Frigidaire
Frigidaire FFRS0822SE 8,000 BTU Slider/Casement Air Conditioner
In: Best Window Air Conditioners for Casement Windows
- Designed for slider and casement windows
- Remote and 24-hour timer
Category guide
Window Air Conditioners: Sizing, Noise and Efficiency
Window ACs are the most efficient way to cool a single room. Correct sizing and a good window seal matter most.
- 6 roundups · 4 reviews · 2 comparisons · 2 guides
- Updated
- No paid placements
Shop the shortlist
Top window air conditioners we recommend
Standout picks from our best-of lists. Tap any product for features, pros and cons.
- Top pickGE Profile
GE Profile ClearView 8,300 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner AHTT08BC
In: Best Window Air Conditioners for Large Living Rooms
- 8,300 BTU cooling capacity, the highest single-BTU figure here
- Cools rooms up to 350 sq ft
- Midea
Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner
In: Best Quiet Window Air Conditioners, Ranked by Decibel Rating
- As low as 32 dBA on low fan
- Inverter compressor avoids full on/off cycling
- Top pickLG
LG 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner LW5016
In: Best Window Air Conditioners Under $200
- 5,000 BTU cooling capacity
- Cools rooms up to 150 sq ft
- Koldfront
Koldfront CAC8000W 8,000 BTU Casement Air Conditioner
In: Best Window Air Conditioners for Casement Windows
- Built specifically for casement windows
- Dehumidifier mode
- LG
LG 8,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner LW8017ERSM1
In: Best Window Air Conditioners for Small Bedrooms
- 8,000 BTU cooling capacity
- Cools rooms up to 340 sq ft
- Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
In: Best Window Air Conditioners Under $200
- 6,000 BTU cooling capacity
- Cools rooms up to 250 sq ft
- Koldfront
Koldfront CAC10000W Casement Air Conditioner
In: Best Window Air Conditioners for Casement Windows
- Higher cooling output
- Casement-specific design
Best by need
Best window air conditioners for every buyer
Ranked shortlists for specific budgets and use cases. Start with the one that matches yours.
- Best Window Air Conditioners for Casement Windows: What Actually WorksMost window air conditioners cannot be installed in a casement (crank-out) window at all.See the picks
- Best Window Air Conditioners for Large Living RoomsThe best window air conditioners for large living rooms up to 350 sq ft, and when to size up to a 12,000 BTU model instead. Covers LG, MideaSee the picks
- Best Quiet Window Air Conditioners, Ranked by Decibel RatingThe quietest window air conditioners ranked by published decibel rating, from the Midea U-Shaped's 32 dBA inverter compressor to standard fiSee the picks
- Best Window Air Conditioners for Small Bedrooms in 2026The best window air conditioners for small bedrooms, ranked by noise level, cooling capacity for 150 to 350 sq ft rooms, and how easy each iSee the picks
- Best Window Air Conditioners Under $200Covers the LG LW5016, Amazon Basics 6,000 BTU, and Frigidaire 5,000 BTU, and why 8,000 BTU inverter units rarely hit this price point.See the picks
- Best Window Air Conditioners Under $400Covers where the GE Profile ClearView falls outside this budget and why.See the picks
Know before you buy
About Window Air Conditioners
Window units sit half outside, so the noisy compressor and hot air stay outdoors. That makes them more efficient than portable ACs at the same rating. Inverter and U-shaped designs have made the quietest models much quieter in recent years.
Size matters. An oversized unit cools quickly but shuts off before removing humidity, leaving the room cold and clammy.
How to choose a window air conditioner
BTU sizing
Roughly 5,000 to 6,000 BTU suits about 150 to 250 sq ft; larger rooms, sunny rooms and kitchens need more.
Inverter and U-shaped designs
Inverter compressors run at variable speed for quieter, steadier cooling. U-shaped units let the window close through the middle, cutting noise and drafts.
Efficiency
Compare CEER ratings and Energy Star certification.
Window fit
Check minimum and maximum window widths and whether your window type is supported. Casement and sliding windows need different units.
Installation safety
Use the included brackets or a support bracket and make sure the unit tilts slightly outward for drainage.
Research-based picks from specs, independent reviews and owner feedback.
No paid placements, ever.
Our methodologyQuick buying tips
What matters most in window air conditioners
- Roughly 5,000 to 6,000 BTU suits about 150 to 250 sq ft; larger rooms, sunny rooms and kitchens need more.
- Inverter compressors run at variable speed for quieter, steadier cooling. U-shaped units let the window close through the middle, cutting noise and drafts.
- Compare CEER ratings and Energy Star certification.
- Check minimum and maximum window widths and whether your window type is supported. Casement and sliding windows need different units.
