Wirecutter correspondent Geoff Morrison. We continued a calibrated microphone to an iPhone 5S, and then fired up the SPLnFFT noise meter app, setting information technology to C-weighting with a slow response. We stood 6 anxiety abroad from each unit and measured volume at the low, medium, and high fan settings, with and without the compressor running. During that testing, we fabricated note of any frequency spikes, which your ears would hear as irritating, high-pitched whining, or the kind of midrange whooshing that y'all don't even realize is giving you lot a headache until it stops running.

The other way we judged our finalists was the level (and quality) of user control they immune. I of import area where window ACs can differ is their fan vents, which control the direction of airflow. If you lot sleep near your Air conditioning, you'll usually want to be able to point the common cold air abroad from your body, or at to the lowest degree away from your head. Only some models take blind spots where airflow tin either never reach or always reaches. We likewise considered the number of fan speeds, extra cooling modes, and the depth of remote control—including whatsoever smart, Wi-Fi–controlled features.

Our pick: LG LW8016ER

The LG LW8016ER is the best affordable AC for a dwelling house office or living area because it's quietish, gives you more command than others, and tends to toll less than its competition. Photo: Liam McCabe

The LG LW8016ER is the window AC you should probably become, particularly if it'southward for an office, den, or other room where you won't be sleeping. For some people, it'll be fine in a bedroom, too. It's widely available and the price is fair, so you shouldn't take whatever problem finding it on brusk detect—for instance, in the centre of a estrus wave, which is when you lot're probably reading this commodity. Compared with other ACs at this price, it's quieter and hums along at a lower pitch, and then information technology's easier on the ears. And though Air conditioning controls aren't rocket science, this ane offers a greater level of flexibility in total than most of its competitors, covering all the little details, from the fan'south directional controls and outdoor-air vent to the dehumidifier mode and removable drain plug. This is the second summertime in a row that nosotros've recommended the LW8016ER as our meridian pick.

Most air conditioners are loud, but the LW8016ER is the least-worst of the $250-ish, 8,000 Btu window ACs. It'southward a bit quieter overall and sounds lower-pitched. At its absolute loudest, with the compressor on and the fan at full speed, we measured it running at 66 dBC (that is the C-weighted decibel scale). At the slowest fan setting and with the compressor on nosotros measured about 62 dBC. The lowest fan-only (no-absurd) setting is near 60 dBC. Relative to our runner-upward pick, that'south nearly ane dBC quieter in cooling modes, and 3 dBC quieter in fan-only style.

Although the overall book is non much quieter than competing models, the LW8016ER will probably audio quieter to most people. That'southward because it's loudest at low frequencies, peaking around 86 hertz in our tests, and quieter at mid and high frequencies. That ways the most prominent sound it makes is a deep hum. Information technology'due south almost (almost) relaxing. Compared with other models around 1,500 and 2,000 hertz—the kind of midrange, "whooshy" frequencies that can wear your ears down after a few hours—it's relatively repose. Nosotros didn't notice any high-frequency spikes, either, which are the kinds of irritating, whiny noises that almost people can't stand for even a few minutes. That all adds up to mean this AC is easier on the ears than its closest-priced competitors—fifty-fifty if information technology's nevertheless a little louder overall than virtually of us would like.

The LW8016ER has fan blades that are as effective as any Air-conditioning's at directing air exactly where y'all want it to become. It'southward ane example of the superior control that this Air-conditioning offers. Photo: Liam McCabe

The LW8016ER likewise offers actress controls that seem really small-scale, only can make a huge departure. For instance, the fan blades are as constructive every bit any at directing air where you'd like it to go, and finish it from going where yous wouldn't. That can come up in handy if you slumber nearly the Air conditioning, then you lot can direct the cold air away from your caput at night. Some window units struggle with fan direction and have cold spots where they can't stop blowing air—not a problem with the LG.

