We Did the Research and *These* Are the Best Air Conditioner Brands

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As someone who grew up in LA, I’d like to set the record straight that summer in New York City is 1,000 times worse. The subways are icky and everyone is sticky and it’s just really, really, really not the vibe. As someone who is a v sweaty gal (I blame my Latin blood, thank ya very much), my summertime plans follow a very strict rule: If there’s no air conditioner, I won’t be there.

Even though the summer is obviously the season where having a regular A/C is the norm, the truth is that it really comes in clutch year round—especially with the weather being as unpredictable as it is. With that being said, if you’re thinking about spending your hard earned money on the appliance, putting in the work to find what works for you and your needs is always best.

To help you on your quest, I did the research for you and found the best models to shop according to necessity. For the peeps who live in small apartments, I gotchu, and same for those who are looking to cool large spaces. Plus, I’ve found an air conditioner that’s actually v chic but you’ll have to see it to believe it.

Our top picks for the best air conditioner brands of 2023:

Below, we’ve gathered the top picks for the best A/C brands we recommend. Plus, some neat information on the unique features and popular products to check out. Don’t sweat it, we got you!!

Mounted Window Air Conditioner

Overall, LG's window A/C is a top choice for anyone looking to cool a space of up to 350 square feet. This one comes with a remote so you won’t have to get up from your comfy spot to adjust the settings. Having an easy-to-maintain A/C unit makes a world of a difference, and thanks to the removable filter that’s able to be washed with just soap and water, there won’t be a fuss when you use this one. Plus, it has an Energy Star label, which is a government-regulated program that helps buyers deduce the most energy-efficient products available.

• Dimensions: 19.6" x 19.4" x 12.4"

• Weight: 58 lbs.

• BTU: 8000

• Cooling Area: 350 sq. ft.

THE REVIEWS: “I purchased this window A/C unit to replace one I had for nearly 20 years which finally gave out. This new LG unit was the perfect purchase,” wrote one shopper. “It installed easily over the window frame without the need for an external brace to prop it up. The machine is whisper quiet compared to my old one, the settings are comprehensive and the thermostat shuts off the unit temporarily when the desired room temp is reached so it is not running non-stop. The remote is very helpful and easy to use.”

Air Conditioner

It pays to take care of the environment. This window air conditioning unit from Windmill works by having the top vents blow air up and out into the room, making it as efficient as possible with the airflow in the room—a change from some other models on the market that blow air directly into your face. As someone who loves a good app moment, if you have an iPhone or an Android, you’ll be happy to know that thanks to le good ole technology, you can power on the unit right from your phone. You can also connect it to your Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

• Dimensions: 19.4” x 19.3” x 13.2”

• Weight: 71.3 lbs.

• BTU: 8000

• Cooling Area: 350 sq. ft.

THE REVIEWS: “I love this unit. I have a 600-square-foot apartment and one unit keeps the whole place a comfortable temperature, despite it only guaranteeing to cool 350,” one shopper notes. “ It saved my sanity. One of the coolest (lol see what I did there) features to me is the app, so I can’t control it from outside my apartment & it’s cool when I get home. Less vital but still a great feature? As far as window units go, it’s the most aesthetically pleasing one I’ve ever seen.”

FFRA051WAE Window-Mounted Room Air Conditioner

Having a working A/C shouldn’t be a luxury. If you’re someone who lives in especially hot or humid areas, you know more than anyone just how necessary it really is. For those looking for something on the simpler side, we’ve found your soulmate. At less than $180, you’ll be relieved from the heat with this Frigidaire window-mounted air conditioner. Though the dials it comes equipped with don’t have the function to give you an exact temperature, you’ll be able to turn the fan intensity up or down with ease.

• Dimensions: 15.25"D x 16"W x 12"H

• Weight: 35.3 lbs.

• BTU: 5000

• Cooling Area: 150 sq. ft.

THE REVIEWS: “This is a very basic air conditioner, good for a small room (used in about 10x12 ft. room),” one shopper notes. “The controls are all knobs, with no temperature settings. I have another Frigidaire that’s a little more powerful and has buttons and temperature settings. It’s also quieter and more efficient. But, this one gets the job done and worked quiet reliably over a hot summer.”

Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Fan

A wall-mounted air conditioner isn’t for everyone, which is where portable air conditioners come in handy. This powerful pick has a dual hose, which means that it uses air from outside versus inside air, so it can lower the temp even quicker than usual. Other cool features are that it doubles as a dehumidifier that captures dust from the air and is easy-to-clean with a washable filter. There’s also the option to purchase a model that comes with a heater if you’re planning ahead for cooler days.

• Dimensions: 16"D x 19"W x 35.5"H

• Weight: 80 lbs.

• BTU: 14,000 ASHRAE

• Cooling Area: 500 sq. ft.

