What is the best window air conditioner for an apartment?

On certified efficiency, the Midea MAH09B1AGR: 9,500 BTU at a CEER of 17.6, about $73 a year at typical U.S. use. If with a bracket matters more, the Kühl KCVS08B10B is the pick. 8,000 to 12,000 BTU window units on a standard 115 V plug, ranked by CEER.

What size window air conditioner do I need for a apartment?

Following the ENERGY STAR sizing guide (normal sun, two people): studio of 400 sq ft, 9,000 BTU; living room of 300 sq ft, 7,000 BTU; bedroom of 200 sq ft, 6,000 BTU. Size up for a sunny room and down for a shaded one.

How much does it cost to run?

A typical unit on this list (8,000 BTU, 15.0 CEER) draws about 533 watts and costs about $72 a year at 750 hours and the U.S. average electricity price. The calculator works it out for your state.

Best window air conditioner for an apartment

In an apartment you usually cannot add a circuit or drill the walls, and the lease may set rules for window units. A unit on a standard plug, light enough to carry and with a support bracket ticks most boxes.

Best overall

Midea MAH09B1AGR

9,500 BTU · saddle · heats too

CEER: 17.6
Power draw: 540 W
Per year: $73

Highest CEER (17.6) on an ordinary outlet.

Specs, size and running cost

Best with a bracket

Kühl KCVS08B10B

8,700 BTU · saddle

CEER: 17.0
Power draw: 512 W
Per year: $69

Ships with a support bracket, which many buildings require for window units.

Specs, size and running cost

Lightest

Midea MAW08S1KWT-A

7,800 BTU · window

CEER: 13.7
Power draw: 569 W
Per year: $77

33 lb, easy to carry up stairs and take with you when you move.

Specs, size and running cost

Models that qualify87 from 18 brands
Efficiency range13.2-17.6 CEER
Typical running cost$72/yr
U-shaped designs36 of 87
Also heat13 of 87
Support bracket included60 of 87

All 87, ranked

8,000 to 12,000 BTU window units on a standard 115 V plug, ranked by CEER.

87 models, ranked by CEER (efficiency). Yearly cost at 750 hours and the U.S. average electricity price.

