8 Smallest Window Air Conditioners - Tiny But Powerful (2025)

Written By

Ile Kauppila

Expert Reviewed By

Josh Mitchell

Last Updated On

September 14, 2024

I live with roommates in a tiny West Village apartment, and my 10ft x 12ft bedroom only has one standard window, so everything in my life has to be quite compact.

I chose this Black+Decker model primarily because it was a household name growing up and one I knew my dad considered reliable. (Don’t worry, the AC isn’t their famous orange color!)

What really sold me though was its slim design, which vertically would only block just over 12 inches of the window. This means that I’d still have my view of Washington Square Park, and be able to sleep through the night without sweating.

As far as small air conditioners go, this is about as small as they come.

The only unit shorter on my list here is the LG model below, but there you sacrifice width (over 17 inches compared to the B+D’s 16).

I particularly like the Black+Decker model because it was in my price range, doesn’t have fussy controls, and just does what it says it will – keeps me cool in my small bedroom.

A lot of the basic mechanical models I’ve tried over the years only have 2 or 3 cooling options, so I was pleasantly surprised that this one has 7 options to choose from, in addition to a “fan only” option, which I definitely appreciate in the springtime.

On a level 4 I registered the fan noise as about 56 dB. Sure, it’s not the quietest window AC appliance on the market, but it is significantly more quiet than the box fan I had sitting in the window beforehand.

Store-brand items are a great way for companies to sell more premium items at a fraction of the cost, so it should have come as no surprise to me that Amazon would have its own line of Amazon Basics Window ACs.

In fact, this model is nearly identical to the B+D one above. Its dimensions, weight, 5000 BTUs, controls, and room coverage are all exactly the same.

The Amazon Basics model even uses the same, newer R32 refrigerant, which is more efficient than the traditional R-410A and has no impact on the ozone later.

I was just too curious, so I decided to try out both products side by side.

I’ll be honest, besides the obvious product branding - my top two smallest window ACs are twins in every which way.

So, does Black+Decker make the Amazon Basics product? I’m sure that Amazon doesn’t kiss and tell, but I’d recommend these products equally.

When it comes down to it, I’d likely recommend whichever you can get your hands on first.

In my area, Amazon Basics products typically offer same-day delivery, so that’s always a consideration for me.

Most of the window ACs on my list are 5000 BTUs, including the B+D, Amazon Basics, and GE models).

It makes sense that the smallest window units would also have the smallest amount of power, but for those requiring a bit more oomph in cooling power, I recommend this 6000 BTU AC by LG.

This window AC model is marginally wider than the first two models on my list, at just over 17 inches, and will still fit seamlessly in most windows.

In terms of cooling power, though, LG squarely beats most other ACs here (except for the Midea U) and can cool a room up to 250 square feet. So, if your room is on the line of 150 square feet or more, I recommend sizing up to this model.

This unit does cost more than its smaller 5K BTU competition, but you also get more bling for your buck.

To begin with, while this is far from being the most efficient Window AC, the 11.5 EER rating makes this window air conditioner more energy efficient than most others of this size.

You also get electronic controls and a remote.

The display allowed me to more accurately control the temperature than the mechanical air conditioners, but I found the remote control to be super picky about angle use, so I ended up only using the front panel for the most part.

My primary complaint with this unit is the instructions, which are really poorly translated.

Still, if you’ve ever successfully assembled IKEA furniture, I’m sure you can install this window AC as well.

The LG is a strangely quirky unit, but I’ll still recommend it if you need a compact air conditioner for a bigger room. It will keep you cool, no doubt about that.

Full disclaimer: the Midea U isn't the smallest window air conditioner on my list — in fact, with a 22-inch width, it's definitely the widest (and heaviest at over 55 lbs).

Most of the ACs I’ve included on my list, like the GE and the Amazon Basics models, only weigh about 35 pounds, so that’s definitely something to consider.

However, this Midea unit has an ingenious space-saving trick up its sleeve.

I’m including this option on my list of the smallest ACs because its genius U-shaped design allows your window panel to slide between the front AC panel and the compressor. As long as you can get it in the window, it only takes up about 14” of vertical space.

I also love this model because it still allows me to open my window for fresh air from time to time.

Even more, though, I chose this model for my mom’s ground-level condo because it has an anti-theft mechanism that keeps the window locked and secure.

This Energy Star-certified unit with an EER rating of 15 is the most energy-efficient on my list.

While you will see long-term savings on your energy bills, it’s definitely the most expensive product I’m including.

This unit has an inverter compressor and built-in Wi-Fi capability.

I appreciate that this is actually a smart window AC. I can connect it to my smartphone to control it from anywhere. It also works with Alexa or other voice control units.

Overall, for anyone looking to cool a larger area with a small-profile window AC, I think you’d be hard-pressed to find an option better than the Midea U.

I have found that the 8000 BTU unit works ideally in my mom’s 300-square-foot space, but Midea also has more powerful options that can cool up to 550 square feet with the same low profile.

