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In this article, we review the seven best smart window air conditioners most of which even work with Amazon Alexa right out of the box.
Two from each class of 8,000, 10,000, 12,000, and 15,000 BTU models are included in our review. We also include a bonus product at the end that will show you how to make a dumb AC smart.
We provide a handy comparison chart so you can compare key features of our top picks at a glance, and then we take a deep dive into the pros and cons of each unit. Cool.
Alexa, Make This Room Cooler
Did you know that the global smart home market is forecast to reach a value of more than 53 billion U.S. dollars by 2022? [Source: Statistica Smart Home Facts.]It’s true. If you haven’t already joined the fray with upgrading to smarter appliances, going with one of the best smart window air conditioners is a great way to start.
But what are the best smart window air conditioners? Here are all seven top-rated smart window air conditioners organized by BTU capacity:
- 8,000 BTU Pick: Frigidaire Smart Window AC
- 8,000 BTU Runner-Up: Friedrich Chill
- 10,000 BTU Pick: Frigidaire Cool Connect 10
- 10,000 BTU Runner-Up: Kenmore Smart WiFi Window Air Conditioner
- 12,000 BTU Pick: Frigidaire Cool Connect 12
- 12,000 BTU Runner-Up: Friedrich Chill Air Conditioner
- 15,000 BTU Pick: Friedrich Chill Premier Smart AC
- 15,000 BTU Runner-Up: LG Window Mounted
- Bonus! Make Your Dumb AC Smart with Sensibo Sky
🥶Prefer a more portable AC unit? Check out this post instead: 5 Best Smart Portable Wi-Fi Air Conditioners of 2019 [That Even Work with Alexa].
Top Three Smart Alexa Window ACs Comparison
Here is a quick comparison table showing the major features of the best smart window air conditioners for 10,000, 12,000, and 15,000 BTU models.
Last update on 11/20/2024 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which is the Best of the Smart Window ACs?
So which is the best of the best smart wi-fi windows air conditioners?
I like the Frigidaire CoolConnect line for its true “smart” features like Wi-Fi access via an app for iOS or Android phone, plus compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Additionally, CoolConnect is Energy Star Certified, and the 10,000 and 12,000 BTU models let you cool both small and large rooms.
What is a Smart Air Conditioner Anyhow?
A smart air conditioner is an air conditioner that isn’t dumb. JK! [But you can make a dumb air conditioner smart…see below.] A smart air conditioner is one that has the attributes of other smart home technology.
These typically include access via a smartphone application, control via the app, and integration with one or more smart speakers. For air conditioners, other “smarts” include the ability to regulate room temperature via an app and receive text alerts when it’s time to change the filter. Typically, a smart air conditioner will require a compatible iOS or Android smartphone and a wi-fi connection.
Summary of common smart air conditioner features:
What Size AC Unit Do You Need?
When it comes to choosing the size of a smart WiFi window air conditioner, the carpenter’s golden rule holds true. Measure twice, cut once!
As a general guide for a small room, you want 8,000-10,000 BTU, for a medium-sized room: 10,000-12,000 BTU, and for larger rooms: 12,000-15,000. For a chart with specific room size square footage see below.
Here’s a quick chart that maps BTU to room sizes for the most popular window models:
Room Size | BTUs | Recommended Product |
Single Room Up To 350 SqFt. | 8,000 | Frigidaire Cool Connect 8 |
Single Room Up To 450 SqFt. | 10,000 | Frigidaire CoolConnect 10 |
Multi-Room Up To 550 SqFt. | 12,000 | Frigidaire CoolConnect 12 |
Multi-Room Up To 850 SqFt. | 15,000 | Friedrich Kuhl Plus |
Oh, and of course, the window unit will need to fit the window into which you want it installed! Again, you should carefully measure as all of the units vary in shape and size. Installation hardware is generally not included so you may need to purchase a kit to secure the unit (or maybe just a piece of plywood), depending on your home.
For a more detailed measuring guide, check out the Buying Guide and video below.
Best Smart Window ACs: All Products Compared
Here is a comparison of all of the best smart window air conditioners in this review. We provide a little summary and review the pros and cons of each air conditioner next. If you are looking for buying tips, don’t miss the helpful Buying Guide near the end of this post.
Last update on 11/20/2024 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Smart Air Conditioner Reviews [Most Work with Alexa]
#1 – 8,000 BTU Pick: Frigidaire Gallery Smart Window Air Conditioner
Coolness
First on my list of best smart window air conditioners is the Frigidaire Gallery Smart Window Air Conditioner
If you’re looking for a great smart AC unit for a smaller room, check out this AC. In addition to the included remote, this air conditioner is also compatible with Alexa.
