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- A good air conditioner can help make those hot summers much more bearable.
- The LG LW8016ER Air Conditioner is the best window AC you can buy, with its three cooling speeds and built-in dehumidifier.
When it's hot outside, sometimes you need a little help cooling your home down. As such, it might be time to start looking for a new window-mounted air conditioner to keep your home nice and cool, so that you don't roast over the summer months.
Of course, there are a ton of window air conditioners to choose from, and they're not all worth buying. Some are simply lower quality and won't last as long as others that are better-built and more energy-efficient.
There are a number of things to consider when you're buying a window air conditioner, and you'll want to think about them before you buy to ensure that you get the best quality. For starters, you'll want to consider the air conditioner's BTU - or "British Thermal Unit." The higher the number here, the better the unit will be able to remove heat from the room. But a higher BTU also means it will likely consume a little more energy.
How big of a BTU rating do you need for your room?
Check out the list below to figure out the BTU rating you'll need depending on how large your room is. Figures are courtesy of Lowes.
- 150 to 350 sq ft: 5,000 to 8,000 BTU
- 350 to 550 sq ft: 8,000 to 12,000 BTU
- 550 to 1,050 sq ft: 12,000 to 18,500 BTU
- 1,050 to 1,600 sq ft: 18,500 to 25,000 BTU
You'll also want to think about the air conditioner's energy efficiency rating, noise level, and how large it is. After all, if it's too big, it may not fit in the space you have designated for it.
These are the best window air conditioners you can buy:
- Best AC overall: LG LW8016ER Air Conditioner
- Best AC in multiple sizes: Friedrich Chill Series CP08G10B Window Air Conditioner
- Best quiet(er) AC: Frigidaire Quiet Temp 115V Air Conditioner
- Best 15,000 BTU AC: LG LW1516ER Air Conditioner
- Best smart AC for large rooms: LG 115V Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner - (14,000 BTU, 18,000 BTU, 22,000 BTU)
- Best 5,000 BTU AC for small rooms: hOmelabs Window Air Conditioner
- Best hack to make your AC smart: Belkin WeMo Mini Smart Plug
- Our full guide to the best electric fans
- Our full guide to the best portable air conditioners
Updated on 07/03/2019 by Les Shu: Updated selections, prices, links, and formatting. Added additional smart plug options that we've successfully tested with air conditioners.
Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks and a foolproof way to make your AC smart.
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