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Window air conditioners compared on official ENERGY STAR certified ratings. Cooling capacity and combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER) come from the ENERGY STAR record. Most Efficient is scored as Yes only when that record marks the criterion as Yes. Window-straddling installation is scored as Yes when ENERGY STAR lists a mounting type that straddles the window or windowsill, which is typical of U-shaped designs that leave the sash closer to closed. Through-the-wall units are a separate ENERGY STAR type and are not mixed into this window-only table. A higher BTU rating is not automatically the right unit for a small room; use the certified capacity to compare, then size the unit to the space.
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Top pick
M
Midea MAH09W1AGR
Score 8.4/10 · Check price
Why it wins: Official 9500 Btu/h cooling capacity, CEER 17.6, ENERGY STAR Most Efficient, window-straddling installation. Highest official ENERGY STAR CEER in this comparison (17.6). Marked ENERGY STAR Most Efficient on the official record.
"Not listed" means the official ENERGY STAR, DOE or manufacturer record we used does not publish that figure. Prices show "Check price" until a retailer feed provides a current price.
Buying guide: how to choose the right window air conditioner
CEER is the official efficiency number for window units
Combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER) is the federal and ENERGY STAR efficiency rating for room air conditioners. A higher CEER means more cooling per watt. The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient mark is a separate official flag; we score it only when the record marks it Yes.
Window-straddling usually means a U-shaped or sash-friendly chassis
ENERGY STAR describes installation as straddling the window or windowsill, or as not straddling it. We score the official mounting type, not a marketing name. U-shaped models are typically in the straddling group because the chassis sits around the sash. Confirm the window type, width and required support bracket in the maker's manual before you buy.
Size to the room, and check the voltage
A higher certified BTU rating cools a larger space on paper, but an oversized unit can short-cycle. Most products in this comparison are 115 V; models whose official record lists 230 V or 208 V usually need a dedicated circuit. Estimated cooling power in watts is computed as capacity ÷ CEER and labelled computed.
Safety and installation
A window air conditioner is heavy. Use the maker's mounting hardware or a support bracket when one is required, and do not rely on a partly open sash alone. Meet the manual's electrical instructions; do not use an undersized extension cord. Refrigerant (often R-32) is in a sealed system — do not puncture it. Keep the outdoor louvers clear and follow any condensate-drip guidance so water does not damage the sill. This is not a substitute for the product manual.
How this ranking is calculated
Score = weighted average of normalised specs, out of 10. Full method
ENERGY STAR CEEROfficial ENERGY STAR combined energy efficiency ratio. Higher is more efficient. Missing values take the category minimum. Scale: 12 → 17.6.
32%
Cooling capacityOfficial ENERGY STAR cooling capacity in Btu/h. Missing values take the category minimum. Size the unit to the room; the highest capacity is not always the right fit. Scale: 5000 → 18000 Btu/h.
24%
ENERGY STAR Most EfficientYes when the official ENERGY STAR record marks Most Efficient as Yes. Unstated counts as no.
18%
Window-straddling installationYes when the official ENERGY STAR record lists a mounting type that straddles the window or windowsill. Unstated or 'does not straddle' counts as no.
14%
Heating modeYes when the official ENERGY STAR record lists a heating mode. Unstated counts as no.
Are these the same as through-the-wall air conditioners?
No. ENERGY STAR lists a separate type for through-the-wall units. This comparison includes only records whose official type is Window. Mixing the two would blur installation and chassis differences.
Did you test these window air conditioners or list prices?
No. CoolPick ranks official ENERGY STAR certified ratings only. We do not test units, and we do not show prices or customer ratings.
What does a model number with asterisks, such as GE AWHV12***#, mean?
ENERGY STAR uses wildcards for color or finish suffixes of the same basic model. We show the certified model number in the details, display a cleaned name (for example GE AWHV12), and search Amazon with that cleaned name.
Why do noise figures say Not listed?
Sound level in decibels is not a field in the ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioner record we used. When we did not fetch a maker product page, we leave noise, warranty and similar extras as Not listed rather than copying them from a retailer listing.
Which window air conditioners did you leave out?
We did not include every colorway or retailer rebadge of the same certified ratings, and we did not include through-the-wall chassis. Many additional ENERGY STAR records exist for brands and model numbers beyond this shortlist. Official catalogs we did not turn into complete rows in this pass are simply omitted, not implied to be inferior.