Best Window Air Conditioners of 2026: Midea, Zafro, GE

CommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleBest Overall Window Air ConditionerMidea U-Shaped Air ConditionerRead more$400 Amazon (8,000 BTU)Best Portable Air ConditionerZafro Lullaby Duo Portable ACRead more$620 $558 (10% off) Amazon (16,000 BTU)Best Budget Window Air ConditionerGE Window Air Conditioner (AHEE06AC)Read more$209 AmazonBest Easy-to-Install Air Conditioner With a Clean DesignWindmill 8,000 BTU with WhisperTechRead more$449 $419 (7% off) AmazonThe world is getting warmer. And the weather is getting weirder. The best window air conditioners offer sweet relief and potential energy savings when you use them for targeted cooling.

Extreme heat is exhausting, and it ages you faster than smoking or drinking. Even Europe, long resistant to them, is now cottoning to the idea that air conditioners are a public health need.WIRED’s top pick, Midea’s 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner ($400), is among the most energy-efficient on the market, and uses newfangled coolants that don’t deplete the ozone like the more damaging ones of yore.

Heat pumps are even more efficient, and mini-splits like the Della Optima Series 12,000 BTU 23 SEER2 ($970) are becoming increasingly accessible, although they require expensive installation.We’ve also included the best models for those on a tight budget, such a surprisingly quiet small-room 6,000 BTU air conditioner from GE for a mere $209. But note that budget models generally aren’t as efficient, so saving on the upfront cost can lead to higher energy bills over time.

Be sure to check out our other air-quality guides, including Best Air Purifiers, Best Indoor Air Quality Monitors, and Best Fans.Updated July 2026: Matthew Korfhage retested this year’s model of our top-pick, the Midea U-Shaped Air Conditioner, to ensure that updates addressed condensation issues. We also tested and added the TCL Q-Series Air Conditioner and the Dreo Portable Air Conditioner to our honorable mentions, and updated links and pricing throughout.

Jump to SectionOther Models We TestedWhat Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?Tips for Choosing the Best Air ConditionerBest Overall Window Air ConditionerPhotograph: Matthew KorfhageCourtesy of MideaPhotograph: Matthew KorfhageChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistMideaU-Shaped Air Conditioner$400 Amazon (8,000 BTU)$510 $480 (6% off) Amazon (12,000 BTU)Since the first-generation device arrived in 2020, the U-shaped air conditioners from Midea have become the benchmark that every other manufacturer seems to be chasing. (Midea also white-labels the devices used by many other brands.)

This device’s energy-saving inverter compressor and exclusive U-shaped design solves nearly every problem I want to solve when it comes to window air conditioners.The deep cutout in the middle of the device lets my window slide down deep into the unit, leaving the noisy compressor outside—making this Midea the quietest air conditioner that any WIRED reviewer has tested. It also lets me crack open my window at night during the summer to let in cool air.

But just as important, this design leads to better energy efficiency. Most window units leak heat through a large surface area of poorly insulated plastic accordions. But U-shaped designs allow windows to be nearly shut, save for a two-inch gap sealed by thick foam.

When I place the 10,000 BTU Midea on energy-saving Eco mode in a 400-square-foot main room, I find it maintains room temperature on summer days while running only a small fraction of the time. Note there are two variants of this device, depending on the vendor. A newer U-Plus version sold by Home Depot offers slightly better CEER efficiency.

Both score above 15 CEER, equal to the best in the market aside from expensive heat pumps.The Midea’s U-shaped design also leads to better noise insulation from other outside sounds, a real issue in urban environments. (I live across from a bar with a patio, and the improvement is notable when compared with standard designs.)

The device is Matter-compatible and connects to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa and an easy-pairing phone app—allowing scheduling and remote control from afar.If there’s a small Achilles’ heel, it’s installation. Even with a clever no-drilling-required and a spring-pin bracket design to support the weight of the external compressor, the process is less than intuitive and a little finicky.

You’ll want to watch Midea’s installation video, which is way easier to follow than the printed instructions.Midea issued a voluntary recall and update in 2025 to address drainage problems that could lead to condensation and mold risks when installed at the wrong tilt—an issue that afflicts nearly all window air conditioners but was slightly more pronounced in these models. The fix mostly entailed including a bubble level to ensure correct installation, plus some drip plugs that allow for water clearance from the rear of the device.

Even withou