The LW8016ER also has a removable drain plug on the behind of the unit, a handy feature for humid climates. This lets condensed water menses out of the base of the unit when as well much builds up, equally tin happen when information technology's very boiling and the AC needs to run for hours and hours on end. Having some condensed water in the base of the AC can exist expert, because it helps ameliorate efficiency. The air-circulating fan has special "slinger" tips that skim the top of the pool and splash a little water onto the condenser coils to assist cool them off faster. But when it'south very humid, the puddle gets deeper and the fan starts to make the flickering or bubbling sound, sort of like a water fountain. Some ACs don't take this drain, so the water stays trapped inside the AC until you manually tilt information technology to drain it. Others situate the drain plug on the bottom, where information technology's much harder to reach without uninstalling the whole unit of measurement.

If as well much condensed water pools in the bottom of the LW8016ER, like it might in a very boiling climate, you lot tin pull out this plug and let the water drain out. That'll preclude any of those irritating flickering noises caused by the fan spinning through a puddle. Photo: Liam McCabe

Unlike nigh window ACs, the LW8016ER also has a vent that can mix in about 10 percent fresh, outdoor air, if you choose to open it. It's a good idea to go new air into your dwelling from time to time, so if you tin can't open up the window while the AC is installed, this is a fine workaround.

The LW8016ER model too has a dedicated dehumidifier mode, which might find some use on those afternoons in early fall when it's as well chilly to run the AC, but muggy plenty that y'all want some relief. Some window ACs take it, some don't.

The LG too has all the other basic features that most of us accept come to expect from a window AC: An installation kit, a digital thermostat, a remote command, three fan speeds, some foam strips to stuff the gaps around the unit of measurement, some foam lath to install over the squeeze box defunction, an energy-saver mode where both the cooling unit and the fan plow off once the room reaches the target temp, and a 24-60 minutes on-off timer.

The LW8016ER uses a different refrigerant than most ACs, and though it didn't cistron into our decision, we think information technology's worth pointing out. R32 refrigerant is e'er-so-slightly more efficient than the typical R410A refrigerant, and manifests as nearly $1 per year in energy savings compared with well-nigh other viii,000 Btu Energy Star window ACs. Information technology's not much, but it'south something. Also, R32 is rated to have a much lower global warming potential than R410A. And then in the unlikely case that the refrigerant leaks out of your AC and gets into the atmosphere, it'll trap only near one-3rd every bit much oestrus. R32 is mildly combustible, merely information technology'due south been plant to be a low condom risk.

As we mentioned before, you lot'll get the best results when you buy an air conditioner with the right Btu rating for the space you want to cool. Nosotros specifically tested the 8,000 Btu variant, though others are bachelor from 5,000 Btu upwards to 24,500 Btu. (The 5,000 Btu model looks like a crappy trivial air conditioner, then we'd recommend stepping right upward to the six,000 Btu unit if your room is that minor.) Here's a crook canvas to help y'all find the right size:

Room size (foursquare feet) Btu Model Notes
100 to 150 5,000 LW5016 No remote no, digital thermostat
150 to 250 six,000 LW6016R
300 to 350 8,000 LW8016ER Our pick
350 to 450 10,000 LW1016ER
450 to 550 12,000 LW1216ER
~800 15,000 LW1516ER
~1,000 18,000 LW1816ER 230 volts required
~1,250 24500 LW2516ER 230 volts required

LG released a variant of the LW8016ER for summer 2017, known as LW8016ERY7. Co-ordinate to a representative from LG, this variant is an "engineering revision" but "doesn't bear on operating volume, performance, noise, efficiency," or other noticeable factors. Y'all probably won't fifty-fifty notice this new variant in stores, because it will just be sold equally the regular LW8016ER. We are confident that both versions perform similarly, though we'll keep an eye out this summer for user reviews that point out new issues. Revisions similar this are a fairly common practise in the appliance industry when models are available for several years; changes in the supply chain can force manufacturers to use a unlike pump or fan during different production runs, for example. LG did non mention what exactly changed here, but we're non too worried about it.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It bears repeating that the LW8016ER is non quiet, it's just quieter than other window air conditioners at its toll. We imagine plenty of people will have some trouble sleeping in the same room as this thing. If you lot're putting an AC in your chamber and are worried about noise, accept a look at our upgrade pick, the Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1.

