As there are a variety of AC units on the market, it might sound a bit overwhelming in choosing the right one for your needs, huh? Don’t worry, our experts are going to share with you their tips and advice to find out the most reliable AC units. Don’t miss out!
Here are the most reliable ac units you can buy in 2024:
- Energy-Efficient (Portable Air Conditioner): LG LP0621WSR
- Best For Small Rooms (Portable Air Conditioner): SereneLife SLPAC8
- Best For Consistent Cooling Performance (Portable Air Conditioner): Honeywell MN1CFS8
- Best For Large Rooms (Window Air Conditioner): Frigidaire FFRE123WAE
- Quiet (Window Air Conditioner): Midea MAW10V1QWT
- Easy To Install (Window Air Conditioner): GE AHEK08AC
| 6 Most Reliable AC Units | ||
|---|---|---|
Energy-Efficient | LG LP0621WSR
| |
Best For Small Rooms | SereneLife SLPAC8
| |
Best For Consistent Cooling Performance | Honeywell MN1CFS8
| |
Best For Large Rooms | Frigidaire FFRE123WAE
| |
Quiet | Midea MAW10V1QWT
| |
Easy To Install | GE AHEK08AC
| |
Energy-Efficient: LG LP0621WSR
- Energy-star compliant
- Allow for adjusting the cooling air direction – swing arm
- A little noisy
- Wish the instructions were clearer
If you have a small room (under 250 square feet area) that needs to be cooled during the summer months without insanely increasing your energy bills, we highly recommend the LG LP0621WSR.
Energy Star compliant, it cools the room fast (from 85 to 65 degrees F in about 20 minutes in our case) whilst consuming very little electricity.
Just like other portable air conditioners in this list, it can work as a dehumidifier, a cooler, and a fan with two-speed settings and two cooling modes. The swingarm is an added bonus.
| LG LP0621WSR Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 13.27 x 17.32 x 27.36 inches |
BTUs | 6,000 BTU |
Recommended Room Size | 250 SQ. FT. |
Highlight Features | Energy-star compliant swing arm |
For years, the LG LP0621WSR has remained our favorite portable air conditioner for energy-efficient.
Best For Small Rooms: SereneLife SLPAC8
- Easy to maneuver & space-saving – dimensions 14.6 x 13.8 x 27.2 inches
- Powerful - 1.2 liters/hour of max moisture removal capacity & 290 m3/hour of rated airflow
- Convenient – a remote controller & various customizable features
- The vent hose needs more improvement
For smaller rooms of around 215-square-foot area, the SereneLife SLPAC8 is the shiniest contender.
It's compact, easy to maneuver, and looks stylish.
Despite the low price, it offers three operating modes - fan, cooling, and dehumidifying, with 1.2 liters/hour of max moisture removal capacity and 290 m3/hour of rated airflow.
The best part is you can adjust its fan speeds, operating mode, timer, temperature, and power through a remote controller.
| SereneLife SLPAC8 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 14.6 x 13.8 x 27.2 inches |
BTUs | 8000 BTU |
Recommended Room Size | 215 sq. Ft. |
Highlight Features | dimensions 14.6 x 13.8 x 27.2 inches 1.2 liters/hour of max moisture removal capacity & 290 m3/hour of rated airflow a remote controller & various customizable features |
The compact size, multifunctional design, and affordability make the SereneLife SLPAC8 one of the best portable AC units for small rooms.
Best For Consistent Cooling Performance: Honeywell MN1CFS8
- Perfect for large rooms - 8,000 SACC BTU, 11,000 ASHRAE BTU, & up to 50 pints/day
- Highly customizable - three fan speed settings
- Offer consistent performance - adjustable vertical wind motion
- Difficult to install the window vent
Next is the Honeywell MN1CFS8.
Thanks to the stress-free auto evaporation technology in the dehumidifying mode, it doesn't require you to empty its water tray as other models.
The unit also runs powerfully! It produces 8,000 SACC BTU and 11,000 ASHRAE BTU in cooling mode and up to 50 pints/day in dehumidifying mode. There are also three fan speed settings with adjustable vertical wind motion to bring consistent performance.
That makes it a perfect choice for bigger rooms up to a 500-square-foot area.
| Honeywell MN1CFS8 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 15.2 x 18.1 x 29.4 inches |
BTUs | 8,000 BTU (SACC BTU) 11,000 BTU (ASHRAE-128 Standard) |
Recommended Room Size | Up To 500 Sq. Ft. |
Highlight Features | 8,000 SACC BTU, 11,000 ASHRAE BTU, & up to 50 pints/day three fan speed settings adjustable vertical wind motion |
For medium-sized rooms up to a 500-square-foot area, the Honeywell MN1CFS8 is the most consistent performer.
Best For Large Rooms: Frigidaire FFRE123WAE
- Best for large rooms – producing 12,000 BTU
- Energy-efficient – Energy Star compliant
- Easy to maintain & long-lasting – washable filter
- Heavy
- A bit tricky to install
The Frigidaire FFRE123WAE has a perfect balance of power and energy efficiency.
It can produce 12,000 BTU to quickly cool a room of up to 550 square feet area whilst consuming much lower energy than similar counterparts.
