Editor's pick
WindowENERGY STAR
LG Dual Inverter LW1022IVSM
Cooling
10,000 BTU
Covers
450 ft²
Efficiency
15 CEER
Noise
44 dB
$429 est.
typical retail priceIndependent · data-driven · freeFind the right AC
Find the right AC
in 60 seconds.
Answer a few questions about your room and we'll size it, estimate the running cost, and match you to the best-value units — no fluff, no sponsored rankings.
49
units compared
units compared
50
states covered
states covered
100%
independent
independent
⚡ HVAC Pulse
● US environmental groups urge EPA to reject new Pfas to cool datacenters — The Guardian● White Noise Digital Helps HVAC Companies Increase Local Leads Through SEO — Financialcontent● JD.com signs home comfort retail agreement with Carrier — Biztoc● He Sold His HVAC Business and Trucks in One Year. Two Years Later, Medicare Billed Him Like a Millionaire — Biztoc● Q&A Spotlight: Can a Multi-Split Heat Pump Handle Lots of Small Zones? — Green Building Advisor● Walmart Can't Miss Clearance Sale: Up to 85% off + free shipping w/ $35 — Dealnews● Insulating a shed with no house wrap or sheathing — Green Building Advisor● The real cost of waiting: How deferred HVAC maintenance hits your budget later — Usa Today● Owning A Home Comes With Unexpected Expenses — Canyon News● Wesley's Friday First Alert Weather Forecast — Wlox News● Missouri to see more 100+ degree days. This AC temp saves you the most. — Springfield News-leader● Cozeware 18,000 BTU 20 SEER2 Mini Split Heat Pump System for $640 + free shipping — Dealnews● Sac Heating and Air Expands HVAC Replacement and Emergency Repair Services Across the Greater Sacramento Region — Pr Sync● Hisense India Enters the Laundry Category With the Launch of the Washing Machine Range — Ny Newsly● The ignored, ugly utilities that run your home just got a major redesign — Fast Company● Detached garage HVAC — Green Building Advisor● US environmental groups urge EPA to reject new Pfas to cool datacenters — The Guardian● White Noise Digital Helps HVAC Companies Increase Local Leads Through SEO — Financialcontent● JD.com signs home comfort retail agreement with Carrier — Biztoc● He Sold His HVAC Business and Trucks in One Year. Two Years Later, Medicare Billed Him Like a Millionaire — Biztoc● Q&A Spotlight: Can a Multi-Split Heat Pump Handle Lots of Small Zones? — Green Building Advisor● Walmart Can't Miss Clearance Sale: Up to 85% off + free shipping w/ $35 — Dealnews● Insulating a shed with no house wrap or sheathing — Green Building Advisor● The real cost of waiting: How deferred HVAC maintenance hits your budget later — Usa Today● Owning A Home Comes With Unexpected Expenses — Canyon News● Wesley's Friday First Alert Weather Forecast — Wlox News● Missouri to see more 100+ degree days. This AC temp saves you the most. — Springfield News-leader● Cozeware 18,000 BTU 20 SEER2 Mini Split Heat Pump System for $640 + free shipping — Dealnews● Sac Heating and Air Expands HVAC Replacement and Emergency Repair Services Across the Greater Sacramento Region — Pr Sync● Hisense India Enters the Laundry Category With the Launch of the Washing Machine Range — Ny Newsly● The ignored, ugly utilities that run your home just got a major redesign — Fast Company● Detached garage HVAC — Green Building Advisor
Start here
Three ways to cool smarter
Size it right
Our BTU calculator factors in climate, sun, insulation and ceiling height — not just square footage.
Size my roomCompare the field
Sort 45+ top units by efficiency, noise, price and smart features in one honest spec table.
Open the comparisonFind an HVAC pro
Need it installed or repaired? Browse top-rated, established HVAC contractors across all 50 states.
Find a pro near me33→16BTU per ft² — small rooms need double the cooling density of big ones
40%of window ACs people buy are the wrong size for the room
$300+typical yearly saving from a right-sized, efficient unit
60 secaverage time to a recommendation with our calculator
Editor-tracked
See full comparison Popular units right now
Spec-matched value picks across window, portable and mini-split — chosen on the data, not paid placement.
Best efficiency
Mini-splitENERGY STAR
MRCOOL DIY 4th Gen 12K
Cooling
12,000 BTU
Covers
500 ft²
Efficiency
22 SEER2
Noise
32 dB
$1099 est.
typical retail price
Best portable
Portable
Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL
Cooling
12,000 BTU
Covers
450 ft²
Efficiency
9 CEER
Noise
53 dB
$499 est.
typical retail price“Check Price” opens the retailer’s listing in a new tab. Prices are set by the retailer.
For installs & repairs
Need a real human to install it?
Mini-splits and central systems need a licensed pro. Browse established, top-rated HVAC contractors across all 50 states — ratings, specialties, and experience at a glance.
4.8★+
avg. Google rating of listed pros~50 yrs
avg. time in businessFind a pro near you
Top-rated AC repair, install & maintenance contractors across all 50 states.
Browse HVAC prosLocal guides
All state guides AC sizing & costs, state by state
Climate, humidity, and electricity rates change the right answer — see what cooling really costs where you live.
FloridaTexasArizonaLouisianaGeorgiaMississippiAlabamaNevadaSouth CarolinaOklahomaArkansasNorth CarolinaKansasTennesseeMissouriKentuckyDelawareMarylandVirginiaNew MexicoNebraskaIowaIllinoisCaliforniaNew JerseyIndianaSouth DakotaWest VirginiaOhioPennsylvaniaNew YorkMichiganMassachusettsMinnesotaWisconsinConnecticutColoradoUtahWashingtonRhode IslandOregonIdahoNorth DakotaNew HampshireMaineMontanaVermontWyomingHawaiiAlaska
Buying guides
All guides Honest, no-nonsense guides
FAQ
Common questions
Is CoolVerdict free to use?
Yes — the BTU calculator, comparison tools, buying guides, and HVAC-contractor directory are all free, with no sign-up required.
Is CoolVerdict independent?
Yes. Recommendations are based on specs and data, not paid placement — there are no sponsored rankings, and any future affiliate links will be clearly labeled and will not influence rankings.
Where does CoolVerdict’s data come from?
Product specs come from manufacturer documentation and independent testing, shown with each unit’s true efficiency metric (CEER, EER, SEER, or SEER2). Contractor listings are compiled from public information. See How we rate.
How accurate are the running-cost estimates?
They are estimates based on each unit’s efficiency, typical usage of about 8 hours a day, and average residential electricity rates — your actual cost varies with your utility rate and habits. The calculator personalizes it to your room and state.