Best Window Air Contioners 6000 Btu Reviews 2018
The All-time Window Air Conditioners
After 3 months of research and extended testing, nosotros've confirmed that the Frigidaire – FFRE0833U1 is the all-time window air conditioner for raw cooling ability. The Frigidaire is relatively inexpensive, and at only 53 pounds it's easier to lift into your window during installation than the contest. Nosotros also recommend the GE – AHEK08AC equally some other lightweight unit that'south elementary to install and has like features as the Frigidaire.
Our Top Choices
Summit Pick
Frigidaire
FFRE0833U1
Also Great
GE
AHEK08AC
After iii months of inquiry and extended testing, we've confirmed that the Frigidaire – FFRE0833U1 is the best window air conditioner for raw cooling power. The Frigidaire is relatively cheap, and at simply 53 pounds it's easier to lift into your window during installation than the competition. Nosotros also recommend the GE – AHEK08AC as another lightweight unit that's elementary to install and has like features as the Frigidaire.
What is the size of the room you need cooled in square feet?
Is your room heavily shaded?
Does your room get direct sunlight?
How many people regularly occupy the room?
Is the unit of measurement used in a kitchen?
Tabular array of contents
- The 4 window air conditioners we tested
- All-time overall: Frigidaire – FFRE0833U1
- Also great: GE – AHEK08AC
- Other products we tested
- How we selected
- How we tested
- How to pick a window air conditioner
- How to install a window air conditioner
- The lesser line
The four window air conditioners we tested
| Production | Price | Loudest Dissonance (dBA) | Thermostat Accuracy | Cooling Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ane. Frigidaire - FFRE0833U1 | $$ | 60 | 0.5 degrees hot | ★★★★★ |
| GE - AHEK08AC | $$ | 62.v | 0.5 degrees hot | ★★★★★ |
| LG - LW8017ERSM | $$$ | 59 | 0.4 degrees cold | ★★★ |
| Friedrich - CP08G10B (Unavailable at Amazon) | $$$$ | 51 | ii.0 degrees hot | ★★★★ |
Best overall: Frigidaire – FFRE0833U1
The eight,000 BTU Frigidaire – FFRE0833U1 is our favorite air conditioner for chirapsia the summer heat. In our testing it ranked acme for performance and it was the easiest to install, and it has some cool features that you lot tin can't get anywhere else.
Frigidaire has a long pedigree going back to the very first self-contained refrigeration systems in 1915. They've been doing room air workout for a long time, and their products go along to shine. This is a 2018 update that was just released equally we started our research for this review, and it'due south encouraging to know that this is an updated design, though it doesn't seem like any significant features have changed over the 833S1 from 2016.
All-time Overall: Frigidaire - FFRE0833U1 viii,000 BTU
Quick cooling and easy installation brand this model impossible to ignore. Frigidaire knows how to build an AC, only they're also competitive on price. Selection a model that's the right size for your room and you lot'll take the best functioning you can become.
The existent distinction between these models is performance. We used a Kill-A-Watt electricity meter to monitor performance, and the Frigidaire draws most 34 watts more electricity than the LG on loftier, just cooled our room at an average of -ii.seven degrees per minute instead of just a -1.4 caste change for the LG.
That alter in cooling performance should more than than kickoff whatsoever departure in power depict, and the efficiency rating for both machines is the same, which indicates that official lab testing shows that they motion the same amount of heat per watt of ability used. In our small testing room, we only got our cool air much more quickly with the Frigidaire.
This also means a scrap wider of a thermostat overshoot than LG: The lowest temperature we saw with the thermostat set to seventy° was 67.6°, compared to 68.5° for the LG. Nigh of us aren't trying to maintain a specific accurate temperature so much as to cool a room quickly and efficiently, so nosotros won't count this as a major fault, but it's something to note.
Frigidaire'south most interesting feature is a "remote sensing" thermostat that uses the temperature of the remote to trigger the air conditioner, rather than the air in front of the window.
