On this page
- Compare at a glance
- The picks
- How we picked
- Cooling capacity and room size
- Noise levels and where it matters
- Controls and smart features
- Voltage and installation
- Weight and window support
- Maintenance and filters
- Questions people ask
Every ranking comes from maker-published specifications and ENERGY STAR sizing guidance. We chose on cooling capacity, square footage rating, noise figures, weight, voltage, and control features the listings state. See our full window air conditioner reviews for options across all sizes.
Compare at a glance
| Model | Type | Rated cooling | Room size | Rated noise | ENERGY STAR | Buy |
|---|
| LG LW2521ERSM | Window | 24,500 BTU | Up to 1,560 sq ft | Not listed | Not listed | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
| Hisense 24,000 BTU Window | Window | 24,000 BTU | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
| LG Dual Inverter 23,500 BTU | Window | 23,500 BTU | Up to 1,440 sq ft | Not listed | Not listed | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
| Keystone Air Conditioner Heat | Window | 23,200 BTU | Up to 1,500 sq ft | Not listed | Not listed | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
| LG LW2423HRSM | Window | 23,000 BTU | Up to 1,440 sq ft | Not listed | Not listed | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
| Keystone Window Air Conditioner | Window | 18,000 BTU | Up to 1,000 sq ft | Not listed | Not listed | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
| Midea MAW18S2VWT-A | Window | 18,000 BTU | Up to 1,000 sq ft | Not listed | Not listed | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
| LG Dual Inverter ThinQ 14,000 BTU Window | Window | 14,000 BTU | Up to 800 sq ft | Not listed | Yes | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
| Midea MAW14S1VWT-A | Window | 14,000 BTU | Up to 700 sq ft | Not listed | Not listed | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
| LG LW1522FVSM 14,000 BTU | Window | 14,000 BTU | Up to 700 sq ft | Not listed | Not listed | Check price on Amazon |
|---|
Specs are the figures each maker lists. "Not listed" means we have no published figure yet.
The picks
No. 1Most cooling capacity
LG LW2521ERSM
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 24,500 BTU
- Room size
- Up to 1,560 sq ft
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Not listed
With 24,500 BTU and a 1,560 sq ft rating, LG 24,500 BTU lists the largest capacity in our comparison. It also states app, remote, touch, and voice control plus silent mode, and it lists a 61 db noise figure and requires 230 volts.
Why it made the list
- 24,500 BTU capacity
- 1,560 sq ft room rating
- App, remote, touch, and voice control listed
- Wi-Fi and silent mode stated
Trade-offs
- 61 db noise figure
- Weighs 132 pounds
- Requires 230 volts
Good fit if
- Very large open spaces
- Rooms up to 1,560 sq ft
Skip if
- You prefer 115 volt operation
- You want a lighter unit
Bottom line: It offers the highest stated cooling capacity and room rating among our picks.
Check price on AmazonNo. 2Large capacity with app control
Hisense 24,000 BTU Window
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 24,000 BTU
- Room size
- Not listed
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Not listed
At 24,000 BTU, Hisense 24,000 BTU Window ranks just below LG 24,500 BTU and ahead of the 23,500 BTU pick on stated cooling capacity. The maker lists app, remote, touch, and voice control, but no noise or weight figure is published.
Why it made the list
- 24,000 BTU capacity
- App, remote, touch, and voice control listed
- 240 volts stated
Trade-offs
- No room size rating listed
- No noise figure listed
- No weight listed
Good fit if
- Large rooms with smart controls
- Homes with 240 volts available
Skip if
- You need published noise figures
- You want a listed room size
Bottom line: This is a strong capacity pick when smart control matters more than published noise data.
Check price on AmazonNo. 3High capacity with inverter compressor
LG Dual Inverter 23,500 BTU
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 23,500 BTU
- Room size
- Up to 1,440 sq ft
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Not listed
This 23,500 BTU LG slots below Hisense 24,000 BTU Window on capacity but adds a published 1,440 sq ft room rating, a 44 db noise figure, and an inverter compressor. It beats Keystone 23,200 BTU below with higher BTU and quieter published operation.