The LW8016ER was the most cumbersome to install of all the window units we tested, merely only modestly so. The worst function is that the weight is lopsided toward the back of the unit of measurement, so it feels slightly more than treacherous to seat on a windowsill. It'due south 58 pounds, which is heavy only only 10 pounds heavier than the lightest model we installed. Another nitpicky, moderately annoying detail: The side defunction screw in, whereas those of most other units slide in. That said, you'll accept to deal with installation only once each spring and once each autumn, so it's not a huge deal. Enlist a buddy, use a support subclass, and installation volition be fine.

The remote control that comes with the LW8016ER is pretty basic, compared with those of other ACs, with no screen and just vi buttons. That'south non necessarily a bad thing, because the simpler interface ways it tin run on a single AAA battery rather than a pair. Plus, some people prefer a stripped-down control scheme.

Consumer Reports puts the LW8016ER pretty low in its rankings, mainly for poor noise scores (worse than previous versions of the LG Ac, which are still listed in the rankings at the fourth dimension of writing). According to our measurements, however, this year'south LG runs at just virtually the aforementioned volume as previous versions did. Nosotros're non sure how they came up with this result.

Runner-up selection: Frigidaire FFRE0833S1

A close wait at the fan blades on the Frigidaire, a solid window unit that's a bit loud compared with the units nosotros've found this twelvemonth. Photo: Liam McCabe

If our main choice is unavailable, the Frigidaire FFRE0833S1 is another affordable, widely available window Air-conditioning. On cooling performance, the FFRE0833S1 works just like our main pick, and its toll is too oft similar.

But it's not our top option for a couple of reasons. Offset, information technology runs slightly louder (63 dBC on the lowest fan setting, and 67 dBC on the max setting) and with a more noticeable, higher-pitched whine. Y'all'll accept to raise your voice and turn up the TV just that much more, and it'll exist a greater struggle to fall asleep almost this affair.

Some piddling user-control features are lacking, too. The disc-shaped fan blades on the FFRE0833S1 permanently blow at least some air toward the right side of the unit of measurement, even if you direct most of it to the left. That tin exist annoying if it'southward near your bed, blowing cold air on your neck all nighttime. It likewise doesn't have a drain, and so in very humid conditions it tin can get-go to brand an obnoxious flickering, bubbling noise as the fan passes through the pool of condensed water congenital up in the baseplate. You'll demand to manually tilt the unit to drain it to make the noise finish if that happens to you.

In its favor, though, the Frigidaire FFRE0833S1 is easier to install than our main pick. Information technology'due south 10 pounds lighter, with a smaller chassis and a more-centered weight distribution. Too, its side curtains slide in, rather than screw in, saving a few minutes of work and frustration.

The FFRE0833S1 also has a feature-heavy remote control, including a built-in thermostat and a bones screen. The idea is that with the "remote sensing" mode enabled, the AC will keep running until the air near the remote (which could be on the opposite side of the room from the AC unit) reaches the target temperature, rather than the air near the AC itself. That said, we've tested multiple versions of this remote over the last few years and it'due south always been wildly inaccurate. The calibration is manner off, past about four degrees compared with the principal unit. Other users shared like experiences. But the remote didn't influence our option one mode or the other.

Pricewise, our main selection and runner-upwardly can bound all over the place, from day to solar day. However, every summer that we've paid attending, nosotros've seen prices for the Frigidaire and LG models settle around $220 by mid-summer and driblet as depression as $200 at times. Keep your eyes peeled for deals.

Like the LG LWxx16ER, the Frigidaire FFRExx33S1 is bachelor in many different Btu ratings, from five,000 to 22,000. It may likewise be available in "store exclusive" packages, with a slightly dissimilar SKU (it volition have a "B" for the Best Buy version and an "Fifty" for the Lowe'southward version). Generally, the remote control is the only divergence.

Upgrade pick: Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1

Photo: Liam McCabe

If you're installing an air conditioner in your bedroom, or if yous just value peace and quiet in any other room, treat yourself to the (relatively) hushful performance of the Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1. It unremarkably costs $l to $80 more than our master pick or our runner-up, but it runs very quietly, and you lot'll sleep better all summer. It can exist hard to notice, though; fortunately, Frigidaire makes a very similar culling, the FGRQ0833U1.

