LG LW8011ER (8,000 BTU)

The LG LW8011ER is discontinued, but has been replaced by the very similar LG LW8012ER (*Est. $220), which we also review.

Reviews from both owners and experts show the LW8011ER 8,000-BTU air conditioner to be a good choice for cooling a 350-square-foot room. In professional tests comparing multiple window-mounted ACs, this model performed beautifully. On the downside, a number of owners dislike the amount of noise it makes, although many with this complaint still give it a high rating based on its ability to efficiently cool a room.

With features including a 24-hour programmable timer, remote control and an "AutoRestart" function that automatically turns the unit back on when power is restored after an outage, most owners appreciate the value offered for this model's comparatively low price. Lab tests reveal an inability to direct air to the left well, but this issue doesn't come up in user reviews. If a quiet unit is important to you, the higher-priced Friedrich Kuhl SS08M10 (Est. $820) might be worth a look; a few reviews report noise-free operation.