The 11 Best Lightweight Window Air Conditioners

With summer approaching in all its glory, it brings with it the joy of popsicles. It also calls for good air conditioning.

Installing a decent air conditioning system increases your level of comfort during hot weather.

Besides making you feel more comfortable, air conditioners help prevent dehydration, heat-related illness, and improves air quality along with reducing asthma and allergies.

Here are the top 7 picks guiding you to choose your air conditioning system wisely.

The Best Lightweight Window Air Conditioners — Our Top 7 Picks

1. LG LW6017R 6,000 BTU 115V Window Air Conditioner

Best Features: The easy-to-use, remote-controlled window air conditioner with a Wi-Fi capabilityis excellent for cooling a 550 sq.ft room.

Cool more, save more! The lightweight LG model helps keep your electric bills down without compromising on the efficiency and service. The energy-star window unit also features Wi-Fi and LG SmartThinQ app that gives you maximum control over temperature, modes, scheduling, and fan speed.

It also has an auto-restart function, so your air conditioner turns back on when power returns. There are different dimensions and unit sizes to match your needs. Pick one that’s more appropriate for your room. This product by LG is highly recommended!

2. hOmeLabs 5000 BTU Window-Mounted Air Conditioner 7-Speed Window AC Unit

Best Features: With 5000 BTUs of cooling power, the lightweight window-mounted air conditioner is excellent for cooling smaller indoor spaces.

This intuitive and user-friendly air conditioner design is ideal for cooling smaller indoor spaces when the temperatures become extreme. The high-quality product has a modern and clean design that perfectly fit into any personalized space.

Keep cool with a 5000 BTU window AC unit by hOmeLabs. The equipment features mechanical rotary controls, dual cooling system, seven different temperature settings, fan settings, and a reusable filter to beat the heat comfortably.  

3. FRIGIDAIRE White FFRA051ZA1 17″ Window Air Conditioner with 5000 BTU Cooling Capacity-115V

Best Features: Maintain a steady temperature in a small space with thiscompact air conditioner with excellent mechanical controls

The 5000 BTU window air conditioner by Frigidaire is an excellent choice for cooling small spaces up to 150 sq. ft. Its compact and lightweight design is easy to install and use. The window-mounted air conditioner features mechanical rotary controls, 2-way air direction control with different fan speed settings.

The reusable, washable filter keeps the air clean and offers efficient cooling for your room. What’s more, it features a low-power start-up that conserves energy and saves you tons on your energy bills.

4. MIDEA MAW05M1BWT Window Air Conditioner 5000 BTU with Mechanical Controls

Best Features: Available in 5000 BTU to 12000 BTU, the air conditioning offers fast cooling and effortless operations

Choose the 5000 BTU window-mounted air conditioner to cool your small living space quickly. The mini-compact AC unit is excellent in providing maximum comfort in a 150 sq. ft room. The small size doesn’t compromise on the excellent quality and features this AC unit has to offer.

There are seven different temperature settings, two fan-speed settings, and 2-way air direction to perfectly regulate cool air around the room. The compact unit is also easy to install with minimal requirements for modification.

5. Haier ESAQ406T 22” Window Air Conditioner Serenity Series with 6000 BTU 115V with LED Remote Control

Best Features: The compact AC unit features four different functions and works perfectly for a smaller space with 12.2 Efficiency Ratio (EER)

Keep the temperature of your indoor space cool and comfortable during summer with a high-quality air conditioner that’s compact and ultra-quiet.

This model by Haier comes in Serenity Series so you can enjoy a peaceful sleep in a comfortable environment regardless of the scorching temperatures outside. The multifunctional operations include energy-saving mode, sleep mode, auto cool mode, and dehumidify mode. Ideal for cooling a room up to 250 sq. ft.   

6. Friedrich CCW08B10B Chill Premier Smart Air Conditioner Window Unit

Best Features: Comes with a ton of smart features and saves money while providing optimal cooling performance

Friedrich’s Chill Premier Smart Air Conditioner brings a ton of cooling power, money-saving technology, and smart functions that makes it one of the best window AC on the market. It has a robust build-quality with solid metal sheeting and insulation to reduce vibrations and noise.

You can choose between three different modes and adjust the eight-way airflow vents for optimal coverage. The AC comes with a digital remote, but it’s special feature is Friedrich’s Go App. You can install this application on your phone to control the AC through WiFi, or connect it to a smart home assistant like Alexa or Google Home.

