Getting a window air conditioner in and out of the window can be a heavy hassle! Here’s help in finding the lightest window air conditioners available today.
Yep – we name names, that is, brands and models that are the lightest windows ACs at 5,000 BTU up to 24,000 BTUs.
Average Weight of Window Air Conditioners
This window AC weight table will help you decide whether these units make sense given your lifting capabilities.
Average Weight For Window Air Conditioner By Size (Btu)
| Size | lightest weight | Average weight |
|---|---|---|
| 5000 BTU | 36 lbs. | 42 lbs. |
| 6000 BTU | 39 lbs. | 45 lbs. |
| 8000 BTU | 45 lbs. | 51 lbs. |
| 10000 BTU | 51 lbs. | 58 lbs. |
| 12000 BTU | 56 lbs. | 67 lbs. |
| 14500-15000 BTU | 70 lbs. | 110 lbs. |
| 18000 BTU | 107 lbs. | 114 lbs. |
| 24000 BTU | 122 lbs. | 128 lbs. |
The Lightest Window Air Conditioners
As you might expect, the lightest a/c units will also be those with the smallest capacity, so we’ll list them in order for you. Plus, we’ve grouped them into three general categories for convenience.
The Lightest 5,000 to 8,000 BTU Window ACs
These are the absolute lightest window air conditioners made today.
Models are listed in three weight classes, 5,000 / 6,000 and 8,000 BTU window air conditioners.
Lightest 5,000 BTU Models for Rooms up to 150 Square Feet
#1 Midea MAW05M1WWT
- Height: 13.27″
- Width: 15.98″
- Weight: 35.27 lbs
A cinder block, 5 gallons of gas and a bag of dog food weigh about 36 pounds.
Features of this lightweight Midea window AC: Mechanical controls with 2 fan speeds and 2 cooling modes. Side slide out washable filter. The lightest of the lightweight window air conditioners.
#2 GE AHEC05AC
- Height: 12.56”
- Width: 15”
- Weight: 36lbs
Features of the lightest GE window air conditioner: Simple mechanical controls with two cooling settings and fan speeds. Compact AC is perfect for any small area in the home. 10 temperature settings.
#3 Haier QHEC05AC
- Height: 12 9/16”
- Width: 16 7/16”
- Weight: 36lbs
Features of lightest Haier window AC: Mechanical controls. Two cooling settings and fan speeds. 10 temperature settings. Easy to remove washable air filter.
Lightest 6,000 BTU Models for Rooms up to 250 Square Feet
There are three models in this light window AC class too.
#1 Haier QHEE06AC
- Height: 12 9/16”
- Width: 16 7/16”
- Weight: 39lbs
A lot of kids 3 or 4 years old and a bag of sand weigh around 39 pounds.
Features of the lightest 6000 BTU window air conditioner: 3 Fan speeds and 2 way louver. Control with simple digital controls or remote. EZ Mount installation kit included.
#2 GE AHEE06AC
- Height: 13.375″
- Width: 21.875”
- Weight: 39lbs
Features of the lightest 6000 GE window AC: Electronic Control with Energy Saver mode. On/Off Timer. Remote Control and window installation kit included.
#3 Midea MAW06R1WWT
- Height: 13.39”
- Width: 18.54″
- Weight: 49.3lbs
Features of the lightest 6000 Midea AC: ComfortSense Remote maintains the room temperature based on location of the remote. 3 Cooling modes and 3 fan speeds plus Sleep mode.
Shopping Tip – Midea: Autocorrect really likes to change Midea to Media. So, as you shop for Midea window air conditioners, you’ll often see them listed as Media window air conditioners. Media is usually equated with hot air, not AC : ) It’s Midea you want for air conditioning.
Lightest 8,000 BTU Models for Rooms up to 350 Square Feet
These units weigh around 45 pounds – about the weight of a large SUV or pickup truck tire.
#1 Frigidaire FHWW082WCE
- Height: 13 7/32”
- Width: 18 ½”
- Weight: 45lbs
Features of the lightest Frigidaire window air conditioner: Multi-directional air flow and 3 fan speeds for optimum circulation and cooling. Remote control included. WiFi ready.
#2 Midea MAW08S1WWT
- Height: 13.39”
- Width: 18.50”
- Weight: 45.86lbs
Features of the lightest Midea 8000 BTU AC: 3 Modes and 3 fan speeds. ComfortSense Remote. Clean Filter reminder light. WiFi enabled and Energy Star rated.
The Lightest 10,000 to 15,000 BTU Window ACs
There are three light units in this class.
Lightest 10,000 BTU Models for Rooms up to 450 Square Feet
A bag of black oil sunflower bird seed weighs 50 pounds, about the same as these light Hisense window air conditioners.
#1 Hisense AW1022CW1W
- Height: 12.99”
- Width: 18.50”
- Weight: 50.7lbs
Features this light Hisense window AC: Quiet, clean cooling with easy to remove washable filter. User-friendly remote. Energy Star certified.