At its lowest fan setting and with the cooling mode turned on, the Frigidaire FGRQ08L3T1 runs at just 54 dBC. That's viii dBC quieter than our master pick, a very obvious divergence. At the high fan setting, the FGRQ08L3T1 is as well at least 6 dBC quieter than whatsoever other run-of-the-mill window Air-conditioning. Our tests didn't register any annoying frequency spikes, either. This model isn't silent, only if you can fall asleep while you scout Goggle box, you tin can fall asleep almost this air conditioner.

The FGRQ08L3T1 comes with an excellent installation kit, including slide-in curtains, enough of cream strips to stuff window gaps, foam tape to cushion the edges of the brackets, foam boards to further insulate the accordion curtains if yous choose, and spiral-in brackets to securely attach the AC to the window frame. Information technology'south also a few pounds lighter than our main pick, and the weight is centered, then it'due south a little less harrowing to install.

Virtually of the modes on the FGRQ08L3T1 are pretty typical: three fan speeds, cooling mode, energy-saver mode, fan-merely mode, a timer. The remote is pretty basic merely looks sleek.

This AC is available in an 8,000 Btu version (FGRQ08L3T1) and a vi,000 Btu version (FGRQ06L3T1). Every bit for cooling operation and energy efficiency, expect them to exist well-nigh equal to our main pick and runner-up. Like we said, window ACs are and so closely regulated that functioning and free energy use are very similar across the lath.

The merely real drawback to the Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1 is the price: It just costs more than than most other window ACs. We're also slightly concerned about availability. It's sectional to Lowe's, which is a perfectly good retailer—but we've learned over the years that when ACs are available through only one source, they're often difficult to find by midsummer. We'll update this guide if nosotros see consistent availability problems over the next few months.

And in the meantime, if you're really having a hard time finding ane of our picks, the FGRQ0833U1 is about identical to the FGRQ08L3T1, co-ordinate to Frigidaire. The 33U1 costs roughly $50 more, and we haven't tested it ourselves, but Frigidaire told united states of america that both models are 8,000 Btu, they accept the same energy-efficiency rating, and they're both designed to cool rooms upwardly to 350 square feet. If we were buying an air conditioner this summer, and couldn't get our hands on any of our other picks, this is the ane nosotros'd buy.

Too great: Haier Repose Serial ESAQ406T

The Haier Placidity Series ESAQ406T runs much quieter than our primary choice or runner-up, though at half-dozen,000 Btu, information technology's meant for smaller rooms. Photo: Liam McCabe

Our favorite bedroom AC, the Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1, has been difficult for some readers to notice in 2018. Both the manufacturers and retailers take told us (this yr and in the by) that inventory on these seasonal items varies by region. If you can't discover our Frigidaire pick in your expanse, or if it goes out of stock online, we recommend the Haier Tranquility Serial ESAQ406T in its identify.

The caveats: The Haier model is available in only a 6,000 Btu version—it's suited for rooms smaller than 300 foursquare anxiety. That should be fine for most city bedrooms, only double-check your measurements before you buy. It also tends to be more expensive than the Frigidaire model. Last, similar many air conditioners, its availability is inconsistent from store to store and in different regions, but information technology was in stock on Amazon as of May 2018.

At its lowest fan setting and with the cooling way turned on, the Haier ESAQ406T runs at just 54.five dBC. Information technology's just nearly the quietest AC y'all can become—e'er so slightly louder than the Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1 that we prefer.

As for cooling performance and energy efficiency, the ESAQ406T is a 6,000 Btu model, so it'due south weaker than our other picks, as well as slightly less efficient with an EER of eleven.2 (downwards from 12.1). However, considering window ACs are so tightly regulated past the Department of Energy, nosotros're confident that it will perform similarly to the 6,000 Btu variants of our other picks.

Although the ESAQ406T is relatively quiet, it's definitely not silent, and information technology may still be as well loud for light sleepers. Just as with whatever air conditioner, the compressor kicks a little when it starts up. The compressor too hums a bit more than than those of other sleeping accommodation-oriented units we tested this year, though that kind of low-frequency sound can be soothing for some people. If you tin't sleep near this thing, you probably won't exist able to sleep well-nigh whatever air conditioner. Try earplugs.

This model's fan is angled upward, so it can't blow cold air directly at you while you're lying in bed. This limitation bothers some people.

