Air Conditioners & Fans
Begin by separating temperature control from air movement. Compare the fields below that apply to the type you are shopping for rather than treating every specification as interchangeable.
What matters when choosing
Cooling capacity
Match the cooling capacity to the room and installation conditions. Use the cooling capacity (BTU/h) from the ENERGY STAR listing.
Installation path
Check whether the unit is window-mounted or installed another way, and compare that with the space you have. Use the installation type, mounting and size (H × W × D) from the listing.
Energy use
Review the official efficiency and energy figures for the exact configuration. Use the CEER, the annual energy use (kWh/year) and the ENERGY STAR certification date from the listing.
Skip this category if
- You need whole-home temperature control and a room appliance would only cover part of the space.
- Your setup requires a fixed ducted or central system rather than a window unit.
Guides and comparisons
Shortlists by use
Each list applies one stated rule to the official ENERGY STAR data (521 certified window air conditioners in our data, updated 2026-11-06).
- 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners 21 models
- 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners 32 models
- 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners 122 models
- 10,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners 97 models
- 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners 121 models
- 14,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners 46 models
- 18,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners 28 models
- 24,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners 27 models
- Air Conditioners with Heating and Cooling 38 models
- Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners 64 models
- ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Air Conditioners 200 models
- High-CEER Window Air Conditioners (16+) 149 models
- 230-Volt Window Air Conditioners 74 models
- Lighter Window ACs (45 Lb or Less) 88 models
- Narrow Window ACs (18 Inches Wide or Less) 56 models
- Midea Window Air Conditioners 180 models
- TCL Window Air Conditioners 59 models
Tool
AC BTU calculator — official sizing tables with a list of matching models.
Model data pages
We compile and compare published data; we do not run our own product tests. See How We Compare.