Air Conditioner Buying Guide
Find the Best AC for Your Home
Choosing the right AC can save you money, reduce energy use, and make your space way more comfortable. Whether you're cooling one room or the whole house, this guide will help you find the best air conditioner for your home, budget, and lifestyle.
Quick Comparison: Which AC Is Right for You?
Here's everything you need to know at a glance:
| AC Type | Best For | BTU Range | Sq. Ft. Coverage | Price Range | Install Difficulty | Noise Level (dB) | User Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window AC | Apartments, single rooms | 5,000-25,000 | 150-1,500 sq ft | $150-$800 | Easy (DIY) | 50-60 dB | Best for Renters |
| Portable AC | Renters, rooms without windows | 8,000-15,000 | 300-700 sq ft | $300-$700 | Very Easy (DIY) | 55-65 dB | Most Flexible |
| Mini-Split/Ductless | Homes without ductwork | 9,000-36,000 | 400-1,800 sq ft | $1,500-$4,000 | Professional | 32-45 dB | Quietest |
| Smart AC | Heating & Cooling | 6,000-24,000 | 200-1,400 sq ft | $250-$1,200 | Easy to Moderate | 48-58 dB | Most Connected |
BTUs (British Thermal Units) measure how much heat your air conditioner can remove from a room in one hour. This air conditioner BTU guide will help you choose the right size unit for maximum efficiency.
| SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) | Higher numbers mean lower electric bills. Look for 14+ SEER for good efficiency, 16+ for excellent efficiency. |
|---|---|
| EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) | Measures efficiency at peak conditions. 11+ is good, 12+ is excellent. |
| ENERGY STAR certification | Can save you $100+ per year compared to non-certified models. Energy star rating information is clearly displayed on most units to help you compare efficiency levels. Looking for an energy star air conditioner is one of the smartest moves when shopping for energy efficient ac options. |
Best for: : Apartments, bedrooms, and any room with a suitable window
Window AC units are the workhorses of room cooling. They sit in your window, pull in outside air for the condenser, and blow cool air into your room. Simple, effective, and usually the most affordable option.
Pros:
- Most budget-friendly option
- Wide BTU range available
- Relatively easy installation
- Don't take up floor space
- Many energy efficient window air conditioner models available
Cons:
- Blocks part of your window
- Can be noisy (especially older models)
- Installation can be tricky for heavy units
- May not fit all window types
Popular brands: GE, Midea, Frigidaire, LG – all offer reliable models with good warranties. When shopping for the best window air conditioner for a large room, look for units with 18,000+ BTUs and strong airflow patterns.
Quick answer: Best value for money with powerful cooling, easy installation, and wide size range for any room.
Window units provide excellent cooling power at the lowest upfront cost. They're perfect for renters, single rooms, or anyone who wants effective cooling without permanent installation. The best air conditioner for apartment living is often a window unit because it's removable and doesn't require landlord approval.
Quick answer: Use 20 BTUs per square foot as a starting point, then adjust for sun exposure and room usage.
Start with 20 BTUs per square foot, then adjust: reduce by 10% for heavily shaded rooms, increase by 10% for very sunny rooms, and add 600 BTUs per extra person who regularly uses the space. For kitchens, add an extra 4,000 BTUs.
Quick answer: About $0.20-$0.30 per hour, or $150-$250 for a full cooling season with efficient models.
A typical 10,000 BTU window unit costs about $0.20-$0.30 per hour to operate. For a full cooling season (8 hours daily for 90 days), expect $150-$250 in electricity costs. Energy efficient models can reduce this by 20-40%.
Quick answer: Yes, for units under 80 lbs. Heavier units may need professional help for safety.
Most window units under 80 lbs can be installed DIY with basic tools and possibly a helper. Units over 100 lbs should definitely use professional installation for safety. Allow 1-3 hours depending on complexity.
Quick answer: Look for units rated under 50 dB. Newer models with inverter technology are typically quietest.
Modern window units operate at 45-55 dB (normal conversation level), while older models can reach 55-65 dB (vacuum cleaner level). Units with inverter technology and sound-dampening features are your best bet for quiet operation.
Best for: Renters, rooms without window access, or spaces where permanent installation isn't possible
Portable units roll around on wheels and typically vent hot air through a window kit. They're the ultimate flexible cooling solution, but that convenience comes with some trade-offs.
Pros:
- No permanent installation required
- Can move between rooms
- Good for oddly-shaped windows
- Renter-friendly solution
- Some models include heat pump functionality
Cons:
- Take up floor space
- Generally less efficient than window units
- Higher noise levels
- Require window venting (despite being "portable")
- May struggle in very humid climates
Quick answer: Choose portable if you can't install a window unit, need to move it between rooms, or have oddly-shaped windows.
Portable units are ideal when window installation isn't possible, you're renting and want maximum flexibility, or you have casement/sliding windows that won't accommodate standard window units. They're also good for temporary cooling needs.
