This best 12000 BTU window air conditioners list and review is a buying guide where you can conduct research to purchase a unit that will cool and make you comfortable during hot months.
There is a heater as well.
Sizing a Window AC – Make Sure it’s Big Enough
The initial thing to do is to ensure that you are researching on the appropriate size of a window air conditioner that suits your needs.
The 12000 BTU window air conditioners are rated to a maximum of 550 square feet.
This table according to the US department of energy guidelines indicates the size of window air conditioner that you need to install.
| Space in Square Feet | BTUs per Hour Needed |
|---|---|
| 150 – 250 | 6000 BTUs |
| 250 – 350 | 8000 BTUs |
| 350 – 450 | 10000 BTUs |
| 450 – 550 | 12000 BTUs |
| 550 – 650 | 14000 BTUs |
| 650 – 750 | 15000 BTUs |
Is a 12,000 BTU Window AC needed? Then this is the right guide to you.
Cooling Tip: These units are rated at a maximum of 550 square feet.
In case the room is south or west facing, has high ceilings or is a kitchen where cooking produces additional heat, you need to purchase a window air conditioner that is one or two sizes larger than the one indicated on the chart.
The Buying Guide below has more details about window air conditioner sizing.
Best 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners
We have compiled the top 12,000 BTU window air conditioners in the market. These units offer powerful cooling to medium and large rooms, which are normally up to 550 square feet.
Our products are energy efficient, performance and user friendly so that you can get the best cooling solution to your space.
Midea U-Shaped Window AC
We highly suggest that this new window air conditioner should be bought since it is highly quiet and energy saving.
Pros
- Ultra-quiet performance
- Inverter technology that is energy efficient
- Enables the opening of window to get fresh air
Cons
- Greater initial expense
- Installation can be difficult
- Problems with Wi-Fi connectivity
We were impressed with silent working of Midea U-Shaped AC. It is also very quiet with only 42 dB as compared to the traditional window units.
The special architecture allowed us to open our window that was a game changer in the aspect of ventilation.
Energy savings was one of the things that sparkled in our tests. The inverter technology helped us to reduce our electricity bills to a great extent.
We were fond of the smart features, controlling the device without being physically present using an app or voice.
The installation was a little bit of work but the quick-snap bracket that came along with it made it easier. They are more costly than the standard models but we believe that the comfort and efficiency is worth the money.
Overall, this AC offered excellent cooling to space of 550 square feet.et.
Frigidaire 12K BTU Window AC
We would recommend this Frigidaire window unit due to its efficiency in cooling and ease of use.
Pros
- Proper cooling of rooms of up to 550 sq ft
- Three fan speeds to create personal comfort
- Simple electronic controls that are remote controlled
Cons
- Not Energy Star qualified
- A little bit noisy 57 dB
- It weighs 63.5 pounds and this can be too much to some individuals
This Frigidaire model was an excellent cooling solution of medium-sized rooms. The 12000 BTU could cool our 500 sq ft living room during hot summer days.
Its electronic controls were also user friendly and we also liked that we could adjust settings with the remote control even when we were on the other end of the room.
In the process of the operation, we understood that it was not the quietest unit we have ever tested. The sound level of 57 dB at full power was loud but not very obtrusive.
We could chat and watch TV without any big issue.
It was cumbersome to install but the window kit that comes with it made it easy. Overall, we have been experiencing its performance and reliability over the past few months.
LG Smart Window AC
We suggest this LG smart window air conditioner because it is strong in cooling and easy to use.
Pros
- Smart control via app and voice commands
- Quiet operation at 52 dB
- Cools large rooms up to 550 sq ft
Cons
- Needs WiFi to be smart
- 81 pounds heavy unit
LG LW1217ERSM1 is a window AC of high quality. Our 550 sq ft living room was cooled within a short period of time by the 12,000 BTU cooling capacity.
The LG ThinQ app enabled us to adjust the settings remotely and this came in handy when we wanted to cool the house before we arrived home.
The unit is also silent at 52 dB that allows one to talk and watch TV. We also enjoyed the 4-way air deflection which helped in the spreading of cool air.
Auto-restart was useful in case of a short power cut.
The kit which accompanied it was simple to install, however it weighed 81 pounds and required two people. It costs more than the entry-level models, but we believe the smart features and cooling abilities justify the cost to anyone in the market to buy a premium window AC.h the 81-pound weight needed two people.
