Best smart air conditioners in 2022 Tom s Guide
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Best coolers For the purposes of this story, we focused on window A/C units, as they're the most common type. (We do have one portable model, though they tend to be far less efficient.) If you have central air conditioning, we recommend you check out our picks for the best smart thermostats, which can help you cool your house and keep your energy bill down. The best smart air conditioner for most people is the LG Dual Inverter Smart Air Conditioner. It has a sleek design, isn't very loud, and can cool your house or room very efficiently. It's available in a range of sizes, from a small 9,500-BTU model to a 22,000 BTU version that's powerful enough to cool an entire floor of a house. It uses LG's Dual Inverter technology, a variable speed compressor that the company claims is more efficient than compressors found in other air conditioners. For smaller rooms, the Midea U is the best smart air conditioner. The Midea U has an innovative U-shaped design that not only makes it more secure in your window, but has better insulation. It's also whisper-quiet. If you already have a window air conditioner and want to make it smart, we recommend the Sensibo Sky. This small, coaster-size device costs around $100, can be controlled from your smartphone, and can be used to send commands via infrared to your air conditioner to turn it on and off, and adjust the temperature. Be sure to check out the best air conditioner deals, as well as what to look for when buying an air conditioner.
BTUs100 to 1505,000150 to 2506,000250 to 3007,000300 to 3508,000350 to 4009,000400 to 45010,000450 to 55012,000550 to 70014,000700 to 1,00018,0001,000 to 1,20020,0001,200 to 1,40023,0001,400 to 1,50024,0001,500 to 2,00030,0002,000 to 2,50034,000
Best smart air conditioners in 2022
By Mike Prospero published 28 September 2022 The best smart air conditioners can be controlled from your smartphone or with Alexa and Google Assistant Included in this guide:1LGDual Inverter Air ConditionerCheck Price (opens in new tab)2MideaU Inverter Window Air Conditioner Check Price (opens in new tab)3HisenseAW0822TW1W window air conditionerCheck Price (opens in new tab)4WindmillAir Conditioner (6000 BTU)View (opens in new tab)5FrigidaireGallery Cool ConnectCheck Price (opens in new tab)6GESmart Window Air ConditionerCheck Price (opens in new tab)7HoneywellSmart WiFi Portable Air Conditioner & DehumidifierCheck Price (opens in new tab)8Sensibo SkyCheck Price (opens in new tab)9CieloBreez PlusCheck Price (opens in new tab)10SensiboAirCheck Price (opens in new tab) Now that things are cooling down, buying one of the best smart air conditioners is probably the last thing on your mind (unless you happen to be reading this in Australia). Still, there could be some good deals on smart air conditioners, so maybe now is a good time to pick one up while demand is low, and dealers are trying to clear inventory. But you still need to know what is a good deal. Just like a traditional air conditioner, a smart air conditioner goes in your window and cools your room or house. However, a smart air conditioner is also connected to the cloud, which means you can control it from your phone. A smart air conditioner also lets you connect it to your other smart home devices, so you can control it with Alexa and Google Assistant, or program it so that it turns on if you turn on your lights or lower your window shades. You can also set it to change temperature if you're leaving or arriving back home, so it's not cooling your house while you're away - and wasting energy.What are the best smart air conditioners
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Best coolers For the purposes of this story, we focused on window A/C units, as they're the most common type. (We do have one portable model, though they tend to be far less efficient.) If you have central air conditioning, we recommend you check out our picks for the best smart thermostats, which can help you cool your house and keep your energy bill down. The best smart air conditioner for most people is the LG Dual Inverter Smart Air Conditioner. It has a sleek design, isn't very loud, and can cool your house or room very efficiently. It's available in a range of sizes, from a small 9,500-BTU model to a 22,000 BTU version that's powerful enough to cool an entire floor of a house. It uses LG's Dual Inverter technology, a variable speed compressor that the company claims is more efficient than compressors found in other air conditioners. For smaller rooms, the Midea U is the best smart air conditioner. The Midea U has an innovative U-shaped design that not only makes it more secure in your window, but has better insulation. It's also whisper-quiet. If you already have a window air conditioner and want to make it smart, we recommend the Sensibo Sky. This small, coaster-size device costs around $100, can be controlled from your smartphone, and can be used to send commands via infrared to your air conditioner to turn it on and off, and adjust the temperature. Be sure to check out the best air conditioner deals, as well as what to look for when buying an air conditioner.