#						Features
1	Midea MAH09B1AGRalso sold as 6 other model numbers	9,500	17.6	$73	25"	Saddle, Heat
2	Kühl KCVS08B10B	8,700	17.0	$69	25.9"	Saddle
3	Gradient CCHP11	9,300	16.8	$75	25.3"	U-shaped, Heat
4	Kühl KCVS12B10B	12,300	16.2	$103	25.9"	Saddle
5	GREE GJH09BW-A6DRNL1B	9,300	16.1	$78	26"	U-shaped, Heat
6	Friedrich KCVS08B10A	8,700	16.0	$74	25.9"	-
7	Frigidaire Gallery GHWW125TF1	12,000	16.0	$101	19.2"	-
8	GE PWJV08W	8,000	16.0	$68	18.6"	-
9	Midea 1010451315also sold as 5 other model numbers	8,000	16.0	$68	19.2"	U-shaped
10	Midea MAW08V1WBKalso sold as 7 other model numbers	8,000	16.0	$68	19"	-
11	Midea MAW12U1KWTalso sold as 2 other model numbers	12,000	16.0	$101	19.2"	U-shaped
12	Midea MAW12U1KWT-Malso sold as 1 other model number	12,000	16.0	$101	19.2"	Saddle
13	Midea MAW12V1WBKalso sold as 14 other model numbers	12,000	16.0	$101	21.7"	-
14	Midea MWEUWA-08CRFN8-BCP0	8,000	16.0	$68	19.2"	-
15	Midea MWEUWA-12CRFN8-BCP0	12,000	16.0	$101	19.1"	-
16	Whirlpool WHAW081CXalso sold as 5 other model numbers	8,000	16.0	$68	18.6"	U-shaped
17	Whirlpool WHAW081INV	8,000	16.0	$68	24.2"	U-shaped
18	Whirlpool WHAW121CWXalso sold as 5 other model numbers	12,000	16.0	$101	19.8"	U-shaped
19	Whirlpool WHAW121INV	12,000	16.0	$101	24.2"	U-shaped
20	Hisense AWUS1227TWalso sold as 1 other model number	11,500	16.0	$97	20.3"	U-shaped
21	GREE GJC08BU-A6DRNJ2A	8,300	16.0	$70	21"	U-shaped
22	Frigidaire Gallery GHWW105TF1	10,000	16.0	$85	19.2"	-
23	GE PWJV10W	10,000	16.0	$85	19"	-
24	Midea 1010451479also sold as 8 other model numbers	10,000	16.0	$85	19.2"	U-shaped
25	Midea MAW10V1WWTalso sold as 13 other model numbers	10,000	16.0	$85	19"	-
26	TCL T10WV3Salso sold as 4 other model numbers	10,000	16.0	$85	19.8"	U-shaped
27	Whirlpool WHAW101CX	10,000	16.0	$85	18.6"	U-shaped
28	Whirlpool WHAW101INV	10,000	16.0	$85	24.2"	U-shaped
29	GE Profile AHTR10ACH2	10,100	15.7	$87	10.6"	-
30	HOUSE KOBO KOBOGJC08BU	8,100	15.5	$71	21"	U-shaped
31	LG LW8022IVSM	8,000	15.5	$70	19.6"	Saddle
32	GE Profile AHTR12ACH2	12,200	15.4	$107	10.6"	-
33	Midea 1010451379also sold as 4 other model numbers	12,000	15.2	$107	19.2"	U-shaped
34	TCL H12W4KWHalso sold as 2 other model numbers	12,000	15.2	$107	30"	U-shaped
35	GREE GJH09BW-A6DRNL1Aalso sold as 1 other model number	9,300	15.1	$83	26"	U-shaped, Heat
36	Midea MAW08U1KWTalso sold as 3 other model numbers	7,800	15.1	$70	19.2"	U-shaped
37	Midea MAW08V1KWT-Aalso sold as 2 other model numbers	7,800	15.1	$70	19.2"	-
38	Midea MAW08HV1KWT-Aalso sold as 1 other model number	8,000	15.1	$72	19.4"	Heat
39	Danby DAC120ECBIWDBalso sold as 1 other model number	12,000	15.0	$108	21.7"	-
40	Friedrich CCV08A10Aalso sold as 4 other model numbers	8,000	15.0	$72	20.7"	-
41	Friedrich CCV10A10Aalso sold as 4 other model numbers	10,000	15.0	$90	20.7"	-
42	Friedrich CCV12A10Aalso sold as 5 other model numbers	12,000	15.0	$108	20.7"	-
43	Friedrich KCVS12B10A	12,500	15.0	$113	25.9"	-
44	GE Profile PWDV08Walso sold as 2 other model numbers	8,000	15.0	$72	18.5"	-
45	GE Profile PWDV10Walso sold as 3 other model numbers	10,000	15.0	$90	18.5"	-
46	GE Profile PWDV12Walso sold as 11 other model numbers	12,000	15.0	$108	19"	-
47	Hisense AALW08TW26also sold as 1 other model number	8,000	15.0	$72	20.3"	U-shaped
48	Hisense AWUS1026TW	10,000	15.0	$90	20.3"	U-shaped
49	Hisense LWCT12W25Aalso sold as 4 other model numbers	12,000	15.0	$108	20.3"	U-shaped
50	Kühl+ KHVS10B11B	10,600	15.0	$96	25.9"	Saddle, Heat
51	LG LW1022FVSMalso sold as 1 other model number	10,000	15.0	$90	19.6"	Saddle
52	LG LW1222IVSM	12,000	15.0	$108	23.6"	U-shaped
53	LG LW1224IVSM	12,000	15.0	$108	23.6"	-
54	LG LW8024IVSM	8,500	15.0	$77	23.6"	-
55	Midea 1014634875also sold as 10 other model numbers	10,000	15.0	$90	18.6"	-
56	Midea MAW08RV1CWTalso sold as 9 other model numbers	8,000	15.0	$72	18.6"	-
57	Midea MAW08V1QWTalso sold as 13 other model numbers	8,000	15.0	$72	19.2"	U-shaped
58	Midea MAW08V1UWTalso sold as 8 other model numbers	8,000	15.0	$72	19.2"	-
59	Midea MAW10V1QWTalso sold as 9 other model numbers	10,000	15.0	$90	19.2"	U-shaped
60	Midea MAW10V1UWTalso sold as 4 other model numbers	10,000	15.0	$90	19.2"	-
61	Midea MAW12V1QWTalso sold as 12 other model numbers	12,000	15.0	$108	19.2"	U-shaped
62	Midea MAW12V1UWTalso sold as 6 other model numbers	12,000	15.0	$108	19.2"	-
63	Richmond RMV12A10A	12,000	15.0	$108	18.9"	-
64	TCL H10W4MW	10,000	15.0	$90	23"	-
65	TCL H12W4MW	12,000	15.0	$108	23"	-
66	TCL H8W4MW	8,000	15.0	$72	23"	-
67	TCL T08WQ2S	8,000	15.0	$72	20.7"	U-shaped
68	TCL T10WQ2S	10,000	15.0	$90	20.7"	U-shaped
69	TCL T12WQ2S	12,000	15.0	$108	20.7"	U-shaped
70	Whirlpool WHAW-081INalso sold as 5 other model numbers	8,000	15.0	$72	24.2"	U-shaped
71	Whirlpool WHAW-101INalso sold as 6 other model numbers	10,000	15.0	$90	24.2"	U-shaped
72	Whirlpool WHAW-121INalso sold as 6 other model numbers	12,000	15.0	$108	24.2"	U-shaped
73	Windmill 08W2Wi	8,000	15.0	$72	19.3"	-
74	Windmill 10W2Wi	10,000	15.0	$90	19.3"	-
75	GE Profile PHNT12CCH1	12,200	14.7	$112	19.7"	Saddle
76	GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2Aalso sold as 1 other model number	11,500	14.7	$106	21"	U-shaped
77	GE Profile PHNT10CCH1	10,300	14.7	$95	19.7"	Saddle
78	GREE GJC10BU-A6DRNJ2Aalso sold as 1 other model number	10,000	14.7	$92	21"	U-shaped
79	Midea MAW08HV1CWT	8,000	14.5	$75	19.4"	Heat
80	Midea MWAUQB-08HRFN8-BCL0also sold as 1 other model number	8,000	14.5	$75	19.4"	U-shaped, Heat
81	Midea MAW12HV1KWT-Aalso sold as 2 other model numbers	12,000	14.4	$113	19.4"	Heat
82	Friedrich WCVT10B30B	10,000	14.2	$95	26.5"	-
83	Friedrich KHVS10B11A	10,200	14.0	$99	25.9"	Heat
84	Midea MAW08S1KWT-Aalso sold as 9 other model numbers	7,800	13.7	$77	16"	-
85	Midea MAW12HV1CWTalso sold as 4 other model numbers	12,000	13.3	$122	19.4"	U-shaped, Heat
86	GE Appliances AWGP08W	8,000	13.2	$82	19"	Heat
87	GE Appliances AWGP12W	11,000	13.2	$113	19"	Heat