This means that if you take a big picture window or other hot-spot you're trying to cool, you can help go along the Frigidaire from shutting off before you're prepare to surrender the cool blast. We establish this far more than useful than the Wi-Fi features offered by LG. The only letdown is that the sensor on the remote reads about 4 degrees too hot, which means it would probably run for longer than information technology needs to if you're trying to reach a specific temperature like 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Frigidaire window air conditioner is solid but besides subtle. The fan makes noise when information technology blows, simply it's a consequent enough audio that we had to recheck a bunch of times to be sure the compressor was running. This Air conditioning is 1 dBA louder than the LG at max output, but the fan dissonance is smoother.
The airflow from the fan is strong, and the air information technology blows is cold, so at a cost that'southward the same or better than the competition, it's hard to imagine a compelling reason to option a unlike model.
The 8,000 BTU capacity nosotros tested is the most pop size since information technology covers the widest range of common room sizes. If yous're cooling a space smaller than 250 square feet, check out the five,000 BTU model. If you've got a suitable window in a big room that's 300-450 square feet, look for the x,000 BTU model. There'due south fifty-fifty a 12,000 BTU model for rooms bigger than 500 square feet.
Primal takeaways:
- Frigidaire's 8,000 BTU FFRE0833U1 is a smashing air conditioner on every count, though the others may beat it on a few details.
- Tiptop performance in our testing means this will go on you smiling with quick relief.
- The fan is loudest by a hair, but information technology's a smooth and consistent audio.
- The "remote sensing" feature means this model can be a bit ameliorate at cooling your whole room consistently.
Besides keen: GE – AHEK08AC
During a months-long heat wave in Southern California, we decided that it was high time to test a new air conditioner for this 2021 update. Using the same criteria we originally used to examination air conditioners in 2018, nosotros were impressed past the functioning of the GE – AHEK08AC 8,000 BTU model.
Almost functions tin can be controlled past the remote, which has a range of 20 feet. This model too has a WiFi hookup through the HQ Smart app. It takes a while to connect, only you tin can control power, temperature, way, and fan speed besides as fix an on/off schedule from your Smartphone (Apple and Android).
We tested the GE when outdoor temperatures were over 100 F. We turned off central air conditioning, which pushed our test bedchamber'south temperature up to 88 F. We gear up the air conditioner's thermostat to 68 F, turned the unit on high, and fix a timer. Airflow was strong and cold from the beginning, and the one-half of the room in directly line with the air conditioner cooled by 2 degrees in ii minutes.
By four minutes, the other side of the room began to cool, and by 6 minutes, the entire room had cooled by another ii degrees. Although it took the upper one-half of the room — closest to the ceiling a little longer — in 13 minutes, the room was a comfy 72 F. (In about 20 minutes, our chilly ready temperature was reached.)
As well Not bad: GE - AHEK08AC 8,000 BTU
Although this GE model is slightly more noisier than our peak option, it has like features and has enough of power to cool a medium-size room (350 foursquare-anxiety) in minutes.
Similar to other air conditioners, the GE has three cooling modes and speeds. There is likewise an Eco mode that cycles the fan on and off with the compressor, a fan-only mode, and an Auto mode that automatically adjusts the speed depending on room temperature. The Automobile mode is "set-it-and-forget it" and much easier to use than manually adjusting speed. The Slumber mode gradually changes the speed and cooling settings over an eight-60 minutes flow to increase energy efficiency. Oddly, the Slumber fashion tin can't be controlled past the remote and tin only be turned on by pressing the unit's front panel.
The GE is slightly noisier than the Frigidaire. At the highest speed, the GE registered 62.5 dBA and at depression speed and Sleep mode, decibel level was 58 dBA. When the air conditioner is in Auto or Sleep style, the compressor kicks in to conform to room temperature as needed, and decibel level registered at 60 dBA; non too loud but it could be quieter for sleeping.
