The 6 Best Air Conditioners of 2025, Tested by BHG

Summer heat has a special talent: it makes perfectly reasonable adults do irrational thingslike standing in front of an open freezer, eating ice cream
directly from the carton, and calling it “thermoregulation.” If your home doesn’t have central air (or if it does, but it’s losing the battle),
a room air conditioner can feel less like an appliance and more like a personal hero with a plug.

This 2025 roundup focuses on the six room air conditioners Better Homes & Gardens (BHG) tested and recommendsmostly window units, plus one
through-the-wall model for homes and apartments built for that setup. I’ll break down what each one is best at, who it’s for, what to watch out for,
and how to pick the right size so you don’t end up with a unit that either wheezes like a tired hamster or blasts like a polar vortex.

Quick Comparison: The 6 BHG-Tested Picks at a Glance

How These “Best” Picks Were Chosen (Without the Hype)

BHG’s testing highlights what most of us actually care about in real life: how quickly a unit cools, how annoying it is to live with,
whether it keeps up during genuinely hot days, and whether it’s quiet enough to sleep, work, or watch TV without turning captions into a lifestyle.
To round that out, we also lean on widely used U.S. guidance for sizing and efficiency (because “it fit in the cart” is not a sizing strategy).

What matters most in 2025

• Correct sizing: Too small struggles nonstop; too big cools fast but can leave humidity behind (hello, clammy).
• Efficiency: Look at CEER/EER and ENERGY STAR cues to reduce operating costs.
• Comfort: Quieter operation and steadier temperature control (often helped by inverter/variable-speed tech).
• Fit + install reality: Window width, sill depth, weight, and whether you’ll need an extra set of hands.
• Controls: Simple knobs, a remote, or a smart apppick the one you’ll actually use.

The 6 Best Air Conditioners of 2025 (BHG-Tested Picks)

1) Best Overall: Frigidaire Window Air Conditioner

If you want one purchase that makes you feel like you finally “adulted” correctly, this is the vibe. BHG’s top overall pick is praised for being
powerful, efficient, and quiet enough for light sleepersan underrated feature that becomes priceless at 2:00 a.m. when the compressor kicks on.
It comes in multiple sizes, so you can match your room instead of guessing and hoping for the best.

• Who it’s for: Bedrooms, larger bedrooms, living rooms, and anyone who wants strong cooling without a constant roar.
• Why it stands out: ENERGY STAR-style efficiency cues, inverter/variable-speed behavior, and a design that doesn’t scream “appliance aisle.”
• Watch out for: It’s over 50 poundsinstalling is easier (and safer) with help.

Practical tip: If you’re deciding between 10,000 and 12,000 BTU, consider sunlight and ceiling height. A bright, top-floor room
with tall ceilings can behave like a bigger space.

2) Best Budget: GE 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

This is the “no drama, just cold air” pick. BHG liked how quickly it cooled a small bedroom and how simple the mechanical knobs are.
There’s something refreshing about controls that don’t require a firmware update.

• Who it’s for: Small bedrooms, offices, dorm-style rooms, or any space around ~150 square feet.
• Why it stands out: Fast relief for small spaces and a price that doesn’t require emotional budgeting.
• Watch out for: No temperature readout and no sophisticated energy-saver logicwhat you set is what you get.

Best use case: A small room with a door that stays closed. If you’re trying to cool “the whole apartment” with 5,000 BTU,
that’s not optimismthat’s performance art.

3) Best Design: July Window Air Conditioner

Some window ACs look like you installed a microwave in your window. July is for people who want their home to look intentionaleven when it’s
92°F outside and the sun is personally attacking their living room. BHG highlights July’s minimalist design and swappable front covers so the unit
blends in more like decor than a bulky box.

• Who it’s for: Design-conscious renters and homeowners, living rooms, offices, and bedrooms where aesthetics matter.
• Why it stands out: A cleaner look plus smart conveniences (including voice assistant use) and a setup geared toward easier installation.
• Watch out for: Premium cover panels cost extra, and you’re paying partly for “pretty.” (No judgment. We all have priorities.)

Nice bonus: July markets upgraded filters that aim to capture common irritants (useful if you want “cool air” and “less stuff in the air”
to be a two-for-one situation).