Before you buy

What size for your apartment?ENERGY STAR sizing guide

Studio, 400 sq ft9,000 BTU · top pick MAH09B1AGR
Living room, 300 sq ft7,000 BTU
Bedroom, 200 sq ft6,000 BTU

Normal sun and two people. Size calculator for your own room

Tips3

Check the lease and building rules first: some require a bracket, a professional install or a unit that does not block a fire escape.
A U-shaped unit lets the window close almost fully, which helps with noise and security on lower floors.
Studios are open-plan: size for the whole floor area, about 10,000-12,000 BTU for 400-500 sq ft.

Questions3

What is the best window air conditioner for an apartment?: On certified efficiency, the Midea MAH09B1AGR: 9,500 BTU at a CEER of 17.6, about $73 a year at typical U.S. use. If with a bracket matters more, the Kühl KCVS08B10B is the pick. 8,000 to 12,000 BTU window units on a standard 115 V plug, ranked by CEER.
What size window air conditioner do I need for a apartment?: Following the ENERGY STAR sizing guide (normal sun, two people): studio of 400 sq ft, 9,000 BTU; living room of 300 sq ft, 7,000 BTU; bedroom of 200 sq ft, 6,000 BTU. Size up for a sunny room and down for a shaded one.
How much does it cost to run?: A typical unit on this list (8,000 BTU, 15.0 CEER) draws about 533 watts and costs about $72 a year at 750 hours and the U.S. average electricity price. The calculator works it out for your state.

Best window air conditioner for an apartment

Top picks

Midea MAH09B1AGR

Kühl KCVS08B10B

Midea MAW08S1KWT-A

All 87, ranked

Before you buy

More window air conditioner guides