It is more expensive than the entry-level models, but we believe the smart capabilities and cooling are worth the price to anyone who wants a premium window AC.
Towallmark 12,000 BTU Window AC
We suggest this Towallmark air conditioner because it is efficient and smart.
Pros
- Remote control Wi-Fi enabled
Cons
- Can be noisy on maximum volumes
- Installation may be difficult
- Short warranty time
Towallmark 12,000 BTU window air conditioner impressed us with its fast cooling ability. We have installed it in our 500 sq ft living room and it has been effective in reducing the heat in hot days.
The Wi-Fi connection was also liked by us as it provided us with the chance to adjust settings with the help of our phones. The power-saving mode came in handy when we wanted to make sure that our electric bills do not run out of control when we used it on a long-term basis.
The installation was not a walk in the park but the unit could fit in our normal window frame. It was a nice surprise to find out that the filter is washable, yet we had to state that it has to be cleaned frequently to be effective.
Overall, it is a decent purchase in terms of cooling and intelligence. It was a good idea to make the filter washable, but we found that it should be cleaned regularly to work well. On the whole, this AC is a good buy in terms of cooling capacity and intelligence.
ROVSUN All-Season Window AC & Heater
The unit is a decent choice to use in rooms that are not more than 550 square feet since it offers cooling and heating all year round.
Pros
- Multi-purpose cooling, heating and dehumidifying
- Voice control compatible WiFi-enabled
- Energy saving, ECO mode
Cons
- Mixed customer feedbacks on cooling capabilities
- Possible loud functioning
- Expensive as compared to other models of the same type
The ROVSUN 12000 BTU Window AC and Heater combo turned out to be a convenient method of managing the climate throughout the year. We were impressed with it in our tests since it was able to cool, heat, and dehumidify an area of 550 square feet.
The unit has WiFi and voice control, which makes it more up to date and allows us to adjust the settings remotely. We enjoyed the mobile application that is user-friendly and the Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility.
Though the cooling feature worked well in our test, we discovered that some users complained that it did not work well. The noise was not very disturbing.
Installation of the unit was simple but it was heavy to require an extra pair of hands.
12000 BTU Window AC Buying Guide
Getting BTU capacity right is very important.
Purchasing a central AC, it is not a good idea to purchase an oversized one. But in case of a window/through the wall/room AC, it may be logical.
Remember our sizing chart?
| Space in Square Feet | BTUs per Hour Needed |
|---|---|
| 150 – 250 | 6000 BTUs |
| 250 – 350 | 8000 BTUs |
| 350 – 450 | 10000 BTUs |
| 450 – 550 | 12000 BTUs |
| 550 – 650 | 14000 BTUs |
| 650 – 750 | 15000 BTUs |
The following are the tips that will help you to get the right size AC in your room.
The minimum BTUs should be 12000 BTUs at 450-550 square feet.
Nevertheless, we suggest that you increase the BTUs by 1000 in the following conditions:
- The room’s ceilings are higher than 8 feet
- The room is south or west facing and shade trees are not available hence it is very hot in the afternoon.
- Your climate is especially humid
- It is a kitchen room and the oven or the range is being used regularly with the AC on.
- The room is on an upper floor
- The room is attached to an attic or a closed garage (those places are very hot during summer)
As an example, when the room in which you intend to install the window air conditioner is facing south (+1000) and is the second floor (+1000), you will have to consider a 14000 BTU air conditioner.
This is the ideal size AC in case, say, the room is 450-550 square feet, north facing and first floor.
Or, in case you have a room 350-450 with any of the above conditions, then this unit may be a better alternative to an 8K or 10K window air conditioner.
Wrong Size?
In case you require a larger window air conditioner, we have got you covered.
We have also looked at 5000/6000 BTU, 8000BTU, 10000 BTU and 15000 BTU and we have also provided the best of the best in case you need a smaller room in your house.
115 volt vs 230 volt ACs
Your decision has advantages and disadvantages. Or one can say that both have their pros.
115V Advantages:
- Slightly lower cost for the unit
- You most likely already have a 115V outlet to use, so you will not need to pay the 150-400 dollars to have one installed.
230V Advantages:
- Increased durability due to the fact that the cooling load is distributed to two wires/circuits. This implies that the motor/compressor will operate at a lower temperature hence will probably have a longer life.
- It does not cost more to operate the unit because your power company does not charge by volts but by watts.
