Best Smart Air Conditioners: Hot Tech for a Cool Summer

Smart home devices abound, from coffee makers and faucets to showers and tables. One of the latest and greatest smart home innovations is the smart air conditioner. This smart new technology is changing the way we control the temperature in our homes, and I think it’s safe to say that the future of AC is looking pretty cool.

The first time I realized the importance of air conditioning was the summer I moved out of my parents’ house. I was living in a college town, in a college rental, and that July’s temperatures were record-breaking. I didn’t have enough money to buy a window AC unit, and by the end of that summer, I vowed to never live without air conditioning again. Now that I’m older, I don’t have to go without AC (thank goodness!), and it is fascinating to see how cooling technology has evolved over the years.

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So, what exactly is a smart air conditioner?

A smart air conditioner is an AC unit that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone or other device. You can set the temperature, create a schedule, use a timer, and more. Some smart air conditioners can even automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule or the weather outside.

Pros of Smart Air Conditioners

Energy Savings = $ Savings

Air conditioners use about 6% of all the electricity produced in the United States, at an annual cost of about $29 billion. Using a smart AC unit can help to lower this number by conserving energy through features like scheduling and automatic temperature adjustment. Smart air conditioners can also be set to “eco-mode” which further conserves energy.

Increased Comfort

With a smart air conditioner, you can come home to a cool house without having to wait for the AC unit to kick on. You can also set the temperature to your exact preferences and make adjustments as needed.

Some smart air conditioners also have features like air purification and ionization, which can improve the quality of the air in your home.

Can be controlled with a smart speaker

The Amazon Echo and Google Home are two popular smart speakers that can be used to control a variety of smart devices in your home, including your air conditioner. With voice control, you can turn on/off your AC unit, set the temperature, and even ask for a weather update!

Can be controlled remotely

One of the best features of smart air conditioners is that you can control them remotely. Whether you’re at work or on vacation, you can adjust the temperature, set a schedule, or turn the unit off completely. This is not only convenient but can also help to save energy.

Can be set on a schedule

With a smart air conditioner, you can set a schedule. This is a great way to save energy because you’re not cooling an empty house. Smart AC units can also be set to “away mode.” This will further conserve energy and ensure that the unit is only running when necessary.

Can automatically adjust the temperature

Some smart air conditioners can automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule or the weather outside. This is a great way to save energy and make sure that your home is always comfortable.

Error Diagnosis & Preventive Maintenance

Smart air conditioners can detect errors and send alerts to your phone. This way, you can fix the problem before it becomes a bigger issue. Smart AC units can also track usage and provide preventive maintenance reminders.

Cons of Smart Air Conditioners

May be more expensive than traditional air conditioners

Smart air conditioners may be more expensive than traditional air conditioners. However, the increased comfort and energy savings can offset the cost over time. A smart AC unit can also last longer because of the ability to track usage and provide preventive maintenance reminders.

Require a compatible smart device

In order to use a smart air conditioner, you need a compatible smart device. This could be a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. If you don’t have a compatible device, you won’t be able to control the unit remotely.

Most require a Wi-Fi connection

In order to use most smart air conditioners, you need a Wi-Fi connection. This means that if your internet goes out, you won’t be able to adjust the temperature or set a schedule. Some remote areas may not have reliable Wi-Fi, which can be a problem for smart AC users.

Best Smart Air Conditioners

Now that you know a bit about the pros and cons that come with owning a smart air conditioner, let’s take a look at some of the best units available today.

Our #1 Recommendation for Best Overall Smart Air Conditioner

Midea Smart Window Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU)

The Midea Smart Window Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU) is gorgeous, aesthetically and technologically. With its sleek white design, it looks a bit like it should be named the “iMidea.” This is one AC unit that will look great in any room.

The Midea is a great choice for those who want an affordable, easy-to-use, and quiet smart air conditioner. With 12,000 BTUs of cooling power, it can easily cool a room up to 550 square feet. The Midea app allows you to control the unit from your smartphone. You can also use voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Technology makes this unit nine times quieter than traditional air conditioners, so you can sleep or work without interruption.

Midea achieves over 35% energy savings compared to traditional units, making it an environmentally-friendly choice. The unit comes with a quick-snap bracket for easy installation, and it’s backed by a one-year warranty. It also has an anti-theft feature built in!

One potential drawback of this unit is that it’s not quite as easy to install as it looks. It will probably take you at least an hour to get everything set up correctly. Also, the front of the bracket is full of adjustment holes. It is a bit ugly compared to other sleek units available. Additionally, earlier iterations (2020 models in particular) were reportedly not very good at cooling larger rooms. However, Midea has since addressed this issue.

Overall, the Midea Smart Window Air Conditioner is a great choice for those who want a powerful, affordable, and [really!] quiet air conditioner.

Best Luxury Smart Air Conditioner

The Frigidaire Gallery Smart Room Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU)

If you’re looking for an air conditioner that’s both powerful and quiet, the Frigidaire Gallery Smart Room Air Conditioner is a great choice. With 12,000 BTUs of cooling power, it can easily cool a room up to 550 square feet. Plus, it’s 20% quieter than a standard AC unit. There is also a remote control with an LCD display and a 24-hour timer.

This air conditioning unit comes with the Frigidaire app so you can control it from your smart device. Or, you can use Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa for hands-free operation. You’ll also appreciate the effortless temperature control, as well as the clean filter indicator. And with its easy-to-clean washable filter, you can keep the unit working efficiently for years to come.

This AC unit does have a few potential drawbacks, however. First, it’s a little on the expensive side. Second, it doesn’t have an automatic mode so you’ll need to manually adjust the temperature. Finally, the unit is a bit heavy, so it may be difficult to install if you’re not terribly handy. Overall, though, the The Frigidaire Gallery Smart Room Air Conditioner is a great choice for those who want a powerful and quiet air conditioner.

Best Smart Air Conditioner for Larger Rooms

LG Electronics Smart Window Air Conditioner (14,000 BTU)

Looking for a window air conditioner that won’t disturb your sleep or interrupt your workflow? Look no further than the LG Electronics Smart Window Air Conditioner LW1522IVSM (14,000 BTU). Featuring Lo-Decibel Optimal Low Noise Performance, this air conditioner has a powerful yet silent performance. Sound levels are as low as 44dB in sleep mode.

The LG can cool up to 800 square feet, and you will enjoy up to 35% Energy Savings when using this unit. Plus, the LG ThinQ app allows you to control your air conditioner from anywhere using your smartphone, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa. Additional features include an LCD Remote Control with a user-friendly LED display, a simple control panel, and 4-way air deflection that moves the air where it’s needed.

One potential con with this unit is the fact that its color choices are limited. Also, the unit is a bit heavy, and it creates some noise outside. It would be best not to install this AC in an area where you intend to spend a lot of time outdoors.

Overall, though, the LG Electronics Smart Window Air Conditioner is a great choice for those who want an energy-efficient unit that is also fiendishly smart.

Final Thoughts

What’s the best smart air conditioner? It depends on your needs. But all of the units on our list have their own unique features that make them stand out.

The Midea Smart Window Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU) is our recommendation for a budget-friendly option that is still packed with features.

The Frigidaire Gallery Smart Room Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU) is our recommendation if you are willing to overlook the slightly higher price for a smart air conditioner that is quiet and efficient.

And the LG Electronics Smart Window Air Conditioner LW1522IVSM (14,000 BTU) is our recommendation for those who need to cool a slightly larger room with an energy-efficient and low-noise air conditioner.

Do you have a favorite that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments!