The Best Window Air Conditioners for 2026: Quiet, Efficient Inverter Picks
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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If you don’t have central air, a window unit is the next best thing, and the latest generation is far better than the rattling boxes you remember. Inverter compressors run at variable speeds instead of slamming on and off, which cuts energy use and noise. Clever U- and L-shaped designs put the loud parts outside and let you keep using your window. The trade-off is still installation, which is awkward with any AC.
Our picks are based on Wirecutter’s June 2026 update to its air conditioner guide, written by a senior staff writer who has tested more than 100 air conditioners and fans since 2019, including at least four dozen window units, measuring noise, airflow, power draw and temperature and humidity changes. We also draw on WIRED’s 2026 window AC testing and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2025 recall notice for Midea U units. We haven’t tested these ourselves, and prices change often.
Quick answer: the Midea U or Midea U Plus is the window AC to buy for most rooms. Get the Hisense HLAW0825TW if the Midea is unavailable, the Frigidaire Gallery GHWW085TE1 if you want it to double as an air purifier, the Windmill AC with WhisperTech if you dread installation, and the Windmill Lite for rooms under about 150 square feet.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Design | Efficiency (EER) | Approx. price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea U / U Plus (8,000 Btu) | Best overall | U-shaped inverter | 15.0 / 16.0 | About $360 to $400 |
| Hisense HLAW0825TW | Runner-up | L-shaped inverter | Similar to Midea | About $340 |
| Frigidaire Gallery GHWW085TE1 | Air-quality features | Standard inverter | 15.0 | About $530 to $670 |
| Windmill AC with WhisperTech | Easiest installation | Standard inverter | 15.0 | About $360 |
| Windmill Lite (5,000 Btu) | Small rooms | Standard | 11.0 | About $200 |
*Prices from Wirecutter’s buying links at the time of writing; the 8,000 Btu size is shown unless noted.
The best window air conditioners
1. Midea U MAW08V1QWT and U Plus MAW08U1QWT: best overall
Best for: most bedrooms and living rooms up to about 350 square feet.
The Midea U has been Wirecutter’s top pick since 2020 and was also WIRED’s best overall in 2026. Its U-shaped body straddles the sill so the window closes down into a channel in the middle, putting the compressor outside. In testing it was hard to even measure: it blended into room tone at 35 to 40 decibels. Extendable side bars lock it to the window frame, so you can still open the window, and built-in locks stop anyone forcing it from outside.
Its inverter compressor gives the standard model an EER of 15.0 and the U Plus 16.0, compared with about 11 or 12 for conventional units, or about half the energy. A window bracket is included, which saves about $50, and there are 6,000 and 12,000 Btu sizes for rooms up to about 250 and 550 square feet. The U Plus adds Matter certification and a spring-loaded bracket that makes installation slightly easier.
About the recall: in 2025 Midea recalled about 1.7 million U and U+ units, sold under several brand names, because water could collect and grow mold. The fix, now included in every box, adds drip plugs and a spirit level so the unit tilts correctly toward the rear. Wirecutter says the redesign corrects the issue and recommends running it on auto so the fan cycles and helps moisture evaporate. If you own an older unit, check the CPSC notice for your model number.
Pros
- Quietest window AC Wirecutter has tested
- Very efficient inverter
- Window stays usable
- Bracket included
Cons
- Installation is fiddly
- Past mold recall (now fixed by redesign)
2. Hisense HLAW0825TW: runner-up
Best for: anyone who can’t find the Midea or likes a lower-profile look inside.
This L-shaped inverter AC performed nearly identically to the Midea in Wirecutter’s tests and also keeps your window operable. The indoor part is shorter and resembles a mini-split head, though you still see the exterior section through the glass.
Its base pan has cutouts designed to keep air moving and water from pooling, which should help with mold. It carries a two-year warranty, better than most ACs. The downsides: only three onboard buttons (you need the remote or the ConnectLife app for fan speed and eco mode), a clunkier bracket, no window-locking features, and a few reader reports of early failures, which were generally resolved by a reset or the warranty.
Pros
- Nearly as quiet and efficient as Midea
- Better built-in drainage
- Two-year warranty
- Matter-certified
Cons
- Limited onboard controls
- No window security locks
- Some early-failure reports
3. Frigidaire Gallery GHWW085TE1: best for air quality
Best for: people who want cooling plus air-quality monitoring and optional filtration.