This increases the number of ways that you can control the air conditioner without having to get up from where you are sitting. This unit can cool down a 350-square-foot room and is designed to get the job done quickly, quietly, and efficiently. Many people can appreciate an air conditioner that gets the job done without the user having to move much more than an arm to grab the remote.
Works with Alexa:
Yes!
Sizing It Up:
- Product Dimensions: 16 x 18.5 x 13.4 inches
- Unit Weight: 54 pounds
Cool Pros:
- Works with Alexa
- All the smart benefits of the larger cool connect models
- Frigidaire’s smart app for remote control
- Energy Star Compliant
- Dehumidification and Ionizer
- Alerts you when the filter needs to be cleaned
Warmish Cons:
- Few customers complained about difficulty setting up WiFi. See review at Amazon for examples.
- Slightly weaker than the other Frigidaire units listed here, considering that it is 8000 BTU rather than 10,000 BTU, but it is perfectly capable of cooling down a small room.
#2 – 8,000 BTU Pick: Friedrich Chill Air Conditioning Co. CP08G10B Air Conditioner, 8000 Btu, White
Next on my list of best smart window air conditioners is the Friedrich Chill Air Conditioning Co.’s 8,000 BTU. This unit is ideal for rooms up to 350 sq. ft. and it really gets the job done. Customers who own this air conditioner at Amazon rave about its quiet cooling capacity.
The air conditioner features continuous auto air sweep louvers that automatically oscillate left and right during cooling to provide broad coverage for your smaller sized rooms. The power cord can be adjusted for both left and right side installation, a feature that is lacking on many models.
This really is one of the best smart window air conditioners out there.
Works with Alexa:
No [but can be added using Sensibo Sky – see below.]
Sizing it Up:
- Product Dimensions: 20.7 x 18.6 x 13.9 inches
- Unit Weight: 64 Pounds
Cool Pros:
- Cools and dehumidifiers under extreme conditions
- Super quiet
- Perfect for chilling rooms up to 350 sq ft
Warmish Cons:
- No Alexa
- It’s expensive
- Lacks smart features of other ACs presented here (no WiFi control)
- At least one customer complained about it taking too long to get a replacement for a defective unit (not the norm).
#3 – 10,000 BTU Pick: Frigidaire Cool Connect 10 Smart Window AC
Coolness
Considering that Frigidaire is one of the most notable companies in the world of cooling products, it is no surprise that their smart air conditioner is a very well-rounded unit.
It is designed to cool a room up to 450 square feet in size with three pints per hour dehumidification, which can help you significantly during humid weather.
This our top pick because it combines excellent cooling capability with considerable smart home tech.
Works with Alexa:
Yes!
Sizing it Up:
- Product Dimensions: 16 x 18.5 x 13.4 inches
- Unit Weight: 54 pounds
Cool Pros:
- The unit can be controlled using Amazon Alexa.
- Google Home is supported too.
- The Frigidaire app lets you regulate the temperature, turn the unit on and off, and even adjust the fan speed from anywhere.
Warmish Cons:
- Some users complain about the compatibility with Google Home. While it is capable of connecting, it doesn’t always work as efficiently as using the app.
- Some users complain that it is fairly loud on its highest speed.
Here is a first look video of the Cool Connect smart wifi window air conditioner from CNET.
#4 – 10,000 BTU Runner Up: Kenmore Smart Room Air Conditioner
Coolness
The Smart Room Air Conditioner by appliance retailer by Sears‘ popular Kenmore brand is currently “Amazon’s Choice” for smart AC, and it is our choice for best 10,000 BTU smart air conditioner.
Like Cool Connect, this particular air conditioner also has multiple ways that you can control it, such as with a smart device and a WiFi app as well as with Alexa. It has three fan speeds, and this air conditioner can also dehumidify the air as well.
As you look at the best smart WiFI window AC air conditioner comparison, this is a solid runner up.
Thanks to Crazy Will Tech Show for the helpful video review:
Works with Alexa:
Yes!
Sizing it Up:
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 19 x 14.5 inches
- Unit Weight: 60 pounds
Cool Pros:
- Works with Alexa
- Solid WiFi App
- Energy Star certified, which means that it can help you save money on your energy bills.
- Includes dehumidification feature
Warmish Cons:
- Few customers complain about issues with condensation build up over time.
[This is relatively normal for an AC unit, but we thought we would mention it here just the same.] - It’s heavy which makes it difficult to move from room to room.
#5 – 12,000 BTU Pick: Frigidaire Cool Connect 12
Coolness
Number 5 on my list of the best smart window air conditioners is the Frigidaire CoolConnect 12,000. This model offers essentially the same functionality as the 10,000 BTU model.