#2 Hisense AW1022TW1W
- Height: 14.57”
- Width: 18.90”
- Weight: 51.8lbs
Features: 3 Modes and 3 Speeds with 4 way horizontal and vertical auto swing louvers. Simple electronic controls and remote. WiFi enabled.
Lightest 12,000 BTU Models for Rooms up to 550 Square Feet
These units are a little beefier, but still not too heavy for most adults to lift into and out of the window.
#1 Frigidaire GHWQ123WC1
- Height: 13.9”
- Width: 19.9”
- Weight: 56lbs
Features of the lightest 12000 BTU Frigidaire window AC: Auto swing louver and three different fan speeds. Winner of the ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient award. Quiet operation.
#2 Midea: U-shape MAW12V1QWT
- Height: 13.26”
- Width: 21.9”
- Weight: 58.8lbs
Features of the Midea U-shaped AC: Unique U-shape allows the window to close more fully keeping more noise outside. Energy Star rated. Support bracket included.
Lightest 14,500 – 15,000 BTU Models for Rooms up to 700 Square Feet
These units get a little heavy, even though the BTU rating isn’t a lot higher.
Why so heavy? At this BTU rating, everything has to get bigger – the compressor, refrigerant coil and, of course, the cabinet to house it all.
#1 Midea MAW15S1WWT
- Height: 18.50”
- Width: 23”
- Weight: 70lbs
Features of the lightest 15000 Midea AC: Cooling, dehumidifying and fan modes. ComfortSense Remote. WiFi capable.
#2 LG LW1516ER
- Height: 17.68”
- Width: 25.98”
- Weight: 112lbs
Features of this light LG window air conditioner: 3 Speed cooling fan and Energy Saver function. Remote included. Filter Check reminder LED lights up to notify you that the filter needs to be cleaned.
Lightest 18,000 to 24,000 BTU Window ACs
These are quite heavy, and you’ll probably like to have help getting them into place and taking them out of the window.
Lightest 18,000 BTU Models for Rooms up to 1,000 Square Feet
Hisense AW1822CW3W
- Height: 17.91”
- Width: 23.62”
- Weight: 107 lbs.
Features of the lightest 18000 BTU window AC: This unit provides three modes of comfort – cooling, fan, or dehumidifier. Its energy- efficient design meets ENERGY STAR® requirements.
Lightest 24,000 BTU Models for Rooms up to 1,400 Square Feet
Friedrich CEW24B33A
- Height: 18.63”
- Width: 26.63”
- Weight: 116 lbs.
Features: Wi-Fi Enabled so it can be connected to your smartphone, tablet, or home automation device for simplified control. This unit is capable of cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and more.
The Lightest Window Air Conditioners – Summary List
Here is a quick look at the light window ACs discussed above. An important question about a bracket for window AC installation follows.
Lightest Weight Window Air Conditioner By Brand and Models
5000 btu
- GE AHEC05AC: 36 lbs
- Haier QHEC05AC: 36 lbs
- Midea MAW05M1WWT: 36 lbs
6000 btu
- GE AHEE06AC: 39 lbs
- Haier QHEE06AC: 39 lbs
- Midea MAW06R1WWT: 39 lbs
8000 btu
- Frigidaire FHWW082WCE: 45 lbs.
- Midea MAW08S1WWT: 45.86 lbs.
Please note the average weight for 8000 btu casement window ac is 80 lbs.
10000 btu
- Hisense AW1022CW1W: 51 lbs.
- Hisense AW1022TW1W 51.8 lbs.
Please note the average weight for 10000 btu casement window ac is 82 lbs.
12000 btu
- Frigidaire GHWQ123WC1: 56 lbs.
- Midea U-shape MAW12V1QWT: 58.86 lbs
14500-15000 btu
- Midea MAW15S1WWT 14500 btu: 102.3 lbs
- LG LW1516ER: 112 lbs.
18000 btu
- Hisense AW1822CW3W: 107 lbs.
24000 btu
- Haier QHM24DX: 122 lbs.
Do I Need a Bracket for Window AC Installation?
It never hurts, especially on upper floors. For a smaller unit on the first floor, no, you probably do not need a bracket.
Generally speaking, window air conditioners are designed to be installed with the majority of their weight outside the window. There is often a “lip” on top of the unit that should be inside the bottom edge of the window once the a/c is installed.
But this is not really sufficient, and if the window is opened, the unit may tip, and actually fall out the window opening.
Here are two different brackets that are easily installed at the time the a/c is installed in your window.
For smaller window air conditioners – 5,000 to 12,000 BTU
Forestchill Universal AC Window Air Conditioner Support Bracket, Light Duty Up to 88 lbs
For larger window air conditioners – 12,000 to 24,000 BTU
Qualward Air Conditioner Bracket Window AC Support Brackets – Heavy Duty with 2 Arms, Up to 180 lbs
