9 Best ACs and Marnur Portable Air Conditioner To Cool You Down

The pie chart above shows air conditioner demand in North America

Top 10 Air Conditioners

One of two things will push you to shop for a reliable air conditioner: if you live in a hot climate or need to keep your home cool during the summer months. When researching and testing air conditioners to find the best options on the market, you will inevitably evaluate them on efficiency, ease of installation, noise level, value, and range of settings. 

Which is the best AC? Overall the LG 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Remote Control, is highly rated as it is energy efficient, easy to use, and quieter than other models.

Below is our list of some of the best air conditioner units.

Best Overall: LG LW6019ER 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Remote Control

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If you are looking for a sleek, energy-efficient AC at an affordable price then look no further than the LG LW6019ER 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner. This model is rated at 6,000 BTU, and comes in seven sizes that range up to 24,500 BTU. This is enough capacity to cool down a space over 1,500 square feet, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your home. The unit offers three cooling speeds, three fan speeds, a 24-hour on-off timer, and an energy-saving function. Because of this versatility it is an excellent fit for almost anyone looking to cool down their space.

On humid days, this window air conditioner has the capacity to remove 1.8 pints of liquid from the air per hour. This unit is fitted with four-way fins giving you the ability to direct the cool air exactly where you want it. The air conditioner comes with a remote, so you can adjust the settings from anywhere in the room. It hums away at about 48 decibels on low speed, this is roughly the noise level of a quiet office. If the power ever goes out during operation, the AC will start back up when it’s restored, thanks to its Auto Restart function. 

The LG LW6019ER Window Air Conditioner is a wonderful piece of machinery, but its not perfect. Many reviewers have found its installation instructions vague, and have reported set up challenges for those unfamiliar with window ACs. You will also notice that the larger sizes (18,000 BTU and up) require a 230-volt outlet, which isn’t available in all homes.

Best Budget: GE 5,000-BTU Mechanical Window Air Conditioner

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The GE Mechanical Air Conditioner, offers you affordability, performance and value. It is a basic, compact unit weighing just 36 pounds but gets the job done. With a capacity of 5,000 BTU, it can cool a space up to 150 square feet and it comes with 10 different temperature settings, allowing you to find your perfect level of cold. 

Two mechanical dials control this window air conditioner, and it offers two cooling speeds and two fan speeds. It is bundled with everything you need for installation, including an EZ mount kit, and a washable filter that is easy to slide out. Because this GE window unit is a budget-friendly pick, it doesn’t have an energy-saving mode, nor is it Energy Star-certified. Neither is it supplied with a remote control, meaning you have to make adjustments manually to the unit’s control panel. This is an excellent pick if you’re looking to keep your bedroom cool in the summer and can forego any intelligent features.

Best Smart: Windmill 8,300 BTU Window Air Conditioner

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If you’re willing to spend a little extra for high-tech features and a sleek appearance, The Windmill Air Conditioner offers 8,300 BTU of cooling power and it’s slightly more expensive than other similarly sized window units. Enjoying great build quality, it has a modern design with decorative side panels, making it easy on the eye in your home. It is smart and therefore you are able to control it from your smartphone or connect it to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa for voice control. 

This window air conditioner is easy to set up, and it comes with everything needed for installation, including insulation foam. It has three fan speeds and three cooling speeds, and its auto-dimming LED display makes it ideal for use in the bedroom. As a bonus, the Windmill AC is fitted with an activated carbon filter as well as its standard washable filter, to remove odors from the room as it cools. The unit isn’t Energy Star certified, unfortunately. Still, it does use an eco-friendly refrigerant, and the brand works to reduce its environmental impact through a partnership with Pachama to reduce deforestation.  

Best for Small Rooms: Frigidaire FFRE053WAE Window Air Conditioner

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If your room is 150 square feet or smaller, then the Frigidaire FFRE053WAE Window Air Conditioner is an ideal choice that’s  affordable, compact, lightweight, and Energy Star certified. It’s rated at 5,000 BTU. This is ideal for small spaces, and it comes equipped with a variety of valuable features, such as a programmable 24-hour timer and remote control. The unit has a digital control panel, auto, dry, fan, and eco settings to choose from, as well as traditional cooling. 

