The Best Air Conditioners of 2024, Tested
In many regions, an air conditioner is a must-have for surviving hot and muggy summers, but a good air conditioning unit can be quite the investment. It’s a decision that matters, so we ran these air conditioners through a series of tests to check how well they worked and how loudly they ran.
The right pick should be able to last through the seasons, have a suitable cooling capacity, and have a comfortable (or at least tolerable) noise level. The best air conditioner units can cool a room or an entire home quickly and efficiently, providing sweet relief from the summer heat. Our top pick is the Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner. It’s highly energy efficient due to its U-shaped design and allows the window to close so that the view—and not the air conditioner—takes center stage. Read on for the best air conditioner models that will help you stay cool all summer long.
- BEST OVERALL: Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Midea 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WINDOW: The Windmill AC Smart Inverter Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE: Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL ROOMS: Soleus Air 6,000 BTU Saddle Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LARGE ROOMS: Midea 12,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: LG 10,000 BTU Dual Inverter Portable Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Air Conditioners
No one wants to spend money on an air conditioner only to find out that it’s low quality—that’s totally not cool. So we spent months testing the air conditioners on this list to ensure we knew how well they would work and that they’d be up to the task.
We tested these units in several different ways. We compared how easy they were to install, how loud they were, how well they cooled, and then how well any smart functions or additional features worked. We evaluated how quickly they cooled rooms on the hottest days of the year and how well they handled sticky humidity. Some models couldn’t quite cut it (either they were too loud, too heavy, too basic, or not effective), so we did not place them on the list. However, all of the included best air conditioner picks excelled in particular areas and were given awards based on their strengths.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 8 |
| Time spent testing | Several months |
| Tests performed | 5 to 6 |
| Price range | $160 to $650 |
Our Top Picks
Installing an air conditioner is the best way to beat the summer heat. The following air conditioners were chosen based on research and hands-on testing for their efficiency, output, and reasonable noise level to keep a home comfortable in sweltering weather.
Best Overall
Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Our Ratings: Installation 3.5/5; Performance 5/5; Noise 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- BTU rating: 8,000
- Room size: 350 square feet
- Combined Energy Efficiency Rating (CEER): 15
What We Like
- Allows in more light than a typical window air conditioner
- You can open your windows to let in fresh air with the unit in place
- Compressor is outside for quiet operation
- Clean, modern design doesn’t stick out in a room
What We Don’t Like
- Installation is not straightforward; requires several brackets, hardware, and foam strips
With its innovative U-shaped design, this Midea air conditioner is more energy efficient and quieter than standard window units. While standard units require the window to be open a foot or more, the Midea straddles the window, allowing the window to close between the blower and compressor. With a tighter seal between the window and the outside, this unique model is 35 percent more energy efficient than traditional window air conditioners.
This U-shaped air conditioning unit also eliminates excessive noise, as the compressor sits outside. With the noisy compressor on the other side of the glass, this room air conditioner produces 42 decibels (dB), which is only slightly noisier than a library.
To top off its great design, this AC window unit includes sleep, energy saver, and auto shutoff modes to further improve efficiency. Plus, it’s also a smart device, capable of connecting to a home’s Wi-Fi for control via a smart device or virtual assistant for cooling control on demand.
Though installation certainly took some effort—it comes with several small components and hardware—once installed, this machine was easy to enjoy. It was so quiet that it was barely noticeable, and it cooled our room by 5 degrees Fahrenheit in just 15 minutes.
We also found all of the control methods very easy to use and understand. The control panel is straightforward, and using the remote is a snap. The Wi-Fi app was simple to set up and connect as well, and we actually found that to be the easiest control method for this AC.
The Midea has a few more perks, too. Its design allows more light into the room than typical window air conditioners, and we liked that we could tuck our curtains behind it for more privacy. Needless to say, we’re believers in U-shaped air conditioners now.
Get the Midea 8,000 BTU air conditioner at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
Midea 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Performance 4/5; Noise 4/5; Ease of Cleaning 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- BTU rating: 5,000
- Room size: 150 square feet
- CEER: 12.1
What We Like
- Compact and easy to install in small windows and rooms up to 150 square feet
- Simple 2-knob control; easy setup and operation
- Decent CEER rating at an affordable price
What We Don’t Like
- Louver adjustments are 1-dimensional, only adjusting side to side
A high-quality air conditioner doesn’t need to come with a luxury price tag, as proven by this compact window unit from Midea. This small 5,000 BTU cheap air conditioner suits rooms up to 150 square feet, ideal coverage for keeping a small bedroom or office cool. With its mini size, the unit is easy to install. Plus, mounting hardware is included, and installation requires minimal modifications to the window frame, also making it an excellent option for renters.
Once installed, this Midea unit has a reasonably efficient CEER rating of 12.1, so it won’t put a huge dent in utility bills. Ongoing maintenance is also simple with this unit. It includes a reusable, washable filter to minimize maintenance costs. The air conditioner operates at around 56 dB, so it won’t be too loud and might offer a bit of white noise for light sleepers. It’s simple to use, with just two knobs to adjust.
