This page discusses specific small window ACs that are perfect for a small room – and they will fit in a small window opening.
We’ve listed and reviewed the best units in the “smallest window ACs” category.
Minimum Width and Minimum Height
The smallest window ACs for small room or small window opening require a:
Minimum width for the window of 23” with the side panel “wings.” But, if you remove the panels, the minimum width for the window can be as little as 16” or 17.”
Easy Installation Tip: Side panels slide right off or are held on by a couple of screws – easy to remove.
Minimum height for the window is between 13” and 14” depending on the model.
Those are 5,000 btu air conditioner dimensions – approximately 16” wide without side panels, 13”-14” deep (from front to back), and a little over 12” to about 14” high.
6,000 BTU, 8,000 and larger units are bigger, of course. And the smallest units up to 12,000 BTUs are listed below.
For your convenience, there’s an opportunity for you to browse them today and purchase one if you’d like to.
Smallest Window ACs For Small Room
Small window air conditioner dimensions start with a minimum width of about 16” without panels and 23” with the panels on.
Minimum height is 13” or 14”.
Here are 4 models with small window air conditioner dimensions for you to consider. They are all highly rated. Larger options from 8000 to 12000 BTU are listed in the next section including the very unique and efficient Midea U window AC in various sizes.
These 5000 and 6000 BTU window ACs are listed by their top feature – Quiet, Cheap, Energy Efficient, etc. Each is a new small window air conditioner – no used ACs or refurbished models.
GE 5000 BTU Mechanical Window AC
Cheap Small Window Air Conditioner – Mechanical Control
This high-quality but cheap small window air conditioner has mechanical controls – dials instead of digital displays. But it costs less and is very reliable. The downside is that temperature control isn’t quite as good as with a digital model. This 5,000 btu air conditioner dimensions allow it to fit into pretty small windows.
- Size & coverage: 5000 BTU for up to 150 square feet.
- Minimum width window: 18 3/4” if the side panels are removed. 23” with side panels on.
- Minimum height window: 13 1/2”
- Features: Mechanical controls – One knob controls cooling from 1 to 10. The other control has 4 options. Low fan, High fan, Low AC, High AC. Slide-out filter.
- Volts: 115 – It works in any standard plug.
- Weight: 36 pounds
- Maximum Sound: 56 dB
- Best Use: Any enclosed space up to 150 square feet – commonly used in bedrooms, small offices and dens. It also makes a good air conditioner for small attic window spaces.
Keystone KSTAW05BE 5000 BTU Window Mounted AC
Cheap Small Window Air Conditioner – Digital Control
If you’d prefer a cheap window air conditioner with digital controls, the Keystone KSTAW05BE 5000 BTU Window AC is a great choice. It is super compact, a powerful unit with small window air conditioner dimensions.
- Size & coverage: 5000 BTU for up to 150 square feet.
- Minimum width window: 16” without side panels; 23” if they are left on.
- Minimum height window: 13”
- Features: It has an LCD Remote, 24H Timer and 4 modes: AC, Fan-only, Dry (Dehumidify) and Auto. It costs a little more than the one above but offers more convenience.
- Volts: 115 – It works in any standard plug.
- Weight: 40 pounds
- Maximum Sound: 49-55 dB indoors
- Best Use: Great for sleeping areas including baby nurseries. Also works well in home offices, small kitchens and other small, enclosed rooms.
Midea MAW06R1BWT 6000 BTU EasyCool Window AC
Small Quiet Window Air Conditioner for Bedroom
This is a compact and quiet small window AC for bedroom use – and it works well in an office or anywhere else where keeping sound down is essential. Depending on the window size, this 600 Midea window AC might also fit as an air conditioner for small basement window openings.
Midea is one of the largest manufacturers of air conditioners in the world. It produces equipment for many popular brands like Toshiba and Carrier.
- Size & coverage: 6000 BTU for up to 250 square feet.
- Minimum width window: 18 3/4” if the side panels are removed. 23” with side panels on.
- Minimum height window: 14”
- Features: LED display with digital controls for convenient operation. It has 3 modes: AC, Fan-only and Dehumidification mode which removes humidity without changing the temperature. The fan has 3 speeds. The included remote gives you full control from anywhere in the room. A 24-hour timer allows you to save energy cost and keep the room comfortable when you want it cool.
- Volts: 115 – It works in any standard plug.
- Weight: 50 pounds
- Maximum Sound: 52-55 dB
- Best Use: Medium bedrooms up to 250 square feet, offices, small living rooms, kitchen.
Frigidaire 5000 BTU Window Mounted AC
Small Most Efficient Window Air Conditioner
Frigidaire might be the overall best window AC brand. It’s certainly in the top 5 for quality and energy efficiency. This unit is a best-seller for all the right reasons.
This is an Energy Star certified window air conditioner. And it is lightweight, compact and easy to use. This is one of the quietest window air conditioners on the list.
- Size & coverage: 5000 BTU for up to 150 square feet.
