Summers are hot, and sadly, they’re getting hotter. But there are efficient and affordable ways to deal with the heat so that you can work, sleep, and function normally – and some of the best options are window air conditioners.
Before you begin despairing over the fact that your window is too small for an AC unit – don’t worry, we got you covered! We scoured the market for the best small window air conditioners so that none of you – especially those of you with small windows – have to suffer through the heat or through doing all the tedious market research yourselves.
To get you the best value for your money, we selected and reviewed the best small window air conditioners, which combine efficiency, durability, and versatility. These models vary in dimensions, price, and features, so that you can select the one that offers the perfect combination for your unique needs. Make sure to read our essential buying advice at the end of the article, so that you can make a smart and informed decision about your new small window AC unit.
| Picture | Name | Warranty | Room Size Capacity | Price | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea MAW06R1BWT Window Air Conditioner | One year parts and labor warranty. | 250 Sq. ft. | $$ | 18.54 x 16.02 x 13.39 inches | |
| Keystone KSTAW05B Air Conditioner | One year warranty and a limited 2-5 year warranty on the sealed system | 150 sq. ft. | $ | 15.5 x 17.5 x 18.2 inches | |
| Frigidaire FFRA0511R1E Window Mini Air Conditioner | Limited 2 year warranty and a limited 3-5 year warranty on the sealed system | 150 sq. ft. | $$$ | 15 x 16 x 12 inches | |
| Picture | Name | Warranty | Room Size Capacity | Price | Dimensions |
1. Midea MAW06R1BWT Window Air Conditioner : Best for Most People
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“The Midea can cool the largest amount of space out of any of our recommendations.”
Our favorite small window air conditioner for most people is the Midea MAW06R1BWT, as it offers the greatest versatility of settings and has the highest BTU (British Thermal Units) capacity, which means that it can cool the largest amount of space out of any of our recommendations. The Midea’s dehumidifying feature makes it a great choice for people suffering from allergies, as well as for people that live in humid climates.
Pros:
The Midea provides versatile features for a small and affordable unit. The AC unit can be set to air conditioning, fan-only modes, and dehumidification, which makes it extra tempting for those of you sensitive to humidity. Additionally, the unit can be set to a timer mode, an energy saver mode, and a sleep mode.
The energy saver mode makes the Midea a good eco-friendly choice. In fact, this AC unit is Energy Star-certified, so that it will reduce your electricity bills and put less of a strain on the environment at the same time.
For the price and size, this option also comes with high cooling capacity. The 6000 BTU’s of the Midea will allow you to quickly and efficiently cool rooms up to 250 square feet in size. This makes it a good choice for medium-sized and larger rooms in the home.
“The 6000 BTU’s of the Midea will allow you to quickly and efficiently cool rooms up to 250 square feet in size.”
Although it has a high cooling capacity, this unit is compact enough for small windows. Its dimensions are 18.54″x16.02″x13.39″.
As the Midea runs without making much noise, we also recommend getting this unit for your bedroom, so you can get a good night’s sleep in the hot summer days.
The Midea is easy to use and easy to install. A clear LED display on the front panel will allow you to keep track of the setting and temperature. Plus, this model comes with a user-friendly remote control, so that you can adjust the settings from the comfort of your couch. Installation is also quite simple, as you can set up this unit without much modifications to the preexisting window frame. The necessary mounting accessories are included with the purchase, and the only additional tool you’ll need is a screwdriver.
This unit is backed by a 1-year labor and parts warranty, which is a good warranty in its price range.
Cons:
Some customers have found that after several years of use, this unit doesn’t reach the desired low temperatures.
Another thing to keep in mind if you’re considering this unit is that for some window frames it’s recommended that you drill pilot holes before installation. Additionally, although installing the Midea can be a one-person job, you’d need two people to balance the unit during installation.
2. Keystone KSTAW05B Air Conditioner : Best Value For Money
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“We especially recommend the Keystone for compact rooms and portable use.”
The Keystone KSTAW05B is our top value-for-money recommendation as it’s very energy-efficient, durable, and compact enough for the smallest of windows. Plus, the Keystone comes with features that are generally offered with higher-priced models. We especially recommend the Keystone for compact rooms and portable use.