During our test, we found that this Midea was extremely easy to install thanks to its lighter weight at just 42.1 pounds (compared to 55.55 pounds for the model above). We just had to open the window, pop it in, and lower the sash before adjusting the side panels. It also cooled the small bedroom we placed it in quickly, and although it’s not the quietest model on the list, it’s far from loud. The louvers are a little one-dimensional as they only adjust side to side, not up and down, but overall, that’s a small complaint for an AC that is this affordable.
Get the Midea 5,000 BTU air conditioner at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Upgrade Pick
Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner
Our Ratings: Installation 4.5/5; Performance 5/5; Noise 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- BTU rating: 14,000 cooling; 12,000 heating
- Room size: 550 square feet
- CEER: 12.3
What We Like
- Powerful fans circulate air throughout room and move air up to 26 feet
- 12.3 CEER is on the higher end for a portable AC/heater
- Inverter technology delivers quiet (42 dB on low cooling) and efficient operation
- Voice control option; unique for a portable AC/heater
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy model requires extra effort to transport between floors
The Midea Duo combines cooling and heating technology with smart technology, making it a great choice for anyone who wants powerful air conditioning and convenient controls. This 14,000 BTU model can cool, heat, dehumidify, and circulate air in rooms up to 550 square feet. Its variable-speed inverter technology also improves this model’s energy efficiency.
Plus, thanks to its Wi-Fi capabilities, it connects with the Midea app, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa for extra user-friendly controls. The control panel and the included remote offer additional adjustment options.
We took this unit to task on a hot and humid day to really test how quickly it could cool a room. Setup was practically a breeze compared to other portable units we’ve installed. The Midea’s built-in hoses prevented us from having to wrestle with any hoses and attachments. The app was also easy to set up. This was a great start.
Once it was running, we felt relief in minutes, and within a half hour, our living area was considerably cooler. We were incredibly impressed with this air conditioner’s ability to cool effectively and quickly. Its air duct system also projects cool air farther (up to 26 feet away), which we were able to feel even in the next room.
While this portable AC/heater weighs in at a whopping 77.16 pounds, we found it easy to move thanks to its four-wheel design.
Get the Midea Duo air conditioner at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best Window
The Windmill AC Smart Inverter Air Conditioner
Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Performance 3.5/5; Noise 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- BTU rating: 8,000
- Room size: 350 square feet
- CEER: 11.6
What We Like
- It runs as quietly as 42 dB for barely audible cooling
- Modern design with foam side panels, providing a clean look
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or the Windmill app
What We Don’t Like
- Not as efficient as some other inverter-type air conditioners
Anyone hunting for a window unit that looks good and keeps the noise to a minimum will want to consider The Windmill 8,000 BTU smart air conditioner. This model features a modern design that looks great in the window, and it comes with solid foam side panels that are customizable for a clean look. These panels also help, along with the inverter technology, to keep this unit quiet, running at noise levels as low as 42 dB.
The Windmill comes with several features as well. It has a digital remote control and a clean control panel on the front of the air conditioner. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or The Windmill app. It’s not quite as efficient as other inverter air conditioners, but it’s not a utility sapper either.
During our test, we liked the look of The Windmill. First, it has a clean, modern style that doesn’t detract from the interior of the home. Then, rather than flimsy accordion side panels, the foam covers really clean up the look. On top of that, it was very quiet, and rather than blowing air straight out, it pointed it upward to better facilitate the cooling process.
Get the Windmill air conditioner at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Wayfair.
Best Portable
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Our Ratings: Installation 3/5; Performance 3.5/5; Noise 3.5/5; Ease of Cleaning 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- BTU rating: 14,000
- Room size: 500 square feet
- CEER: 7.69
What We Like
- Wheeled design; simple to move from room to room
- 3 operating modes (cool, fan, or dehumidify)
- Dual-hose design pulls fresh air from outside while exhausting warm, moist air
What We Don’t Like
- At 73 pounds, this portable unit is quite heavy
- The CEER rating is fairly low, which is common for large portable air conditioners
This 14,000 BTU portable unit from Whynter is a mobile and powerful pick to cool down rooms of up to 500 square feet. It features three operating modes (cool, fan, or dehumidify) to keep indoor air comfortable. A dual-hose design allows for a separate intake and exhaust hose, increasing airflow and efficiency to provide quick cooling. Convenience features include a simple setup, a 24-hour programmable timer, and a filter system with a prefilter and activated-carbon filter.
Maintaining this AC unit is easy. Auto-draining technology helps drain condensation automatically, and a washable prefilter is easy to clean to keep the air fresh. Running at around 56 dB, this air conditioner is reasonably quiet for a portable unit. However, it’s also quite heavy—weighing 73 pounds—so it may be best for 1-floor homes. It also has a very low CEER of just 7.69.
While it’s a bit of an armful, we found that the wheels were a big help with moving it about. It set up quickly in our 600-square-foot room (slightly larger than it’s rated for), and it had the ability to cool the room in just 10 minutes. We also appreciated its slim design, a great difference from bulkier, more traditional portable air conditioners.
Get the Whynter air conditioner at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best for Small Rooms
SoleusAir 6,000 BTU Saddle Air Conditioner
