The 9 Best Smart Air Conditioners of 2023
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Our top winner will keep you feeling cool—even when it’s blistering hot outside
The Spruce / Alli Waataja
Fact checked by Emily EstepReviewed by Johnathan Brewer
The best way to cool a room fast is with a window-mounted or portable air conditioner, but smart air conditioners make it even easier to enjoy comfy temps anytime you need it. “The most useful thing about smart ACs is that users have convenient and complete control over their environment,” says Richard Valenti, founder of HVAC service company Valairco. “With these devices, you can set a cooling schedule to ensure your home is comfortable at all times of the day.”
What makes a smart air conditioner worth shopping for? According to Valenti, “Smart ACs can save you money in the long run. Not only does it maintain your desired temperature, but it also operates at lower speeds once the required temperature is achieved, thus consuming less energy than a traditional unit and lowering your electricity bill.” Valenti also stresses that Wi-Fi connectivity is essential, along with an app so that you can control the AC and check its status even when you’re away from home. Some smart ACs also include features like geofencing, energy monitoring, and service alerts to simplify operation and help you keep on top of your energy use and maintenance.
Keeping Valenti’s advice in mind, we looked at dozens of air conditioners from top manufacturers, prioritizing important smart features, efficiency, ease of use, and Energy Star certification. In addition to those vital features, we also focused on units that use modern refrigerants that are less harmful to the environment.
Best Overall: LG Dual Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Air Conditioner LW1022IVSM
What We Like
Efficient dual inverter technology
Ultra quiet sleep mode
Installation kit included
What We Don't Like
No Siri or IFTTT support
No geofencing
The LG 10,000 BTU Dual Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Air Conditioner combines an intriguing feature set with quiet operation and an extremely efficient design, which is why it’s our top recommendation for the best smart air conditioner. This window-mounted unit is best suited to medium sized rooms, with a maximum footprint of about 450 square feet, but it’s also available in a few other models, including a massive 23,500 BTU unit that pumps out enough chilly air to cool an entire three bedroom house. We like the 10,000 BTU unit in particular because it’s a good value and doesn’t require any special wiring, but the other options are there if you need them.
This air conditioner is compatible with LG’s ThinQ app, which makes it an especially good pick if your household has any other smart LG devices. The app allows you to control multiple air conditioners, televisions, and other compatible smart devices like an LG washing machine, vacuum, or refrigerator. It doesn’t support Siri or IFTTT at this time, but you can easily integrate it with Alexa or Google Assistant to adjust the temperature with voice commands or smart home routines. It doesn’t have geofencing, but you can use the app to set schedules or adjust the temperature when you leave, or before you get home.
Aside from the smart features, the best thing about this air conditioner is the dual inverter technology. This feature essentially helps the air conditioner to operate in a more energy efficient manner, allowing it to use less power than a traditional unit that’s always either off or running at full capacity. It can be a little on the loud side when it is running at full capacity, but it has a sleep mode that can run for between seven and 12 hours where it’s whisper quiet. That’s one area where this unit is significantly better than the highly rated LW1019IVSM that it replaced, as that unit could only stay in sleep mode for seven hours at most, which was no good for people who need a little more shuteye than that. It’s also a little more powerful than the older model, at 10,000 BTU versus 9,500 BTU, while retaining its Energy Star certification and being quite efficient thanks to the dual inverter technology.
Price at time of publish: $470
Dimensions: 24.5 x 19.6 x 12.5 inches | BTU: 10,000 | Room size: 450 sq. ft. | Smart Capabilities: Alexa, Google Assistant
Best Budget: TCL 6W9ER1-A Smart App & Voice Control Window Air Conditioner
What We Like
Voice controls
Scheduling via the app
Two four-way vents
What We Don’t Like
Noisier than similar units
The TCL 6W9ER1-A Smart App & Voice Control Window Air Conditioner is a good option if you’re working on a tight budget, but you still need to escape from the heat. This is a smaller unit compared to many of our other recommendations, but it’s powerful enough to cool off an average-sized master bedroom, den, or modest TV room, and it has some great smart features that can help you save even more. It works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can adjust the temperature with voice commands. The companion app lets you change the temperature from wherever you are, as long as you have an internet connection.
This unit is Energy Star certified, and it includes sleep and eco modes that further reduce power consumption. It also has a 24 hour timer that lets you turn the unit on or off at preset times, so you don’t need to worry about ever forgetting. It’s a little louder than more expensive units, but it’s still quieter than the average refrigerator. It’s also available in a budget-friendly 8,000 BTU version if you need a little more cooling power, and pricier 10,000 and 12,000 BTU versions that still have pretty competitive pricing.