Pros:
The Keystone is an eco-friendly and economical choice – both at purchase and over time. For less than $170, you get a versatile AC unit that spends very little electricity. This Energy Star-certified model has an EER rating (Energy Efficiency Ratio) of 11.2, which makes it one of the most energy-efficient options on the market.
This unit is a great choice for small rooms. It has 5000 BTU, a lower BTU value than the Midea, so that it can efficiently cool rooms of up to 150 square feet. This model is also quite compact and lightweight, which makes it ideal for small windows and narrow spaces. The Keystone’s dimensions are 15.5” x 17.5” x 18.2”, and it weighs less than 40 pounds.
The compact size and light weight make the Keystone a good portable choice. You can easily move it around and mount it from one room’s window to another. Plus, come wintertime, you can easily stow this unit away in any small closet or storage room.
“The compact size and light weight make the Keystone a good portable choice.”
The versatile features that come with the Keystone really add value for your money. It has three cooling settings and three fan settings, as well as auto mode, sleep mode, and a dehumidifier function. The dehumidifier is quite powerful considering the size of this unit, as it can soak up to 1.3 pints of water from the air per hour. For added convenience, the Keystone also features a timer and an auto-restart function, which saves all your settings even if the unit is unplugged from a power source.
The Keystone is also easy to use. It comes with an intuitive remote control for setting the temperature and controlling the settings.
Last but not least, the company offers an excellent warranty for this durable model. It has a 1-year full warranty and a 5-year sealed system warranty, the best available warranty on the market in this price range.
Cons:
Some customers have found this unit to run a bit loud, so it may not be a great choice for bedrooms if you’re a light sleeper.
Another thing to keep in mind about the Keystone is that it has the capacity to cool rooms up to 150 square feet – this unit will not be efficient for any space that is larger than that.
3. Frigidaire FFRA0511R1E Window Mini Air Conditioner : Best On A Budget
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“The most energy-efficient choice on our list, which also offers the absolute best warranty on the market in its category!”
Our top budget-friendly recommendation is the Frigidaire FFRA0511R1E Window Mini Air Conditioner. It’s the most compact and easiest-to-install option on our list. Although it has fewer settings than our pricier recommendations, the Frigidaire still offers decent versatility for your money. Plus, it’s the most energy-efficient choice on our list, which also offers the absolute best warranty on the market in its category. Get the Frigidaire for the smallest of small windows.
Pros:
One of our favorite things about the Frigidaire is its durability. Don’t be fooled by the low price – this AC unit has a 2-year labor and parts, and a 5-year sealed system warranty. This is, by far, the best warranty not only in its price range, but even among much more expensive window AC units.
The Frigidaire is the smallest window AC unit on our list, which makes it ideal for not small, but the smallest of windows. It’s suitable for windows with a minimum height of 13”, and width between 23” and 36”. The unit itself measures 16″ x 15.25″ x 12″, and similarly to the Keystone, weighs about 40 pounds. This will make it easy for you to transport the unit whenever necessary.
Although it has fewer speeds than the more expensive options, the Frigidaire offers decent versatility for a low price. It has two cooling and two fan speeds, as well as a two-way, adjustable air directionality. Plus, it has a dehumidifying function, which can draw 1.1 pints of water per hour from the air.
“The Frigidaire is quite easy to use and install!”
The Frigidaire is quite easy to use and easy to install. It doesn’t come with a remote control, but the mechanical rotary controls on the body of the unit are very intuitive and user-friendly, making the Frigidaire a good choice for older people who don’t like fiddling about with complicated remotes. The window mounting kit that’s necessary for installation is included with the purchase – the only thing you’ll need to bring to the party is a screwdriver. Installation can be done by one person, who doesn’t even need DIY experience, just a good look at the instruction manual.
The Frigidaire is the most energy-efficient option on our list, with an EER rating of 11.1. It also features a low start-up, which wastes less energy.