Related Article: Top Rated U-Shaped Saddle ACs

This Frigidaire window AC unit sets the industry standard in many ways.

It’s nearly identical to the other mechanical 5000 BTU models on my list requiring a 16-inch width, including the Black+Decker and Amazon Basics models.

So when it came time to review this product, I was really forced to focus on performance and any small differences between the models. Size-wise, any of these units would be ideal for my small space.

The benefit of choosing this Frigidaire model is that it’s slightly more energy efficient than most 5000 BTU options and can move air incredibly fast. I could tell the temperature difference in my small bedroom in just 10 minutes.

The downside is that, unlike the other 5000 BTU models on my list, the Frigidaire doesn’t come with a mounting bracket or side panels for installation.

I actually think that the company is a bit misleading here because it took me a bit of digging to see what I was actually getting.

My assumption of paying a similar price for similar parts was wrong, and these necessary installation pieces are sold separately.

As with most small window ACs, this unit doesn’t have a digital display, thermostat, or remote control.

You set the power with a 7-step turn dial and can choose between high or low cooling or fan functions.

That said, this year Frigidaire did release this same model with an electronic panel. I’m not sure it’s worth paying an additional $50, but I appreciate the option and knowing that the company is continuously working to improve their products.

Danby is a Canadian company that many people aren’t familiar with, but having grown up in Michigan, I have used many of their products over the years.

Their 5000 BTU model looks nearly identical to the Frigidaire model I reviewed above.

Unlike the Frigidaire unit, though, the Danby unit comes with everything you need to install it in a window, and for less money, too.

Compared side-by-side, I think the plastic casing on the Danby model looks and feels a bit cheaper than the Frigidaire orAmazon Basics models. It’s still sturdy enough, though, and I wouldn’t hesitate to choose this option to save a little money.

Like all the 5000 BTU models on my list, the Danby model is rated to cool 150 square feet. This is where I feel it falls a bit short.

I originally set it up in my 150-square-foot bedroom, but my window is on the wall opposite my bed, and I didn’t feel like it was keeping up, even when set at the highest speed.

I ended up moving it into my home office (a 10 x 8 square foot room), and I feel like it’s much better suited there than my larger bedroom. I even find myself reaching for my cardigan most afternoons when it’s running, which is why I recommend this model for extra small spaces.

Having been in the appliance and electricity industry since 1892, every American today probably has had a GE product in their home.

They are definitely considered a top brand, so I assumed I would also be looking at a top price tag when it came to their small window ACs, but I was wrong!

Their 5000 BTU units are priced comparably to all of those on my list, including my top choice from Black+Decker.

What really drew my attention to this GE model (besides its petite size requiring only a 17” window width) is that the controls are on the right-hand side, whereas every other model on my list (except the U-Shaped Midea model) has controls on the left side.

To me, this is GE saying, “Hey, we just want you to know that we make all our own products. We don’t just slap our brand name on the same thing everyone else is using.”

That said, the controls themselves are pretty much the same. I ended up using the version with mechanical controls, but GE also offers this model with an LED panel for about $50.

As with the Frigidaire model, this price difference really depends on how important a touch panel is to you.

This GE window unit is also the only model on my list with color options! All the models I reviewed come in the standard white, but GE has added a black option. It’s slightly more expensive, but I went with the black because it stands out less in my brick loft apartment.

It’s a fact of nature that even small window air conditioners are loud — unless you go for Soleus Air WS3-06E-201. This is quite possibly the quietest window air conditioner I’ve seen.

In the low setting, this unit makes only 38 dB of noise — even quieter than a hushed library. The 49 dB produced in the highest setting is still quieter than most other window AC units on my list in their lowest setting.

It’s all thanks to the U-shaped saddle design. Unlike the Midea U, though, this window AC curves downward.

That places the compressor behind your home’s wall, which blocks most of the noise.

This design doesn't block your window, so you can still enjoy the view. You can also open the window if you can be bothered to remove the insulation strips.

So is Soleus a small window air conditioner? Depends on how you look at it. It's only an inch wider than the extra-narrow Frigidaire unit.

It also doesn't take up much vertical space on the window sill.

That said, you need 19” of vertical clearance to fit the compressor through the window opening.

You may also not be able to install this unit if you have a radiator or something else directly below your window since the AC and compressor hang downwards.

I’d say this unit is small, with an asterisk.

It’s quite powerful, though, matching the LG machine with 6,000 BTU. It can cool rooms up to 250 square feet very fast.

The Soleus has a portable thermostat built into the full-function remote control.

This is the most energy-efficient unitI’ve reviewed after the super-thrifty Midea U — in theory.

The unit itself is very expensive. It’s around the same price as the Frigidaire unit.

You’ll have to decide for yourself if the unique form factor is worth the price.

One thing I do want to warn you about the dreaded FL error code, which means the front part has filled with water and you have to drain it — from the indoor side. Make sure to tilt the AC backward to avoid running into this issue too often.

You’ll have to dig deep to purchase this unit, but if you want a super quiet AC, it just might be worth it.

FAQs

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