This Frigidaire air conditioner weighs less than 40 pounds, and is therefore easier to install than heavier models. It has optional side panels that adjust to fit your window. This appliance has an extra-long power cord which comes in handy for those moments when you dont want to use an extension cord. The filter can simply be removed and washed to keep the AC functioning at peak efficiency. When it comes to cons, this air conditioner is louder than many others, operating at 56 decibels, and can be considered noisy.

Best Quiet: Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner

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Suppose you’re looking for an air conditioner for your bedroom or child’s nursery. In that case, the Midea U-Shaped Inverter Window Air Conditioner is one of the quietest models you’ll find, operating at just 42 decibels. It is less noisier than other models due to its unique U-shaped design, which uses your window to block noise from the compressor. This window AC is energy efficient, certified as Energy Star Most Efficient. What that means is that it saves 35% more power than other traditional units.

This Air Conditioner is available in a varietyof sizes, ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 BTU. You can control its settings from your smartphone or via an intelligent assistant like Amazon Alexa. The U-shaped design allows you to open your window without obstruction and the unit has an anti-theft mechanism that locks the window when it’s closed. 

The Midea is not without cons. The design makes it tricky to install and you’ll need some help with this including watching the brand’s installation video to get a better idea of how it works. Additionally, the display doesn’t dim or turn off, which can be a bit bothersome in dark rooms.

Best Wall: Keystone 12,000 BTU Through-The-Wall AC

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The Keystone is a through-the-wall air conditioner, making it a top choice for rooms up to 550 square feet. This unit will fit into 24.5 to 27-inch wall sleeves, and it is supplied with foam seals and the trim kit needed to retrofit the AC into an existing sleeve. It is Energy Star certified and can dehumidify up to 2.5 pints of moisture per hour. It also offers three cooling modes and three fan speeds.

It has a cool, temperature-sensing remote, which has a built-in thermostat. Placing the remote across the room gives the air conditioner the capacity to monitor the temperature across the whole space, not just in its immediate vicinity. Other valuable features include a front-access washable filter, four-way airflow direction, and a programmable 24-hour timer. The unit also has an energy-saver mode, but keep in mind that it’s pretty loud as far modern ACs go, operating at around 60 decibels.

Best Portable: LG Electronics LP1419IVSM 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

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The LG LP1419IVSM is a favorite among portable air conditioners because of its low noise level and powerful cooling abilities. The 14,000-BTU model has a room capacity of up to 500 square feet and will remove up to 6.7 pints of moisture from the air per hour. Its dual inverter technology uses up to 40 percent less electricity than other portable ACs. Note that it’s not Energy Star certified. This AC operates as quietly as 44 decibels on its lowest setting and offers Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to adjust its settings from the LG ThinQ app or via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. 

Because it is a portable air conditioner, it is fitted with rolling casters, and it’s much easier to set up than a window unit. The hose is only 35.5 inches long, so it will need to be pretty close to your window. It has three cooling and fan speeds, an auto-swing air vent, and you can set it to turn on and off automatically with its built-in timer. The AC even comes with a built-in accessories tray that allows you to keep the vent hose and window kit neatly stored when it’s not in use.

Best Over-the-Sill: Soleus Air 8,000 BTU Hybrid Window Air Conditioner

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The Soleaus Window Air Conditioner is easy to install. Its unique over-the-sill design simply slips into place over your windowsill. You will not be subjected to awkward balancing or hole-drilling. With a capacity of 8,000 BTU it can handle rooms up to 375 square feet. You have the option of purchasing a unit with or without Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can choose whether you want to control it from your phone or not.

This air conditioner has a saddle-shaped design which means that the condenser is located outside your window, this ensures that it is quiet during operation. You’ll barely be able to hear it in sleep mode. This AC has a temperature-sensing remote control that helps ensure your room has no hot spots. The unit has a 24-hour timer, energy-saver, and auto modes, but make sure to measure your window before you buy, as it only offers 11 inches of clearance over the sill. Do you have to drain water out of the portable air conditioner? It’s not listed that you need to drain the AC, but some customers in high-humidity climates reported that they had to drain it manually.

