6 Window Air Conditioners We Actually Don't Hate (2023)

Style meets function with the Windmill, which is our top pick. The machine looks good, can connect to your smartphone, and most importantly, does a great job of cooling a room.

You may say, "An air conditioner is just an air conditioner," but Windmill really wins out on little touches. You can choose a white glove delivery service that'll bring it up your stairs (if you live in a walk-up apartment) and install it yourself, or during checkout you can schedule a TaskRabbit to come and do the whole thing for you. It also comes with a cover for winter, so it won’t collect dust when you're storing it during the cooler months. The brand is also committed to energy efficiency, better for both your wallet and the planet. Its EcoRewards program will automatically reduce energy use during heatwaves, saving you from having an energy bill spiking.

Plus, in its most recent launch, the rolled out added its new largest unit, as well as interchangeable colored grills. Now you can get a 10,000 BTU AC, which will cool up to 450 square feet. And, you can chose from four grill colors, which are compatible with all of Windmill's 2.0 units.

A true minimalist will appreciate the style and simplicity that July has to offer. The brand’s Instagram-worthy look comes with a smooth customizable front that you can match to your decor. Options range from a handful of muted colors to wood or fabric paneling.

There’s also an air purifying option. You can buy filters for the machine, and your AC will be pumping the purest air possible. The brand also offers installation—at an added cost, of course—but you at least have the option to make it easy.

Midea U-Shaped Window Air Conditioner

Midea makes an AC in a shape similar to Soleus, but the result is a whole lot different. What you get from this U-Shaped air conditioner is near silence. The shape allows the hot side to sit fully behind your window, so it functions more like a built-in unit. On top of that, Midea has one of the best inverter systems we've seen. Instead of cutting on and off over and over, this unit does a great job of getting your room cool and maintaining temperature with the fan at a lower speed.

And on top of all that, the shape of this unit actually allows you to slightly open your window. You obviously can't throw it wide open, but on those days when it's nice enough to not run the air conditioner, you can crack the window and catch a breeze.

Window air conditioner units are specifically made for those who live in a house or apartment without an AC system built into the walls. While there are some freestanding AC units out there, the models made for windows are always more efficient, clean, and space saving. It's the only way to replace central air conditioning.

Some things to consider when buying one: the noise, the price, the style, and the BTUs. Mostly straight forward, but if you’re not exactly sure what BTUs are, don't worry, that's normal.

Companies use the British Thermal Unit (BTU) as a standard measurement rating for air conditioner power outlets. While these all plug into the wall, the number of BTUs will tell you the the power of the machine and how much square footage it can cool. Normal thresholds vary from 6,000 to 14,000 and cover rooms from about 250 to 550 square feet. We would suggest around 10,000 BTUs for a larger living room or one-bed apartment, and around 7,000 BTUs for a larger bedroom or studio.