The best smart air conditioners
LG Dual Inverter Smart Air Conditioner (Image credit: LG SmartThinQ (Credit: LG))1 LG Dual Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Air Conditioner
The best smart air conditioner overallSpecifications
BTUs: 9,500, 14,000, 18,000, 22,000Room size: 450, 800, 1,000, 1,300 square feetEnergy Efficiency Ratio: 14.7Works with: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Cools efficiently+QuietReasons to avoid
-LG's app needs work When you have to cool a large area-say, several rooms on a single floor-then you should consider LG's Dual Inverter smart air conditioners. These models range in size from a 9,500-BTU model (good for 450 square feet) up to a massive 22,000 BTU model, good for 1,300 square feet. All models use what LG calls a dual-inverter compressor, which continually adjusts its speed, rather than turning on and off like a traditional compressor. LG says this technology should provide energy savings of up to 25% and make the device quieter than most air conditioners. This model comes with a remote control, works with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be controlled via the LG SmartThinQ app. In our LG SmartThinQ window air conditioner review, we were pleased with its performance, but noted that LG's app needed work. Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner (Image credit: Midea)2 Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner
Best smart air conditioner for easy installationSpecifications
BTUs: 8,000, 10,000, 12,000Room size: 350, 450, 550Energy Efficiency Ratio: 15Works with: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at The Home Depot (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Clever design+Very energy efficient+QuietReasons to avoid
-Longer installation process The Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner gets its name from its unique "U" shape. That's right, there's a large slot in the middle of this smart air conditioner, which allows you to slide your window up and down. Not only does this feature let you open your window to allow fresh air in, but when your window is closed, it provides a much more effective barrier, so your air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard to keep your room cool. Because of this design, the company also claims that the Midea U is quieter and more efficient than similar window air conditioners. The Midea U can be controlled from a smartphone app, or with Alexa or Google Assistant. It comes in three models: 8,000 BTUs, 10,000 BTUs, and 12,000 BTUs. In our Midea U smart air conditioner review, we really liked its quiet operation and innovative design, but did note that it's trickier to install than other window air conditioners. (Image credit: Hisense)3 Hisense Window Air Conditioner
A quiet and efficient window air conditionerSpecifications
BTUs: 8,000, 14,000Room size: 350, 700Energy Efficiency Ratio: 15Works with: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsCheck Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Very quiet+Very efficient+Easy to installReasons to avoid
-Uses traditional baffle design-App is somewhat bland Like the LG and the Midea, this Hisense window air conditioner uses an inverter compressor, which not only makes it very efficient - one of the most efficient we've tested - but also one of the quietest window air conditioners, too. In our tests, we heard more noise coming from outside our home than we did from the Hisense A/C. The Hisense comes in just two sizes - 8,000-BTU model that costs $399, and can cool rooms around 350 square feet in size, and a 14,000-BTU model for 700-square-foot rooms - so it's not the best if you have a lot of area to cover. But for small rooms where you place a premium on noise (or the lack thereof), the Hisense smart window air conditioner is definitely worth your consideration. Read our full Hisense smart window air conditioner review. (Image credit: Windmill)4 Windmill Air Conditioner
A smart window air conditioner that looks as good as it performsSpecifications
BTUs: 6,000, 8,300Room size: 250, 350Energy Efficiency Ratio: 11.9 - 12Works with: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsCheck Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Elegant appearance+Upward air flow+Pairs to app and voice assistantsReasons to avoid
-Slightly expensive for BTU count-Not as efficient as other models One of the biggest issues with traditional window air conditioners is that they're, well, ugly. If you're going to be staring at something all summer long as it cools your apartment, it should at least look nice. Enter the Windmill, which is attractive as it is performant. The Windmill has a large grille in the front with a subtle vent at the top which directs cool air up toward the ceiling, so it can then filter down throughout your room. The Windmill's surrounding baffles are a solid piece of plastic, rather than the accordion-style that's so common on many window AC units. We found that the Windmill was effective at cooling our apartment, but it has a lower energy-efficiency rating than the Midea U and the LG. And, as the Windmill only comes in two sizes, it's best for smaller spaces. Read our full Windmill air conditioner review. Frigidaire Gallery Cool Connect (Image credit: Frigidaire Cool Connect FGRC064WA1 (Credit: Frigidaire))5 Frigidaire Gallery Cool Connect Smart Room Air Conditioner
A sleekly designed smart air conditionerSpecifications
BTUs: 6,000, 8,000, 10,000, 12,000Room size: 250 - 550 square feetEnergy Efficiency Ratio: 12.2Works with: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)Check Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Works with Alexa and Google AssistantReasons to avoid
-Not as large sizes as LG Frigidaire's line of Gallery Cool Connect Smart Room Air Conditioners includes 6,000, 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000-BTU models, and are designed to cool rooms from 250 square feet up to 550 square feet for the largest model. The 10,000- and 12,000-BTU models have an especially sleek design, with a metal mesh grille and LEDs to show you the current temperature. These air conditioners work with Alexa and Google Assistant (you can also control the appliance via Frigidaire's smartphone app). They have a three-speed fan and an antibacterial mesh filter, and it comes with a remote control. It also has an auto-shut-off feature to save you energy. Other features include a scheduling assistant and a sleep mode. GE Smart Window Air Conditioner (Image credit: GE)6 GE Smart Air Conditioner