- Minimum width window: 16” if the side panels are removed. 23” with side panels on.
- Minimum height window: 12 1/8”
- Features: Fully digital controls for convenience. 24-hour On/Off timer. Adjustable side panels can be removed for very small windows. Full-feature remote. The remote has a temperature sensor, and it communicates with the AC when the air near the remote needs to be further cooled. It has 2 fan speeds, and the louvers move side to side to evenly distribute air.
- Volts: 115 – Just needs a standard plug.
- Weight: 39 pounds
- Maximum Sound: 50 dB – It is super-quiet!
- Best Use: Small bedrooms – it’s quiet for sleeping, guest rooms, nurseries (again, it’s really quiet), dens, workspaces.
Shopping Notes: Before we move on to small window air conditioners in various sizes up to 12,000, here are a few final considerations for this section.
1). Some readers are looking for a small window air conditioner with heat.
There are no models in the 5000 or 6000 BTU range.
The best small window air conditioner with heat is 8000 BTU, but it is quite compact for that capacity. It is the:
LG Electronics 8000 BTU Heat and Cool Window AC LW8021HRSM
This LG 8000 BTU window air conditioner is 18 1/2″ wide and just under 14” high. It has WiFi and works with Alexa and Hey Google for voice control.
2). Are you looking for a small vertical window air conditioner for sliding or casement window?
They are available!
But the smallest are 8000 BTU. In this section, we are focusing on the smallest window ACs, and they are 5000 and 6000 BTU units.
We recommend the best casement window AC / sliding window AC model in the next section of this page.
3). We get questions about finding a small new window air conditioner.
Most of the time, they mean new vs. used or refurbished.
Sometimes they are asking about new technology. If that is what you’re interested in, then the Kapsul W Series window air conditioner is worth learning about – though it is close to three times as expensive as most window ACs.
It definitely has small window air conditioner dimensions at 20” wide and just 7” tall.
Smallest Air Conditioners For Small Window Opening
The very smallest air conditioners for small window opening are small ACs that can cool 100 to 250 square feet. But if you need more cooling power, you’ll probably require an AC with larger dimensions – 8,000 to 12,000 BTU window air conditioners are always larger than 5000 and 6000 BTU models.
Here are good options in larger capacities. But they are all considered small high BTU air conditioner units – you get a lot of cooling power for their size.
HomeLabs 8000 BTU Energy Star Window AC
Best Small 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
This compact 8000 BTU window air conditioner needs a window less than 19” wide and a vertical opening of less than 14”. It is a small but powerful air conditioner.
It’s an energy miser, digitally controlled and full of features.
- Size & coverage: 8000 BTU for up to 350 square feet.
- Minimum width window: 19” without side panels in place. They are included in the box, however.
- Minimum height window: 14 1/2 ”
- Features: Remote controls all features, digital LED display on the AC, 24-hour timer, energy saving mode, Sleep mode, slide-out washable filter, pretty quiet for an 8K BTU window air conditioner. It is a lightweight window AC too.
- Volts: 115 – Fits any standard plug.
- Weight: 48 pounds
- Maximum Sound: 55-59 dB
- Best Use: Large bedrooms, living rooms, dorm rooms, tiny houses, or a small air conditioner for garage use.
HomeLabs 10,000 BTU Energy Star Window AC
Best Small 10,000 BTU Air Conditioner
The 10,000 BTU version of this highly rated, top-quality window air conditioner is a little bigger, but it is still compact for its cooling capacity.
- Size & coverage: 10000 BTU for up to 450 square feet.
- Minimum width window: 26”.
- Minimum height window: 16”
- Features: LED digital display with full-feature remote, 24-hour timer, ECO energy saving mode, Sleep mode, slide-out washable filter, pretty quiet for an 8K BTU window air conditioner. It is a lightweight window AC too.
- Volts: 115 – Use with any standard outlet.
- Weight: 64 pounds
- Maximum Sound: 54-59 dB
- Best Use: Any enclosed space up to 450 square feet including bedroom suites, tiny houses, attic windows in converted attic space and garages. And this is a very nice small air conditioner for apartment use.
Frigidaire Window Mounted 12000 BTU AC
Best Small 12,000 BTU Air Conditioner
This is another popular, high-quality Frigidaire window air conditioner with a proven track record of over 10,000 positive ratings.
And it is Energy Star certified for cost savings.
- Size & coverage: 12,000 BTU for up to 550 square feet.
- Minimum width window: The AC is less than 20” without side panels. If you use the side panels, minimum window width is about 26”.
- Minimum height window: The unit is 14 1/2″ tall, but you should have a window of 16” to get the AC into place.
- Features: This is a digital, efficient AC with 24-hour programable timer, remote control, multiple fan speeds, AC/Fan-only/Dry/Auto modes and easily-washed filter.
- Volts: 115 – Power can be supplied by any standard plug.
- Weight: 68 pounds
- Maximum Sound: 56 dB
- Best Use: Large rooms, garages, bedroom suites, offices, kitchens, living rooms. It’s a small window air conditioner for apartment use when you want more capacity.