Why it made the list
- 23,500 BTU capacity
- 1,440 sq ft room rating
- 44 db noise figure
- Inverter compressor listed
Trade-offs
- Requires 230 volts
- No wattage or weight listed
Good fit if
- Large rooms up to 1,440 sq ft
- Homes with 230 volts available
Skip if
- You need a published weight
- You prefer a lower capacity with more documented specs
Bottom line: It pairs high cooling capacity with a listed inverter and modest noise figure.
Check price on AmazonNo. 4Large room heating and cooling
Keystone Air Conditioner Heat
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 23,200 BTU
- Room size
- Up to 1,500 sq ft
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Not listed
Keystone 23,200 BTU offers the second-largest maker room rating in this group at 1,500 sq ft and adds a heating function. It sits below LG Dual Inverter 23,500 BTU on capacity and lists a higher noise figure, 56.3 db versus 44 db, and it shares a heating function with LG 23,000 BTU below.
Why it made the list
- 23,200 BTU capacity
- 1,500 sq ft room rating
- Heating and cooling function
- 4-way swing and dehumidifier listed
Trade-offs
- 56.3 db noise figure
- Weighs 121 pounds
- Requires 230 volts
Good fit if
- Year-round use
- Very large rooms up to 1,500 sq ft
Skip if
- You want lower listed noise
- You only need cooling
Bottom line: A solid choice for very large spaces where added heating is useful.
Check price on AmazonNo. 5Wi-Fi enabled high capacity
LG LW2423HRSM
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 23,000 BTU
- Room size
- Up to 1,440 sq ft
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Not listed
This 23,000 BTU LG ranks just below Keystone 23,200 BTU on capacity but adds app, remote, touch, and voice control and Wi-Fi, and it also lists a heating function. It tops Keystone 18,000 BTU below on capacity, though its 62 db noise figure is the highest among the picks.
Why it made the list
- 23,000 BTU capacity
- 1,400 sq ft room rating
- Wi-Fi and voice control listed
- Heating and cooling function
Trade-offs
- 62 db noise figure
- Weighs 141 pounds
- Requires 230 volts
Good fit if
- Smart-home large rooms
- Rooms around 1,400 sq ft
Skip if
- Noise is a top concern
- You want a lighter unit
Bottom line: It brings big-room cooling and smart controls, but with a higher listed noise.
Check price on AmazonNo. 618,000 BTU with remote and touch
Keystone Window Air Conditioner
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 18,000 BTU
- Room size
- Up to 1,000 sq ft
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Not listed
This 18,000 BTU Keystone sits below the 23,000 BTU picks and ties Midea 18,000 BTU on capacity and on its 1,000 sq ft room rating. It lists remote and touch controls, 54 db noise, and a 114.4 pound weight, which Midea does not state, and it requires 230 volts.
Why it made the list
- 18,000 BTU capacity
- 1,000 sq ft room rating
- 54 db noise figure
- Remote and touch control
Trade-offs
- Requires 230 volts
- Weighs 114.4 pounds
- No smart app control listed
Good fit if
- Large rooms around 1,000 sq ft
- Simple remote-based control
Skip if
- You want app control
- You need more than 18,000 BTU
Bottom line: A straightforward large-room window unit with a reasonable noise figure.
Check price on AmazonNo. 718,000 BTU with eco mode
Midea MAW18S2VWT-A
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 18,000 BTU
- Room size
- Up to 1,000 sq ft
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Not listed
Midea 18,000 BTU matches Keystone 18,000 BTU on capacity and room rating, but lists app, remote, and voice control plus a lower 48 db noise figure. The maker does not state a weight, and like Keystone 18,000 BTU it requires 230 volts.
Why it made the list
- 18,000 BTU capacity
- 1,000 sq ft room rating
- 48 db noise figure
- App, remote, and voice control
Trade-offs
- No published weight
- Requires 230 volts
Good fit if
- Smart control for 1,000 sq ft
- Lower noise among 18,000 BTU options
Skip if
- You need a published weight
- You prefer 115 volts
Bottom line: A quieter smart choice in the 18,000 BTU tier.
