While the window-mounted air conditioner might not be the most aesthetically pleasing way to cool (or heat) your home, the fact remains that window-mounted air conditioners give homeowners them most control over their individual rooms’ temperatures.

Our top pick of window-mounted air conditioner is the LG LW8016ER. We love that this model offers an impressive 8000 BTU, is capable of covering 340 sq.ft. and has a 2.2 pint/hr dehumidification rate. It also includes a remote control and an auto-restart function, to keep you cool should a power outage occur. 

Interested to learn more? Read on to check out our other recommendations.

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1LG LW8016ER

  • 8000 BTU
  • 2.2 pints/hr
  • <57 dB
  • 340 sq.ft. coverage
  • Programmable/remote control
  • Auto-restart
  • Uses standard 115V outlet
  • Warranty: 1-year Limited

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2Haier Serenity Series ESAQ406T

  • 6000 BTU
  • 1.5 pints/hr
  • < 52 dB
  • 250 sq.ft coverage
  • Uses standard 115V outlet
  • Remote control with LED display 
  • Warranty: 1-year parts, 5-year compressor

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3Frigidaire FFRA051WAE

  • 5000 BTU
  • 3.3 pints/hr
  • <56 dB
  • 150 sq.ft coverage
  • Auto-restart
  • Uses standard 115V outlet
  • Warranty: 3-year parts, 5-year compressor


1

LG LW8016ER

LG is certainly known for its sleek, modern design across many of its home appliances, but our top pick, the LG LW8015ER, trades aesthetics for efficiency with a unit that is both simple and easy to operate. 

LG’s focus here is on functionality, and at 8,000 BTU, this unit packs a serious punch. Likewise, we appreciate the use of a standard outlet, although you may notice your lights dimming when the compressor kicks on. Otherwise, the three fan settings, 2.2 pints per hour dehumidification and quick operation of this unit should help you get through the summer months without breaking a sweat. 

Capable of cooling rooms up to 340 sq.ft. in size, this window-mounted air conditioner is perfect for most households. It is fully programmable, includes a 24 hour timer for convenience and comes complete with a handy remote control. Should you need to keep an eye on your utility bills, the special energy-saving function will come in useful. 

Not only does this model do its job incredibly well, but it’s durable and reliable, too. The LG LW8015ER boasts a gold fin anti-corrosion coating, so you can be sure it will keep you cool for years to come. Furthermore, should a power outage occur, this unit will automatically turn itself back on as soon as the power returns – so you won’t wake up all hot and uncomfortable in the early hours. 

While this unit’s aesthetic design won’t turn any heads, the raw BTU output and excellent dehumidification certainly will. Sure, the compressor may strain your power a little, but all in all, we think this unit provides powerful and efficient cooling that is truly built to last. 

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Pros

  • Large coverage
  • Great dehumidification
  • Easy to use
  • Fully programmable and includes a timer for convenience
  • Energy efficient mode cuts your bills

Cons

  • Compressor may strain home power grid

 

2

Haier Serenity Series ESAQ406T

The Haier Serenity Series ESAQ406T quiet window-mounted air conditioner unit hits the mark on many metrics and manages to do so with a relatively small footprint. 

It offers 6000 BTU and dedicated modes for specific functions, such as dehumidification or eco-mode; which are great if you want to run the unit but not necessarily at full power. At maximum power, it is capable of cooling spaces of up to 250 sq.ft., but may struggle in very hot conditions. 

The low decibel score of 44 dB is achieved with the quiet operational mode. If you need to run the unit at maximum capacity for larger spaces, you should be aware that the sound levels can reach 52 dB. However, this is still much quieter than other models on our list – which makes it perfect if you suffer from hot nights and struggle to sleep in noisy conditions. 

Lastly, the built-in timer and fully-realized remote control are very useful. The remote covers almost everything you that you could access on the unit itself and presents the information on a clear and easy to read LED screen; so you can adjust the settings from the comfort of your seat.

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Pros

  • Capable of running at as little as 44 dB
  • Great for small to medium-sized rooms
  • Dedicated humidification function
  • Relatively compact
  • Includes timer and remote control
  • Auto-restart keeps you cool after a power outage

Cons

  • Limited capacity during quiet mode
  • May struggle in extreme heat conditions


3

Frigidaire FFRA051WAE

 If you need to keep your home cool while also watching your spending, this window-mounted air conditioner from Frigidaire is our top budget pick.

Although it’s 5000 BTU is lower than the other models on our list, the Frigidaire FFRA051WAE is capable of effectively cooling smaller rooms of up to 150 sq.ft. It also offers a dehumidification capacity of 1.1 pints per hour, which will help to cool your room down faster should you suffer from high humidity in your area. 

While it doesn’t include a timer or a remote control, this model is very simple to use. Two large, easy-to-read dials control the fan speed and the cooling level, so it will take you mere seconds to switch on and enjoy a more comfortable temperature. This model is also the smallest on our list, which makes it perfect for narrow windows in compact spaces. 

Just like our top pick, the Frigidaire FFRA051WAE also offers a convenient ‘effortless restart’ feature, which switches the unit back on when possible after a power outage. So, should a summer storm knock out the power overnight, you won’t have to worry about getting up to turn it back on.