Frigidaire FFRS0822S1 8000 BTU Slider Casement Window AC
Best Small Vertical Window AC
This is a small vertical window air conditioner for sliding or casement window. It is just 14 1/4″ inches wide, so it’s a good fit for most small windows.
- Size & coverage: 8000 BTU for up to 350 square feet.
- Minimum width window: 15 1/2”. Keep in mind you will need to fill the space above the window with plastic, rigid foam or similar material to seal the window opening.
- Minimum height window: 21”
- Features: Electronic digital controls with full-function remote control for convenience. 3 fan speeds and multiple performance modes: AC, Fan-only, energy saver and sleep. 24-hour timer included.
- Volts: 115 – It works in any standard plug.
- Weight: 66 pounds
- Maximum Sound: Frigidaire does not provide sound level info for this product, but it’s in the typical range of 55-60 decibels.
- Best Use: Perfect for sliding, gliding, rolling, glider windows – they’re called many things – and casement windows. The size is right for large bedrooms, living rooms, offices, kitchens, etc.
Midea U Inverter Window AC
The Midea U is a unique U-shaped window air conditioner that we thought you’d like to know about. The sash of the window closes into the “U” shape of the unit, holding it securely in place.
It is compact, highly rated and efficient – everything we want in a quality, high-performance AC. And they are the quietest small window air conditioner in each size class with sound levels of 42.
- Sizes: It is available in 3 sizes, 8K, 10K and 12K BTU. You can choose the right size for your purposes with one click – view them all, and make your selection, if you’re interested.
- Efficiency: All sizes are Energy Star certified, and they use newer R32 refrigerant, which is currently the most eco friendly used.
- Ease of Use: They work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus, the Midea U units are WiFi enabled, and both iOS and Android apps are available. Controls are fully digital
Midea U 8000 BTU MAW08V1QWT Info and Specs: Min. width: 22”; Min. height: 13 3/4″. Weight: 56 pounds (the listing on Amazon is wrong – it says 68 pounds, and that might be the shipping weight, but not the AC weight).
Midea U 10000 BTU MAW10V1QWT Info and Specs: Min. width: 22”; Min. height: 13 3/4″. Weight: 57.
Midea U 12000 BTU MAW12V1QWT Info and Specs: Min. width: 22”; Min. height: 13 3/4″. Weight: 59.
Problem: You Have a Window Too Small for Air Conditioner to Fit
We have listed the smallest window ACs for small window openings. So, if you haven’t reviewed the list, hopefully you will find a fit on it. We list the minimum window width and minimum window height for each.
Still no luck? Your best alternative option is…
A portable room air conditioner. Units are available in the equivalent of 5,000 to 10,000 BTUs. Portable ACs cost more than most window air conditioners, but the advantage is that they are very easy to move from place to place. Here’s a highly rated Whynter portable air conditioner that delivers 9,500 BTU of cooling power.
This Serene Life model comes in several sizes including two with heat. The AC + Heat model is a #1 best-seller. Check them all out by choosing the link, and select the right size for your space.
FAQ
How Much Does A Small Compact Window Air Conditioner Weigh?
36 to 70 pounds. Most are pretty lightweight. The 5000 BTU units like this highly rated GE 5000 BTU window AC start in the mid-30s to low-40s pounds. Expect about 10 more pounds with every 2000 additional BTUs. The HomeLabs 8000 BTU Energy Star window AC is 48 pounds, for example. And the 10000 BTU version of the HomeLabs AC jumps to 64 pounds.
The Midea U u-shaped window air conditioners are all lightweight at 55 pounds to 59 pounds for units from 8,000 to 12,000 BTU.
How Many Amps Does A Small Window Air Conditioner Draw?
3.7 to 10.5 amps. The formula for amps is watts divided by voltage. We mention this because the info on small window air conditioners lists watts and volts more often than it lists amps.
Watts/Voltage=Amps.
Examples:
1). The Keystone KSTAW08BE 8000 BTU window AC uses 708 watts and runs on 115V. 708/115=6.2 amps, right in the middle of the range.
2). The Energy Star certified HomeLabs 10,000 BTU window AC uses 826 watts and is powered by 115V. 826/115=7.18 amps, which is very efficient and meets Energy Star requirements.
- 5000 BTU: 3.5 – 4.1 amps
- 6000 BTU: 4.4 – 5.2 amps
- 8000 BTU: 5.6 – 6.3 amps
- 10000 BTU: 7.1 – 8.1 amps
- 12000 BTU: 8.5 – 9.8 amps
How Much Electricity Does A Small Window Air Conditioner Use?
440 to 1100 watts based on size from 5000 to 12000 BTU and the voltage it runs on.
- 5000 BTU: 440 – 500 watts
- 6000 BTU: 525 – 600 watts
- 8000 BTU: 700 – 775 watts
- 10000 BTU: 875 – 950 watts
- 12000 BTU: 1050 – 1150 watts
