Count the Square Feet First: The Best Window Air Conditioner, Sized Room by Room

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our recommendations or the price you pay.

The best window air conditioner is the one sized to your room. Too small and it runs flat out without catching up; too big and, as Energy Star puts it, it cools the room before it has a chance to remove the humidity, leaving you cool but clammy.

We compared six units sold by Amazon.com, from a 5,000 BTU GE for a 150-square-foot bedroom to a 12,000 BTU GE rated for rooms up to 550 square feet. In between are two Midea inverter models, including the U-shaped design that lets the window close around it, plus mid-size picks from TCL and Frigidaire.

For each, we quote what the listing says about noise in dBA, coverage, controls and window fit, and we flag where it says nothing. Only two of the six listings mention Energy Star, so we name it only there. One rule applies to all six: plug the unit straight into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip.

Our Top Window Air Conditioner Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. Midea 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter with Heat (MAW08HV1CWT): Best Overall

Midea’s 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter window unit cools, dehumidifies and, unusually for a window AC, heats. The listing rates it for rooms up to 350 square feet and calls it Energy Star certified, and it uses a variable-speed inverter compressor rather than a simple on-off one, which Midea says cools quickly while using considerably less electricity.

Day to day you get an LED display, five modes (Heat, Auto, Cool, Dry and Fan), three fan speeds plus Auto, a 24-hour timer and an ECO setting. A Swing button moves the louvers up and down to direct air. You can run it from the front panel, the included remote, the SmartHome app or by voice through Alexa and Google Assistant.

Midea says the unit runs as low as 45 dBA and claims up to 35% energy savings compared with the Energy Conservation Standard. The heat function is a heat pump, and the listing notes it works only when the outside temperature is above 41°F, so think of it as fall and spring warmth rather than a winter heater. The washable filter slides out from the front panel.

It fits double-hung windows with openings 24 to 38.5 inches wide and needs a clear vertical opening of 14.5 inches. The unit measures 19.41 inches wide, 22.17 deep and 13.9 high, and it is listed at 55.95 pounds, so plan on two people for the lift. It suits bedrooms, home offices and apartments where quiet and lower running costs matter.

Why we like it

• Inverter compressor with a 45 dBA low
• Heat pump for mild fall days
• Energy Star certified, per listing

Watch out for

Heat mode stops working below 41°F outside, and at 55.95 pounds it is a two-person install.

Check Price on Amazon →

2. Midea U 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Inverter (MAW10V1UWT): Best Quiet U-Shaped

The Midea U is a 10,000 BTU inverter window air conditioner with a U-shaped body. Instead of sitting under a closed sash like a box, it straddles the window, so the sash lowers into the gap in the U. Midea says that design uses your window to block outside noise, and it rates the unit for rooms up to 450 square feet.

Because the sash sits between the indoor and outdoor halves, the listing says you can still open the window for fresh air and keep more of your view. When the window is closed, an Anti-Theft Mechanism locks it, which Midea describes as added safety. Installation uses a quick-snap bracket: fit the bracket, set the unit on it and secure the side arms.

Midea claims operation as low as 32 dBA and calls it “9x quieter than traditional units,” and it attributes more than 37% energy savings to its DC inverter compared with other traditional units. The listing also says it was the first window AC to obtain Energy Star certification. Control comes through the SmartHome app on iOS or Android, or by voice with Alexa or Google Assistant.

It fits single-hung or double-hung windows 22 to 36 inches wide, with a minimum opening height of 13.75 inches. At a listed 54.01 pounds it is heavy, so plan the bracket install with a helper. It suits bedrooms, nurseries and living rooms where noise is the main complaint about window units.

Why we like it

• 32 dBA low claim, quietest here
• Window still opens around it
• Built-in window lock mechanism

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t mention a remote, and it is one of the pricier units here.

Check Price on Amazon →

3. GE 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner (AWAS05BWA): Best for Small Rooms

GE’s 5,000 BTU window unit is a compact, no-frills air conditioner for rooms up to 150 square feet. The listing names bedrooms, home offices, dorm rooms, workshops and studio apartments, and gives its size as 16.4 inches wide, 13.4 deep and 12.6 high.

Controls are two mechanical dials, one for temperature and one for fan speed, with 10 temperature settings. GE points out there is no Wi-Fi, app or complex setup, and no digital beeps. You get two cooling modes and two fan speeds, and the unit restarts on its own after a power outage, so it comes back on after a summer storm knocks the power out.

GE lists the noise at 52 dBA on low, pitched for nighttime, and 56 dBA on high. It quotes a low 440-watt power draw and says no manual draining is needed under normal conditions. The filter is washable and reusable. A fixed chassis and the included EZ Mount kit with foam insulation are meant for an easy do-it-yourself install.

It fits double-hung windows 27.125 to 36 inches wide with at least 13.375 inches of height. It suits a single small bedroom or office, or anyone who wants a unit they can carry up the stairs alone; the listing gives the weight as 36.5 pounds. GE backs it with a 1-year limited warranty.