7. LG LW2217IVSM 22000 BTU Dual Inverter Window Air Conditioner

Best Features: The air conditioner features a dual inverter compressor that eliminates unnecessary noise and keeps indoors cool Enjoy exceptional cooling power with this fantastic product by LG designed for maximum cooling and comfort.

It features a dual inverter compressor for quick and noiseless cooling. Also, save up to 40% on energy by installing this unit that efficiently provides cool temperatures indoors. Experience ultra-efficiency with this sturdy and lightweight inverter air conditioning technology by LG.

8. Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

Best Features: For up to 150 square feet, extendable side panels for wide windows, 7 temperature settings, adjustable airflow direction, built-in filter.

If you are looking for the best air conditioner for small room, this might just be it. This is a 5,000 BTU unit. It has the ability to efficiently cool down a room of 150 square feet. It’s ideal for all sorts of small rooms, dorms, RVs, and more.

What stands out is that this unit comes with a built-in filter. This helps keep the air you breathe clean and free of contaminants. At the same time, it also helps to protect the inner workings of the AC unit. This filter can be easily removed and washed. It’s a reusable filter, which is a bonus.

The Amazon Basics AC unit comes complete with seven temperature settings to keep you comfortable. It also has dual cooling and fan settings, and can be used as just a fan as well. It also allows you to adjust the direction of the airflow for the most comfortable experience.

It comes complete with the required window mounting kit. It comes with adjustable side panels for wide windows. It can fit windows up to 36 inches wide, which is quite impressive.

Keep in mind that it comes in at around 35 pounds. It’s not the smallest unit on the market, but still small enough for most purposes.

9. GREE 8000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

Best Features: 3 in 1 cooling, fan, and dehumidifier, energy-efficient, small and lightweight, two functional modes, for up to 350 square feet.

This is perhaps the smallest AC unit out there with the most functionalities. This is a 3 in 1 AC unit. Not only does it cool, but it also has a fan-only setting and a dehumidifier setting too. The dehumidification capacity here is just under 60 pints per day.

Keep in mind that this is an 8,000 BTU air conditioner. It is ideal for spaces up to 350 square feet. This means that although it is fairly small, it can handle some pretty big spaces.

You may also like how this unit uses the latest compressors and refrigerants. This means that it is extremely fast at cooling down small spaces. At the same time, it is also designed to be very energy efficient.

It actually comes with two modes. One mode is the automatic mode, and the other is the energy-saving mode. It’s a great option for people who want to keep cool but also cut down on costs.

Perhaps one of the best features here is the so-called I FEEL technology. In other words, this AC senses the ambient air temperature and automatically adjusts its output accordingly.

You might also appreciate how this unit is very easy to install without having to perform any window modifications.

10. Frigidaire Energy Star 5, Mini-Compact Air Conditioner

Best Features: 5,000 BTU for 150 square feet, remote control, precise temperature control, small and lightweight, easy install.

This is a small lightweight window air conditioner with plenty of power and easy controls. Unlike the other Frigidaire unit that has mechanical controls, this one features a fully functional remote. This means that you can control it from a distance without having to get up.

This unit comes complete with precise temperature control. It has a built-in thermostat to detect ambient temperature in the room. It can then automatically adjust its output based on the current temperature.

One of the best features here is that this AC unit is White Energy Star Certified. In terms of energy usage and cost, this could just be the best window air conditioner on the list.

You may also like how this AC unit has a 24 hour programmable timer. It’s something that helps make life a bit easier. Keep in mind that this is a 5,000 BTU unit that is ideal for up to 150 square feet.

11. LG LW8017ERSM Smart Window Air Conditioner

Best Features: 8,000 BTU, 350 square feet, quiet operation, Energy Star certified, smart control features.

Although not the smallest AC unit in the world, it still comes in at a moderate size. What does stand out is that it features 8,000 BTUs. This is enough to efficiently cool down a room up to 350 square feet in mere minutes.

It comes complete with 3 fan speeds and 3 cooling speeds. It also comes with an auto-cool feature to automatically adjust its output based on your chosen settings.

You may also appreciate how this unit is very quiet. It’s specially designed to produce no more than 52 decibels. This means that you can run it in your room and still get a good night’s sleep.

Moreover, the LG LW8017ERSM is also energy efficient. It is Energy Star certified, so you can rest assured that it won’t jack up your energy bill.

Perhaps the coolest feature is that it is a smart unit. Simply connect it to your WIFI and control it from anywhere. It even works with Hey Google and Amazon Alexa.