A smart air conditioner for medium-size roomsSpecifications
BTUs: 8,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000Room size: 350, 450, 550, 700Energy Efficiency Ratio: 12.1Works with: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKitToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at The Home Depot (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Available in multiple sizes+Works with HomeKitReasons to avoid
-Not as attractive as competing models Starting with the smallest 8,000-BTU unit, GE's smart air conditioners are meant for more modestly sized rooms, which makes them best for apartments. While not as sleek-looking as those models from LG and Frigidaire, GE's models are reasonably priced, and work with HomeKit. These smart air conditioners are also compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, making them one of the most connected there is. In addition, they come with a remote, have a three-speed cooling fan and can be controlled via GE's Appliances app (Android and iOS). (Image credit: Honeywell)7 Honeywell Smart Portable Air Conditioner
A smart portable air conditionerSpecifications
BTUs: 10,000Room size: up to 450 sq. ft.Energy Efficiency Ratio: n/aWorks with: AlexaReasons to buy
+Air conditioner and dehumidifier+Works with AlexaReasons to avoid
-Not as efficient as in-window models In general, portable air conditioners aren't as efficient as in-wall or window units, but they can be handy if you can't install one of those other models. The Honeywell Smart Wifi Portable air conditioner pulls double duty as it can not only cool down your room, but it can also act as a dehumidifier. This model weighs just about 63 pounds - standard for this size - but has a set of wheels on the bottom so you can move it from room to room. Not only can you control it from your phone (and with Alexa), but it also keeps tabs on outdoor weather conditions and adjusts itself automatically. It also has thermal overload protection and a washable filter.Smart air conditioner controllers
Sensibo Sky (Image credit: Sensibo)1 Sensibo Sky
Best smart air conditioner add-onSpecifications
BTUs: n/aRoom size: n/aEnergy Efficiency Ratio: n/aWorks with: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Small+Easy to set upReasons to avoid
-No display If you already have a working air conditioner, there's no reason to go out and spend hundreds of dollars to get a smart model. The Sensibo Sky can make your "dumb" air conditioner smart, by sending commands via infrared to turn your air conditioner on and off; you can control the Sensibo Sky from an app on your smartphone, and set timers and rules for when the air conditioner should run. In our Sensibo Sky review, we liked that it has a geofencing feature; it can sense when you're getting near home, and start up the air conditioner to cool things down for when you arrive. Conversely, it can automatically shut off your A/C when you leave the house. The one thing we wish it had, though, was a display on the device itself. Cielo Breez Plus (Image credit: Cielo)2 Cielo Breez Plus
Best smart air conditioner accessory with displaySpecifications
BTUs: n/aRoom size: n/aEnergy Efficiency Ratio: n/aWorks with: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Built-in displayReasons to avoid
-Doesn't work with as many units as the Sensibo The Cielo Breez Plus is another good option for making your air conditioner smart. The Breez Plus also sends signals via infrared to your A/C unit, and can be controlled from a smartphone app, or with Alexa or Google Assistant. One thing we also like about the Cielo Breez Plus is that it has not just a large display, but controls on the device itself to let you adjust the temperature, so you don't have to pull out your smartphone to make it cooler. You can also control the A/C's fan speed, set temperature range locks, and see your energy usage history. Cielo also makes the Cielo Breez Eco ($68), which lacks a display or physical controls other than an on/off button. (Image credit: Sensibo)3 Sensibo Air
A smart air conditioner accessory with room presenceSpecifications
BTUs: n/aRoom size: n/aEnergy Efficiency Ratio: n/aWorks with: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Room sensorReasons to avoid
-Expensive Like the Sensibo Sky, the Sensibo Air can control your "dumb" air conditioner via infrared commands, letting you program it via a smartphone app. However, the Sensibo Air has an extra feature: A separate room sensor that not only measures temperature and humidity, but also detects your presence. That way, you can program the Sensibo Air to turn off your air conditioner when no one's in the room. It's a smart addition that will help save you money over the long run, even if the Sensibo Air is more expensive than other air conditioner add-ons.What to look for when buying a smart air conditioner
Above all else, you should base your buying decision on two things: BTUs and energy efficiency. Air conditioner "sizes" are determined by their BTU cooling capacity. You want a unit that's just powerful enough to cool your room or area. If you get an air conditioner that's too large, it'll chill the room before it's able to remove the humidity, leaving you cold and clammy. This chart from Energy Star (opens in new tab) shows how many BTUs you need in terms of room size; the organization also has a handy calculator on its site for calculating your room size. Energy Star also lists other guidelines for determining the proper size for an air conditioner in your room. For example, if the room gets a lot of sun, you should increase the capacity of your choice of air conditioner by 10 percent; if the room is heavily shaded, decrease the capacity by 10 percent. You also want to look for units with a high energy-to-efficiency ratio (EER) - that is, the amount of energy needed to cool a room. The higher the EER, the better. You should be able to find this information in the product listing or the packaging. You also want a unit with a good Energy Star rating, another indicator of energy efficiency. Room Size (square feet)BTUs100 to 1505,000150 to 2506,000250 to 3007,000300 to 3508,000350 to 4009,000400 to 45010,000450 to 55012,000550 to 70014,000700 to 1,00018,0001,000 to 1,20020,0001,200 to 1,40023,0001,400 to 1,50024,0001,500 to 2,00030,0002,000 to 2,50034,000