7 Best 12000 BTU Window Air Conditioners [COLD] - Cold Hot Air (2024)

Want to beat the heat this summer but don’t want a clunky portable AC?

We’ve got your back. The best 12000 window BTU air conditioner I could find is the Midea U Inverter. It comes with a remote that senses the temperature and Wi-Fi/smart capabilities.

If you’re on a budget, you can opt for the TOSOT 12,000 BTU which is another sleek option that’ll be a great fit in any home.

Below you’ll find the reviews for the 7 best 12000 window air conditioners out there.

Let’s get started.

7 Best 12000 BTU Window Air Conditioners

Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner 12,000BTU

• Cools Up To: 550 square feet
• Warranty: 1 year limited warranty
• Remote: Wi-Fi

What I like

This space saving 12000 BTU air conditioner is not only aesthetic, it offers plenty of features. It comes with Smart Control that can integrate with Alexa giving you voice activation. You’ll also be able to change the temperature right from the MideaAir app! It also works with Google Assistant as well.

If you are a light sleeper, this unit is up to 9 times quieter than other units on this list. It works by having the noisy part of the AC unit on the outside. That brings me to my next point, how it installs. It’s not a typical window air conditioner, it has two distinct parts that the window will clamp down on.

This helps get this AC unit into tough to reach spaces, which will allow you to install it in hard to reach areas. It comes with a support bracket that works with the window open or closed, depending on your preference. I recommend closing the window to keep the hot air outside while you enjoy your unit.

This unit is also Energy Star’s most efficient unit of 2021. By using advanced DC inverter technology, you’ll be able to save on your bills all year long. Instead of bulky portable ac units, why not invest in the best window air conditioner out there?

What I don’t like

This unit costs a fair bit more than other units on this list.

Verdict

If you need a compact window air conditioner with smart features and don’t mind the price tag, the Midea U Inverter is a great choice.

TOSOT 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

• Cools Up To: 550 Square Feet
• Warranty: 1 year
• Remote: Included Remote Control

What I like

My favorite feature of this window unit is that it’s the most aesthetic out of the bunch. If you’re tight on space and don’t want a portable air conditioner taking up space, then window air conditioners are a great alternative. BUT, most of them don’t look that great, and this one takes king for best looking window air conditioner on this list.

The remote control is packed full of features compared to other units I’ve reviewed. It has a built in thermostat on the remote control which will sense what temperature your room is at. This feature is going to do you wonders when instead of turning itself off when it reaches the temperature it senses near the window AC unit, it’ll sense the remote where you are and you’ll be able to enjoy better temperature control all year round.

With its dehumidifying and fan only modes, you’ll be able to take care of humidity and save on electricity costs if you don’t feel like spending a ton of cash to run your window AC. It’s energy star rated which is going to be great when you want to lower your bills at the end of the month.

This window AC is capable of cooling down up to a 550 square foot room. You’ll also be able to follow the easy step-by-step instructions to get this window AC unit installed with ease in a matter of minutes. It’s recommended to have a person help you though to do the heavy lifting.

What I don’t like

Some reviewers mention that their unit was loud and that their remote control didn’t work on arrival.

Verdict

If you’re after an aesthetic unit, a great price point, and tons of features, this is one of the best 12000 BTU window air conditioners that I could find.

FRIGIDAIRE 12,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted

• Cools Up To: 550 sq.ft
• Warranty: 1 year limited
• Remote: Yes

What I like

This window air conditioner from LG brings you great cooling power, with the capability of cooling down a 550 square foot space. Window air conditioners offer more efficient cooling over portable air conditioners and they take up less space, which is going to be helpful in the long run.

If your environment is hot and humid, this unit dehumidifies at up to 3.8 pints per hour. With the lower power start-up feature it’ll increase the energy efficiency of this unit if you turn your unit off and on every so often.

The remote control allows you to take control of this window AC unit from anywhere in your room. The washable filter is also easily replaced with its tilt-out filter access allowing you to get into your machine with ease and give it a cleaning.

Choose from multi-speed fan options, a built in timer and sleep mode for when you want to stay cool while you sleep but also enjoy quiet operation. If anything should go wrong, it comes with a 1 year limited warranty and 5 years on sealed systems. It comes with all the mounting hardware you need as well.

What I don’t like

Some users mentioned that this air conditioner was a bit on the loud side which can be tough to deal with if you’re a light sleeper.

Verdict

With window air conditioners being great with energy efficiency and this unit coming packed with features and made by a reputable company, it’s hard to find any faults with this unit. Reviewers mention this bad boy gets cold as heck and was easy to set up.

LG Energy Star 12,000 BTU

• Cools Up To: 550 square feet
• Warranty: 1 year parts/labor
• Remote: WiFi/Remote control

What I like

I like that this unit has Wi-Fi capabilities allowing you to control it easily with your smart phone. It works with Hey Google and Alexa, making it super easy to connect to your smart home environment. It comes with a remote control regardless though, which is a nice feature if you don’t want to use a clunky app.

It’s Energy Star certified with an estimated yearly cost of $97! That’s incredible considering how much electricity is starting to cost these days. Window air conditioners offer more efficient cooling over even the best portable air conditioner out there.

This window AC unit is also capable of cooling up to 550 square feet which is more than enough for large rooms. You’ll be able to enjoy quiet operation as low as 53db which is around the noise level of a quiet conversation.

If you enjoy it a bit colder or warmer, then you can choose between the three fan speeds to ensure you’re as comfortable as can be. Included is a removable washable filter and a filter check reminder if you’re forgetful like me!

