Skip to main content
To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories.
- Security
- Politics
- Gear
- Backchannel
- Business
- Science
- Culture
- Ideas
- Merch
- Podcasts
- Video
- Newsletters
- Magazine
- Events
- WIRED Insider
- WIRED Consulting
- Jobs
- Coupons
Julian Chokkattu
Gear
These WIRED-tested AC units have been lodged into our windows and cooling our homes for months, if not years.
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
Best Overall
Midea U-Shaped Air Conditioner (MAW08V1QWT)
Read moreA Budget Window AC
GE Window Air Conditioner (AHEE06AC)
Read morePowerful and Quiet
LG Smart Air Conditioner (LW1022IVSM)
Read moreAn AC With an Air Quality Sensor
Frigidaire Gallery U-Shape Window Air Conditioner (GHWQ085WD1)
Read more4
/
7
It’s hot. Unlike in the winter, when you can just bundle up to stay warm, there are only so many clothes you can strip off to cool down. If you don’t have central air in your home, a window air conditioner is the next best thing. They’re heavy machines but are relatively easy to install, and they immediately provide relief to your swelteringly hot space.
I feel a pang of guilt when I turn mine on. The planet is warming up because of climate change, and even the best window air conditioners contribute to this. But it’s important to stay cool during these hot months, or it can seriously affect your sleep. The window AC units in this guide are ones we’ve tested for months, if not years. However, there’s a ginormous number of these machines out there on the market from a dizzying number of brands—we’ll keep testing more and update this guide as we go. Be sure to read our How to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning guide for tips on keeping your home chilly without mounting an AC.
Updated July 2023: We've added the Frigidaire Gallery U-Shape AC and EcoFlow Wave 2.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-Year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
Most Popular
- Things Keep Getting Worse for the Humane Ai Pin
Gear
Boone Ashworth
- Smartphones May Affect Sleep—but Not Because of Blue Light
Gear
Simon Hill
- Some Cheap Wired Headphones Are Actually Using Bluetooth
Gear
Boone Ashworth
- Keychron’s Q1 HE Marks a Turning Point for Mechanical Keyboards
Gear
Henri Robbins
Most Popular
- Things Keep Getting Worse for the Humane Ai Pin
Gear
Boone Ashworth
- Smartphones May Affect Sleep—but Not Because of Blue Light
Gear
Simon Hill
- Some Cheap Wired Headphones Are Actually Using Bluetooth
Gear
Boone Ashworth
- Keychron’s Q1 HE Marks a Turning Point for Mechanical Keyboards
Gear
Henri Robbins
Julian Chokkattu is the reviews editor at WIRED, covering personal technology and reviewing consumer products. Previously he was the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, steering coverage and reviews of smartphones and smartwatches, and an intern at TechCrunch. He graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree in English... Read more
TopicsShoppingbuying guidescoolinghomeAppliancehousehold
Nanoleaf has some of the coolest smart lighting panels around. Here’s how to choose the right one for your home.
Nena Farrell
We made tons of coffee, tea, and ramen to test these gadgets—and boiled it down to these top picks.
Brenda Stolyar
We chugged chilled beverages to bring you our favorite coolers for every situation.
Scott Gilbertson
We’ve rounded up our favorites, including third-party devices like the Sonos Era and a voice-enabled Yamaha soundbar.
Parker Hall
These are the best Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and cellular gadgets to ensure you never lose anything ever again.
Adrienne So
An internet-connected light bulb is one of the easiest ways to start building a smarter home. Here are the best we’ve tested.
Nena Farrell
From smart displays to soundbars, Google’s voice assistant comes in all shapes and sizes. Here are our favorites.
Nena Farrell
Never miss a delivery. These WIRED-tested picks will help you keep tabs on your front door from anywhere.
Simon Hill