Best Air Conditioners for Cooling Performance (2024)
Midea 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner
Score: 9/10
Efficiently cools rooms up to 550 square feet with a U-shaped design for better insulation.
Cooling Performance
9/10
It is designed for rooms approximately 450 to 550 square feet in size.
It's nice and cold, and as you can see, it has a swing option, which is really cool.
Energy Efficiency
9/10
Quotes from Reviewers
The inverter technology makes it significantly more efficient than a regular one, costing about 52 bucks a year to operate.
It does have an eco mode, which is cool, a timer, Wi-Fi connectivity, and different settings like Auto, Low, High, Cool, Sleep, and Swing. It is also ENERGY STAR certified, which is really cool.
Noise Level
8/10
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The idea of having the compressor outside the window makes it as quiet as approximately 32 decibels, which is really cool.
Ease Of Use
7/10
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It does have app usage as well as inverter technology.
You may need a screwdriver for the installation.
Build Quality
8/10
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The window actually fits in between, which is cool because if you've ever had a window AC unit, you have to lock it in place, and you lose your window and everything like that.
The first thing I noticed about this remote is that it's huge, and that's good because it's easy to lose the little tiny remotes. So, it's cool that it's a full-size TV remote; that's actually really neat.
COSTWAY 12000BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner& Heater,
Score: 9/10
Provides effective cooling with large air flow, suitable for 115 volts.
Cooling Performance
9/10
This is exactly the size I need for my garage.
It has a huge airflow, and it has everything needed.
For 115 volts, this is really nice.
Energy Efficiency
8/10
Noise Level
5/10
Ease Of Use
9/10
Build Quality
8/10
Cooper&Hunter 15,000 BTU PTAC Packaged Terminal A C
Score: 9/10
The unit provides impressive cooling capacity, ensuring comfort throughout the year.
Cooling Performance
9/10
This system boasts an impressive cooling capacity.
It is designed to provide year-round comfort with impressive cooling and heating capacities.
Energy Efficiency
8/10
Noise Level
5/10
Ease Of Use
8/10
Build Quality
8/10
DELLA Motto Series 18000 BTU Wifi Enabled Mini Split
Score: 9/10
Efficiently cools and heats spaces up to 1000 Sq. Ft., suitable for small areas.
Cooling Performance
9/10
It's perfect for a smaller space that perhaps doesn't get enough heat or air.
This is the entire unit: it is both an AC and a heater.
Energy Efficiency
8/10
Quotes from Reviewers
This is an awesome option to use instead of that really nice size, as it also goes on the wall.
Noise Level
9/10
Quotes from Reviewers
These are really cool if you've never had one before.
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Ease Of Use
8/10
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It has a remote control, making it a really nice, sleek option so that you don't have to install something like a window unit.
Build Quality
8/10
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This top box is the smaller unit that will go on the wall in your room, and this larger box is the unit that will go outside.
ROVSUN 9000BTU Wifi Enabled Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heater
Score: 9/10
The unit provides effective cooling and heating for spaces up to 450 sq. ft., with quick temperature adjustments.
Cooling Performance
9/10
When the system is turned on, it shows a digital display of the temperature that we currently want, using this remote right here.
If you notice, it's right there and is going to read the current temperature coming out of the system. This is just for cooling right now.
Energy Efficiency
9/10
Quotes from Reviewers
It's a 120-volt device, so it will power up from a 120-volt source with a very low amp draw.
We are going to fill this with nitrogen, nitrogen, nitrogen.
Noise Level
8/10
Quotes from Reviewers
If you can hear it, you can hear the reefer releasing, which means that it's going into the lines and running to the indoor unit.
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Ease Of Use
8/10
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When the system is turned on, it shows a digital display of the temperature that we currently want, which can be set using this remote right here.
Since Crystal and I aren't professionals at installing this sort of thing, we ended up hiring Topnotch Heating and Air.
Build Quality
8/10
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We've got our factory flare, so we don't have to worry about any burrs or anything on it.
These are rated for 1,500 PSI.
Cooper & Hunter 18,000 BTU, 230V 19 SEER Ductless Mini Split AC
Score: 9/10
The unit provides exceptional cooling and heating for large spaces, with effective air circulation and 4D airflow.
Cooling Performance
9/10
This device immediately turned on. You can see that these louvers are electric, so even though it is in the far corner of my room, it will have no problem circulating the air-conditioned air everywhere I need it.
This is the fourth Mr. Cool unit I've installed, and this one is definitely good.
This thing is running at pretty much maximum speed right now, yet it is quiet.
Energy Efficiency
9/10
Quotes from Reviewers
It also doesn't use a lot of energy, so this thing is running at pretty much maximum speed right now.
This Cooper and Hunter 18,000 BTU system is energy-efficient.
Noise Level
9/10
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It is very quiet and also doesn't use much energy.
