HVACRated.com

Best U-shaped window air conditioners

A U-shaped unit straddles the window: the sash closes down into a slot in the middle, with the compressor outside and the fan inside. The window seals better, more light gets in, and the noisy part stays outside the glass.

Top picks

All 55, ranked

Every ENERGY STAR certified window unit that straddles the window, ranked by CEER.

Filter by size, brand or features

55 models, ranked by CEER (efficiency). Yearly cost at 750 hours and the U.S. average electricity price.

#Features
1Gradient CCHP119,30016.8$7525.3"U-shaped, Heat
2GREE GJH09BW-A6DRNL1B9,30016.1$7826"U-shaped, Heat
3Whirlpool WHAW151INV15,00016.0$12725.4"U-shaped
4Midea 1010451315also sold as 5 other model numbers8,00016.0$6819.2"U-shaped
5Midea MAW12U1KWTalso sold as 2 other model numbers12,00016.0$10119.2"U-shaped
6Whirlpool WHAW081CXalso sold as 5 other model numbers8,00016.0$6818.6"U-shaped
7Whirlpool WHAW081INV8,00016.0$6824.2"U-shaped
8Whirlpool WHAW121CWXalso sold as 5 other model numbers12,00016.0$10119.8"U-shaped
9Whirlpool WHAW121INV12,00016.0$10124.2"U-shaped
10Whirlpool WHAW182INValso sold as 1 other model number18,00016.0$15225.4"U-shaped, 230 V
11Hisense AWUS1227TWalso sold as 1 other model number11,50016.0$9720.3"U-shaped
12Whirlpool WHAW151CXalso sold as 4 other model numbers14,00016.0$11819.8"U-shaped
13GREE GJC08BU-A6DRNJ2A8,30016.0$7021"U-shaped
14Midea 1010451479also sold as 8 other model numbers10,00016.0$8519.2"U-shaped
15TCL T10WV3Salso sold as 4 other model numbers10,00016.0$8519.8"U-shaped
16Whirlpool WHAW101CX10,00016.0$8518.6"U-shaped
17Whirlpool WHAW101INV10,00016.0$8524.2"U-shaped
18HOUSE KOBO KOBOGJC08BU8,10015.5$7121"U-shaped
19Midea 1010451379also sold as 4 other model numbers12,00015.2$10719.2"U-shaped
20TCL H12W4KWHalso sold as 2 other model numbers12,00015.2$10730"U-shaped
21GREE GJH09BW-A6DRNL1Aalso sold as 1 other model number9,30015.1$8326"U-shaped, Heat
22Midea MAW06U1QWT6,00015.1$5419.2"U-shaped
23Midea MAW08U1KWTalso sold as 3 other model numbers7,80015.1$7019.2"U-shaped
24Hisense AALW08TW26also sold as 1 other model number8,00015.0$7220.3"U-shaped
25Hisense AWUS1026TW10,00015.0$9020.3"U-shaped
26Hisense LWCT12W25Aalso sold as 4 other model numbers12,00015.0$10820.3"U-shaped
27LG LW1222IVSM12,00015.0$10823.6"U-shaped
28Midea MAW08V1QWTalso sold as 13 other model numbers8,00015.0$7219.2"U-shaped
29Midea MAW10V1QWTalso sold as 9 other model numbers10,00015.0$9019.2"U-shaped
30Midea MAW12V1QWTalso sold as 12 other model numbers12,00015.0$10819.2"U-shaped
31TCL T08WQ2S8,00015.0$7220.7"U-shaped
32TCL T10WQ2S10,00015.0$9020.7"U-shaped
33TCL T12WQ2S12,00015.0$10820.7"U-shaped
34Whirlpool WHAW-081INalso sold as 5 other model numbers8,00015.0$7224.2"U-shaped
35Whirlpool WHAW-101INalso sold as 6 other model numbers10,00015.0$9024.2"U-shaped
36Whirlpool WHAW-121INalso sold as 6 other model numbers12,00015.0$10824.2"U-shaped
37GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2Aalso sold as 1 other model number11,50014.7$10621"U-shaped
38GREE GJC10BU-A6DRNJ2Aalso sold as 1 other model number10,00014.7$9221"U-shaped
39Midea MWAUQB-08HRFN8-BCL0also sold as 1 other model number8,00014.5$7519.4"U-shaped, Heat
40Friedrich CCV18A30Aalso sold as 3 other model numbers18,00014.4$16926"U-shaped, 230 V
41TCL T18WQ2S18,00014.4$16925.4"U-shaped, 230 V
42Whirlpool WHAW-181IN18,00014.4$16930"U-shaped, 230 V
43Friedrich CCV15A10Aalso sold as 2 other model numbers15,00014.4$14126"U-shaped
44TCL T15WQ2S15,00014.4$14125.4"U-shaped
45Whirlpool WHAW-151IN15,00014.4$14130"U-shaped
46Whirlpool WHAW242INValso sold as 1 other model number24,00013.8$23525.4"U-shaped, 230 V
47TCL W5WC72also sold as 7 other model numbers5,00013.7$4916"U-shaped
48TCL H6W4KWalso sold as 3 other model numbers6,00013.7$5920.7"U-shaped
49TCL W6WC72also sold as 3 other model numbers6,00013.7$5918.6"U-shaped
50Whirlpool WHAW061CX6,00013.7$5916"U-shaped
51Midea MAW12HV1CWTalso sold as 4 other model numbers12,00013.3$12219.4"U-shaped, Heat
52Whirlpool WHAW050EX5,00013.1$5216"U-shaped
53Friedrich CCV24A30Aalso sold as 2 other model numbers24,00012.7$25626"U-shaped, 230 V
54TCL T24WQ2S24,00012.7$25625.4"U-shaped, 230 V
55Whirlpool WHAW-241IN24,00012.7$25630"U-shaped, 230 V

Before you buy

Tips2
  • Check the window: U-shaped units fit single- and double-hung windows that slide up, not sliders or casements.
  • Makers list a minimum and maximum window opening height and a sill depth; measure before ordering.
Questions3
What is the best u-shaped window air conditioners?
On certified efficiency, the Gradient CCHP11: 9,300 BTU at a CEER of 16.8, about $75 a year at typical U.S. use. If small matters more, the Midea 1010451315 is the pick. Every ENERGY STAR certified window unit that straddles the window, ranked by CEER.
How much does it cost to run?
A typical unit on this list (8,000 BTU, 15.0 CEER) draws about 533 watts and costs about $72 a year at 750 hours and the U.S. average electricity price. The calculator works it out for your state.
What is the quietest window air conditioner?
ENERGY STAR does not test noise, so no certified list can name the quietest unit. What helps: a U-shaped or saddle design puts the compressor outside the glass, and a variable-speed compressor avoids loud on and off cycles. All 55 units in this list have both. Compare the decibel rating on the maker's spec sheet, measured at the lowest fan speed.

More window air conditioner guides