Price at time of publish: $260
Dimensions: 15.35 x 15.98 x 12.05 inches | BTU: 6,000 | Room size: 250 sq. ft. | Smart Capabilities: Alexa, Google Assistant
Best Value: Haier 10,000 BTU Smart Electronic Window Air Conditioner
What We Like
Energy usage tracking
Clean filter alert
Power interruption restart
What We Don’t Like
Relatively noisy
Heavy
Deal hunters will appreciate the Haier 10,000 BTU Smart Electronic Window Air Conditioner because it packs in a ton of useful smart features you’ll usually only find in more expensive units. This smart air conditioner works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, but not with Siri. It also has a geofencing feature that can automatically raise the temperature when you leave and lower it when you return, saving you power and money. It’s Energy Star certified too, and includes an energy reporting feature that lets you keep track of exactly how much power it has used each month.
This is a 10,000 BTU window unit that’s suitable for medium rooms, but it’s also available in a smaller 8,000 BTU version for small bedrooms and also 12,000 and 14,000 BTU editions for larger rooms, all with the same great smart features. It is a heavy unit, and it’s far from whisper quiet, but those are pretty small concessions to make when you consider the excellent value proposition offered by this air conditioner. If you have more room in your budget, our top pick has many of the same features, including significantly quieter sound output during operation. This is all to say that the Haier represents an excellent value in its own right.
Price at time of publish: $439
Dimensions: 19.81 x 19 x 14.5 inches | BTU: 10,000 | Room size: 450 sq. ft. | Smart Capabilities: Alexa, Google Assistant, geofencing, energy reporting
Best with Dehumidifier: Honeywell Smart Wi-Fi Portable Air Conditioner & Dehumidifier
What We Like
Convenient drain port
Clean filter alert
Washable air filter
Voice operated
What We Don’t Like
Only supports Alexa
Trouble connecting to some Wi-Fi routers
The Honeywell Smart Wi-Fi Portable Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier is ideal if you live in a humid area, but don’t always need to cool every room off on a regular basis. All air conditioners dehumidify the air to some degree as a natural part of operation, but an actual dehumidifier is a must-have for climates that can get humid at times without also getting hot. This unit is capable of pulling up to 62 pints of water out of the air in 24 hours, and it includes a conveniently-placed drain tube that can save you the trouble of needing to constantly empty the drip pan. This is a freestanding unit, so you can also move it around to the most humid parts of your home.
This unit, which responds to voice commands, integrates with the Honeywell smartphone app, which allows you to control multiple Honeywell devices at once. The app provides access to smart features including automatic room settings if you have multiple units, and customized daily schedules so you can set the temperature to different levels based on your daily and weekly routines. It’s also capable of tracking the weather, which allows the unit to adjust itself automatically as the temperature and humidity conditions change.
Price at time of publish: $510
Dimensions: 13.6 x 16.3 x 28 inches | BTU: 10,000 | Room size: 450 sq. ft. | Smart Capabilities: Alexa
Best for Quiet Operation: Midea U-Shaped Inverter Window Air Conditioner
What We Like
Allows you to open your window
Doesn’t obstruct the view
Quiet operation
What We Don’t Like
No support for HomeKit or IFTTT
No power usage reporting in the app
The Midea 8,000 U-shaped Air Conditioner packs smart features into a uniquely designed unit that’s the perfect choice if you’re sick of loud air conditioners. This unit features a U-shaped design that allows you to open and close a window while it’s installed. That means it blocks less of your view than other window-mounted air conditioners. This way, you can open your window to get some fresh air whenever you want, and it’s remarkably quiet when the window is shut. If you have high quality dual pane windows, you might not even hear it operating over the ambient noise in your home.
This unit has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to control it via the MideaAir app on your phone. It works with both Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands, and also supports native voice commands in the app, but there is no support for either HomeKit or IFTTT. The app allows you to operate air conditioning wherever you have internet access, and it also has scheduling functionality. It'll even let you adjust the temperature based on your sleep schedule and can control multiple Midea air conditioners.