Installation can feel a trivial scary, considering the weight is skewed to the back corner of the unit of measurement, which means this Air-conditioning doesn't balance on a window frame as hands every bit some others. It's also pretty heavy for its size, about the same weight as our 8,000 Btu primary pick. Ask a buddy to help out if this makes you nervous.

Equally with many other specific models of hard-to-detect air conditioners, the Haier Serenity Series is subject to a lot of local inventory circumstances that may make availability inconsistent.

The competition

The 8,000 Btu Friedrich Chill CP08G10B is our former upgrade choice for the latter office of summertime 2016. The ACs in this series are louder, larger, and more expensive than the 2017 Frigidaire or Haier models. On top of that, the packaging is not as sturdy, and so they are besides more decumbent to arriving damaged. Nonetheless, they are widely available, and they come in a wider range of sizes, from v,000 Btu upwardly to 24,000 Btu.

The GE AHM08LW is louder than our main pick past 2 dBC at the highest fan setting, with more than of a midrange "whoosh," so we think information technology'll be harder to sit about for prolonged periods. Information technology oft costs more than our main pick, too (though at ABT information technology's usually cheaper). Not a bad Air conditioning, but not one of our picks either.

Some older versions of our top picks are still floating around, namely the LG LWxx15ER and Frigidaire FFRExx33Q1, which are both from the 2015 cooling season. They each use about 5 percent more energy than their newer versions (at least by Department of Energy estimates), which is a good enough reason to cull the latest models, in our opinion.

Sears sells some Kenmore-branded air conditioners. They're simply rebadged versions of Frigidaire ACs, so the same conclusions utilise.

We too plant about a dozen air conditioners that are carbon copies of each other—all identical machines manufactured by Midea and sold nether brands like Danby, Arctic Male monarch, Kool Male monarch, Comfort Aire, and others you lot've probably never heard of. We considered testing i, but we know that older versions of this AC tended to be loud, and the current efficiency standards probably mean that the new models are even louder. Plus, they're non available through most of the major big-box stores and Internet retailers.

Smart air conditioners

If you lot want to control your air conditioner from a smartphone—to go the cold air cranking in your flat while you're however on your way home from piece of work, for example—yous have some options.

The simplest way to exercise it is to rig up a regular dumb digital Air conditioning to a smart plug like the Belkin WeMo. That will let you turn the AC on or off from a smartphone app, or with Alexa voice commands. Y'all won't be able to conform the temperature or fan settings, simply well-nigh people who have this setup seem comfy with that limitation. Check to meet if your electric company is giving abroad smart plugs, like this Con Edison plan in New York City.

For more than control, your options in the past have not been very good. We've tested just about every smart (Wi-Fi–continued) Ac model that has ever been available in the The states, and nosotros've even so to find i that works reliably. All the same, this is a growing field, and we are interested in testing one of several new GE models announced in leap 2018, which nosotros depict in a bit more detail in What to look forward to.

The Frigidaire Gallery Cool Connect FGRC0844S1, for example, seemed decent when nosotros beginning tested it in summertime 2016. It's a relatively quiet, practiced-looking unit, and the companion app looks slick and responded quickly to us—at first. But afterwards a few weeks, the app started tossing up mistake messages every couple of days, request us to reconnect the Air-conditioning to our Wi-Fi network. Since we constantly had to reset the machine, the scheduling feature didn't piece of work very well. We too think that on one occasion, the Air conditioning turned itself on, unprompted; however, that also could have been a very delayed response to an app command that nosotros'd forgotten about from hours or days before. Our long-term tester gave upward on trying to utilise the app afterwards a couple of weeks. Owner reviews usually cite these aforementioned issues, and the boilerplate customer rating is mediocre.

Nosotros ran into similar problems with the old Quirky Aros dorsum in 2014, equally well as with the GE AEC08LW (since discontinued) in 2017.

True story: I had but finished writing a cautious recommendation of the AEC08LW, for people who really, really wanted a smart Ac. Information technology seemed to be the most stable, responsive model we'd tested. It works with both Alexa and Google Abode phonation assistants, which is great, and the iPhone app is pretty slick and user friendly. Owner reviews haven't complained about poor connectivity, either (though this model hardly has any reviews at all).