Check price on AmazonNo. 8Best 14,000 BTU room rating
LG Dual Inverter ThinQ 14,000 BTU Window
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 14,000 BTU
- Room size
- Up to 800 sq ft
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Yes
LG Dual Inverter ThinQ 14,000 BTU Window leads the 14,000 BTU group with an 800 sq ft maker room rating and ENERGY STAR certification. It lists a 44 db noise figure, inverter compressor, and Wi-Fi controls, edging Midea 14,000 BTU below on stated room coverage.
Why it made the list
- 14,000 BTU capacity
- 800 sq ft room rating
- 44 db noise figure
- Wi-Fi and voice control
Trade-offs
- Weighs 85.1 pounds
- 14,000 BTU may be too small for very large rooms
Good fit if
- Rooms up to 800 sq ft
- Users wanting app and voice control
Skip if
- Spaces over 800 sq ft
- You need a heating function
Bottom line: The strongest 14,000 BTU option on listed room coverage and smart features.
Check price on AmazonNo. 9Quietest 14,000 BTU pick
Midea MAW14S1VWT-A
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 14,000 BTU
- Room size
- Up to 700 sq ft
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Not listed
Midea 14,000 BTU lists a 700 sq ft room rating and the lowest noise figure in the 14,000 BTU group at 41 db. The listing does not state ENERGY STAR certification, but it adds app, remote, and voice control, placing it above LG LW1522FVSM 14,000 BTU below on lower noise and lighter weight.
Why it made the list
- 14,000 BTU capacity
- 700 sq ft room rating
- 41 db noise figure
- App, remote, and voice control
Trade-offs
- No ENERGY STAR label stated
- Lower room rating than the top 14,000 BTU pick
Good fit if
- Noise-conscious rooms up to 700 sq ft
- Users who want voice control
Skip if
- You need ENERGY STAR certification
- You have a room larger than 700 sq ft
Bottom line: The quietest published 14,000 BTU model in our comparison.
Check price on AmazonNo. 10Smart 14,000 BTU with inverter
LG LW1522FVSM 14,000 BTU
- Type
- Window
- Rated cooling
- 14,000 BTU
- Room size
- Up to 700 sq ft
- Rated noise
- Not listed
- ENERGY STAR
- Not listed
This LG LW1522FVSM 14,000 BTU pairs a 700 sq ft room rating with a listed inverter compressor, app, remote, and voice control, and Wi-Fi. It comes below Midea 14,000 BTU above on noise, 53 db versus 41 db, and on weight, 85 pounds versus 63.5 pounds.
Why it made the list
- 14,000 BTU capacity
- 700 sq ft room rating
- Inverter compressor listed
- App, remote, voice, and Wi-Fi
Trade-offs
- 53 db noise figure
- Weighs 85 pounds
- No ENERGY STAR stated
Good fit if
- Smart rooms around 700 sq ft
- Users who want inverter technology
Skip if
- Noise is your top priority
- You need a lighter unit
Bottom line: A feature-rich 14,000 BTU option for smart-home users.
Check price on AmazonHow we picked
We compared window air conditioners with a stated cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU or more, following the guide rule for large rooms. Ranking uses maker-published specifications only: BTU, square footage rating, noise level, weight, voltage, and control features. No unit was handled, measured, or installed.
When two models list the same BTU, the larger maker room rating ranks higher; between equal ratings, the order weighs how many specifications the maker publishes and the stated noise figure. The picks draw only on maker-published specifications, with ENERGY STAR sizing guidance used as a reference. See our BTU and SACC guide for capacity terms.
Cooling capacity and room size
For a large room, measure the floor area first. The ENERGY STAR chart lists 14,000 BTU for 550 up to 700 sq ft, 18,000 BTU for 700 up to 1,000 sq ft, 21,000 BTU for 1,000 up to 1,200 sq ft, 23,000 BTU for 1,200 up to 1,400 sq ft and 24,000 BTU for 1,400 up to 1,500 sq ft, then takes off 10 percent for a heavily shaded room, adds 10 percent for a very sunny room, adds 600 BTU for each regular occupant beyond two and adds 4,000 BTU for a kitchen. Several makers here rate their units for more area than that chart: LG rates its 14,000 BTU ThinQ for 800 sq ft and its 24,500 BTU unit for 1,560 sq ft, so compare both figures before you choose. Our room size guide walks through the math.
