air conditioner

Air Conditioner Buying Guide

All the air conditioners in our latest tests do an excellent job of cooling and come with such convenient features as a digital display, a built-in timer, a remote control, or touchpad controls. But some models are noisy and others struggled to cool during brownouts. Find out which to buy for your home.
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Sort our Ratings based on features, brands and other factors.

Brands

If you are considering air conditioner models that aren't included in our Ratings, you can use these profiles to compare air conditioners by brand.

GE  |  LG  |  Frigidaire  |  Haier  |  Kenmore  |  Friedrich  |  Sharp

GE

GE is the market-share leader in window air conditioners. This brand is available at a wide variety of independent and regional appliance retailers and at Sam's Club and Wal-Mart. GE's window air units range in price from $150 to $300, and in Btu from 5,000 to 25,000. GE makes units that are Energy Star certified.
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LG

LG is a national brand available in a wide variety of independent and regional appliance retailers, as well as Home Depot and PC Richards. LG also markets lower-priced window air conditioners under the Goldstar name. Window air units range in price from $150 to $500, and in Btu from 5,000 to 25,000. The brand has units that are Energy Star certified.
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Frigidaire

Frigidaire air conditioners are available in independent and regional appliance retailers, as well as at Lowe's and Best Buy. Units range in price from $100 to $500, and in Btu from 5,000 to 25,000. Frigidaire makes units that are Energy Star certified.
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Haier

Haier is available at Wal-Mart and BJ's, and at independent appliance dealers. Haier also markets window air conditioners under the Amana name. It makes Energy Star units. Prices range $100 to $500, and Btu from 5,000 to 24,000.
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Kenmore

Kenmore air conditioners are made by LG and are sold at Sears and Kmart, for $100 to $500. Kenmore markets units with Btu from 5,000 to 24,000 and units that are Energy Star certified.
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Friedrich

Friedrich is a smaller, more expensive brand of window air conditioners available at PC Richards and other appliance retailers. Window air units range in price from $500 to $1,200. Friedrich makes units with Btu from 5,000 to 24,000 and units that are Energy Star certified.
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Sharp

Sharp is a smaller player in the market. It is available at a wide variety of independent appliance retailers and at Costco and BJ's. Window air units range in price from $200 to $500. Sharp makes units with Btu from 5,000 to 12,000 and units that are Energy Star certified.
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