The GE weighs in at simply 50 pounds and was like shooting fish in a barrel to install for a i-person "squad." Though the GE didn't cool equally rapidly equally the Frigidaire, it has comparable features and ability enough to cool a 350 square-foot room and gives relief from summertime temperatures at their most fell.
Key takeaways:
- The GE – AHEK08AC 8,000 BTU has plenty of power to cool a medium-sized room in minutes.
- Its remote has a 20-foot range, but this air conditioner is besides WiFi ready, and the splendid app lets y'all control and schedule every function from a Smartphone.
- The GE doesn't have a remote temperature sensor. Its Auto function, however, does pretty much the same thing and adjusts cooling and power when needed.
Other products we tested
Friedrich – Chill CP08G10B
(Editor'due south annotation: In our terminal update, nosotros praised the Friedrich – Chill CP08G10B equally the quietest air conditioner nosotros tested. For this 2021 update, we've learned that this unit is currently unavailable on Amazon. Nosotros checked with the manufacturer, and this model has non yet been discontinued and can be purchased at apparatus retailers.)
The Friedrich – Chill CP08G10B is the viii,000 BTU model of the visitor'southward most pop line, and it's a stride up from our tiptop pick in luxury and quality, though non in absolute operation.
When we talk almost luxury in an air conditioner, nosotros're talking nearly more just skilful-looking industrial design (though Friedrich has that, too). The big factors for comfort are noise and temperature stability, and this Air conditioning has both.
Even at full blast, Friedrich'southward dissonance level on this 8,000 BTU model is well below the 55 dBA level where an appliance starts to compete with yous when you're having a conversation in the room.
With the compressor off and the fan on low, the measured average was 47 dBA, and that's quieter than nearly aquiver room fans. It's a smooth, consequent background noise even when the compressor kicks on, which makes this design perfect for a large chamber.
The Friedrich thermostat was technically the least accurate we tested, with an average temperature of two degrees hotter than the set 70 F compared to half a degree either side for the other models. It had far less "swing" from hot to cold when run over a long catamenia of time, though. The Friedrich would run whenever the room striking 73 F and cool until it got just to a higher place the prepare 70 F, compared to a 6-degree swing with the Frigidaire. So long as you're buying a unit of measurement that's the correct size for your room, that's but about as perfect as it gets.
Friedrich was besides the only manufacturer to make provisions for installing their units through-the-wall rather than in a window. The outer shroud comes correct off when you remove four screws, so you tin can pre-install all of the screws and braces before you add the weight of the bodily machine.
This is a good affair because information technology's 11 pounds heavier than the Frigidaire, and quite a scrap longer so that the exhaust fan can clear the sides of a through-the-wall install. The install hardware likewise includes adjustable leveling feet so that y'all tin can be sure the condensation will drain properly.
Friedrich also includes an machine-swing fan option for those who don't like having all their cold air focused on i spot. How useful this is volition depend on your room, just it'southward practiced to accept the option.
The Friedrich remote doesn't have the fancy remote-sensor thermostat that makes Frigidaire's AC more flexible, merely they did include a wall mounting bracket so your remote won't become buried in a drawer.
Friedrich's air conditioners don't take born Wi-Fi, and they're definitely more than expensive. The Texas-based company is competing to offer y'all exactly what you need with design that does its job quietly and efficiently. They've accomplished that and still managed to come in well nether the list price of Frigidaire'south "Gallery" air conditioner (which should also exist tranquility).
LG – LW8017ERSM
The LG – LW8017ERSM is not a bad air conditioner by any means. If you can't find the Frigidaire or the GE, this is a solid replacement pick. The ii things that kept this air conditioner from a recommendation are noise and performance.
Strictly speaking, this makes less sound energy than our top-pick Frigidaire. The difference is almost pronounced on the lowest fan setting, where the audio level drops to l dBA when the compressor turns off. When the compressor turns back on, though, that goes up to basically the same level every bit the Frigidaire. That means the sound of the compressor turning on and off will be more noticeable, which is more jarring even if the average sound level is lower.
