Expert shopping: Air conditioners

You probably want to stay cool as we enter the season of sweat shorts. If you’re someone who lives in warmer weather or you like to keep things cool while you sleep, it might be time to step up your air conditioner game with an upgrade. Whichever AC model works for you — whether a window unit, a portable air conditioner or even a personal air cooler — there are lots of options online and lots of features and specs to consider. You can even find ones with built in humidifiers or air purifiers. To help guide you to the right air conditioner for your space, we consulted cooling experts on shopping tips to consider for air conditioners, as well as their top recommendations.

SKIP AHEAD Best window air conditioners | Best portable air conditioners | Best personal air conditioners

The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is generally measured in British thermal units (BTUs). On average, an AC unit needs about 20 BTUs per square foot of living space to keep things cool, explained Marla Mock, VP of Operations at HVAC services company Aire Serv. When you’re shopping for a new AC unit, she says one of the most important things to consider is picking the right size for your space — despite what some assume, more BTUs isn’t always better.

“If you buy an undersized air conditioner, it’s likely that the equipment may fail to keep up with cooling demands on hot days — not to mention ultimately increasing your energy bill since it’s working overtime to meet that demand,” she said. “But if you purchase an oversized AC unit, it’ll reach that demanded temperature too quickly, which leads to a short-cycling behavior and premature breakdowns.” In addition to your home or room’s square footage, Mock moted some other other factors to keep in mind as you scroll through options for your next AC unit’s BTUs:

• Climate. Homes in hotter climates like Florida and Arizona may need a larger AC unit than homes in Illinois or Michigan.
• Number of windows. Homes or rooms with more windows heat up faster than those without.
• Internal heat gain. If you use heat-generating appliances during the day, you may need more air conditioning to counteract the heat gain.
• Occupancy. The more people who live in your home, the larger your unit should be.

After narrowing down how many BTUs you’ll want your AC to sport, there’s a wide range of AC features to consider next.

Look for products that are Energy Star-rated, which are independently certified to save energy and help reduce environmental impact. The Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio (CEER) is the standard rating for window air conditioners. It’s based on the amount of energy used while the AC runs, as well as when the air conditioner is on standby.

Generally, the higher the rating, the better efficiency and “greater energy efficiency can translate into lower monthly energy costs,” said Anthony Carrino, a home improvement developer and designer.

Whether it’s Wi-Fi enabled and can be adjusted through an app on your smartphone or through a remote control, these features make it easier to change settings, said John Carey, vice president at retailer Designer Appliances.

If the AC unit is going to be anywhere near your bedroom — or at-home workspace — having a unit that won’t keep you up all night or distracted is vital. “Many units are rated with a Nominal Sound Level – the average sound level in decibels. The higher the number, the louder the unit,” explained Carrino. “For example, 40 equals a library while 70 equals a vacuum cleaner.”

By investing in a unit that also offers air purification, you’ll be making a wellness-focused change, said Carrino. This technology makes the AC-and-air purifier combo a tool to also remove airborne pollutants from your home.

If you’re looking to install a more permanent solution, check out some of these highly-regarded window AC units.

1. MIDEA Easycool MAW12R1BWT Window Air Conditioner 12,000 BTU

With 12,000 BTUs of power, this AC unit can cover rooms up to 550 square feet, making it a good choice for just about any room in the house. “It’s one of my top ACs to recommend because of the fact that it’s three-in-on, meaning you can use it as an AC, fan and dehumidifier,” says Justin Edwards, an HVAC contractor with ContractorAdvisorly. “It’s also quiet compared to other AC models and it’s easy to install.”

2. LG LW8017ERSM Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Window Air Conditioner with 8,000 BTU

This Wi-Fi enabled air conditioner can cover more than 340 square feet of space while operating at low sound levels. “This unit has excellent performance thanks to its 8,000 BTUs cooling power,” said Carey. “But besides its coverage and cooling power, it has a three-fan cooling speed and a four-way direction, which further boosts its performance.”