Why we like it

• Simple dials, no app needed
• Auto restart after outages
• Lightest unit here

Watch out for

At 150 square feet of coverage it is only for small rooms, and there is no remote or timer.

Check Price on Amazon →

4. GE 12,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner (AWCS12WWA): Best for Large Rooms

GE’s 12,000 BTU Smart window air conditioner is the biggest unit on this page, rated to cool rooms up to 550 square feet. GE pitches it for living rooms and family rooms, the kind of space where a 5,000 or 8,000 BTU unit would struggle on a hot afternoon.

The SmartHQ app lets you monitor, schedule and control the unit from anywhere, so you can start cooling before you get home. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and an included remote covers the times you don’t want to reach for a phone. There are three cooling modes and three fan speeds.

GE’s Eco Mode turns off the fan and compressor once the room is cool enough, which it says saves money on utilities. The title calls it energy efficient, but the listing does not mention Energy Star. The slide-out filter is washable, and GE suggests cleaning it every 30 days to keep the unit running its best.

It has a fixed chassis and fits double-hung windows 25 to 36.625 inches wide with a 14.563-inch opening height, using the included EZ Mount kit. At a listed 63.58 pounds it is a two-person job. It suits larger rooms where one strong unit has to carry the load, and buyers who want app control without an inverter price.

Why we like it

• Covers up to 550 sq ft
• App scheduling and voice control
• Eco Mode cycles the compressor off

Watch out for

The listing gives no noise rating, and at 63.58 pounds it is the heaviest here.

Check Price on Amazon →

5. TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner (H10W35W): Best Smart Mid-Size

TCL’s 10,000 BTU Smart window air conditioner is a mid-size unit rated for rooms up to 450 square feet. TCL calls it a 3-in-1, meaning it cools, runs as a fan only, and dehumidifies, and it offers multiple fan speeds to set your comfort level.

Control is flexible. The TCL Home app runs it from your phone, Alexa and Google Assistant handle voice commands, and the included remote lets you change settings from the couch. An LED display on the front shows the settings at a glance.

For running costs, TCL points to Sleep and Eco modes that it says help save money through the year. The listing doesn’t give a noise rating in dBA, a window size range or an Energy Star mention, so check the manual for window fit before you order. The specs file lists it at 48.5 pounds and 17.32 by 18.58 by 13.31 inches.

It suits a large bedroom, a den or a smaller living room, especially in a home where the family already uses Alexa or Google Assistant. The dehumidify setting can help on muggy days when the room feels damp more than hot, and the fan setting is there for cooler evenings when you just want air moving. TCL’s warranty field reads 1 year limited.

Why we like it

• App, voice and remote control
• Dehumidifier mode built in
• Sleep and Eco modes

Watch out for

The listing gives no dBA figure or window size range, so check both in the manual first.

Check Price on Amazon →

6. Frigidaire 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner (FHWC083TC1): Best Simple 8,000 BTU

Frigidaire’s 8,000 BTU window air conditioner is a straightforward remote-controlled unit for bedrooms and small living rooms up to 350 square feet. The listing gives its operating noise as 54 dBA and calls it quiet cooling.

You set the temperature and choose from three fan speeds, and 6-way directional airflow lets you aim the air where people sit or sleep. A remote handles changes from across the room, and a 24-hour on/off timer lets you match the unit to your schedule, such as starting it an hour before bedtime.

Frigidaire lists an Eco Mode to save energy and a Sleep Mode that gradually raises the temperature overnight. Dry Mode removes excess moisture from the air. The washable dust filter has a Clean Filter alert, so you get a reminder rather than having to remember. The listing does not mention Energy Star, an app or a window size range.

It suits someone who wants a remote and timer but no phone app, in a room of up to 350 square feet. The specs file lists it at 45.4 pounds and 18.5 by 15.8 by 13.4 inches. The warranty field reads 1 Year Manufacturer, and the title notes auto restart after power is restored.

Why we like it

• Clean Filter reminder
• Sleep Mode eases the temperature up overnight
• Stated 54 dBA

Watch out for

There is no app control, and the listing doesn’t give the window sizes it fits.

Check Price on Amazon →

How We Chose the Best Window Air Conditioners

We compared each unit’s Amazon listing, specs file and sales rank, and quoted only what the listings say:

• Coverage and BTUs: the square footage each listing claims, checked against the Energy Star room AC sizing chart.
• Noise: the dBA figure as listed, or flagged as not stated.
• Compressor type: inverter or standard fixed-speed, per the listing.
• Controls: dials, remote, app or voice assistant.
• Window fit and weight: width and height ranges where given, plus the listed weight.
• Brand spread and availability: four brands, no more than two models from one brand, all sold by Amazon.com and listed in stock at the time of writing.

Window AC Buying Guide

How Many BTUs Do You Need?