However, it weighs more and will cool larger rooms up to 550 sq feet. It also offers 3.8 pints per hour dehumidification.
Like the 10,000 BTU model, you can use your smartphone to turn the unit on or off, set temperature, control modes, and adapt fan speeds as well. It also offers an ionizer to remove pollen for allergy suffers like me.
Works with Alexa:
Yes!
Sizing It Up:
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 19 x 14.5″
- Unit Weight: 70 pounds
Cool Pros:
- Works with Alexa
- Powerful smartphone control for on/off, temperature, and more
- Energy Star Certified
- Comes with a one-year warranty.
- Ionizer to reduce pollen for allergy sufferers
Warmish Cons:
- It has the same issues with Google Home coverage as the 10,000 BTW model.
- Also heavy to move and install
#6 – 12,000 BTU Runner Up: Friedrich Chill Smart Wifi AC
Coolness
If you are looking for an air conditioner that is both efficient at keeping your room cool and also makes next to no noise, then the Chill by the AC experts at Friedrich may be just what the sleep doctor ordered.
This smart air conditioner specializes in keeping your room cool without disturbing your slumber. This isn’t all that it offers, though. It’s Energy Star Compliant Wi-Fi enabled, and offers three cooling speeds. The 12,000 BTUs are great for cooling even large-sized rooms. An optional installation service is available on this model and others featured here from Amazon.
Works with Alexa:
Newer models support it [but can also be added using Sensibo Sky – see below.]
We recommended checking the specifications at Amazon for this model or buying directly from the manufacturer.
Sizing It Up:
- Product Dimensions: 22 x 20 x 15 inches
- Unit Weight: 70 pounds
Cool Pros:
- Washable filter
- Five different programs with customized settings on this air conditioner.
- Energy Star Compliant
- Three cooling speeds.
Warmish Cons:
- Not compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant
#7 – 15,000+ BTU Pick: Friedrich Chill Premier Smart Air Conditioner
Coolness
OK up next on my list of the best smart window air conditioners is the Friedrich Chill Premier Smart Air Conditioner. This line of ACs offers cooling for entire floors or even small apartments up to 700 sq feet. This unit offers both cooling and heating capacity of up to 15,700 BTUs.
The Chill Premier plus offers the features you would expect from a smart Wifi-connected AC, including smartphone app control and support for not just Amazon Alexa but also Google Home. This is really impressive for such a cooling powerhouse.
Works with Alexa:
Yes! And also Google Assistant.
Sizing It Up:
- Product Dimensions: 25.9375″ x: 15.9375″ x 29″
- Unit Weight: 150 pounds
Pros:
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Smartphone app
- You can set schedules
- Control settings like increasing or decreasing set point temperature as well as system cool, fan, heat, and auto settings using the app.
- Kuhl’s “Quiet Master Technology” helps the unit run up to 45% quieter than competing brands
- Super highly rated at Amazon customers seem to agree.
Cons:
- It’s pricey.
- It is heavy so plan on getting some help to install this AC unit.
#8 – 15,000 BTU Runner Up: LG Window Mounted AC
Coolness
Out of all the best smart window air conditioners on my list, there is no other brand that has quite the reputation that LG has. At the time of this writing, this is a top seller at Amazon.
With an air conditioner that is able to cool a 340-square-foot room and has three different speeds of cooling, you won’t ever have to worry about being hot during warm weather.
Works with Alexa:
No [ but can be made smart using Sensibo Sky. See below.]
Sizing It Up:
- Product Dimensions: 26 x 28.1 x 17.7 inches
- Unit Weight: 112 pounds
Cool Pros:
- Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) rating comes in at 12.1, which is outstanding
- Great price for such a powerhouse.
- The air conditioner is super easy to install, as illustrated by this helpful LG installation video below. While the installation is for last year’s models the process is essentially the same.
Warmish Cons:
- Lacks smart features of other models listed here
- You can, however, add these features using a converter kit like a Sensibo Sky Air Conditioner Controller. This will make it Wi-Fi compatible via iOS and Android, and also compatible with Amazon Alexa & Google Home.
#9 – Make Your Dumb Old AC Smart with Sensibo Sky
In a recent review, we show you a few different ways that you can make your existing (dumb) air conditioner smart. That is, you can give it some really cool features like the ability to control the AC using your smartphone, or even Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Siri.
The easiest and most popular way to do this is with a product called Sensibo Sky.
Sensibo Sky is compatible with all standalone ACs and it will let you manage them using your iOS or Android device. It can also help you save money by setting schedules and adjusting the power when you are away from home. There is a power consumption monitor too.