The fan noise from the LG is also slightly more irritating than the Frigidaire'south, with a very slight-merely-consistent buzzing or ticking quality to the drone of the fan. Information technology's not bad enough that we remember it's a broken role or obstacle, but it'due south noticeable.
For operation, the LG is steady and stable plenty to compete with the Friedrich, just information technology can't go on up with Frigidaire. LG only managed an average temperature alter of -1.49 degrees per minute in our small-scale-ish test room, meaning if yous come home and it's xc degrees in your house, it'll take even longer to cool the 300-square-human foot room this unit was designed for.
Slower performance can be an advantage if you're more than concerned with pulling moisture out of the air than with cooling off, but all of these models have a "dry" fashion, which will attain that very nicely by slowing downward the fan. The fact that Frigidaire's and GE's air conditioner is lighter and easier to install basically seals LG's fate for this round.
How we selected
This is a tricky category to research. Retailers frequently keep dozens of listings for each manufacturer, and they don't make it immediately clear which models are current-year updates or what the other differences might be.
We combed through retailer listings and chosen a few sales representatives to decode the model numbers for acme air conditioner brands to notice the most recent models. Nosotros considered testing some erstwhile models that had been well-reviewed by other publications, peculiarly the Haier – Serenity model that's won awards for placidity functioning, but fifty-fifty that model is now discontinued and out of stock.
Nosotros simply tested electric current models; no old stock or discontinued models. If you see more client reviews of other models from the same manufacturers that have different model numbers, that'south the reason. Hopefully, these models volition remain easy to find for a while. Pricing will alter throughout the year, but typically the up-to-date pattern is actually cheaper to purchase.
Our testing picks centered on brands with a proven track record of making reliable and high-performance air conditioners. Older versions of the machines we tested have all won awards from sites like The Wirecutter or Consumer Reports.
We only tested models that come across the Energy Star efficiency rating. This characterization means the product is at least 10 percent better than the mandated minimum efficiency and tin motility at least 12 BTUs of heat out of your house for every watt-60 minutes of electricity. These models likewise have an "energy-saver" mode that turns the fan off when it's not actually working to maintain the set temperature.
Our typical strategy for choosing products includes sifting customer reviews and owner discussion groups to see if people have had bug with a detail model. That strategy wasn't every bit easy to implement hither, since we're picking a model that's make-new and 2 others that don't have nearly as many reviews equally older models from the same companies. Appliance reviews are also especially tricky with air conditioners since and so much about the unit of measurement's performance tin can change depending on what room yous put it in. These brands all accept a great track record with past units, though.
How we tested
Installation
We tried to follow the installation instructions every bit all-time we could and managed to do a one-human being install of each unit without losing whatsoever parts or dropping any of the units out the window. Installation wasn't identical, equally each model uses a slightly different method for centering, sealing, and securing the windows, but y'all could probably bandy the parts from 1 install kit to some other without problems.
Curiously, the LG and Friedrich units come with very similar installation booklets. There's almost certainly some human relationship between these Texan and Korean companies, despite all the differences in the actual performance and features of their air conditioners.
Frigidaire wins our pick for the easiest install — although the GE comes in at a close 2d — just on account of how much more meaty it is. Friedrich's install kit is the nearly consummate and versatile if you've got a tricky situation like a through-the-wall install, and it was nice that the outer "sleeve" housing could exist completely secured earlier we slid the heavy internals into place.
Performance exam
After installing each air conditioner in a 115-foursquare-human foot bedroom, we ran it in the hottest and well-nigh controlled environs we could create. We started each test past running ii space heaters and the apartment'south fundamental heating to get the room upwards to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then letting it stabilize at 85 each time before powering on the Ac. Exterior temperatures during testing were between 65 and 70 degrees.
Nosotros tested these air conditioners in March rather than July or August, but nosotros were happy to come across that our controls gave a stable and consequent performance comparison with similar weather condition beyond the three tests.