It looks like a conventional box AC, but it averaged about 42 decibels in testing, just 2 decibels louder than the Midea and at least 5 decibels quieter than any other standard-shape unit Wirecutter has tried. Its EER is 15.0.
An LED on the front shows indoor air quality from green to red, and adding Frigidaire’s MERV-14 PureAir RAC-8 filter lets it work as an air purifier too. It does occupy your whole window for the season, costs about $100 or more over the Midea before you buy a bracket, and its app is basic, with no HomeKit or Matter support.
Pros
- Very quiet for a box AC
- Air-quality indicator
- Optional MERV-14 filtration
Cons
- Blocks the window
- Pricier, bracket sold separately
- Limited smart features
4. Windmill AC with WhisperTech: best for easy installation
Best for: people who don’t want to fight with accordion panels and brackets.
Windmill’s frame slips into the open window, you close the sash on it, and the unit slides right in. Wirecutter found it the easiest AC to install of any it has tested. It’s also one of the best-looking, with rounded edges, subtle lights, swappable decorative front panels and a cover over the sharp rear fins.
With an inverter compressor and an EER of 15.0, it’s as efficient as the Midea, but louder, averaging about 46 decibels with a low, fridge-like rumble. You can’t aim the airflow, which exits upward at a 45-degree angle. Windmill’s customer service stood out in testing.
Pros
- Easiest installation
- Attractive design
- Efficient inverter
- Helpful customer service
Cons
- Louder than the other picks
- Airflow direction can’t be changed
5. Windmill Lite: best for small rooms
Best for: bedrooms and offices up to about 150 square feet.
An oversized AC can leave a small room clammy. The 5,000 Btu Windmill Lite is the only model in its size Wirecutter found with smart-home connectivity, which lets you schedule it and join utility demand-response programs. It’s typically under $250, about half the price of the other picks’ small sizes, and its vent can be aimed.
It’s louder, at about 56 decibels, it isn’t Energy Star rated (true of every 5,000 Btu model Wirecutter found), and it has no dedicated dry mode. Its EER of 11.0 is still the best in this size.
Pros
- Right-sized for small rooms
- Smart-home features
- Affordable
Cons
- Loud
- Not Energy Star rated
- No dehumidify mode
How to choose a window air conditioner
Size it to the room. An 8,000 Btu unit suits rooms up to about 350 square feet. Bigger isn’t better: an oversized AC cools quickly but doesn’t run long enough to remove humidity, so the room feels damp. If the air is muggy rather than hot, a dehumidifier may be the better buy.
Get an inverter. Inverter models are quieter and far more efficient. Federal rules mean cooling performance is fairly similar across correctly sized models, so efficiency, noise and design are where they differ.
Check your window. U-shaped models need a compatible sill and sash. Casement windows have very few options; Wirecutter notes the Keystone KSTSW08B (untested) or a portable AC with a crank-window kit.
Plan the install. Use a support bracket, follow the tilt instructions so water drains outside, and insulate gaps. Two people make it much easier.
Other options to consider
- TCL W8WC72-B: an EER of 16.3, the most efficient model on the market as of May 2026, though louder at about 53 decibels.
- GE Profile ClearView PHNT10CC: a former pick for rooms up to 450 square feet that hangs below the sill, leaving most of the window clear; it weighs 75 pounds.
- Midea MAH09H1AGR window heat pump: a roughly $3,000 unit that heats and cools year-round, even in subzero weather. Wirecutter tested it for a year and liked it for retrofits and renters.
FAQ
Is the Midea U safe to buy after the recall?
Wirecutter still recommends it. A redesign and a repair kit with drip plugs and a level now ship in every box, and Wirecutter says that should mitigate the mold problem. Install it with the correct rearward tilt and run it on auto.
How loud is a quiet window AC?
The Midea U measured 35 to 40 decibels in Wirecutter’s tests, close to room tone. Typical box units are noticeably louder, and 5,000 Btu models tend to run in the mid-50s.
Can I open my window with a window AC installed?
With U- and L-shaped models like the Midea U and Hisense, yes. Conventional units lock the window closed for the season.
What does EER mean?
Energy efficiency ratio: cooling output divided by power input. Inverter units now reach 15 to 16, versus about 11 to 12 for traditional ones.
The bottom line
The Midea U or U Plus is the window air conditioner we’d buy: whisper-quiet, very efficient, and you keep your window. Choose the Hisense HLAW0825TW if it’s sold out, the Frigidaire Gallery for air-quality features, the Windmill WhisperTech for painless installation, and the Windmill Lite for a small room.