- Use the included brackets or a support bracket and make sure the unit tilts slightly outward for drainage.
Deep dives
In-depth reviews
- Frigidaire FHWW085WE1 Review: An Inverter Window AC With 6-Way AirflowThe Frigidaire FHWW085WE1 is an 8,000 BTU inverter window air conditioner with 6-way directional airflow and a 42 dBA rating. Full review co
- GE Profile ClearView Review: The Window AC That Doesn't Block the ViewThe GE Profile ClearView AHTT08BC is an 8,300 BTU window air conditioner that sits below the sill instead of filling the window opening. Ful
- LG LW8017ERSM1 Review: An Honest Budget 8,000 BTU Window ACThe LG LW8017ERSM1 is an 8,000 BTU window air conditioner rated for 340 sq ft, with LG ThinQ Wi-Fi control at a price below most inverter co
- Midea U-Shaped Inverter AC Review: The Quietest Window Unit We've CoveredThe Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Inverter window air conditioner drops to 32 dBA on low fan and won Energy Star's Most Efficient award. Full rev
Learn first
Buying guides & how-tos
- Buying guideHow to Choose a Window Air Conditioner: A Decision FrameworkA step-by-step framework for choosing a window air conditioner: sizing by BTU and square footage, window type compatibility, noise prioritieRead
- Buying guideWindow Air Conditioner Freezing Up: 6 Causes and FixesIf ice is forming on your window air conditioner's coil or front grille, running it colder won't fix it and can make it worse. We cover the Read
- Buying guideWindow Air Conditioner Leaking Water Inside: 6 Causes and FixesIf your window air conditioner is dripping water into the room instead of draining outside, it's almost always an installation tilt or cloggRead
- Buying guideWindow Air Conditioner Not Cooling the Room: 7 Causes and FixesIf your window air conditioner is running but the room isn't getting cold, the problem is usually diagnosable without a repair call. We coveRead
- Buying guideWindow Air Conditioners Buying Guide: Everything to Know Before You BuyA complete buying guide to window air conditioners covering BTU sizing, inverter vs fixed-speed compressors, U-shaped and flex-depth designsRead
Answers
Window Air Conditioners: common questions
What is the best window air conditioner to buy?
One of our strongest picks is the Frigidaire FFRS0822SE 8,000 BTU Slider/Casement Air Conditioner, a standout in our Best Window Air Conditioners for Casement Windows list. The GE Profile ClearView 8,300 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner AHTT08BC is another excellent choice.
How do I choose the right window air conditioners?
Start with your main use and budget, then compare our shortlists: Best Window Air Conditioners for Casement Windows, Best Window Air Conditioners for Large Living Rooms, Best Quiet Window Air Conditioners, Ranked by Decibel Rating.
What should I look for when buying window air conditioners?
Roughly 5,000 to 6,000 BTU suits about 150 to 250 sq ft; larger rooms, sunny rooms and kitchens need more.
Can you install a regular window air conditioner in a casement window?
No, not without a custom-built frame. Standard window air conditioners are designed to slide into a horizontal opening created by pushing up a double-hung or single-hung sash, with side panels that extend to fill the remaining gap. A casement window cranks outward on a hinge and has no sliding sash, so there's no standard opening for a unit to sit in or seal against.
What's the real solution for cooling a room with only casement windows?
A portable air conditioner with a casement window installation kit is the standard workaround. The kit replaces the vent hose's flat window-slider panel with a version that fits in the narrower gap created by cranking the casement window partly open, sealing around the hose rather than requiring a sliding sash.
Do casement window air conditioner kits actually seal well?
Reasonably well, though not as tightly as a true double-hung installation. The kit typically uses foam or plastic panel inserts cut to the crank-open gap, plus tape or weatherstripping around the edges. Expect a small amount of additional air leakage compared to a standard window AC installation, which is a minor efficiency tradeoff worth accepting given the alternative is no cooling at all.
Should I replace a casement window with a different window type to fit an AC?
Only if you're already planning a window replacement for other reasons. Swapping a casement for a single-hung or double-hung window solely to fit a window air conditioner is a significant cost. For most households, a portable AC with a casement kit is far more practical, and a ductless mini-split condenser mounted outside is the better long-term option if the room is a permanent living space.
What BTU window air conditioner do I need for a large living room?
For an open living room between 300 and 350 sq ft, an 8,000 to 8,300 BTU unit like the ones in this list is typically sufficient. For anything larger, or an open-concept space that connects to a kitchen or dining area, look at the 12,000 BTU version of the same product lines, such as the Midea 12,000 BTU U-Shaped or the GE Profile ClearView 12,200 BTU inverter model.