THE REVIEWS: “This is the first time I buy a window A/C and all I got to say is that I love it!” wrote one shopper. “For the price I got this, I gotta say it has been working perfectly and passing my expectations with flying colors. If you are looking for an a/c that is affordable, effective, and simple this A/C unit is for you then.”

Window Air Conditioner

Being able to connect your A/C to wifi is honestly such a game changer. Although it’s a specification that you might not exactly keep top of mind while shopping, it proves to come in handy when you’re coming home after a long day and want to plan ahead for your arrival. Instead of entering a stuffy room, you’ll be able to be immediately greeted by a crisp chill with this stylish model from July. To use, control your July with the remote control and digital LED display, through the July app, or connect your July with smart devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to control via voice. Moreover, you can set it to have a scheduled time to turn on before you get home. And because this isn’t a regular air conditioner, it’s a cool one, you can also purchase some fun aesthetically pleasing covers that come in various colors.

• Dimensions: 14'' H X 19'' W X 19'' D

• Weight: 55 lbs.

• BTU: 8000

• Cooling Area: N/A

MY REVIEW: “The design of this air conditioner from July won me over. As opposed to its clunky, larger, and downright *whispers* uglier brothers and sisters, this one is sleek and has a minimalist profile.”

WH 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

Small apartment hive, rise up!! We don’t need much for it to make a biggggg difference. This portable air conditioner from DeLonghi will be able to keep us nice and cool all season (and beyond). You’ll also get to choose between your ideal comfort settings throughout the day with 3-in-1 functions, directional airflow capabilities, and intuitive controls.

• Dimensions: 15.4"D x 17.5"W x 31.7"H

• Weight: 83.3 lbs.

• BTU: 14000

• Cooling Area: 700 sq. ft.

THE REVIEWS: “Through the years, I have not been able to find an air conditioner that can effectively cool down my space. I decided to try this portable air conditioner from DeLonghi, and it has worked very well so far,” notes one shopper. “We've had a number of 90+ days, and this air conditioner has really cooled my very hot loft space.”

Compact Spot Fan & Humidifier

A true why-not-both moment, this sweet Honeywell fan both keeps you cool and can be used as a humidifier. While it’s not an air conditioner per se, it is more than your average fan. The versatile find is compact enough that it makes an easy addition into any space. When using, you can set it to evaporative cooling or a more gentle fan-only breeze during warmer days. As for the humidifier, you can keep air hydrated during the colder, winter months.

• Dimensions: 13.9"D x 13.9"W x 43.5"H

• Weight: 19.6 lbs.

• BTU: N/A

• Cooling Area: 426 sq. ft

THE REVIEWS: “This was super easy to set up and use which I'm very happy about! I live in dry, dry Colorado so an evaporative cooler has two important functions: cool the air and add some humidity to painfully dry air,” notes one reviewer. “My apartment has A/C in the living room but nothing in the bedroom so I'll be using this to cool the bedroom and since it's made to cool an area about 100 sq ft it should do fine in there. It's also quiet, much quieter than my best fan or the A/C.”

U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner

This might be controversial, but I feel as though having a loud and noisy air conditioner is almost worse than having no air conditioner at all. Agree? I thought so. The Midea U Smart Inverter A/C unit has been said by reviewers to be quieter than traditional units. Credited to its U-shape design, it uses your window to block noise outside and the high efficiency Inverter system warrants ultra low noise and vibration. Never have an interrupted sleep again.

• Dimensions: 19.17"D x 21.97"W x 13.46"H

• Weight: 55.6 lbs.

• BTU: 8000

• Cooling Area: 350 sq. ft

THE REVIEWS: “Buy it. Let me just start with that. If you’re thinking about buying this unit, stop thinking and click that “Add to cart” button now,” wrote one shopper. “I hesitated and waffled before I bought it, then I stalled on installing it because I thought it would be hard. This unit COOLS and is QUIET! I have had this air conditioner running at full speed in my office while I was on conference calls. It’s not *whisper* quiet, but it’s quieter than some fans I’ve owned. And the noise it does generate is mostly lower frequency so it doesn’t interfere with conversation.”

14,000 BTU Air Conditioner Portable

It doesn’t take a brain scientist to know that having a larger space means you’ll have to tap in more manpower. If you’re looking to cool a whole house, office unit, or a larger area; you need to check out this big boi from BLACK+DECKER. For moments when you need to move it around, there are casters on the bottom and side handles on this small air conditioner.

• Dimensions: 17.1 x 28.1 x 13.8 inches

• Weight: 68.3 lbs.

• BTU: 14000

• Cooling Area: 700 sq. ft

THE REVIEWS: “This thing is going strong for four summers now,” wrote one shopper. “I use it pointed slightly upward into the main part of my studio apartment with a fan at the opposite end oscillating in opposite direction (evenly distributes the cool air rather than cool air in front and stale warm air behind it). I never have to drain it but I'll pop open the cap occasionally to make sure.”

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