- The world is getting warmer, making air conditioners a public health necessity, with top picks like Midea's 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter offering high energy efficiency and ozone-friendly coolants.
- Heat pumps and mini-splits (e.g., Della Optima Series) are more efficient but require expensive installation, while budget models like GE's 6,000 BTU are cheaper upfront but less efficient long-term.
- Updated July 2026: Retested Midea for condensation issues, added TCL Q-Series (good value, quiet, easy install) and Dreo Portable (easy to install on any window, dual hoses, instant cooling) as honorable mentions.
- Other tested models include the GE AWAS05BBA (cheapest, quiet, no remote), LG 12,000 BTU (efficient heavy unit with app issues), Friedrich Kuhl (expensive, metal chassis, MERV 13 filter option), and portable units like EcoFlow Wave 2 (battery/solar, heating mode) and Zero Breeze Mark II/III (portable, battery-powered, for outdoors).
- Key advice: Choose the right BTU size by calculating room square footage (20 BTUs per sq ft minimum), check CEER rating for energy efficiency (higher is better), and follow local laws for window installation, including measuring windows and sealing gaps.