We logged the temperature and humidity in the room with an Elitech – GSP-6 for an hour afterwards turning on each air conditioner to run across how it would respond to the initial rut and how it would bike after that initial drib to maintain a steady temperature.
Performance, as expected, was quite similar, but not identical between the three models. These are all capable of cooling the rated 350-foursquare-foot room, just in repeated testing, we could come across that the Frigidaire is able to respond more quickly and bring down the room temperature right away when you turn it on.
Humidity performance
As previously mentioned, if yous're running any of these air conditioners in a room that's smaller than what they're designed for, y'all'll become a damp, humid environment if the air cools off too quickly. Fortunately, each i also has a "dry out" operating way that runs the AC for longer and at a slower fan speed to pull out more than wet.
If you're running an Air-conditioning in an actress-boiling climate and your room is on the smaller edge of the room-size categories, the fact that the LG and Friedrich air conditioners are a little flake slower to cool ways that your humidity and comfort level will be a little bit more than stable on the full-blast AC mode. They're rated for an extra 0.iii pints per solar day of water removed from your air, though the specifics of how well each model volition do tin change depending on what settings you lot choose.
Dissonance testing
We ran each air conditioner in the same room using the aforementioned audio pressure measurement equipment: a PC running REW v1.58 with a calibrated measurement mic mounted to a stand 6 feet away from the window. Nosotros measured using the standard "A" weighting calibration, which ways the organisation factors an annoying high-pitch whine more heavily than a low-pitch rumble.
The sound of the compressors turning on in all of these units was less dramatic than we expected, and the fan dissonance made up the biggest difference betwixt them. We'd say that these are all good performers with merely threescore dBA at the maximum.
Strictly speaking, Frigidaire is the worst performer by the numbers, merely the quality that doesn't come across on this chart is a slightly abrasive ticking or buzzing that comes from the fan on the LG. If y'all need a quiet fan setting merely don't want to trounce out for the Friedrich, the LG is an culling; nosotros retrieve the smoother-though-louder sound of the Frigidaire's fan is better for most people.
We were expecting to meet better racket performance with the more expensive Friedrich – Chill air conditioner, but the actual difference in testing was shockingly good. If you're installing a window unit in a chamber and yous can afford to spend a footling bit more than, the vii dBA difference will seem virtually half as loud. (On the logarithmic decibel scale, sound doubles in perceived loudness every 10 dB.)
Comfort and accuracy
Tracking the functioning of each air conditioner over our tests as well means that we can compare the consistency and accurateness of the thermostats they use to plough the compressor on and off.
The Friedrich thermostat was the to the lowest degree accurate, with an boilerplate temperature of two degrees hotter than the gear up 70 degrees, simply information technology also had the least "swing" from hotter to colder than the ready temperature, running whenever the room hit 73 and cooling until it got only above the set temperature.
How to pick a window air conditioner
Window air conditioners are the most economic way to cool a room. Portable air conditioners are popular because they're versatile and can vent out of well-nigh any window, but window-specific units are typically 30 percent more efficient since all the oestrus-generating parts of the air conditioner sit outside your house. They're likewise much easier to install than a wall-mounted "mini-split" system.
Choosing a cooling capacity that'southward right for your room is crucial for long-term condolement and reliability. Your Best Digs works and tests in the mildly dry out climate of Southern California, so we sought out an skilful from more humid regions to become the scoop on humidity and AC operation.
Richard Ciresi, owner of Aire Serv Heating & Air conditioning in Louisville, says that oversized Air conditioning units are a big problem. "Starting time," Richard says, "heating and air conditioning units are sized for the hottest and coldest days of the year. On a moderate twenty-four hour period, they often don't run long enough to remove the backlog moisture from the air.
"2d, some homeowners and even some contractors still believe in the 'bigger is better' concept, which farther exacerbates the problem." We asked Richard if the opposite is true with AC units that are also pocket-size, and it is!
