Best Low Profile Window Air Conditioners
[amazon table=”4691″]Today we’re counting down our top picks for the best low profile air conditioners.
If you’re looking for a simple device to chill a room, a window-mounted air conditioner can be an excellent investment.
A window air conditioner is a small, compact unit with several cooling internal components that work to bring down the temperature of a room.
With this guide, you’ll see what some of the best window air conditioners offer, so you can make an informed decision based on what you need.
Here are our top picks…
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
[amazon box=”B07PPFWTBB” title=”TOSOT 8,000 BTU” description=”The TOSOT 8000 BTU window air conditioner is simple, sleek, and can serve you well with various functions and features.”]⭐ Our Other Top Picks for Low Profile Window Air Conditioner
- Best of the Best: TOSOT 8,000 BTU
- Runner Up: LG LW6017R 6,000 BTU
- Best on a Budget: Friedrich Chill Series
Best Low Profile Window Air Conditioner Reviews
TOSOT 8,000 BTU (👑 Best of the Best)
Our top pick for the best low profile window air conditioners is the TOSOT 8,000 BTU.
This window air conditioner unit from top brand TOSOT is an excellent choice, and is rated as an Amazon’s Choice label product on the online retailer’s website. It’s available in three BTU ratings, from 8000 to 12000, so you can pick the model which is best for your room. BTU is an important rating to keep an eye out for with window air conditioners, as it determines how effective the unit will be. Short for British Thermal Unit, the BTU rating measures the cooling capacity of the air conditioning unit and the higher the number the more effective it will be for bringing the temperature down in a room. That’s why it’s good to have several options with this TOSOT device, since different BTU ratings will work better with different-sized rooms.
This window air conditioner from TOSOT provides quick cooling, and the 8,000 BTU unit which we’re reviewing works best in spaces of up to 350 square feet. This should be fine for most rooms in the house, but if the space you need the air conditioner for has a high ceiling or an open design then you should consider one of the models with a higher BTU rating. The device is white, and looks a lot more modern than most window air conditioners which have a dated design full of metal grilles that can be an eyesore in your home. If you’re interested in a minimalist aesthetic that will seamlessly slot into any home, this TOSOT device is a great pick.
One of the features that past customers seem to be most enamored with, though, is the 3-in-1 functionality of this device from TOSOT. Not only can you use the device as an air conditioner in your home, but you can also switch it up and use it as just a fan or as a dehumidifier. The various modes are easy to switch between, and this gives the device a level of versatility that you won’t find with many other air conditioners. Another top feature is the smart temperature control. While most air conditioners only allow you to adjust the thermostat located on the unit, this TOSOT air conditioner has a thermostat on a remote. This means you can adjust the temperature of the AC simply by using the remote at a distance. The device is also extremely quiet while in operation, and by switching it into ‘sleep mode’ you can get a great night of sleep while keeping your room perfectly cool.
The TOSOT window air conditioner is Energy-Star rated which makes it an excellent choice if you care about the environment and you’re looking for a budget-friendly device that you can run without worrying so much about the energy bill. The two separate horizontal louvers allow you to send the wind in two different directions, though you can also set the air conditioner to work automatically.
Features:
- Available with 8000, 10000, or 12000 BTU rating
- Minimalist white design
- Covers spaces up to 350 square feet
- 3-in-1 functionality
- Smart temperature control
- Energy-Star rated
- Sleep mode
- Multiple wind directions
LG LW6017R 6,000 BTU (🥈 Runner Up)
The LG LW7017R 6000 BTU rating is our runner up pick for the best low profile window air conditioner.
Like our top pick from TOSOT, the LG window air conditioner comes with various BTU rating options. There are actually an impressive seven different options with varying BTU ratings that range from the lowest at 5,000 to the highest at 24,500. This means you should absolutely be able to find the best window air conditioner for your room, regardless of size and the height of the ceilings. There are also three different versions of the model: mechanical, electronic, and with Wi-Fi. So overall you have plenty of choice if you go with LG’s window air conditioner, so you can get exactly the specifications you need to keep a room in your home cool.
The basic 6000 BTU rating model which we’re looking at in this review covers a space of up to 260 square feet, but if you need more coverage than that you can of course choose one one of the models with a higher BTU rating. There are three different cooling speeds and fan speeds you can alternate between with this air conditioner, as well as an auto cool option if you’d prefer it to run on its own. Whatever the case, whether you want to control it manually or have it run automatically, you can configure it with the handy remote control from the couch. There’s also an energy saver function which could save you money on your utility bill.
The device also doubles up as a dehumidifier, which can be perfect for reducing moisture in the air and preventing the growth of bacteria and mold in your home. The dehumidifier setting can soak up moisture at an impressive rate of 1.8 pints per hour.
Features:
- Available in various BTU rating options
- Covers spaces up to 260 square feet
- Dehumidifies up to 1.8 pints per hour
- 3 cooling speeds
- 3 fan speeds
- Energy saver function
- Remote control
Friedrich Chill Series (⭐ Best on a Budget)
If you’re looking for a cool room but you don’t have a large budget for a window air conditioner, the Friedrich Chill Series is a great affordable option.
The Friedrich Chill Series window air conditioner is a top budget-friendly option, and with a 6000 BTU rating you can expect full coverage of a room up to the size of 250 square feet. Arguably the best features of this device from Friedrich are that it is incredibly small and compact, but also that it is ultra quiet. While it may not be the most important factor in your decision-making process, the noise level of a window air conditioner can be a big deal. The last thing you want is to interrupt the ambience of your living room or bedroom with a loud humming sound, so the fact that this is an ultra quiet device is good news.