Quick answer: Yes, but they're less efficient than window units. Dual-hose models work much better than single-hose.
Portable ACs do work, but they're typically 15-25% less efficient than window units. The key is choosing a dual-hose model over single-hose for better performance, especially in hot climates.
Quick answer: Most cool 300-700 sq ft effectively. Check BTU ratings and adjust for your room conditions.
Portable units typically handle 300-700 sq ft depending on BTU capacity. An 8,000 BTU portable works for about 300 sq ft, while 12,000-14,000 BTU units can handle up to 700 sq ft in ideal conditions.
Quick answer: Yes, most require window venting through an included kit. Only evaporative coolers don't need venting.
Nearly all refrigerant-based portable ACs need to vent hot air outside through a window kit. The only exception is evaporative coolers, which work differently and are only effective in dry climates.
Quick answer: Dual-hose models with ENERGY STAR certification offer the best efficiency in the portable category.
Look for dual-hose models with ENERGY STAR certification. Single-hose units are significantly less efficient because they create negative pressure that pulls warm air into the room.
Best for: Homes without ductwork, additions, or anyone wanting whisper-quiet operation
Mini splits are the luxury option that's worth every penny if you can swing the upfront cost. An outdoor unit connects to one or more indoor units, providing incredibly efficient and quiet cooling.
Pros:
- Extremely quiet operation (32-45 dB)
- Excellent energy efficiency
- No ductwork required
- Individual room control
- Can provide heating too
- Sleek, modern appearance
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- Professional installation required
- More complex maintenance
- Indoor unit visible on wall
Quick answer: Yes, if staying long-term. They pay for themselves in 5-7 years through energy savings.
Mini-splits typically pay for themselves within 5-7 years through energy savings, then continue saving money for the remaining 8-12 years of their lifespan. Best scenarios include homes without ductwork, room additions, or situations where you want individual room control.
Quick answer: $1,500-$4,000 for single-zone systems, including professional installation.
Expect $1,500-$4,000 installed for single-zone systems, with multi-zone systems costing more. Professional installation is required and typically takes 4-8 hours for a single zone system.
Quick answer: Ductless systems don't need existing ductwork and offer individual room control with better efficiency.
Ductless systems don't require existing ductwork and provide individual room control, while central air systems use ducts to distribute air throughout the home. If you don't have ductwork, mini split ac systems often cost less than installing a full ducted central ac system.
Quick answer: Very quiet at 32-45 dB – about as loud as a library whisper to quiet conversation.
Mini-splits are the quietest AC option available, operating at 32-45 dB compared to 50-65 dB for window units. This makes them perfect for bedrooms, offices, or anywhere noise is a concern.
Quick answer: Yes, most are heat pumps that provide both heating and cooling with excellent efficiency.
Most mini-split systems are heat pumps that provide both heating and cooling. They're highly efficient for heating in moderate climates and can often replace both your AC and heating system.
Best for: Tech-forward households who want app control and automation
Smart ACs connect to your home Wi-Fi, letting you control them from anywhere. Some integrate with Alexa, Google Assistant, and smart home systems.
Pros: App control lets you turn on AC before you get home, and scheduling automatically adjusts for your routine to save energy. Energy monitoring tracks usage and costs in real-time, while voice control integration works seamlessly if you're already using smart home devices. Geofencing features can turn the unit on when you're nearby and off when you leave.
Cons: Smart features add to the upfront cost, and there's potential for tech issues or connectivity problems. Many advanced features like social media integration and complex AI learning go unused after the novelty wears off. If you rarely use smart home features, that money might be better spent on higher efficiency or larger capacity.
Quick answer: Worth it if you're tech-savvy and want convenience features. Focus on practical smart features, not gimmicks.
Smart ACs are worth the premium if you frequently forget what's in your home, travel often, or love having the latest gadgets. Focus on practical features like app control, scheduling, and energy monitoring rather than social media integration or complex AI features.
Quick answer: Yes, they keep your space cool. You just lose the connected features like app control and notifications.
Smart ACs continue normal cooling operation without WiFi; you'll just lose connected features like app control and notifications. All basic cooling functions work normally even when disconnected.
Quick answer: App control, scheduling, energy monitoring, and voice control if you use smart home devices.
The most useful features are app control for remote operation, scheduling for automatic adjustments, energy monitoring for cost tracking, and voice control if you already use smart home devices. Skip social media connectivity and complex learning algorithms.
Quick answer: Extremely rare with reputable brands. Use secure WiFi passwords and keep firmware updated.
While theoretically possible, hacking is extremely rare with established manufacturers. Use secure WiFi passwords, keep firmware updated, and choose reputable brands with good security track records.
Quick answer: The cooling system works independently. A broken touchscreen won't affect cooling performance.
The refrigeration system operates independently of smart features. A touchscreen or connectivity failure won't affect cooling performance, and most manufacturers offer good warranty support for smart components.
