Choose an affordable window air conditioner

Need a cheap window air conditioner? Fortunately, there are enough on the marketplace, many of which are solid performers. Just considering y'all're on a budget, it doesn't mean y'all need to compromise on cooling. Instead, information technology'south helpful to be realistic with your search past knowing what to await in your cost range.

It's wise to begin your search for a window air conditioner with a checklist of features to compare. Here's a roundup of what you lot demand to know, with a few recommendations along the way.

What do I demand to know before buying a cheap window air conditioner?

Premium vs. cheap window air conditioners

Frigidaire 18,000 Btu 230V Window-Mounted Median

If you're wondering what the differences are between cheap versus premium window air conditioners, here'due south a quick breakup: Premium window air conditioners are feature-rich and offer more than in the fashion of cooling customization. Many of them are equipped with heating functions, like this model. Units at this price point are often made past reputable manufacturers that offer more extended warranties and stand behind their products.

Haier Serenity Series Quiet 6,000 BTU

Cheap window air conditioners, on the other hand, stick to basic features. But a handful volition have heating functions or high-tech features. Some cheap units aren't made well and take cheap or ill-plumbing fixtures components, so they may have shorter lifespans than premium units.

Installation

The average person can install window air conditioners with a basic set up of hand tools, such as screwdrivers. Equally a bonus, many of these units come with mounting equipment, and then yous don't demand to spend actress on them.

Size

The key to finding the best cheap window air conditioner is choosing a unit that is the right size for your infinite. The easiest fashion to make up one's mind size is by taking the room'due south square footage and multiplying it past 25. If you're wondering why it's 25, information technology's because you demand roughly 25 BTUs (British Thermal Units) to cool each square foot of space.

For example, take a room that measures 200 square anxiety. Two hundred times 25 gives yous 5,000. Therefore, you'll demand an air conditioner that is listed as 5,000 BTUs.

Keep in mind that yous shouldn't opt for a window air conditioner that is significantly larger than the product of this equation. If you do, it's counterintuitive. The unit of measurement will bike off and on instead of running continuously, and it may throw off the space's humidity level.

Footprint

Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner 10,000BTU

All window air conditioners are designed to jut out from your window. Unfortunately, there aren't many cheap air conditioners designed to be depression-contour, and then expect them to have sizable footprints. However, if you are willing to increment your budget to mid-range units, the MIDEA U-Inverter Window Air Conditioner is a popular compact option.

Warranties

Nearly window air conditioners, including inexpensive ones, take express warranties. Depending on the manufacturer, they may encompass the unit of measurement for anywhere from 30 days to 10 years. At that place may be separate warranties for parts and labor.

Having a warranty doesn't guarantee that the manufacturer volition supersede your air conditioner or parts. Warranty claims are generally handled on a instance-past-case ground, and you lot'll need to provide proof of purchase for the claim. However, to expedite claims, y'all may wish to register your air conditioner on the manufacturer's website.

How much is a cheap window air conditioner?

Because window air conditioners range from $200-$one,000, we consider the "inexpensive" range to be any unit priced $350 or less. Nosotros don't recommend dipping below the $200 cost signal unless yous accept to. Some consumers report these units may not be reliable.

What features do cheap window air conditioners have?

Cooling and fan speeds

Cheap window air conditioners unremarkably have a limited number of cooling and fan speeds. The most bones units merely take two options, whereas a scattering may offer three to five.

Display

TOSOT 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Remote Control

Displays vary considerably in cheap window air conditioners. Some are bones with a couple rotary dials, such every bit the Frigidaire Window Air Conditioner with Mechanical Controls. Several options, like this other Frigidaire model, have simple LED panels. A few units with gimmicky curb appeal take sleek affect panels, such every bit TOSOT Window Air Conditioner.

Remote control

8,000 BTU 115-Volt Window Air Conditioner with Remote Control

Most cheap window air conditioners come up with remotes for convenient operation, like this RCA model. They show near all information seen on the unit of measurement'southward onboard display. Nonetheless, some of these remotes lack alerts for filter changes or malfunctions.

Dehumidifier

MIDEA EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

You'll find a few inexpensive window air conditioners equipped with dehumidifiers, such equally MIDEA EasyCool Window Conditioner.  Consumers oftentimes invest in these units if they live in boiling areas or if their homes have college humidity levels.

Quiet performance

Window air conditioners make considerable noise. When you're shopping on a budget, finding a unit that offers quiet operation may be more challenging. 1 option is Emerson Quiet Kool Window Air Conditioner, whose quiet mode operates at 50 dBA.

Timer settings

Some cheap window air conditioners have timer settings, in which you can set them to plough off later a set amount of time. Generally speaking, you lot're limited to either 30- or 60-minute options in many units.

Energy saving

8,000 BTU 115-Volt Window Air Conditioner

It's non unusual for inexpensive window air conditioners to accept an economical characteristic like an energy-saving style. These units relieve energy by turning off fans when the compressor isn't operating.

A handful of window air conditioners within this price range come with the Energy Star certification, like this LG window air conditioner. Units like this one meet high standards for saving energy without compromising on quality in operation.

Smart air conditioners

Surprisingly, there are a few smart window air conditioners within the $350-and-less price range.

LG Wi-Fi Smart Window Air Conditioner and Toshiba Smart Air Conditioner, for example, are both controlled via apps. They're likewise uniform with Alexa and Google Banana. Some other option is GE Smart Window Air Conditioner, which y'all tin can control with more than than 1 GE app.

Sian Babish is a author for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a atypical mission: to assistance simplify your purchasing decisions and salve y'all time and money.

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