Energy Star’s chart matches room size to capacity, assuming an 8-foot ceiling: 100 to 150 square feet needs 5,000 BTUs, 300 to 350 needs 8,000, 400 to 450 needs 10,000, and 450 to 550 needs 12,000. It suggests cutting capacity 10 percent for a heavily shaded room, adding 10 percent for a very sunny one, adding 600 BTUs for each regular occupant beyond two, and adding 4,000 BTUs if the unit is in a kitchen. Oversizing isn’t a free upgrade: Energy Star says a unit that is too big cools the room before it removes the humidity.

Best Small Window Air Conditioner for a Bedroom

For a room of about 150 square feet, the GE 5,000 BTU is the simplest choice here: dials, auto restart and the lightest listed weight at 36.5 pounds. Bigger bedrooms of 250 to 350 square feet fit the 8,000 BTU Midea or Frigidaire.

Best Quiet Window Air Conditioner

Listed noise figures run from Midea’s claimed 32 dBA low on the U-shaped model to 45 dBA on the Midea 8,000 BTU, 52 to 56 dBA on the GE 5,000, and 54 dBA on the Frigidaire. The GE 12,000 and TCL listings give no figure. These are the makers’ numbers, measured their own way, so treat them as a rough guide rather than a side-by-side test.

Best Inverter Window Air Conditioner vs. Fixed-Speed

An inverter compressor varies its speed instead of switching fully on and off. Both Midea picks use one, and Midea credits it for its energy-savings and low-noise claims. The GE, TCL and Frigidaire units don’t describe an inverter. U-shaped designs like the Midea U also let the window open with the unit in place.

Best Energy Efficient Window AC

Only two listings here mention Energy Star: the Midea 8,000 BTU calls itself certified, and the Midea U says it was the first window AC to obtain the certification. Other units list Eco or Sleep modes, which can help, but that isn’t the same thing. To check a model yourself, search the Energy Star product finder before you buy. If you also have central air, a smart thermostat handles that system’s schedule.

Best Window AC for a Large Room

The GE 12,000 BTU covers up to 550 square feet, the most on this page, and the TCL and Midea U reach 450. For an open-plan space bigger than that, one unit per room usually beats one oversized box. Check the window: the GE fits double-hung windows 25 to 36.625 inches wide.

Heat, Plugs and Window Safety

• Heat hits some people harder. Ready.gov says older adults, children and people with certain illnesses and chronic conditions are at greater risk from extreme heat, and warns against relying on a fan as your primary cooling device. The National Weather Service lists the signs of heat illness and when to call 911.
• Plug it into the wall. The U.S. Fire Administration says to plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet and never use an extension cord with one, because the cord can overheat. Treat a window AC the same way unless its manual says otherwise. A surge protector belongs with your TV and computer, not the AC, and a smart plug is for a fan or lamp; give the AC its own outlet.
• Lock the window. A window unit can leave a gap. Midea says its U-shaped model includes an Anti-Theft Mechanism that locks the closed window; for other units, add a window lock or sash stop.
• Ask about coverage. Whether water or fire damage from an AC would be covered depends on your policy, so ask your agent. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide and Ohio renters insurance guide are good starting points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best window air conditioner for most people?

The Midea 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter is our overall pick. It ranks #1 in Window air conditioners, its listing says it is Energy Star certified and runs as low as 45 dBA, and it covers rooms up to 350 square feet.

What is the best quiet window air conditioner?

The Midea U 10,000 BTU lists the lowest figure here, as low as 32 dBA, and its U-shaped design puts the window between the indoor and outdoor halves. Noise figures are the makers’ own, not our measurements.

What size window AC do I need for my room?

Energy Star’s chart suggests 5,000 BTUs for 100 to 150 square feet, 8,000 for 300 to 350, 10,000 for 400 to 450 and 12,000 for 450 to 550, with adjustments for sun, shade, extra people and kitchens.

Can I plug a window air conditioner into an extension cord?

The U.S. Fire Administration says to plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet and never use an extension cord with one. Follow your unit’s manual, and give the AC its own outlet rather than a power strip.

Is an inverter window AC worth it?

Inverter units like the two Midea picks vary compressor speed rather than cycling fully on and off, and Midea credits that for its energy-savings and low-noise claims. They cost more up front than fixed-speed units.

The Bottom Line

For most bedrooms and apartment rooms, the Midea 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter is the best window air conditioner here: top-ranked, listed as Energy Star certified, and the only pick with a heat mode. Light sleepers should look at the U-shaped Midea U, small rooms need nothing more than the GE 5,000 BTU, and big living rooms call for the GE 12,000 BTU. The TCL 10,000 BTU and Frigidaire 8,000 BTU cover the middle with app or remote control. Whichever you choose, size it to the room and plug it straight into the wall.

Not sure how your policy treats appliance fires or water damage from a leaking unit? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or schedule a free coverage review.