Small Air Conditioners

Best small air conditioners (5,000 to 10,000 Btu)

We found good reviews all around for Frigidaire air conditioners in the FAA series, which all have a variable-speed fan, directional control, a sleep mode, remote control and air filter. These models all have digital controls and temperature readout. Some (but not all) are Energy Star-rated. The Frigidaire FAA055P7A (*Est. $170) is a 5,200-Btu air conditioner that's Energy Star-rated, has an EER of 11.0 and is appropriate for small rooms of about 150 square feet. In addition to the features above, it includes a low-voltage control feature that modifies operation automatically during brownouts and periods of low voltage. This unit has an air filter and touch-button air purifier. However, we didn't see the air purifier function specifically tested. The only common complaint we found was that it beeps -- some say annoyingly -- when the target temperature is reached.

We also found good reviews for a larger version, the Frigidaire FAA065P7A (*Est. $200), a 6,000-BTU unit with identical features and performance that is also Energy Star-rated and has an EER of 10.7. A unit of this size can cool about a 200-square-foot room. The next size up in this series is the Frigidaire FAA086P7A (*Est. $220), an 8,000-Btu unit that can cool a 400-square-foot room. This model has identical features, an EER of 10.8 and is Energy Star-rated. If you're looking at one of these Frigidaire air conditioners, be aware that there are several other units in the FAA series that are not Energy Star-rated. Some of these, including the 8,000-Btu Frigidaire FAA084P7A (*Est. $200), cost about $20 less, but because they have a lower efficiency rating, they'll cost more to operate in the long term. We also found noise complaints about the Frigidaire FAA086P7A; in this size class we found better user ratings for the Kenmore 76081, a 7,800-Btu unit discussed below.

Keep in mind that many municipalities offer a rebate for upgrading to an Energy Star-rated air conditioner. Check with your local government. If you trade in an older air conditioner, you could get a $20 to $50 rebate, depending on where you live.

If you don't care about getting an Energy Star-rated air conditioner (which will save you money on power over time), the 5,000-Btu Kenmore 75050 (*Est. $100) is inexpensive and gets good reviews from owners who say it does a nice job in a small bedroom. This inexpensive model has mechanical controls instead of digital controls, and there's no remote control. Most other Kenmore air conditioners are Energy Star-rated -- check the labeling for details.

Priced a bit higher, Sharp sells the AF-S60PX (*Est. $230). It has 6,000 Btu and can cool a room of about 200 square feet. Reviews say it performs quite well at cooling, but it doesn't have a dirty-filter indicator. It's quieter than most, but in tests, it doesn't effectively direct air to the left or right. This could present a problem if the window you install this unit in isn't located in the middle of the room's wall. The Sharp AF-S60PX is Energy Star-rated, however, and includes an energy-saver setting. Like most other modern air conditioners, it has electronic controls and a remote control.

If you're not crazy about a window air conditioner blocking out all your natural light, you might consider a low-profile air conditioner. These units are shorter, but they're quite a bit more expensive. One nice advantage of this type of air conditioner is that they weigh less and are easier to install. We found some excellent user reviews for the LG LP6000ER (*Est. $300), a 6,000-Btu Energy Star unit. Reviewers like it for its efficiency and attractive design, though some say it can be loud. But its most notable feature is its low profile -- it's only 12 inches high. Some owners report that this air conditioner's small size allows them to move it from room to room as needed, saving the expense of buying multiple window units. The LG LP6000ER also includes a remote control, electronic controls and display, and timer.

Kenmore sells a very similar low-profile air conditioner in this size, the 6,000-Btu Kenmore 75062 (*Est. $250). It's interesting to note that while this air conditioner costs $50 less, it has the exact same feature set and specifications as the LG LP6000ER and is, in fact, manufactured by LG. There are a large number of owner reviews for the Kenmore 75062 on Sears.com, where it earns an average of 4.5 stars out of 5. Owners are especially impressed with this air conditioner's portability, ease of installation and energy efficiency, though a few complain that it can be noisy.

The Kenmore 76081 (*Est. $200) is a 7,800-Btu air conditioner that does very well in testing and receives a recommendation from TheGreenGuide.com. This budget Energy Star-rated model has electronic controls, a 12-hour timer, three-speed fan and remote control. The vast majority of owner-written reviews are positive, with many praising its quiet operation -- a rare compliment among any air conditioners.

Most Friedrich air conditioners are very expensive compared to others, but they are super efficient. At 8,400 Btu, the Friedrich QuietMaster SS08L10 (*Est. $840) can cool about a 400-square-foot room. It has all the usual features -- digital controls, a remote control, etc. But the remarkable aspect is its very high EER of 11.4 -- the highest in this size range. While you'll spend less on energy, the unit itself is very expensive and not particularly quiet, according to reviews.

Friedrich does sell a few lower-priced models, though these aren't quite as energy efficient as the QuietMaster line. The moderately priced 6,000-Btu Friedrich CP06E10 (*Est. $220) is Energy Star-rated and performs well in professional tests. It includes a remote control, electronic controls and LCD display. Owner reviews for this model are sparse, but the few we found seemed to indicate this air conditioner is quite loud -- in contrast to reviews for the most expensive QuietMaster line of Friedrich air conditioners.