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Which Air Conditioners Brand Wins?
We compared 8 air conditioners options head to head. Midea came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Winner
Midea
Price shown in test: $350
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Runner-up
GE Profile
Price shown in test: $397
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Budget pick
LG
Price shown in test: $169
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The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.
| Product | Btu Rating | Weight | Noise Low Cool | Noise High Cool | Noise At Four Feet | Coldest Temperature | Energy Use | Air Speed | Build Quality Rating | Insulation Fit Finish Rating | Overall Average Finish | Noise Outside | Noise Exhaust |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Midea U-Shaped$350 | 6,000 BTU, rated to cool up to 250 sq ft | 48 lb | 37.8 dB, tied best of all units tested with GE Profile | 45.8 dB, close second best behind GE Profile's 43.4 dB | 56.7 dB | 48.4 F | about 6 W on low fan and 14 W on high fan, the most efficient fan power of all units tested; about 380 W on low cool and 546 W on high cool | 5.2 mph on low, 9.1 mph on high | 1.5, tied best of all units tested with GE Profile | 2, tied with GE Profile | best overall average finish, described as approximately second place across the graded categories | not tested | not tested |
| 2GE Profile U-Shaped$397 | 6,100 BTU, rated to cool up to 250 sq ft | 70 lb, heaviest of all units tested | 37.8 dB, tied best of all units tested with Midea | 43.4 dB, best result of all units tested | not tested | 47.3 F, nearly tied with Black and Decker for coldest | 25 W on low fan and 50 W on high fan; 433 W on low cool and 454 W on high cool | 7.2 mph on low, 10.3 mph on high | 1.5, tied best of all units tested with Midea | 2, tied with Midea | second place overall with an average finish of 2.3 | 66.8 dB | not tested |
| 3Black and Decker$260 | 8,000 BTU or 5,000 BTU SACC, rated to cool up to 350 sq ft | 50 lb | 49.2 dB | 50.4 dB, best result yet at the point it was tested | not tested | 47.2 F, coldest result of all units tested | 37 W on low fan and 52 W on high fan; about 719 W on low cool and 732 W on high cool | 13.8 mph on low, 17.4 mph on high | 2, tied with Windmill | not tested | not tested | not tested | 54.1 dB |
| 4LG$169 | 5,000 BTU, rated to cool up to 150 sq ft | about 32 lb | 51.7 dB | 56.1 dB | not tested | 49.2 F | 57 W on low and high fan; about 304 W on low cool and 315 W on high cool | 10.8 mph on low, peak of 14 mph on high | not tested | not tested | not tested | 63.5 dB, also referenced elsewhere in the transcript as 64.8 dB | not tested |
| 5Dreo$389 | 8,000 BTU or 5,000 BTU SACC | 46 lb | 50.9 dB | 55.2 dB | not tested | 53.8 F, not as cool as Black and Decker | 44 W on low fan and 53 W on high fan; just over 700 W on low cool and just over 720 W on high cool | 10.5 mph on low, peak of 16.4 mph on high | not tested | not tested | not tested | not tested | 53.9 dB, quietest exhaust noise of all units tested |
| 6Windmill$340 | 6,000 BTU, rated to cool up to 250 sq ft | 49 lb | 52.4 dB | 58.9 dB | not tested | 48.4 F, third coldest result | about 69 to 70 W on low and high fan; 385 W on low cool and 400 W on high cool | 9.6 mph on low, 12.7 mph on high | 2, tied with Black and Decker | not tested | not tested | 63.8 dB | not tested |
| 7Garvee$158 | 5,000 BTU, rated to cool up to 150 sq ft | about 35 lb | 55.9 dB | 59.4 dB | not tested | 47.8 F | 64 W on low and high fan; about 317 to 319 W on low and high cool | 9.8 mph on low, 12.3 mph on high | not tested | not tested | not tested | 65.6 dB | not tested |
| 8Amazon Basics$125 | 5,000 BTU, rated to cool up to 150 sq ft | about 33 lb | 58.4 dB | 59.8 dB | not tested | 50.8 F, warmest result of all units tested | 63.5 W on low fan and about 64 W on high fan; close to 315 W on low and high cool | 5.7 mph on low, 8.1 mph on high | not tested | not tested | not tested | 63.6 dB, also referenced elsewhere in the transcript as 64.8 dB | not tested |
How it was tested
- noise level measured at 4 ft on low and high cool settings
- outside or exhaust noise level
- cooling temperature via thermal camera and a calibrated thermometer
- energy consumption on low and high fan and cooling settings
- air speed on low and high fan settings
- window or installation seal quality using a blower and tissue test
- overall build quality and insulation fit and finish rating
“the U-shaped Midea came out on top with an average finish of second place. It has a great build quality and it's an amazingly quiet air conditioner. It would definitely be my choice if you're looking for a window unit.”