The window air conditioner has auto swing louvers, which means it should efficiently cover the whole room without requiring any input on your part. It also has some top features that make it a versatile option. For a start, there are four different modes of operation: fan, cool, money saver, and dehumidify. This means you can do everything from keep your room cool, to removing moisture to avoid mold growth and keeping the air at a comfortable temperature. You can switch between the modes using the convenient remote control, too, so you don’t even have to go over to the unit. There’s also a sleep mode which is ideal for getting a good night of sleep while keeping the bedroom at a comfortable temperature.
Features:
- 6000 BTU rating
- Remote control
- 4 functions
- Auto air sweep louvers
- Covers a space of up to 250 square feet
- Sleep mode
Ultimate Guide
If you’re looking to get the perfect window air conditioner for a room in your home, you’ll need to take a number of factors into account.
In this guide we’re going to talk you through some of the most important factors, so you can make an informed decision and spend your money wisely.
First, though, we’re going to see exactly what a window air conditioner does so you can make sure whether or not you need one.
What is a Window Air Conditioner?
A window air conditioner, which also goes by room air conditioner, is a convenient cooling unit that’s designed to regulate the temperature of a smaller space.
The appeal of window air conditioners is that they are small and compact, and generally quiet so they shouldn’t interfere with the ambiance of your home. It is a very simple air conditioning unit, with an evaporator facing the interior of the room and a condenser facing outdoors.
BTU Rating
The most important factor to bear in mind when looking at window air conditioners is the BTU rating.
BTU, short for British Thermal Units, determines the effectiveness of the air conditioning unit. The higher the rating, the more efficiently the unit will work in larger spaces. As a result, if you get a low BTU rating for your room, it won’t work as well as it should. Likewise if you buy a BTU rating that’s too high for your room, you will likely deal with more noise than necessary and you’ll probably splash out more than you needed to. The other issue with a BTU rating that’s too high is that the device will automatically cycle on and off, which will cause your utility bill to skyrocket.
Generally, window air conditioners will cover rooms from as small as 150 to as large as 700 square feet, so if you aren’t sure if the device is a good fit for your room find a guide on BTU ratings as this will save you a lot of money and stress in the long run.
Another factor to take into consideration with regards to the BTU rating is the amount of direct sunlight the room in question receives. If it gets a lot of sun during the day, then you could benefit from getting a window air conditioner with a BTU rating slightly higher than necessary to do a more effective job of cooling it down.
Energy Star Rating
Energy Star rating is likely an expression you’ve come across when shopping for appliances in the past.
The Energy Star Rating on a window air conditioner unit tells you that the device is both energy-efficient, and can save you a good deal of money on your utility bills. If the environment and money are close to your heart, then definitely keep an eye out for the Energy Star logo on any air conditioning unit you’re considering.
To be given the Energy Star Rating, a product must reach the lofty standards set by the EPA or DOE. In the case of window air conditioners, this means that they are 10% more energy efficient than the minimum standards of the federal government.
Features
The features of a window air conditioner can make all the difference if you’re looking for an excellent all-round device, but some are more useful than others.
Here are some of the best features you can find on a window air conditioner.
Multi-functionality
One of the best features for a window air conditioner, believe it or not, is for it to have other functions than cooling down your room.
Here are several extra functions you can find on a room air conditioner:
- Dehumidifier
If you have troubles with moisture and bacteria or mold growth in your house, it’s worth considering a unit that can double up as a dehumidifier. With the dehumidifier setting, you’ll be able to remove several pints an hour of moisture from the room the device is located in.
- Fan
If you want the benefits of having a fan going without any of the cooling associated with an air conditioner, a device with a fan-only setting could be a great option.
If you want a window air conditioner for your bedroom, for example, and you just want the noise to help you get to sleep without the cooling air a fan-only setting can be very useful.
Remote Control
Many dated window air conditioner units require you to switch between the settings with buttons located on the unit itself. While this isn’t necessarily a problem, it can be a little inconvenient, especially if you have a large room.
With that in mind, investing in a window air conditioning unit that has a remote control is an excellent idea if you want to be able to make on-the-fly adjustments without needing to get up from your chair.
Sleep Mode
A sleep mode is a great setting to have on your window air conditioning unit. With it, you’ll be able to get a full night of sleep while having the AC still running.
What this mode does is slow down the speed of the device, and as a result quiets it down so you don’t have to deal with a loud humming sound as you’re trying to drift off at night.
Timer
If you want to take a hands-off approach to the temperature control in your home, then investing in a window air conditioner that has a timer is a good idea.
With a programmable timer, you’ll be able to set the unit to run when you need it to, meaning it won’t expend energy unnecessarily when you aren’t at home which can cost you money. Alternatively, if you’re out of the house and you’re anticipating walking back into a scorching home, you can set it to run while you’re out so you can come back to a cool room.
If the unit has a remote control, it should be easy enough to do all of this from the remote so you can simply set it up before you go to bed or as soon as you get up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Low Profile Window Air Conditioners
What is the smallest window air conditioner?
If you’re looking for a small window air conditioner, the TOSOT device is a fantastic choice.
It has all the features and functionality you could ask for, and they’re all bundled into a conveniently compact package.
This is an ideal window air conditioner for any space up to the size of 350 square feet.
Do window air conditioners fit all windows?
While some window air conditioners will fit many windows, other won’t.
As such, it’s imperative that you take the measurements of your window and see how they align with the air conditioning unit.
It’s also worth factoring in the weight of the device, since this could affect the installation process.
A Final Word From Wellness Nova
Choosing a window air conditioner doesn’t have to be a chore, but it is important to make sure you get hold of the right one for your needs first time.
There are several factors to consider, and their importance will depend on what you value most, whether it’s budget, noise levels, or the airflow offered by the device.