I'm five feet in front of it, and I can't even hear the central air from here.
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Ease Of Use
7/10
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It's surprisingly easy. Mr. Cool changed everything because they engineered this system so that a DIY-er could install it themselves.
The remote control is nicer.
Build Quality
8/10
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This bracket design is really good. You hook it onto the top of the air handler, and then the bottom part snaps into position.
This is the fourth Mr. Cool unit I've installed, and this one is definitely good. They've made some small improvements.
Windmill AC with WhisperTech
Score: 8/10
Effectively cools large spaces quickly, though initial setup may need adjustments.
Cooling Performance
8/10
The AC is on, and it's currently 71° in my apartment.
I had it on low for about an hour, and I had to go buy an extension cord. When I came back, my apartment was already cool.
I set it to 62°, but it's at 75° now. When I came in, my apartment was 84°.
Energy Efficiency
7/10
Quotes from Reviewers
There's also an app that you can control.
I wasn't going to buy the AC because I was sleeping with two fans, but we had a heat wave over the weekend here in New York City.
Noise Level
7/10
Quotes from Reviewers
This is Whisper Tech, which is supposed to make less noise than the regular one.
I had it on low for about an hour.
Ease Of Use
8/10
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The AC comes preassembled, and all you have to do is screw it into the window.
You need two people to install it because it's quite heavy.
Build Quality
8/10
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You need two people to install it because it's quite heavy.
It comes with scissors. You pretty much brought everything you needed except for the drill.
GE Profile ClearView PHNT10CC
Score: 8/10
Efficient cooling for small to medium rooms with quick and quiet operation, though larger rooms may see reduced efficiency.
Cooling Performance
8/10
The 6100 BTU units can cool down small rooms ranging from 150 to 250 square feet.
In my experience with window units, I have no doubt that this particular AC can easily cool down rooms larger than 250 square feet.
However, you won't achieve the recommended efficiency because this unit will have to work harder to cool a much larger space.
Energy Efficiency
7/10
Quotes from Reviewers
He needed a good window unit in his office to save some money on his power bill.
You can check how much energy is being used whenever you have this set up in the app.
It is important to clean the air and water filters every 250 hours for proper maintenance.
Noise Level
8/10
Quotes from Reviewers
It's ultra-quiet; GE says that it can get as low as 41 dB.
In quiet mode, it operates at just under 44 dB.
I turned the AC on high, which is the most powerful setting, and it's around 48 dB.
Ease Of Use
7/10
Quotes from Reviewers
Installing the unit on your window is straightforward and easy.
You can control it using the Smart HQ app.
If you're not comfortable with minor electrical work, you should avoid this. However, if you are comfortable, it should be pretty easy and straightforward.
Build Quality
7/10
Quotes from Reviewers
It actually has a sleek design.
I love that this has minimal obstruction when it comes to the window.
The manual works just fine, and we have our buttons right up here on the front.
DELLA Versa Series 12000 BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner
Score: 8/10
Effectively cools medium-sized spaces but may struggle with larger areas.
Cooling Performance
8/10
This unit advertised cooling for around 700 square feet, but similar units advertised 550 square feet.
My shop and gym total around 600 square feet, so this unit will be right at its capacity.
So, this mini split has been running for a few hours now. It is 4:30 in the afternoon, and the ambient temperature outside is 91 degrees Fahrenheit. I'm getting 81 degrees right at the entrance of my shop.
Energy Efficiency
5/10
Noise Level
5/10
Ease Of Use
5/10
Build Quality
5/10
LG 7,500 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Supplemental Heat,
Score: 8/10
Efficient cooling with customizable settings, suitable for medium-sized rooms, though heating could be stronger.
Cooling Performance
8/10
The feature that impressed me the most was its cooling efficiency, even in the scorching Texas heat.
This air conditioner quickly cooled down the room, creating a pleasant and relaxing environment.
This cooling capacity ensures efficient performance, effectively maintaining a comfortable indoor environment during hot weather conditions.
Energy Efficiency
9/10
Quotes from Reviewers
This air conditioner offers unparalleled convenience and comfort with its low-noise performance.
This cooling capacity ensures efficient performance, effectively maintaining a comfortable indoor environment during hot weather conditions.
Noise Level
9/10
Quotes from Reviewers
This air conditioner boasts impressive low noise performance, operating at sound levels as low as 50 dB in low mode.
This is a great unit, quieter than an old, tired unit.
Ease Of Use
8/10
Quotes from Reviewers
The remote control and digital display were user-friendly, enabling easy adjustments from anywhere in the room.
Installing the air conditioner seemed to be pretty easy, as it included an installation kit, making the process smooth and hassle-free.
Build Quality
8/10
Quotes from Reviewers
I trust this unit completely and hope that, down the road, I can still find one exactly like it.
The filter is easy to remove and clean.