Frigidaire LRA107BU1 (10,000 BTU)

The Frigidaire LRA107BU1 sold exclusively at Lowe's gets high marks from both experts and owners for cooling a fairly large room of about 450 square feet or, some owners say, a couple of smaller rooms. It cools very well and very quickly, and reviewers appreciate its reasonable price and five-year warranty. Features include eight-way air direction control, automatic thermostat, remote control, 24-hour timer, a sleep mode that gradually increases the room temperature and an alert to remind you when it's time to clean the filter.

Testers caution that unlike many air conditioners this size, the Frigidaire LRA107BU1 doesn't use a slide-in chassis, so it could be harder to install than others. Owners, however, don't report any problems with installation. Both experts and users find this AC noisier than some others in its class, and airflow to the left is better than that to the right, which could be an issue if you install the unit in a corner. The 10,000-BTU Kenmore 70101 (*Est. $300) is an alternative in this capacity range that rates well with owners, but airflow issues to the right and left sides are noted in one test, and it's a touch more expensive. Some users also gripe about a loud beep when changing settings. However, features and even the Energy Star rating are similar.

The Frigidaire LRA107BU1 is among the air conditioners tested by ConsumerReports.org. User reviews of this Lowe's-exclusive unit are at Lowes.com.