Overall, while it may be less powerful and offer fewer features than our more expensive options, we think the Frigidaire FFRA051WAE is a great choice to keep small rooms cool without breaking the bank.

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Pros

  • Low-price
  • Easy to use
  • Auto-restart feature

Cons

  • Small coverage
  • Low BTU
  • No timer or remote control

Comparison Chart

LG LW8016ERHaier Serenity Series ESAQ406TFrigidaire FFRA051WAE
BTU8,000 BTU6,000 BTU5,000 BTU
Dehumidification2.2 pts/hr1.5 pts/hr1.1 pts/hr
Dimensions19.6 X 19.4 X 12.418.1 x 21.2 x 12.412 x 16 x 15.5
Noise Level< 57 db< 52 db< 56 db
Coverage (sq.ft.)340250150
Remote Control✓✓X
Timer✓✓X
Weight (lbs)5855.650
Price$$$$$$$$
Warranty1-year1-year parts/5-year compressor3-year parts/5-year compressor

Buyer’s Guide:

Window Mounted Air Conditioner

Of course, when you’ve finally settled on your window-mounted air conditioning and receive your new unit, there is the final issue of installation to manage. Installation of a window-mounted air conditioning unit can be done either by yourself or by professionals. While paying professionals is certainly easier on the mind, the costs can equal half of the expense of the air conditioner itself, if not more.

Installation by yourself is usually not difficult if you have a helping hand and can pay close attention to the manufacturer’s instruction manual. While units can have specific installation requirements unique to each model, let’s walk you through the basics of DIY installation of a window-mounted air conditioner:

  1. Locate your outlet: You will first need to make sure that you’re near an three-pin outlet. While this may seem self-evident, it’s important to double check the length of your air conditioner’s outlet before committing a specific window to avoid a headache.
  2. Unpackage unit and prepare window space: Carefully remove your new unit from the packaging and install the side filler panels to the unit. These are to fill in the horizontal space left over from the gaps between the air conditioner and the sides of your window. They are often marked specifically for the left or right-hand side, so be sure to double check. Also, make sure that there’s nothing outside the window that could obstruct air flow.
  3. Install unit: Open the window you need to install your unit into and place the unit in, first ensuring that the bottom rail is on the outside of the windowsill. You may want to use the help of another person to ensure that there are no unfortunate accidents or broken air conditioning units during the process.
  4. Close window to secure unit: Close the window on top of the unit and secure the side filler panels by screwing them into the window frame itself using included attachments. You may also need to check your instruction manual to make sure that you don’t need to run any tubing for the dehumidifier. Fill in any final gaps with included weather sealant, and you should be good to go.

For more information and step-by-step instructions, check out the video above, from Lowe’s Home Improvement on Youtube.

Pros

  • Easy to Install – Window-mounted air conditioners are quick and easy to install in a few minutes at any time of year.
  • More Affordable – They are more affordable than multi-split or central air conditioning systems.
  • Versatility – Window-mounted air conditioners are great for controlling the temperature in multiple rooms separately. For example, if you want the nursery to be cooler than the living room, simple adjust the units in those rooms to your liking.

Cons

  • Blocks the Window – Due to the way they are installed, window-mounted air conditioners will block the access to your window while in place.
  • May Leak – You may experience leaks if the unit isn’t fitted correctly, or shifts position over time.
  • Doesn’t Look Great – Window-mounted air conditioners are not the most subtle or attractive units.
  • Security –  Even though they are screwed into the window frame, they are not overly difficult to break through. Therefore, they can present a security risk to your property, particularly if mounted on the ground floor.
Window Mounted Air Conditioner

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Can be installed seasonally or year-round
  • More affordable than multi-split or central air systems
  • Great way to cool multiple rooms at different rates/temperatures

Cons

  • Blocks window access
  • Prone to leaks
  • Can be a risk to safety/security
  • Can be aesthetically displeasing

Final Thoughts

We think that these window-mounted air conditioners provide a great way to cool a room either seasonally or year-round. 

If you’re still unsure of whether a window-mounted air conditioner is right for you, our overall favorite is the LG LW8016ER. This model has the highest BTU of any unit on our list, as well as the largest coverage capacity. Fully programmable and coming complete with a remote control and timer, the LG LW8016ER provides everything you need to stay comfortable during the summer months.  

If you find air conditioner noise distracting or struggling to sleep with one on, check out the Haier Serenity Series ESAQ406T. This quiet air conditioner offers a dedicated low-noise mode, which keeps sound levels down to as low as 44dB. Even on a higher setting, this model maxes out at 52dB – making it the quietest air conditioner on our list. 

On the other hand, if you’re keeping an eye on your expenses and can’t afford to spend too much, we recommend the Frigidaire FFRA051WAE. Although it has fewer fancy features than our top pick, this budget model will easily keep small rooms of up to 150 sq.ft comfortably cool without breaking the bank. 

Further Reading

Electrostatic Air Filter
Which Electrostatic Air Filter is the Best?
Vent Filters
Do I Need Vent Filters in My Home?
What Size Air Conditioner for a Small vs Big House?