This is also a great choice for some of the “less smart” options listed here. For example, if you really like Cool Connect but subscribe to the Apple Siri ecosystem, this would be a great combination for you.
Helpful Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to choosing the best smart window air conditioner for your home today, here are some questions to consider.
Do you want a smart portable AC, a window unit, or a wall unit?
If you are considering a smart portable unit, probably the most important thing to realize is that nearly all portable ACs need to be vented, ideally out of a window. While many manufacturers try to discourage people from installing window units in walls, most professional installers will tell you this is just fine. You just need to purchase the appropriate conversion kit or lumber.
The Home Depot does a great job explaining the different types of air conditioners in this video:
What size Smart WiFi Window Air Conditioners will get you the ideal room coverage for large and small rooms?
This is probably the most important choice you will make when it comes to keeping cool with one of the best smart window air conditioners. You don’t want to buy an air conditioner that isn’t made for your room size. Why? The unit will work harder to try to cool the room down, which will, in turn, shorten the life of the unit. Chances are the room won’t get a cool as you want, too.
We already provided a general guide to choosing the right BTUs for your room size earlier in this post.
For exact BTU specifications, check out PR Richard and Son’s Handy BTU Calculator. They explain their formula and why you should use it in this helpful two-minute video.
What best smart window air conditioners features do you really want /need?
There are three main “smart features” really.
First is smart speaker control with assistants Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home. This is great when you want to control your AC unit with your voice from home or integrate with technologies like IFTTT.
Second is the ability to control your unit with your iOS or Android smartphone. Customers who own smart ACs love being able to start up their units from their offices, for example, before leaving home for work on a hot day. All of the units featured here will work with your smartphone. We will indicate which units you can control with Alexa and Google Assistant in the specifications table for each product review.
Last but not least is everything else. This includes the ability to set schedules, monitor power consumption, change temperature, and more all from a smart device.
The features you choose are all about convenience and the products featured here offer a nice mix of all three (except for the lower-tech Kenmore option).
What are some other features to consider?
Other features of the best smart window air conditioners to consider when shopping for the best smart WiFi air conditioner for your home include:
- The type of unit you really need for your home (window, portable, central, etc.)
- Size and weight of the unit
- The importance of the smart WiFi features mentioned above
- Cooling capacity and coverage
- The importance of dehumidification and ionization
- The overall energy efficiency of the unit
- Warranty
- Disposal of your existing unit
- Condensation and filtration
Common Questions
Here is a collection of questions on the best smart window air conditioners that I have collected after extensively researching this post.
Can I just use a smart plug to control my dumb air conditioner?
In theory, you could do this. However, I would strongly suggest that you consult an electrician as to the grade of plug you need to buy. Also, it is our understanding that cutting the power to the unit with a smart plug is similar to yanking the plug from the wall. This has the potential to harm the unit, and it could also cause an increased fire risk. Again, we strongly caution you to consult an electrician before going this route.
Are there other ways I can make my existing dumb air conditioner smart?
Yes, you can do this using a Wi-Fi air conditioner controller like Sensibo Sky or Cielo breeze (see Top Picks below). These make your existing dumb air conditioner Wi-Fi compatible with iOS and Android, and also compatible with Alexa & Google Home.
Best Smart Window Air Conditioners with Alexa: What Do You Think?
We hope you enjoyed our review of the seven best smart window air conditioners.
How do you like our picks?
What do you think about being able to control your air conditioner with your phone?
Are you looking forward to asking Alexa to turn on the AC for you this summer?
Please leave us a comment below and let us know your thoughts about these units and smarter homes in general. We look forward to hearing from you!
📚 Related: Ukoke Ac Review: A ‘Smart’ Portable Air Conditioner
You Might Also Like
If you liked our review of the 7 best smart window air conditioners, would you mind sharing it using the social media buttons on this page? Thanks! If you enjoyed reading this, you might also like some of our other articles. I’ll list a few of them below.
- 5 Best Smart Portable Wi-Fi Air Conditioners [That Even Work with Alexa]
- Ukoke Ac Review: A ‘Smart’ Portable Air Conditioner
- Sensibo Sky vs Ceilo Breeze Plus vs Ambi vs Tado: Chill Time
- Consumer Reports Smart AC Reviews /Tests
- How to Make Your Dumb AC Smart [Window, Portable or Central]
- 9 Best Smart Curtains and Rods [7 Work w Alexa & Google]
Tim Brennan, a tech blogger and host of the @TecTimmy YouTube channel, writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. He holds a Journalism degree from Northeastern University and has covered technology for three decades. He lives on the ocean in Nahant, Massachusetts.
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel for a fun take on all things tech.