Buyer’s Guide

Learn more about lightweight window air conditioners to get your hands on the best one.

Comparing Window Air Conditioner with a Portable AC Unit

Window air conditioners are considered a better option as compared to portable units. Unlike portable AC units, window air conditioners do not require extra space on the floor. Also, these AC units do not require a long hose from the device to the outdoors.

Despite their bulkier designs, you can find many lightweight options to suit your needs. They are also quieter and are comparatively cheaper while offering the same capacity as portable units. Window ACs tend to cool the space quicker, retain the colder temperatures for longer, and are easily installed. A portable AC, on the other hand, is a better option if you do not have a window in your room or if you switch places often.  

Picking the Right Size of Window Air Conditioner

It is crucial to pick the size suitable for your space. Getting a high-capacity AC for a smaller space means excessive energy bills, while AC units that offer under-capacity will not be efficient enough. You can find the cooling capacity listed for most models and brands on their website or even on the packaging. The cooling capacity is listed in BTUs (British Thermal Units) that can be calculated in correspondence with the square footage fora given space. The larger the room, the more BTUs you need.

In addition to considering the square footage, you need to take into account the location of your room, ceiling height, and the amount of heat or sunlight the space gets. All these factors increase the size until you will need it. For instance, if you want to install the AC in the kitchen where it tends to get warmer, or a room with a lot of sunlight, or high ceilings, you must get an AC unit with a higher BTU rating.

When picking the right size, make sure you also consider the measurement of the window. The unit should be able to adequately adjusted and mounted inside the window.  

Understanding AC Units Energy Efficiency

If you want to save on energy, it is essential to check the EER rating of the air conditioner. The EER is the Energy Efficiency Rating, which is calculated by dividing the BTU measurement with the power consumption in watt-hours.

If the efficiency rating is higher, it indicates that you save more on electricity bills. Also, you can find models available with an energy-saver switch on them. This guarantee that the fans would only operate when needed and will save your energy consumption. Other models come with sleep modes and different energy-saving modes that would adjust the temperature accordingly and make the cooling more efficient.  

Other Important Features to Consider When Buying a Lightweight Window Air Conditioner

Some window air conditioners are better than others. Here are some features that must be taken into considerations to make the right choice.

• Models with ‘check filter’ indicators are a great addition in traditional window AC units since it works as a visual reminder for changing or cleaning out the screen for improved cooling efficiency.
• Oscillating vents allow better and more consistent airflow from side to side to cover maximum space for more efficient cooling.
• ‘Smart’ air conditioners make operation easier and allow you to control your unit from your phone.

AC Maintenance Useful Tips

Is your room not cool enough? You can always turn down the temperature for improved cooling. But is it the best you can do? And isn’t it going to affect your electricity bills?

Before you reach out to your remote, it is best to carry out regular checkups of your air conditioning units to ensure it is functioning at optimal capacity. Here are some useful maintenance tips to keep your air conditioner at its maximum capacity without consuming more energy.

• Check and clean the AC vents. Both the vents and air ducts require careful cleaning at least once in a year.
  
• Change or wash your unit’s filter, the most fundamental part of your AC maintenance.
  
• Your annual maintenance check should also include checking the Freon. This refrigerant does not need regular changing, but keeping a check will indicate if you need the services of a professional HVAC technician.
  
• Taking care of the coil fin is important too. This component is easily bent, which may create a problem for the machine.
  
• AC units are mostly used on a seasonal basis and, therefore, it is crucial that you thoroughly inspect it before and after the season. Just carry out simple routine maintenance steps for storing and preparing your AC in its best condition.

It is best to get a protective cover to keep your AC secure during winter.

FAQs

1. How regularly should you clean air conditioners?

It depends on how much you use the air conditioning unit. It is recommended that you always clean before and after the season you use it. Cleaning a small, lightweight window air conditioner shouldn’t be a tedious task. Follow simple maintenance and cleaning steps to make sure your air conditioner is in the best working condition.

2. How many amps does a small, lightweight window AC unit utilizes?

Small and lightweight window air conditioners are mostly energy-efficient, and their amperage rating ranges between 15 amps and 20 amps.  

3. How do I calculate the wattage usage of my small and lightweight window AC?

Lightweight air conditioners can use anywhere between 500 and 800 watts on average. On the contrary, medium-sized and larger AC units consume between 900 and 1440 watts.