We recommend this option for small rooms. Frigidaire’s 5000 BTU allows it to quickly and efficiently cool a room of up to 150 square feet in size. The unit also generally runs quite quiet, which makes it ideal for bedrooms.
Cons:
Like the Keystone, the Frigidaire will not be efficient for rooms larger than the size specified.
While for some people the controls on the body of the unit are a plus, not having a remote can be a bit of a drag for others, as you’ll have to get up every time you want to adjust the settings.
One drawback of this model is that it only directs the airflow in two directions, so that it’s good for narrow spaces, but not so great for wider rooms.
Lastly, although most users are happy, some have complained that the Frigidaire can run a bit loud so that like the Keystone, it’s also not a great option for light sleepers.
Conclusion
Our favorite small window air conditioner option for most people is the Midea. As it has the highest BTU value, the Midea has the highest cooling capacity (and dehumidifying capacity) for larger rooms. Unlike the other two models, which are efficient for rooms of up to 150 square feet, the Midea can easily handle spaces up to 250 square feet. Plus, the higher dehumidifying capacity makes it a useful option for allergy sufferers and people living in humid climates. The Midea is also one of the quietest AC units in this category, so you should consider getting it for your bedroom.
The Keystone is our top value-for-money option as it offers as much versatility as expensive AC units for a highly affordable price. Although the limitations of its cooling capacity are rooms of 150 square feet, the Keystone still cools rooms quite quickly, comes with three speed settings in each of its different functions (cooling and fan), and even features a remote. Plus, this AC unit is quite energy-efficient. Its lightweight, compact design makes it a good portable choice.
Our favorite budget-friendly choice is the Frigidaire. The drawbacks of this unit – that it doesn’t have a remote control and that it has fewer speed settings – lose their relevance in light of the excellent value you get for less than $160. You won’t have to worry about additional spending, as you won’t need to pay a professional for installation or deal with high electricity bills. In addition to offering the best energy-efficiency out of all the models on our list, the Frigidaire also comes with the best warranty. You should really consider this model for narrow rooms up to 150 square feet in size.
How to Choose the Best Small Window AC for Your Home
There are many factors you should consider when choosing the best air conditioner for a small window. Here are the most important things to keep in mind while shopping for the best window AC:
Price
Price doesn’t determine quality. More often, it’s related to the cooling capacity of the AC unit in relation to the size of the room, as well as the number of features it comes with. The Midea, which has the highest BTU value and the most versatile features, costs about $200 and is the priciest option on our list. The Keystone, which is just as versatile, but has a lower BTU, is priced somewhere in between our other picks. Our favorite budget-friendly choice, the Frigidaire, costs a bit over $150.
Capacity
Window AC units are generally more efficient for smaller rooms and more compact spaces, and small window AC’s come with even lower BTU units. Still, there is some variety on the market. Measure the room or rooms you want to cool and make sure that you choose an AC that has the capacity to cool the entire room efficiently. While the Midea is ideal for rooms up to 250 square feet, the Keystone and the Frigidaire are suitable for rooms up to 150 square feet in size.
Dimensions
All of our recommendations are compact, but they still vary in dimensions. Make sure to measure your window frame before choosing the best option for your home. The Frigidaire is the smallest option on our list.
Warranty
Make sure that your new window AC comes with a decent warranty. A warranty of at least one year can give you enough time to become confident that everything is working properly. Some AC units have two warranties – one for parts and labor, and one for the sealed system. If you can, try to be on the lookout for a longer warranty!
Additional Features
Consider whether you’d like your unit to have some additional features, such as a dehumidifying function (for humid climates), a timer (for efficient use), an energy-saving mode (for eco-friendliness and low bills (2)), or a remote control (for more comfort).
What’s Next?
We hope that our reviews and buying guide for the best small window air conditioners were useful in your journey to a cooler summer. At the very least, we hope that we gave you a better idea of what you should be looking for. To get more information about each of our recommended AC units, you can follow the title links to learn their price, in-depth specifications, and customer reviews.
In the meantime, check out our guide of the different types of air conditioner, where you can discover which type is the best for your home, and learn all about our favorite models. You can also swing by our contact page to drop us a line if you have questions, comments, or any other feedback for us.