Price at time of publish: $399
Dimensions: 19.17 x 21.97 x 13.46 inches | BTU: 8,000 | Room size: 350 sq. ft. | Smart Capabilities: Alexa, Google Assistant
Best Portable: Midea Duo Smart HE Inverter Ultra Quiet Portable AC w/Heat
What We Like
Energy efficient
Quiet operation
Cools, heats, and dehumidifies
Voice controls
What We Don’t Like
Dual hose isn’t very flexible
No energy reporting or tracking
No support for HomeKit or IFTTT
If you need more flexibility than you can get from a window-mounted air conditioner, the Mideo Duo is the unit you’re looking for. This unit offers good energy efficiency, surprisingly quiet operation, and chunky casters that make it a breeze to move over both solid and carpeted surfaces. This unit has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to hook it into your home network and then control it via an app on your phone. It also supports voice controls through your choice of Alexa or Google Assistant, although it doesn’t work with HomeKit or IFTTT.
As an added bonus, its heat pump is capable of both heating and cooling. When in heating mode, you still need to vent it outside, or drain it regularly. So while it’s more energy efficient than a resistive space heater, it’s a bit more complicated to set up and more difficult to move from room to room.
One thing to note: This portable air conditioner uses a hose-in-hose system, which allows it to draw in fresh air and expel hot air outside your house through a single hose. It’s a convenient setup because you don’t need to worry about multiple hoses, and it increases energy efficiency. The catch is that the dual hose is stiff, so you don’t have a lot of freedom to position this unit.
Price at time of publish: $699
Dimensions: 16.73 x 19.53 x 34.48 inches | BTU: 14,000 | Room size: 550 sq. ft. | Smart Capabilities: Alexa, Google Assistant
Best with Heat: Friedrich CEW08B11A Chill Premier Smart Air Conditioner Window Unit
What We Like
Efficient heat pump instead of resistive heating
Washable air filter
Slide-out chassis
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
Heavy
The Friedrich CEW08B11A Chill Premier Smart Air Conditioner is an excellent investment if you’re in the market for a unit that can both heat and cool. Most window air conditioners that provide heat do so via a resistive heater, which is costly to run and isn’t energy efficient. The Chill Premier has a heat pump instead, which is a more energy efficient method that essentially involves running the air conditioner in reverse. Jaral does caution that while heat pumps are efficient, “not all are great in extremely cold weather and this is when a separate heater is preferred.” That’s due to the way heat pumps work, and the fact that they can struggle in severely cold environments.
This unit has a slide-out chassis, which is a feature that’s more commonly seen in wall-mounted air conditioners. That makes it a bit easier to install because you install the chassis into the window first, and then slide in the heavy body of the air conditioner. It has Wi-Fi connectivity that allows for operation via Friedrich’s companion app, supports integrated voice controls, and works with both Alexa and Google Assistant. The app can control multiple Friedrich devices at once, view the status of each device and the temperature in different rooms, and set schedules for heating and cooling to accommodate your daily routines.
Price at time of publish: $649
Dimensions: 27 x 21 x 17 inches | BTU: 8,000 | Room size: 350 sq. ft. | Smart Capabilities: Alexa, Google Assistant
Best Efficiency: GE Profile AHTR10ACH2 Inverter Window Air Conditioner
What We Like
Quiet operation
Monitors energy usage
Filter replacement reminder
Geolocation feature
What We Don’t Like
No HomeKit support
Heavy
Too big for some windows
If you’re looking for an energy efficient air conditioner, you’ll find a whole lot to like about the GE Profile AHTR10AC. This window-mounted air conditioner features best-in-class energy efficiency, with an industry-leading CEER (Combined Energy-Efficiency Ratio) of 15.7. That’s 40 percent more energy efficient than the minimum allowable efficiency laid out by the Department of Energy, so this unit easily qualifies for Energy Star certification. The companion app tracks its energy usage too, the geolocation feature allows it to switch off when nobody is home, and it also has an eco mode that automatically switches off the fan and compressor to save even more energy.
In addition to excellent energy efficiency, the GE Profile AHTR10AC has a lot of other useful smart features, including integration with Google Assistant and Alexa. Built-in Wi-Fi allows it to connect to the internet, so you can monitor and control it from any room in your house, or anywhere else your phone has an internet connection. The app also reminds you when it’s time to replace your filter, which can prolong the life of the air conditioner and also keep energy costs down. This unit is also very quiet during operation. It’s suited to medium-sized rooms, but the GE Profile series is also available in both smaller and larger sizes to suit your needs.
