If the temperature spikes and you’re without an air conditioner, there’s a good chance you’ll want to install one as soon as possible. And that means you’ll want to find one you can get delivered quickly. Luckily, Amazon has a ton of highly-rated options that you can get delivered straight to your door faster than it takes some people to set up one.
Below, I’ve rounded up a list of top-rated air conditioners on Amazon, including picks from brands like LG, GE and Black+Decker. This includes something for every room size, window type and budget.
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The best air conditioners from Amazon
I chose units that have been personally tested by NBC Select staff and/or have at least a four-star average rating on Amazon. The list includes AC units across different price points and British Thermal Units or BTUs, which measures an AC's cooling power (more on that later).
If you hate the sound of an air conditioner, this is your unit — according to the brand it’s ten times quieter than traditional models. It can cool rooms up to 450 square feet and it has Energy Star certification, which means that it has met strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The unit also has Wi-Fi connectivity and can be controlled by the brand’s app or via Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant.
NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin uses this small window unit to keep her kitchen cool. The 8,000 BTU unit has three fan and cooling speeds and comes with a wireless remote. One thing to note: It’s not super quiet. Malin says she thinks of it as a white noise machine.
This portable air conditioner has wheels, allowing you to easily move your air conditioner from room to room and place it where you need it. It can cool medium-sized rooms and it has a built-in humidifier. The unit comes with included tubing and a window vent for quick installation and includes a remote so you can turn it on (or off) from across the room.
This air conditioner is relatively quiet and effectively cools spaces up to 150 square feet, according to Frigidaire. It has two fan speeds and an easy-to-clean washable filter. It also comes with an extra long cord to help eliminate the need for an extension cord.
For those with a large room to cool, an air conditioner with 12,000 BTUs or greater is the way to go. This one will work in rooms up to 570 square feet and it also has a heating function for colder months. The unit has multiple fan speeds, allowing you to better customize your cooling or heating. There is also an auto restart function, which means that it will automatically turn back on after a power failure.
This air conditioner is intended for small home offices, bedrooms or living areas that are 150 square feet or smaller. There are seven different temperature settings and two fan speeds, plus the filter easily pops out for easy cleaning. This air conditioner also comes with expandable side panels that will fit standard windows and a mounting kit.
You can control this portable air conditioner with the brand’s app or with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has a remote control you can use to adjust the settings. The 14,000 BTU unit cools rooms up to 600 square feet and the unit is on wheels, allowing you to move it throughout your house if needed. Along with being an air conditioner, this unit can also be used as a fan or dehumidifier.
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How I picked the best air conditioners from Amazon
When compiling a list of the best air conditioners on Amazon, I kept the following criteria in mind:
- Size: Air conditioners are not one-size-fits-all. You’ll need to consider your room size when shopping. To ensure there is an option for almost everyone, I included models that range in BTUs — which can cool rooms that are 350, 450 and 550 square feet respectively.
- Functionality: Because an air conditioner is an appliance you’ll use regularly, I prioritized options that have features that make life easier — like eco-mode, apps that you can control them with and easy installation kits.
- Price: Because people have different budgets, I looked for air conditioners at varying prices. Our list contains units that start at just over $200 and go upward.
How many BTUs do I need for my AC?
An air conditioner’s cooling power is measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units. The higher a unit’s BTU rating, the larger a space it can cool. Below is a breakdown of the number of BTUs needed to cool different-sized spaces, according to Energy Star:
- Up to 250 square feet: 5,000 to 6,000 BTUs
- From 250 up to 350 square feet: 7,000 to 8,000 BTUs
- From 350 up to 450 square feet: 9,000 to 10,000 BTUs
- From 450 up to 550 square feet: 12,000 BTUs
- From 550 up to 700 square feet: 14,000 BTUs
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. I have written about double cleansing, walking shoes, FSA-eligible items and more. For this story, I sourced top-rated air conditioners on Amazon.
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