Frigidaire FRA106CV1

The Frigidaire FRA106CV1 is a 10,000-Btu air conditioner suitable for cooling spaces of up to 450 square feet. It gets good scores for cooling performance and efficiency, but it's a bit noisy. Users praise its solid construction and convenience features, especially the remote control with remote temperature sensing. Most owners find it easy to install, though professional testers disagree.

Performance

Cools well, but not quietly. In professional tests, the Frigidaire FRA106CV1 performs comparably to other similarly sized window units, getting high marks for both cooling and moisture control. Like most units, it's better at directing airflow in one direction -- in this case, to the left -- than the other, but it isn't terrible at either. It's also efficient, with an Energy Star rating and an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10.8.

Testers say its noise level is so-so, neither quiet nor very loud. A few user reviews complain about the Frigidaire's noise level, but most find it acceptable. They also agree with the pros that this unit cools a room quickly and efficiently.

Ease Of Use

Remote sensing. This unit has a variety of convenience features, including a digital display, timer, auto fan speed, energy saver mode, and dirty-filter indicator. However, the feature users praise most is the remote control with remote temperature sensing, which can adjust the settings based on the temperature on the other side of the room.

One user notes, however, that this feature doesn't work flawlessly: "It sometimes loses track of the remote and I have to reset the remote mode." Most owners find the unit easy to install, but professional testers disagree, saying it's much harder to install than others in its size class.

Value

Solid construction. The Frigidaire's $300 price tag is on par with other units of this size. One Walmart.com reviewer notes that the air conditioner delivers "lower BTU per dollar than the cheap 5,000 BTU, hundred-dollar models," but says it makes up for this with its quietness and features. Owners also say the unit is solidly built: one specifically notes the heavy power cord with its built-in circuit breaker. In roughly 60 reviews, only one owner reports any mechanical problems, and these showed up within the one-year warranty period. (The compressor is covered for an additional four years, and repair costs are included.)