Price at time of publish: $525
Dimensions: 19.89 x 20.52 x 13.91 inches | BTU: 10,000 | Room size: 450 sq. ft. | Smart Capabilities: Alexa, Google Assistant, Sonos, IFTTT, geofencing, scheduling
:The 9 Best Air Conditioners of 2023
Best Add-on: Cielo Breez Lite
What We Like
Works with your existing air conditioner
Easy setup and smart controls
Includes both temperature and humidity sensors
Inexpensive
What We Don’t Like
No built-in display or controls
Auto-configuration doesn’t always work
Can’t connect to hidden Wi-Fi networks
The Cielo Breez Lite is the best option if you already have an air conditioner and want to add smart features without replacing it. This tiny unit works with just about any window, portable, or mini split air conditioner or heat pump that uses an infrared remote control. In most cases, it’s even capable of automatically learning how to control your air conditioner directly from the remote. Once you've set it up in that way, you can control the air conditioner via a smartphone app and with voice commands through your choice of Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
This smart controller adds a lot of useful smart features to your existing air conditioner, including weekly scheduling to set the temperature automatically, geofencing to switch the air conditioner off when you aren’t home, and it also has a freeze-protection feature if you have a heat pump that’s capable of functioning as a heater. It doesn’t have a built-in display or controls, but that’s a worthy concession to make considering how affordable it is. If you need a display and controls built into your air conditioner smart controller, the Cielo Plus accommodates that requirement at a significantly higher price point.
Price at time of publish: $59
Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.6 x 0.86 inches | BTU: N/A | Room size: N/A | Smart Capabilities: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, IFTT, geofencing, scheduling
Read Next:The 9 Best Portable Air Conditioners of 2023
Our top recommendation for the best overall smart air conditioner is the LG Dual Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Air Conditioner, thanks to its extremely efficient dual inverter technology, great smart features, and super quiet sleep mode. If you’re working on a tighter budget, our “best value” pick is the Haier 10,000 BTU Smart Electronic Window Air Conditioner, which comes with some excellent smart features, like geofencing, that are usually only found in more expensive units.
What to Look for in a Smart Air Conditioner
Type
The main types of smart air conditioners are window, portable, and mini split. You can also convert older units of each type to a smart air conditioner with the addition of a smart AC controller, and turn a whole-house air conditioner into a smart air conditioner with the addition of a smart thermostat. Just know that those systems aren’t smart on their own.
Window air conditioners and portable air conditioners are the easiest to install, and you don’t need any special skills to set one up. Window units slide into an open window, which is then partially closed to hold the unit in place, while you need to vent a portable air conditioner through a partially open window or a permanently-installed vent.
According to Richard Valenti, founder of HVAC service company Valairco, “Portable units offer mobility, but take up a lot of floor space and require an exhaust hose.” He also adds that, “Window units are easy to install if you know what you’re doing, but it can be a pretty difficult DIY job. Window units can also obstruct your view and are difficult to conceal.”
Valenti also points out that, “Ductless mini-split cooling systems offer a great deal of flexibility, allowing you to start with just a few rooms and then expand your system to cool the entire home without having to scrap the initial work.” These systems are also more efficient than window or portable units, but they are significantly more expensive, more difficult to install, and typically require professional assistance.
Cooling Power & Room Size
The cooling power of an air conditioner is defined in British thermal units (BTUs), which is a useful number to look at when determining what kind of AC unit is required to cool a room of any given size. Air conditioners with larger BTU numbers are capable of cooling larger spaces than units that have smaller BTU numbers.
The general rule of thumb is that you can multiply the square footage of a space by 20 to determine the minimum BTUs needed for that space, or 25 to provide for a margin of error. Valenti cautions that, “You also need to consider extra factors like high ceilings or large windows, which might require more power than average.” If you’re dealing with any factors like those, it’s better to err on the side of getting a bigger unit than a smaller one.
Installation
Window-mounted air conditioners are the easiest to install, with a typical installation consisting of opening a window, setting the unit in place, securing the unit and any necessary spacer or strap, and then closing the window. Some are easier to install than others, as some have special features like a separate chassis that slides into place first, or a U-shaped design that makes the unit easier to secure in place.
Portable air conditioners are even easier from a certain perspective because there is no permanent installation. These units are typically on casters, which makes it easy to move one around wherever and whenever it's needed. However, it’s important to note that you can't run one of these units without venting it to the exterior of your home by inserting a vent adapter into an open window or a permanent vent hole. They also pose an issue in terms of water condensation because an air conditioner naturally generates water via condensation during normal operation. Some units include a tank that you can remove and drain manually, and others have a hose that you need to route to the exterior of your home, or an interior drain.
