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Our top picks are cooling and cool-looking.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Morgan Bulman
Three of them I now rely on to keep my 1,000-square-foot apartment at a consistently chill yet comfortable temperature.
), ease of use (are controls simple or is there a bit of a learning curve required?
), and value (is itreallyworth the cost?)
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as ACs can be pretty pricey.
Key Terms to Know
Why Are Btus Important?
Btus indicate how powerful the air conditioner is.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Andrea Tenborg
How Many Btus Do I Need?
).Keep reading belowfor help on calculating how many Btus your space needs.
Needless to say, having a powerful unit that could pump out plenty of cool air was a must.
But a quiet air conditioner was just as important to me, a notoriously light sleeper.
I was tired of my old unit jolting me awake after kicking into high gear on particularly balmy nights.
Luckily, on both the efficiency and noise fronts, Frigidaire delivers.
The most impressive is the sleek front.
While we appreciate the straightforward design (just two control knobs!
), dont expect any fancy features.
Plus, a built-in louver allows you to manually adjust the airflow direction.
Its the one detail our tester wished it had.
The only other flaw was the assembly process.
Its ability to cool outweighed any downsides in our testers eyes.
Premium panel covers, such as ash wood and linen, will run you $50 extra.
Ifyoure a minimalist, youll swoon overJulys take on the window air conditioner.
I know I did.
Choices include premium fabrics like linen and bamboo.
), considering the windows in my pre-war apartment have seen better days.
The fabric is more transparent than the blackout-like look online, so I enjoy the filtered light.
Its so nice to look at, Im contemplating just leaving it installed all year-round.
Ill admit, Windmill is a close second to theJuly air conditionerwhen it comes to an aesthetically minded exterior.
Plus, every guest who has slept beneath it in the office/guest bedroom hasnt complained.
Connecting to the app was also a breeze.
Thats a testament, in my opinion, since I rarely find anything that is that easy.
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While all of the ACs on this list are comparably smart, Windmill takes energy efficiency slightly more seriously.
Customer service was also impressive.
After installation, I realized I had received the 10,000 Btu model and not the 12,000 Btu one.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Ella Field
Within a couple of days, the unit was swiftly swapped without worry.
For all those benefits and options, its arguably one of the best air conditioners for your buck.
While capable of heating, its internal thermometer and auto modes failed to impress.
Its possible to silence this function entirely, but adjusting the volume isnt.
Although theres also a high-tech digital remote, Comstock appreciates the Wi-Fi-connected app more than anything.
And although its Midea, this isnt the internet-famousU-shaped designthat lets more light in.
Its not as pricey as that version, but still not cheap.
weve tested and other home appliances, likethe best humidifiers for plants.
But when it comes to its window AC unit, it fell just shy of our high expectations.
But the nail in the coffin was the installation process.
The flat side panels swivel out from the sides, but even then there are remaining gaps to fill.
Youll need 8,000 Btus for rooms around 300 square feet in size.
Anything between that and 350 square feet would benefit from 10,000 Btus.
But you must upgrade to 12,000 Btus for 400 square feet or more.
The exact mounting location can also impact performance.
A corner window, for instance, will impede how well cool air is distributed.
One of thebest portable air conditionersin this scenario may be a better bet.
Either way, youll want to be mindful of your windows opening dimensions.
Instead, it had to be specially installed by a handyman with a custom plexiglass panel.
Anything less than a perfect fit may result in an insulation issue.
I can confidently say that it was louder than 60 decibels.
Newer ACs (and nearly all of our picks) are 42 decibels at the quietest.
In that case, we recommend narrowing your shopping considerations to those between 40 and 45 decibels.
Otherwise, AJ Madison recommends prioritizing the size of the unit.
Its also important to ensure that the AC unit is installed properly.
An improperly installed air conditioner can increase rattling or shaking.
Energy Efficiency
Determined by theU.S.
Your Questions, Answered
Can you use a window air conditioner in any window?
Youll want to pay close attention to the dimensions of your select product.
We also recommend paying close attention to the dimensions, as not all have side panels.
Credit: July
How much can I expect to spend on an air conditioner?
Can I install a window air conditioner myself?
As long as you might comfortably lift a unit on your own.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Morgan Bulman
you’re free to hire a Taskrabbit or a handyman, too.
Cut it to the right size, and stick it underneath the unit for a tape-free fit.
For nearly four years, Id make the seasonal pilgrimage to pick up my parents old AC units.
They workedfine, but at an expensethey were loud and, above all else, absolute eyesores.
We also interviewedAlex Gayl, showroom manager at AjMadison, andJessica Petrino Ball, appliance expert at AJ Madison.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Morgan Bulman
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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Jessica Comstock