4) Most Efficient: Windmill Window Air Conditioner

Windmill earns its “most efficient” spotlight in BHG’s list with a modern build, smart controls, and a focus on energy awareness.
The airflow approach is also different: it sends air upward at an angle instead of blasting straight outcloser to how central air feels, and
less like you’re sitting in front of a leaf blower set to “Arctic.”

• Who it’s for: People who care about energy use, scheduling, and comfort-oriented airflow.
• Why it stands out: App-based energy tracking, real-time wattage info, and strong efficiency metrics for its class.
• Watch out for: “Whisper quiet” is a stretch at startup for some usersexpect some rattling or louder moments when it kicks on.

Pro move: Use scheduling to pre-cool before peak afternoon heat. You’ll often feel more comfortable while running the unit less aggressively.

5) Best Smart: Midea Smart Inverter Window Unit

This is the pick for people who like controlreal control. BHG points to Midea’s app depth: granular settings, mode tweaks, alerts for filter cleaning,
and the ability to turn it on while you’re on your way home so you don’t walk into a warm apartment that smells like “sun-baked curtains.”

• Who it’s for: Smart-home fans, remote-control addicts, and anyone who wants lots of customization.
• Why it stands out: Strong cooling performance, smart scheduling, and inverter-style operation that helps maintain a steadier temp.
• Watch out for: The beeping can be loud if you change settings at the unit, and “auto” behaviors may not always impress.

Smart tip: If you’re noise-sensitive at night, set a sleep routine in the app: slightly higher temp, lower fan, and fewer abrupt changes.

6) Best Through-the-Wall: LG 8,000 BTU 115V Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner

Through-the-wall ACs aren’t for everyone, but if your space is built for it (or you’re replacing an old unit), they can be a clean solution.
BHG recommends this LG model for replacement scenarios and notes it was effective in cooling and quiet enough for conversation.

• Who it’s for: Apartments and homes with an existing wall cutout for a sleeve-based unit.
• Why it stands out: Solid cooling for medium rooms and a clearly labeled remote (small detail, huge daily convenience).
• Watch out for: You may need to buy a compatible wall sleeve separatelymeasure carefully.

Installation reality check: Wall units are heavy. Plan for a second person and confirm sleeve dimensions before you click “Buy.”

How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner Size (So It Actually Feels Good)

Sizing is the difference between “cool and comfortable” and “why is my electric bill yelling at me?” As a rule of thumb, U.S. Department of Energy
guidance often cites about 20 BTU per square foot as a typical starting point, then you adjust for ceiling height, sunlight, and room layout.
Consumer testing outlets also recommend stepping up capacity as room size increases (for example, moving from small to midsized units for 250–350 sq ft spaces).

A simple sizing cheat sheet (8-foot ceilings)

• 100–150 sq ft: ~5,000 BTU
• 150–250 sq ft: ~6,000 BTU
• 250–350 sq ft: ~7,000–8,000 BTU
• 350–450 sq ft: ~9,000–10,000 BTU
• 450–550 sq ft: ~12,000 BTU

Adjust for “real life”

• Lots of sun: bump capacity up a bit.
• Heavily shaded: you can often go slightly lower.
• Kitchen use: consider substantially more capacity due to heat sources.
• High ceilings: treat the room like it’s larger.

Efficiency and Noise: The Two Things You’ll Notice Every Day

If you want lower costs and a calmer sound profile, look for efficient models and (when possible) inverter/variable-speed technology.
ENERGY STAR notes that many certified room air conditioners use variable speed tech designed to save energy and keep operation quieter.
Consumer testing also highlights that inverter-style models often run more quietly because they don’t constantly slam on and off at full blast.

What to check on the label or listing

• CEER/EER: Higher generally means better efficiency for room ACs.
• Decibels (dB): If you’re putting it in a bedroom, lower is your friend.
• ENERGY STAR: Helpful shorthand for stronger efficiency performance in many categories.

