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

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The 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.

Other Models We Tested

TCL Q-Series Air Conditioner (10,000 BTU) for $369: Chinese electronics company TCL has been making air conditioners for only five years, but it is tackling the category the way it did for TVs—that is, by quickly conquering turf with excellent value. I tested the 10,000-BTU version of the Q Series window AC in an 120-square-foot upstairs bedroom that gets very little flow from my home’s central AC. It took three hours to drop the temperature by 10 degrees from a sweltering 78, but as it operated at a fairly quiet 60 decibels, I didn’t mind it. Installation was a breeze thanks to the included frame. The TCL has Matter connectivity, but I was not able to get it to connect to my Apple Home app, apparently a common issue. There is a remote that has all the controls from the unit itself. The thermostat is accurate within one degree, and the unit reliably turns it