The Best Low Watt Window Air Conditioners
AT A GLANCE
Window air conditioners give you the cooling power to stay comfortable even in very hot weather without the need for expensive central air conditioning systems.
A window air conditioner can be a great idea for someone who lives in a smaller dwelling, such as an apartment or small home, and doesn’t require the whole house to be cooled at once. It usually doesn’t take up much space, and can be installed quite easily on most windows.
These units have the advantage over fans, which after some time begin to circulate the same, stale air that is no longer cool. But using a more efficient cooling system comes at a price – a hefty one, if you don’t choose your AC unit wisely.
Do window AC units use a lot of electricity?
This depends on a number of factors, which include: the size of the unit, its BTU, the length of time it’s on, and its wattage. In general, a regular window air conditioner – i.e. one that is not low wattage – could end up drawing a lot of electricity.
For this reason, it’s important to consider the wattage of the device before making your purchase, as this could save you a great deal of money in the long run.
How many watts does a window air conditioner use?
Let’s think of these in terms of size. For larger units, you’d expect anywhere from 1300 – 1500W. For medium units, 1000 – 1300W. For smaller units, around 800 – 900W.
Low wattage, smaller window air conditioners, however, tend to be a much more energy efficient option. These units use an average of 500 – 700 watts, and are a great choice for those who want to keep costs as low as possible.
Note: wattage isn’t everything – you also have to consider the BTU (what is BTU? Find out here). If you have a very large room to cool down, for example, then a smaller, lower watt unit might not be enough.
Below you’ll find a list of our top 5 energy-efficient window AC units, all coming in at 700 watts or under, and all requiring minimal installation on your part. So no need to hire someone to do the job for you.
5 Best Energy-efficient Window Air Conditioners
MIDEA MAW06R1BWT EasyCool Window Air Conditioner
$189.99
WATTAGE: 700W
BTU: 6,000
HEATING AREA: 250 sq. ft
SIZE: 16.02 x 18.54 x 13.39 inches
The MIDEA MAW06R1BWT EasyCool Window Air Conditioner is an easy-to-install, 3-in1 machine that can keep any room in your home cool during the summer.
This versatile air conditioner features 3 modes: air conditioning, dehumidification, and fan-only, giving you maximum control over how you cool your home.
The air conditioner's sleek LED display provides easy access to all of the product's capabilities, while its 3 fan speeds allow you to control its cooling power.
The unit comes with an LCD remote control so you never have to leave your seat, while the innovative Easytimer function allows you to program the appliance to turn off automatically after preset intervals.
The MAW06R1BWT is equipped with a multi-directional airflow system that can be easily adjusted, as well as a reusable filter which helps reduce allergens and odors in your home. And thanks to the built in alert feature, your system will warn you when you need to clean the filter.
If you're looking for a quiet, energy efficient AC system, the MIDEA MAW06R1BWT EasyCool Window Air Conditioner fits that bill.
Pro: There's an Eco mode setting on here that kicks in when the desired temperature is reached. Comes in very handy.
Con: Much louder than advertised, and when it rains, due to how the unit is constructed, it might collect a lot of rainwater that is difficult to empty.
GE Mechanical Window Air Conditioner
$149.00
WATTAGE: 455W
BTU: 5,050
HEATING AREA: 150 sq. ft
SIZE: 15 x 16.44 x 12.56 inches
***Lowest window AC on our list.***
The GE Mechanical Window Air Conditioner fits windows 21-7/8 - 36" wide and 13-3/8 " high, making this AC ideal for any home.
With 2 cooling and two fan speeds, you're able to create optimal comfort by choosing the speed that is most suitable for your needs.
The mechanical controls are simple to use and offer easy adjustments to manage your settings, while the adjustable thermostat allows you to keep your home at an ideal temperature for all of your family members.
There's also a slide-out filter that you can remove and clean every 30 days, ensuring that your air conditioner runs as efficiently as possible.
GE's Window Air Conditioner has a fixed chassis and is easy to install, thanks to the included EZ Mount installation kit that makes it simple to attach to your window.
Conditioned air is circulated throughout your room with the 2-way air direction function, which helps to evenly distribute the cold or hot air throughout the room.
Comfort at any time of day is just a few twists of a dial away with the GE Mechanical Window Air Conditioner.
Pro: The lowest setting is sufficient to cool down one small room.
Con: Vents only move left and right, not up and down.
