Best Air Conditioners of 2024

When the weather becomes hot, people start thinking about relaxing. If you don't have access to central air conditioning, room air conditioners can be a cost-effective and energy-efficient way to chill one or two rooms.

Cooling accounts for 13% of the average household's yearly power cost. As a result, selecting the appropriate unit is critical. A room will be difficult to chill if the air conditioner is too tiny. One that is too large cools too rapidly, not removing enough moisture and leaving you with a chilly, damp area.

Continue reading to learn about the elements to consider when looking for a room AC.

Top Picks

• Best Overall:  Frigidaire Inverter Quiet Temp Smart Room Air Conditioner

• Runner-up: SereneLife SLPAC10 Portable Air Conditioner

• Best Value Product: Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner

• Best Premium Choice: Koldfront WTC8001W Air Conditioner

• Best Performance Choice: Whynter ARC-14S Hose Portable Air Conditioner

Buying Guide - What To Consider Before Buying 

1. Room Size Consideration

The amount of heat that an air conditioner can remove from the air in a given amount of time is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The higher the number, the more cooling capacity; nevertheless, bigger isn't necessarily better. To adequately cool a space, the BTU capacity of the air conditioner must be matched to the size of the room to be cooled. A little air conditioner won't be able to adequately chill a huge space. A unit with a high BTU rating, on the other hand, cools the area so rapidly that it doesn't have time to dehumidify the air, leaving the space chilly and damp.

Consider ceiling height, window and doorway widths, and whether the unit will be in a sunny area or a kitchen with additional heat from appliances when picking the proper BTU rating to fit a space by square feet. For example, Frigidaire Inverter Quiet Temp Smart Room Air Conditioner.

2. Types

Small window units may be had for less than $200 like Frigidaire Window-Mounted Room Air Conditioner, making them a tempting option, but only if you just need to chill a small area. If you need to cool a greater space, you should look for units that are more closely matched to your square footage.

Almost all of the window units we tested met the most recent Energy Star requirements, which require models to be at least 10% more energy efficient than those that do not. Models that stand out have a silent operation and simple controls, as well as the ability to operate under brownout situations. Check out our air conditioner reviews to discover how different models compare.

Window Air Conditioners

Small: These units cool 100 to 300 square feet and have a capacity of 5,000 to 6,500 Btu. They're the tiniest, lightest, and cheapest, but they can't chill a room larger than 300 square feet effectively.

Medium: These versions cool 250 to 400 square feet and have a capacity of 7,000 to 8,200 Btu. Prices begin to rise, and their size and weight make installation and removal for winter storage more challenging.

Large: These units chill between 350 and 650 square feet and have a capacity ranging from 9,800 to 12,500 Btu. They're ideal for cooling a vast space, but their size and weight make them inconvenient to install.

Portable Air Conditioners

Window units cannot be installed in homes with certain window arrangements or due to construction limitations. The Btu rating of the portable air conditioners we tested ranged from 9,000 to 15,500. However, that measurement alone should not be used to compare portable and window air conditioners.

In our most recent air-conditioning testing, we discovered that portable air conditioners aren't as effective as manufacturers say. They're also more expensive and consume more energy than window units of comparable size. They're also louder than window-mounted units because all of the mechanicals are in the same room. And "portable" is a misnomer, their 50- to 80-pound weight makes them difficult to manoeuvre across rugs or thresholds.

Split Ductless Air Conditioners

Split ductless air conditioning is a clever method to bring air conditioning to a small number of rooms without having to open up walls to install ducting (as with a central air system) or install and remove several window units every year. Though we haven't tested split ductless in a while, they have all performed admirably in the previous testing and were far quieter indoors and out than window air conditioners.

Split ductless air conditioners are more expensive than window or portable units (and expert installation is suggested), but they are less expensive than central air if you just need to chill a few rooms. A central air-conditioning system, on the other hand, is certainly the more cost-effective option if you want to chill the bulk of your home.

3. Energy Efficiency

EERs (energy efficiency ratings) are statistics that indicate how much energy a unit uses to deliver a certain level of cooling. Lower relative energy usage correlates to a higher EER. Units with a high EER are normally more expensive at first, but they may save you money over time by lowering your monthly energy expenditures. To determine if a high-efficiency unit is an appropriate decision for you, weigh the price increase of more efficient versions against the possible savings on your energy bill. You can buy Koldfront WTC8001W Air Conditioner

ENERGY STAR Certified Air Conditioners: To save money on electricity and assist the environment, look for air conditioners that have the ENERGY STAR rating. The US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy have imposed high energy efficiency criteria for these air conditioners. They consume less energy than non-certified devices, which is good for the environment and saves you money.

4. Accessories

A few accessories may be necessary to effectively install and maintain your air conditioner like Whynter ARC-14S Hose Portable Air Conditioner. A support bracket may be required when installing a window air conditioner. Unless you have a slide-out chassis air conditioner that already has a sleeve, you'll need a sleeve to handle the weight of a through-the-wall air conditioner.

FAQs

How can I figure out how big of an air conditioner I'll need?

To figure out how big an air conditioner you'll need for a room, multiply the room's length by its breadth. Then increase that by 25 BTU to achieve a sufficient amount of cooling for the space in all weather conditions. For instance, a room that is 15 feet long and 12 feet broad is 180 square feet.

Is it true that air conditioners are less expensive in the winter?

An air conditioning system allows you to control the temperature in your home so that you may live comfortably. If you're updating your air conditioning system, you should do so during the winter because it's less expensive like Windmill Air Conditioner.

What is the average lifespan of an air conditioner?

Air conditioners today have a lifespan of 15-20 years such as Frigidaire Inverter Quiet Temp Smart Room Air Conditioner, however, previous versions only have a 10-year lifespan. Your air conditioner's health and effectiveness are governed by several factors, including how well you maintained it during its lifespan.

Frigidaire Inverter Quiet Temp Smart Room Air Conditioner uses nearly 40% less energy than the government minimum for air conditioners and has all of the same smart-home capabilities as our top selection. It's almost as quiet as the Midea, with an average sound of around 48 decibels, making it virtually imperceptible in the room until the fan is turned up to maximum. In our tests, the Frigidaire kept the air temperature within one-half of a degree when measured 3 feet in front of the AC and 6 feet distant on a diagonal.

To avoid overheating the room, the LED display on the control panel turns off automatically after a few seconds (although this can be occasionally annoying, too, like if you want to check the settings). The smart-home software might be a little buggy at times, but despite that, it's one of the best air conditioners on the market.