Mini split air conditioners are the most complicated to install, and they typically require a professional installation. The installation process involves cutting holes in the exterior walls of your home, wiring the unit to power, and cutting, connecting, and charging the refrigerant lines.
Connectivity Options
Smart air conditioners can connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, with Wi-Fi units providing the most flexibility. These units connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network, which means you can monitor and control the system via an app on your phone even when you aren’t home. Some also include a feature that can adjust the temperature automatically based on whether your phone is home or not, so you won’t have to pay to cool your home when you aren’t there. The other connectivity option to look for is compatibility with the virtual assistant of your choice, like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, because that will allow you to adjust the temperature with voice commands.
Standout features
Energy Star Ratings and Certifications
Energy Star is a designation given to electronics that meet or exceed energy efficiency criteria set by the United States government. While you can look at the CEER rating to gauge the efficiency of an air conditioner, checking for the Energy Star designation is an easy way to verify that a unit is energy efficient. It’s a shortcut that doesn’t force you to remember what constitutes a good CEER rating.
Warranty
Most smart air conditioning units come with a one year limited warranty, and that’s really the minimum that you should look for. Window and portable AC units can last a decade or longer, especially if they are well-maintained, so most failures occur well outside the warranty window. However, it’s important to have at least a one year warranty so that you have time to break the AC in and use it during the hottest period of the year while it’s still covered.
Refrigerant
Home air conditioners use a few different types of refrigerants, including R-22 (Freon), R-410A (Puron), and R-32. Freon was phased out in 2020, but systems that use it are still around. It’s less energy efficient and worse for the environment than newer refrigerants like Puron and R-32 though, so it’s best to choose an AC unit that uses one of the newer refrigerants.
Puron is also on the way out, but it’s better for the environment than Freon because it doesn’t contain chlorine or contribute to ozone depletion. R-32 doesn’t contribute to ozone depletion, and its potential to contribute to global warming is significantly lower than R-22 or R-410A.
If you have an older R-22 system that still works, the efficiency of newer refrigerants means that replacing it will save you money in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size air conditioner do I need for one room?
According to Anees Jarral, Cielo WiGle CTO, “To find the right AC size, you first need to calculate the area of your room. The next step is to figure out the cooling capacity of the required AC, which is measured in BTUs. For that, multiply your room area by 25 to get the cooling capacity required for your room. Once you know how many BTUs are required for that particular space, you can select AC units of proper size and power accordingly. Opting for a smart AC doesn’t affect the calculation of how many BTUs are required.”
For example, if you’re looking for an AC unit for an average bedroom with the dimensions of 10 feet x 10 feet, your calculation would look like this: (10x10)x25, which would yield a requirement of 2,500BTU. For a big living room with the dimensions of 15 feet by 20 feet, the calculation would look like: (15x20)x25, yielding a requirement of 7,500BTU.
What type of maintenance does a smart air conditioner need?
“Smart AC units require regular upkeep from time to time just like any other AC unit,” according to Jarrel. That means you need to keep on top of replacing or cleaning the filter, and inspect and clean the coils regularly. “However, with smart functions such as air filter cleanliness alerts, you can easily keep up regular maintenance,” Jarrel continues. “You will receive alerts on your phone when the cleaning is due, so you don't have to manually keep track of when to clean or replace the filters.” Smart alerts aren’t universally available though, so it’s important to maintain a regular maintenance schedule if your unit doesn’t have this feature.
Do air conditioners control humidity?
Air conditioners do reduce the ambient humidity when in use, but that isn’t their main function. According to Valenti, “Air conditioners do have some dehumidifying capabilities, but they are not designed for that purpose and can never be as effective as a device specifically made for this task.”
So while an air conditioner with a dehumidifying setting can help out on warmer days where cooling isn’t needed, they usually aren’t sufficient if you deal with persistent humidity problems. Valenti also warns that, “High humidity can cause various issues such as affecting your health, causing mold growth and damage to wood furniture, so it's important to take steps to manage it properly.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Jeremy Laukkonen, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. Laukkonen has extensive experience testing and using smart air conditioners in addition to other smart devices, and his reviews have appeared in outlets like Lifewire and Digital Trends in addition to The Spruce.
For this piece, Laukkonen performed in-depth research on dozens of smart air conditioners from all the top manufacturers, focusing on key aspects like smart home integration, energy efficiency, noise, and other features like sleep modes, auxiliary heating, and dehumidifying. Laukkonen also interviewed two experts, Cielo WiGle CTO Anees Jarral, and Valairco founder Richard Valenti, in order to gain additional insights.