I had just finished writing upwardly the recommendation. Every bit I walked out of my function, where the AEC08LW is fix, I told Alexa to turn the unit of measurement off. Alexa said okay, just nothing happened. I waited a infinitesimal, and then tried the voice control ii more times—nothing. I opened the iPhone app, which said the Air conditioning was already off. I tried to cycle the power, to adjust the temperature and fan speeds—still nothing. Hilarious! I saturday dorsum down at my desk to rewrite, and most ten minutes later, the AEC08LW turned itself off and on iv times. Cool. Did I mention this is besides the loudest Air-conditioning we tested that twelvemonth?

We've also been testing the new LG LW8017ERSM, which is essentially our master selection with a Wi-Fi antenna. It'due south a quieter air conditioner than the GE AEC08LW, but the connectivity is clearly an afterthought. The app is ugly, with mismatching fonts and poorly translated English. It doesn't work with any voice assistants, either. At some point, the app logged me out, and afterward five minutes of password recovery I discovered that the Air-conditioning had also asunder itself from my wireless network.

A company called Tado makes a Smart AC Control, a $200 peripheral that turns any Air-conditioning with a digital thermostat into a smart Ac. However, iii of our staff members tried and failed to fifty-fifty prepare the thing up last summer, and the owner reviews are poor.

All that said, some people have no trouble at all with their smart ACs. If y'all're willing to try one out, that's your prerogative—don't let us talk you out of it. Merely set your expectations accordingly.

Portable air conditioners

Portable air conditioners are so pop now that we gave them their own guide. Just so you know, a portable AC never cools a room equally efficiently or finer equally a window or wall AC. Portables are also large, ugly, and expensive. Merely if you want something that you tin wheel from room to room, or if your windows don't support whatever other option, we take some recommendations.

A skilful through-the-wall air conditioner

Picking the right through-the-wall air conditioner can be a fiddling tricky, but the path of to the lowest degree resistance is to but go a universal-fit, rear-animate AC. Likewise known as "true wall" or "wall sleeve" air conditioners, these units volition work with nigh any existing wall sleeve (the technical term for the metal box that juts out through your wall).

Nosotros have non tested any wall-sleeve ACs. But we think that the LG LT0816CER is a reasonable bet because it appears to be a modified version of the LG window unit of measurement that we recommend in a higher place. Information technology too costs less than its chief competition, a Frigidaire model that costs anywhere from $70 to $120 more the LG and has no obvious advantages (at to the lowest degree on newspaper). Kenmore also sells a wall AC, simply it's just a rebadged version of the Frigidaire. You might be able to find a cheap wall-sleeve AC fabricated by Midea and sold under various make names (including Arctic King, Westpointe, and Condolement Aire, among others), but they're generally not available through major retailers.

The other kind of AC you can install in a wall is called a slide-out-chassis air conditioner, also called a "window/wall AC" because—hey!—it works in either a wall or a window. You lot don't need a separate sleeve for this kind of AC because the casing doubles equally a sleeve. The downside is that you probably can't apply 1 if your building has brick or physical walls—the walls are too thick and will block the vents.

Also, no, you should not put a regular window AC unit through your wall, unless the documentation specifically says that it's suitable for a wall installation. The vents on a typical window unit of measurement aren't positioned to breathe properly in a standard wall sleeve, so it tin can't work as effectively or efficiently, and will burn out its compressor much sooner than it should. It's not a prophylactic hazard or anything, merely kind of a blockheaded matter to do.

A casement air conditioner for sliding and crank-open windows

This fashion of air conditioner installs into a horizontal-sliding window, or a creepo-out window. Casement air conditioners are more expensive than a typical double-hung-window unit, just price virtually as much equally a proficient portable air conditioner, and work more efficiently.

This is not a common manner of air conditioner, but that kind of works to your reward because you don't take to worry about what model to buy: The Frigidaire FFRS0822S1 is the merely widely available unit (apart from the Kenmore 77223, which is a rebadged version of the Frigidaire anyway). It comes with everything you lot need for installation in a sliding window, though if you're installing it in a crank window, y'all'll probably need to buy (and cutting) a piece of plexiglass.