Installation and Maintenance Tips (That Save Sanity)

Installation

• Measure twice: Window width, sill depth, and clearance matter.
• Use proper support: A bracket can improve stability and peace of mind.
• Seal gaps: Foam and weatherstripping reduce hot-air leaks (and keep bugs from renting your apartment).
• Plan for weight: Many units are 50+ poundsdon’t gamble with your back.

Maintenance

• Clean the filter regularly: Monthly is a common rhythm during heavy use.
• Keep the outside side clear: Don’t block airflow with plants, screens, or clutter.
• End-of-season care: If you remove it, drain and store it carefully; if you keep it installed, consider a cover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a window AC better than a portable AC?

For raw cooling efficiency, window units usually win because they vent heat directly outside with fewer losses. Portables can be convenient when you
can’t install a window unit, but they often work harder to do the same job. If you must go portable, prioritize models with strong real-world testing
and the right vent setup for your room.

Can I “oversize” to cool faster?

You can, but it can backfire. Oversized units may cool the air quickly without removing enough humidity, leaving the room feeling cool-but-sticky.
Right-sizing tends to deliver more consistent comfort.

Do smart features matter?

They matter if you’ll use them. Scheduling, geofencing, and remote start can reduce run time and improve comfort. If you won’t open the app after Day 2,
you might be happier with a simpler unit and a good remote.

Conclusion: The “Right” AC Is the One That Fits Your Room and Your Life

BHG’s 2025-tested lineup covers the real-world scenarios most shoppers face: a reliable all-around window unit (Frigidaire), a truly budget-friendly
small-room solution (GE 5,000 BTU), a design-first model that doesn’t wreck your vibe (July), an efficiency-leaning smart option (Windmill), a
deep-control smart unit for settings lovers (Midea), and a practical replacement pick for through-the-wall setups (LG).

Pick the correct size, seal the gaps, keep the filter clean, and you’ll get the kind of summer comfort that makes you forget you ever considered
“just becoming nocturnal” as a heat strategy.

Real-World Experiences: of “Living With It” Notes

If you’ve never owned a room air conditioner, here’s the part nobody puts on the box: the first week is an emotional roller coaster. Day one feels like
victorycold air!and day two is you realizing you have to fine-tune airflow like you’re directing a tiny wind orchestra. With the Frigidaire-style
“best overall” window unit, the day-to-day experience tends to be pleasantly boring (the highest compliment an appliance can earn). You set a temp,
it holds it, and you stop thinking about ituntil you notice you’re sleeping better because you’re not waking up to loud on/off cycles.

Budget units like the 5,000 BTU GE are the opposite: simple, honest, and a little old-school. They’re fantastic when the room is small and the door
stays closed. The “experience” is mostly turning a dial, hearing a steady hum, and feeling immediate relief. The downside is that you become the
thermostat: if the weather changes, you adjust it. But if your goal is “make the tiny room tolerable,” it’s a dependable sidekick.

Design-forward units like July change the whole relationship with a window AC. Instead of mentally apologizing to your decor, you start treating the
unit like it belongs there. The experience is less “giant box in the window” and more “cool air, but make it aesthetic.” You’ll also notice how much
you value small toucheslike filtered daylight coming through side panels, or a front panel that doesn’t dominate the room. People who care about
interiors often find this reduces the urge to remove the AC the second the weather cools, because it’s not visually offensive.

Windmill’s daily life tends to feel like “comfort management.” The angled airflow means you’re less likely to feel blasted, especially if your desk or
bed is near the unit. Scheduling becomes addictive: you pre-cool before peak heat, shut it off when the room isn’t used, and feel oddly proud when you
remember you did it. The flip side is that startup noise can surprise youespecially in quiet momentsso many people end up timing it to kick on before
they fall asleep or before they start a meeting.

Midea’s smart model is for the people who want options. The experience is opening the app, experimenting with modes, setting fan speeds like a
perfectionist DJ, and enjoying the convenience of turning it on while you’re still out. It’s also the kind of unit that teaches you maintenance habits:
filter reminders are a nudge, and once you rinse a dusty filter the first time, you’ll understand why airflow improves afterward. Finally, the LG
through-the-wall experience is “set it and forget it”especially if you’re replacing an older unit. The biggest moment is installation day; after that,
it’s steady comfort without a window being partially surrendered to appliance life.