Oversizing can leave a room damp because the unit cools too quickly to remove humidity, so match the space rather than always choosing the highest BTU.
Noise levels and where it matters
Among these picks, listed noise figures run from 41 db to 62 db. Lower figures are better for living rooms, offices, or bedrooms, while LG 24,500 BTU and LG 23,000 BTU list 61 db and 62 db. The 41 db figure of Midea 14,000 BTU is the quietest among our picks.
ENERGY STAR notes that U-shaped and saddle-style window units place the noise-producing compressor outside the room; none of these picks is listed with that design.
Controls and smart features
Every pick lists a remote, and many add app, voice, or touch control. Models with app control, like LG 24,500 BTU and Hisense 24,000 BTU Window, can be adjusted from a phone, and ENERGY STAR notes that connected models can schedule temperature changes. Keystone 23,200 BTU and Keystone 18,000 BTU list remote and touch control only.
Smart features add convenience, while inverter compressors, listed on models like LG Dual Inverter 23,500 BTU and LG Dual Inverter ThinQ 14,000 BTU Window, can modulate output for steadier cooling.
Voltage and installation
The 14,000 BTU picks list 115 volts, while every pick of 18,000 BTU or more lists 230 or 240 volts (Hisense 24,000 BTU Window lists 240 volts), so check the listed voltage before you choose.
The owner's manual gives specific electrical and installation requirements.
Weight and window support
Listed weights among these picks run from 63.5 pounds (Midea 14,000 BTU) to 141 pounds (LG 23,000 BTU). LG's LW1022FVSM owner's manual lists a support bracket among its installation parts; see our support bracket guide and follow the installation instructions for your model.
Hisense 24,000 BTU Window, Midea 18,000 BTU and LG Dual Inverter 23,500 BTU do not state a weight, so check the maker's specifications for those models.
Maintenance and filters
Several picks list a filter light reminder, including LG 24,500 BTU, LG Dual Inverter 23,500 BTU and Keystone 23,200 BTU. LG's owner's manuals say to check the air filter at least twice a month and wash it in lukewarm water below 104°F; Frigidaire says to wash its reusable filter in warm, soapy water and let it dry completely.
Winter storage guidance from Frigidaire suggests removing the unit, covering it, and storing it in a dry place in its normal bottom-down operating position; see taking down and storing a window AC. LG's manuals say to clean the filter every two weeks, and Midea's MAW06R1WWT manual says to check it at least once a month.
Related: Best Portable Air Conditioners: Portable AC Reviews · Best Window Air Conditioners: Window AC Reviews by Spec · Best Window Air Conditioner for Bedroom: Quiet AC Reviews · Best Air Conditioner for Small Room: Small Room AC Reviews
Questions people ask
What BTU is needed for a large room?
The ENERGY STAR chart lists 18,000 BTU for 700 up to 1,000 sq ft, 21,000 BTU for 1,000 up to 1,200 sq ft, 23,000 BTU for 1,200 up to 1,400 sq ft and 24,000 BTU for 1,400 up to 1,500 sq ft, with adjustments for sun, shade and extra occupants. Compare that with the maker's square footage rating, which for several picks is higher than the chart.
Do large window air conditioners need 230 volts?
Among these picks, the 14,000 BTU models list 115 volts, and every model of 18,000 BTU or more lists 230 or 240 volts. The owner's manual gives the electrical requirements.
How loud are large window air conditioners?
Published noise figures range from 41 db for Midea 14,000 BTU to 62 db for LG 23,000 BTU. Lower figures mean quieter operation.
Can a window air conditioner heat a large room?
Some models add a heating function, like Keystone 23,200 BTU and LG 23,000 BTU. These can work for year-round use, but check the maker's heating capacity and voltage requirements.
Is an inverter window air conditioner worth choosing?
Inverter compressors, listed on LG Dual Inverter 23,500 BTU and LG LW1522FVSM 14,000 BTU, vary output instead of cycling on and off. This can mean steadier temperature and potentially quieter operation.
Last updated November 6, 2026