3. Frigidaire FFRA051WAE 5,000 BTU Compact Air Conditioner

Don’t let the size or price of this compact window AC fool you. For those looking to cool a small room, this air conditioner quickly gets to work with two fan speeds as well as two-way air direction. “You can cool a room up to 150 square feet quickly and efficiently,” said Edwards. “It’s quiet enough to the point where you won’t have any issues going to sleep with it on.”

4. Friedrich Chill Premier 6,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner (limited availability)

This Friedrich model is a remarkable window AC unit with ultra-quiet performance, excellent CEER levels, and one of the best window AC cooling performance rates in the industry, explained Carey. “Its top features include the Quiet Master Technology for low noise levels, Wi-Fi connectivity with Amazon and Google Home integration, and the expandable curtains that ensure a snug fit during installation,” he noted.

These are our top picks for larger AC units that can be easily moved from room to room, usually designed with portability and mobility in mind.

5. BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner

With an adjustable fan speed that cools air down to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and an easily accessible filter for cleaning, this is Edwards’ top pick for portable AC units. “At 8,000 BTUs, it can cover most home room sizes and it’s perfect if you want to keep it on while you sleep,” he says. “Its sleep mode function allows it to control the air temperature while you’re asleep, keeping you comfortable — and it has a low noise level at 75 dB.”

6. Honeywell 470-659 CFM

Look to this evaporative air cooler for a a more affordable and portable option for cooling a small-to-medium space. The compact system has an ice compartment for colder air, a water tank that’s easy to access for refills to keep up that cool breeze and a shut-off timer for saving energy.

7. Ukoke USPC01W Smart Wi-Fi Portable Air Conditioner

The Ukoke USPC01W is as high-tech as it gets, says Edwards. Apart from just being an AC unit, you can also use it as a dehumidifier, fan and heater. “You can set up your Alexa to control it or use Ukoke’s own mobile app — and at 12,000 BTU cooling capacity, it can cool rooms up to 400 square feet,” he said. “I recommend this AC to those looking for convenience, the latest AC technology and who aren’t too bothered with the price.”

8. Frigidaire Gallery 13,000 BTU Cool Connect Portable Air Conditioner

With a smart AC unit, you can start cooling down your room from anywhere — the Frigidaire app helps you connect to this Wi-Fi-enabled portable air conditioner. But this unit isn’t just about the convenience, it offers the ability to create custom schedules and hands-free temperature changes. The air conditioner also dehumidifies and cleans the air through a washable filter.

These AC units might be small but don’t underestimate their ability to keep your personal space — from a workstation to a reading nook — cool.

9. Evapolar evaCHILL Personal

This sleek personal air conditioner has a minimalist design, while packing a powerful punch that quietly cools with a working time of up to nine hours. “It’s a good choice if you want to use it in a work environment to cool your office desk or when you just want to lay down and relax on your bed,” said Edwards. “It’s lightweight, and it’s easy to set up and use, making it convenient for everyone.”

10. Ontel Arctic Ultra Evaporative Portable Air Conditioner

For a more affordable cooling option, this mini air conditioner can get the job done. The Arctic Air Ultra is a personal space cooler that also humidifies and purifies through a water filter. Weighing in at less than two pounds, this small AC unit is easy to move and is meant to give off minimal noise during nighttime cooling.

11. Evapolar EvaSMART Personal Evaporative Air Cooler

Keep comfortable during hotter days while also purifying and humidifying with this 3-in-1 unit that cleans while it cools up to 33 square feet. This personal air conditioner has a touchscreen panel and is Wi-Fi compatible — it works with smart home assistants like Amazon’s Alexa for hands-free control.

12. Dyson Pure Cool DP04-HEPA Air Purifier and Fan

Unlike the standard personal air conditioner, this Dyson product doesn’t just keep you cool. The Dyson Pure Cool is a Wi-Fi-enabled purifying fan that removes allergens through a HEPA filter. It also works with both Alexa and Google for easier control or through your smartphone with the Dyson Link app, giving you real-time air quality updates.

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