Best Window Air Conditioners for the Hot Days Ahead

All of the window air conditioners in Consumer Reports' latest tests do a very good job at keeping you cool. What distinguishes one window unit from another is how quickly and quietly it cools a room and how easy it is to operate.

Even if your home has central air conditioning, you might want to consider a room unit to cool areas not served by the main system, such as a home office or a finished room in the attic. If so, go with a window air conditioner—they're a better choice than portable air conditioners, which struggled in our tests.

You don’t have to pay a lot to get heat relief. Most window air conditioners in our tests range in price from $140 to $370. The price outlier is the Friedrich Kuhl SQO8N10D, $710, a strong performer with a streamlined look. (Our top pick window air conditioners are grouped here in alphabetical order by the size of the room they can cool.)

More Choices

For more choices in more price ranges, see our air conditioner ratings. We'll be adding more new models in the coming weeks.

1. 100 to 300 Square Feet (5,000 to 6,500 Btu)

Kenmore 77060

The Kenmore 77060 was very good at cooling a room and relatively quiet on the low setting but noisier on high. The controls could be easier to use. It weights 45 pounds and has digital controls, a remote control, and a reminder to clean the filter. Kenmore air conditioners are sold at Sears.

2. LG LW6016R

Excellent at keeping you cool, the LG LW6016R is fairly quiet on the low setting and a bit louder on high. It has digital controls, a remote control, and a light that comes on when the filter needs cleaning. It weighs 50 pounds.

3. SPT WA-6022S

A great little window air conditioner at a good price, the SPT WA-6022S gets top scores for cooling and is pretty intuitive to use. It weighs 45 pounds and comes with a timer, dirty-filter indicator, and remote control.

4.  250 to 400 Square Feet (7,000 to 8,500 Btu)

Friedrich Kuhl SQO8N10D

The Friedrich Kuhl SQO8N10D makes an effort to blend in with your décor with a flat front instead of a grille. It aced the cooling test, and noise levels are about what you'd expect. Controls are a cinch to use, and it's equipped with all the conveniences of a timer, remote, and more. This 85-pound model comes with a slide-out chassis that makes it easier to install.

5. GE AEZ08LV

Top marks for cooling make the GE AEZ08LV a winner, although when the fan is on high, it's noisy. Controls could be easier to use. This 51-pound unit comes with all the digital niceties that you'd want. A similar model, the GE AEW08LV is sold at Walmart.

6. Kenmore 77080

Larger than its brandmate above, the Kenmore 77080 is excellent at cooling a midsized room, although it's not the quietest. This 52-pound model has all the digital features you'd expect.

7. 350 to 650 Square Feet (9,800 to 12,500 Btu)

 Haier HWE12XCR

For more cooling power, the large Haier HWE12XCR was superb at achieving a comfortable temperature, though it can be loud on the high setting. It weighs 69 pounds and lacks a slide-out chassis, so get some help with installation. Digital controls are part of the package.

8. LG LW1216ER

The other top scorer from our tests, the feature-filled LG LW1216ER has digital controls, and cooling was top-notch. It weighs 85 pounds, but its slide-out chassis makes it easy to install. 

9. Frigidaire FFRE12L3S1

Another reasonably priced large window unit, the Frigidaire FFRE12L3S1 is very good at cooling a room. At 70 pounds it might be too heavy to install alone because it lacks a slide-out chassis. All the controls are electronic. You can visit www.airconditionercanada.com 

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