WATTAGE: 661W
BTU: 8,000
HEATING AREA: 350 sq. ft
SIZE: 18.6 x 15.6 x 13.3 inches
The compact hOmeLabs Window Air Conditioner is a great option for those looking to purchase an intuitive AC system that's packed with awesome features.
It has an impressive 6 different cooling options that let you adjust how much cooling power you need, while the digital control panel and easy-to-use remote control give you full convenience at all times.
This unit from hOmeLabs comes equipped with useful energy-saving features, such as 24-Hour Timer, Sleep Mode and ECO mode - all designed for low power consumption.
And with it's low noise technology, you won't even notice this unit running, making it perfect for using during the night while you sleep.
Control your room environment to suit your mood - select from 3 fan speeds and 4-way air flow for the perfect comfort level.
The AC system comes with a reusable slide-out air filter that's easy to clean with warm water and soap.
Installing your new air conditioner shouldn't be a problem, as installation was designed with ease in mind. You also get the installation kit needed to set it up in just minutes.
Pro: Sturdily built, and covers a lot of space – more than advertised.
Con: Noisy, and at time of writing, the company makes it difficult to return the unit if it's damaged.
WATTAGE: 520W
BTU: 6,000
HEATING AREA: 260 sq. ft
SIZE: 14.38 x 17.31 x 11.13 inches
The LG 115V Window Air Conditioner is a sleek, easy-to-install unit with a modern design, suitable for any home.
The low noise performance ensures quiet operation so you never have to worry about loud noises disturbing your peaceful home environment.
With 3 cooling and fan speeds, it's easy to adjust the air conditioner for maximum comfort.
The LED display lets you easily monitor room temperature, air flow direction, timer settings and more, while the remote control lets you adjust settings even when you're not near the unit itself.
It automatically switches back on after a power failure so that all of your previously programmed settings remain intact.
The unit also has a 24 hour on/off timer so you can program it to switch off while you're out, or to come on before you get home. This allows you to come home to a cool house.
Finally, the air filter has a handy "clean alert" that reminds you when it's time to clean or replace your filter.
Pro: Cools quickly, and its reach is vast.
Con: Doesn't fit on windows without an outer window sill, and louder than other models on this list.
WATTAGE: 695W
BTU: 8,000
HEATING AREA: 350 sq. ft
SIZE: 15.31 x 18.56 x 12.63 inches
The Haier Window Air Conditioner is a high-tech device that allows you to have full control over your AC unit from anywhere, thanks to the SmartHQ app, which allows you to access the AC's features from your smartphone.
Not only that, but the AC also has voice control capabilities, meaning that with just a simple command you can adjust the settings to your liking.
This AC system from Haier is easy to install in a double hung window, and even comes with an EZ Mount installation kit. The electronic thermostat comes with a remote, so you can change settings from across the room or when you're in bed.
With 3 cooling and 3 fan speeds, you can fine-tune the settings to get the right temperature for your needs.
Using the 24-hour timer, create a schedule for your AC unit so it switches on or off at certain times throughout the day.
This air conditioner comes equipped with an energy saver mode so the AC will not be running when the desired temperature is reached.
The 4-way adjustable airflow creates a evenly-cooled environment by adjusting the direction of the air flow.
A power interruption restart function automatically restarts your Haier Window Air Conditioner once power has been restored after a blackout.
Finally, the clean filter reminder alerts you when it's time to clean out dust and debris from inside the unit, prolonging its lifespan significantly.
Pro: Large digital display can be seen from afar, and the app lets you start your unit from anywhere in the world, so that you arrive home to a cool environment.
Con: Louder than some other models, and could be difficult to assemble.
Are window ac units efficient?
Window ac units can be very efficient, and save you a lot of money on your electricity bills. They use only a fraction of the electricity that a central air system uses, making them a far better choice for people living in smaller homes.
It’s important to remember, however, that you should always consider the size of the room/s you wish to cool, as buying an unnecessarily large unit would cancel out any energy saving you could potentially achieve with this type of AC system.
What is the lowest wattage window air conditioner?
Coming in at just 455 watts, the GE Mechanical Window Air Conditioner is the lowest wattage air conditioner on our list, and currently on the market.
What’s the best window air conditioner with dehumidifier?
The MIDEA MAW06R1BWT EasyCool, the first model on our list, is the best low watt window air conditioner with dehumidification enabled. It’s a 3-in-1 unit that gives you the option of air conditioning, dehumidifying, or solely using the fan.