What I don’t like

Some purchasers mentioned that they had issues with the Wi-Fi and LG’s customer service was hard to reach to fix the problem.

Verdict

If you’re looking for the best 12000 btu window air conditioner with WiFi, then you’ll be able to enjoy its quiet operation and plethora of features.

Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

• Cools Up To: 550 square feet
• Warranty: 1 year warranty
• Remote: Included

What I like

For the price, it’s going to be hard to beat Amazon’s basic window air conditioner. It has the capability of cooling down a 550 square foot area which competes with higher priced models on this list. It also can dehumidify which is a great feature for those days where sticky and hot air is plentiful.

With its built-in filter, you’ll be able to remove it as you wish and wash and reuse it. It’s recommended to clean out your AC filter once every two months during the cooling season to help keep your window air conditioner as efficient as possible.

It comes with all the features you’d expect from pricier models like a 24 hour timer, 3 fan speeds and adjustable air direction to meet your needs. It fits on most normal windows with a minimum window height/width of 14″ x 23″ and max height/width of 36″ x 36″

Reviewers of this air conditioner mentioned that they cooled down an attic of around 700 square feet. Others mentioned that it even was powerful enough to cool down the adjacent hallway without any issues.

What I don’t like

Well, it’s fairly basic! The front panel looks cheap and the buttons seem hard to navigate through. The LED is super basic and some purchasers mention that theirs gave out in a few months.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a bargain window AC unit that will keep you cold all summer long, the price on this one is hard to beat. It’s basic as its name suggests, but you still get a warranty offered by Amazon should you stop to feel cool air at any point.

Whirlpool Energy Star 12,000 BTU

• Cools Up To: 550 square feet
• Warranty: 1 year limited
• Remote: Included

What I like

This window air conditioner has an energy star rating of 12.1 EER (energy efficiency ratio) which help you save on bills at the end of the month. You’ll notice that this AC unit has a compact size which will help you get AC into tough to reach areas. If you have a casem*nt window, then you may be in need of casem*nt window air conditioners instead.

Even though it has a compact size, you can still enjoy cooling power up to 550 square foot. That’s as good as any other window AC units on this list! You’ll be able to enjoy an energy efficient unit over a portable ac unit while still taking up less space.

It comes with a remote control that can utilize sleep, fan speed, fan only and auto mode. Not only that, you can turn off the display if you want to sleep in and not have to deal with blaring lights bothering you when you’re getting shut eye.

It has an airflow capacity of 270 CFM which will help distribute the cold air inside your room and increase its cooling capacity. To top it all off, it comes with a 1 year warranty should anything go wrong.

What I don’t like

The remote only takes those tiny batteries normally used for watches which can get annoying when it dies and you need to get specialized batteries to swap it out (as well as a screwdriver). The LED is also hard to see unless you’re standing near it which can be annoying if you’re wondering what temperature you have it set to.

Verdict

This is another great window air conditioning unit that’ll keep your place cool even if you have a compact window sill.

ROVSUN 12000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

• Cools Up To: 550 sq.ft
• Warranty: 1 year warranty
• Remote: Included

What I like

The interesting part about this window AC unit is that you can decide on which BTU unit you want specifically from 5000 to 15000 BTUs. You may be in the market for a 12000 btu air conditioner but you can decide to upgrade or downgrade based on your room size.

The LED display shows you the current temperature at the ready. It also has sleep, fan mode, 24 hour timer, and eco mode should you decide to cut down on your electricity usage. It also has dehumidifying mode if your room is hot and humid.

This 12000 btu air conditioner is enough for a 550 sq.ft space which is more than enough power for most rooms out there. The air filter is removable and washable for easy maintenance. The remote also lets you choose from a variety of different options for ease of usage.

Installation is suitable for 23-36″ windows and all mounting hardware is included. Reviewers mention that this unit has great performance even down to 5000 BTU window air conditioner option.

What I don’t like

It’s not the best-looking unit on this list, that’s for sure.

Verdict

I think this unit is a great option if you’re looking to spend a fair amount and want to adjust the amount of BTUs you’re working with. I do prefer how the TOSOT model looks compared to this one for not much more cost.

12000 BTU Window Air Conditioner FAQ

How good is a 12000 BTU air conditioner?

A 12000 BTU air conditioner is going to be able to cool down a 450 to 550 square foot space. It’s more efficient than portable air conditioners and they don’t take up as much space either.

What size room will a 12000 BTU air conditioner cool?

A 12000 BTU air conditioner will cool down up to a 550 square foot space. Results may vary depending on the environment you live in and the insulation of your room.

How much does it cost to run 12000 BTU AC?

It will cost an average of $.14 per hour to run.

How do I choose a window air conditioner?

When choosing a window air conditioner, make sure that it fits in your window first and foremost. Not all window ACs are made in the same shape, so find one that will fit your unit.

You’ll also want one with high energy efficiency capabilities to ensure you don’t spend a ton of money. Not only that, you want to make sure that it has enough British thermal unit capacity for your room. 12000 BTUs is enough for a 550 square foot room.

Another thing to watch out for is noise level. Some units are quieter than others like the Mider U Inverter which is considerably quieter than other units. You’ll want to hit your desired temperature while still be quiet enough to get to sleep.

You can also opt to use a window air conditioner over central AC if you only have one room to cool down. Central AC is for bigger spaces, and for smaller homes, a window AC can suffice.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the best of the best, you can’t go wrong with the Midea U Inverter. If you’re on a budget, then you’ll also enjoy the TOSOT 12,000 BTU.

Looking for something more powerful? Check out the 7 best 14000 BTU portable air conditioners.