Best Ventless: Hessaire MC37M Portable Evaporative Cooler

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For low humidity climes, you can often use an evaporative cooler (also called a swamp cooler) instead of your traditional air conditioner. The Hessair MC37M Evaporative Cooler has the capacity to cool down an area up to 950 square feet. It is much more affordable than an air conditioner offering similar coverage. This Hessaire is lightweight and straightforward to operate, and it can be hooked up to a garden hose for continuous filling and uninterrupted operation. 

This evaporative cooler has three fan speeds and an oscillation option. It works by pulling hot air through a water-soaked filter using a fan to decrease the ambient temperature. It offers airflow of up to 3,100 cubic feet per minute (CFM), and its 10.3-gallon water tank offers up to four hours of operation if you manually fill it. The Hessaire Cooler has cons as well and these include: it won’t work well if you live somewhere with high humidity levels, and because of its large, clunky design, it is not the prettiest tool in the shed.

How to buy the best AC

Style

The style that suits you is a major determinant of the type of air conditioner you will purchase. There are a variety of options available, varying in cost, capability, and installation requirements.

The two options for occasional users are portable and window air conditioners. They are inexpensive and can be easily installed without professional help. The challenge these options pose is that they’re typically only powerful enough to cool one room at a time, so you’ll need multiple units if you want air conditioning throughout your home.

A through-the-wall or built-in air conditioner is also an option, albeit a permanent style. These styles are installed into a “sleeve” on an exterior wall of your residence. While it is ideal if your room doesn’t have an acceptable window, this style of air conditioner requires a more complex initial installation since you’ll need professional help to cut an appropriate-sized hole in the wall.

The next option on the table is a ductless mini-split system. This is a good, permanent alternative for homes without central HVAC. No ducts are required for this system. It is noteworthy that they are more powerful than window units and are also relatively expensive and complex to install.

The final option are central air systems, which require ductwork throughout your home. These are best suited for newly constructed homes because they are expensive and complicated to install.

Unit Size

For a window or wall unit, it is advisable to measure the height and width of the opening to ensure you pick a compatible appliance. It’s also neccessary to consider its weight, as this will determine whether you’ll need help moving and installing it. The most powerful AC is not automatically the right one for your space. This is because installing an oversized unit can negatively affect your room’s humidity, and you’ll have to turn it on and off constantly.

Room Size and Location

It is important to consider where you plan to put the air conditioner and how much square footage it needs to cool. The amount of heat an air conditioner can remove from a room is measured in BTUs or British Thermal Units.  The larger the room, the higher the BTU. Below is a listing of the recommended room size and BTU:

• 100-300 square feet: 5,000-7,000 BTU per hour
• 300-450 square feet: 8,000-10,000 BTU
• 450-550 square feet: 10,000-12,000 BTU
• 550-700 square feet: 13,000-14,000 BTU
• 700-1,000 square feet: 18,000 BTU
• 1,000+ square feet: 20,000 BTU and up

You’ll also want to consider the room’s location as you decide what BTU is best. Rooms that get hotter will need a more powerful air conditioner. Experts recommend increasing the BTU by at least 10 percent in this situation. 

Noise Level

You should take note of how much noise your air conditioner produces. A standard air conditioner operates between 40 and 60 decibels. The quietest air conditioners operate at around 35 to 40 decibels, and their noise level is compared to that of a desk fan.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How do air conditioners work?

An AC extracts air and filters out any dust or impurities. That air is then passed over the cooling or evaporating coil, and the coil absorbs the heat. Moisture from the air is then reduced to dew on the surface of the coil, this action decreases the humidity level in the room. Finally, the air is pushed back out of the device, lowering the room’s overall temperature.

Q: How much does an air conditioner cost?

The cost of an AC is dependent on type and functionality and you can spend anywhere from $100 to several thousand dollars.

Q: What are BTUs?

A BTU is a British Thermal Unit and it refers to the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove from a room.

Conclusion:

Finally, as a homeowner, there are things you will want to take into consideration when deciding which is the best AC unit to install in your home. This is determined by what you value the most. The major factors for most homeowners will be the total cost, lifespan of the AC unit, warranties offered, energy efficiency, and size of the unit you need.