Aside from those add-ons - such as remote control, 24-hour timer, sleep mode, and multi-speed fan - that are frequently found on other window AC units, it highlights washable filters to last longer.
| Frigidaire FFRE123WAE Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21.5 x 19 x 14.5 inches |
BTUs | 12,000 BTU |
Recommended Room Size | up to 550 square feet. |
Highlight Features | 12,000 BTU Energy Star compliant washable filter |
At 12,000 BTU, the Frigidaire FFRE123WAE is appropriate for cooling large rooms of up to 550-square-foot areas.
Quiet: Midea MAW10V1QWT
- Operate at 42 decibels - the advanced DC Inverter technology & U-shaped design
- Smart & flexible to control - Wi-Fi connection capability, the MideaAir app compatibility, and voice commands
- Expensive
The Midea MAW10V1QWT distinguishes itself from the rest for the advanced DC Inverter technology - which not only helps lower the total energy consumption to over 35% but also makes it run 9x quieter than traditional models.
In fact, it operates at only 42 decibels.
The Wi-Fi connection capability, the MideaAir app compatibility, and voice commands are other notable features, which allow for more flexible control.
There’s just one small caveat: The best doesn't come cheap.
| Midea MAW10V1QWT Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21.97 x 19.17 x 13.46 inches |
BTUs | 10,000BTU |
Recommended Room Size | 350 - 550 sq. ft. |
Highlight Features | the advanced DC Inverter technology & U-shaped design Wi-Fi connection capability, the MideaAir app compatibility, and voice commands |
If you plan to use your window AC unit at night or for the home office, consider the Midea MAW10V1QWT as it’s very quiet.
Easy To Install: GE AHEK08AC
- Easy to install - EZ Mount installation kit, clear instructions, and a fixed chassis
- Great controllability - SmartHQ app & voice commands
- Maximum cooling effect – 3 cooling modes & 3 fan speed settings
- Remote has no display
- The Economy mode needs improvement
For any window, at least 24 1/2" wide (whether it's a standard single-hung, double-hung, vinyl, or wood window), the GE AHEK08AC is the easiest to install.
It comes with an EZ Mount installation kit and features a fixed chassis. The printed instructions are straightforward.
In terms of quality, we've got no complaints.
Controls are easy to use both on the remote and the unit. All the smart features work beautifully, especially the Alexa response which is impressively fast and accurate.
Finally, the price is darn good.
| GE AHEK08AC Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 15.31 x 18.56 x 12.63 inches |
BTUs | 8,000 BTU |
Recommended Room Size | 250-350 sq. ft. |
Highlight Features | EZ Mount installation kit, clear instructions, and a fixed chassis SmartHQ app & voice commands 3 cooling modes & 3 fan speed settings |
The GE AHEK08AC is a great option for those seeking a reliable, easy-to-install window air conditioner for their room.
How To Choose The Most Reliable AC Unit?
Cooling Performance & Temperature Retention
Through years of testing multiple air conditioner lines from different brands, we have realized that not all units work well at the recommended room size.
The most common issue we got is the AC unit didn't cool the space to the desired temperature and/or it couldn't hold the set temperature.
So, our most basic requirements for a reliable AC unit are as-advertised performance on the recommended room size and good temperature retention.
Flexibility & Versatility
We define a reliable AC unit to be flexible enough to meet your needs at different times.
The weather changes from season to season. It’s scorching hot in the summer, cooler during spring and fall, and cold in the winter. Your cooling needs will change accordingly, too!
An air conditioner with multiple fan speeds and a wide airflow range can perform perfectly in those cases: Higher fan speeds help cool down a room faster while lower ones create less noise at night.
Noise Levels
A quiet AC unit will not disturb you from sleep or work. You also can easily detect if something goes wrong through the unusual noise.
Even the most reliable air conditioners can have problems, so it’s a huge plus if you can detect them soon.
The recommended noise level ranges for an indoor AC unit are from 19-53 decibels.
Brand
Purchasing a dependable appliance begins with the vendor! An appliance purchased from a dubious website is unlikely to be reliable.
There are several merchants that have been lauded for offering the most dependable appliances. Here is a list of them.
Which Brands Make The Most Reliable AC Unit?
LG
Founded in 1947, LG is currently the most renowned South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation specializing in manufacturing telecommunications, chemicals, and electronics products.
Honeywell
Honeywell’s AC units are known for top quality and offering the best features of any major brand. Their portable air conditioners are top-tier in spot cooling, with an evaporator, condenser, and compressor housed in a compact unit.
Frigidaire
Frigidaire is owned by Electrolux – the world’s best retailer with $14.6 billion of total revenue in 2018. But what truly makes their AC products stand out from the rest is the ease of use and affordability.
Midea
One of the most reliable brands for those who want a durable and high-quality AC unit without breaking the bank! Midea AC lines are also known for consistent performance and high efficiency.
FAQs
How long do AC units last?
AC units in general last 10 to 15 years if well-maintained.
Which SEER rating should I buy?
A basic rule of thumb is the higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the AC unit is. You should buy a model that has a SEER rating from 13 to 21.
What is the best month to buy an air conditioner?
The best time to buy an air conditioner is during autumn or spring.
Can you replace just the outside AC unit?
No, you can’t.
Although the choice is yours, it is not recommended to replace only the outside AC unit because that will cause some problems like increased operation cost, regular failures, and efficiency reduction.
How much does it cost to replace an outdoor AC unit?
It usually costs around $3500 to $4000 to replace an outdoor AC unit.
Conclusion
And, that’s all of our sharing for the topic today! We hope that our six review picks of the most reliable AC units have been helpful in your research and buying decision-making. Do not forget to follow our blog for more informative articles. Thanks for reading!