"An undersized unit," he says, "may not be able to lower the ambient temperature to the desired set up signal on extremely hot days, merely moisture removal will be improved. You're improve off both wellness- and utility-wise with a slightly warmer, dry out home than the damp 'cavern-similar' conditions that occur when the equipment is oversized."
How to install a window air conditioner
The biggest variable in window unit installation is going to be your window. About all of the window air conditioners bachelor are designed for "double-hung" windows with vertical window sliders. The slider pane rests behind a bracket and provides a stable and secure caryatid to keep the air conditioner from falling out of your window, and in most windows, information technology'due south easy to fill the gap on either side of your Air conditioning unit with the included expanding baffle "wing" curtains. Minimum size requirements are important to notation simply are not hard to match with most windows.
The install is pretty simple. Most window sills should exist able to support the air conditioner without extra steps, though the kits include brackets or suggest ways to add together bracing if you've got a tempest window that prevents the AC unit from sitting correct. I important step to annotation is making sure that your air conditioner tilts downwards slightly at the back since that's how it drains excess h2o exterior instead of onto your flooring.
In one case you go the included cream sealing tape in place and adhere the wings that will fill gaps on the sides, hoisting the unit into place is the hardest part. (We like that the Frigidaire is but 53 pounds, it's definitely the easiest to lift out of the box.) Resting a bit precariously in the frame equally you steady it with one hand (or a helper), the air conditioner is secure as soon every bit you slide the inside window sash into place to brace it.
After that, it's merely a affair of adding stop-braces to brand sure nobody accidentally opens the window. Information technology'southward also recommended that you finish upwardly with insulating panels and tape to shut any gaps and brand sure your cold air doesn't get out.
Installing a sliding or casement window air conditioner
In comparing, to stay secure in a horizontal sliding window, the unit of measurement has to use some sort of brace or shelf confronting your exterior wall. In that location's besides going to be a big gap higher up the air conditioner that y'all'll take to fill. Install kits included with slider-window AC units vary in how consummate they are, but fifty-fifty the best kits require a lot of measuring, drilling holes, and sawing a plastic window insert to size.
Casement windows that pivot open on a swivel with a crank are even more complicated to fit, though air conditioners designed for horizontal slides are often also designed for casement windows.
If you're assail a window air conditioner for your slider window, a purpose-built model is going to be easier to work with than adapting a regular window air conditioner. We wouldn't blame you for trying to come upwards with a DIY solution, though; models for horizontal sliders come at double the price, and they aren't updated every bit oft. (The summit casement-window model from Frigidaire has a model number from four years ago.)
Through-the-wall installation is even less mutual, but Friedrich designed their high-end Chill series to work as well in vertical sliding windows and through-the-wall installation by making it easy to slide the outer housing on and off and keeping the vents at the back of the unit.
The bottom line
If you lot don't take fundamental air conditioning, installing a window unit can exist a cheap manner to become some relief in one room. A window unit of measurement is always going to be more than efficient than a portable, and if yous've got a vertically sliding window, then a window air conditioner is easy to install.
The Frigidaire – FFRE0833U1 8,000 is one of the easiest units to install and delivers the best cooling performance when you demand it. The smooth-sounding fan isn't technically every bit repose every bit LG's, but we prefer it, and the second thermostat on the remote is innovative and infrequent.
Best overall: Frigidaire - FFRE0833U1 8,000 BTU
This isn't the quietest air conditioner y'all tin purchase, but for a nifty price you get top functioning and an easier install. This model (or the 5,000 BTU model for a smaller room) should definitely be first on your listing.
For this 2021 update, nosotros tin also recommend the GE – AHEK08AC as an alternating choice to consider. It has similar features as the Frigidaire, and though it cools slightly slower by a few minutes, its strong airflow will certainly give you equal relief from summertime's heat.
Also Peachy: GE - AHEK08AC
This viii,000 BTU is a terrific culling to our top pick. When in automatic manner, its congenital-in sensor detects the room temperature and changes speed and ability accordingly.
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Source: https://www.yourbestdigs.com/reviews/best-window-air-conditioner/
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