Unfortunately, casement-window ACs won't actually fit into all slider or casement windows. The model we recommend needs an opening of about 15 inches across, 21 inches tall, and 24 inches deep. Then if your windows are very narrow, or don't crank all the mode open, you might have to go with a portable AC anyway. I of those only needs an opening of nearly half dozen inches beyond, 12 inches alpine, and perhaps ii inches deep, so it's a lot more flexible.

If you lot've come here looking for info on key air or mini-split ductless systems, sorry, we have nada valuable to add. Those are permanent installations with likewise many factors unique to each home for united states to cover finer here. Talk to a professional if y'all're interested in a system like that.

What to look forward to

In April 2018, several news outlets reported that GE would exist updating its line of smart air conditioners. GE confirmed in an email to Wirecutter that the smart models include the AEC08LX (8,000 Btu), AEC10AX (10,000 Btu), and AEC12AX (12,000 Btu) models available at Home Depot for almost $230, $290, and $330, respectively, forth with the AHP08LX (8,000 Btu) and AHP10AX (10,000 Btu) models bachelor at Lowe's, which cost about $320 and $390, respectively. Yous may have seen AHP10AX listed as "AHP10LX" in other editorial publications; this is an mistake. GE also listed this incorrect model number in a notation to Wirecutter but after confirmed that the correct model is definitely AHP10AX, as it appears on Lowe'southward retail site.

We also confirmed with GE that these models can exist controlled via smart devices using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, and according to The Verge they are the first smart air conditioners in the US to support Apple's HomeKit. But past experience has taught the states that promising such integrations and delivering them are two dissimilar things. We intend to test the capabilities to see how hands they integrate with various platforms, remotely turn on and off, fix a temperature, and create cooling schedules.

Readers should be aware that, every bit of early May 2018, we have been unable to find any HomeKit-compatible GE air conditioners at retail in the Northeast. The models showed as in stock online at several Lowe'due south locations in Massachusetts. We purchased ane remotely, but were unable to pick it up at the store. (A Lowe'south representative actually told u.s.a. that the model would not exist available this year, which was troubling, but GE disputes that; a rep from GE told usa the rollout has been boring in the Northeast due to a cool spring.) As for Home Depot, the models sold there do non fifty-fifty list HomeKit compatibility in their feature lists online, and the product image does not reflect a blueprint update GE mentioned to us, describing it as "a modernistic design and LEDs." In a positive sign, though, ane customer question on the AEC10AX from late April includes a response from GE confirming that the model is HomeKit-compatible.

Nosotros've seen in years by that availability for about whatsoever air conditioner is subject field to regional variation and inconsistent inventory, though, and then for a unique new model this is non a huge surprise. Hopefully the availability issues prove brusque-lived, and once we tin conduct some firsthand trials in summertime 2018, we will be able to make a conclusion as to whether the new features are worth the boosted toll.

Care and maintenance

For starters, follow the installation instructions that come with the automobile. They are never difficult, but the idea is to keep the Ac secure in the window frame, with the back of the unit angled slightly toward the ground so that condensed water has a chance to bleed out of the machine. If needed, brace the machine on proper brackets, not a stack of sometime magazines.

After yous plough on the Air conditioning for the start time, if you hear any obvious high-pitched whining for more than a few minutes, y'all might have gotten a dud. Await 24 hours to requite the refrigerant a hazard to settle, and try again. If information technology doesn't improve, exchange the unit. ACs aren't supposed to sound like that.

Every air conditioner has a filter to block dust from getting into the of import parts of the system. It'due south sort of similar the lint filter on a clothes dryer. It usually slides out from the front end of the unit. You lot should make clean this every month to continue air flowing properly. Nearly modern units (including all the models we tested) will have a light to remind you to exercise this subsequently every 250 hours of apply.

At the terminate of every cooling season, yous should drain condensed water from the Air-conditioning by tilting the outer grille toward the ground for about 20 seconds. If you're nervous about doing this out of a window, practise it in your bathtub instead. Mildew can grow inside a wet AC, especially if information technology'south shoved into a nighttime closet over the winter, and the AC will accident that musty smell everywhere when you turn it on.

Speaking of seasonality, you should really remove all of your window air conditioners before heating season begins. The gaps around the Air-conditioning will leak rut, and then information technology's best to just shut your windows. If you adopt non to do that, at least comprehend the tiptop of the AC with a slice of plywood to help cease debris from getting into the organization.

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