The Best Air Conditioners for Large Rooms
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Whether you’re looking for awindow unitor aportable AC, the requirements for a good large-room air conditioner are similar to those of a normal-size one. Having tested over a dozen units in the past few years and researched many more, I have picks for both below. But before you read any recommendations, openthis linkand examine the outlet you plan to plug your air conditioner into.
Many air conditioners advertised for larger spaces require a special 230V outlet, and if you don’t have one, you will either have to settle for a smaller air conditioner or hire an electrician to install the correct outlet. If you have a standard three-prong 110V outlet (or a20A 125V outlet), the highest you can go is 14,000 BTUs, which is enough to cool a room up to 700 square feet. But if you have a 220V tandem or perpendicular-type outlet, you can go as high as 24,000 BTUs, which is enough cooling power for rooms up to 1,500 square feet.
It’s worth noting that window units for larger rooms are about the size of a mini fridge and can weigh over 100 pounds, so installation and upkeep can be a bit more challenging. “Given their weight and size, you may not be taking these out for the winter,” says Zachary Horvath, an energy-efficiency-program manager. “So it makes sense to do additional weatherization beyond just expanding the accordion panels to fit.” Every mounting position is different, but you should plan to use some combination ofhard foam,window film, andadhesive weather sealsto keep outside air from entering your home. And if the sill beneath the AC’s exterior isn’t deep enough to support its full weight, you will need a dedicated bracket (such asthis) to keep it from ruining your window frames or falling onto the street. (Some cities, including New York, legally require support brackets for all window units.) If this sounds like too much, consider purchasing installation help when you buy the unit.
Our top picks
Whatwe’relookingfor
Inverter
Having an inverter lets the compressor run at varying speeds between fully off and fully on. This makes an air conditioner much quieter, more efficient, and more comfortable to use. By running on low rather than cycling on and off, it can dehumidify the air continuously. This feature is nice to have for smaller ACs, but it has a much bigger impact on these larger, more power-hungry units. For example, Energy Star estimates that a non-inverter Frigidaire ACwill cost $241a year to run compared tojust $132for an inverter-equipped LG that sells for about the same price.
Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio (CEER)
Through its Energy Star program, the Department of Energy assigns a CEER score of between 8 (least efficient) and 15 (most efficient) to every air conditioner sold in the U.S. The future of this program was uncertain under the Trump administration, but appliance makers lobbied to keep it, and it has beenfully funded for the foreseeable future.
Wi-Fi
Every AC of this size comes with a remote. But since these are often permanently mounted in a place that’s hard to reach (e.g., directly above the door of a bodega), it’s nice to have Wi-Fi as a backup in case it ever gets lost.
Best overall window AC for large rooms (with regular outlets)
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Inverter:Yes |CEER:14.7 |Wi-Fi:Yes
If you have a regular 110V three-prong outlet, 14,000 BTUs is the most cooling power you’ll be able to squeeze out of a single window AC — that’s good enough for cooling rooms up to 800 square feet. Not only is this LG one of the most affordable 14,000-BTU air conditioners, it’s one of the best-performing and most reliable options. That’s why the smaller 10,000-BTU version is our overall pick forregular-size window units. Horvath has moved his unit twice since getting it in 2019, and it’s still working flawlessly. Note that at 24 inches wide and 85 pounds, it is significantly larger than a typical window unit. It does come with adjustable support feet to help brace the weight against the exterior window sill — though you’d probably be better off with adedicated support bracket.
Best overall 230V window AC for large rooms
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Inverter:Yes |CEER:14.7 |Wi-Fi:Yes
If you need more cooling powerandhave a 220V outlet that accepts a tandem plug, LG also makes a larger version of the Dual Inverter that can cool spaces up to 1,500 square feet. At 112 pounds, installing this thing is probably a job best left to professionals.
Best less-expensive 230V window AC for large rooms
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Inverter:Yes |CEER:13.3 |Wi-Fi:Yes
This Midea is the cheapest large room AC I’ve found that still has an inverter. It should offer similar performance to the LG, but it doesn’t have the same sterling track record. However, this Home Depot exclusive comes with a three-year extended warranty, should anything go wrong. (It’s also available in asmaller 14,000-BTU versionfor regular outlets, but the LG is actually more affordable at that power level.)
Best 230V window AC for large rooms that’s also a heater
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Inverter:No |CEER:10.7 |Wi-Fi:No
Since these large ACs typically can’t be removed and stored for the winter, it’s nice if you can find something that can also provide heat. But there aren’t any truly great options at this time. My friend bought this model to heat and cool a small hair salon in lower Manhattan, and after having his electrician upgrade the outlet to 220V service, he has been happy with its performance. Frigidaire ACs are well known for their reliability, and this one is also pretty quiet — I can hardly hear it over the music playing in the shop. But it lacks Wi-Fi and is much less efficient than similar inverter-equipped models (according to Energy Star estimates, the LG costs less than half as much to operate annually).
Note that I’ve linked to an 18,800-BTU version that’s best for spaces of 800 to 1,000 square feet or so. If you need more power, it also comes in a23,200-BTU versionfor spaces as large as 1,600 square feet. Just don’t make the mistake of buying a larger unit than necessary for the space you plan to cool. Its lack of an inverter means it’ll be constantly cycling on and off, creating lots of noise while failing to properly dehumidify the air.
Best overall portable AC for large rooms
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Inverter:Yes |CEER:12.8 |Wi-Fi:Yes
This 12,000-BTU dual-hose, inverter-equipped Zafro portable AC is another example of the best also being the cheapest. The combination of a dual-hose design (which prevents hot air from being sucked into the room that it’s cooling down) and the inverter-controlled compressor makes it almost as efficient as a similarly powered window unit. And it’s pretty quiet too — aside from the occasional burbling of the compressor when it first starts running. Its 12,000 BTUs of effective cooling power is enough to cool spaces up to 800 square feet, and its relatively light 56-pound weight means it’s actually portable enough to move around if needed.
Best portable AC for large rooms that’s also a heater
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Inverter:Yes |CEER:12.3 |Wi-Fi:Yes
If you need heat from your portable AC, this dual-hose, inverter-equipped Midea is a good option that’s just as powerful as the Zafro — as long as you’re aware that it weighs nearly 80 pounds and is nearly three feet tall. My review unit arrived on a shipping pallet. It’s super-easy to install because one hose is nested into the other, so you only have one connection to fiddle with. It also had the strongest fan out of any portable AC I’ve tested, which creates a bit of a ruckus, but is great for cooling larger spaces quickly.
Ourexpert
• Zachary Horvath,energy-efficiency-program-evaluation specialist
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